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SMALL MOVEMENTS. BIG CHANGE. START YOUR TRANSFORMATION TODAY PureBarre.com/GA-woodstock purebarrewoodstock 2295 Towne Lake Parkway #152 Woodstock, GA 30189 678-742-7031 TOWNELAKER | September 2017

September 2017 Volume 23, Issue 5

10 Celebrating 100 Years Doris Anderson shares secrets to long and happy life.

16 Back-to-School Smiles Photos show happy students heading back to school.

22 Cherokee In Photos

Cherokee Office of Economic Development unveils contest winners.

32 Schmooza Palooza

County businesses gather to share the latest products and services.

44 Bullet Journaling

Approach planning, organization, journaling, etc. in one notebook.

68 Heart and Soul

Fellowship of Christian Athletes impacts middle, high school students.

82 Fishing at Dupree

Woodstock park gets facelift with stocked lake, boardwalk.

68 Contributing Writers Don Akridge

Cherokee Office of Economic evelopment 22 Christopher Brazelton 83

In Every Issue

Dr. Jordan Harrell

Kurt & Sheila Johnson 20 Mark Kissel

Joseph Lemmo

Dr. Sarah Licht

Ann Litrel

Jackie Loudin

Rob Macmillan

Connie Merten

Preston Pooser

Danny Branom

Sharon Breunig

Stacy Brown

Michael Caldwell

Dr. Jennifer Dattolo

Madison Erceg

Claire Frost

Dr. James Haley

Bill Ratliff

Delia Halverson

Susan Schulz

Dr. Scott Harden

Tim Timmons

Dr. Amy Hardin

Dr. Duncan Wells

Around Towne 4 Birthdays 8 Community News 12 Everyday Angels 30 Ribbon Cuttings 34 Towne Lake Dining Guide 52 Faith 56 TLBA 56 Library Events 58 Community Calendar 60 School News 76 Downtown Parking Map 79 Woodstock Dining Guide 85 Recent Home Sales 86 Directory of Advertisers 94

www.townelaker.com

48 & 49 On the Cover

Hale Healthcare’s Dr. Lá-Shaun Elliott Photo by J King Images 2

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

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

Twitter: @Townelaker Instagram: townelakermagazine

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

AROUND TOWNE

The

People, The Places and The Pleasures that make Towne Lake

What’s New

$20 Chiropractor has opened at 2485 Towne Lake Parkway, #1069, Woodstock. A variety of vitamins and supplements is available. 678-214-5644. www.20dollarchiropractic.com/towne-lake. 1029 Gastro Pub at 6380 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth, features live music and nightly specials. For updates, visit the pub’s Facebook page or call 678-403-1077. The Regal Event Hall has opened at 6380 Bells Ferry Road, Suite 107, Acworth. The venue offers a 4,000-squarefoot space for special events including weddings and receptions, business expos, fashion shows, quinceanera, anniversary and other events. Call Stephanie Daniel Hall at 678-772-4695. www.eventhalls.info.

Kumon Math and Reading Center has opened at 6422

Bells Ferry Road, Suite 146, Woodstock, in the center across from Walmart. Students advance through the after-school enrichment program at their own pace, in all levels of math and reading instruction. 678-932-8099. www.kumon.com/ WOODSTOCK-ROSE-CREEK.

Atlanta-area real estate investor Paul Shailendra, president of SG Property Services, has purchased Towne Lake Overview, a medical building at 100 Stoneforest Drive, close to the WellStar and Northside medical building. Towne Lake Overview is 52,000 square feet and will be used primarily for doctors’ offices and clinics. Shailendra serves on various statewide civic and educational boards, including the board of directors of Georgia Tech’s Athletic Association.

What’s Moved

Allatoona Outdoors & Archery has moved from

Rose Creek Drive to 6380 Bells Ferry Road, Suite 104, Acworth. The archery and outdoor shop carries a full line of archery, hunting and shooting equipment. 770-560-7046. Look for Allatoona Outdoors & Archery on Facebook.

What’s Coming

Construction on Heritage at Towne Lake, a David Weekley Homes community at the intersection of Old Bascomb and Bascomb Carmel roads, should begin in September or October. Home prices will start around the mid $300s. For more details, call 800-407-9150 or visit www.davidweekleyhomes.com.

Maple Street Biscuit Company will open in the former Papa P’s location in the Kroger shopping plaza at 2295 Towne Lake Parkway. Founder Scott Moore said, “Maple Street delivers comfort food with a modern twist built around fresh baked biscuits. We hope to open in about three months.” One of the faves, the Squawking Goat (featuring all-natural chicken breast and breaded goat cheese medallion covered with house-made pepper jelly, was featured on the Food Network show “Guilty Pleasures.” www.maplestreetbiscuits.com. Marietta Marine is building a 21,000-square-foot facility for boat sales and accessories, and parts and service, on Kellogg Creek Road across from Patriot’s Park. Groundbreaking is set for Sept. 1, with construction hopefully completed by spring 2018. The family-owned business has been leasing space from Little River Marina since 2006. www.mariettamarine.com. Kellogg Creek Boat & RV Storage will open adjacent to Marietta Marine. The waiting list number is 770-224-7277. www.KelloggStorage.com. Lidl is opening a Woodstock location on Highway 92 near Trickum Road. Construction will begin this fall or early winter, according to City Manager Jeff Moon. The 36,000-square-foot grocery store should be open in early 2018. www.lidl.com. A representative of the Frozen Cow Creamery in Kennesaw confirmed plans to open a location in Towne Lake, at 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 380 next to Steps Dance Studio. Grand opening should be some time this fall. For updates, check Facebook or www.frozenbluecow.com.

Zoës Kitchen is expected to open in mid-November at the former location of 9Round, in the Shops at Towne Lake on Towne Lake Parkway, where Sprouts is located. 9Round Fitness has moved about seven storefronts down from its previous location to a larger space. PetSupermarket should open sometime this month.

Staying Connected Aroundabout Local Media president Patty Ponder and market manager Katherine Amick were one of the 59 exhibitors at the

Cherokee Chamber of Commerce SchmoozaPalooza. The networking

event, held at Chattahoochee Technical College, was a unique opportunity for businesses and nonprofits to share information with each other and local residents, and learn more about the opportunities in Cherokee County. 4

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

COMMUNITY BOARD The TowneLaker Community Board consists of well-respected community leaders from different walks of life. Our board members assist us in many ways, including contributing to our magazine and providing valuable feedback.

Kurt Johnson, co-founder of the Kurt and

Sheila real estate team, has been involved in real estate most of his adult life. He and his wife have lived in Cherokee County for more than 13 years, their three children have attended county schools since the oldest started first grade at Bascomb Elementary. Kurt and Sheila work hard to promote Cherokee County and all it has to offer.

Ann Litrel is an artist and writer whose

nationally published work includes decorative art, paintings for private and corporate collections, and writing and illustration for a range of publications. Ann lives in Towne Lake with her husband and co-author Dr. Mike Litrel and their two sons. Ann can be reached at Ann@annlitrel.com.

Publisher Aroundabout Local Media, Inc. ALM President Patty Ponder 770-615-3322 Patty@AroundAboutMagazines.com Executive Editor Candi Hannigan 770-615-3309 Candi@AroundAboutMagazines.com Managing Editor Jackie Loudin 770-615-3318 Jackie@AroundAboutMagazines.com Art Director Michelle McCulloch 770-615-3307 Michelle@AroundAboutMagazines.com Page Designer Laura Latchford Laura@AroundAboutMagazines.com Controller Denise Griffin 770-615-3315 Denise@AroundAboutMagazines.com Market Support Associate Christie Deese Christie@AroundAboutMagazines.com Copy Editors Bill King, Eliza Somers

Dee Locklin is a Georgia State University retiree

who moved to Towne Lake in 1998 with her beloved husband Lewis, now deceased, and their only son Taylor, who now lives and works in Sandy Springs. Dee joined the TowneLaker as a contributing writer in 2011 and spends much of her time catering to two pampered American Eskimo dogs, Lea and Gidget.

Joe Lemmo is an English teacher and comedian who has taught in Cherokee County since 2000. He performs improv comedy in and around Atlanta. He lives in Woodstock with his wife Justine, his son Beethoven and his cat, Wasabi. Lynne Saunders is the founder and executive director of Papa’s Pantry and The Master’s Training Center. Her employment classes are based on a book she wrote, “21st Century Keys to Employment.” Lynne has been married to Bill for 33 years and has three grown daughters and five grandchildren. Dr. Scott R. Harden is

a family dentist at Fountain View Dentistry serving Woodstock and Cherokee County for more than 25 years. During this time, he has lived in the Towne Lake area with his wife, Kathy, and two children.

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

TowneLaker, a publication of Aroundabout Local Media, Inc., is a monthly community magazine. The magazine’s goal is to build a sense of community and pride in the Towne Lake and surrounding area by providing its residents with positive stories and timely information. It distributes a total of 16,400 free copies. Approximately 15,500 are direct mailed to homes and businesses and an additional 900 are placed in racks around the community. It also has 2,000+ digital viewers of the magazine online each month. TowneLaker welcomes your comments, stories, and advertisements. Editorial deadline is the 1st and advertising deadline is the 5th of the previous month. Subscriptions are available for $24 per year. Send check or money order to the address below. The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists and submissions are not necessarily those of the Editor/ Publisher and the Publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. TowneLaker is not responsible for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the Publisher. All rights reserved. © Copyright 2017. TowneLaker PMB 380 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 620, Woodstock, GA 30189 For Advertising: Patty Ponder, 770-615-3322 Website: www.townelaker.com Volume 23, Issue 5

America’s Community Magazine

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Happy birthday Shayla! Age 9 on Sept. 7 We love you so much!

Happy Birthday Lorenzo

Age 8 on Sept. 21 With love and best wishes to the most amazing son in the world. God Bless you! Mamita and Daddy

Ben Punch and Brittany Slaybaugh

were married July 1 in Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. Ben is the son of Liz and Brad Punch of Woodstock, and Brittany is the daughter of Wendy and Dave Slaybaugh of Biglersville, Pennsylvania. Ben (a.k.a. Jolly) and Brittany (a.k.a. Flashlight) began hiking the Appalachian Trail individually in March 2014, met a few weeks later and began hiking as a team. They completed the 2,179 mile distance together in July 2014. Ben earned a Master’s degree from Georgia Institute of Technology in Quantitative Computational Finance and Brittany graduated from Penn State with a Bachelor’s of Science in Structural Design and Construction Engineering Technology. Ben and Brittany live and work in Philadelphia.

Devon Bledsoe

Happy 19th birthday!

Happy birthday Lizzy Busy

Rafael and Alex

Celebrating on Sept. 13 and 19. Happy Birthday Alex and Rafael, I love you so much!

Age 2 on Sept. 11 You are one happy, fearless, curious, confident, funny and creative little girl! Can’t wait to see what you have in store for us at 2! Love you with all our hearts. Mommy, Daddy, Oliver, Mojito, Double and giraffe.

ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE FREE! E-mail to: Candi@AroundaboutMagazines.com October deadline is Sept. 10. Please specify TowneLaker. 8

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Celebrations

A Birthday Milestone Towne Lake resident celebrates 100th birthday.

BY CONNIE MERTEN

Doris Anderson turned 100 years old on July 17. Doris’ daughter, Nancy McNulty, hosted an ice cream social with more than 70 friends and family attending to wish Doris a happy birthday. Doris still has a twinkle in her eye and a beautiful smile on her face. When asked what her secret is to living to be 100, she said she’s always been a happy, joyful person, who has always loved working and helping people in need. She always exercised, walking for miles each day and working out to Jack LaLanne. She loved having a cocktail every happy hour with her husband during their 50 years of marriage. Born in Detroit Lakes, Minn., Doris grew up in Northern Wisconsin where her father was a bridge builder. She has vivid early memories of her family packing up as soon as school was out for the summer to go to whichever site her father was working on, where they slept in a tent with no running water or plumbing. For fun and to earn a little money, Doris picked raspberries and strawberries for the local farmers during the summer. When she was older, she became the local paper girl, delivering papers from her

Doris’ caregiver Jeri Hollon, who baked and decorated the birthday cake, helps Doris blow out the candles. 10

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Four generations: Doris, seated. First row, from left: daughter Nancy McNulty, granddaughter Christie Samms, great granddaughter Bailey Samms. Back row, from left: great grandson Michael Dodd, great granddaughter Amelia Samms. (Granddaughter Lisa Dodd is deceased.) Below, The dress that Doris wore to her senior prom when she was 16.

bicycle or if she was lucky, from the back of her dad’s truck during the school year. The one-room school house was close by, and when Doris was 4, she started following the older children to school. The first few days, the teacher would call Doris’s mother to tell her Doris was at the school. After about a week, the teacher said Doris was behaving and learning, so why not let her stay. She did, and graduated from high school when she was 16. Doris’ family had the only radio in town, so any time there was a major event, all the townspeople would crowd into her family’s home and porch to listen. She can still picture being at the dining room table with her family when the announcement was made that Pearl Harbor had been bombed. During the war she became one of the original “Rosie the Riveters” when she went to work at the Ford Motor Company at Willow Run, producing parts for the B24 Liberator bomber planes. Throughout her adult life, Doris loved crocheting, knitting, arts and crafts, and singing in the choir. She volunteered for MUST Ministries by making sandwiches for the lunch program, and during the holidays, sold pecans to raise money to help fund the lunch program. When asked what advice she would give to the younger generation, she said they should always be kind, help each other, don’t be afraid of hard work, and to be frugal with their money!

Made of Metal, Glass,

Heart & Soul.

Georgia’s newest hospital, Northside Hospital Cherokee, is now open. With the very best the medical world has to offer, it’s designed for patient comfort. That’s because we built it for you with patient needs as its foundation. See it now at NorthsideCherokee.com. TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Community

YOUR LOCAL NEWS

Signs of the Season One of the things we enjoy most about living in a tight-knit community is the comforting predictability that comes with each season. ... If it’s fall, you know the faithful will be gathering at Cherokee High for the annual Fields of Faith rally. As we approach the holidays, you can expect Eric Siegel to open up his Woodstock home for model train fans to enjoy his 900-square-foot display. Zombies regularly come out of the woodwork to invade our county, and a more recent addition called The Exchange — Woodstock, a ladiesnight-out with a purpose, is catching up in popularity.

Fields of Faith The eighth annual Fields of Faith, a program of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, will be held 7-9 p.m. Oct. 11 at Tommy Baker Field at Cherokee High School, 930 Marietta Highway, Canton. The community rally will include worship, testimonies and guest speakers Emeal “E.Z.” Zwayne, president of Living Waters Publications; student Tucker Wood from Woodstock High; and Coach Brian Puckett from Teasley Middle School. www.fieldsoffaith.com.

O-Scale Model Railroad Layout The Appalachian and Western O-Scale model railroad layout, which takes up 900 square feet and occupies the entire basement of Eric Siegel’s Towne Lake home, will be open for visitors 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 14. The layout has been featured in several magazines over the past few years. It’s still under construction, so anyone interested in starting their own has a good opportunity to see how it’s done. Siegel provides free refreshments and a limited number of train gifts for children. The open house is part of a larger tour of Atlanta area model railroads called the Piedmont Pilgrimage. For more details, visit www.piedmontpilgrimage. com. Siegel’s home is in Deer Run North, at 640 Overhill Drive, Woodstock. 404-400-2993. Admission is FREE.

Zombie Fest and Food Truck Fair

The Exchange — Woodstock Once a month on a Thursday night, women gather at Venue 92 in Woodstock to enjoy fellowship and explore a topic that enriches their minds and motivates them to engage it in their lives. That’s the mission of The Exchange — Woodstock, where local residents are invited to bring a bottle of wine and friends to hear the evening’s guest speaker. The topic for the Sept. 14 meeting is Purpose and Identity: the WHY behind our WHAT. “Imagine a community of women that know and live out their purpose,” said lead speaker Elizabeth Pehrson. The August gathering focused on Brene Brown’s “The Gifts of Imperfection,” which outlined the 10 guideposts of wholehearted living in order to, as Brown said, “let go of who you think you’re supposed to be and embrace who you are.” “It was a powerful night of community and conversation,” steering team member Bonnie Clark said. The Exchange — Woodstock meets on the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at Venue 92, 12015 Highway 92, Woodstock. Suggested donation is $10. RSVP at www.theexchange.org. 12

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

The zombies will be invading the south side of Cherokee County on Oct. 21 during the 2017 Georgia Zombie Fest and Food Truck Fair. The fifth annual event will take place noon-9 p.m. in downtown Woodstock. Just a week earlier, the zombie craze begins with the Zombie Fest 5K Walk, Run, Creep or Crawl, set for Oct. 14 at Etowah River Park in Canton. And, for those who can’t make it to Canton for the 5K, a virtual 5K is open to participants around the world. Registration details are available at www. GeorgiaZombieFest.com. More than 8,000 people attended last year’s Zombie Fest, which has become a popular fundraiser for Cherokee FOCUS, a local 501 (c) 3 nonprofit focusing on a variety of programs and initiatives for youths and young adults. During its 15 years, FOCUS has worked with hundreds of youths in their Cherokee Youth Works program, which focuses on education, work readiness and career employment for 16- to 24-year-olds. Throughout the county, FOCUS also targets youths and young adults through the Drug Free Cherokee initiative for drug prevention; watch for their prom campaign coming soon. Other initiatives for this collaborative include efforts in the area of literacy and their Hotel to Home track to permanent housing.

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

YOUR LOCAL NEWS

From left: Field Operations Chief Shane West, Ethan Sanders, Sgt. Dustin Long, Sgt. Phillip Carlisle, Sgt. Bryan Thomas, Larry Stephenson, Jr., Sillia Bryant with the Coca Cola Company, Assistant Fire Chief Eddie Robinson and Lt. Craig Delay.

Donations Help Firefighters Endure Heat Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services received a nice surprise when the Coca-Cola Co. donated water and Powerade to local firefighters. A transfer truck made the delivery to Cherokee County Fire Logistics. Coca-Cola donated 112 cases of Dasani water and 10 cases of Powerade “Cherokee County Fire was selected because Coca-Cola United Bottling Co.-North Metro is a new company located in Sandy Springs and we wanted to support our local firefighters during the hot summer season. Our territory stretches from the tip of Buckhead to Dahlonega,” said Leigh Ann Spitzmiller, special events manager for Coca-Cola.

Scholarships Awarded to Health Care Students Northside Hospital Auxiliary named five recipients of the 2017 Sally M. Johnson scholarship, given to Cherokee County residents pursuing degrees in the health care field while enrolled in Georgia colleges. Proceeds from Northside Hospital Cherokee’s auxiliary gift shop and vendor sales fund the program, which gives $1,000 to each recipient. Winners are Austin Griffin, Chidi Ojukwu and, pictured from left: Michelle Suzal-George, Yasmeen Ismail and Briana Delvasto.

New Pastor at Bascomb UMC The Rev. Sonny Sellers is the new senior pastor of Bascomb United Methodist Church, located at 2295 Bascomb Carmel Road in Woodstock. He served Griffin First United Methodist as associate pastor for two years before his appointment to Bascomb. He has a background as a music and youth minister, and director of christian education. After more than 20 years of service as an ordained deacon in the North Georgia Conference, he was ordained as a United Methodist Elder at the Annual Conference this year. www.BascombUMC.org. 14

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Sellers

Northside Wins Award for Heart Care

Northside Hospital Cherokee has been recognized for providing high-quality cardiovascular and stroke care, with several prestigious national health organization awards: • The American College of Cardiology’s NCDR ACTION Registry Gold Performance Achievement Award for heart attack care. Northside Hospital Cherokee is one of 30 hospitals nationwide to receive this honor. • The American Heart Association (AHA) Mission: Lifeline® Heart Attack Receiving Center Gold Level Recognition Award. • The AHA Get With The Guidelines® (GWTG) Gold Plus Achievement Award for heart failure. • The AHA GWTG Gold Plus Achievement Award with Target:StrokeSM Honor Roll Elite. • The AHA GWTG Gold Quality Achievement Award for Resuscitation. Northside is one of five hospitals in Georgia and two in metro Atlanta (the other is Northside Hospital Forsyth) to receive this award. The awards back up the fact that patients transported to the emergency department at Northside Cherokee receive lifesaving care in the hospital’s cardiac catheterization laboratory faster than most other hospitals in the Atlanta region, according to a recent press release. The hospital offers the full cycle of cardiac care, including PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention) for STEMI (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction) and cardiac rehabilitation. “Our team of board-certified cardiologists, cardiac-trained nurses and technologists works collaboratively with Cherokee County Emergency Management to help patients get the right care they need as quickly as possible,” said Angela Edgar, RN, MS, CCRN-CMC, RCIS, manager of cardiology services at Northside Hospital Cherokee. When the new Northside Hospital Cherokee was built, special attention was paid to how patients would be transported between the emergency department and cath lab and how each department would be designed to prevent barriers to care. “Since the new hospital opened, we’ve seen a 30 percent increase in patients, yet our treatment times continue to be below the national average,” Edgar said. “I’m very proud of our team and all of the hard work that we are doing. Being honored for giving excellent patient care is the best recognition a hospital can receive.”

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TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Back-to-School Smiles!

From the precious faces in these photos, it looks like TowneLaker students and teachers were happy to be heading back to class at Bascomb, Carmel and Boston elementary schools, E.T. Booth Middle and Etowah High schools, and Cherokee Christian!

Angelie Gabriel on her first day as a Kindergarten teacher at Free Home Elementary.

Abby Reidy Madden a third-grade teacher at Liberty Elementary.

Ari H. is a fifth-grader at Bascomb.

Matteo P., first-grader at Bascomb.

Olivia K. on her first day of middle school at Cherokee Christian.

Abel M. is in second grade at Boston.

Gabrielle B. and Kate R. at E.T. Booth.

The Briarleigh Way bunch is headed to Bascomb.

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Ava A. and Caroline K. are freshmen at Etowah.

Sisters Elizabeth H., senior, and Rachel H., sophomore at Etowah.

Madison D., Parker B. and Neal O. are students at E.T. Booth.

Etowah freshmen Riley C., Alina F., Olivia H., Amanda B., Erin W. and Brittany M.

Nick A. is in third grade at Bascomb.

Samantha R. is a third-grader at Bascomb. Madison D. and Marissa M. attend E.T. Booth.

Andrew and Shelby R. started sixth grade at E.T. Booth.

Etowah seniors Mckenna, Sophia, Emily and Amanda.

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Back-to-School Smiles!

Marin P. is in fourth grade, Karis P. in second at Carmel.

continued

Madison E., a fourth-grader at Carmel.

James M. started Kindergarten at Carmel.

Maggie M. is a 10th-grader at Etowah.

Olivia Bryant, seventh grade at E.T. Booth.

E.T. Booth sixth-graders Mattie T., Maddie M., Grace T., Haley G. and Scarlett H.

Sydney B, and Maddy D, attend Etowah. 18

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Daniel M. is in sixth grade at E.T. Booth.

Hudson S. starts Kindergarten at Boston. Kate Messerly on her first day of teaching fifth grade at Hasty Elementary.

Fairways kids headed to Bascomb.

Avery M. is in third grade at Bascomb.

Matt and Caroline S. attend E.T. Booth.

Bascomb students Kira, Jack, Paola and Lili. Hannah Bryant, fifth grade at Bascomb.

Nathan M. started Kindergarten at Carmel.

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Update on Towne Lake Real Estate Market BY KURT & SHEILA JOHNSON

How is the real estate market in Towne Lake? If we could answer this question with a “good” or “not so good,” we wouldn’t need to write an entire article to give you the correct answer. The shortest answer we can give you is this: the real estate market is continuing to improve overall, but more so for homes priced under $350,000. Chart 1 compares the first six months of 2016 with the same months of 2017. You will notice that, on average, homes are selling for more money and selling faster. In an effort to compare apples to apples, we also calculated the average sales price per square foot of homes from the two time frames. Homes are selling for an average of 6 percent more per square foot.

Chart 1

Chart 2

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Chart 1 can’t accurately tell the whole story when you consider that more than half of the homes sold for $250,000 or less. You can see on chart 2 that these lower priced homes sell at a premium price per square foot, which skews the overall average. A more detailed view is necessary to reveal how price point affects the key data points. Interestingly, the decline in homes sold from 2016 to 2017 is almost entirely missing from the lower price ranges. You can see in chart 2 that the number of homes sold under $200,000 is down 34 percent (44 homes). The decline in homes sold in this category also explains the spike in the price per square foot for homes in this segment. With fewer homes in this price category

there are more competitive offers pushing the values up. The high average cost per square foot for homes more than $500,000 are attributable to the small sample size with one home in The Villages selling for $194/square foot (an anomaly). Before deciding on a pricing strategy for your property, ask your Realtor to determine what’s happening in your home’s price range, subdivision and home type. It’s a changing market and pricing your home correctly is one of the key ways to get multiple offers and top dollar. Kurt and Sheila are a topproducing real estate team that lives in Towne Lake and has served Cherokee County for more than 15 years. www.KurtandSheilaTeam.com

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Cherokee in Photos

Gallery Offers a Photographic Tour of the County PROVIDED BY CHEROKEE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Collaboration was imperative when the Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED) teamed up with Chattahoochee Technical College and the Woodstock Office of Economic Development to create a unique downtown campus with bustling students, entrepreneurs, and prospective and existing business professionals. “This project was a startup itself,” COED Chairman Marshall Day said. “No other technical college campus in the state has this exceptional opportunity to pull together three entities and touch education, talent development, entrepreneurship and overall economic development like this does.” Cherokee County and Woodstock’s economic development teams moved into the newly renovated Chattahoochee Technical College Woodstock campus last year. With business prospects from across the globe, COED needed a way for their many visitors to experience all that the county has to offer during a short visit. They wanted to showcase Cherokee’s quality of place by connecting the visitor through photos.

Networking in The Circuit. 22

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

The public is invited to view the gallery of photos.

“The people who visit our office are potential investors in our community,” COED President Misti Martin said. “Whether they are corporate prospects, startups, state and regional partners, or locals, they are considering doing business in Cherokee. We only get one chance to make a great first impression. Having this photo gallery will help support us in telling the story of why they should invest in this place we call home.”

Since COED has been facilitating the Cherokee Workforce Collaborative and its efforts to increase internships and co-ops for students with local businesses, they decided to hire an intern to spearhead the “Cherokee in Photos” campaign. Mercer University student Ellie Colt was hired for the summer. “It was exciting to lead this project. The response that we received from the community was more than we could have ever expected. Over 130 photos were submitted, and I was humbled that photographers were so willing to share their lives with us. Misti and her team were so helpful and willing to teach me the ropes, and the opportunity to play a small part in connecting them to the community was very rewarding,” Colt said. Local professional and amateur photographers were asked to send photos of anything that they thought makes Cherokee County feel unique. Once COED started to receive pictures, a social media campaign began, receiving a great response from the community. Residents voted for their favorite photo. Once the submission period ended, Colt led the selection committee made up of Bill Grant (president of Grant Design Collaborative and Canton councilman),

Selecting photos for the gallery was not an easy task. From left: Ellie Colt, Bill Grant, Brian Stockton and David Simmons.

Bob Kelley, winner of the People’s Choice Award.

David Simmons (vice president of facilities at Chattahoochee Technical College), Brian Stockton (director of economic and downtown development, Woodstock), Misti Martin (president, COED), and Heath Tippens (senior project manager, COED) met to choose the pictures they felt best represented the community. The 22 pictures were revealed in conjunction with the grand opening of the Cherokee and Woodstock offices of economic development as well as The Circuit, Cherokee’s first co-work space. The grand opening event was held on Aug. 10 and was attended by contest winners, local government representatives, county industry and entrepreneurs, and community partners. COED welcomes the public to visit the Cherokee in Photos gallery. It is these showcased events, landmarks, and faces that tell our county’s story and reveal our quality of place. COED is located at One Innovation Way, Woodstock.

Woodstock and Cherokee County’s economic development teams. Front row, from left: Heath Tippens, Videssa Ormsby, Mitzi Saxon, Misti Martin, Kristyne Davis and Jonathan Chambers. Back row: Stacey Brown, Ellie Colt and Kyle Bennett.

The Cherokee Office of Economic Development is the leading organization for business and film recruitment and industry retention & expansion. For more information, visit www.cherokeega.org.

Before the photo reveal. TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Shoppes at Ridenour 1615 Ridenour Blvd., Suite 202, Kennesaw, GA 30152 678-903-8140 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays noon-5 p.m. Sundays

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Describe your business. •Cookie Cutters is a kid-friendly environment that provides a great experience at

tremendous value for child and parent. We offer a wide range of services that includes: • Baby’s first haircut. • Quality, affordable, stylish kids’ haircuts. • Shampoo service. • Styling and braiding. We have TVs at each station streaming child-appropriate entertainment and video games. We have a variety of the latest fantasy chairs on the cutting floors, and the kids can choose which one to sit in. We are experts in kids’ cuts, so our haircuts will only average 15-30 minutes, which our busy parents really appreciate!

makes your business unique? •WeWhat delight in providing an environment where both child and parent are at ease. When

kids enter the store, they usually head immediately to our indoor play area with a slide. Haircuts are scary for some, especially those with special needs or sensory issues. Our stylists have been trained specifically to deliver exactly what you ask for — a great haircut. Whatever it takes to make the child comfortable, they will work to do it. Shampooing can be stressful, so our shampoo station is a make-believe fire truck! We aim to make the visit fun for kids and stress-free for parents.

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

CookieCutters.Kennesaw www.haircutsarefun.com

• Our customers say: My kids and I have always had a great experience at Cookie Cutters. The staff is friendly and professional, and the atmosphere is ideal for young children. We leave with smiles and great haircuts!” Fantastic experience! This was my son’s second haircut and the first one at another salon did not go well at all. The stylist here was EXTREMELY patient with him (and me) and there were zero tears this time. She did a great job and was fantastic with my 2-year-old. Awesome place.”

For more information NorthGaOBGYN.com 900 Towne Lake Parkway, Suite 404, Woodstock, GA 30189 433 Highland Parkway, Suite 203, East Ellijay, GA 30540

(770) 926-9229

We offer comprehensive services in women’s health. OB/GYN SERVICES & SURGICAL PROCEDURES: • Annual Well-Woman Exams

• HPV Vaccines

• Robotic Hysterectomies

• Fertility Evaluations

• Contraception Management

• Laparoscopic Hysterectomies

• Maternity Care

• Hormone Replacement Therapy

• Diagnostic Laparoscopy

• Cervical Cancer Screening

• Urinary and Fecal Incontinence

Our experienced and specially trained staff include mid-wife, Shelly Ray, CNM and physician assistant Michelle Clardy, PA-C to meet all of our patients’ needs.

Angela Falany MD, FACOG

Najia Lawrence MD, FACOG

Michael Hulse MD, FACOG

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Real to Reel To Be or Not to Be (A Local Hire) Why Angelinos are becoming ATLiens.

BY MADISON ERCEG

We’ve all heard and felt the rumblings of film productions popping up in our midst. While it’s easy to spot the cameras and coned blockades zoning off the street corner, these productions come and go … and life as usual resumes. What we don’t think about is how these seemingly transient projects indicate something much more permanent. The reality that a blossoming entertainment industry is here to stay is reflected not only by the flashy film sets, but the people who have uprooted their lives in Los Angeles and made the South their home. Christie McNab Entertainers from around the world are so confident in the Southeast film market that they’re bringing their productions here and relocating their lives. Actor Christie McNab, born and raised in Southern California, recently moved from Los Angeles to Towne Lake. Although many in L.A. questioned this move, she knows that the rise in local filming isn’t diminishing anytime soon. “For the past three years, 90 percent of my auditions have been self-taped from L.A. for Southeast projects,” McNab said. “I kept getting really far in the audition process for projects out here and then losing out to local hires.” “Local hires” is an industry term that describes talent that lives within a certain mileage of where the production is filming. Thus, the production itself isn’t expected to provide lodging and transportation for these actors, cutting down on costs and, in theory, providing more employment opportunities for actors whose tax dollars contribute to the local market. In reality, this translates to countless actors in Los Angeles biting the bullet and asking their agencies to submit them as local hires, then paying to fly out and lodge themselves in order to gain experience. That’s the position McNab found herself in after being cast in “Holding Patterns” (2016). “Since I have family in the South, my manager was able to pitch me for the role as a local hire, even though I lived in L.A. When I booked the film, I had to pay for my flight and two weeks of hotel out of pocket. But, it was a huge project - so I had to make the choice to do it for my career, not the money.” Most auditions for Southeast projects are “self-tape,” meaning the audition is recorded and sent to the casting director online, not facilitated in person. This allows actors in Los Angeles to continue their West Coast lives while submitting Southeast auditions when possible. If cast, although not ideal, many actors find that taking a financial hit on behalf of furthering their careers is well worth it. So why would anyone with interests elsewhere make the move? 26

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Cue Georgia decision-makers. In an effort to develop local talent and keep the money earned from these projects inside Georgia, the state is pushing for local hire requirements to become truer to the term - making it increasingly difficult for actors without true residence in the Southeast to partake in local productions. According to Jason Lynch of AdWeek, filming in Atlanta brings upwards of $7 billion a year to the Georgia economy. It makes sense, then, that state officials would like to see the talent employed on these productions invest back into the Georgia market by living, eating and paying taxes locally. As a result, many auditions previously being put on tape are now requiring live auditions. While this will deter actors from exploring the Southeast market, those who believe in its rise are acting accordingly: making Atlanta and its surrounding regions their home. McNab has no regrets. “I love Atlanta,” she said. “Although I’m a California girl through and through, the South is surprisingly agreeing with me. It’s a much more relaxed, peaceful atmosphere than L.A. And Towne Lake is beautiful. It reminds me of where I grew up in Irvine, but with way more trees. I think my favorite part has been all the wildlife,” she paused and laughed, “once you can get past the crazy weather!” When asked about her plans for the future, now that she’s made Towne Lake and Atlanta her home, she replied, “Right now I’m just auditioning and getting more familiar with the industry in Atlanta. I just started a PR company with a friend, called Above The Line Branding, so that’s been really exciting.” For McNab and others who’ve chosen to take a risk, the possibilities are endless. If the whispers hold true, the implications for this exponential growth in the next 10 years may prove transformative for us all. Source: Lynch, Jason. “Georgia’s TV and Film Industry Now Brings in $7 Billion a Year, Fueled by Smart Incentives.” – Adweek, Adweek, April 9, 2017, www.adweek.com/tv-video/how-atlanta-became-theworlds-fastest-growing-film-and-tv-destination/.

Madison Erceg, a graduate of Pepperdine University with a degree in media production and theater, lives in Towne Lake, where she works in front of and behind the camera.

Perimeter North Family Medicine Perimeter North Family Medicine is proud to serve the families throughout the Woodstock and North Georgia area. Offering a full range of adult and

Graham B. Matthews, M.D.

pediatric services, our board-certified physicians, Dr. Graham B. Matthews, Dr. Caroline Nguyen and Dr. Kanyan Xiao offer the highest standard of care to keep you and your family happy and healthy. We accept most insurance plans and offer same-day appointments for sick visits.

Our Services Include: • • • •

Physical examinations & wellness care for men, women & children General and chronic care for geriatric patients Immunizations Acute illness treatment for colds, fevers, flu & more

Call 770-395-1130 for an appointment 900 Towne Lake Pkwy., Suite 210, Woodstock, Georgia 30189 PNFM.com

Caroline Nguyen, M.D.

Kanyan Xiao, M.D. TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Rob’s Rescues There are 10 black kittens in the Cherokee County Animal Shelter at the moment. They are so cute. Be sure to adopt them soon, before they are gone. They are around 10 weeks old. This dog’s name is Goose. She is about 1 year old and is a shepherd mix. Goose likes balls, and is friendly and super calm. She would be the type of dog that I would like to have. She is not afraid of noises and is very curious. She is a perfect dog.

If you want to donate, there are Rob’s Rescues pet food collection bins at Never Alone Food Pantry (291 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock), Yumsa (106 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock) and now at Rebound Physical Therapy (980 Woodstock Parkway #200, Woodstock). Food is given to the shelter for its pantry, as well as other places like the Grey Project (interview coming next month), Never Alone and other places that need it.

Birthday collection, from left: Emily Jones, Sophia Wilson, Paige Murray, Allison Mascitti, Amanda Lloyd and Jake Garrett.

It is always nice when someone has a Rob’s Rescues pet food collection bin at their birthday party. Thank you, Allison Mascitti, for all the food collected.

Follow Rob on Facebook! www.facebook.com/robsrescues/ 28

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Rob and Joe Kafati, owner of Rebound Physical Therapy in Woodstock.

I’m Rob Macmillan and I’m on a mission to help shelter dogs and cats. These animals are at the Cherokee County Animal Shelter at 1015 Univeter Road, Canton. Contact me at robsrescues@gmail.com.

Expert Surgical Care for the Cherokee Community

Northside Cherokee Surgical Associates is a full-service practice specializing in general surgery. Our board-certified physician, Dr. Grant Wolfe, uses the latest minimally invasive robotic and laparoscopic techniques to treat the full spectrum of abdominal, thyroid, and soft tissue disorders. Grant Wolfe, M.D.

Treatments offered for: • Hernias

• Skin and soft tissue lesions

• Gallstones and gallbladder problems

• Thyroid and parathyroid disease

• Breast masses and cancer

• Diverticulitis and colon cancer

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease and hiatal hernias

• Stomach, adrenal gland, pancreas and spleen disorders

(770) 924-9656 • ncsurgicalassociates.com 900 Towne Lake Parkway, Suite 412, Woodstock, GA 30189

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

EVERYDAY

Nathan and his uncle, Steven Tuggle, before his competition.

On July 22, Canton resident Nathan Toward the end of the championship Waddle, 20, suffered a traumatic brain round, Nathan received a kick to the injury while competing in a mixed head that landed beneath his helmet. martial arts competition at Gwinnett He immediately went down and was Center. At press time, he was in the unconscious. Nathan was transported intensive care unit at Gwinnett Medical to Gwinnett Medical Center, where they Center and facing an uncertain future. performed emergency surgery to remove “Nathan understands challenges well,” part of his skull. At press time, Nathan said Susan Tuggle, his aunt and guardian. remained in a coma. He has experienced “The first five years of Nathan’s life, he some progress as well as setbacks. He was raised by his single father, Jeremy, had three mini strokes from the brain who was just a kid himself. When Nathan injury. was 5 years old, his dad never returned “Doctors have said he is out of the home from work when the motorcycle woods, but it isn’t until he fully wakes up he was driving was struck by a drunk that we will understand the extent of his driver. My parents, along with my injuries and what will be required going husband and I, immediately decided that Nathan with his aunt and uncle, Susan and Steven forward,” Susan said. we would raise Nate together and share Tuggle, at his 2015 graduation from The King’s Academy. Meanwhile, his grandparents and aunt custody of him. We had two children of and uncle have not left his side. They are our own and my oldest daughter and Nathan are just three weeks prayerfully determined to save Nathan. These two sweet families apart in age. have spent their lives selflessly and successfully raising Nathan “Nathan graduated from King’s Academy in 2015 and currently to be a fine young man and are facing unexpected changes and attends Chattahoochee Technical College in preparation to transfer unknowns. Nathan likely will remain in ICU up to eight weeks, and to KSU to pursue a degree in nursing. He works as a personal trainer the family members drive to Lawrenceville daily to be beside him, at the Canton YMCA and also volunteers for Warriors of Wonder praying for a day of progress. camp for disabled children. Nathan has a joyful spirit and kind heart It will be awhile before Nathan leaves the hospital and, when for others,” Susan said. he finally does, he will require extensive physical and cognitive Since he was a child, Nate always has loved martial arts, a love therapies. Everyday Angels asks for your prayers, support and that he and his dad shared. “His daddy was a black belt in karate encouragement for Nathan and his extended family. We look and Nate started karate at a very young age. He has all of his belts,” forward to sharing future updates on Nathan and pray that they Susan said. will reveal a healthy, happy and whole young man. Over the past year, Nathan began exploring the competitive world of martial arts and Muay Thai kickboxing. He enjoyed its mental and physical discipline and began training. On July 22, wellEveryday Angels is a 501(c)3 nonprofit serving Cherokee County since 2000. If you would like to make a tax deductible donation, please visit trained and equipped with all of his safety gear, Nathan entered the www.everydayangels.info to donate via Paypal or send your donations ring to compete. to: Everyday Angels, PMB 380, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 620, “I could not watch, so I stayed home, but my husband updated Woodstock GA, 30189. One hundred percent of your funds will go to the family you specify. Also, if you know of a special need within me throughout the night,” Susan said. “He had made it to the your community that you would like to share, please send an e-mail to championship round and was so excited. When I stopped receiving aaeverydayangels@gmail.com for consideration and qualification. updates, I became very concerned.” 30

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

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Set up a tour today. 404.960.9225 | gary.weller@clubcorp.com *Offer expires 8/31/17 and may not be combined with any other discounts or promotions. Membership is contingent on successful completion of the Club’s enrollment process. Other restrictions and exclusions may apply. See Club for details. © ClubCorp USA, Inc. All rights reserved. 35550 0717 EA

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

een Schmooza Palooza 2017 S@ Cherokee Chamber of Commerce

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce

Ribbon Cuttings Kumon Math & Reading Center 6422 Bells Ferry Road Suite 146 Woodstock, GA 678-932-8099 www.kumon.com/ WOODSTOCK-ROSE-CREEK

Art Jewelers Diamonds & Design 136 Woodstock Square Ave., Suite 400, Woodstock, GA 770-924-3133 www.artjewelers.net

Event Calendar Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce

3605 Marietta Hwy., Canton 770-345-0400, www.cherokeechamber.com

Sept. 7, Oct. 5 Good Morning Cherokee Breakfast

begins at 7 a.m. at the Cherokee County Conference Center, 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton. Current and future chamber members get the opportunity to conduct business and network with more than 200 fellow business leaders. September sponsor is Reinhardt University. October sponsor is Cobb EMC. Advanced single registration is $17, on-site is $22. Future members, $30. Register online or email gini@cherokeechamber.com. 34

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Sept. 12

Sept. 27

Business After Hours, 4:30-

Work Life Balance: Designing a healthy, happy life that fulfills you and your business, presented by Stephanie Hines, business and marketing coach, 9 –11 a.m. at the chamber office. Cost: member early bird (by Sept. 20), $25; member, $30; future member, $45. Register online or email brandy@cherokeechamber.com.

6:30 p.m. at Canton Smiles Dentistry and Orthodontics, 1425 Riverstone Parkway, Suite 200, Canton. Presented by AT&T. Cost: members, $5; future members, $10. Registration due Sept. 8. Register online or email brandy@ cherokeechamber.com.

Sept. 14 Power Hour, 10-11 a.m., for

fast-paced networking with fellow business leaders, takes place in the chamber board room. $5 for members, $10 for future members, payable at the door, no advanced registration required. Sponsor is Cobb EMC.

Oct. 5 Cherokee Challenge. The chamber’s

version of “The Amazing Race.” Teams of two will participate in activities at destinations throughout Cherokee County. The event involves teamwork, physical skill, mental toughness, networking and amazing fun. Cost: $180 for two-person team. Register by noon Sept. 26 online or email gini@cherokeechamber.com.

We are proud to share a better option for families in Cherokee County. Designed for seniors who need assisted living and memory care, this unique household neighborhood opened less than a year ago and has already garnered rave reviews and national recognition. The first community of its kind, nestled in eight beautifully landscaped acres, this neighborhood of six single story homes with only 16 residents in each, eliminates even the hint of institutional care.

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TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Getting (Mentally) Ready to Retire DON AKRIDGE, MBA, CFP®, CPA/PFS U.S. MARINE CORPS VETERAN – EMORY UNIVERSITY ALUMNUS

A successful retirement is not merely measured in financial terms. Even those who retire with small fortunes can face boredom or depression, and the fear of drawing down their savings too fast. How can new retirees try to calm these worries? Two factors may help: a gradual retirement transition and some guidance from a financial professional. An abrupt break from the workplace may be unsettling. As a hypothetical example, imagine a well-paid finance manager at an auto dealership whose personal identity is closely tied to his job. All his best friends are at the dealership. He retires, and suddenly his friends and sense of purpose are absent. He finds The average that he has no compelling reason to leave the house, nothing to 65-year-old look forward to when he gets up who retires in in the morning. Guess what? He being retired. 2017 will have hates On the other hand, if he a retirement prepares for retirement years in advance of his farewell party, lasting by exploring an encore career, approximately engaging in varieties of selfemployment, or volunteering, 20 years he can retire with something promising ahead of him. If he broadens the scope of his social life, so that he can see friends and family regularly and interact with both older and younger people in different settings, his retirement also may become more enjoyable. The interests and needs of a retiree can change with age

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

or as he or she disengages from the working world. Retired households may need to adjust their lifestyles in response to this evolution. Practically all retirees have some financial anxiety. It relates to no longer earning a conventional paycheck. You see it in couples who have $60,000 saved for retirement; you see it in couples who have $6 million saved for retirement. Their retirement strategies are about to be tested, in real time. All that careful planning is ready to come to fruition, but there are always unknowns. Some retirees are afraid to spend. They fear spending too much too soon. With help from a financial professional, they can thoughtfully plan a withdrawal rate. While no retiree wants to squander money, all retirees should realize that their retirement savings were accumulated to be spent. Being miserly with retirement money contradicts its purpose. The average 65-year-old who retires in 2017 will have a retirement lasting approximately 20 years, by the estimation of the Social Security Administration. So, why not spend some money now and enjoy retired life?1 Broadly speaking, our spending declines as we age. The average U.S. household headed by an 80-year-old spends 43 percent less money than one headed by a 50-year-old.1 Retirement challenges people in two ways. The obvious challenge is financial; the less obvious challenge is mental. Both tests may be met with sufficient foresight and dedication. continued on page 88 Don Akridge is president of Citadel Professional Services, LLC, an independent firm, founded in 1994 and conveniently located off Chastain Road between I-575 & I-75 in Kennesaw. 770-952-6707.

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Spotted Around Town Raelynn, Nicholas and Trey, seated, with Summer during movie night at the Northside Hospital Cherokee Amphitheater.

Mitzi Saxon, left, and Patty Ponder at the ribbon cutting ceremony for The Circuit and Cherokee County of Economic Development.

Young superheroes enjoying Friday Night Live in Woodstock.

David Leggett, Joe Cianciolo and Michael Caldwell attended the Cherokee in Photos Gallery reveal at the new Cherokee County of Economic Development office space. Mack Butler, left, and Matt Loudin enjoy kayaking at Rope Mill Park.

Woodstock superheroes Jack “Batman” Ward with Alice “Wonder Woman” Ward and Lyla “Spidergirl” Ward.

The Gibson family from Maryland, top row, Rebacka, Jordan, Summer, bottom row, Nicholas and Candice visiting downtown Woodstock with ALM Page Designer Laura’s children Trey, Kira and Realynn.

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Amy and Jeff McCall enjoy a night out on the town at the Woodstock Summer Concert Series.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

your business. •OurDescribe mission is to Build Strength in Motherhood. We are the nation’s

leading pre- and post-natal fitness program. We offer many different classes including Stroller Strides®, which is a total body workout using the environment, power walking and resistance training with our kiddos with us the whole time, either in strollers or wearing them. Stroller Barre® is a blend of Pilates, yoga, barre, ballet and stroller-based exercise designed to help moms build strength and muscle tone to improve posture. We also offer FIT4BABY®, which is a prenatal fitness class designed exclusively for pregnant mamas.

makes your business unique? •WeWhat are very unique for the fitness industry. Not only do we get to workout

with our kiddos in tow, but we incorporate our kids into the workout through songs, finger plays, bubbles and more. We also have weekly playgroups, monthly mom’s night out and more. We follow American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology guidelines for all of our exercise programs and our instructors are trained and certified to lead mamas in exercises that are safe and effective for every stage of motherhood.

Cherokee Recreation Center, 7545 Main St., Woodstock 30188. (Hobgood Park starting Sept. 13) 404-512-1222 Rec Center: 9:30-10:30 a.m. Mon.-Fri. Hobgood Park: 10-11 a.m. Mon., Wed., Thurs. fit4momwoodstock woodstock.fit4mom.com I moved to Georgia as a new mom with a 3-month-old and a husband who travels frequently. With no friends or family in the area, I was desperate to find other moms who could help me face all my new challenges. That’s when I stumbled upon FIT4MOM®. Not only had I found an amazing workout that my baby could come to, I found a village of moms who would cry, laugh and celebrate with me as I walked through my journey as a mom. This program has changed my life for the better, and for that I’ll be forever thankful.” - Rebecca Hinman, member since February 2017

$5 Donation at the Gate • Free for children 10 years and under • Free parking and shuttle services No coolers, bicycles, skateboards, or alcoholic beverages allowed on site See you there - Rain or Shine!

saturday, sept. 23

10am-6pm All proceeds benefit Cherokee County children in need.

etowah river park 600 brown industrial pkwy

sunday, sept. 24

10am-5pm

Learn more at www.serviceleague.net

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

An Easy DIY

Nursery Project BY CLAIRE FROST

Now that I’m at the pregnancy halfway point, I’m thrilled to tell you that the burst of energy in this second trimester has allowed me to finish all of the projects that I started the moment we found out we were expecting! One of them is this adorable animal rack.

What you need: • Plastic animals. I found some at Kroger for 99 cents

each. You don’t have to use animals like I did. You could use dinosaurs, sea creatures, trains or whatever. • A wood panel. • Super glue. I like Loctite. • Wall-hanging kit. Mine came from Michael’s. It’s just two little circular hooks and wire. • Paint. You’ll need two colors, one for the animals and a separate color for the wood panel. First, figure out how many animals you need to fill your panel. Once you have the magic number, cut the animals in half. A chef’s knife will work. Next, paint the animals and the panel. I like a pop of color for the animals and a neutral for the panel. It’s easier to paint the panel when the backing is flat, before you add the hanging kit. When the paint dries, attach the wall-hanging kit to the back. It’s easier to attach

without the animals on the panel. I screwed in two circular hooks and then wound a wire through them both. Then I wound the wire back and forth and around itself for extra support. Last, the fun part: attaching the animals to the panel. Line them up and mark their spots with pencil, to make sure they’re even. Place a dot of the super glue on the top, bottom and side of the part of the animal. Once the animals are stuck in place, you can add a little more glue around the entire animal where it touches the panel, for extra security. Allow a little time for the glue to dry, and it’s ready to hang.

Claire is the editor of House of Frost, a blog juggling family, fashion, food and furnishing with a little sparkle. HouseFrost.com.

Your grandkids shouldn’t be the only ones spoiled. Welcome to a community unlike any other, The Arbor at BridgeMill. The Arbor at BridgeMill is your path to better living. We provide service and amenities that are unparalleled among senior living communities. So live the life you deserve, at The Arbor at BridgeMill. Bring this ad with you when you tour before September 15th to be entered to win a Grand Prize. (770) 766-9323 | 700 Freedom Blvd., Canton, GA 30014 | ArborBridgeMill.com

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Proper Pressure Key to Extending Tire Life BY DANNY BRANOM

One of the most important and easiest things you can do to improve the performance and longevity of your tires, and save money, is to have the correct tire pressure. Tire pressures are impacted by outside temperature, weather conditions and whether the vehicle has been driven any distance. Any or all of these can change your tire pressures from 6 to 10 psi (pounds per square inch). Tire pressures for most vehicles can be found in the owner’s manual, on your driver’s door area by the door latch, or where the door latches to the body pillar of the vehicle. It is very important to note that the pressures listed are always for when the tire is cold. No, you can’t drive a few blocks to the gas station and inflate them to the cold pressure, since this will set them too low, or what is called underinflated. If you do not have a compressor at home, you can follow these easy steps: Driving home at the end of your day, stop at the closest location to your home that has air. Fill your tires 6 pounds (psi) over the tire inflation recommendation, and the next day, BEFORE you move your vehicle, let the air out of each tire until it reaches the

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

manufacturer’s recommendation. Don’t forget to check the spare tire as well. Rotating the tires is next to tire pressure as one of the keys in maximizing the performance of your tires. My personal recommendation is to have the tires rotated every time you have an oil change. You cannot do this too often, and it will help keep uniform wear on all tires. With regular rotation, you will be able to detect an irregular wear pattern sooner, allowing you to take corrective action. When you correct a tire wear concern, you’re extending the life of your tires. Most manufacturers suggest a frontto-back rotation pattern. Be aware that some vehicles have two different tire sizes or rim widths, which will not allow a traditional rotation. In some cases, the manufacturer will recommend mounting and dismounting the tires for rotational purposes. Please consult with your favorite service shop for guidance.

Danny Branom is owner/operator of Christian Brothers Automotive in Towne Lake. 770-926-4500. www.cbac.com/townelake.

WellStar Kennestone Honored for Top-Level Cardiac Care WellStar Kennestone is the only hospital in the state of Georgia and the second hospital in the nation to receive the triple distinction of the Disease Specific Care Certification for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft, Cardiac Valve Repair/ Replacement and Congestive Heart Failure Program by The Joint Commission. All WellStar hospitals have received the Gold Seal of Approval accreditation from The Joint Commission, recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects a hospitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to meeting defined performance criteria. Recognition by The Joint Commission is your assurance that you can trust WellStar for the highest quality of care.

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Bullet Journaling It’s Just My Style

BY JACKIE LOUDIN

If you’re like me, something about fall spurs an organizational frenzy. I can’t put my finger on it, maybe it’s the anticipation of pumpkin EVERYTHING! Or, maybe it’s because the season is driven by back-toschool planners and calendars. Whatever the reason, I have typically used this season to purchase copious amounts of binders, notebooks, pens and assorted file folders in an attempt to get my life organized and on track. However, this year is different. This year, I am starting September with a well-worn notebook in hand, one that

is full of checked-off items and to-do lists that would make the most dedicated planner proud. The difference is that my search for the Holy Grail of organizational tools is over. I have discovered bullet journaling. You may have heard of this system, which consists of using journals or notebooks to create your own calendar, planner, journal, diary, sketch pad, etc. I have purchased more calendars and planners in my lifetime than I care to admit. None of them ever fit my needs or style. Bullet journaling does both. For those unfamiliar with bullet journaling, I encourage you to start with the man who developed the concept, Ryder Carroll. He calls it “the analog system for the digital age.” While his website (bulletjournal. com) gives tips and instructions on how to get started, he also encourages new bullet journalists to adapt the system that works best for them, and personalize the process. That’s the whole point of bullet journaling.

Tips for starting your own bullet journal (or bujo for short):

Select a journal or notebook, and a pen. They don’t have to be fancy. I started with an inexpensive, hard-bound journal and a black ballpoint pen. I have since discovered a favorite journal and pen, and you will, too. I prefer the Leuchtturm1917 medium sized (A5) notebook with squared ruling and a Sharpie fine-point pen.

Include a table of contents. I have always carried notebooks to take notes or create lists, but I could never find anything in them. I would flip endlessly through the pages trying to find what I was looking for. The table of contents is a game-changer. Make sure to leave two to three empty pages at the front of your notebook to log what is on your journal’s pages.

Number the pages. This is another game-changer, and crucial for being able to use the table of contents. I had to hand number the pages in my first journal, but the Leuchtturn1917, and many others, come with the pages already numbered.

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

It’s a personalized system that works for you. My way of planning and organizing is sure to be different from yours. I’ve also changed my way of bullet journaling since I started. That’s the beauty of it – if something isn’t working, you can change it, mid-page if you feel like it. If you love to doodle and sketch, like I do, you’ll enjoy the opportunity to add colorful artwork to your journal’s pages. Pinterest is full of ideas for hand-lettered fonts and creating elaborate habit trackers. Don’t let yourself get caught up in the visual aspect of bullet journaling, unless that appeals to you. Remember, it’s not a competition. It’s meant to be a useful organizational tool.

Create your sections, modules, collections and habit trackers. This is the meat of bullet journaling and where the organizational magic happens. The future and monthly logs will help you remember meetings and appointments, plan events and execute them. Daily entries are for your to-do-lists, while goal and habit trackers can help keep you focused. Collections are great for logging books you want to read or the list of Netflix binges you have your eye on. Again, I encourage you to watch videos from the bulletjournal.com website to see how the modules work together.

Make it yours. I can’t stress enough that the whole point of this system is to personalize and create something that works for you. At the end of each day I do my “brain dump” and write down random thoughts or memories from the day. My bujo is full of doodles, pencil-colored drawings, washi tape and post it notes. I’d love to see yours! Are you a bullet journal junkie or just getting started? Send me pics of your favorite pages or goal-tracking systems. I’m always looking for inspiration! jackie@aroundaboutmagazines.com

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Fall 2017

Head-Turning Hair Color Trends Jewel Tones

BY TIM TIMMONS

The bolder version of the pastel trend, but not as intense as the ultra-vibrant punk colors. Shades like quartz pink and sapphire blue incorporated into soft ribbons and color melts. This option is very easy for those with lighter hair. Darker hair will need to be pre-lightened to achieve the look. You already may have noticed it, and it is here to stay for this fall/winter season.

When summer turns into fall, it’s usually time to transition from a beach-appropriate hue to one that is more compatible with the change of seasons. A smooth summer-to-fall transition can range from adding a few well-placed highlights and lowlights with balayage, to recalibrating the full overall lightness to darkness of your base color. However, this fall, hair color is spicing things up, and it is going to be a season of bold, daring hair color trends. Here are five shades to use as inspiration for your own hair color:

Tiger’s Eye

It’s the latest evolution of bronde — a blend of brown and blonde. This color is a combination of highlights, in shades like honey, amber and soft brown, that are painted on using the balayage technique. This color became an overnight sensation in 2016 and is here to stay. The tiger eye stone is worn for protection and confidence, and anyone who wears this shade definitely will feel confident! They not only will have a beautiful color, but it’s ever so subtle when it grows out, so you don’t have to worry about harsh roots and high maintenance. The look has a universal appeal, as it sits in the middle of the hair color spectrum. It can be adjusted warmer or cooler to suit your skin tone. A great example of this color is Hannah Davis Jeter.

Nude Hair

This hair color has a neutral tone to pair with your skin tone and create an overall nude look. Natural blondes are usually born with this hair color. Think Gigi Hadid and Cara Delevingne.

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Baby Blonde

The pale pastel blonde is the perfect pairing to a dark winter wardrobe. When committing to this color, maintenance is important, so plan on visiting the salon regularly. Tip: I always recommend a violet color- based shampoo and conditioner to keep pale blonde hair radiant between salon visits.

Chocolate Mauve

This is a great way for brunettes to get a modern take on highlights. The unexpected combination continues to be one of the latest “it” colors. Whenever opting for a fashion shade like this one, always use an oil similar to argan oil as a treatment overnight and wash out in the morning to ensure the color shines. The best way to sum up this season’s hair color trends: Your hair will walk in the room before you do!

Tim Timmons is the owner of Salon Gloss Woodstock. Tim’s industry experience includes positions as trainer/educator, celebrity stylist and beauty consultant for the Grammys and MTV video music awards.

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

PHOTOS BY J. KING IMAGES

Membership Has Privileges

and Then Some

hale /hāl/

adjective Free from defect, disease or infirmity, also retaining exceptional health and vigor.

Dr. Lá-Shaun Elliott

Personalized health care is not a thing of the past. In our fast-paced society, where technology rules, we can get nostalgic for the “good old days.” We remember when life was simpler and less hectic, when the family doctor took time to listen, and appointments didn’t have to be scheduled months in advance. There’s a medical professional in our community who is devoted to bringing back the personal element: Meet Dr. Lá-Shaun Elliott, founding physician of Towne Lake-based Hale Healthcare. “Hale Healthcare is a membership-based health care provider focused on personalized care, to extend and enhance one’s life and happiness,” Dr. Elliott said. “I am able to provide health care that is directed by the patient-physician relationship and my patients’ personal medical goals.”

Direct-Fee Primary Care Model

Hale Healthcare operates on the direct-fee primary care (DPC) model, which may be a new, but beneficial, option for many people. DPC removes the middleman (insurance companies) from the doctor-patient relationship and decisionmaking process. “What sets us apart from others in the industry is we are not limited by insurance; we do not have to operate by seeing as many patients as possible in the shortest amount of time,” Dr. Elliott said. This model gives Dr. Elliott the opportunity to spend more time 48

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

with her patients and provide better care. At Hale Healthcare, you will experience unhurried office visits, have direct access to your doctor, and only schedule office visits when necessary, since many straightforward and uncomplicated issues can be resolved through phone, text or email.

Elite Membership

Hale Healthcare offers Elite Membership, an annual subscription program that is limited to a few hundred patients. Elite Membership is billed monthly, and may be submitted to insurance providers for reimbursement. The program provides members with access to Dr. Elliott for regular office visits, same-day appointments (when scheduled before 9 a.m.), same-day laboratory tests, annual physical and wellness evaluations, and prescriptions. Other benefits include: • Direct access and individualized care • Urgent care services • No wait time beyond 15 minutes • Three regular office visits per month • No insurance or co-pays required • Comprehensive Life Risk Assessment™ • Coordination of Care™ • Travel medicine • Unlimited access to health and beauty plans • Three Vitality Boost™ Therapy visits per month Vitality Boost™ Therapy delivers vital nutrients and vitamins by injection to help with illness prevention or recovery,

WEIGHT LOSS AND NUTRITION Detailed food and body image relationship history Screening for metabolic disorders Meal planning and support Weekly weigh-ins Body contour monitoring Body composition analysis HCG 500 calorie diet Phentermine appetite suppressant Counseling and road-block navigation Nutrient supplementation Motivational interviewing Post-treatment nutrition instruction Exercise prescriptions Lipolysis boost injections ACNE AND SKIN CARE Prescription antibiotics Anti-androgen medications to control hormones Prescription retinoids (vitamin A

derivatives)

Chemical peels Micro-needling Non-UV light therapy Diet and nutrition counseling Lifestyle modifications Injection steroids for severe lesions Prescribed cosmetic skin regimens HORMONE BALANCING Comprehensive saliva or serum lab testing Prescription bio-identical hormones Injectable hormones Hormone pellet placement for longterm control Lifestyle and nutrition modifications AESTHETICS AND REJUVENATION Hale Healthcare offers the following products to help you achieve the appearance you desire: BOTOX® Xeomin® Dysport®

enhance athletic performance or recovery, and boost health and beauty goals.

Elite Member Portal™

The Patient Portal is a secure, confidential online communication link between Dr. Elliott and her patients. It is another perk of the Elite Membership plan. Patients are given a username and password, which allows them to access their medical records at any time. The Patient Portal provides the flexibility to: • Request an appointment • Check the status of a scheduled appointment • Review lab results • Request a prescription refill • Complete medical history forms • View messages sent by the clinic

Whole Body Health

Dr. Elliott’s goal is to help her patients meet their health and wellness goals. “In my experience, effective communication, information exchange and partnership are the best ways to help patients become more involved, educated and in control of their

BELOTERO BALANCE® JUVÉDERM® JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® Restylane® Restylane Lyft® RADIESSE® Mesotherapy (lipodissolve) PDO Threads PRP (platelet rich plasma) for face, neck, décolletage and hands HAIR REGENERATION THERAPY Micro-needling Medicated scalp formulations Anti-DHT medications Non-UV light therapies PRP (platelet rich plasma stem cell therapy) Nutrient optimization STRESS AND FATIGUE Motivational interviewing Lifestyle and diet modification

Comprehensive saliva, serum and urine testing Analysis for adrenal fatigue Screening for metabolic disorders Nutrient optimization Herbal and complementary therapies Prescribed sabbaticals and nature therapy Working with coaches, therapists and other healers SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION Assessment to determine areas of concern Metabolic, hormone and neurotransmitter testing Sildenafil and Tadalafil prescriptions Herbal and complementary therapies Nutrient optimization and injections Targeted prescription therapies Lifestyle and dietary modification

health concerns,” Dr. Elliott said. In addition to collaborating with her patients, she also works closely with other specialists, referral coordinators, nutritionists, health educators, physical therapists and professionals who will help her patients heal and enjoy life. A board-certified primary care physician, Dr. Elliott graduated from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and completed her residency in preventive medicine at Stony Brook University Hospital in New York. She received her master’s in public health from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. Dr. Elliott has worked as a fellow for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and was a recipient of the American Cancer Society Physician Training Award. Dr. Elliott also has certifications and training in internal medicine, anti-aging medicine, medical weight loss and nutrition, bio-identical hormone replacement, sexual dysfunction management, aesthetic medicine, chronic disease management, women’s and men’s health, addiction and occupational medicines. To schedule an appointment, call 678-744-4253. Hale Healthcare accepts payments at the time of service, including credit cards. While the office does not process insurance claims, assistance is provided to patients who need to file paperwork with their insurance company.

Sponsored Content

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

RESTAURANT

CUISINE

Casual and Upscale Restaurants

BKFST LUNCH DINNER SUNDAYS SPIRITS

RESERV.

Cancun Mexican Grill, 4430 Towne Lake Parkway 770-693-4680

Mexican

open

full bar

Cheeseburger Bobby’s, 2295 Towne Lake Parkway 678-494-3200, cheeseburgerbobbys.com

American

open

1029 GastroPub, 6380 Bells Ferry Road GastroPub no $ $-$$ open full bar see their Facebook page for more info see ad on pg 71

China Fun, 1075 Buckhead Crossing 770-926-2671, chinafun88.com

Chinese

$-$$

open

Soup/Salad/ Sandwiches

open

American Irish

open

full bar

Mexican

$-$$

open

full bar

Family Tradition, 4379 Towne Lake Parkway 770-852-2885, familytradition.net

Homestyle Cooking

closed

GameDay Fresh Grill, 2990 Eagle Drive 770-693-6754, gamedayfresh.com

American/Burgers

open

full bar

yes

Thai/Sushi/ Chinese

open

full bar

JD’s Barbeque, 6557 Bells Ferry Road 678-445-7730, jdsbbq.com

Barbeque

$-$$

open

Jersey’s Sports Bar, 6426 Bells Ferry Road 770-790-5740

American

open

full bar

yes

Johnny’s Pizza, 1105 Parkside Lane 770-928-9494, johnnyspizza.com

Pizza/Pasta/ Salad

$-$$

open

full bar

Kani House, 2455 Towne Lake Parkway 770-592-5264, kanihouse.com

Japanese Steak/Sushi

$-$$

$$-$$$

open

full bar

yes

Keegan’s Public House, 1085 Buckhead Crossing #140 Irish/Pub no $$ $$-$$$ open full bar 770-627-4393, keegansirishpub.net

La Parrilla, 1065 Buckhead Crossing 770-928-3606, laparrilla.com

Corner Bistro, 2360 Towne Lake Parkway 770-924-1202, cornerbistrotl.com Donovan’s Irish Cobbler, 1025 Rose Creek Drive 770-693-8763, donovansirishcobbler.com El Ranchero, 1025 Rose Creek Drive 770-516-6616

Izumi Asian Bistro, 2035 Townelake Parkway 678-238-1899, iloveizumi.com

Mexican

open

full bar

LongHorn, 1420 Towne Lake Parkway Steakhouse no $ $$ open full bar 770-924-5494, longhornsteakhouse.com

call ahead seating

Marco’s Pizza, 2068 Eagle Drive 678-213-2100, marcos.com

Pizza/Pasta/ Salad

$-$$

open

beer/wine

Mellow Mushroom, 2370 Towne Lake Parkway 770-591-3331, mellowmushroom.com

Pizza/Pasta/

$-$$

open

beer/wine

NY Style Deli & Pizza, 2340 Towne Lake Parkway, 678-426-7004

Pizza/Subs/ Bakery

$-$$

open

Bakery/Soups/ Sandwiches

$-$$

open

Chinese/Japanese

$-$$

open

beer/wine

Chinese

$-$$

open

Panera Bread, 2625 Towne Lake Parkway 678-813-4809, panerabread.com Peking & Tokyo, 200 Parkbrooke Drive 770-591-8858, pekingandtokyo.com Song’s Garden, 4451 Towne Lake Parkway 770-928-8387, songsgarden.com

Tavern at Towne Lake, 1003 Towne Lake Hills Dr., American no $ $$ open full bar 770-592-9969 see ad on pg 27

The Place, 1105 Parkside Lane 770-928-8901, theplacebargrill.com

Bar/Grill

$-$$

open

full bar

Tuscany, 250 Cinema View Drive 678-453-0888, mytuscanyrestaurant.com

Italian

$-$$

$$-$$$

open

full bar

10+

Volcano Steak & Sushi, 2990 Eagle Drive 678-498-7888, volcanowoodstock.com

Asian

$-$$

$$-$$$

open

full bar

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

$ = most entrees under $10 • $$ = most entrees $10 - $15 • $$$ = most entrees $15 - $20 • $$$$ = most entrees over $20

TOWNE LAKE AREA DINING

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

When Innocent Until Proven Guilty Doesn’t Apply BY STATE REP. MICHAEL CALDWELL

You are innocent until proven guilty. It’s a sacred cornerstone of the American system of justice and a maxim that we take for granted. The idea is simple: The burden falls on the prosecution (the government) to prove that a defendant has committed a crime. The burden does not fall on the defendant to prove his or her innocence because of an accusation of committing a crime. The principle hails from our Sixth Amendment right to a fair trial and has been enshrined in case law since Coffin v. United States (1895), when the court wrote extensively on the presumption of innocence and outlined its legal history. So, it seems a fair assumption that, in 2017, if an American citizen found themselves in Civil asset forfeiture... a court of law, and not convicted of a a common practice crime, that he or she would be free of any used by law punishment. enforcement and Unfortunately, that is not always prosecution to the case. I’d like to seize assets from a introduce you to the concept of “civil defendant without asset forfeiture.” It’s a having to convict common practice used by law enforcement them of a crime. and prosecution to seize assets from a defendant without having to convict them of a crime. In fact, to seize the assets there is no requirement to charge you with a crime. Rep. Scot Turner (R-Holly Springs), a close friend of mine and fellow member of Georgia’s House of Representatives, has been working to end this practice through House Bill 505, which would require a conviction before the state can seize

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

property from an individual. I am proud to be his first co-sponsor on the legislation. Critics of the measure claim that civil asset forfeiture is a powerful tool for restricting criminals’ ability to maintain their criminal empires by taking away tools they’re using to conduct their illicit activities. For example: An officer arrests a drug lord for trafficking heroin using his car. Let’s say that the criminal gets off on some kind of technicality during his trial and is back on the streets. With civil asset forfeiture, the government is still able to keep the vehicle seized during the arrest, which keeps it out of the hands of the man who would use it for criminal purpose. This sounds like a great thing. But, remember, this same policy will apply equally to the innocent man who is wrongfully accused. Let’s say instead of a drug lord trafficking heroin, it’s now your son driving your car. An officer pulls him over and arrests your son because he genuinely believes he smells marijuana and seizes your car. Your son goes to trial and the court must prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. He is (rightfully) found innocent of any crime in court because he hasn’t committed one. Unfortunately, your son’s innocence does not extend to your property, and, because of civil asset forfeiture laws, the standard for evidence in the case against your vehicle is only a preponderance of the evidence. That’s a significantly lower threshold that must be met, and, although that can be very helpful in a case against a drug lord, remember that our presumption of innocence is there for a reason: It ensures the government endures the burden of proving your guilt. By eroding that fundamental right, we put everyone at risk. continued on page 88 Michael Caldwell is the state representative for District 20, which includes Towne Lake and Woodstock. He can be reached at 678-523-8570 or email him at Michael. Caldwell@house.ga.gov.

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Faith

Marriage Moments Keeping the Peace

BY BILL RATLIFF

We had a misadventure in home décor recently. My wife got the urge to redecorate a room in our house. We don’t usually do well together on those types of projects, so my wife decided to involve a friend of ours who is gifted at interior design. They pulled out items that we already had that would work, and then went on the hunt for new things. Together, we found a beautiful canvas beach scene. It coordinated with several other pieces as well. The goal of the beach theme was to create a restful, peaceful and tranquil space. It was coming together beautifully until we hit a wall. It was an empty wall that our decorator and my wife intended for a seahorse picture. Their perception was that the picture was perfect for the space; my thought was that it did not fit there at all. My wife and I kept spinning our wheels in disagreement about the picture. It got ugly. Friends were over one night and we asked their opinion. At that point, my wife FaceTimed our decorator, and we all talked about the dilemma. In the end, the seahorse found a home on a different wall, where he coordinates well. This project helped us consider a few points. Sometimes, we spend too much time on, and are too serious about, issues that

really aren’t important. In order to keep the peace, which is what we were trying to create, we needed to stop nitpicking and give a little. Sometimes, small issues draw out emotional intensity that is really about something else. This can waste the possibility of a productive discussion with our spouse. We need to fill our lives with the things that really matter and “major on the majors.” Galatians 5:22 gives us a list to fill our lives with. “The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

Date Your Mate Try a decorating project, if you dare. It will give you some date time to shop, possibly paint, and ponder some new ideas.

Bill Ratliff is the senior pastor at Towne Lake Community Church. He can be reached at 678-445-8766 or bratliff@tlcchurch.com.

Towne Lake Business Association One of the best ways to wrap up your third quarter is to gather with other business owners and managers. Networking, learning from and mentoring other entrepreneurs is a very useful way to spend your lunchtime. Discover what is going on in your community and how you can be involved.

TLBA’s September Lunch-n-Learn Please join us on September 19 to hear from Representative Michael Caldwell. He has planned a special interactive workshop to show us first hand what its really like to try to get a bill passed through the legislature. When: Tuesday Sept. 19, 2017 Where: Tavern at Towne Lake (1003 TowneLake Hills East) Cost: $12 (includes lunch) Speaker: Rep. Michael Caldwell (R) Topic: What it takes to get a bill passed in the GA Legislature Workshops are presented by leading business speakers discussing topics geared toward local business owners and supporters. Visitors are welcome! Thank you for supporting our community by “Keeping Towne Lake dollars in Cherokee”

www.tlba.org 56

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Support for Business Owners Whether a business is just starting up, in the growth phase, or is established and looking to create a succession plan, no business owner should have to do it alone. Entrepreneurs wear many hats, and it is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day routine. Many fail to work on what is important in their business. At Stephanie Hines Coaching, we specialize in business and marketing coaching. Our goal is to help our clients grow and scale their business. Having the accountability, support and knowledge of a business coach can drastically shorten the gap between where a business owner is and where he or she would like to be. We customize our coaching to fit each entrepreneur through one-on-one coaching, Masterminds and workshops. Stephanie is also available to speak to groups. We would like to offer a complimentary strategy session to any business owner, so they can experience the coaching process. Call 404-850-0055 or email coaching@StephanieHines.com.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Early detection and prompt treatment of ocular disorders in children is important to avoid lifelong permanent visual impairment.â&#x20AC;? -American Academy of Pediatrics

Dr. Bratton is now accepting new patients. Call us TODAY to set-up a comprehensive, pediatric exam. We accept numerous health insurance plans, including Medicaid for children.

770.427.8111 WWW.MARIETTAEYE.COM

Doctor Spotlight: Monica Bratton, MD Pediatric Ophthalmology Specialist known for her expertise and calming manner with children. Fellowship trained in pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus.

2990 Eagle Drive Woodstock, GA 30189 TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Sequoyah Regional Library System 770-479-3090 www.SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

ROSE CREEK 4476 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock, 770-591-1491

Sept. 8

Little Munchkin Music at 10:30 a.m. Early childhood music and

movement class with fun, interactive songs and dances from a professional music teacher while playing a huge community drum. For ages 1-4; children must be accompanied by a participating adult. Registration required.

Sept. 9

LEGO Club at 3 p.m. A different theme each month. Children

may work alone or in teams to build LEGO masterpieces, which will be displayed in the library until next month’s meeting. LEGO and DUPLO are provided. Children age 9 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

Sept. 21

Bee Bots STEAM at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. A special coding class just for the little ones. Play and learn while coding Bee Bots to get through the beehive maze. For ages 4-7; children must be accompanied by a participating adult. Registration required, opens Sept. 7.

Sept. 28

“Bee in the Know” Computer Class at 2:30 p.m. Basic computer parts and accessories will be discussed. Question and answer session to follow. Registration suggested, opens Sept. 14.

DYI Marble stationery at 6 p.m. Teens in grades 6-12 can make and take home trendy marble stationery. All materials and light refreshments are provided.

WOODSTOCK 7735 Main St., Woodstock, 770-926-5859

Mondays

Coloring Group at 10 a.m. This coloring group has been meeting

every Monday for more than a year. All materials are provided. For ages 16 and older. No storytime Sept. 4.

Sept. 3

Introduction to Acrylic Painting at 3 p.m. All materials are provided. For ages 16 and older. Registration required.

Sept. 7

Bad Art Night at 6 p.m. No talent is needed as participants make the worst art possible. Participants will get to judge and vote for their favorites. Will you win worst of the worst? Refreshments provided. For grades 6-12.

Sept. 9, 23

Inklings Writers Critique Group at 11 a.m. Love to write, but

need some feedback? All writers interested in joining a group to share writings, ideas, and feedback are invited to attend! 58

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Sept. 10

Woodstock Rocks at 3 p.m. Join the craze that’s rocking

Woodstock! Discover ways to be creative during this painting program, then have fun hiding your art around town. For ages 8 and older; children 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required.

Sept. 16

Inklings Writers Meet and Eat at 1 p.m. The group’s first bi-annual Writer’s Meet and Eat. Inklings is joining with the Reinhardt Writing Program to offer writers a chance to socialize and network with other local aspiring writers. Please bring a dish or finger food, as well as a pen and notebook.

Sept. 17

Project Pinterest at 3 p.m. Celebrate the International Day of

Peace by creating peace rocks. You can paint rocks to symbolize peace and embellish them with decorative items. For ages 16 and older. Registration required, opens Sept. 3.

LEGO Club at 3 p.m. A different theme each month. Children

may work alone or in teams to build LEGO masterpieces, which will be displayed in the library until next month’s meeting. LEGO and DUPLO are provided. Children 9 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

Sept. 18

Teen Titans Go! Party at 4 p.m. In honor of National Library Card Sign-Up Month, the party will feature an activity station for each titan, as well as a craft to take home. Children 9 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

Sept. 19

Book Discussion Group at noon for coffee, conversation and

a book discussion on “The Memory Keeper’s Daughter” by Kim Edwards. All ages are welcome. New members are encouraged.

Sept. 21

Put Your Best Foot Forward: Feet 101 at 10:30 a.m. The wrong type of shoes, improper fit, constantly wearing heels, or being overweight can lead to long-term foot problems. Your feet contain complex systems that work together to walk you through life. Learn how all of these parts interact and keep you on your feet.

Sept. 25

Sensory Bottles Toddler STEAM at 10:30 a.m. Make sensory bottles for toddlers out of water, glitter and colorful glue. Sensory bottles are a great way to engage babies and toddlers in sensory play; they’re no-mess, portable, and can even be used as a “time-out” timer.

Sept. 29

American Girl Doll Club at 4:30 p.m. In honor of American Girl Kaya, participants will play a game from her time period and will learn about weaving fabric. Children 9 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

SEPTEMBER Downtown Tailgate is

Woodstock’s Friday Night Live theme, 6-9 p.m. 770-924-0406. www.visitwoodstockga.com/calendar.

Dr. Seuss Night is downtown Canton’s First Friday event, 6-9 p.m. Music by The Geeks.

Registration is open for the Tortoise

and the Hare Half Marathon/10K,

set to begin as early as 7 a.m. at Boling Park in Canton. Slower runners begin early, faster runners start later and all should finish around 11 a.m. Awards ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Get more information and register at https://tortoiseandtheharehalf. racesonline.com.

3-4

Temple Kol Emeth Noshfest

will be held in the parking lot of the temple at 1415 Old Canton Road, Marietta. This is the seventh year celebrating Jewish food and culture by showcasing delicacies and activities unique to the Jewish heritage. Sunday hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m., and Monday 11 a.m.-4 p.m.. For more details, visit www.kolemeth.net.

Brown Bag Thursdays Concerts return

to The Park at City Center, 101 Arnold Mill Road in Woodstock, noon-1 p.m. The free lunchtime events make a great Mothers’ Morning Out activity.

8-9

Skillet Lickers presents “Real Time Radio” at the

Canton Historic Theatre, 171 E. Main St. A fourth generation group playing fiddle, guitar and steel guitar. Limited seating; tickets $15, $12 for seniors. 770-704-0755. www.cantontheatre.com.

Woodstock Summer Concert Series features Runaway June

with special guest, The Whiskey Gentry, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Northside Hospital Amphitheater. www.woodstocksummerconcertseries.com Wildwood Baptist Preschool’s Community Market and Fair is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Acworth church, 4801 Wade Green Road. For details, email wildwoodfair@hotmail. com or call 770-499-1580.

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Plant Sale by UGA Master Gardener Extension Volunteers of Cherokee County will take place 9 a.m.-noon at the Cherokee County Senior Center, 1001 Univeter Road, Canton. Plants will include perennials, ground covers and daylilies, as well as yard art and more. Tours of the demonstration garden at the senior center.

15, 29

Parent’s Night Out at

the Cherokee County Aquatic Center for ages 5 and older. Hours are 5:30- 10 p.m. Includes pool games, crafts, dinner and a movie. $15 per child advance registration, $20 day of, if space is available. Register in advance; space is limited. Staff/ child ratio is 1:10.

9/11 Day of Remembrance,

sponsored by the Woodstock Jaycees, will honor the men and women wearing the uniform of police, fire and rescue during the 7 p.m. service. www.woodstockga.gov.

15-17, 22-24

“The Red Velvet Cake War” will be presented at

the Historic Canton Theatre at 171 E. Main St., at 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday. www.cherokeetheatre.org.

The sixth annual Alzheimer’s Music

Festival, 2-11 p.m. at MadLife Stage and Studios in Woodstock, with more than 20 bands on two stages. Fundraiser for Dementia Spotlight Foundation, a nonprofit that supports families affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia care for loved ones at home. General admission tickets are $25, reserved tables are $100-200. www.AlzheimersMusicFest.org.

Reinhardt University’s 5K for ADay will begin at 8 a.m. in Cannon

Park, 130 E. Main St. Registration begins at 7 a.m. Healthy snacks will be served after the race. Cost is $25 for ages 12 and older until Sept. 9, then $30. Runners ages 11 and younger are $15. Nonparticipants can support a student for $25. www.ADay5K.Reinhardt.edu.

Gardeners Seminar, sponsored by the UGA Master Gardener Extension Volunteers of Cherokee County, will address “Saving Herbs and Seeds” at 10 a.m. at the Hickory Flat Library, 2740 East Cherokee Drive, Canton. Learn how to preserve garden herbs for winter use and save seeds to be used next year. To register, call 770-721- 7803 or email uge1057@uga.edu.

FARMERS MARKETS River Church: 2-6 p.m. Tuesdays at River

Church, 2335 Sixes Road, Canton. Get updates at Farmers Market at River Church on Facebook.

Canton: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays in Cannon Park. Sponsored by Canton Main Street. Cherokee Market: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

weekdays, 11611 Cumming Highway, Canton 30115.

Waleska: 3-7 p.m. Thursdays behind the North Cherokee Church of Christ, 7198 Reinhardt College Parkway. Woodstock: 8:30 a.m.-noon Saturdays on Market Street in downtown Woodstock. continued on page 62

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Around & About continued from page 60

SEPTEMBER

This month’s theme for A Novel Idea is Southern

writers. The gathering is 7-9 p.m. at The Snug GastroPub, 190 E. Main St., Canton, where guests will hear from authors Jedwin Smith (“Fatal Treasure”), Mike Brown (“Sanctuary”), Kimberley Brock (“The River Witch”), Michael K. Brown (“Somewhere a River”), Tori Bailey (reading from her “Coming Home” series) and Charles Clifford Brooks (“Athena Departs”). Free and open to the public. Door prizes. Reservations available. 770-213-4814

23-24

The 33rd annual

Riverfest Arts and Crafts Festival, presented by the Service League of Cherokee County, will be held 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at Etowah River Park, 600 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton. Admission for adults and children age 11 and older is a $5 donation. 770-704-5991 or visit www.serviceleague.net.

Learn about the 2018 Medicare changes during a session 2-3 p.m. at Camellia Place: 294 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock. Includes a question and answer time. No charge. To RSVP, call 770-296-1513.

Basics of Alzheimer’s

Trinity River Band concert

information session presented by www.alz.org, is set for 6-7 p.m. at Camellia Place, 294 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock. To RSVP, call 770-296-1513. at the Cherokee Arts Center, 94 North St., Canton. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., concert begins at 7. Tickets $15. www.cherokeearts.org.

Once Upon a Dive in Movie begins

at 6 p.m. Held at the indoor pool at the Cherokee County Aquatics Center. Floats available or bring your own noodle or clear inner tube. www.crpa.net.

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

OCTOBER

Indoor pool fun with the Wibit at the Cherokee County Aquatic Center, 1-5 p.m. Sundays. No extra fee, just part of normal daily admissions. Children must be able to pass a 25-yard swim test to use the Wibit.

A summit on opioid abuse and behavioral health issues will be held at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church Woodstock. Speakers represent the Georgia legislature and administrative agencies, statewide and local law enforcement, and the treatment and recovery community. For info, call Tony Black at 678-576-6619 or email blackto@bellsouth.net. www.GeorgiaConnects.us. www.facebook.com/ GaConnects.

2-31

Scarecrow Invasion in Woodstock, a fundraiser for the

city’s beautification committee, lines the streets with creative scarecrows. For more details, visit www.visitwoodstockga.com.

6-8,13-15 “Stuck in Suburbia,”

an original production by Broadway Bound Productions, will run at the Canton Theatre, 171 E. Main St. The comedy farce explores the frustrations of living in an HOA community. For tickets and showtimes, visit www.broadwayboundproductionsinc.com.

Cadence Beer and BBQ Festival in downtown Woodstock is set for 10 a.m.-8

p.m. at the Northside Hospital Cherokee Amphitheater. www.bbqandbrews.com.

Open House Fire Station 14 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at 225 Arnold Mill Road,

Woodstock. Live extrication demos at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Firefighter drills, fire truck displays, free lunch, station tours, bounce houses, kids’ hose line experience and Lowe’s building stations. Free parking across the street at Allen Temple AME Church.

5th annual River Church Pork & Torque BBQ, Car Show and Festival is 9

a.m.-3 p.m. at River Church, 2335 Sixes Road, Canton. Approximately 80-100 cars, trucks, bikes and other rides will be on display. Trophies awarded for competition, also raffles, children’s play area, vendors and barbecue. Rain date is Oct. 14. www.riveratlanta.org.

ONGOING A Serenade Heights parenting series is set for 6-7:45every other Thursday at New Victoria Baptist Church, 6659 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock. Dinner begins at 6 p.m., workshop at 6:30. Free childcare. Sept. 14, Biblical Counseling Solutions. Sept. 28, Mom’s Spa Night with the Junior League. Oct. 12, Minimizing Debt through a Transition. Oct. 26, Healthy Living. Nov. 2, Understanding your Benefits. Nov. 16, Thanksgiving feast. Register by emailing maleah@serenadeheights.org or online at www.serenadeheights.org/moms. Sunny Side Up: The Poultry Industry in Cherokee County is the current

exhibit at the Cherokee County History Museum and Canton Visitors Center, 100 North St. Free and open to the public 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m Saturdays. www.rockbarn.org.

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

ART BY ANN LITREL, ANNLITREL.COM

The Apple Master BY ANN LITREL

If there’s a candidate for “Top Chef” in our house, it’s our son Joseph. This is the kid who, at the age of 5, passed a plant at the neighborhood pool, broke off a sprig and, holding it to his nose, muttered, “Rosemary.” I was intrigued. I had visions of cultivating my child’s innate talent. As Joseph grew older, I would catch him taking a moment to sniff something or to muse aloud on the ingredients of a meal. But, despite my encouragement, Joseph showed zero interest in learning to cook. Being an encyclopedic reader, he did sometimes advise me - with an infuriating air of authority - on my ingredient choices or cooking methods. Mostly, he just had a healthy self-interest in eating. When he was 10, Joseph agreed to come with me on my annual autumn apple outing, to pick apples at one of the orchards up north. We ventured among the apple trees and loaded up with fruit, stopping to fire off the apple cannon a few dozen times. The orchard store was crowded, shelves overflowing with baked goods and apple products. Waiting at checkout, I gave Joseph $25 to choose a few bakery items for his grandparents and our neighbors. I grinned and wondered whether he would go with the apple pies or the turnovers. Or maybe a few jars of apple butter. Joseph returned holding a box. “APPLE MASTER,” it said in large letters. The price was $24.99. “What is THAT?! And where are the grandparent gifts?!”

“This is an Apple Master,” Joseph told me with an infuriating air of authority. “It peels, slices and cores apples all in one motion.” “Oh.” “We can make apple cakes instead of buying them. And save money every year.” Making multiple cakes sounded like a lot of work. But … finally! Joseph was ready to explore his culinary talents. Apple Master in hand, Joseph and I prepared to make apple cakes together. As I measured ingredients for the first two cakes, Joseph proceeded to efficiently assemble the Apple Master. Our first time cooking! As I added the spices, I watched out of the corner of my eye as Joseph set up the kitchen table as an apple prep station. The Apple Master, now clamped to the table top, worked like a charm. I gave Joseph 20 apples. He was done in five minutes flat. “There you go, Mom! All done.” And with that, Chef Joseph finished cooking with his mom for the first time, and made off to resume his video game.

Ann is an artist who lives in Towne Lake with her husband Dr. Michael Litrel and their two sons. Ann can be reached at Ann@annlitrel.com.

Joseph with his apple harvest. TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Apple Cake

Combine: • 1 1/3 cups oil • 2 cups sugar Combine and add: • 1 ½ tsp soda • 1 tsp salt • 2 tsp vanilla • ½ tsp cloves • ½ tsp nutmeg • 2 tsp cinnamon • 3 cups flour Add: • 3 cups chopped

unpeeled apples

Bake one hour at 350 degrees in greased and floured tube or bundt pan.

NorthsideCherokeeOrtho.com Dr. Brian Seng is a board-certified surgeon who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the hip and knee, and offers conservative and minimally invasive treatment options to return you to activity. Our experienced team of physicians is dedicated to providing the highest-quality care possible, and treats all types of sports related and musculoskeletal conditions. • Evaluation of the painful hip and knee • Direct anterior hip replacement • Minimally-invasive total and partial knee replacement • Revision total hip and knee replacement • Treatment for complex periprosthetic hip and knee fractures

Call or visit today: (770) 517-6636 900 Towne Lake Parkway, Suite 320, Woodstock, GA 30189 TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Senior Sense:

A Reminder of Miraculous Growth BY DELIA HALVERSON

Most of us have children, grandchildren or children we know well. Too often, we fail to recognize what a child goes through in the learning process. We expect learning to happen automatically. The first-grader excitedly heads for the classroom, coming a long way from the cradle, and with a long way to go. A newborn baby is innocent. An uncomplicated life surrounds the child. Parents meet every physical need. Food for the stomach and warmth for the body bring contentment. What lies ahead for the child? By the chance of being born into this world; into this society, even into this universe, what is expected of the child? A baby learns to crawl and walk, grasp objects and feed him or herself in that first year. During the second year, the child develops the art of conversation. Thrown into a world of confusion and complication, experiencing people going in all directions. Yet in a matter of weeks, we expect an accomplishment of communication that humankind required centuries to

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

develop – an art we still struggle to perfect. As the child begins the third year and climbs the ladder of maturity, the social graces must span the centuries of human groping for cultural cooperation. Through the next years we expect a jump of the period of growth from small, familygroup living to nation, world, and even universe oriented life. The growth of a child is miraculous. The firstgrader has come a long way from the cradle, but still has a long way to go. The child depends on help from teachers, parents, friends, and, yes, even those of us who are in their senior years. This is why it never bothers me to pay taxes because I know that someone paid for the schooling that I received and helped me span that period of growth. It’s time for me to pay for the upcoming generation.

Delia writes books and leads workshops internationally. She and her husband settled in Woodstock after living in eight states. Their children and grandchildren live nearby.

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Helping Hands

FCA

Putting Heart and Soul into Sports BY SUSAN SCHULZ

There are a few startling statistics that reveal the need for a positive outlet and mentors to support our teens. • 40 percent of high school students drink alcohol, according to www.responsibility.org. • Each day in the United States, more than 5,000 young men and women in grades 7-12 attempt suicide, according to The Parent Resource Program: The Jason Foundation prp.jasonfoundation.com. • Two out of 10 American girls will get pregnant, at least once, before age 20, according to the cdc.gov. Fellowship of Christians Athletes (FCA) meets the challenge by providing leadership and guidance to thousands of students and coaches in Cherokee County. “If I had to sum up my experience serving the coaches and athletes of Cherokee County in one word, it would be impact. The impact of a coach to teach and equip athletes to better themselves. The impact of a teammate to encourage and stir passion in a locker room. The impact of a friend that loves and gives selflessly to another during times of great heartache. The impact of a Savior who meets us where we are, but won’t leave us the same. This impact inspires me to challenge others to dream big, work hard and to honor God,” said Jimmy Ratliff, FCA area representative. Expanding rapidly around the world, FCA International is serving in 60 countries with 133 leaders and countless volunteers who spread the good news of Jesus Christ to all corners of the globe. Bill Queen, the area director for Cherokee County has been faithfully serving our community’s athletes and coaches for a decade.

Team camp evening services at University of West Georgia, with 1,400 athletes and coaches. Left, Sequoyah High student Thomas Brumbeloe with his award.

“I love what I do and am grateful God is still in the life-changing business,” Queen said. He beams when he talks about building relationships and helping those he ministers to through many of life’s challenges. He knows, too well, how tough things can get. He lost his first wife to a rare form of bone cancer soon after taking the job with FCA. He has since remarried Heather and become a proud grandfather. There are four main areas in which Queen and his team serve Cherokee County. First, all of our high schools and middle schools have FCA meetings, which are called Huddles, before school starts. Second, they focus on encouraging and investing continued on page 88

Susan Schulz is a Bible teacher, author, wife, and mom of three grown children. She lives and plays along the Etowah River and loves serving at Woodstock City Church.

Upcoming Events Oct. 11

Fields of Faith will be held

7-9 p.m., Tommy Baker Field at Cherokee High School, 930 Marietta Highway, Canton.

Oct. 17

10th Annual Sandra Queen Memorial Golf Tournament.

For registration and sponsorship questions, contact Aaron Keith at akeith@fca.org. For additional information contact Bill Queen at bqueen@fca.org, or visit www.cherokeefca.org. A prayer huddle after volleyball camp at St. Simons Island. 68

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

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Health & Wellness

Brain Injury and Your Vision BY DR. JENNIFER DATTOLO

It is estimated that more than 3.5 million children and adults suffer an acquired brain injury (ABI) each year. This can occur from concussions, stroke, trauma from falls or motor vehicle accidents, tumors, infections, and an array of other reasons. Damage to the brain is sudden, nonprogressive, nondegenerative and leads to neurological processing abnormalities. Along with speech, mood and behavior, and impaired motor function, vision usually is affected. Visual difficulties resulting from ABI include blurry vision at a distance or near, changes in refractive error, deficient eye tracking (how the eyes follow a target or read across the page), eye teaming deficiencies (how well the eyes work together), eye focusing problems, visual field loss, visual information processing deficiencies, double vision, headaches and light sensitivity. The person also may feel off balance or dizzy, and be bothered by movements around them. Treatments available for ABI are aimed at improving, and hopefully eliminating, symptoms. These include glasses to improve acuity — sometimes adding a light tint to help with light sensitivity. Prisms also are incorporated into glasses to eliminate diplopia (double vision), provide comfort for near tasks, and to help the individual feel more balanced in their world. Sometimes, prisms also are helpful in expanding visual fields

when loss is present. Vision therapy also is done as treatment for the remediation and management of the associated visual deficiencies, with the ultimate goal of improving daily activities. More children are being diagnosed with ABI because of sportsrelated concussions, soccer and football being the main culprits. It is extremely important children be evaluated after a hit, before being allowed back into the game. The long-term visual consequences from concussions make it very difficult for children to function a full day in school. Most kids with a concussion must be absent from school for one to two weeks to heal properly. And, be careful how quickly they return to playing their sport, as multiple concussions cause longer-lasting damage. If you, your child, or anyone you know has suffered a concussion, or any other form of acquired brain injury, and are continuing to struggle with school, work or normal activities of daily living, please do not wait. Have them evaluated by a developmental optometrist to be sure their visual skills are not the cause of their struggles. Prompt treatment of these deficiencies can give them their lives back. Dr. Jennifer Dattolo, FCOVD, optometrist at Eyes on Towne Lake, has been in practice for 17 years and enjoys serving the Woodstock community. 770-702-5996. www.EyesonTowneLake.com.

Accuracy Counts With Kids and Medicines BY DR. AMY HARDIN

When it comes to giving your kids medicine, accuracy counts. Even over-thecounter-medicines, such as Tylenol, can have serious consequences. If too much is given, side effects such as liver failure and even death can occur. Taken at correct doses, which are weight appropriate, these medicines are safe. It is important to make sure you’re not over (or under) dosing your kids. A recent study from the American Academy of Pediatrics Journal found that up to 80 percent of parents made at least one error when measuring liquid medicines. Common errors in administering kids’ medicines include mistaking tablespoons for teaspoons, using kitchen spoons to give medicines, giving medicine on a wrong schedule (giving twice a day when it is prescribed for once a day), and using a syringe or medicine cup that is too large or small for the prescribed medicine amount for the child. There are ways to make sure your kids are getting the right amount of medicines. First, ask for the medicine to be prescribed in milliliters (mls) or ccs. (A quick tutorial: 1 ml = 1cc, and 5 ml = 1 teaspoon, in case your medicine is prescribed 70

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

in teaspoons.) Different-sized syringes are available at local pharmacies. The study found that smaller doses of medicines had fewer errors if a smaller syringe was used (e.g., a 2 cc dose of medicine should be given in a 5 cc syringe, not a 10 cc) and, vice versa, larger doses should be given in a larger syringe (e.g., a 7.5 cc dose should be given in a 10 cc syringe and not a 5 cc one). Another common error parents make, sometimes without realizing it, is combining medicines that have components such as Tylenol or ibuprofen in them, and then giving an extra dose of Tylenol or ibuprofen, essentially doubling the dose. In previous articles, I’ve talked about cold medicines being not helpful (and potentially dangerous), for little kids especially. This is one more reason to avoid them. If you do feel your child needs a cold medicine, make sure to look at the active ingredients on the back of the box to avoid double-dosing.

Dr. Amy Hardin has been a pediatrician at Northside Pediatrics in Woodstock for more than 20 years. www.northsidepediatrics.com.

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Make Caring for Your Spine a Priority

Options For Missing Teeth

BY DR. JORDAN HARRELL

BY DR. SCOTT R. HARDEN

School is back in full swing, which means more activities: sports, church functions and all the other fun things that come with the school year. These things can add extra stress to your mind and your spine. It is important to maintain proper spinal care in order to have less spinal stress. Your spine has 33 individual bones that form joints that make up the spinal column. The spinal column is the main support for your body and allows you to stand, turn, and bend, while protecting your spinal cord. Your spinal cord is the main interstate in your body. All the messages that travel from your brain must go down the interstate, then out of the spinal column to supply nerves to the muscles and organs in your body. The spinal cord is an extension of the brain, and carries information from the brain to the body and back to the brain again. Between the bones of the spinal column are discs that act as cushions or shock absorbers for the bones. All of this complicated anatomy has the responsibility of housing and protecting your nervous system. The nervous system is a network of nerve cells and fibers that transmits nerve impulses between parts of the body. It can be described as the master control unit of the body. This means every voluntary action, like typing a text message, and every involuntary action, such as your heart beating without you having to think about it, is directly related to your nervous system. The nervous system is responsible for directing all the systems in the body: digestive, immune, respiratory, circulatory and hormonal. Many aspects of your health can be impaired by stress on your nervous system. Chiropractic adjustments can help restore nervous system function and allow the body to function properly and heal itself. A doctor of chiropractic has the expertise to check the spine for bones that are not aligned properly. The misaligned bones put stress on the nervous systemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to function and affects overall body function. We call these misalignments subluxations, which can interfere with the brainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to send proper signals through the nervous system. Signs that your nervous system has interference can differ. Only a chiropractor is trained to recognize these signs and interpret them, and give your body an adjustment to clear the interference. Many of these signs do not involve pain, so preventive care is advised.

Tooth loss is a common problem, and there are millions of Americans missing one or more teeth. People have teeth extracted for many reasons: large non-restorable cavities, gum disease, significant injury to a tooth, financial limitations, and, in some instances, an emotional decision to eliminate a toothache. Missing teeth can cause problems with speech and can also create difficulty with chewing and digestion. Over time, teeth can shift into spaces and cause improper alignment resulting in worn, loose and broken teeth. Missing front teeth can result in loss of self-esteem. Tooth replacement is the ideal way to maintain dental health and may include dental implants, bridges or dentures. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are placed into the jaw by a surgeon to replace missing teeth. If a tooth is recently removed, the bone must be allowed to heal before the implant can be inserted into the bone. Once the implant is done, a period of time for implant bone integration must be permitted before restoring the implant with a crown. A crown is attached to the top of the implant, providing functional chewing and giving the appearance of a natural tooth. When a person is missing multiple teeth or all of them, multiple implants can be used to allow placement of a bridge or denture. A bridge, also known as a fixed partial denture, may be used to replace one or more missing teeth. A bridge is a conventional method of tooth replacement that attaches to a tooth on either side of a gap. A bridge is a series of single crowns constructed together and the crowns on the end are cemented onto natural teeth so it canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be removed. Dentures or false teeth also are a conventional method of tooth replacement. Dentures are removable and a good treatment option in many cases. There are three types of dentures:

Complete dentures. A complete denture is a prosthesis fabricated out of acrylic that replaces all missing teeth in the upper or lower arch. The dentist makes an impression of your gums and goes through numerous steps to custom design the denture for the patient. The lab fabricates an acrylic denture with natural looking teeth. The denture is fitted to the gum for comfort and the teeth are designed to function with teeth in the opposing jaw that may be natural or another complete denture.

Partial dentures. A partial denture is a removable prosthesis that anchors to your remaining natural teeth to create stability and keep the denture from moving. continued on page 88

Dr. Jordan Harrell is a third-generation chiropractor who focuses on neurostructural correction of the atlas. www.townelakechiro.com

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Dr. Scott Harden, a dentist at Fountain View Dentistry, has served Woodstock for more than 25 years. 770-926-0000. www.FountainViewSmiles.com

Newborn Screenings Detect Early Hearing Loss BY DR. SARAH LICHT

Did you know that newborn infants, even at 1 day old, can have their hearing screened? There are different ways to evaluate patients’ hearing from infanthood to adulthood without having them raise their hand when they hear the beep. However, newborn hearing screenings have not always been a standard of care. In 1988, former Surgeon General Charles Everett Koop raised the challenge of implementing hearing screenings to help detect at least 90 percent of children’s hearing loss by the year 2000. Fast forward to 2000, when the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) and the American Academy of Pediatrics created guidelines to ensure that no child’s hearing loss goes undetected. Though different versions of the guidelines have been published, the overarching timeline is this:

Newborn hearing screenings typically consist of two tests. One is called otoacoustic emissions (OAEs for short). This test emits a signal into the ear, which causes the hair cells in your inner ear to vibrate; this vibration generates an echo that is sent out to the ear canal and measured by the tester. The second test is called auditory brainstem response (ABR). This involves placing electrodes on the patient’s head and/or neck; sounds are played through the ear and the tester can track brainwaves in response to sound. These objective tests are often used in conjunction with behavioral tests. It is important to catch hearing loss as early as possible and intervene appropriately. Before your child or grandchild leaves the hospital make sure they have their hearing screened.

• Universal newborn hearing screening. • Detection of hearing loss before 3 months old. • Intervention with hearing loss starting by the age of 6 months (yes, that means 6-month-olds with hearing loss can wear hearing aids).

Sarah Licht, Au.D. is a Doctor of Audiology and provider at North Georgia Audiology in Woodstock. She has been practicing since 2016.

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Making the Right Choice in Childbirth Classes BY SHARON BREUNIG

Before the baby comes, families find themselves asking endless questions: What will labor be like? What kind of parents will we be? How will our lives change? Adding to the uncertainty is the conflicting information found online. To get consistent, evidence-based information, families can find education and support through classes taught by an expert instructor that can prepare them for the road ahead and answer all their questions to lessen their anxiety. There are several different topics covered in pregnancy education classes: getting ready to give birth, breastfeeding, being prepared for an emergency and infant CPR. Here are some essential maternity topics in these classes that will give soon-to-be parents an extra boost of confidence:

• Labor and birth. Mothers learn what to expect during

labor and delivery, including information such as how to cope with contractions, how a partner can be supportive during each stage of labor, what to expect in the hospital and birthing options. This topic also teaches important stress management skills beyond the physical expectations of motherhood, such as mindfulness through deep breathing exercises.

• CPR. Knowledge of infant CPR is important for ensuring

a newborn’s safety. During this class, families learn how to perform CPR on their newborn should the need arise.

• Baby basics or essentials. In this class, families learn everything from skin care and swaddling to understanding how their newborn communicates and how to soothe and comfort their infant.

• Breastfeeding. Breastfeeding can be rewarding and challenging, just like parenting. This class focuses on milk supply, how to know if the baby is receiving milk, and the responsibilities of the mother’s support system. This knowledge helps families navigate this journey with more confidence and joy.

If you or your partner is pregnant or planning on having a child, please consider taking a class. Look for a class taught by certified instructors that offer you resources beyond the classroom. Giving birth, like any other experience, is less stressful with knowledge, planning and support.

Sharon Breunig is the operations coordinator at Mothers First, Northside Hospital. For a list of Northside Hospital’s maternity classes and other resources, visit northside.com/maternity.

Prevent Alzheimer’s with Three Lifestyle Changes BY JAMES HALEY, MD, FACOG, FPMRS

Billions of dollars have been invested in research to develop a magic-bullet cure for Alzheimer’s, a heart-wrenching disease that affects more than 5.4 million Americans. Despite the promising announcements that regularly appear in the newsfeed, we remain years - if not decades - away from a pharmaceutical answer to this devastating condition. For those of us on the front lines, what makes this situation frustrating is the simple knowledge that Alzheimer’s disease is largely preventable. Research published in top peer-reviewed scientific journals shows that lifestyle choices play a powerful role in determining who does and does not end up with Alzheimer’s dementia. Here are three of the most important things you can do, starting now: Lower your blood sugar. Elevated blood sugar is profoundly toxic to the brain. Type 2 diabetes, now affecting approximately 29 million Americans, is associated with more than doubling the risk for Alzheimer’s disease, as well as the development of “tangles” within the brain itself, that represent the harbinger of Alzheimer’s to come. Even without becoming a diabetic, just having mild elevation of blood sugar also sets the stage for dementia, as was recently described in the New England Journal of Medicine. The simplest way to lower your sugar level is to lower your sugar intake. Cutting sugar and carbohydrates from your diet, while at the same time bumping up your consumption of healthful fats and

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

fiber, are surefire ways to gain control over your blood sugar and directly reduce your risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Get aerobic exercise. We all feel good when we get some exercise, but, as was recently demonstrated by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, aerobic exercise actually changes our gene expression. It activates genes that go on to create a specific growth hormone for the brain called BDNF. Having higher BDNF stimulates the growth of new brain cells in the brain’s memory center, and is associated with a dramatic reduction in the risk for Alzheimer’s disease, as was recently reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Take DHA. DHA, the omega-3 found in fish, fish oils, and to a lesser extent in grass-fed beef, also enhances BDNF production. Research at Rush University Medical Center has demonstrated much less likelihood of getting Alzheimer’s disease in folks having both the highest consumption of DHA, as well as the highest blood levels of this important omega-3. The time to start thinking about your brain function is now. You don’t want to wait until it’s too late to implement these changes. The medical proof is there - the only thing stopping you from changing your lifestyle and health habits is you!

2. 3.

James Haley, M.D. is a double board certified OB/GYN and urogynecologist with Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists. www.cherokeewomenshealth.com.

Facing Surgery? Replace Fear With Positivity BY DR. DUNCAN WELLS

Fifteen years ago, I was lying in a preoperative holding area, scared out of my mind. I had developed an infection in one of my heart’s valves and needed emergency surgery. It would involve cutting open my chest, stopping my heart while the valve was replaced, and being under anesthesia for several hours. My wife (two months pregnant at the time, and probably more scared than I was) was holding my hand, trying to calm me. Her soothing voice helped, but, to be honest, I was still very scared. As an orthopedic surgeon for the past 25 years, I have interacted with hundreds of patients facing the same situation: needing surgery, but scared of the prospect of going into the operating room. With every patient, I try everything before considering surgery: therapy, medications, injections, braces, etc. Unfortunately, many patients fail nonsurgical treatment, continue having pain, and eventually opt for surgery. Some patients have only minor apprehension, while others are truly afraid of the experience. For the first group, I usually have a short discussion about the surgery, and go into detail about what to expect following the operation. For patients in the second group, the conversation is different. It is basically a three-pronged approach in reassurance. I begin by explaining that general anesthesia is safe, safer, in fact, than

flying in an airplane or driving a car; that complications from surgery are extremely rare; and, finally, that I will do everything to control their postoperative pain. Unfortunately, despite my best efforts, more often than not their fear remains unchanged. There is something about surgery that is innately scary. The truth is, there is really nothing I can say to make that fear go away completely. The best I can do is remember my experience and empathize with my patients. The day of my operation, after the anesthesiologist and surgeon had reassured me that everything would be fine, I still couldn’t relax. Then, my wife told me, “Don’t concentrate on the operation, focus on the happy faces of your family when you wake up.” That did the trick. I was rolled into the operating room with a smile on my face. If you are scared of having surgery, I can relate. I never want to go through that again. Fortunately, my operation went well. I’m enjoying perfect health and I have two beautiful children whose smiling faces I get to see every day.

Dr. Duncan Wells, a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, has been practicing in Cherokee County for 25 years. He is founder and president of Atlas Orthopaedics. www.Atlasorthopaedics.com. 770-517-2257

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

School & Sports

YOUR SCHOOL NEWS Mark Your Calendar Graduation for the Class of 2018 is only eight short months away. Some families like to plan well in advance, so here are the dates and times for Cherokee County 2018 graduations.

May 24

River Ridge High School, 4 p.m. Etowah High School, 8 p.m.

May 25

Creekview High School, 4 p.m. Woodstock High School, 8 p.m.

May 26 The ranking in AffordableSchools.net comes in addition to CTC being named the largest technical college in the state of Georgia and the ninth largest college overall in the state.

Chatt Tech Named a Top Affordable College In a recent study by AffordableSchools.net, an independent college search and rankings organization, Chattahoochee Technical College was named one of the top 50 most affordable community colleges in the U.S., ranking at No. 10. According to the study, “Community colleges are arguably an underrated factor in getting a post-secondary education at an affordable price. They are typically cheaper for an associate degree than at a four-year college.”

Cherokee High School, 9 a.m. Sequoyah High School, 1 p.m.

Ceremonies are held at First Baptist Church of Woodstock, 11905 Highway 92, Woodstock. Due to the seating capacity of the church, there are no tickets needed and students are not limited to the number of guests they can invite. The ceremonies will be streamed on www.fbcw.org, so family and friends who are unable to attend can watch.

Use Talents to Communicate, Build Connections BY JOSEPH LEMMO

I cannot believe it is here − a new school year! Naturally, that means another year of sharing some amazing writing from talented seventh-grade students. Last year, the articles focused on communicating effectively. I reached out to members of the community to help me present real-world examples of how effective communication played a role in their occupation, and I was not disappointed. I had several individuals and businesses respond, and although I was not able to invite all of them into the classroom, the guests who did join us truly made a positive impact on my students. This year, I will continue with a focus on effective communication in the classroom, but I am going to add the element of talents to it. I have learned in life that your true talents can be a gateway to building relationships with others. For some talents such as athletics, intelligence, musicality, or maybe even a flare for the dramatics, it is relatively easy to see how your talents can help you build relationships. However, for other talents that are either not as popular or are not truly discovered yet, it might be more difficult. After almost 10 years as a middle school teacher, I have made an important observation about middle school students; many have not yet recognized their true talents, or even worse, they do not believe they actually have a talent. Therefore, I will be on a mission this year to accomplish two tasks. First, I hope to help all of my students discover any talents they may have, even if they think they already know them, or they believe what they are good at is 76

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

not really a talent. Second, I aim to mentor them on how they can use those talents to communicate, to build relationships and to help others discover their talents. You will have the opportunity to be on the journey with us each month. I can proudly say that I recognize one of my talents as comedy. I am not just talking about performing improv or emceeing events, I am also referring to the simple everyday moments where I get to joke around with my son, my wife, my friends, my colleagues, my students and even strangers. I have found comedy to be a great icebreaker, as well as an invitation to others to feel at ease when they are around me. My wife often jokes about how it seems as though strangers will tell me their life’s story. Beyond the community, I have also seen the benefits in my classroom. Many students have told me that I have inspired them to be more comfortable with their public speaking. I truly believe this is because of my fun-loving, comical style of teaching. I hope to help my students experience similar success. I encourage you to stop for a moment and think about your talents and how you use them to connect with others. As always, if you feel inspired, please share your reflections with us.

Joe Lemmo is an English teacher and comedian who has taught in Cherokee County since 2000. He performs improv in the Atlanta area. He and his wife have one son.

YOUR SCHOOL NEWS

Clark Menard visits with Introduction to Engineering Technology students and teacher Karen Zayance at Woodstock High School.

First Week Peek From School Board Members School board members visited schools across the Cherokee County School District during the first week of school. During their visits, board members toured the school with the principal, observed teaching and learning in classrooms, visited with staff from various areas of operations, and enjoyed a surprise hug or two from students. “Our school board cares about our students, our teachers and staff, and our schools,” Superintendent Dr. Brian V. Hightower said. “While they may be most associated with their role as thoughtful policy makers and responsible stewards of our community’s resources, these school board members were called to serve because of the kids and the opportunity to make their futures brighter. We appreciate their service and their commitment to our CCSD family.” School Board member Rick Steiner gets a hug from student Aiden Carr during his tour of Bascomb Elementary School.

Business Partner’s Generosity Helps School Modern Woodmen, a full-service fraternal financial company, partnered with Clark Creek Elementary to raise money for an electronic sign that would keep the community informed about the school’s activities. A check for $1,000 was presented to Principal Joey Moss (left) and Assistant Principal Jillian Nichols (middle) by Modern Woodmen representative Melinda Spurlin.

For more school-related stories and pictures, visit the Cherokee County School District Facebook page @CherokeeGASchools. TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Help for Parents Monitoring Technology BY MARK KISSEL

Despite the best efforts of school districts, parents and advocacy groups promoting online safety, many children and adults continue to not understand or have forgotten that information and photos you post online, in group chats or in text messages do not disappear when you delete them. The use of technology requires responsibility, and it’s important to discuss with your children the importance of online safety and the need for digital citizenship. The Cherokee County School District’s Internet Acceptable Use Policy outlines student and employee responsibilities in regard to using technology. This policy and other online resources can be found at http://cherokeek12.net/onlinesafety. In addition to reviewing these resources, you are encouraged to conduct your own research. An article published in April in eSchool News discussed six underground apps that students are using, and they are worth knowing about. Surprisingly, they can be downloaded from iTunes.

• Whisper. This app lets users share their thoughts or opinions via text that is placed on top of an image. Users can connect directly with other users, making it a prime haven for cyber bullying and harassment. • ASKfm. This app lets users ask anonymous questions.

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

• Calculator%. According to the app, “anyone who starts this application will see a calculator but if you put in a passcode it will open to a private area.” • HICalculator. This app indicates it “can hide your photos and videos behind a calculator.” Both calculator apps easily could be passed over by a parent. • Hide It Pro. Another app that allows photos and videos to be hidden behind a locked screen. The application automatically locks when users exit it and a code-enabled feature makes the app appear empty if someone, like a parent, finds it. • Yik Yak. This is a location-based app that allows users to post text-only messages that are only visible to users who are closest to the poster’s location. This one has been around for a while and is known to contain frequent sexual content and other references to drug use, crude humor and fantasy violence.

Chief of Police Mark Kissel has served the Cherokee County School District since 1999 and has more than 35 years of law enforcement experience.

DOWNTOWN WOODSTOCK

Ridgewalk Pkwy

To I-575 Exit 9

Woodstock Community Church

The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta at Nike

Woodstock

T Public Library

Public Parking Lots

Dobbs Rd

- park in marked spaces only

Trolley Routes outlined in red

City Center

Pkwy

Woodstock UMC (M-Sa) St

Trail

er St

bb d Rd

Reeves St

tim

CSB Bank (after 5PM)

ry St

iley

n St

Fowler St

Hicko

Reformation Brewery Fri 6:00-close Sat 2:00-close Sun 2:00-close

T Wheel

Oak St

le St

Elm

Map

in St

reek

E Ma

day C

To GA Hwy 140

Noon

T Park at City Center Arnold Mill Rd

Mill

Mca ffee

Lake

Route and schedule subject to change Check downtownwoodstock.org/trolley for more info

Cham bers

Town e

Wall

To I-575 Exit 8

Mark et S t

Fridays 6-10 PM Saturdays 4-10 PM Sundays 2-6 PM

Chattahoochee Technical College

Kyle St

TROLLEY SCHEDULE:

Main

Trolley Stop

T St

On-Street Parking

Main

Rope Mill Rd

- park in marked spaces only - parking in Woodstock UMC lot is M-Sa only

Pade

PHOTO BY BEN REES WWW.FALCONAERIALS.COM

Welcome to

To GA Hwy 92

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TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Downtown

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DARLEEN PREM PHOTOGRAPHY

The Gump Fiction Concert

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Woodstock

PHOTOS COURTESY OF Â BRITTANY DUNCAN

& National Night Out 2017

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Dupree Park

Fishing Pier, Boardwalk are Newest Attractions BY PRESTON POOSER

Over the past five years, Dupree Park in Woodstock, located at 513 Neese Road, has gone through a transformation, with multiple facility improvements. The city has added a playground, with much needed restrooms, two picnic pavilions, a beginner mountain trail, a fitness trail with exercise equipment, resurfaced the park’s four tennis courts, and added a nine-hole disk golf course. On July 17, city officials Photos Courtesy of Darleen Prem and staff participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newest addition to Dupree Park, a 300-foot boardwalk and floating fishing pier. The project was constructed in-house by the Woodstock Parks and Recreation and Public Works staff. We are very proud of our team for a job well done, and believe citizens and visitors to Woodstock will enjoy this addition. Because of their hard work and dedication, the project was completed on time and under budget. Additionally, electrofishing (a lake audit) was conducted 82

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at Dupree Park on July 6. Crews working with Aquatic Environmental Services determined the health of the fish population of the Dupree Park lake. During electrofishing, all fish were released unharmed. We currently are reviewing the findings and will stock the lake as recommended. Highlights of the survey included the need to add an underwater structure for a fish habitat and to stock a variety of fish species that are not currently in the lake. The new fish stock at the lake will include catfish and trout. The lake audit indicated that the lake has adequate numbers of largemouth bass, bluegill and sunfish. Dupree Park has become a destination park for the residents of Woodstock. The addition of the boardwalk and fishing pier is another amenity for residents and guests to enjoy. For more information on Dupree Park, as well as other city parks, visit www.woodstockparksandrec.com.

Elm Street

Courage in Darkness BY CHRISTOPHER BRAZELTON

Last month, we had a blast kicking off our 2017-18 Season of Courage with our annual Art on the Green, and we are ready to begin with our Main Stage shows. And what could be more courageous than to start off our first show with no lights? “Black Comedy” by Peter Shaffer is a brilliant British farce, a comedy. The show is filled with blinding laughs … literally, as the show starts in the dark. In the story, the power goes out about five minutes into the show, and that is the first time the stage lights pop on for the audience to see what is happening. In other words, the audience only sees the characters when they are blind in the dark. A recipe for a bold farce all the way around. This cast is particularly hilarious. I usually don’t go into details, however, I have attended rehearsals and I can’t stop giggling. The phenomenal cast is led by one of our favorite guest directors Shelly McCook, known in Atlanta as a genius-comedic director and actress. She has led shows at Elm Street, including “The Wedding Singer” and “Next to Normal.” “Black Comedy” shines a light on some human instincts, reminiscent of the 1960s yet relevant today, about what makes us tick and prematurely blow our fuses. It also reflects how, in light of our situations, sometimes we need to be courageous. In the show, it is the reversal of light and dark that provides the laughs. It’s the London home of struggling artist Brindsley Miller and his fiancée Carol. They are having a party, trying to impress Colonel Melkett, Carol’s bombastic father, and hoping to lure millionaire Georg Bamberger into buying some of Brindsley’s mediocre sculptures. That takes courage. Without their neighbor and art dealer Harold Gorringe’s permission, they borrowed his fancy furniture to make their flat more presentable. Yikes, more courage. Once the scene is set, the oddball characters increasingly reveal their “darker‟ sides. “Black Comedy” refers to the darkness on stage and denotes a sub-genre of dark comedy. The humorous and satirical treatment of serious, and often taboo, subjects provokes a degree of unease and thought in all of the crazy amusement. This season’s variety allows us to look at courage in different ways throughout the year. Courage is often thought of as tackling our biggest fears in serious moments. Why not start our season by laughing at courageous attempts? Join us for laughs, Sept. 8-17, as we present the first production in our Season of Courage.

DOWNTOWN WOODSTOCK

SEPT 8-17

SEPT 8, 15, 16 @ 7:30PM SEPT 9, 10, 17 @ 2:00PM Presenting Partner:

Check out our entire

and subscribe to our whole year of vibrancy! Christopher Brazelton, a Florida State University graduate, is the executive director of Elm Street Cultural Arts Village.

ELMSTREETARTS.ORG 678.494.4251

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

New Website is More User-Friendly BY STACY BROWN

You’ve likely browsed the magazines and brochures at the Woodstock Visitors Center at Dean’s Store on Main Street, and odds are you follow downtown Woodstock on Facebook. Our town of 30,000 plus now has a Facebook following of more than 20,000. But did you know the Woodstock Convention and Visitors Center has an extensive website featuring places to eat, shop and have fun locally? And that website just got a lot more user-friendly. Recently the Woodstock Convention and Visitors Bureau worked with Blackairplane, a Woodstock-based digital agency that builds websites and apps that empower organizations. Blackairplane’s multidisciplinary team of builders, creatives and strategists took the idea for the new site from concept to liftoff. Managing partners David Leggett and Michael Caldwell dedicated a great deal of time and consideration to understanding

the needs of residents and visitors who use the site. The new VisitWoodstockGA.com makes it easier to find places to visit and learn about upcoming events. You will quickly discover why locals often say it feels like something is always going on in Woodstock. The new venue browser lets you see when your favorite venues are open and helps you discover events at your favorite places. Coming soon to the site: Plan your next trip to Woodstock, Georgia! The new Online Trip Planner is a great way to plan your next trip to get the most out of your next visit all year round.

Stacy Brown is the marketing and tourism coordinator for the City of Woodstock. She can be reached at sbrown@woodstockga.gov.

The Downtown Buzz is held at the Chambers at City Center (8534 Main Street) on the last Friday of the month and begins at 8 a.m. unless otherwise noted.

Sept. 29 - Cherokee County Economic Development Misti Martin, President For more information on the Downtown Buzz program or to suggest a topic for consideration, please contact Mitzi at 770-592-6056 mainstreetwoodstock.org/connect/#buzz

Business, individual and non-profit memberships are available

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Casual and Upscale Restaurants

RESTAURANT CUISINE BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER SUNDAY SPIRITS RESERV. Canyons American no $ $ open Beer/Wine no 335 Chambers St. 678-494-8868 canyonsburgercompany.com Century House Tavern Modern no $$ $$$ open Full bar 8 persons + 125 E Main St. 770-693-4552 American centuryhousetavern.com Fire Stone see ad on pg 61 Wood-fired no $$ $$$ open Full bar yes 120 Chambers St. Pizza & Grill 770-926-6778 firestonerestaurants.com Freight Kitchen & Tap Southern Sat./Sun. $$ $$$ open Full bar no 251 E Main St. 770-924-0144 Brunch freightkitchen.com Habanero’s Taqueria Mexican no $ $-$$ open Full bar yes 9550 Main St. 678-498-8243 Ice Martini & Sushi Bar Tapas/Sushi no Fri./Sat. $$ open Full bar yes 380 Chambers St. only 770-672-6334 icemartinibar.com Ipps Pastaria & Bar Italian no $$ $$ open Full bar no 8496 Main St. 770-517-7305 ippspastaria.com J Christopher’s Diner $-$$ $-$$ no open no Weekends 315 Chambers St. 770-592-5990 only jchristophers.com J Miller’s Smokehouse BBQ & no $-$$ $-$$ open Beer no 150 Towne Lake Pkwy. Southern 770-592-8295 Sandwiches jmillerssmokehouse.com Mad Life Studios 8722 Main St madlifestageandstudios.com

Southern

Magnolia Thomas Southern 108 Arnold Mill Rd. 678-445-5789 magnoliathomas.com Pure Taqueria Mexican 405 Chambers St. 770-952-7873 puretaqueria.com/woodstock Reel Seafood Seafood 8670 Main St. 770-627-3006

$-$$

$$-$$$$

open

Full bar

Sunday Brunch

$$$$

open

Beer/Wine

yes

Sat./Sun. Brunch

open

Full bar

6 persons+

Sunday Brunch

$$-$$$

open

Full bar

yes

Salt Factory Pub 8690 Main St. 678-903-6225

Gastropub

$$-$$$

open

Full bar

Semper Fi Bar and Grille 9770 Main St. 770-672-0026 Tea Leaves & Thyme 8990 Main St. 770-516-2609 tealeavesandthyme.com Truck & Tap 8640 Main St. 770-702-1670 truckandtap.com

American

open

Full bar

English Tea room

closed

yes

Variety of Food trucks

$-$$

open

Craft Beer

Sunday Brunch

$$$

open

Full bar

yes

Vingenzo’s Italian 105 E Main St. 770-924-9133 vingenzos.com

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

$ = most entrees under $10 • $$ = most entrees $10 - $15 • $$$ = most entrees $15 - $20 • $$$$ = most entrees over $20 * denotes advertiser

DOWNTOWN WOODSTOCK DINING

TOWNE LAKE AREA HOMES SOLD IN JULY

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

GREENPRINTS TRAIL SYSTEM

Sources: City of Woodstock, Esri, HERE, DeLorme, TomTom, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), swisstopo, MapmyIndia, ÂŠ OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community

Visit our website for more information on these or other trail projects. greenprintsalliance.org

Noonday Creek Trail - This 1.43 mile paved trail begins at Market Street in Downtown Woodstock one block west of Main Street.

It continues downhill toward Noonday Creek where it intersects with Towne Lake Pass Trail and the bridge to Woofstock Park. The trail continues along Noonday Creek to its current end at Highway 92.

Trestle Rock Trail - This 0.40 mile paved trail is located in Olde Rope Mill Park and is an easy flat trail on the banks of Little River. Towne Lake Pass - This approximately 1.2 mile trail will connect the Towne Lake community to Downtown along the banks of Noonday Creek. It will begin at the intersection of Towne Lake Parkway and Towne Lake Hills South.

Rubes Creek Trail - This .5 mile trail runs along Rubes Creek and will ultimately connect into a larger run of trails. TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Getting (Mentally) Ready to Retire

When Innocent Until Proven Guilty

Securities offered through registered representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a broker-dealer, member FINRA / SIPC. Advisory services through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc., a registered investment adviser. Cambridge is not affiliated with and does not endorse the opinions or services of Peter Montoya Inc. or MarketingPro Inc. This material was prepared by MarketingPro Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Please note: Investing involves risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any Federal tax penalty. This is neither a solicitation nor recommendation to purchase or sell any investment or insurance product or service, and should not be relied upon as such. All indices are unmanaged and are not illustrative of any particular investment.

House Bill 505 wouldn’t stop law enforcement from seizing and holding the property for the duration of the trial. The legislation simply would prevent the government from taking permanent possession (assuming ownership) of the property until after a conviction of “guilty” has been found. This is a principle we should all be able to get behind. This is about securing the Sixth Amendment and ensuring that property used by criminals for illegal activity is seized, but only after they have had their constitutionally guaranteed fair trial. If you’re like me, and you think that civil asset forfeiture is a fundamentally wrong and unconstitutional process, you can rest assured that your representative is working to fix it at the state level, just like several of our sister states have done. The federal government operates in the exact same way, though, so I would encourage you to reach out to your congressman and U.S. senators as well. As always, If you ever have any questions for me, please feel free to reach out to me on my cellphone at 678-523-8570 or email me at Michael@caldwellforhouse.com. You also can meet me at one of my Weekly Coffees with District 20 nearly every Saturday at Copper Coin Coffee in downtown Woodstock. Thank you again for allowing me the honor of representing our families in Georgia’s General Assembly!

continued from page 36

Citations. 1 - tinyurl.com/ydedsyl5 [4/24/17]

continued from page 54

Putting Heart and Soul into Sports continued from page 68

in coaches. Third, they support the athletes, not just school teams, but also youth, travel ball and recreational leagues. And fourth, they offer amazing multi-sport summer camps. One of Sequoyah High School’s golfers, Thomas Brumbeloe, attended FCA Sea Island Golf Camp with campers from all over the Eastern United States. He met kids from Georgia, Maine, Texas and Florida. While there, Brumbeloe participated in a tournament and was named the Boys’ Champion of the golf camp. “This golf camp exceeded my expectations. I would love to go again,” he said. Are you interested in putting your heart and soul into the athletes and coaches in our county? Here are a few ways to get involved with FCA: at least 50 character coaches are needed to serve students athletes, home team and board member positions also need to be filled. Financial contributions are always welcome.

Options For Missing Teeth continued from page 72

Over dentures. An over denture sits over roots of teeth that are even with the gums. The roots stimulate the bone and prevent bone loss. The selected roots have had root canals and have special caps put on top of them to allow the over dentures to clip onto them. The caps are very short and hidden under the denture. An over denture can be designed the same way with implants that have the same special caps on top. 88

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

2017

Football Schedule 8/31 9/9

@ Samford vs. Tennessee Tech

7 pm 7 pm

9/16

@ Alabama State

8 pm

9/30

vs. N Greenville

10/7

vs. Texas Southern

7 pm

10/14 10/21

@ Liberty vs. Gardner-Webb

6 pm 7 pm

10/28

@ Presbyterian

11/4

@ Montana State

11/11

vs. Charleston Southern 3:30 pm

11/18

vs. Monmouth

3:30 pm

2:30 pm 2 pm TBD

2017

Football Schedule 9/2 9/9 9/16 9/23 9/30 10/7 10/14 10/28 11/4 11/11

@ Cinncinnati Christian @ Faulkner vs. Webber Int. Univ. vs. Bethel Univ. @ Point Univ. vs. Cumberland vs. Union College (KY) @ Univ. Pikeville vs. Bluefield College @ St. Andrews Univ.

1:30 pm 1:30 pm 1:30 pm 1:30 pm 7 pm 1:30 pm 6 pm 1:30 pm 1:30 pm 1:30 pm

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Reference

TOWNE LAKE AREA CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS

Ahimsa House helps victims of domestic violence 24-hours a day who need help getting their pets to safety. 404-452-6248 www.ahimsahouse.org

Georgia Animal Project, based in Ball Ground, offers high quality, low cost spay and neuter services for dogs and cats throughout North Georgia. 770-704-PAWS (7297) www.theanimalproject.org

Angel House Girls Home is a residential facility to help girls ages 12-18 learn self-sufficiency. 770-479-9555 www.angelhousega.com

Give a Kid a Chance – Cherokee sponsors a yearly backto-school bash, giving children in need filled backpacks to free haircuts. www.giveakidachance.org

Anna Crawford Children’s Center is dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect, and protecting and serving children and families through prevention and intervention services. 678-504-6388 www.cherokeechildadvocates.org

Goshen Valley Boys Ranch offers a home, care and counsel to young men in the DFCS system. 770-796-4618 www.goshenvalley.org

Collins Dixon Foundation: Bend Your Knees, Inc. raises awareness and helps children with pediatric brain tumors. Contact: Bob Dixon, 678-922-1560. Bethany Place is a transitional home for single women, unwed mothers. 770-479-9462 www.bethanyplacehome.org CASA for Children promotes the health and happiness of children impacted by abuse through programs that increase their safety and improve their educational, social and emotional functioning. 770-345-3274 www.casacherokee.org CCHS Thrift Store accepts donations and sells used household items to raise money for Cherokee County Humane Society. 5900 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth. 770-592-8072 Cherokee Family Violence Center offers emergency shelter and crisis intervention, affordable housing, education, support services. 770-479-1703, Spanish 770-720-7050 or 800-334-2836 option 2. www.cfvc.org Cherokee Fellowship of Christian Athletes challenges professional, college, high school, junior high and youth level coaches and athletes to use athletics to impact the world for Christ. Bill Queen 404-441-3508 www.cherokeefca.org Cherokee County Humane Society (CCHS) 770-928-5115 or admin@cchumanesociety.org www.cchumanesociety.org Cherokee FOCUS works to improve the lives of children and families through collaborative programs and initiatives. Sonia Carruthers 770-345-5483 www.cherokeefocus.org Cherokee County Senior Services offers educational, social, leisure and recreational activities for senior citizens. 770-345-5312 or 770-345-5320 www.cherokeega.com/senior-services Community Veterinary Care provides professional veterinary care for pets whose owners have limited financial means. 678-640-3512 www.communityveterinarycare.com Companion Animal Connection 678-493-9847 www.adoptapet.com Everyday Angels offers financial assistance for local families in need. aaeverydayangels@gmail.com

Green Shelters America animal rescue group. 770-712-4077 or GreenSheltersAmerica@gmail.com www.GreenSheltersAmeric.com Habitat for Humanity North Central Georgia 770-587-9697 www.habitat-ncg.org Healing Hands Youth Ranch offers safe, peaceful environment where abused and at-risk children are paired with rescue horses for hope and healing. Jennifer Simonis 770-633-4451 www.hhyr.org HopeQuest Ministry Group helps people who struggle intensely with life dominating issues related to alcohol abuse, substance abuse and/or sexual brokenness. 678-391-5950 www.hqmg.org HOPE Center offers support for unplanned pregnancy. 770-924-0864 or info@hopectr.com www.hopectr.com HOPE Center — Seeds Thrift Store offers men, women & children’s clothing, furniture & other homegoods. 770-517-4450 www.seedsthriftstore.com Life Connection Ministries helps empower and provide humanitarian relief in the form of wells and greenhouses to impoverished communities. Mission trips offered. Florine Russell 678-234-1798. www.lcm-ga.com Matthew E. Russell Foundation works to establish literacy and libraries in rural areas worldwide. Florine Russell 678-234-1798. www.mattrussell.org MUST Ministries offers groceries, hot meals, emergency shelter, supportive housing, clothing, employment services, summer lunch and more from five locations in eight counties, including the Canton office at 111 Brown Industrial Pkwy. www.mustministries.org National Alliance for Mental Illness is the nation’s largest grassroots organization in America working to build better lives for the millions affected by mental illness. www.nami.org Never Alone Outreach provides food and clothing assistance to Cherokee families in need. www.neveralone.org. Next Step Ministries offers a therapeutic day program, Saturday respite, camps and special events for people with special needs. 770-592-1227 www.nextstepministries.net

Safe Kids Cherokee County provides free child safety seat inspections by appointment. 770-721-7808 www.cherokeesafekidscherokeecounty.org SERV International operates the House of Hope orphanage in Africa, sponsors a clean water program in Dominican Republic and meal distributions worldwide. Also offers mission trips. 770-516-1108 www.servone.org The Blue Ribbon Foundation fosters a national dialog toward finding the cause, cure and prevention of ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis), CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome), fibromyalgia and Lyme disease. Tom Prior 478-397-5542 www.theblueribbonfoundation.org Volunteer Aging Council is a nonprofit that helps raise funds for the seniors of Cherokee County. A list of current needs is available. 770-310-3474 www.vac-cherokeega.org

SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS

AA Meetings Canton Meets: 9:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday, 7 p.m. Monday at Canton First United Methodist, 930 Lower Scott Mill Road. Woodstock Meets: 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at Hillside United Methodist, 4474 Towne Lake Parkway. www.aageorgia.org/14c-meetings.html Al-Anon and Al-A-Teen Canton Meets: 8 pm Thursday at St Clements Episcopal Church, 2795 Ridge Road. Woodstock Meets: Tuesday Al-anon 7 pm Thursday Alanon at Hillside United Methodist Church, Room 2208, 4474 Towne Lake Pkwy. Reba 770-516-3502 American Heart Association - Cherokee Division 678-385-2013 American Red Cross metro chapter 770-428-2695 A-Typical Parkinson’s Education and Support Group Meets 2-4 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month at Resurrection Anglican Church, 231 Arnold Mill Road in Woodstock. Contact: Rick Wolter at 954-830-7274 or email sbr4psp@gmail.com. Caregivers Alzheimers Support Group Meets: 6:30 p.m. first Tuesday of Every Other Month at Benton House of Woodstock, 3385 Trickum Rd. 678-494-4500 woodstockinfo@bentonhouse.com Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered recovery program for all types of habits, hurts and hangups. Meets: 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at Woodstock Church of the Nazarene. 770-366-7515 Meets: 6:30 p.m. Mondays at Sixes United Methodist. 770-345-7644 www.sixesumc.org Meets: 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Ministry House 678-459-2347 www.MinistryHouse.org Meets: 6:15 p.m. Thursdays at 411 Scott Mill Road, Canton. 678-764-8660 www.celebraterecovery.com

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

North Georgia Pregnancy Center offers help and care to young girls and women with an unplanned pregnancy or who need counseling. 706-253-6303 www.ngapregnancy.org

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

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

Cherokee County Support Group provides support for people with autoimmune conditions. Meets: 6:30 - 8 pm second Thursday at New Light Baptist Church, 1716 New Light Rd, Holly Springs. Stacie Collett 404-402-0571, jhmom88@comcast. net and Christy Stephenson 770-337-0294 christystephenson@msn.com

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

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

Cherokee County Special Olympics provides yearround sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. www.cherokeecountyspecialolympics.org

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Cherokee Christian Ministerial Association for pastors and ministry leaders of all Christian denominations. Meets: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. last Wednesday at Dayspring Church, 6835 Victory Drive, Woodstock. www.cherokeeministers.org

Women of Woodstock Meets: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. first and third Wednesday at Tavern at Towne Lake. info@womenofwoodstock.com www.womenofwoodstock.com

POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS

Diabetes Support Group Meets: 9:30 and 11 a.m. third Tuesday at Emeritus Assisted Living, 756 Neese Road, Woodstock. Linda Watson 770-793-7818 Georgia Canines for Independence. 404-824-4637 gcidogs@aol.com www.gcidogs.org

Woodstock PowerCore Team Meets: 7 a.m. on Thursdays at Tavern at Towne Lake; Marc Replogle 770-952-5000 ext. 20.

Cherokee County Libertarians Meets: 7:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday at the Cherokee County Board of Realtors Training Center, 1600 River Park Blvd., Suite 104, Woodstock. www.cherokeelp.org

Grace Valley Ministries connects pastors by offering small group meetings, free counseling and a place to retreat. 727-251-7690, info@gracevalleyministries.org www.gracevalleyministries.org Grandparents Raising GRANDchildren Meets: 7:15 p.m. second Tuesdays Transfiguration Catholic Church, Marietta (nursery available). Jeannie 770-919-9275 Hearing Loss Association of America NW Metro Atlanta Chapter for people with hearing loss looking for support and resources, holds free and informative quarterly meetings at the Senior Center on Arnold Mill Road. nwmetroatlantahlaa@gmail.com La Leche League of South Cherokee Meets: 10 a.m. first Tuesday and 7 p.m. third Tuesday at Bascomb United Methodist Church. Marguerite 678-315-7686 or Megan 770-517-0191 MOMS Club of Woodstock-TowneLake momsclubofwoodstocktl@gmail.com www.sites.google.com/site/ momscluboftownelakewoodstock MOPS — Mothers of Preschoolers (birth — K) Meets: 9:30 a.m. second and fourth Mondays at Hillside UMC, 4474 Towne Lake Pkwy. 770-924-4777 Unlimited Possibilities, support group for stroke and brain injury survivors. Meets: 7 p.m. first Tuesday of each month at Kennestone Outpatient Rehab Center. Kelly 678-677-2589

BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS

American Business Women’s Association, Cherokee Eagles Charter Chapter. Meets: 6:30 p.m. on the third Tuesdays at Dynastic Buffet at the intersection of Canton Highway and Piedmont. Jacqueline Miller Van Hook, 678-493-3618 Cherokee Business Network Meets: 7:45 a.m. every Wednesday at Chick-fil-A, 9728 Highway 92, Woodstock. Marci Zied 770-345-8687 Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Meets: Various times during the year see schedule on www.cherokeechamber.com, 770-345-0400 Gini Minzelle Gini@CherokeeChamber.com Cherokee Toastmasters Club Meets: Noon-1:15 p.m. Wednesdays at the Bank of North Georgia, 200 Parkway 575, Woodstock. www.cherokeetoastmasters.com The Joy of Connecting Networking for Women Meets: Various times and locations. Edeline Dryden 678-789-6158 www.xperienceconnections.com/ spotlight/woodstock/ Towne Lake Business Association Meets: 12:30 p.m. third Tuesday at Tavern at Towne Lake. 678-389-3887 www.tlba.org Towne Lake PowerCore Team Meets: 7-8:30 a.m. every Friday at Freight Kitchen & Tap, 251 E. Main St., Woodstock. Wendy 404-8163377 www.powercore.net

VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS American Legion Post 316 Meets: 7 p.m. third Thursdays at William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road. Irma Martin 678-662-2366

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

CIVIC, COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS

Cherokee County Democratic Party Meets: 7 p.m. second Thursday at Holly Springs Train Depot, 164 Hickory Road, Holly Springs 770-345-3489 www.cherokeedemocrats.com

Cherokee County Republican Party Meets: 9 a.m. third Saturday at Jump Kitchen & Saloon, 1085 Buckhead Crossing, Woodstock 678-882-0915 www.cherokeecounty.gop Cherokee County Republican Women affiliated with The Georgia Federation of Republican Women Meets: Monthly in Woodstock/Canton. 770-592-7811 or jkconkey@gmail.com

AARP Woodstock Chapter is for anyone age 50 and older. Meets: 11:30 a.m. second Tuesdays at Tuscany. Lunch is $15. Rich 770-926-1944

Grassroots Conservatives of Cherokee Meets: 7- 9 a.m. Fridays at the Chick-fil-a on 951 Ridgewalk Parkway, Woodstock by the Outlet Mall. Bill Dewrell 770-294-0922

Canton-Cherokee TRIAD/S.A.L.T. (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together) Meets: 8:30 a.m. first Tuesday at G.Cecil Pruitt YMCA in Canton (Hall of Fame Room). www.saltcherokee.com

Republican Women of Cherokee County 678-520-2236 www.rwccga.com

Cherokee County Historical Society 770-345-3288 www.rockbarn.org Citizen Oversight and Education 678-520-2236, citizenoversighteducation@yahoo.com Jewish Havurah (Friends) A group of Jewish people who meet for Jewish holidays, special Jewish events and Shabbat dinners. Marcie Zied 770-345-8687 Junior Service League of Woodstock 770-592-3535 www.jslwoodstock.org Pilot Club of Cherokee County Meet: 6: 30 p.m. second Mondays at IHOP on Hwy 20 Lynda Goodwin, 770-393-1766 or Lynda@ edgoodwinassociates.com www.pilotinternational.com Rotary Club of Cherokee County Meets: 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at IHOP on Highway 92 770-480-4179 Rotary Club of Towne Lake Meets: Noon Thursdays at Tavern at Towne Lake 1003 Towne Lake Hills E., Woodstock www.townelakerotary.com Rotary Club of Woodstock Meets: 7:30 a.m. Tuesdays at IHOP on Highway 92 678-428-6514 Service League of Cherokee County 770-704-5991 www.serviceleague.net South Cherokee Optimist Club Meets: 7:30 a.m. every Friday at Tavern at Towne Lake. 770-926-3522 Towne Lake Optimist Club Meets: 7:30 a.m. Fridays at Eagle Watch Golf Club. 404-557-2218 www.townelakeoptimists.com Woodstock Jaycees Meets: 7 p.m. first Tuesday and third Thursday at 216 Rope Mill Road. 770-926-8336 Woodstock Lions Club Meets: 7 p.m. second and fourth Tuesdays at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Contact: 770-906-2958 Woodstock Preservation Group 770-924-0406 http://preservationwoodstock.com/

RECREATION & HOBBIES

Allatoona Gold Panners. Periodic events , outings Rob Kelly rrkelly@bellsouth.net Cherokee Amateur Radio Society Meets: 10 a.m. on the second Saturday at William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road. www.cherokeehams.com Cherokee Community Chorale 678-439-8625 www.cherokeechorale.org Cherokee County Arts Center 94 North St., Canton. 770-704-6244 www.CherokeeArts.org Cherokee County Master Gardeners 770-721-7803 www.caes.uga.edu/extension/ cherokee/mastergardeners Cherokee Photography Club www.cherokeepc.org Cherokee County Saddle Club hosts monthly meetings and group rides. www.cherokeesaddleclub.com Cherokee Hockey In Line League (CHILL) roller hockey. www.cherokeehockey.org Cherokee Music Teachers Association Linda Lokey 770-720-1701 www.cherokeemta.org Cherokee Soccer Association 770-704-0187 www.csaimpact.com Cherokee Youth Lacrosse Association www.cherokeelacrosse.com Christian Authors Guild Meets: 7-9 p.m. first and third Monday at Prayer and Praise Christian Fellowship, 6409 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock. www.christianauthorsguild.org Kingdom Riders is a forming chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association in Canton. Meets: 8 a.m. fourth Saturdays at Family Tradition restaurant in Hickory Flat. Les Marmitons, for men interested in culinary arts. www.lesmarmitons.org Sons of the American Revolution - Cherokee Meets: 7 p.m. second Tuesdays at the Rock Barn, 638 Marietta Hwy., Canton. www.cherokeechapter.com William G. Long Senior Center offers activities for seniors at 223 Arnold Mill Road in Woodstock. 678-445-6518 TOWNELAKER | September 2017

COMMUNITY OF FAITH ADVENTIST

Cherokee 101 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock 770-591-7304 http://cherokee.netadvent.org/ Canton 411 Scott Mill Road, Canton 678-880-0106 www.cantonadventist.org

AME

Allen Temple AME 232 N. Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-926-6348 www.allentempleame.org St. Paul 390 Crisler St., Canton 770-479-9691 www.stpaulame-canton.org

BAPTIST

Carmel 2001 Bascomb Carmel Road Cherokee 7770 Hickory Flat Highway, Woodstock 770-720-3399 www.cherokeebaptistchurch.org Cornerstone Community 4206 North Arnold Mill Rd, Woodstock 678-439-5108 www.ccchurchonline.org Crossroads Community Church 2317 Bascomb-Carmel Road, Woodstock 770-592-7007

River Church 2335 Sixes Road, Canton 770-485-1975 www.riveratlanta.org Shallowford Free Will Baptist Church 1686 Shallowford Road, Marietta 770-926-1163 www.shallowfordchurch.com South Cherokee 7504 Highway 92, Woodstock 770-926-0422 Sutallee 895 Knox Bridge Highway, White 770-479-0101 www.sutalleebaptistchurch.com Toonigh 4999 Old Highway 5, Lebanon www.toonightbaptistchurch.com

CHURCH OF GOD

Bells Ferry 6718 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock 770-592-2956 www.bellsferry.com New Life Church 154 Lakeside Drive, Canton 770-345-2660 www.newlifecanton.com

Crossroads Primitive Baptist Church 3100 Trickum Road, Woodstock 770-710-1068

Sunnyside 2510 East Cherokee Drive, Woodstock 770-693-1018 www.sunnysidecog.org

Faith Community Office: 110 Village Trail, Suite 110, Woodstock Sunday Services: 230 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock 770-516-1996 www.faithcommunitychurch.org

Toonigh 4775 Holly Springs Parkway, Canton 770-926-3096 www.toonighcog.org

First Baptist of Woodstock 11905 Highway 92, Woodstock 770-926-4428 www.fbcw.org

Christ the Redeemer Charismatic 6488 Hickory Flat Highway, Canton 404-395-5003 www.ctrcec.com

First Baptist Canton One Mission Point 770-479-5538 www.fbccanton.org First Baptist Holly Springs 2632 Holly Springs Parkway 770-345-5349 www.fbchollysprings.com Harvest Baptist Church 3460 Kellogg Creek Road, Acworth www.hbcga.org Heritage Fellowship 3615 Reinhardt College Parkway, Canton 770-479-9415 www.HeritageCanton.com Hillcrest 6069 Woodstock Road, Acworth 770-917-9100 www.hbcacworth.org

New Victoria 6659 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock 770-926-8448 www.newvicbaptist.org

EPISCOPAL

Episcopal Church-Annunciation 1673 Jamerson Road, Marietta 770-928-7916 www.ecamarietta.org Saint Clementâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2795 Ridge Road, Canton 770-345-6722 www.stclementscanton.org

JEWISH

Chabad Jewish Center 1480 Shiloh Road, NW, Kennesaw 770-400-9255 www.jewishwestcobb.com Congregation Ner Tamid Reform Jewish Congregation 1349 Old 41 Highway NW, Suite 220, Marietta 678-264-8575 www.mynertamid.org

Hopewell 78 Ridge Road, Canton 770-345-5723 www.hopewellbaptist.com

Congregation Etz Chaim 1190 Indian Hills, Marietta 770-973-0137 www.etzchaim.net

Mt. Zion 4096 East Cherokee Drive, Canton 770-479-3324 www.mtzb.org

Temple Beth Tikvah 9955 Coleman Road, Roswell 770-642-0434 www.bethtikvah.com

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Temple Kehillat Chaim 1145 Green St., Roswell 770-641-8630 www.kehillatchaim.org Temple Kol Emeth 1415 Old Canton Road, Marietta 770-973-3533 www.kolemeth.net

MESSIANIC JEWISH CONGREGATIONS Congregation Beth Hallel 950 Pine Grove Road, Roswell 770-641-3000 www.bethhallel.org

LUTHERAN

Celebration of Grace 411 Scott Mill Road, Canton 770-503-5050 www.celebrationofgrace.org Good Shepherd 1208 Rose Creek Drive, Woodstock 770-924-7286 www.gslutheran.org Timothy 556 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-928-2812 www.tlcwoodstock.org

ORTHODOX

St. Elizabeth 2263 East Cherokee Drive, Woodstock 770-485-0504 www.stelizabethga.org

PRESBYTERIAN

Cherokee 1498 Johnson Brady Road, Canton 770-704-9564 www.cherokee-pca.org. Covenant South Annex Rec Center 7545 Main St., Bldg. 200, Woodstock www.cc-pca.org Faith 3655 Reinhardt College Parkway, Canton www.faithpc.us Grace Church 1160 Butterworth Road, Canton 678-493-9869 www.gracecanton.org Heritage 5323 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth 770-926-3558 www.heritagepres.com Woodstock 345 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-926-0074 www.woodstockpcusa.com

ROMAN CATHOLIC Our Lady of LaSalette 12941 Sam Nelson Road, Canton 770-479-8923 www.lasalettecanton.com

St. Michael the Archangel 490 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-516-0009 www.saintmichaelcc.org Transfiguration Catholic Church 1815 Blackwell Road NE., Marietta 770-977-1442 www.transfiguration.com

UNITED METHODIST

Bascomb 2295 Bascomb-Carmel Road, Woodstock 770-926-9755 www.bascombumc.org Canton First 930 Lower Scott Mill Road 770-479-2502 www.cantonfirstumc.org CITY ON A HILL 7745 Main St., Woodstock 678-445-3480 www.coahumc.org Fields Chapel 1331 Fields Chapel Road, Canton 770-479-6030 www.fieldschapel.org Hickory Flat 4056 East Cherokee Drive, Canton 770-345.5969 www.hickoryflat.org Hillside 4474 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock 770-924-4777 www.hillsideumc.org Holly Springs 2464 Holly Springs Parkway 770-345-2883 www.hollyspringsumc.com Liberty Hill 141 Railroad St., Canton 678-493-8920 www.libertyhillumc.org Little River 12455 Highway 92, Woodstock 770-926-2495 www.littleriverumc.info Mt. Gilead 889 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-591- 0837 www.mtgilead-umc.org Sixes 8385 Bells Ferry Road, Canton 770-345-7644 www.sixesumc.org Woodstock 109 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock 770-516-0371

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST Emerson 4010 Canton Road, Marietta 770-578-1533 www.emersonuu.org Unity North Atlanta 4255 Sandy Plains Rd. Marietta, GA 30066 678-819-9100 www.unitynorth.org

OTHERS

Action Church 271 Marietta Road, Canton 770-345-3030 www.actionchurch.tv Antioch Christian Church 3595 Sugar Pike Road Canton, GA 30115 770-475-9628 www.antiochcanton.org Antioch Church 9876 Main St., Suite 250, Woodstock 678-494-2193 www.antiochchurch.life

Awakening 180 Parkway 575, Suite 140, Woodstock 770-924-4150 www.awakeningwoodstock.com Branches of Christ 5946 Jacobs Road, Acworth 770-917-4964 www.branchesofchrist.com BridgePointe 233 Arnold Mill Road, Suite 400, Woodstock 770-517-2977 www.bridgepointechurch.org Christian Praise Center 1358 Sixes Road, Canton 770-924-7532 www.christianpraisecenter.com Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 2205 Bascomb-Carmel Road, Woodstock 770-529-9572 www.mormon.org Church of the Messiah 4115 Charles Cox Drive, Canton 770-479-5280 www.churchofthemessiah.net Dayspring 6835 Victory Drive, Acworth 770-516-5733 www.dayspring-online.com Dwelling Place Church 110 Londonderry Court #130, Woodstock www.dwellingplacemovement.org Empowerment Tabernacle 507 Industrial Drive, Woodstock 770-928-7478 www.EmpowermentTabernacle.com The Factory 9872 Main St., Woodstock, 770-517-7265 www.thefactoryministries.org Faith Family 5744 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth 770-926-4560 www.ffcacworth.com Fivestones Church 155 P Rickman Industrial Drive, Canton 770-720-2227 www.fivestoneschurch.com Fresh Springs Worship Center 1910 Eagle Drive, Suite 100, Woodstock 678-557-9841 www.freshspringsworship.com Fuente de Vida (Fountain of Life) 205 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 678-880-3135 www.fdvida.org God’s Rolling Thunder Latimer Hall, 103 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock www.godsrollingthunder.org His Hands 550 Molly Lane, Woodstock 770-405-2500 www.hishandschurch.com Hope Church 6576 Commerce Parkway, Woodstock www.HopeChurchAtl.com Iglesia Mana Para Siempre, Inc. Bilingual church Spanish & English 534 Keith Drive Canton 30114 678-880-8750 www.iglesiamanaparasiempre.com Life Church 300 Adam Jenkins Memorial Drive, Suite 108,

Canton 770-847-0170 www.lifechurchcanton.com Love Community Church 5598 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth Ministry House 347 Holly St., Canton 678-459-2347 http://MinistryHouse.org Momentum 659 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 678-384-4919 www.MomentumChurch.tv New Covenant Bible 1095 Scott Road, Canton 770-479-6412 www.newcovenantcanton.org North Atlanta Church 6233 Old Alabama Road, Acworth 770-975-3001 www.northatlantachurch.org Oak Leaf 151 East Marietta St., Canton 678-653-4652 www.oakleafcanton.com Prayer & Praise Christian Fellowship 6409 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock 770-928-2795 www.prayerandpraise.org Resurrection Anglican 231 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-591-0040 www.rezwoodstock.org Revolution 125 Union Hill Trail, Canton 770-345-2737 www.therevolution.tv Sojourn Woodstock 231 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-769-7495 www.sojournwoodstock.com Sovereign Grace 471 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 678-494-2100 www.sgcatlanta.org Thrive Chapel 11303 Highway 92, Woodstock 770-835-5795 www.thrivechapel.com Towne Lake Community 132 North Medical Parkway, Woodstock 678-445-8766 www.tlcchurch.com Victory 4625 Highway 92, Acworth 770-794-7366 www.victoryga.com Woodstock City Church 150 Ridgewalk Parkway, Woodstock 678-880-9092 www.woodstockcity.org Woodstock Christian 7700 Highway 92, Woodstock 770-926-8238 www.woodstockchristian.org Woodstock Church of Christ 219 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock 770-926-8838 www.woodstockchurchofchrist.org Woodstock Church of the Nazarene 874 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-366-7515 www.wcnga.com Woodstock Community Church 237 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock 770-926-8990 www.wcchurch.org TOWNELAKER | September 2017

TOWNELAKER DIRECTORY OF ADVERTISERS ATTORNEYS/LEGAL SERVICES Debranski & Associates, LLC 770-926-1957, ext 306 www.Debranski.com Imbriale Injury Law 678-445-7423 www.imbrialeinjury.com Limbocker Law 678-401-6836 www.limbockerlawfirm.com

COMPUTERS 9

Nelson Elder Care Law, LLC Inside front 678-250-9355 www.NelsonElderCareLaw.com AUTOMOTIVE Aspen Falls Auto Spa 770-591-3630 Christian Brothers Automotive 770-926-4500 www.cbac.com Woodstock Quality Paint & Body 770-926-3898

55 7

BEAUTY SALON & SPA

Big Blue Z 470-305-1228 www.BigBlueZ.com Cherokee Computer Guys 678-889-5900 www.ccrguys.com

HEALTH & FITNESS 45

(Cosmetic, Family, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics & Pediatric)

Canton Dental Town 770-627-7260 www.dentaltownsmiles.com Gentle Dental Care and Georgia Dental Implant Center 770-926-2784 www.georgiadic.com Kragor Orthodontics 770-485-8827 www.kragorortho.com

Salon Gloss and Spa 770-693-6968 www.salongloss.biz

Joint Chiropractic, The 678-214-4449 www.thejoint.com

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

CHURCHES Hillside United Methodist Church 770-924-4777 www.hillsideumc.org 94

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

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

Towne Lake Family Dentistry Dr. Ray Morgan Inside Back 770-591-7929 www.TowneLakeFamilyDentistry.com

CHIROPRACTIC

Bryan Plumbing Services 770-826-5277

HOME IMPROVEMENT & REPAIR

CFM Electrical 678-614-9661

élon Salon 770-427-8698 www.elonsalon.com

Towne Lake Business Association www.TLBA.org

Park Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock 29 770-926-9260 www.PediatricWoodstockDentist.com

Downtown Buzz 84 770-592-6056 www.mainstreetwoodstock.org/connect/#buzz

BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS

Casey’s Painting 678-445-9661 www.caseyspainting.com

Cookie Cutters 678-903-8140 www.haircutsarefun.com

Williams Orthodontics 770-592-5554 and 770-345-4155 www.DrWilliamsOrthodontics.com

Pure Barre 678-742-7031 www.purebarre.com/GA-woodstock R2 Total Fitness 678-809-7833 www.r2totalfitness.com

DENTAL

Baird & Baird Family Dentistry 770-517-0444 www.BairdFamilyDentistry.com

Hustle House 330-416-2817 www.HustleHousehw.com

EDUCATION / INSTRUCTION Goddard School, The 770-516-0880 www.GoddardSchool.com

Grant Academy, The 770-926-7827 www.thegrantacademy.net

FINANCIAL SERVICES Citadel Professional Services, LLC 770-952-6707

Element Funding 404-456-2317 www.elementfunding.com/rwright

FUNERAL SERVICES Woodstock Funeral Home and Cremations Inside front 770-926-3107 www.woodstockfuneralhome.com

Designs by Fitzgerald 404-376-5443

Dr. Fixit, Ph.D. 770-974-2390 www.DrFixitPHD.com

Enhance Floors & More 770-565-3808 www.enhancefloors.com

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

Mr. Junk 678-Mr-Junk1 www.MrJunk1.com

Pike’s Professional Painting 770-516-00459

Precision Painting & Remodeling 678-234-9668 www.precisionpaintingatlanta.com

Reliable Heating & Air 770-594-9969 www.ReliableAir.com

LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE Calvary Landscaping & Irrigation 770-720-1727 or 770-827-0346

Landscape Matters 770-403-5813 www.LandscapeMattersInc.com

Mclellan Excavation & Landscaping 404-520-0710 www.excavationandlandscaping.com

Overstreet Lawn Care 770-861-7272 www.overstreetlawncare.com

RPM Landscape & Pavers 770-597-5175 www.rpmlandscapeandpavers.com

OPHTHALMOLOGIST/OPTOMETRIST Eyes on Towne Lake 770-702-5996 www.eyesontownelake.com

Marietta Eye Clinic 770-427-8111 www.MariettaEye.com

PET SERVICES & SUPPLIES Animal Atlanta 770-591-0007 www.AnimalAtlanta.com

Cherokee County Animal Shelter www.cherokeega-animals.org

Northside Cancer Institute 37 Atlanta Cancer Care 770-721-3800, AtlantaCancerCare.com Georgia Cancer Specialists 770-479-1870, GACancer.com Northside Cherokee Orthopedics & Sports Medicine (770) 517-6636 northsidecherokeeortho.com Northside Cherokee Surgical Assoc. 770-924-9656 www.ncsurgicalassociates.com

Northside Hospital Cherokee www.NorthsideCherokee.com

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

Perimeter North Family Medicine 770-395-1130 www.pnfm.com

Plastic Surgery Center of the South 54 770-421-1242 www.plasticsurgerycenterofthesouth.net

Pet Hospital, The 42 678-401-8750 www.thepethospitalofwoodstock.com

Rausch Family Practice 678-384-7305 www.judithrauschmd.com

Sassy Paws Pet Boutique 678-275-2126 www.sassypawspb.com

WellStar Kennestone Hospital

REAL ESTATE & RELATED SERVICES

PHOTOGRAPHY J. King Images 404-384-2794, 404-200-0881 www.jkingimages.com

Photos By Hailey www.photosbyhailey.com

Robert Rainbow Photography 770-355-7769 www.robertrainbowphotos.com www.mapstudiogroup.com

PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL SERVICES Cherokee Internal Medicine 678-238-0301 www.cherokeeim.com

Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists, PC 73 770-720-7733 www.cherokeewomenshealth.com Hale Healthcare 678-744-HALE (4253) www.halehealthcare.com

Cover, 48, 49

North Georgia Audiology & Hearing Aid Center 770-726-8948 www.YourHearingLink.com North Georgia OB/GYN Specialists 770-926-9229 www.NorthGaOBGYN.com

Atlanta Communities, Tara Daigle 404-925-6351 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Tomlinson Team, The 770-365-6193 www.thetomlinsonteam.com

Eagle Watch Golf 404-960-9225 gary.weller@clubcorp.com

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

Etowah High School Football www.etowaheaglesfootball.com

Fields of Faith www.FieldsofFaith.com

Kennesaw State University Football www.ksuowls.com

Park Marina www.bestinboating.com

50, 51

Reinhardt University Football www.reinhardteagles.com

Riverfest 39 www.serviceleague.net Woodstock High School Football www.woodstockfootball.net

RESTAURANTS/FOOD 1029 GastroPub 678-403-1077

Fire Stone Wood Fired Pizza & Grill 770-926-6778 www.FireStoneRestaurants.com

Smallcakes — A Cupcakery 678-324-1910

Tavern at Towne Lake 770-926-6097 www.tavernattownelake.com

8 27

RETAILERS/ SHOPPING

Georgia Platinum Mortgage Matt Lillquist 9 Direct 770-274-2855, Cell 770-231-7868 www.GeorgiaPlatinumMortgage.com Julie Lillquist, Keller Williams 9 Cell 678-313-4927, Office 678-494-0644 www.LillquistPremierHomes.com Kurt & Sheila Team, Keller Williams Back Cvr 404-954-2486, 678-494-0644 www.kurtandsheilateam.com Magnolia Cottages by the Sea www.magnoliadreamcottage.com

Southeast Mortgage 770-279-0222, ext. 719 Todd Littlejohn: 678-662-3451

RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMENT Cherokee County Tennis Assoc. www.cherokeetennis.org

Georgia Zombiefest

Cruise Planners, Kathy Faisal O:678-445-5235,C:770-231-7033

Diamond Castle Fine Jewelry 1 770-516-5689 www.diamondcastleofwoodstock.com Flagpole Warehouse 770-974-0507 www.FlagpoleWarehouse.com

Nature’s Corner Market 41 naturescornertownelake@gmail.com www.naturescornermarket.com SENIOR LIVING/ SERVICES Arbor at BridgeMill, The 770-766-9323 arborbridgemill.com

Camellia Place 770-296-1513 www.camelliaplace.com

Lotus Adult Day Center 678-653-4775 www.LotusAdultCenter.com

Oaks at Towne Lake 770-592-2195 www.oaksseniorliving.com

TOWNELAKER | September 2017

Since 1996, we have brought relevant, uplifting and reader-driven content to readers. We publish TowneLaker, Around Canton, Around Woodstock and Around Acworth. We look forward to serving you, our readers and advertisers, every month. Thank you for your continued support and participation in making this truly your community magazine.

Seated, from left: Patty Ponder, Jon and Karen Flaig and Jackie Loudin. Standing, from left: Katherine Amick, Denise Griffin, Susan Rodney, Michelle McCulloch, Carla Caldwell, Laura Latchford, Candi Hannigan and Christie Deese. Photo by J King Images

At AroundAbout Local Media, we believe the world functions at the community level: diverse groups of people living in close proximity, sharing commonality of culture, values and local pride, developing safety nets for those in need, and helping each other to live richer lives. It is our heartfelt desire to contribute to the fabric that helps make a community happen. Through our magazines, we aim to provide everyone in the communities we serve with uplifting, interesting information about the community they are proud to call home. We encourage you to send us your photos, ideas, stories or anything else you think the community would like to know about. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your community. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your magazine. Look on page 6 for our contact information.

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TOWNE LAKE FAMILY DENTISTRY

SUMMER CHECK UP!

FLUORIDE TREATMENT$20.00 With Cleaning, Exam & X-rays! Schedule Your Child's Dental Appointment Today!

Dr. Ray H. Morgan Jr, established in Town Lake 1988