Noteworthy

Welcome to the newest Aroundabout Local Media (ALM) feature. Each month, we will dedicate space to sharing the good things that are happening: job promotions, professional accomplishments, volunteer activities … pretty much however you are changing the world!

Let us know about your accomplishments - don’t be shy. It’s okay to brag on yourself or someone you know. I’m happy to lead by example. Read on for the latest cool thing that’s happened to us at ALM.

Email candi@aroundaboutmagazines.com with a short description and photo of something or someone that’s made you proud. I look forward to hearing from you!

Local Photographer Gets National Exposure

Photos taken by Ball Ground photographer Teena Coogle were used in a People magazine feature on essential workers. Her pictures of Canton mail carrier Krysten Wilson appeared in the May 11, 2020 issue: one on the table of contents and one on the inside spread.

Krysten was part of a spotlight on essential workers around the country, and she reached out to Teena, who had photographed Krysten’s family in the past, to take pictures.

“I’ve seen my photos on billboards, local magazines and winning local photography contests, but this was surreal,” Teena said. “It took me a few minutes to gather myself together and not yell out to everyone in the grocery store to look at what I had accomplished! I was so excited and so proud of myself.” Around Cherokee is Getting Around

David Harrison, a U.S. history teacher at River Ridge High School, recently emailed us to ask how he could get a copy of the Around Woodstock issue that included the city’s history. I replied by sharing the link to our 16-page history issue, Around Cherokee, and encouraged him to share it with his students as he saw fit. In an email exchange with Barbara Jacoby, the chief communications officer for the Cherokee County School District, we learned that she also shared the link to the history issue with the Office of Curriculum & Instruction, so appropriate staff members could have access as well. The issue was especially helpful because it included the history of Towne Lake, something that hasn’t been researched and published before now.

The staff at ALM is proud to be a part of the community in such a helpful way. We love what we do and are grateful that we were able to contribute, in a small way, to the education of our community’s students!

If you want to read this issue, or print a copy for yourself, you can find it at www.aroundwoodstockmagazine. com. Just scroll down to the link on the right side of the home page.

Blogger Recognized for Fall Decor and More

If you’ve picked up a copy of The Cottage Life’s autumn issue, look for a five-page spread featuring the beautifully decorated Canton home of Amanda Becker , creator of the blog Sincerely, Marie Designs. Photos featuring her fall decor caught the attention of that magazine’s editors, who reached out to her, asking to feature shots from her 2019 fall home tour. “Each year I participate in seasonal home tours on the blog. We’ve been so thrilled to have our spring home tour also featured last year, and our Christmas home tour from 2019 will be featured this winter by American Farmhouse Magazine.”

Amanda created Sincerely, Marie Designs (https://sincerelymariedesigns.com) as an outlet after she left full time work to be home with her newborn son six years ago. Fast forward to September 2020: the blog has more than 50,000 readers, including subscribers and social media followers, and she is renovating her second home with her husband Josh.

“My goal has always been to encourage others to take on design projects in their own home and to share with them our budget-friendly how-tos,” Amanda said. “It's a big accomplishment to have my work noticed and featured. As a decorator and blogger, I know many of the other people who are featured in the same publications, and to see all of our hard work published is such a treat!”

Lighting the Way for Others

Sept. 1 is now Childhood Cancer Awareness Day in Georgia, thanks, in part, to the efforts of David and Elizabeth Fige and their daughter Katelyn, a brain cancer survivor. Their journey to help Katelyn survive Stage IV Pineoblastoma led them to the state Capitol to witness Gov. Brian Kemp signing SB 340 into law, which made the Awareness Day official.

When Katelyn was diagnosed in March 2015, David said they learned that her treatment protocol was more than 30 years old. “I dug a little deeper and found out that federal cancer research dollars directed to childhood cancers are less than 4% of all funding, even though forty-six kids every day are diagnosed with childhood cancer.”

In the midst of their fight for Katelyn’s life, the Figes decided it was time to bring more awareness to the plight of children facing cancer.

David describes himself as one part of a very long process, complicated by numerous delays and the COVID-19 shutdown. “I was just the head coach. Without so many moms and dads making phone calls, Representatives Sheri Gilligan and Deborah Silcox, and Sen. Brandon Beach, this would have never gotten to the finish line this year.”

Since signing day on Aug. 5, Gov. Kemp texts the family each week to check on Katelyn, who David says has her ups and downs. “Her body was devastated by her antiquated treatment protocol. I just want other children not to have to deal with what Katelyn has, which is why I’m so passionate about this.”

Anita Corsini in front of the new Woodstock Wings.

Wings Bring Awareness to Childhood Cancer

A new mural on the side of the REDBaRN Real Estate building in downtown Woodstock, on Wall Street, was painted to honor the children and their families who are fighting or have fought childhood cancer.

On July 25, 2014, the founders of Red Barn Homes, Anita and Ken Corsini, were told that their son Rocco had cancer. “His perseverance to push through the unbearable was inspiring. We are extremely proud of him, and thankful to God for his health and strength today,” Anita said.

They started a foundation in his honor, Roc.Star Kids, to support families fighting childhood cancer. To learn more, visit www.rocstarkids.com. Enjoy the mural, take pictures, and share with the hashtags #WoodstockWings and #RocStarKids, and follow @RocStarKidsGa and @anitacorsini on Instagram to see your pictures shared. The mural was painted by Sage Recchia and the paint was donated by Sherwin Williams. This Teacher is a Lifesaver

Bascomb Elementary School paraprofessional Shawn Lisle was in the cafeteria during lunchtime recently when she saw a student in distress. Third-grader Parker Davis was choking on a grape, and Lisle used the Heimlich maneuver to save her from choking.

“We’re so grateful to Ms. Lisle for her quick thinking and use of her training to save Parker,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said. “Our staff members are essential workers whose public service improves the lives of every student they serve, and I am so proud and grateful for Ms. Lisle’s actions. She’s a superhero!”

Shawn Lisle with Parker Davis.

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