Enjoy Cherokee Magazine – January/February 2023

LOOK TO NORTHSIDE

A Community of Care on a Mission to Heal

At Northside Hospital, you can look forward to new beginnings, look ahead to comeback seasons, and look up for hope and strength. Led by our expertise in maternity, heart, cancer, orthopedics and more, you can move into tomorrow with confidence knowing there is a community of care at Northside that’s guided by one clear direction, a mission to heal.

For a healthier future together, look to Northside Hospital.

Learn more about our services at northside.com

Enjoy Cherokee Team

Randy Gravley, CEO/President

Jodi Drinkard, COO/Publisher

Bill West, Vice President of Sales

Jaye Grimes, Managing Editor

Bobbie Christmas, Senior Editor

Laurie Parente, Designer

Leana Conway, Writer

Rebecca Johnston, Writer

Meghan Lindstrom, Writer

Cindy Pope, Writer

Emma Tyler, Writer

Ashley Velez, Writer

Susan Overcash Walker, Writer

Jennifer Allen, Account Executive

Robin Barnes, Account Executive

Will Cooper, Multimedia Content Coord.

Copyright 2023 by Enjoy Magazine Inc. (EMI). All rights reserved. Every effort is made to ensure the contents of this publication are true and accurate. EMI assumes no responsibility for misinformation. Correction requests are always welcome at SimplyTheBest@EnjoyCherokee.com. Reproduction in whole, or in part, without permission of Enjoy Magazine, Inc. is strictly prohibited.

Paddle On with Caleb Guy

2023

preparing

Olympics

how

in

Rolling Out New Transportation

Thanks to innovations by some key Cherokee County leaders, “Metro Meets the Mountains” with new propane-powered vehicles for the Cherokee Area Transportation System.

Love Stories Collection Our readers share their favorite love stories, exemplifying how our small, diverse community holds many aspects of love and displays it in affectionate ways. pg36

Valentine’s Gift Guide

Give thoughtfully this Valentine’s Day with these local favorites. Cherokee County shops have just what you need to spark romance. pg39

The Gallery Series

The galleries at Cherokee County History Center are named for significant figures in the county’s history. Learn more about them in The Gallery Series, beginning with “the Voice of Cherokee,” Byron Dobbs. pg40

Hayden’s Review: Rootstock

Discover mixology magic and unforgettable culinary creations from the distinctive Rootstock, a restaurant and bar in downtown Woodstock.

Photo Credit: Trae Patton/NBC

Thanks to innovations by some key Cherokee County leaders, “Metro Meets the Mountains” with new propane-powered vehicles for the Cherokee Area Transportation System [CATS]. The new vehicles provide environmental and financial benefits for residents and taxpayers.

CATS provides transportation for county residents who have difficulty securing their own transportation. It has been a service of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners since 2007 with funding provided by Cherokee County, the State of Georgia, and the Federal Transit Administration.

Current CATS Programs

Two services are available for Cherokee County residents through the CATS program.

Fixed Route: This program runs Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., including two preset schedules with stops throughout the city of Canton. The Fixed Route fare is $1.25 for adults and $.60 for seniors, Medicare holders, and disabled passengers.

Demand Response: This program runs Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on a destination-to-origin basis with stops at pre-scheduled locations within Cherokee County. The Demand Response fare is $1.50 for the first five miles and $.30 per mile thereafter for all patrons.

Powering Forward with Propane

Cherokee County became the first county in Georgia to engage propane-powered buses for public transportation in October. CATS purchased three of these vehicles from Coach and Equipment Bus Sales in February 2022 to replace outdated units in the Fixed Route service fleet. To date two of the buses are in service, and the third is awaiting delivery. In celebration the county held a formal ribbon-cutting event on October 18 with CATS team members, leaders from the Propane Education & Research Council, and ROUSH CleanTech, the Detroit-based alternative-fuel manufacturer of the propane engines.

Greg Powell, transportation director for Cherokee County, led the initiative to acquire propane-powered buses for the county to take advantage of the federal funding opportunities available for green transportation and public transit. After conducting research, Greg collaborated with Bryan Reynolds, Community Services Agency director, and Geoff Morton, county manager, before making the decision and bringing it to the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners for approval.

Greg Powell

By Ashley Velez, Woodstock Resident

Todd Mouw of ROUSH CleanTech speaks during the CATS ribbon-cutting ceremony. He was joined by ROUSH CleanTech Executive Director Randy Veenhoven and Propane Education & Research Council Director of Autogas Business Development Steve Whaley to celebrate Georgia's first propane-powered transit buses.

Passenger Catalina Garcia of Canton catches a ride with CATS on a cold, damp November morning.

Stakeholder Benefits

Environmental and financial benefits of propane-powered engines include lower maintenance costs and reduced harmful emissions, making them a popular choice for high-mileage vehicles across the country. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, when compared with vehicles fueled by conventional diesel or gasoline, propane engines produce lower amounts of some harmful air pollutants and greenhouse gases, depending on vehicle type, drive cycle, and engine calibration. The Propane Education & Research Council estimates nearly sixty thousand current propane vehicles with certified fuel systems are in service across the United States. Many are used as school buses, police vehicles, and in public transportation services similar to CATS.

ROUSH CleanTech’s Gen-5 propane system was integrated into the Ford 7.3-liter engines of CATS vehicles. During the October 18 ribbon-cutting ceremony, Todd Mouw, the executive vice president of sales for ROUSH CleanTech, stated, “ROUSH CleanTech’s advanced propane auto gas technology is helping states like Georgia tackle their air-quality problems and budget challenges by operating economical, emissions-reducing buses.”

Steve Whaley, director of autogas business development for the Propane Education & Research

Council, said, “We’re proud to add Cherokee County to the growing list of paratransit fleets across this country that are operating with propane autogas. Cherokee County is prioritizing providing a safe, clean ride for their community while lowering operating costs. It’s a win for environmental sustainability and a win for [the county’s] financial sustainability.”

Community Partnerships

Since its inception CATS has worked extensively with organizations such as Empower Cherokee and the Cherokee County Senior Center. Empower Cherokee is a nonprofit social services organization that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In the mornings and afternoons, the Cherokee County Senior Center operates in conjunction with programs from Georgia’s Department of Human Services.

Director of Cherokee County Senior Services Tim Morris says, “Transportation is such a big need, one of the number-one things that’s asked for here.” Morris estimates about forty seniors a week arrive at the center by way of CATS, resulting in pick-up or drop-off trip services totaling about 160 a week and 650 a month.

Loyal patron Mary Jo offers gratitude for the services CATS provides to her and fellow seniors stating, They’re friendly and helpful. I’m so appreciative that they help me on and off the bus. I just love them.

The Demand Response service serves a growing clientele, currently estimated at twenty patrons at 150 trips a month. Tim states, “We have a great partnership with CATS. We’re very close with its staff. The communication between the two staffs—I’ve been in this for thirty years—it’s one of the best. They’re across the street [from us], but we can’t do anything that we do without them. They’re everything to us. Without them there would be a lot of seniors sitting at home.”

The Cherokee Chamber of Commerce is also gaining significant benefits from a CATS partnership as the first organization to advertise on the side of the new propane-powered buses. Chamber President and CEO Pam Carnes shares, “Our goal was to be, if not the first, one of the very first advertisers on the road, because we knew it could create more excitement and awareness for Destination Cherokee GA [the Chamber’s tourism branch]. We feel like it gives us a different opportunity to market to the community.”

Other local businesses and organizations that wish to explore advertising opportunities on the new vehicles can do so through a variety of size and

duration options available through Tri-State Communications, the parent company of Enjoy Cherokee. Interested parties should contact Bill West, vice president of sales, at Bill@WLJAradio.com.

Easy with an App

Cherokee residents can download the free app, Moovit, to their phones to easily navigate the two CATS programs. More than 930 million users in some 3,400 cities worldwide use Moovit, a public transit app. Through the app users can see maps and schedules, check real-time arrivals, pay their fares, map walking directions from their current location, and more.

The inclusion of the Moovit app illustrates CATS’s dedication to technological advancements that align with and complement the economically sound and environmentally friendly adoption of propane-powered vehicles in a continued commitment to help Cherokee County residents and visitors “go where they want to go” throughout the county.

For more information about CATS transportation programs, call 770-345-6238 or visit CherokeeGA.com/Transportation.

Cherokee County Transportation Director Greg Powell leads county representatives and community leaders in cutting the ceremonial ribbon on October 18.

OUR GOAL WAS TO BE, IF NOT THE FIRST, ONE OF THE VERY FIRST ADVERTISERS ON THE ROAD, BECAUSE WE KNEW IT COULD CREATE MORE EXCITEMENT AND AWARENESS FOR DESTINATION CHEROKEE GA.

When Mollie Guy saw information about kayaking on the Cherokee County Special Olympics Facebook page, she thought the activity might be good for her son, Caleb. She signed him up with no idea how that decision would change their lives.

By Cindy Pope, Woodstock Resident

Mollie says of learning there were spaces available in the Special Olympics kayaking program. Although Caleb had no idea what his mother was planning and no experience kayaking, he was a good sport about trying the new activity.

Caleb’s father, Chris, however, wasn’t as sure. Knowing that Mollie is more of a risk-taker, he says he “prays a lot” before going along.

Mollie’s snap decision led to one of the greatest triumphs in Caleb’s life: he is one of five kayakers competing for Team USA in the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, Germany. Caleb is the only male Team USA athlete in the kayaking event. Also representing Georgia in kayaking is teammate Raven Allen of Augusta.

About participating in the Special Olympics World Games, Caleb says, I’m excited because I want my friends to watch me on TV—and my parents.

Crazy Cayakers

In 2020 Caleb joined the Crazy Cayakers team in its inaugural year “full of enthusiasm to learn all about kayaking,” his coach, Erin Fox, remembers. “He quickly picked up the sport.” She tells how he and his first partner, Brady Abramson, kept paddling into shore at the wrong angle and getting stuck in the weeds. “It took them a minute, but they used teamwork to reverse their way out.”

Caleb says that participating in the Crazy Cayakers taught him how to work with a team. “My team is great, and we learn lots of skills,” he says proudly.

Caleb understands the importance of taking suggestions from his coaches to improve his skills and gets genuinely excited for every teammate that does well. Caleb often comes to the aid of teammates who need a positive word. He laughs enthusiastically as he repeats his daily mantra: “We learn not to quit.”

“We just jumped in,”

Athletes Robin Pearl, Ashley Thompson, Caleb, Raven Allen, and Charlotte Lewis are representing Team USA in kayaking, one of the newest Special Olympics sports.

Caleb paddles with his 2021 kayaking partner, Brady Abramson.

Photo Credit: David Vaughn/ SuperDavesPhotos.com

Coach Fox adds, “He brings a lot of energy to our practices and makes friends everywhere he paddles. Having Caleb on the team is an absolute joy. He always has a smile and ‘hello’ for everyone.”

Caleb has developed a strong upper body and excellent core rotation, which helps him with his paddling. Even more importantly, Coach Fox shares how much Caleb loves being on the water and says he is an eager learner, a trait that helps in the evolution of his skills. “Caleb continues to practice a new skill until he has mastered it,” says his coach, who also stresses that Caleb focuses on water safety and always ensures that his life jacket is on properly and securely.

Caleb has won four state-level medals in kayaking: two for solo 200-meter events and two for 200-meter tandem races in 2021 and 2022.

“I think his chances of bringing home the gold are very high,” Coach Fox says, “because he sets a goal and keeps working until he attains it. I know he will make America proud in Germany.”

Cherokee County Special Olympics

“Kayaking is one of our newest sports,” says Dave Martinez, program co-coordinator of the Cherokee County Special Olympics. “We are proud of Caleb for representing the Cherokee County delegation of Special Olympics Georgia and Team USA.” He adds that Caleb is a tremendous athlete who wholeheartedly reflects the Special Olympics oath: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

Teamwork saves the day! Coach Erin Fox recalls how Caleb and his first kayaking partner, Brady Abramson, kept paddling into shore at the wrong angle and getting stuck in the weeds. She says, “It took them a minute, but they used teamwork to reverse their way out.”

Dave further explains, “Our Cherokee County programs provide fourteen sport opportunities for our community members with intellectual disabilities. We have athletes competing with us ranging in ages from eight to over sixty.” The organization is entirely made up of volunteers and a fee is never charged for athletes to participate and compete. “We rely on donations, and 100 percent of money raised is used to support our programs and athletes.”

The estimated cost for attending the event in Germany is between $6,000 and $9,000 per person. The State of Georgia pays a portion, as does Cherokee County Special Olympics. The rest comes from fundraising efforts. Alan Flint, president of Hickory Flat Optimist Club, states, “Caleb was recognized at the [Optimist International] annual picnic for his selection into the World Games in Berlin. We at Optimist International are all very proud and excited for him.” Caleb autographed photographs at the event to raise money for travel expenses.

Other fundraising efforts include the Born to Shine Optimist Club, which presented Caleb with a significant donation to the Special Olympics in his name. To raise additional funds, Caleb has signed autographs, sold shirts, and conducted a fundraising dinner with raffle prizes. His church is planning a fundraising event, and a musician friend plans to hold a concert to raise money for Caleb’s trip.

Caleb says all this special attention makes him happy. He’s proud of himself because he knows he has earned it.

Another Goal Reached

In November Caleb took another big step in his journey to the Special Olympics, traveling solo to San Antonio, Texas, for Team Trials training with the Special Olympics USA coaches. The training weekend hosted nearly 150 athletes representing thirteen sports. Dad Chris explains that parents are not allowed to accompany the athletes because coaches want to see how well the athletes handle being on their own. Chris says the experience marked Caleb’s “first time away without any one of us.”

At home Caleb trains by taking his two kayaks out on the reservoir off Bluffs Parkway for practice. When he can’t be out on the water, his training regimen also includes weight lifting and running.

We always assume Caleb can do something until he proves he can’t,” Chris says.

“He enjoys everything.” Chris’s voice slows as tears well up in his eyes. “But the incredible thing about Caleb is that he loves people, and I think people feel that and love him back.

Attitude of Gratitude

Twenty-year-old Caleb is thankful for his sense of independence and attributes his strength and success to the fact that he likes to do things by himself. “My mom and my dad trust me, and one day I want to move out of their house.”

Photo Credit: David Vaughn/SuperDavesPhotos.com

LET ME WIN. BUT IF I CANNOT WIN, LET ME BE BRAVE IN THE ATTEMPT

Caleb attends Cherokee County School District’s Transition Academy in Canton, which focuses on job skills, career readiness, and independence for young adults with cognitive disabilities. Through Transition Academy, Caleb works three days a week in the warehouse for EC2 Creations, an embroidery and screen printing shop in Woodstock.

The Guy family is also involved with Circle of Friends, a nonprofit organization that supports special-needs adults with job placement, social activities, and housing.

A Look Toward the Future

Mollie advises parents of children with intellectual disabilities, “Push them as hard as you can to get that independence, let them do whatever they are capable of doing, and just see where it takes them.” She also stresses that parents think about the end game. “You [have to] start with a mindset of what do you want them to be able to accomplish at this age, then you have to start working toward it when they are little.” Mollie laughs and says of Caleb, “He wasn’t this together when he was little.”

Caleb sees himself still participating in sports five years from now and hopes to be working at a hotel at the beach somewhere. Caleb encourages everyone not to give up: “Be brave and try your best.”

The Guy family expresses gratitude to Cherokee County Special Olympics for all its support. “None of this could have been possible without [program co-coordinators] Dave Martinez and Amy Aenchbacher,” who nominated Caleb and wrote recommendations for him. “And [Coach] Ben Farist is leading the charge on the fundraising.”

Caleb and teammates Charlotte, Raven, Ashley, and Robin train with one of the Special Olympics USA coaches during Team Trials in San Antonio, Texas, held in November.

Follow Caleb’s journey to the 2023 Special Olympics World Games on his Facebook page, Paddle On for the Strudel.

The mission of Special Olympics is to “provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.”

Caleb with sister Jessica Williamson, parents Chris and Mollie Guy, brother Jonathan Guy, and sister Laura Arroyo.

Photo Credit: Marguerite Levinge/Rockin' Red Photography

LADIES FIRSTCARE

Whether you’re a busy mom or businesswoman, self-care means putting your health first. From Woodstock to Ball Ground, Wellstar Cherokee Health Park makes it easy to get expert, tailored gynecologic care close to home. Our world-class providers offer routine well-woman exams as well as specialized care for mothers-to-be all the way through menopause.

With trusted care right around the corner, Wellstar is helping women stay well at every stage of life. Wellstar OB/GYN 1120 Wellstar Way,

Bryce performs "If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away," which he called his "most powerful performance" of the season. The performance even earned praise from singer Justin Moore, who released the hit song in 2011. 

BryceLeatherwood And the is... winner

By Jaye Grimes, Woodstock Resident

[Photo Credit: Trae Patton/NBC]

Like a lot of people his age, twenty-two-year-old Woodstock native Bryce Leatherwood earned his degree and graduated from college in May. Unlike many people his age, he then took a leap of faith and auditioned for NBC's The Voice, an Emmy-award-winning singing competition with superstar coaches still in their prime in the music industry. In its twenty-second season, the show featured new coach Camila Cabello and returning coaches Gwen Stefani, John Legend, and Blake Shelton. Shelton, who has led eight former contestants to victory, has been a mainstay on the show since its inception in 2011.

The Voice

Bryce auditioned with “Goodbye Time,” a song originally recorded by country music legend Conway Twitty for his 1988 release Still in Your Dreams. In 2004 the song was rereleased by none other than Blake Shelton. Shelton's rendition of the song was included on his third studio album, Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill.

As the first few notes filled the air in the Universal Studios set, Shelton said, “Oh, I know this,” and was the first of the coaches to turn his iconic red chair toward the stage, prompting a smile from Bryce as he pointed to the country music superstar.

In addition to Shelton, coaches Gwen Stefani and John Legend also vied for a chance to work with Bryce as he advanced to the next round of the show. After each made a case for why Bryce should choose to move forward in the competition with them, Bryce decided to join Team Blake.

Under the mentorship of coach and now-friend Blake Shelton, Bryce stayed true to his southern roots throughout the season and performed songs that showcased his warm, rich tones, proficiency for classic country, and his ability to take on modern country radio hits.

With a penchant for country songs older than he is, Bryce drew comparisons to a younger version of country music king George Strait, singer-songwriter Clint Black, and even current country radio hit-makers like Scotty McCreery. For his coach and for many fans watching the broadcasts from home, it was often easy to forget that young Bryce is only twenty-two years old. After Bryce's performance of Zac Brown Band's “Colder Weather,” even coach Blake Shelton compared him to a young George Strait and remarked that he performed as though he had forty years of experience.

Leatherwood

While his performances were strong throughout the competition, Bryce's southern gentleman persona, polite manners, and song choices helped him stand out even more from the pack of performers hoping to advance to the finale for a chance at victory—a victory that Bryce won on December 13 after the top five contestants performed in the penultimate episode of the season, which aired live the night before.

Hometown Support

Back home in Woodstock, the community rallied around hometown hero Bryce with watch-party events. Family and friends gathered at MadLife Stage & Studios, the venue where, just months before, Bryce performed his first soldout show with his band.

Community supporters also gathered to cheer on Bryce. With some fans carrying posters bearing the words “Hello from Woodstock, Georgia,” “Proud of you, Bryce!” and “Team Bryce,” a group of nearly one hundred dedicated supporters watched the broadcast on the big screen at the Woodstock Arts Event Green. Bundled in blankets and sipping hot cocoa to stay warm against the December chill, the cheerful crowd shouted, “Go Bryce!” in a video posted to Instagram. The video received a response from Bryce himself, simply saying “Love you all!”

Bryce acknowledged the support of his home state, and in an interview with Enjoy Cherokee after his big win, he shared, “I’m just so happy to be able to make Cherokee County proud and all of Georgia proud.”

Southern Roots

Bryce credits his family, his upbringing, and even his time wrestling at Sequoyah High School as major influences on him and reasons why he strives to stay true to himself, especially now as he embarks on stardom. When asked what aspect of his Georgia roots he felt he would take with him as he traveled across the country and the globe as a performer, his response was, “First off, being humble, being a true southern gentleman, which means being kind, polite, humble, and respectful. I was taught that way from my mom and dad and from my grandparents, and I think that’s the only way I’m ever gonna be, so from my Georgia roots, I think being a true southern gentleman is the only way I’m gonna go about doing life.” He also shared that his coach, Blake Shelton, encouraged him to be himself throughout the duration of the competition.

From his very first appearance on The Voice, Bryce sang the praises of his family's support and spoke about the special relationship he shares with his grandfather, Jimmy McCallum, who introduced Bryce to much of the classic country music that he now loves so dearly.

He also credits spending summers working on his grandfather's farm, just outside of Macon, Georgia, with influencing his work ethic.

In an interview on the podcast Unplugged and Totally Uncut with Arroe Collins, Bryce also credited his sense of determination and discipline to his experiences as a three-time team captain of the Sequoyah Chiefs wrestling team, with which he competed in multiple state tournaments.

Bryce's dad, Cliff Leatherwood, also drew parallels between Bryce's wrestling experience and his time competing on The Voice, specifically following the Top 16 results show that aired November 15. During the episode, Bryce was among four contestants at risk of elimination. Each contestant then performed live for a chance at an audience-voted “Instant Save.” By the end of the episode, it was announced that Bryce had earned the most votes, and he advanced to the Top 13; the other three performers were eliminated from the competition.

Speaking with Enjoy Cherokee the next day, Cliff noted that he was proud of Bryce's latest accomplishment and praised his calm confidence. Cliff shared that he recognized the same quiet determination in Bryce's demeanor that he saw during Bryce's wrestling career. Even after what could have easily felt like defeat, Bryce “stepped up to the mat” again and reminded viewers how much he deserved to continue in the competition. He also never found himself in the Instant Save position again.

The Finale

For his performances in the finale, Bryce sang the ballad “Don't Close Your Eyes,” first recorded by Keith Whitley, which garnered praise from Whitley's widow, country star Lorrie Morgan. He then turned on the fun with the upbeat “T-R-O-U-B-L-E,” originally recorded by Elvis Presley and later rereleased by Travis Tritt.

Bryce's parents, Hope and Cliff, joined him in California for the final two shows of the season. Also there to support Bryce were his younger brother, Lance, Nana Janet Mullis, and beloved grandfather Jimmy, of whom Bryce said, “He’s doing good. He came to the show and he got to see it live, and he was moved by it. And he was just happy to be there as a part of the experience. He’s doing great.”

Bryce's dad, Cliff, also enjoyed being part of the experience, sharing, “It was incredibly special being with Hope and Lance to watch Bryce perform on The Voice stage. A couple tears were shed during his singing Keith Whitley, and I rocked with him to ‘T-R-O-U-B-L-E.’ So proud of my boy. It was a day I will never forget.”

Woodstock's Winner

After his big win, and at the end of a long day filled with interviews, during which he likely answered some of the same questions a few times, Bryce told Enjoy Cherokee he'd had about

Colder I'm Gonna Be Let Me Down Amarillo By SandSouthern in If Heaven Wasn't So Don't Close T-R-O-U-B-L-E

two and half hours of sleep and hoped to spend the rest of his day relaxing. He also shared that his family had returned home to Georgia after celebrating his victory the night before.

When asked if he would be returning to perform any hometown shows, Bryce said, “Oh, absolutely. I’m trying to, of course. [I'm going to] come back home and relax, but then step on it full gear, whatever that looks like with getting in the studio, going to Nashville, coming back home for some shows, and giving back to my community, because y’all have done so much for me. I’m just super proud to be representing Cherokee County and all of Georgia.” Even at the end of the long day, with almost no sleep, and probably the craziest twenty-four hours of his life, Bryce remained genuine, humble, and kind.

“...from my

— Bryce Leatherwood

Goodbye Time Dirt Road Colder Weather BeDownSomebody Easy By SouthernMorning Nights in My Boots Far Away Close Your Eyes

“Congratulations! Bryce, you have a natural talent that will take you far in life! Can’t wait to watch your career soar! #GATA”

— Amy Belcher, Woodstock

“Congratulations on your well-deserved The Voice!  You made all of Cherokee County, Georgia, proud.  Can’t wait to hear what you are doing next. I love how you stated that you are a southern gentleman and want to stay true to yourself.”

— Jeanette Blay, Acworth

“Congratulations, Bryce! Without a doubt I can say all of Georgia saw this coming, and we are so happy for you. I can't wait to see what you do next in your career.”

— Baylee Bradfield, Canton

“We’re so excited for you, Bryce, and can’t wait to see where God takes you in the years ahead.  We know he has great things in store for you!  Congratulations from the Haugen family.”

— Sheila Haugen, Canton

“Congratulations, Bryce! From singing in our backyard to The Voice stage, we’ve believed in you every step of the way! Buckle up, because you are about to take off! We love you!”

— Amanda Hohenbery, Canton

Business Estate Planning

It’s hard to imagine your business without you. But chances are there will come a day when someone else will take the reins. And a seamless succession plan, carefully and thoughtfully devised well in advance, is essential to ensuring your business enjoys continued success for generations to come.

HARDER THAN IT SOUNDS

The facts are grim. According to Nuveen Investments, only 30% of privately held businesses survive into the second generation, and less than 15% survive into the third.

A thorough succession plan considers your exit from the business and your retirement/personal estate. It provides for an orderly transition of management, the passing of control of the business, and pitfalls of loved ones having to make difficult decisions during stressful times.

CONSIDER THESE QUESTIONS:

• How can you protect your business and benefits to ensure future continuity?

• How can you gracefully exit the business and realize the maximum value for your hard work?

• What if something happened to you unexpectedly? Have you created an effective contingency plan that protects your staff and customers?

You may want to groom an heir from within the family, groom someone outside the family, consider an outright sale, or have an expert take over until your chosen heir is old enough or fully prepared. Any one of those scenarios takes time to develop.

SUCCESSION STRATEGIES

• Sale to Intentionally Defective Grantor Trust (IDGT). A sale to an IDGT is a sophisticated planning strategy to transfer assets from generation to generation while minimizing income, estate, and gift tax liabilities. Families with business partnerships or S corporations may find this option helpful.

• Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT). A GRAT can help insulate assets that you expect to appreciate significantly from being overly taxed and can create a meaningful difference in net proceeds for business owners considering a sale or transfer.

• Self-Canceling Installment Note (SCIN) and Intrafamily Loan. When you use a SCIN to finance the sale of your business interest, the buyer promises to make payments of portions of the sale price to you for a specified period of time. If the seller dies before payment in full on the note, the note is canceled, and no further payments need to be made. Selling a business to a family member in a lower tax bracket using a SCIN may allow for a reduction in overall family tax liability. An intrafamily loan can be used with an SCIN.

While these can be difficult conversations to have with family members and business associates, they can bring comfort in knowing everyone is on the same page.

While these can be difficult conversations to have with family members and business associates, they can bring comfort in knowing everyone is on the same page

Source: Nuveen Investments. Changes in tax laws or regulations may occur at any time and could substantially impact your situation. Raymond James financial advisors do not render advice on tax or legal matters. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.

Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. J. Thompson Ross Investments is not a registered broker/ dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services.

The Forbes ranking of Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. Those advisors that are considered have a minimum of seven years of experience, and the algorithm weights factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices in their practices and approach to working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criteria due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Out of approximately 32,725 nominations, more than 5,000 advisors received the award. This ranking is not indicative of an advisor’s future performance, is not an endorsement, and may not be representative of individual clients’ experience. Neither Raymond James nor any of its Financial Advisors or RIA firms pay a fee in exchange for this award/rating. Raymond James is not affiliated with Forbes or Shook Research, LLC. Please visit https://www.forbes.com/ best-in-state-wealth-advisors for more info.

The information contained in this article does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of Judy Thompson Ross and not necessarily those of Raymond James. This material is being provided for information purposes only. Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. Investing involves risk and investors may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected. Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. J. Thompson Ross Investments is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services.

A CPC ADVISORS TEAM

Parents Cliff and Hope, Nana Janet, Blake Shelton, Granddaddy Jimmy, and brother Lance join Bryce on the set of The Voice during finale week.

Bryce and his family also remained strong in their faith throughout his run on the show. During a private family-andfriends watch party earlier in the season, parents Hope and Cliff thanked Bryce's supporters in the audience, especially those who prayed for Bryce during his journey on the show. Longtime family friend Banks Brazell then led the audience in prayer for Bryce as he continued in the competition.

Southern Nights in My Boots Far Away Close Your Eyes T-R-O-U-B-L-E

In his podcast interview with Arroe Collins, Bryce shared, “The most beautiful part of music is connecting, inspiring, and making people happy—that's all I want to do in life, and I hope I get to do it in this facet. I hope I get to do it through country music, through music in general, and through my writing. I'm a little bit of songwriter. I'm working on it, trying to become a better one. It's incredible, man; it's such a blessing and an honor. I think God put me in a position to share my talents and let my voice be heard. It's all thanks to him that I can do it.”

Hillbilly Bone

“Bryce, I’m so proud not only of what you just accomplished (wow!) but more importantly how you did it. How matters, and your true character has shone through in every episode, every interview, every heartfilled song. I am so happy to see that humble swagger that you showed as a child, teenager, and now, young man. I know Hannah is blown away, but not at all surprised by your performances and hearkens back to that May afternoon when you sang ‘Wagon Wheel’ and played your ukulele in front of one hundred or so [people] in our basement. Same dude with the same humble swagger – don’t ever change, my brother!”

— Alan Lee, Hiawassee

He also said he's “taking the blessings as they come.”

One of those blessings, according to Bryce, is counting Blake Shelton as not only his coach, but also his friend Bryce says, “[Blake has] been such a great mentor to me; he’s truly been a friend, and we’ve laughed a lot, we’ve cut up a lot. He’s made me grow a lot. I’m just very blessed to say I’m a friend of Blake Shelton’s.”

Bryce told Enjoy Cherokee that he and Blake bonded over their love of country music, with one song in particular that stood out: “T-R-O-U-B-L-E.”

Bryce says, “It was a song that [Blake] grew up singing in bars when he was coming up in the nineties, and that’s a song that I’ve been singing on stage at MadLife [Stage & Studios] and in Statesboro, Georgia. I’m just super proud to say that we had that same connection, so we really bonded over that song, and I’m just very proud to say that I made him proud.”

“Congratulations. You have a great voice. You deserve everything that comes your way. Good luck with the roads ahead.”

— Levi Shedd, Canton

“Congratulations, Bryce!  As a former administrator for the Sequoyah Zone, I can assure you the pride we have in our community for you is overwhelming!  We are so excited for you as you continue pursuing your dreams!  Thank you for repping The Flat and CheroCo!”

— Tami Smith, Canton

“Way to go, Bryce! Thank you for sharing your amazing talent and for showing us all what a small-town boy can accomplish with hard work and grit. I know you will go far.”

— Jessica Tyler, Waleska

“Congratulations, Bryce! I think you have made all the people of Cherokee proud! This was the first time I have ever watched The Voice –enjoyed it so much! Good luck on your singing.”

— Shelby West, Canton

 Surrounded by confetti on The Voice stage, Bryce shares a hug with his coach and friend, Blake Shelton. [Photo

Credit: Trae Patton/NBC]

Love means many different things to people in our community and around the world. To some it might be strong kinships or personal ties. To others it might be a willingness to prioritize another’s well-being. Some might see love as tenderness or outward demonstrations. Versatile and abundant, love is one aspect that never reaches an end—ounces of love can grow into gallons.

Displays of affection are diverse. Cultures exhibit love or gratitude in many fashions, through celebrations or merely reactions.

In South Korea, White Day is celebrated February 14, and women attempt to woo men with chocolates, candies, and flowers. In return another White Day is commemorated on March 14, on which day men give women gifts, chocolates, and flowers.

In South Africa, women wear their lover’s name stitched to their sleeves when February 14 rolls around. In America gift-giving and card-giving abounds on February 14.

Each culture, community, and person holds its own interpretation of love. Its profoundness resides in each person’s idea of love and how they perceive it.

We asked our readers to describe their favorite love stories, how the stories define them, and what the stories mean to them. Take it from these Cherokee County residents: our small, diverse community holds many aspects of love and displays it in many affectionate ways.

By

Resident

Stories Stories

The Notebook. It’s cliché to say. No matter where life takes us, we’re forever together and loyal to each other. We may drive each other nuts; mostly me driving him nuts. But it’s that forever, eternal love, the love that is easygoing, with lying on summer nights watching the stars or taking winter walks in the snow—the adventures that bring us laughter until we’re crying. Nothing boastful or grand. That’s what we love about each other. We ground each other daily. I’m very high energy and he is very easygoing. My yin to his yang. When we met I was dating someone else. He asked me out. Ever since, we’ve been together.

My grandparents’ love story is one of my favorites, and ironically it relates to my own. More than fifty years ago, my grandparents were both enjoying their meals at Waffle House. Across the room my grandmother at the jukebox caught my grandfather’s attention. Seeing her picking out a song was enough to convince him to make his move. After many years my grandparents are still happily married with two kids and four grandkids. Ironically, when I was sixteen, my now-husband asked me to be his girlfriend in, that’s right, a Waffle House. I love that my husband and I get to share this small detail with my wonderful grandparents, Ron and Charlotte Huguley.

ELLEN SAMS, WALESKA

KYLIE PEARCE, ACWORTH

Emma Tyler, Waleska

I met my husband, Phil, three weeks after I turned eighteen. We were supposed to be working at summer camps in different states (him in Vermont, me in Georgia) but at the last minute we both changed camps and ended up working together at Camp Universe in Wildwood, Florida, in the summer of 2000. We hit it off from day one, within a week were saying “I love you,” and in a month we were engaged. At the end of the summer he went home to England, and we planned to get married in four years after I finished college. A few weeks after he returned to England, we were miserable and knew we couldn’t wait four years to be together, so we filed for a K-1 Fiancé Visa and were married the following summer after living an entire year on opposite continents. With no FaceTime or video chats, just letter writing and talking on the phone to keep us engaged, we really learned to communicate well, as we couldn’t read each other’s facial expressions. We were married almost eleven years before welcoming our son, Arthur, into the picture, and two and a half years later had our daughter, Kensington. Twenty-two years later, I am glad we changed our summer camps. We have built a great life together, one neither of us were looking for or predicted when we were young, but it’s perfect. We are best friends and have fun together. I couldn’t have asked for a better Prince Charming to sweep me off my feet.

REBECCA WRIGHT, CANTON

My love story is between me and a beautiful fluffy-blond-haired boy I adore with every part of me. We initially met through social media, then officially met in person at my church. It was absolutely love at first sight. His bright blue eyes met mine, and it was like a spark in my heart lit up and I knew he was going to be a keeper. For more than a year now he has been the love of my life. He’s my favorite person in this world, and the one I plan to spend my forever with. We’ve danced in the rain together, made gingerbread houses together, binged on Netflix together, and we’ve made tons and tons of memories. He makes me feel at home; he makes me feel safe. I feel like I belong with him, and there’s no other guy who could exceed the way he makes me feel. I have a sense of comfort and peace when I’m with him, as if everything in the world is okay. All the worries and stress from my life pause, as all I see is the perfection and peacefulness my person brings me. We have grown so much during our time together, and like all relationships, we’ve had our ups and downs, but I can confidently say those downs were worth it. Our love story holds a special place in my heart, and I have definitely noticed changes in myself from it. I’m happy. He makes me happy. There is nothing in this world I cherish more than our love. I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else; no one compares. Our love story has just yet begun, and we have our whole lives ahead of us to see what our future holds. I believe he will be mine to keep, and I can’t wait to see what comes next in the chapters of our love story together!

Our favorite love story is how we were best friends in high school, and everyone around us knew we loved each other before we knew it. One day I confronted him, saying that I liked him and also knew he liked me, and that we should date. He said yes. Five years later, we’re married.

BELLE STILLS, WALESKA

ANGELINA PITTMAN, WOODSTOCK

MEET THE DOCTORS

Dr. Michael Hulse

North Georgia OB/GYN Specialists

For over twenty years, Dr. Hulse has brought obstetrics and gynecologic expertise to North Georgia. His focus is the same as it’s always been: caring for each patient’s unique needs and improving their quality of life. Dr. Hulse is trained in minimally-invasive robotic and laparoscopic surgeries and specializes in the treatment of incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. He is one of two doctors in Georgia awarded a Center of Excellence for overactive bladders.

Dr. Mohammed Al Fayyadh

Georgia Colon & Rectal Surgical Associates

With thousands of procedures performed, Dr. Fayyadh is board-certified in general surgery and specializes in colon and rectal surgeries. His experience in minimally-invasive, robotic, laparoscopic, open, and anorectal surgical methods helps him provide a wide range of perspectives and options. Dr. Fayyadh always strives to provide individualized care and empowers patients to live their healthiest, happiest life.

PROLAPSES: CAUSES AND TREATMENTS

Discussing sensitive topics helps raise awareness and improve understanding about many medical issues. Prolapse aff ects millions in the US, with approximately 300,000 women undergoing surgery to address it per year. But many people aren’t aware what a prolapse is, how they happen, or what can be done about it. In this edition of Ask the Doctor, two of Northside’s experts discuss the details, types, and treatment options of prolapses.

Listen to ASK THE DOCTOR on WLJA 101.1 FM First & Third Wednesday of each month at 5:15 pm

Al Fayyadh

Georgia Colon & Rectal Surgical Associates

Cherokee - 470 Northside Cherokee Blvd, Suite 365, Canton, GA 30115 • 770-277-4277

Dr. Michael Hulse

North Georgia OB/GYN Specialists

Canton - 470 Northside Cherokee Blvd, Suite 290, Canton, GA 30115 • 770-721-9420

Dr.

ASK THE DOCTOR

What is prolapse?

Prolapse is the displacement of a part or organ of the body from its normal position, usually downward and outward. This results in the organ protruding from a natural body opening. This condition is most common in the pelvic area, known as Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP). While prolapse is not life threatening, it can cause pain and discomfort. It is more common in females but can occur in males as well.

What causes prolapse?

Prolapse is most commonly caused when pelvic floor muscles and ligaments stretch and weaken until they no longer provide enough support. It is estimated that up to 55% of patients with pelvic organ prolapse have two or more pelvic floor disorders. Organs impacted by prolapse include: cervix, urethra, uterus, vagina, bowel, rectum, and bladder. Symptoms may include a sensation of heaviness around your abdomen and genitals.

What can weaken your pelvic floor?

By the age of 60, more than one third of women will have one or more pelvic floor disorders. Some specific risk factors include: pregnancy & childbirth, aging, being overweight, long–term constipation, hysterectomy, and work that requires a significant amount of heavy lifting.

How do you treat POP?

Symptoms can usually be improved with pelvic floor exercises, hormone treatment, pessaries, and lifestyle changes. Surgery is often eventually necessary to resolve the issue. Traditionally, rectal and vaginal prolapse have been treated with separate surgical procedures. However, recent studies have shown a multidisciplinary approach to Pelvic Organ Prolapse improved surgical and patient outcomes. In 2022, we established a multidisciplinary approach that resolves these two types of prolapse at the same time.

What are the advantages of a multidisciplinary approach?

By combining repair of vaginal and rectal prolapse in one surgery, the patient only has to have one surgery instead of two. This means less cost to the patient, less time in the hospital, plus decreased recovery time and discomfort. We also use robotic surgery which is a minimally-invasive approach with faster recovery and stronger, more solid repair than traditional methods.

NEXT ON: ASK THE DOCTOR How Your Physician Can Help You Manage Medications with Dr. McMahon, MD

Send your questions to: nswellness@northside.com

Andrew Baltes, one of NYX's junior coaches, hangs on tight following a run up the wall in an iconic ninja move.

ACHIEV GREATNESS

Far from the confetti cannons of NBC’s American Ninja Warrior set in Las Vegas, former competitor Michael Johnson mans the front desk of NYX Training Center in Woodstock. Athletes carrying chalk bags and water bottles check in for classes. Nearby, elite parkour athlete Dara DePaolo studies a white board covered in to-do lists. A green door leading to the gym is propped open, and the sound of metal clinking against wood drifts through the lobby.

NYX TRAINING CENTER is located at 121 Smokehill Lane in Woodstock. Learn more at NYXTrainingCenter.com.

ACHIEVING ING GREATNESS NESS

By Susan Overcash Walker, Woodstock Resident

Michael, nicknamed “Greatness,” competed for five seasons on the NBC series American Ninja Warrior, which features athletes powering through a variety of grueling athletic challenges. The show has been called an amalgamation of sports, reality programming, and even the circus, for its music and theatrics.

[

A Labor of Love ]

The facility is a haven to Michael and Dara, who worked for months to open Cherokee County’s new ninja warrior, parkour, and World Chase Tag training center.

“Opening the gym was a labor of love,” Dara says. “We got a lot of nos before we got a yes, but it’s a home and safe place for Michael and me and all the people who come here. We want everyone to feel welcome and encouraged.”

The congruity of working through obstacles to open an obstacle course training facility isn’t lost on Dara or Michael. The two have been overcoming challenges for years. Both athletes moved to Georgia in their early teens from the northeast: Dara from New Jersey and Michael from Brooklyn, New York.

The oldest of seven children, Michael—affectionately called MJ by those who know him well—is a first-generation American who trained and competed in a wide variety of sports growing up. In between, he worked multiple jobs to support his family.

“Being the eldest of seven is heavy,” he says. “You’re the catalyst, the experiment, and the one who has to lead. It forces you to grow up early.”

One of the jobs he worked to help his family stay afloat was at a ninja warrior gym in Canton. Michael says, “In 2016 a friend of mine posted a video on the salmon ladder, and I thought, ‘If he can do it, there’s no reason I can’t,’” A salmon ladder is a structure with one movable rung that athletes carry with them as they ascend, as if doing pull-ups, bringing the bar with them as they go along.

“I’ve been doing ninja in a structured environment for six years but have been climbing everything since I was a baby. I’ve been working with MJ for three and a half years. He’s taught me I can always push a little bit harder, even when I think I’m done, and he teaches you to compete the way you train.”

Alex Higgins, 13, NYX Pro Team member and World Ninja League teen division competitor

Dara leads a group of NYX Pro Team members through a series of stretches.

Alana evades chaser Dane on the World Chase Tag quad.

Michael, here with NYX student Angel and junior coach Andrew, has a reputation for kindness, encouragement, and fun.

NYX students Mateo and Connor take part in an exciting round of World Chase Tag on the quad.

James and Agustin get airborne while exercising on the rings obstacle.

Coaches Michael and Dara focus on fostering a positive and safe environment for all who enter NYX.

After watching Sasuke, the Japanese competition show on which American Ninja Warrior [ANW] is based, Michael practiced with a few obstacles at the gym. He walked out with a new hobby and a job.

More training led to a local competition, which included elite ANW athletes Ryan Stratis and Brett Sims as competitors.

I walked in and was physically bigger than everyone else,” Michael said. “Ryan ran the course, and I thought, ‘I can do this,’ and I got crushed. Absolutely decimated. But as I was leaving, Ryan and Brett were really encouraging. That was the start of my ninja career.

Michael went on to compete on seasons nine through thirteen of American Ninja Warrior while also training and coaching at local gyms. Three of his athletes also competed in the ANW finals, and another three were finalists on American Ninja Warrior Junior

While Michael was discovering obstacle-course training, Dara was training as a pre-Olympic gymnast, despite financial challenges. “The only reason I was able to train at the level I competed was through the grace of gym owners and my mom, who volunteered at gyms,” Dara said. “They went out of their way to help me, and it made me a better athlete and a better person.”

After retiring from gymnastics in her late teens, Dara discovered parkour and ninja at the same now-shuttered ninja gym where Michael trained. Dara returned to competition sports and for three years running earned either first or second place in the World Freerunning Parkour Federation USA Cup style division. Dara also coached both disciplines.

“I know what it’s like to come from a competitive sport as a child athlete, and my kids [students] mean the world to me,” Dara said. “To know I’m giving them a safe, healthy, and positive environment to train is incredible.”

In December 2021, after training and coaching together for several years, Dara and Michael learned that one of the only ninja gyms in north metro Atlanta—and their place of employment—was closing. A community of athletes was left without a gym. As nationally sought-after coaches recruited by out-of-state gyms, Dara and Michael could have easily moved on, but they weren’t about to abandon their athletes or the area they now called home.

“In New York there’s a saying: ‘Word is bond,’” Michael says. “I try to instill in the kids I coach that if you say something you have to mean it and back it up with action.” The two therefore tackled a new obstacle: opening a fitness center in the same area to serve the ninja warrior and parkour community and introduce World Chase Tag [WCT], an international championship league for competitive parkour based on the classic game of Tag.

“It [took] months of sitting down and grinding. A lot of people said I was too young to be successful,” Dara says. At just twenty-one, she’s one of the youngest gym owners in the country. “We couldn’t find a building, until out of pure luck we came across one in a great area of Woodstock. We had to get the gym open in a month—no one had built a ninja gym out that fast, but it all just fueled the fire. Failure wasn’t an option.”

Suzi Huck is the parent of nine-year-old James, a member of the NYX Pro Team. James competes in the World Ninja League mature kids division. Suzi says of Dara and Michael's strength as coaches is that “they are able to meet the child at their level. I have a seven-year-old who likes to be-bop around and just have fun at the gym. I also have a nine-year-old who is very intense and a dedicated athlete. They both love Coach Dara and Coach MJ.”

On the sport of ninja as a parent and what it means to James: “My son James has an ADHD [attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder] diagnosis. Ninja has provided him with an outlet for his energy and has built his confidence. Coach Dara and Coach MJ have worked with him, providing clear and consistent expectations, and he has thrived under their coaching.”

“Michael has been my coach for the majority of my ninja career. When I first started ninja I could do nothing. I couldn’t even do a pullup. Michael got me to the point where I was able to be on the show and do really well. He’s generally regarded in the ninja community as one of the best coaches, if not the best coach, in the sport. Ninja gives me a pathway to overcome obstacles in my life. I have learning disabilities and sensoryprocessing disorder, which makes a lot of things really difficult. Ninja has helped me overcome all of those things and help me become a better person. I think it’s cliché but learning how to beat obstacles in ninja helps you learn how to beat obstacles in real life. My motto is Living Wide. It was made by my dad when he was diagnosed with cancer and given only a few months to live. It means you can’t control the length of your life, but you can control the width of your life. I think living by that motto not only makes your life better but also makes your life longer, because he ended up living several years past when the doctors said he would make it.”

Christopher Harding-Jones, 18, NYX junior coach and ANW season fourteen competitor. Christopher was the only rookie to hit the qualifying and semifinal buzzers during the 2022 season, advancing to the national finals in Las Vegas.

Christopher Harding-Jones listens intently to training advice from coach Michael Johnson.

[ Warriors in Woodstock ]

In September, NYX Training Center opened in Woodstock with adult and youth ninja and parkour classes. The center has since hosted both a World Ninja League competition and the country’s first stand-alone chase tag competition. It has also added the only ESPN-show-standard World Chase Tag quad in the United States. The forty-foot by forty-foot quad strewn with creatively named obstacles is the setting for WCT matches, during which a member of one team earns a point by evading the other team’s chaser for twenty seconds. The Atlanta Talons, a sanctioned WCT team, often train on the quad. The many features and events at NYX Training Center have brought a wealth of out-of-state athletes and their families to the area for multiple weekends.

Dara also competed with one of the first all-female teams in the World Chase Tag USA Championship, which aired on ESPN in November.

Several of the ANW finalists Michael coached are now junior coaches at NYX, bringing their expertise to athletes in Cherokee County. Through it all, coaching on and off the course and quad remains the duo’s priority.

We believe everyone should have a chance to achieve greatness,” Dara says. “Kindness, honesty, teamwork, and sportsmanship always come first.

Your first and biggest obstacle is doubting yourself,” Michael adds.

“We want NYX Training Center to be a catalyst for growth and the development of better people. In here, we strive to make great athletes, but even better humans.

WORLD CHASE TAG

World Chase Tag [WCT], developed in England by brothers Christian and Damian Devaux in 2012, is a professional evasion sport combining parkour and classic schoolyard Tag. Each twenty-second round takes place in a twelve-meter-square arena called a quad and features two competitors: one chaser and one evader. These athletes leap over pipe and platform obstacles with names like “The Mountain” and “The Tilted Cube.” Evaders seek to gain an evasion, or dodge the chaser for the entire round, to score a point.

While many WCT athletes are elite parkour and ninja warrior competitors, the sport also attracts professional football, track, and lacrosse players as well as Hollywood stunt performers. The quad at the NYX Training Center in Woodstock is the first ESPNshow-standard quad in the country, and Atlanta’s professional World Chase Tag team, the Atlanta Talons, often trains at NYX.

NYX co-owner Dara DePaolo recently refereed and competed in the second annual World Chase Tag USA Championship. She’s also the first female owner of a WCT quad and only the second woman to be certified to coach on the quad. “It was a big risk [to install the quad],” Dara says, “but we’ve been able to do things nobody else can do, like host the first U.S. stand-alone chase tag competition.”

Replays of the World Chase Tag USA Championship are available on ESPN and YouTube, and the WCT world championship will be held in Spring 2023.

Christopher Harding-Jones competes in the American Ninja Warrior 2022 Las Vegas National Finals.

Photo Credit: Elizabeth Morris/NBC

By Michelle Meek, Canton Resident GUEST CONTRIBUTOR

CASA Celebrates Thirty Years of Advocating for the Children of Cherokee County

CASA of Cherokee County trains, empowers, and supports volunteers as Court-Appointed Special Advocates [CASA] to advocate for the best interests of children who come into the court system as a result of abuse or neglect. This year CASA of Cherokee County celebrates its thirtieth year of providing advocacy services for foster children in Cherokee County.

CASA volunteers strive to ensure that every child has a safe, permanent home and the opportunity to succeed. These volunteers are a stable influence in the lives of foster children whose whole world has been turned upside down because of abuse or neglect. These advocates give children hope by giving them a voice.

More than four hundred children are in foster care in Cherokee County, and each deserves a CASA who advocates for their best interests and ensures their needs are being met. CASA volunteers are specially-trained people from all walks of life and backgrounds. They are appointed by the court to speak up for a child’s best interests. By meeting with teachers, doctors, lawyers, social workers, and foster parents, CASA volunteers improve each child’s representation both in and out of court. Often the CASA volunteer is the one consistent person in the child’s life, establishing a close one-on-one relationship at a very difficult time.

Donna, a Cherokee County CASA volunteer, shares her experience with a CASA child: “At her adoption this child gave me a picture of herself, and on the back she wrote, ‘Thank you for changing my life.’” This simple gesture says much about the role of CASA and the need for this role in the lives of foster children whose futures are uncertain.

CASA is a program of The Children’s Haven. The mission of The Children’s Haven is to promote the health and happiness of children impacted by abuse and neglect.

To support, educate, and strengthen families, in addition to the CASA program, The Children’s Haven provides the Wellstar Family Visitation Center, Prevent Child Abuse Cherokee in-home parenting support, and a Chin Up site-based mentorship program. The Children’s Haven also offers a Caregivers’ Closet that is open to foster families and relative caregivers to provide needed items to care for the children in their homes.

Every child experiencing foster care deserves to have a CASA volunteer solely focused on advocating for their best interests. Spanish-speaking volunteers are also needed. Reach out and get involved today!

Cherokee County CASA volunteer David says, “I have volunteered for The Children’s Haven for over five years. It is rewarding to know that the time I spend volunteering truly makes a difference in [the] life of a child in foster care. The training, support, and recognition I get is far superior to any of the other organizations I have volunteered with. The Children’s Haven is staffed by passionate and dedicated people, and I highly recommend this organization for a rewarding volunteer experience.”

CASA training begins in February. To learn how you can get involved, visit CherokeeChildrensHaven.org. You may also contact Mandy@CASAcherokee.org or call 770-345-3274.

The Children’s Haven is located at 1083 Marietta Highway in Canton.

Local Blooms

#SHOPCHEROKEE

Love Local

Give thoughtfully this Valentine’s Day with local favorites. Cherokee County shops have just what you need to spark romance.

Hand-Crafted

Gallery

THE SERIES

By Rebecca Johnston, Canton Resident

BYRON DOBBS GALLERY OFFERS ROTATING EXHIBITS HIGHLIGHTING PAST

After decades of collecting, researching, and cataloging, the new Cherokee County History Center is now open, offering visitors a chance to browse through artifacts and information from each era of the county’s rich and varied past.

The new Cherokee County History Center has five galleries that feature exhibits in chronological order so visitors can easily trace the county’s history from prehistoric times to the present.

The sixth gallery, named in honor of the late broadcasting legend Byron Dobbs through a gift to the center, features rotating exhibits and special installations from History Cherokee’s extensive archival collection.

History Cherokee has more than 100,000 artifacts, including 70,000 photographs from the Buddy Alexander Collection and 5,000 projectile points, or arrowheads.

Dobbs, beloved local radio personality and Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame member, enjoyed a distinguished career of more than sixty-five years in radio broadcasting that began in 1957 at WCHK radio station in Canton soon after Byron’s graduation from Cherokee High School.

Known as the “Voice of Cherokee,” the Woodstock native and lifelong Cherokee County resident was a part of WCHK for forty years until 1998. He then became a partner and owner of WLJA radio station and Tri-State Communications, where he worked until 2021, shortly before his death in 2022 at the age of 86.

Byron is fondly remembered as the voice on the radio who kept listeners informed of the latest news, election coverage, deaths, and important events of the day. He was also beloved as the announcer for local high school sports.

In 2017 Dobbs was awarded the prestigious First Citizen by the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce for his unselfish and devoted lifetime of service.

“He was a historian who reported on stories over sixty-five years in radio that brought smiles to listeners’ faces while others evoked tears,” Chamber of Commerce President Pam Carnes said of Byron’s legacy.

In his illustrious career, Byron achieved many accomplishments, including being a main contributor and subject of the book, The Glory Days of WCHK. He interviewed elected officials including President Jimmy Carter and celebrities such as NASCAR driver Bill Elliott and country music legends Kenny Rogers, Conway Twitty, and Minnie Pearl. Byron was the first to chart country artist Travis Tritt.

During his lifetime Byron served on the Board of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, was a member of the Cherokee County Historical Society and Sequoyah Regional Library Board, emeritus director of the Cherokee Sports Hall of Fame, honorary member of Rotary Club of Gilmer County, A-Day for Reinhardt University Committee, Cherokee Clean & Beautiful Commission, and organized the Easter Community Sunrise Service at Cherokee Memorial Park. He also served in the Georgia National Guard.

Byron was honored with a Daughters of the American Revolution Excellence in Community Service Award, with a Cherokee County proclamation for Byron Dobbs Day, Byron Dobbs Day in the city of Canton, and a Georgia House of Representatives Resolution for Distinguished Career.

He was recognized as a community leader by the Georgia Senate and received the Georgia School Boards Association Beacon Award, which recognizes journalists who have enhanced the public’s understanding of public education issues through reporting.

Byron was inducted into the Cherokee County Sports Hall of Fame in 2018 and was its first member from the contributor category for his work broadcasting local high school sports on the radio. He also received the Lamar Haley Community Service Award from the Rotary Club of Canton.

DOBBSByron

THE CHEROKEE COUNTY HISTORY CENTER is open Wednesdays to Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5:00 p.m. Located at 221 East Marietta Street in Canton, History Cherokee provides free parking for guests. There is also a free public-use parking garage across from the History Center at 200 West Marietta Street. Admission to the museum is $9 for adults and $7 for children ages five to fourteen as well as seniors over sixty-five. Admission for children ages four and under is free.

All History Cherokee members also receive free admission. For more information visit HistoryCherokee.org.

BEVERAGE MANAGER Alex

Photo Credit: Lauren Hubbard/Lauren Liz Photo

Oakley True to Our Roots Whiskey Sour

Roasted Octopus

ROOTSTOCK

The word restaurant comes from the French verb restaurer, “to restore oneself.” When was the last time you left a restaurant feeling you had an experience that restored you? Probably not recently. The distinctive Rootstock may be just the solution.

ROOTSTOCK, a restaurant and bar in downtown Woodstock, is on the corner of Main Street and Towne Lake Parkway, the corner that originally housed the post office in the 1900s. For owners Anna and Sean Daily, Rootstock is like a second home: a place filled with character, great food and drinks, and friends. They have created the type of place they themselves would love to visit. It’s a place where you can revel in an expertly prepared meal, small plate, or dessert while cordial bartenders craft you the perfect adult beverage.

As you enter Rootstock, inviting energy takes you in like a private club in a vintage movie. Large windows let the light from outside stream across the warm wood décor. As dusk falls on the city, streetlights illuminate the sidewalk and allow for great people-watching of the interesting people who stroll by. Halfway through the main room seven buttery-soft leather chairs sit at a craftsman’s wooden bar tended by barkeeps of the old-school variety that learn your name and know their craft, including bar manager Alex Oakley.

To the right of the front entrance is an intriguing private dining room for up to eight guests. A wine cellar behind glass lines the back of the room. With its elegant wood dining table and warm ambiance, the room is the ultimate in sophisticated, comfortable style. A private spot where fond memories are made, the space is an ideal venue for a special birthday, business deal, or even a Valentine’s Day proposal dinner.

Pictured left center, Executive Chef AJ Jones prepares small plates. Pictured right center, Beverage Manager Alex Oakley smokes the sage leaf while preparing the Sage Old Fashioned.

Beyond the host stand is a set of stairs, and what a surprise the upstairs space has for you!

As you climb the stairs, a left turn leads to an uncovered dining area and bar called Vintners Rooftop, which has the most magical 360-degree views of downtown Woodstock. The trendy seasonal perch offers the same food and bar menu as downstairs, plus live music and fresh air.

Beyond the rooftop entrance, the main staircase continues all the way up to another bar; this one with a modern, urban vibe and a white marble bar glowing from the light underneath it. The middle of the room features a smattering of tables. You have found the Listening Room. The design evokes the feeling of attending a private concert from the comfort of your own stylish dining room. Here Rootstock’s guests enjoy live music and stand-up comedy sessions.

Recently Hayden was invited into Rootstock to enjoy some of the restaurant’s signature dishes and seasonal cocktails. First up, some mixology magic...

MENU SAYS: Sage Old Fashioned Rye whiskey, sage demerara syrup, angostura bitters, orange peel, and a smoked sage leaf

HAYDEN SAYS: Speak easy as you indulge in this well-made old-fashioned—an unexpected wintry version of a classic far more complex and warming than expected. The smell

“Rootstock restaurant and bar is my favorite place in Woodstock. My husband, Claude, and I love sitting on the outdoor rooftop dining space enjoying small plates and drinking red wine.”

—

Carla

of the smoked sage, the warmth of the rye mingling with the brightness of the orange—wow!

MENU SAYS: True to Our Roots Whiskey Sour Buffalo Trace bourbon, red wine, lime, orange garnish

EXECUTIVE CHEFAJ Jones

Cjaza, Canton Resident

cheese, smoky sweet San Marzano tomato puree, and fresh herbs. Depending on the puree-to-goat-cheese ratio, each delicious bite tastes slightly different. The creamy texture elevates this shareable starter to a must-have.

MENU SAYS: Cast Iron Duck

HAYDEN SAYS: I would never have thought to mix wine and bourbon, but in this cocktail with a red wine float, it works. The mere look of the drink makes me feel like I am treating myself. The cocktail is refreshing, unique, and a splash of summer all year long.

MENU SAYS: The Old Acquaintance Dry gin, sweet vermouth, Fernet-Branca, cocktail bitters

HAYDEN SAYS: This nostalgia-inspiring drink—a twist on the classic hanky panky cocktail created at the legendary Savoy Hotel in London in 1903—tastes like winter in a glass. Warm, spicy notes swirl with citrus to warm you from the toes up.

After all these cocktails, we had better move on to some food! Executive Chef AJ Jones enters the room and brings with her the enticing aromas of her culinary creations.

AJ recalls she was nine years old when her mother, Barb, was struggling with illness. A doer and a helper, AJ realized she could do her part by making meals. It turned out she had a flair for creative cooking. AJ continued with cooking throughout high school, and with her mother’s encouragement, she graduated from Atlanta’s Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. AJ describes her cooking by saying, “I am French-trained, southern at heart, and Native American-inspired.”

MENU SAYS: Roasted Octopus

HAYDEN SAYS: Roasted for twelve hours, the octopus is supple and flavorful. It swims in a sea of hazelnut romesco sauce accented with roasted cauliflower and a delightful surprise of Peruvian teardrop peppers that burst like berries in your mouth. The dish is among several gluten-free options available on the Rootstock menu.

MENU SAYS: Goat Cheese Fondue

HAYDEN SAYS: The perfect starter, you’ll use a fluffy naan to spoon up the high-quality goat

HAYDEN SAYS: Duck is a dish that, in general, you should not try to cook at home, so I leave it to the professionals, and wow! The professionals at Rootstock deliver a sumptuous duck with distinctive ingredients. I loved the mix of grilled apple and chayote. Chef AJ explains, “I like to take traditional ingredients and flip things on their head. Most chefs use a chocolate mole sauce; I used a white mole. Complex, but simple is how I like it.” The complex but simple dish is indeed velvety and satisfying. Bravo, AJ!

MENU SAYS: Bistro Steak

HAYDEN SAYS: There are some hungers that nothing but a hearty steak will satisfy. This steak is perfectly seasoned and cooked, with a savory blend of ravioli, Cipollini onions, peas, and mushrooms covertly tucked beneath the steak. Atop the homemade pillows of pasta filled with ricotta cheese and the eight-ounce cut of skirt steak, the bone-marrow butter is the magic ingredient that elevates the dish to extraordinary. Silky and flavorful, the bonemarrow butter wraps around each piece of steak to temper the earthiness of the meat.

MENU SAYS: Chocolate Tart

HAYDEN SAYS: Topped with fresh ripe strawberries, this delightful dessert features a delicate drizzle of creamy white chocolate sauce over gourmet chocolate. Rich, thick, and moist, it’s the perfect sweet ending to a marvelous meal.

Whether you are visiting Rootstock to attend a whiskey tasting or wine pairing; to enjoy a night out with friends, live music, and laughs; or experience a hush-hush romantic evening on the rooftop, you will find it an incomparable experience in Cherokee County.

8558 Main Street | Downtown Woodstock

Tuesday–Thursday: 5:00–10:00 p.m. Friday: 3:00–11:00 p.m. Saturday: 11:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. Sunday: 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.

Bistro Steak

Chocolate Tart

Goat Cheese Fondue

your favorite

A Ring Within a Field

by C.S. McKinney

A romance was the last thing Sarah expected her senior year of college, yet so was betrayal, heartache, and a final goodbye… In continuation from the premier novel, If and Only If, Sarah returns to campus for her final semester, as the pain from the past months seems to fade in the rear view mirror. With a renewed sense of life on the horizon, she works to adjust to the surrounding world where new romances begin and others end, all while the unknown truth surfaces. Amidst the wedding bells chiming for one couple, the dreams of a baby flash before another. With multiple surprises in a world of second chances, will a secret engagement change everything?

After graduating from the University of North Georgia, C.S. McKinney’s interests centered on writing young adult romance novels. With two works already published, a third will be available in the coming year. Outside of writing, he enjoys competing in long distance triathlons, singing, and playing music.

Nurture: Women Encouraging Women

by Polly Balint

Polly Balint has been living in the biblical principle of Titus 2—older women mentoring younger women—for decades. In Nurture, she invites us to join in the delightfully wild ride of God’s supernatural way of leading women to inspire each other. She shares personal, inspiring stories of the three remarkable women who have been gifts of God to her life. They have sowed motherly seeds of unconditional love, wisdom, uncanny insight, faithful and fervent prayer support, and were unknowingly discipling Polly as God knit their hearts together in each of the mother-daughter relationships. This principle is God’s invitation for every woman of every age and every generation to learn how to share the love of God with spiritual nurturing. We were made for this!

Polly Balint has led Bible studies for women for many years in churches, conferences, and in the marketplace. She hosted yearround women’s studies in her own neighborhood for nine years. In addition to the newly-released Nurture, she is also the author of a trilogy of devotional books, a freelance writer for national magazines, and a featured lifestyle writer for newspapers in south Florida and Georgia. She also hosted a radio talk show for a local Christian station. Polly and her husband, Don, live in Canton, and have two adult daughters, one son-in-law, one hilarious grandson, and one sweet rescue dog.

It’s time to celebrate the Chinese New Year—in America! Emma was adopted from China, and every year she eagerly awaits the celebration of the Chinese New Year. She and her family observe the special holiday by participating in traditional customs and activities that honor Emma’s Chinese heritage—all with an American twist. It’s time to decorate the house, bake moon cakes, make Chinese lanterns, and ring in the Lunar New Year with friends and family. Join Emma in her very own American Chinese New Year! This colorful, delightfully illustrated book begs to be read aloud, celebrating diverse culture and the joy adopted children bring to a family. Gung hay fat choy!

As a freelance writer for more than a decade, Amy Meadows has penned over a thousand articles on topics ranging from health features and community spotlights to biographical profiles and how-to articles. Meadows holds a bachelor of science degree in communication and a master of arts degree in professional writing from Kennesaw State University. She was inspired to write her first children’s picture book after the adoption of her niece from China. For her, Emma’s American Chinese New Year serves to recognize families that have been created through international adoption and honor the efforts that adoptive families in America make to observe the Chinese New Year with their children, integrating their special heritage into their everyday lives.

LOCAL AUTHORS

Emma’s American Chinese New Year by Amy Meadows

Nutella Crepes

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 large eggs

½ cup whole milk

½ cup water

2 tablespoons butter, melted

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup berries, strawberries, blueberries, and/or raspberries

1 cup Nutella

½ tablespoon confectioners’ sugar

Begin the Fun

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour and eggs. Add in milk, water, melted butter, and salt, and stir to combine.

2. Pour the batter into a blender. Blend for one minute until smooth.

3. Lightly grease a nonstick skillet and heat over medium heat. Scoop ¼ cup of batter into the pan. Quickly tilt the pan in a circular motion to spread the batter evenly across the surface of the pan. Cook the crepe for two minutes or until it turns to light golden-brown.

4. Carefully loosen with a spatula and flip over. Cook on the other side for another one to two minutes, until crepe is golden brown on that side too.

5. Slide the crepe out of the pan and onto a plate. Repeat the above steps with remaining batter.

6. For each crepe, spread berries on half of the crepe and drizzle with Nutella on top. Fold the crepe into quarters and drizzle extra Nutella on top. Sprinkle some confectioner’s sugar on top, if desired. Serve immediately.

Spicy Pesto Pasta Alla Vodka

Ingredients

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

1 shallot, finely chopped

4 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1-2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes

½ cup tomato paste

¼ cup vodka

¾ cup basil pesto, homemade or store-bought kosher salt and black pepper

1 cup heavy cream or canned coconut milk

1 pound short cut pasta

3 tablespoons salted butter

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving ¼ cup fresh basil roughly chopped

Begin the Fun

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. When the oil shimmers, add the shallot, garlic, and oregano. Cook until the shallots begin to caramelize, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, add the tomato paste and red pepper flakes, cook 4-5 minutes, until thickened. Stir in the vodka; cook another 2 minutes. Stir in the pesto and cream. Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm over low heat.

2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Just before draining, remove 1 ½ cups of the pasta cooking water and set aside. Drain the pasta.

3. To the vodka sauce add the pasta, ½ cup pasta-cooking water, and the butter, tossing until the butter has melted. Add the parmesan and basil. If needed, thin the sauce with additional pasta-cooking water.

4. Divide the pasta among plates and top with basil and cheese.

Strawberry Champagne Float

Ingredients

4 cups vanilla ice cream

Champagne

2 cups strawberries, divided 1/3 cup granulated sugar

Begin the Fun

1. First, wash your strawberries and set aside a few to use as a garnish on top of your glasses.

2. Next, combine the remaining strawberries (about a cup and a half) with the sugar in a blender and mix. Add to a medium saucepan and heat over medium low for 5-10 minutes while stirring occasionally. Cool in the fridge.

3. Add 2-3 scoops of ice cream to each glass, then top with ¼ cup of strawberry mix.

4. Add a couple straws, pop open the champagne, and pour carefully into each glass.

5. Top each glass with a strawberry. Say a toast! 6. Enjoy immediately, as the float ingredients quickly separate and will need to be stirred if sitting too long.

Begin the Fun

Heart-Shaped Lasagna Bundt

Ingredients

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 16-ounce box lasagna noodles

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano

1 ½ pounds ground beef

1 6-ounce can tomato paste

1 28-ounce can tomatoes, crushed

2 teaspoons sugar

12 ounces ricotta

8 ounces shredded mozzarella (2 cups)

2 large eggs

½ cup grated Parmesan

¼ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Special equipment: A 10-cup heart-shaped Bundt pan

Begin the Fun

1. Preheat the oven to 375° F.

2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the lasagna noodles.

3. Line a baking sheet with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Drain the noodles and spread them flat on a baking sheet.

4. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook, for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and just beginning to brown. Stir in the garlic and oregano and cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the beef, 2 teaspoons of salt, and a generous amount of black pepper and cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon and stirring occasionally, until the beef is just cooked through, 7 to 8 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook 1 to 2 minutes until well-incorporated and heated through. Pour in the tomatoes, sugar, 1 cup water, 1 teaspoon salt, and a generous amount of black pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the sauce is slightly thickened, about 20 minutes.

5. Meanwhile, mix the ricotta, mozzarella, eggs, Parmesan, parsley, ½ teaspoon salt, and a few grinds of black pepper in a medium bowl.

6. Cut six noodles in half crosswise.

7. Line the bottom of a 10-cup heart-shaped Bundt pan with 4 of the half noodles (2 along the straight lines of the heart and 2 along the arches). Lay 12 whole noodles in the bottom of the pan, slightly overlapping and directly on top of the half noodles, making sure that one side of each noodle hangs 2 to 3 inches over the edge of the pan and the other side of the noodle runs up the center of the pan.

8. Pour 1 cup of meat sauce on top of the noodles and then spread 1 cup of the ricotta mixture over the sauce. Top with 4 noodle halves. Repeat the layering 1 more time. Pour 1 cup meat sauce and spread the remaining ricotta mixture over the top.

9. Fold the edges of the overhanging lasagna noodles toward the center, covering the filling and the hole in the center completely. Bake until the noodles on top turn golden brown and start to crisp up, 45 to 50 minutes. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Invert the pan onto a cutting board. Reheat the remaining sauce if necessary and pour it into the center of the heart. Slice and serve immediately.

Monday

5

Thursday

Harry Potter Trivia

TRIVIA Blue Ghost Arcade

164 Towne Lake Pkwy, Woodstock 8:00 p.m. TheBlueGhostArcade.com

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

MUSIC The Falany at Reinhardt

7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska

8:00 p.m. | Tickets Reinhardt.edu/Falany

Christmas Tree Drop-Off

Camp Allatoona Support Team

Allatoona Aquatics Base, Woodstock

8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. | Volunteer AllatoonaAquaticsBase.com

Snuggly Blanket Workshop

WORKSHOP The WREC

7545 Main Street, Woodstock 9:30 a.m. | $88

SnugglyBlanketCo.com

Adult Eclectics Book Club

Wednesday 4

6 Friday

Tower Garden 101

All In Poker Night

Semper Fi Bar & Grille

9770 Main Street, Woodstock 6:00–9:00 p.m. SemperFiBarAndGrille.com

Every Brilliant Thing

THEATER Woodstock Arts

8534 Main Street, Woodstock 7:30 p.m. | Tickets WoodstockArts.org

WORKSHOP Sweetwater Urban Farms 420 Foster Coltrane Lane, Ball Ground 9:00–10:00 a.m. | $15–$20 ATLUrbanFarms.com

Thomas Fountain

MUSIC with Mary Kate Farmer

Rootstock, Woodstock

7:00 p.m. | Tickets RootstockNow.com

Project Valentine

Presented by Cherokee Recreation and Parks

Collecting donations for Valentine's goody bags to be given to Empower Cherokee. Donations will be accepted January 9–February 8 at The WREC. Visit PlayCherokee.org for more info.

WarAngel Farms Fundraiser

12

Thursday

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

R.T. Jones Memorial Library, Canton

6:00 p.m. | Community Room SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

11 Wednesday

Will Tipton

Just the Basics: Home Flour Milling

WORKSHOP with Bread Beckers

305 Bell Park Drive, Woodstock 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | $20 BreadBeckers.com

Pediatric CPR Training

Babysitting & First Aid Training 7345 Cumming Highway, Canton 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | Ages 11–15 CherokeeGA.com

16 Monday

Undiscovered Artist Showcase

MUSIC MadLife Stage & Studios

8722 Main Street, Woodstock

7:00 p.m. | Tickets

MadLifeStageAndStudios.com

Optimist Club Lunch

Holly Springs Optimist Club Eggs Up Grill, Canton

3:00–5:00 p.m. | Volunteer

HollySpringsOptimistClub.org

Winter Trees Paint Party

WORKSHOP M&M Mercantile Co.

The Mill on Etowah, Canton

6:00–9:00 p.m. | $40

MMMercantileCo.com/Workshops

Art on the Spot

VISUAL ARTS Reeves House

734 Reeves Street, Woodstock 6:00–9:00 p.m. | Raffle WoodstockArts.org

MUSIC with Dylan Kelley

Big Door Vineyards, White 5:30–8:30 p.m. | $30 Eventbrite.com 13 Friday

Wreath Clean-Up

Georgia National Cemetery 101 Scott Hudgens Drive, Canton 10:00 a.m. | Volunteer GANationalCemetery.org

James Patterson & Mike Lupica

Author Tour presented by FoxTale Book Shoppe Woodstock Arts Theatre, Woodstock 1:00 p.m. | Tickets FoxTaleBookShoppe.com

Vision Board Workshop

WORKSHOP Blue Owl Yoga 604 Greenleaf Way, Ball Ground 10:30 a.m. | Register online BlueOwlYoga.com

Whiskey Rose Band

MUSIC Canton Icehouse 150 Keith Drive, Canton 9:00 p.m. | $10

MUSIC MadLife Stage & Studios 8722 Main Street, Woodstock 7:30 p.m. | Tickets MadLifeStageAndStudios.com 14 Saturday

E Canton Icehouse

MLK Celebration & Day of Service

Unity Walk, Memorial Ceremony, & Service Project Roberts School, Acworth 8:30 a.m. | Volunteer Acworth.org

Music Bingo with DJ CaseyD

TRIVIA Truck & Tap Woodstock

8640 Main Street, Woodstock 7:30–10:00 p.m. TruckAndTap.com

Thirsty Thursdays

Wine Tasting at Dot's 280 Gilmer Ferry Rd, Ball Ground 4:00–8:30 p.m.

DotsFineWineAndCraft.com

Trivia on The Green

TRIVIA Lights Up! Entertainment The Mill on Etowah, Canton 7:00–9:00 p.m. | FREE EtowahMill.com/Events

Moon Yoga with Katy

Horizon Healing Center 182 North Street, Canton 7:00–8:30 p.m. | Sign up online HorizonHealingCenter.com

18 Wednesday

Live Music Thursdays

Ball Ground Tavern

270 Gilmer Ferry Rd, Ball Ground 5:30–8:30 p.m.

E Ball Ground Tavern

January Wine Dinner

with Chef Kyle & Ryan Patrick Wines

Leaning Ladder, Woodstock 7:00–9:30 p.m. | $99

LeaningLadderOliveOil.com

The Lightning Thief

THEATER Woodstock Arts 8534 Main Street, Woodstock 7:30 p.m. | Tickets WoodstockArts.org

Ribbon Cutting: Fleet Feet Cherokee Chamber of Commerce 1431 Riverstone Parkway, Canton 10:00–11:00 a.m. CherokeeChamber.com

Baylee Littrell

MUSIC MadLife Stage & Studios 8722 Main Street, Woodstock 10:00 p.m. | Tickets, Ages 21+ MadLifeStageAndStudios.com

21 Saturday

Bree's Miles of Memories

5K Run/Walk, Fun Run Fundraiser Etowah River Park, Canton

7:00 a.m. | Register online TheBreannaLeigh.com

Lunar New Year Celebration with crafts, music, and games

Rose Creek Public Library, Woodstock 2:00 p.m. | All ages SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

25 Wednesday

State of Cherokee Address

Cherokee County Conference Center

1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. | $60–$75 CouncilForQualityGrowth.org

Volunteer Trail Clean-Up

Cherokee Recreation & Parks

Location TBD

9:00 a.m.–Noon | Volunteer PlayCherokee.org

30 Monday

Community Blood Drive

Cherokee Sheriff's Office, Hickory Flat 7675 Vaughn Road, Woodstock

Health & Wellness Fair

Presented by Blue Owl Yoga RockSolid Brewing Co., Ball Ground 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. | Pop-Up Shop BlueOwlYoga.com

Build Your Own Earrings

WORKSHOP with Broken Ankles 8636 Main Street, Woodstock 6:00–8:00 p.m. | $65 MadeMercantile.com

Teen Writing Group

WORKSHOP Creative Writing

Woodstock Public Library, Woodstock 4:30 p.m. | Ages 12–18 SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

Annual Gala & Benefit

Service League of Cherokee County Timbers on Etowah, Canton 6:00–9:00 p.m. | $125 ServiceLeague.net

First Annual Woodstock Arts Film Festival

VISUAL ARTS Woodstock Arts Event Green

111 Elm Street, Woodstock THREE-DAY EVENT | 1/21–1/23 WoodstockArts.org

Early Bird Registration

for the 17th Annual Guns & Hoses 5K Run/Walk ends on January 22 Visit PlayCherokee.org to register

The Lasting Laugh

COMEDY Woodstock Arts

8534 Main Street, Woodstock 7:30–9:00 p.m. | Tickets WoodstockArts.org

So Good: Neil Diamond Experience

MUSIC The Falany at Reinhardt

7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska

7:30 p.m. | Tickets Reinhardt.edu/Falany

Tween Book Club

10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. | Register online RedCrossBlood.org (Code: CSOHICKORY)

31 Tuesday

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

R.T. Jones Memorial Library, Canton 4:45 p.m. | Ages 10+ SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

February 2023

of events]

Diabetes Education Series

Presented by Northside Hospital

R.T. Jones Memorial Library, Canton 10:30 a.m.

SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

February Stroll & Roll

Hot Wheels Skate Center

228 Farm Ridge Drive NE, Woodstock 10:00 a.m.–Noon | Ages 5 & under HotWheelsSkateCenter.com

Crafting with Ms. Maureen

Tea & Biscuits Gift Set Make & Take

The WREC, Woodstock 9:30–11:00 a.m. | $45

PlayCherokee.org

Winter Lecture Series

with Valerie Coleman 7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska 2:00 p.m. | $10 Reinhardt.edu/FunkHeritage

Sushi & Sake

with Chef Sunisa Leaning Ladder, Woodstock 7:00–9:00 p.m. | $89

LeaningLadderOliveOil.com

Garland Mountain Hike Cherokee Recreation and Parks

Garland Mountain Trails, Waleska 10:00 a.m. | Register by 2/2 PlayCherokee.org

Jeremy Rosado

MUSIC Hillside UMC

4474 Towne Lake Pkwy, Woodstock 7:00 p.m. | Tickets TicketBud.com

WIT Improv Troupe

COMEDY Woodstock Arts

8534 Main Street, Woodstock 7:30–9:00 p.m. | Tickets WoodstockArts.org

Limitless Abilities Expo

Kid Biz Expo & Limitless Disabilities Jubilee Church, Woodstock 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. KidBizExpo.com

Faith County II

THEATER Cherokee Theatre Co. 171 East Main Street, Canton 8:00 p.m. | Tickets CherokeeTheatre.org

Anna Ladefoged Exhibit

VISUAL ARTS Opening Reception

Menagerie on Main, Canton 6:00–8:00 p.m. MenagerieOnMain.com

Second Annual Adult Prom

1950s-Themed Fundraiser Event

Timbers on Etowah, Canton

February 4, 7:00–10:00 p.m. Scan QR Code for tickets

5 Sunday Open House

The Corner District

330 Gilmer Ferry Road, Ball Ground

Noon–3:30 p.m. | RSVP by 1/30 ATLUrbanFarms.com

Tiger County Regulators

MUSIC MadLife Stage & Studios 8722 Main Street, Woodstock 8:00 p.m. | Tickets

MadLifeStageAndStudios.com

Cutting Board Class

TWO-DAY WORKSHOP with Southern Pine Design Co. A Made by Makers Event 771 Shallowford Road, Kennesaw February 10, 5:00–7:00 p.m. February 11, 9:00 a.m.–Noon Must attend both sessions | $225 SouthernPineDesignCo.com

Hands-on Pie Crust Class

Pie Bar Woodstock

8720 Main Street, Woodstock 2:00–3:30 p.m. | $72 OrderPieBar.com

9 Thursday

Thirsty Thursdays

Wine Tasting at Dot's 280 Gilmer Ferry Rd, Ball Ground 4:00–8:30 p.m. DotsFineWineAndCraft.com

MilVet Monthly Meetup

Reformation Brewery

105 Elm Street, Woodstock 6:00–8:00 p.m. MilVetCommunity.com

Laugh-Lines & Stretch-Marks

COMEDY MadLife Stage & Studios 8722 Main Street, Woodstock 8:00 p.m. | Tickets MadLifeStageAndStudios.com

9th

Annual Night to Shine

First Baptist Church Woodstock 11905 Highway 92, Woodstock 6:00–9:00 p.m. | Register by 1/29 FBCW.org/Events

Shades of Bublé

MUSIC The Falany at Reinhardt 7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska 7:30 p.m. | Tickets Reinhardt.edu/Falany

17th Annual Guns & Hoses 5K Run/Walk

5K Run/Walk, Fun Run Fundraiser Hobgood Park, Woodstock 8:00 a.m. | Register online PlayCherokee.org

Paint & Chat Art Class

WORKSHOP Tranquility Fine Arts 9194 Main Street, Woodstock 2:00–4:00 p.m. | Register online

TranquilityFineArts.com

Valentine's Day Storytime

R.T. Jones Memorial Library

116 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton 10:30 a.m. | All ages

SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

Black History Month VR

Ball Ground Public Library

435 Old Canton Road, Ball Ground 5:00 p.m. | Virtual Reality Program

SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

Parents’ Night Out

Cherokee County Aquatic Center

1200 Wellstar Way, Canton 5:30–10:00 p.m. | Register online PlayCherokee.org

Valentine's Day Dinner

Moose Lodge 2129 278 Moose Loop, Canton 6:00 p.m. | $30–$55 E Moose Lodge 2129

’Que and Karaoke with Lights Up! Entertainment Choate BBQ, Ball Ground 6:00–9:00 p.m. ChoateBBQ.com

Olive Oil & Vinegar 101

with Joanna Scott Leaning Ladder, Woodstock 6:30–8:30 p.m. | $49 LeaningLadderOliveOil.com

Murder on the Orient Express

THEATER Woodstock Arts 8534 Main Street, Woodstock 7:30 p.m. | Tickets WoodstockArts.org

Galentine's Brunch with Sylvia Draws 8636 Main Street, Woodstock 10:00 a.m.–Noon | $65 MadeMercantile.com

February Dinner Party with Chef Alan Leaning Ladder, Woodstock 6:30–8:30 p.m. | $85

LeaningLadderOliveOil.com

Saturday Storytime

R.T. Jones Memorial Library 116 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton 10:30 a.m. | All ages SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

Discovering Pickleball

Dupree Park Pickleball Courts 513 Neese Road, Woodstock 6:30–8:00 p.m. | Register online WoodstockParksAndRec.com

Arbor Day Giveaway

Holly Springs Train Depot

164 Hickory Road, Holly Springs 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | FREE HollySpringsGA.us

18 Saturday

Recycle Truck

Waleska City Hall

8891 Fincher Road, Waleska 9:00 a.m.–Noon WaleskaGA.Sophicity.com

Maker’s Mash

Lego Lab

Rose Creek Public Library 4476 Towne Lake Pkwy, Woodstock 3:00 p.m. | All ages SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

Moon Yoga with Katy

23 Thursday

19 Sunday 24 Friday

26 Sunday

Reformation Brewery

225 Reformation Parkway, Canton

1:00–6:00 p.m. MadAndDusty.com/Makers-Mash

Live Music Thursdays

Ball Ground Tavern

270 Gilmer Ferry Road, Ball Ground 5:30–8:30 p.m. E Ball Ground Tavern

Archery: Come & Try Day

Cherokee Recreation and Parks

The WREC, Woodstock

6:00–7:15 p.m. | Register by 2/22 PlayCherokee.org

CPR/AED/First Aid Training

Cherokee County Aquatic Center

1200 Wellstar Way, Canton 1:00–3:00 p.m. | Register online PlayCherokee.org

Horizon Healing Center 182 North Street, Canton 3:00–4:30 p.m. | Sign up online HorizonHealingCenter.com

Jacob Bryant & Elijah Wise

MUSIC MadLife Stage & Studios 8722 Main Street, Woodstock 8:00 p.m. | Tickets MadLifeStageAndStudios.com

Stephanie

Berlanga

MUSIC Riverstone Corner Bistro 151 Reinhardt College Pkwy, Canton 7:00–10:00 p.m. StephanieBerlangaMusic.com

Chanticleer '23

MUSIC The Falany at Reinhardt 7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska 6:00 p.m. | Tickets Reinhardt.edu/Falany