Canton Family Life 2-21 by Family Life Magazines

Contents

February 2021

VOLUME 8 | ISSUE 7

[16-17]

16-17 On the Cover

Mathnasium of Holly Springs

20-21

Languages of Love Do You Speak Your Partner’s?

24-25 Artist Profile

Dustin Emory

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[24-25] Family Life Publications

Canton Family Life | FEBRUARY 2021

.......................... Perspective

.............................. Calendar

........................ Public Safety

........................ Book Review

.................... Community Life

....................... Canton Notes

................. Mayor’s Message

............... Community Partner

............................ Quotables

................... Senator Speaks

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Publisher’s Perspective

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

ART Stephanie Bolton Stephanie@FamilyLifePublications.com Tiffany Corn Tiffany@FamilyLifePublications.com Candice Williams Candice@FamilyLifePublications.com SALES Janet Ponichtera Janet@FamilyLifePublications.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS George Anderson, Kelley Archer, Mary Kay Buquoi, Jyl Craven, Joshua Fuder, Lisa-Marie Haygood, Dan Jape, Steven W. Miller, Tim Morris, Jessica Oravec, Ellen Samsell Salas, Brooke Schmidt, Melody Swilling, Bruce Thompson, Shannon Wallace

Family Life Publishing Group, Inc. 630 East Main Street Canton, GA 30114

770-213-7095

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FamilyLifePublications.com Family Life publications have the largest monthly circulation of direct-mailed community magazines in our area. Canton Family Life is a monthly community magazine with a total print count of over 30,000, direct mailing over 28,000 copies to Canton, Sixes/BridgeMill, Holly Springs, Hickory Flat, and Waleska. The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists, and submissions are not necessarily those of the editor/ publisher, and the publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. The cover and its accompanying magazine content are a paid advertisement. Canton Family Life magazine is not responsible for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher. Subscriptions are available for $25 per year. Please contact us for payment options.

E R EC Y C

Be careful. Strive to be happy.

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Cyndi Braun

Desiderata

EDITORIAL Julie Senger Julie@FamilyLifePublications.com

M AG A ZI

the blur of today’s cultures, it may become necessary to reflect on the thoughts of forward thinkers from simpler times whose words were intended to better future generations. The following poem, “Desiderata,” is one of my personal favorites. It is written by Max Ehrmann and displayed prominently in my office and in my home. I reflect on it often because its purity and direction still ring true.

PLE

PUBLISHER/PHOTOGRAPHER Jack Tuszynski Jack@FamilyLifePublications.com

Jack Tuszynski, Publisher

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Calendar Due to ongoing public health concerns, please confirm each event’s details and safety precautions before attending.

DECEMBER FEBRUARY

12 & 26

Parent’s Night Out — Drop the kids off at the pool, so you can enjoy adult time. Kids will play in the pool, enjoy a pizza dinner, do crafts, play games, and end the night with a movie. 5:30-10:00pm, Cherokee Aquatic Center, 1200 Wellstar Way, Canton. 678-880-4760. CRPA.net

Random Acts of Kindness Day On this day, be inspired to get out there and “be the light you want to see in the world.” Random acts of kindness come in all forms, large and small, so help yourself by helping others.

Guns & Hoses 5K and Fun Run — Participate in this 15th annual 5K and help raise funds for local charities selected by Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services (Hoses) and the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office (Guns). When registering, you will choose the team that you want to represent, and a portion of your fee will go towards their chosen charity. Registration fees are 5K $30, Fun Run $15. 8:00am, Hobgood Park, 6688 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock. 770-9247768. BMBarcomb@cherokeega.com, RaceRoster.com (search - Guns & Hoses 5K Woodstock, GA)

Volunteer Aging Council (VAC) Fundraising Luncheon Support VAC programs and get a wonderful lunch for only $5. Pick up lunch to-go, or enjoy a meal with a friend, coworker, or family member. All proceeds support the seniors and senior veterans of Cherokee County. 11:30am-1:00pm, Wickshire Canton, 125 Riverstone Terrace, Canton. VAC-CherokeeGa.org

FEBRUARY IS

BLACK HISTORY MONTH This annual observance, also known as African-American History Month, is officially recognized by the U.S. government and is celebrated by honoring African-American men and women who have made significant contributions in the fields of science, politics, law, sports, the arts, entertainment, and many other fields.

Canton Family Life | FEBRUARY 2021

ONGOING

Free CPR/AED Certification Class — On the last Saturday of each month, this fundraiser benefits the Hickory Flat Volunteer Association. Donations are appreciated ($75 value). Preregistration is required. 9:00am12:00pm, Cherokee County Fire Station 23, 7625 Vaughn Road, Canton. 770-406-6657. HFVA.org

MARCH

2021 Georgia Has Talent Each year, the Beat Out Cancer Club at Cherokee HS brings premiere talent from all over Georgia to the stage to raise money for cancer research. Performances will include singers, dancers, drum lines, a comedian, and a martial artist. The talent winner is selected by judges. Voting for the Audience Choice award is via donation, which is ongoing on the website through 3/20. For more information, follow Georgia Has Talent on Instagram and Facebook. The show will be prerecorded and streamed online on 3/20. 6:00pm, online platform TBD. GeorgiaHasTalent.com

February Is American Heart Month Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths is caused by heart disease. The good news? It can often be prevented when you make healthy choices and manage health conditions. Take time this month to educate yourself on ways to maintain heart health.

Project Valentine — Every year, Cherokee Recreation & Parks collects the following Project Valentine donations: lip balm, lotion, sticky notes, pens, markers, word searches, art or music activities, candy (sugar free and regular), and other holiday related items. Donations are made into goody bags and delivered to Empower Cherokee, which is a nonprofit organization that serves the special needs community. Please deliver contributions to the Recreation Center, 7545 Main Street, Building 200, Woodstock. 770-924-7768. PlayCherokee.org

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In addition to the performances, the CCEF will award its annual Alumnus and Alumna of the Year awards, where we celebrate the contributions of students who attended school in the Cherokee County School District (CCSD) and went on to make great contributions in their own communities after graduation. Nominees must have graduated from a CCSD high school in the year 2015 or earlier to be eligible for submission. Applications for the award can be found at CherokeeCountyEducationalFoundation.org.

2021 Cherokee County Celebration of Education Gala By Lisa-Marie Haygood [AcademicLife] This year, the Cherokee County Celebration of Education Gala will look a little different, and the guest list includes you! The Cherokee County Educational Foundation (CCEF) will host its annual event in a virtual format that will be fun for the whole family, and the entire community is invited. Mark your calendar for Saturday, March 13. You have big plans! The CCEF wants to be sure to keep everyone safe and COVID-19 free, so in an abundance of caution, the staff has opted not to gather in person for this year’s event. The 8th Annual Celebration of Education Gala will be presented by the Jason T. Dickerson Family Foundation and will feature performances by the Swingin’ Medallions and several of Cherokee County’s best and brightest stars and students, raffle drawings for big prizes, and giant giveaways for some lucky Cherokee County teachers. The event will open with a silent auction and countdown clock at 6:30pm, which can be found at CherokeeCountyEducationalFoundation.org. Several local restaurants are partnering with the Foundation to offer special take-out meals to enjoy while watching the show with your family and friends.

Serving Canton, Sixes/BridgeMill, Holly Springs, and Hickory Flat

We hope you can join us for this special fun evening benefiting the public schools of CCSD. Excellent schools help ensure that the communities they serve are excellent, too.

Lisa-Marie Haygood is the executive director for the Cherokee County Educational Foundation. 770-704-4213. CherokeeCountyEducationalFoundation.org

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Public Safety

National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month Help Break the Cycle By District Attorney Shannon Wallace

or many years, the District Attorney’s Office has delivered presentations on dating violence to area high schools. These talks typically coincide with National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. Awareness is key to tackling this problem and helping victims. Through these presentations, we share important information with young people, including how to recognize signs of abuse in their own relationships as well as others. We also let them know where they can turn for help. Since we are unable to visit schools this year, this column summarizes key points we would normally share in person.

What Is Teen Dating Violence? This form of intimate partner violence affects young people in close, dating relationships. The victim suffers repeated abuse in the form of acts that are physical, verbal, emotional, technologyrelated, sexual, or a combination. Dating violence may include belittling, threats, isolation from friends and family, jealousy, excessive texting, forcing the other partner to engage in sexual activities, and physical abuse such as shoving, hitting, strangulation, and, in some cases, murder.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1.5 million U.S. high school students experienced physical violence from a dating partner in the prior year.1 However, only about 10% of adolescents report acts of violence committed by an intimate partner.2 As much as adolescents use cell phones, it’s not surprising that texting is used as a form of abuse. The perpetrator may send excessive texts, demanding to know exactly what the victim is doing and with whom. When those texts are sent all night long, the victim suffers sleep deprivation, which is another form of abuse. Sometimes, the abuser even demands explicit photos. Dating violence tends to occur in a cyclical pattern that escalates and de-escalates, with peaceful periods following abuse.

What Are the Signs? Signs of abuse are not always easy to spot. A common indication of a problem is a teen withdrawing from friends and family. Antisocial behavior often happens because victims feel afraid, sad, helpless, humiliated, isolated, and unable to talk to friends or family. A teen experiencing dating violence may become depressed, engage in unhealthy

behaviors like using drugs and alcohol, and think about suicide. Trust your intuition. If something doesn’t seem right, it is time to have a heart-to-heart discussion with your child. An abusive relationship during adolescence can lead to a greater likelihood for substance abuse, eating disorders, and risky sexual behavior. Youths who are victimized can end up becoming victims or perpetrators of adult intimate partner violence.

How You Can Help Break the Cycle Talk to teens about healthy relationships. Remind them that controlling and violent behaviors are not acceptable. And let them know that help is available. Teens experiencing dating violence should reach out to a parent, teacher, or other trusted adult. They can also call the Cherokee Family Violence Center or 911 in case of emergency. _____________________________ 1 “Physical Dating Violence Among High School Students.” CDC.gov 2

“Dating Violence Prevention.” Youth.gov

Shannon Wallace is the district attorney for Cherokee County. 770-479-1488. CherokeeGa.com/ District-Attorneys-Office

Local Resources Cherokee Family Violence Center 770-479-1703 8

Canton Family Life | FEBRUARY 2021

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Book Review BY JESSICA ORAVEC

NATURE of FRAGILE THINGS The

The Nature of Fragile Things, by Susan Meissner, Sophie is looking for a fresh start. As an Irish immigrant in New York in the early 1900s, she is stuck in the tenements. So, when Martin, a widower and father, places an advertisement looking for a wife, Sophie answers it and moves to San Francisco. As a traveling insurance agent, Martin is gone a lot, and Sophie adjusts to life with Kat, Martin’s quiet five-year-old daughter. With a roof over her head, new clothes, and a daughter to love, life is good for Sophie. But it all comes crashing down in 1906 when the historic San Francisco earthquake and fire occur. In the span of 24 hours, everything changes, but Sophie is determined to piece her life back together with her daughter. The Nature of Fragile Things is filled with characters who seem fragile at first: Sophie is so desperate for a fresh start that she becomes a mail-order bride. Kat is so distraught over her mother’s death that she doesn’t speak. And Belinda is a pregnant woman who discovers a devastating secret about her husband. But when everything falls apart around them, when the walls shake and split, and the fire rages out of control, each character finds her own strength. In the end, the characters learn that fragile things can be broken. It is, in fact, their nature to be broken. But they also learn that they can rise from the rubble, take back their lives, and create something new. Meissner has created characters full of heart and strength while also giving readers a fresh perspective on the San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906. If you check out The Nature of Fragile Things, you won’t be disappointed.

Jessica Oravec lives in Cherokee County and is an avid reader and a children’s minister. She holds a B.B.A. from Mercer and a Master of Divinity in Christian education from McAfee School of Theology.

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Community Local Artist and Instructor Selected for City of Canton Mural Project Shanna Coulter, a fine art instructor at Cherokee High School, was selected as the featured artist to complete a 3 feet high and 540 feet long mural on Railroad Street. The City of Canton and the Downtown Canton Main Street’s Public Art Steering Committee issued a call for artists for the project early in 2020, and Coulter’s design stood out among the many who presented. Coulter submitted a rendering of a mural representing the history and diversity of Cherokee County. “We envisioned a parade of ‘legs’ through history, marching toward the present moment,” Shanna Coulter, left, and her mural rendering, above. shared Coulter, who plans to complete the painting with a team of artists. “The mural would begin with the Native Americans who were here when the county first began to attract settlers, through the ‘Gold Rush,’ the ‘poultry capital of the world,’ the Great Fire, Denim Day, the Civil Rights Movement, and the integration of schools, to the colorful fashion of the mid-to-late 1900s.” “We want to use as many historical photographs for reference as we can get our hands on,” she continued. “As the timeline of Cherokee County reaches the 2000s, we would like to recruit living representatives to photograph for the final decades of the mural. Additionally, the blue river from the Canton logo would weave through connecting everyone, and the mural would end with the Canton logo.”

Construction of New Water Pollution Control Plant Underway The City of Canton awarded construction of its new Water Pollution Control Plant to Clark Reeves Young JV (a joint venture between Clark Construction and Reeves Young). The construction will be managed by the engineering firm of Atkins, which was also the firm that designed the new facility. The project is expected to be completed in mid 2024. The total project cost is estimated at $70M, which includes design, construction, and construction management and inspection. Financing will be via Water and Sewerage Revenue Bonds. In late December, Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s awarded the City credit ratings on these anticipated revenue bonds at the rate of AA- and Aa3, respectively.

Canton Family Life | FEBRUARY 2021

The Public Arts team that helped with the selection of the Railroad Street mural project’s artist and design included Councilor Brooke Schmidt; Councilor Will Carlan; Councilor Sandy McGrew; Jamie Foreman, owner of Menagerie on Main; Penn Hodge, developer at The Mill on Etowah; and Velinda Hardy, downtown development manager. Artists were asked to consider connectivity, community, and blending the historic with the contemporary. “Shanna’s design is essentially a super creative take on a timeline,” explained Schmidt. “She plans to meet with Stefanie Joyner at History Cherokee to make sure clothing is correct and to get other ideas for Canton-specific items to include.” Coulter will complete the project by June, with the help of her team of artists and fellow art teachers, including Shannah Dean, Lori Thompson, Chris Lambert, MaryJo Mulvey, Leslie Babcock, Susan Jones, and Morgan Boswell. Funding for the mural project will be provided by the Canton Main Street Board and a grant from the Georgia Council for the Arts. Add

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Community Remembering Larry Berry Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services was saddened by the recent passing of Larry Berry who was instrumental in starting the Hickory Flat Volunteer Fire Department in 1975. Berry was Hickory Flat’s volunteer fire chief for more than 40 years. During that time, three fire stations were constructed to serve southeastern Cherokee County. In recent years, Berry served as a trustee and board member of the Hickory Flat Volunteer Association, where he volunteered to provide CPR and first aid training to the community. A representative with the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs said that Berry was a man who touched many lives. His footprint on the ground in Hickory Flat will remain forever. In 2017, Berry was recognized for his service to the community at the opening of the new Fire Station #3, located off Highway 140. Cherokee County Fire Chief Tim Prather invited Berry to thank him for his service to the community and to unveil a plaque dedicating the building to him for his contributions, loyalty, and dedication to the fire department.

Cherokee Recreation & Parks Agency Is Hiring Contract Instructors Cherokee Recreation & Parks Agency (CRPA) is hiring instructors to teach tennis, music, art, and more. Contract instructors work in partnership with CRPA to provide classes and services to the community. Contact Lauren Voss at LaTVoss@cherokeega.com to obtain more information.

MUST Ministries Partners With Bethesda Community Clinic To Provide Access to Free Healthcare The MUST Ministries Canton location has partnered with Bethesda Community Clinic to provide its Mobile Medical Unit to Cherokee County residents in need. The Mobile Medical Unit offers free healthcare services at the MUST Ministries Canton location on the first Friday of each month from 10:00am-2:00pm. “MUST is excited to partner with Bethesda Community Clinic to bring free medical care to our Cherokee County clients who don’t have the necessary resources for even the most basic healthcare,” said Dr. Ike Reighard, president and CEO of MUST Ministries. “Bethesda Community Clinic’s mission is to provide quality healthcare services to those in need. So, by bringing the Mobile Medical Unit to our MUST Canton location, we’re able to work together to provide crucial health services to the local community.” Every service offered in the Bethesda Community Clinic will be available on the fully equipped Mobile Medical Unit including primary care, chronic disease management, women’s health, pediatric care, sick visits, and physicals. To find out more about MUST Ministries’ services, visit MUSTMinistries.org.

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Community

Holly Springs Adds to Management Team, Hires Economic Development Director City of Holly Springs Manager Robert H. Logan, with the support of Mayor Steven W. Miller and the City Council, promoted City employee Erin Honea to economic development director. Honea has worked as the Main Street director for the City since 2014. Over the last six years, she has earned and maintained the City’s status as an Accredited Main Street Community from the National Main Street Center and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs’ Office of Downtown Development. She earned her Economic Development Finance Professional certification from the National Development Council in 2017 and completed the Regional Economic and Leadership Development course from the Georgia Academy for Economic Development in 2015. She is also a 2013 graduate of the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Cherokee class.

Erin Honea

As Economic Development director, Honea will oversee the City’s marketing and communications, special events, and most importantly, the City’s business attraction and retention efforts.

Creative Partnership Revitalizes Iconic Brand in Cherokee County History Cherokee recently announced a collaborative partnership with Whim-Wham Art Farm to revitalize local history with a nod to nostalgia. In 2019, the owners of Whim-Wham Art Farm approached Stefanie Joyner, executive director of History Cherokee, with the idea to pursue the copyright of the Salty Dog branding as a means to connect the past to the present. The Cherokee County Historical Society is excited to share the news that Salty Dog is back. As many long-time Cherokee County residents may recall, Salty Dog was the branded mascot of Canton Textile Mills’ introductory and revolutionary SCRUBDENIM fabric in 1963. This Cantonperfected process of treating regular denim fabric and altering its texture to a soft, velvet-like appearance opened new markets for denim in the early 1960s, making Salty Dog and Canton Textile Mills internationally recognized. Boasted to be “soft as a puppy, yet rugged as an old hound dog,” SCRUBDENIM was popular into the late 1970s when the American textile market slowed due to cheaper markets overseas. Canton Textile Mills officially shut its doors in the spring of 1981. “We think that connecting our community to the elements that helped build it allows us all to share the stories from generation to generation,” said Mary and Nicole Fischer-Mullins, owners of Whim-Whim Art Farm. “We see Salty Dog as a key part of that story and how the Mill shaped our communities and the families that worked and lived here.” From T-shirts and stickers that are available now in the museum shop and online, the Fischer-Mullinses plan to continue exploring how Salty Dog can connect with the next generation. With ideas of penning a children’s book, developing a walking scavenger hunt tour around Canton, and even introducing us to Salty Dog’s sidekick Cat’s Meow, Whim-Wham Art Farm is excited to grow and shape the Salty Dog brand. “We are thrilled our creative partnership with Whim-Wham Art Farm is allowing us the opportunity to have a piece of wearable Cherokee County history again and look forward to how Salty Dog will continue to connect us to our county’s past,” said Joyner. To purchase your piece of local history, visit Shop-History-Center.Square.stie/s/shop. A portion of the sales benefit History Cherokee.

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Building Your

Dream Home

[HomeLife] Many people are in the market for a new house, and some want to know how to start the process of building their dream home. There are three basic types of homes with varying degrees of customization: production/ tract homes, semi-custom homes, and custom homes. Production homes are built as “spec” by builders who hope to find a buyer either during construction or shortly after completion. There are typically three or four basic production home plans in a subdivision with the orientation changed to provide aesthetic variety in the neighborhood. Buyers usually cannot make changes to these homes. If changes are allowed, builders charge excessive fees to alter their plans, using an unfair rated system known as level 1, 2, or 3.

By Dan Jape

Many builders double or triple the real price to go up a level because they don’t want to deal with the homeowner. The builder always provides the home plans, and the cost of changes is buried in the sales price. Semi-custom homes can be started by either the builder or the homeowner. The plan is normally provided by the builder, but many changes can be made to give buyers exactly what they want. Often, a builder will have many plans to choose from. If already under construction, the process will be halted at a point that allows the future homeowner to make many selections and choices, such as the level of finish products they want to use, which helps to avoid the steep markup production homebuilders charge.

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Custom homes are built to the exact plans/specifications that the buyer provides and are usually constructed on land that he/she already owns. Plans can be purchased off the internet or can be drawn up by an architect. The buyer has complete control of all aspects and material grade levels, as many of the custom homes are actually built on a “cost plus” basis. The builder charges the customer exactly what all labor and materials cost, and he/she is given a percentage of that cost as profit for their knowledge and leadership.

Dan Jape is the owner of Reliable Built. 404-626-2344. DanJape@reliablebuilt.com. ReliableBuilt.com

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CantonNotes

THE CITY OF CANTON

Cultivating a Culture of Inclusion By Brooke Schmidt

hen I was considering a run for Canton City Council, I received overwhelming support. But every now and then, I’d run into what amounted to this message: Who do you think you are? You were not born here. Once or twice that message extended to include: Plus, you’re a woman — an outspoken woman. These experiences were rare, but because I’ve had them and others throughout my life, it is also not difficult for me to listen to and learn from people who have experiences in which they feel unwelcome, unheard, or unsafe based on their gender, skin color, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. I’m fortunate to have been elected to City Council and to serve with incredible councilmembers and a mayor, all of whom are committed to ensuring Canton is truly a place where everyone is welcome, a place where we work to reduce the discriminatory experiences residents may face. To that end, the City of Canton recently established a Diversity & Inclusion Task Force. The mission of this citizen group is to facilitate dialogue and enhance understanding, trust, respect, and representation, creating a culture of inclusion in our community that is welcoming to all residents.

that will foster meaningful and impactful engagement with all citizens of our beloved community,” says Slaughter. Seeing that all citizens are given a voice in any situation is a priority for Task Force Chair Carlos T. Hill. “Ask any Canton resident, and they love this idea of ‘love where you live,’” Hill explains. “The acronym ‘PRIDE’ can be Promoting Respect, Inclusion, and Diversity for Everyone in Canton. We are told that representation matters. The Task Force is representation on a level that takes serious vision.” Members appointed to the Diversity & Inclusion Task Force by Canton City Council and the mayor are Lorraine Aragon, Tiffany Bird, Carlos T. Hill, Shannon Rankins, Paty Reveles, Carmen Slaughter, and Kathy Strom.

Brooke Schmidt is the city councilwoman for Ward 3. 110 Academy Street, Canton. Brooke.Schmidt@cantonga.gov. CantonGa.gov

Task Force member Carmen Slaughter hopes the group goes beyond the important goals of celebrating and promoting diversity. “I hope it will serve as a springboard to create more opportunities for the City of Canton to establish initiatives

Mapping the Way To Inclusion One of the tenets within the City of Canton’s newly approved Roadmap for Success is “celebrating the diversity of our community.” Residents can view the measurable goals and ideas for encouraging economic, cultural, and social diversity in Canton at CantonGa.gov. Residents can also provide feedback on this tenet and others at Roadmap@cantonga.gov.

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Know Your

NEIGHBORS By Tim Morris

[Lifestyle] Growing up, my dad was big on offering my brothers’ and my services to our neighbors in need. We cut many yards, raked a lot of leaves, folded clothes, dropped off a meal, or whatever else he thought we needed to do. I was raised that that was what you did for a neighbor in need. Recently, Cherokee Senior Services received a call from a deaf elderly couple. The message came from a translated service tied into their phone line. The couple was asking if we could help them change out some light bulbs in the ceiling and outside. The husband was in his 90s, and his wife didn’t want him on the ladder. Later that week, we went out to take on this task. Driving in the neighborhood, we were impressed with the beautiful country setting in Cherokee County. When we arrived, the gentleman was waiting outside. He was very unstable, and it was challenging to communicate. We let him point the way, and within an hour, we took care of what he needed. It was a humbling experience to help this proud man. He wanted to pay us, but of course, we wouldn’t let him. He was very touched, and we could read his lips when he said, “God must have sent you.” While outside the couple’s home, we saw neighbors walking their dogs and working around their houses. They probably don’t know their neighbors because if we asked any of those folks, they would likely have been happy to come over to do what we did for this couple. So, how can we help our elderly neighbors? We can start by knowing who our neighbors are, so we can offer our assistance in case they ever need it. L

Tim Morris is the director of Cherokee County Senior Services. 1001 Univeter Road, Canton. 770-479-7438. CherokeeGa.com/Senior-Services

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COVER STORY By Ellen Samsell Salas

TAILORING INSTRUCTION TO EACH STUDENT IS KEY Since 2016, Mathnasium of Holly Springs has helped students from elementary school through high school discover that they can be successful in math. By meeting all students where they are in the subject and building the foundation they need to succeed, owner Karen Connelly and her team of compassionate and skilled instructors make math cool.

“While some students come to us because they are struggling in math, others are looking for more of a challenge. We address each student’s unique needs to help them achieve long-term success,” Connelly said. “Our services cover the full gamut: Catch up! Keep up! And get ahead!”

INSTRUCTORS BUILD STUDENT CONFIDENCE AND INDEPENDENCE

MEETING STUDENTS WHERE THEY ARE Mathnasium’s success in helping students reach their potential results from a three-step approach: 1. Assess what skills each student has forgotten or never really grasped. 2. Create a customized learning plan based on that assessment and other ongoing assessments. 3. Provide one-on-one instruction to fill in skills gaps and assist the student with current schoolwork. “Our assessment process determines what level a student is at. If they’re at a third grade level in the fifth grade, we’re going to get them to where they should be,” Connelly said. “This program really changes their lives.”

To ensure that all students gain the skills needed for ongoing math success, instructors are trained in the Mathnasium MethodTM. Working at a three-to-one student to instructor ratio, students receive individual instruction and time to work independently. The instructor gives each student specific feedback on his/her work in real time. “This process builds confidence and independence.” Connelly explained. “With our method, when students walk out the door, they believe in their skills.” Finding the right instructors also contributes to student success. “I look for instructors with strong math skills, the personality to relate to kids, and the ability to explain and teach math to someone else,” Connelly said. To ensure students develop number sense, mental math skills, and critical thinking ability, instructors question their students, asking “How did you get to that answer?” and “How do you know it’s right?” Because the center’s instructors are local high school and college students studying advanced math, they bring additional perks to their pupils. Instructors know what is being taught and can relate to student struggles. In addition, they are familiar with the courses needed for college admission and how to navigate the daunting process of the standardized testing that is involved.

John Hauk, lead instructor

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Madison Smith, instructor

ONGOING HELP DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS

Karen Connelly, owner/center director, and Robert Long, assistant center director

While the center halted in-person instruction for several weeks, they did not shut out students. Already training to offer Mathnasium@home, which was scheduled to be released in the metro Atlanta area in March of 2020, Connelly’s team shifted to live, online instruction, enabling instructors to help students achieve success throughout the uncertainties presented by the pandemic. “We found a way to keep teaching, and we did it,” Connelly said. When they reopened for in-person instruction in July, nearly 95% of their students thriving in the Mathnasium@home program chose to stay online. Because local schools have experienced closures and quarantining of exposed students, the center has needed to be ready for multiple scenarios. “We’ve made it a priority to have a hybrid program, allowing students to easily switch between in-person and live, online instruction,” Connelly said. “When parents call and say their child is quarantined, it’s super easy for us to teach them online, face-to-face until they can return to the center. Our flexibility has been a lifesaver for our students.” For those students who opt for in-person help, the center maintains strict safety policies. Masks, temperature checks, and handwashing are required, and pods are limited to three students who sit six feet apart. While instructors face their students, plexiglass dividers separate them. Students complete work on tablets using software that enables instructors to see

their work on laptops, which eliminates the exchange of paper. Tablets and pod areas are disinfected before being used again. Connelly says that while she loved the 15 years she taught math in a traditional classroom, she believes the Mathnasium MethodTM has a greater impact. “While teaching in a high school classroom, there was barely time to get through the course curriculum, let alone time to take these kids back to where math went off the rails for them and build that foundation back up. I saw too many kids who had given up on math. When they close the door on math, they close the door to the STEM fields that rely heavily on math skills. We catch them and get them excited about math. We take kids from ‘I hate math; I’m never going to be good at it’ to ‘I’ve got this!’ Mathnasium unlocks potential and opens doors.” Mathnasium offers monthly enrollment options, which include up to 12 sessions per month. Discounts are given for sixmonth or longer commitments. Easy online scheduling is available for elementary through high school levels.

Marissa Navarro, administrative assistant

Carson Allen, lead instructor

Erin Kincade, lead instructor

Connor Benton, instructor

For more information about programs and services, contact Mathnasium of Holly Springs.

Kieran MacDonald, instructor

Mathnasium Holly Springs 6768 Hickory Flat Highway, #102, Canton, GA 30115 678-880-7592 Mathnasium.com/hollysprings Serving Canton, Sixes/BridgeMill, Holly Springs, and Hickory Flat

Jack Cody, instructor

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Mayor’s Message

HOLLY SPRINGS

Happenings By Mayor Steven W. Miller

December, requests for bids went out for the demolition of the former location of Cherokee FOCUS and the Holly Springs Public Works Department, which are located behind Cherokee County Fire Station #8, as well as Building A and the pole barn at 411 Hickory Road. These buildings are scheduled to come down to make way for residential structures in the Town Center and the future Hickory Springs Parkway. The demolition and cleanup should be finished by the end of winter. Holly Springs Public Works relocated to its new facility at 411 Hickory Road, Building C, in November. The new facility is a former industrial building, which is significantly larger than the previous location on Hickory Circle and can house equipment, vehicles, and supplies. Cobb Industrial, Inc. (CII) has purchased the former site of Hydro-Chem in the Hickory Springs Industrial Park. CII is a steel fabrication company that is currently located in Cobb County. All CII operations will be moved to Holly Springs this year. Construction of the new corporate headquarters is underway and should be completed in the spring. CII plans to bring 50 jobs to our community. Last October, the Holly Springs Parks and Recreation Authority voted to enter a 10-year ground lease with Ben and Vicki Cagle for the site of the former Cagle Family Farm on Stringer Road. The Cagles plan to establish a corn maze and agritourism business on the land. Preparation of the site is scheduled to begin this year.

Canton Family Life | FEBRUARY 2021

The City of Holly Springs has applied for funding from the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (GTIB) to build the Holly Springs Parkway Widening Project Phase III. The City plans to leverage these funds along with its allocation of Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) to construct Phase III concurrent with the construction of the Holly Springs Parkway Widening Project Phase II. Engineering and design are currently underway for Phase II. The surveying for Phase III was completed last November. In January, the City Council approved a memorandum of understanding between the City of Holly Springs and the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners for a joint sidewalk project that will “fill in the gaps” along Hickory Road and Stringer Road in unincorporated Cherokee County and the City of Holly Springs. The scope of the project will extend from the intersection of Hickory Road and East Cherokee Drive to the intersection of Hickory and New Light Roads. The Cherokee County Board sent out a request for proposals last October for the design of the project.

Steven W. Miller is the mayor of Holly Springs, 3237 Holly Springs Parkway, Holly Springs. 770-345-5536. HollySpringsGa.us

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Six Ways To Help Children Cope With New Situations By Mary Kay Buquoi, Ed.S. [AcademicLife] New experiences and transitions can be challenging for children. Learning expert and award-winning writer Susan Magsamen offers six tips on how to help children cope with unfamiliar situations:













Talk with your child about upcoming new experiences. Share your own experiences and feelings about similar situations. When you share your emotions, it gives children permission to feel their emotions, too. Make it a story with a beginning, middle, and end, which helps children develop a sequence and process for moving through new situations. For example: “I was worried that I would get lost at school and be late for class. So, I went to school with my mom the week before school started and figured out where everything was. It made me feel so much better.” Find creative solutions to problems. Ask your child whether he has any questions. Work together to creatively solve each problem one by one. Make it simple and easy. Together, imagine what a new experience will be like. Your child may not have a specific concern, but it helps to create a virtual image of what an unfamiliar situation might be like and what might come up. By simulating a new situation, children are more likely to have a frame of reference to ease into it. Have grounding things. When transitioning from a familiar situation to an unfamiliar one, it’s important to have something that makes you feel safe and grounded. For young children, it could be a book, a stuffed animal, a favorite jacket, or a family photo. Ask the school in advance about guidelines for what children can bring. Make home a safe and welcoming place. When your child comes home from school, start with a big smile and a bigger hug. Then, offer a simple snack. You could also provide downtime that doesn’t include screens and other distractions.

Above all else, be sure to encourage at-home and bedtime rituals that enable your child to get lots of rest and sleep.

Mary Kay Buquoi is owner of The Goddard School, 140 Foster Road, Woodstock. 770-720-1311. GoddardSchools.com

Serving Canton, Sixes/BridgeMill, Holly Springs, and Hickory Flat

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By Julie Senger

More than 25 years ago, Dr. Gary Chapman wrote a book entitled The 5 Love Languages. In his book, he conveys that “the premise is simple: different people with different personalities express love in different ways.”

According to Dr. Chapman, here are the 5 Love Languages, and “each individual has at least one language that they prefer above the other”:

Words of Affirmation

2 3

Acts of Service

Receiving Gifts

4 Quality Time 5

Physical Touch

If you or your partner are unsure which “love language” you “speak,” there is a quiz at 5LoveLanguages.com/ quizzes to help you discover the answer, so you can better communicate and fulfill each other’s needs.

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Once you know each other’s language, here are some ideas for how you might “talk” to your partner in a way that makes him/her feel most loved and appreciated:

Words of Affirmation Maybe your partner feels unseen when he/she drags into the house after putting in a hard day at the office. Perhaps your spouse feels that all the big and small things he/she does every day to keep the household running smoothly go completely unnoticed. If your loved one feels invisible, like the things he/she contributes that allow the two of you to live a more comfortable life don’t matter to you, resentment could build a high wall between you.

If your significant other’s love language is words of affirmation, try speaking up each day about the things you notice and appreciate. Examples: “I really appreciate how hard you work, so we can have a nice home/take our dream vacation/provide the kids with everything they need. I don’t know what we’d do without you.” “It’s so nice to come home to a yummy meal at the end of the day. You’re such a great cook.” “All the careful eating and hard workouts you’ve been doing are really paying off. You look great and seem more energetic!” If you are better at writing your words than speaking them, send your loved one a text or write a cute note. The great thing about written words of affirmation is many people will hang onto these messages and frequently look back at them to revisit the warm feelings that were elicited by your kind sentiments.

Acts of Service Many have heard the saying “love is a verb,” and there is probably no truer statement ever uttered for a person who feels most loved when someone is performing a task for him/her. If your partner is often overwhelmed by all the items on his/her “to-do” list, acts of service might include anything from completing one of the items on the list to help lighten the load or being one step ahead and completing a task that wasn’t even on the “to-do” list yet (e.g., taking the car for an oil change, scheduling dentist appointments for the kids, etc.).

Quality Time

There are also necessary things your loved one hates doing (e.g., taking out the trash, cutting up onions, walking the dog in below freezing temps, waking up to feed the baby at 3:00am). Brownie points abound if you do any of these things for your significant other.

Quality time can include anything from having a date night to an overnight getaway or extended vacation. But when things are really crazy, it can be as simple as a 15-minute conversation to check in on each other to make sure everything is going OK.

Receiving Gifts

Physical Touch

The misconception of those whose love language is receiving gifts is that they must be materialistic and require expensive items to be given to them to feel loved. In reality, this is not usually the case. The gifts need not be expensive nor cost anything at all.

With so much communication happening electronically, and especially during a pandemic, many people go an entire day without so much as a fist bump. If your partner’s love language is physical touch, wrapping him/her up in a warm hug when he/she walks in the door may be exactly what is needed.

If you’re getting yourself a cup of coffee, bring home a cup of your wife’s favorite seasonal latte or espresso without her asking. If you hear a song on the way to work that reminds you of your boyfriend, send him a link for a free download of it, so you can listen to it the next time the two of you are together. If you have a green thumb, bring your partner a bouquet of fresh cut flowers from your garden or a few vegetables to make a salad together to go with dinner. These are examples of inexpensive gifts that are really just small physical tokens to let someone know you were thinking of him/her.

Serving Canton, Sixes/BridgeMill, Holly Springs, and Hickory Flat

In today’s busy world, time is one of the great commodities that is hard to put a price tag on, and once it is “spent,” you can never get it back. Perhaps that’s why a person whose love language is quality time feels most cherished when his/her significant other sets aside an hour, day, or week just to focus on him/her.

Other subtle, yet meaningful, ways to work in physical touch throughout the day might be holding hands in the car, a kiss on the cheek or a shoulder rub while your loved one is doing the dishes, or snuggling up on the sofa to watch your favorite show together. There are lots more ways to reassure your partner of your physical presence through touch, so be sure to “grab” every opportunity. Source: 5LoveLanguages.com

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911

Hair

By Jyl Craven [Lifestyle] Have you ever seen a professional athlete on TV and thought, “I can do that”? Or maybe you’ve watched a “how-to” video, and thought, “Wow! That looks easy. That repair should only take 10 minutes.” Later, you discover that feat on TV was much more difficult than imagined, and that “easy” repair ended up taking an entire weekend. Doing your own hair, either for a quick fix or for a more dramatic change, can sometimes require more skill than the average person realizes. Here are three popular misconceptions that, when performed incorrectly, may land you in your salon’s ER.

Color Touch-Up Whether it’s covering up those first signs of gray or touching up the beginning signs of regrowth, blending new growth on your own can be more challenging than you think. Since most salon professionals customize hair color formulas specifically for each individual, matching the color, shade, and tone and identifying the correct undertones can be quite complex. If done improperly, you may damage your hair or end up needing a complete color correction to fix your botched endeavor. Consider — There are professional root concealer products that can help cover up regrowth in between your regular salon appointments.

Canton Family Life | FEBRUARY 2021

Consider — Protect your hair as you would your skin. A thermal protectant for the hair is like sunscreen for the skin.

Trimming Your Own Bangs Most anyone can cut his/her bangs, but to do it correctly involves skill. Simply cutting your fringe straight across your forehead to quickly remove length can dramatically harm your look. An incorrect snip can take away from the overall hairstyle, leaving unwanted facial features exposed.

Those quick fixes or weekend makeovers done on a whim can turn tragic if not performed by a professional. Just as you wouldn’t be foolish enough to think you’re TV’s next American Ninja Warrior, don’t be misled to believe that just anyone is qualified to style your hair. So, be careful out there, remain conversant, and stay out of your salon’s ER. L

Jyl Craven is owner of Jyl Craven Hair Design of Canton. 770-345-9411. JylCraven.com

Understanding which fringe styles — such as round, square, bowed, or side-swept — look best with your face shape and hairstyle is essential if you want to maintain a stylish look. Consider — Most salons offer fringe trims in between services either for free (for current guests) or for a minimal fee.

Thermal What? If you’re blow drying, curling, or straightening your locks daily without using a heat protectant, you may be damaging your hair. Improper use of heating tools can cause irreversible damage. Since hair is made of keratin protein and hydrogen bonds, too much high heat can strip hair of its natural oils and proteins, which breaks down its hydrogen bonds.

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Facing the Future Without Fear By Pastor George Anderson [InGoodFaith] “Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you. Therefore, we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6). Have you recovered from 2020 yet? Everything I’ve read says that 2021 will be a year of major changes. Change brings uncertainty, and uncertainty brings fear. How do we face the future without fear? First, learn to be content. Verse 5 essentially says, “Don’t live for the shiny stuff! Be happy with what you have.” Most of us have more than we ever dreamed we would. Discontentment steals our joy and peace. Ecclesiastes 5:10 says, “The one who loves money is never satisfied with money, and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with income.” How many of us got that thing we “couldn’t live without” for Christmas — and now we’re over it? Contentment frees us from the fear of not getting what we want. Second, trust God — your companion. The rest of verse 5 basically says: “I will NEVER leave you, and I will absolutely NEVER forsake you!” Some fearsome stuff might be in your future, but you will not face it alone. The lord is always with you. Third, have confidence. Notice the formula for faith: “for he himself has said — therefore, we may boldly say.” The secret to confidence is to listen to God, and hold God to what he says: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age!” (Matthew 28:20). Fourth, have courage. Verse 6: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.” The root of the word “helper” means “to shout.” That does not mean that the Lord shouts at us like my football coach used to shout at me. It means that he is our biggest cheerleader, shouting words of encouragement to us. The future may look scary, but, child of God, you can face it without fear. L

Dr. George Anderson is pastor of Rising Hills Church, 3635 Univeter Road, Canton. RisingHillsChurch.org

Serving Canton, Sixes/BridgeMill, Holly Springs, and Hickory Flat

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ArtistProfile BY ELLEN SAMSELL SALAS

ustin Emory says he has a “wonky” work schedule. Every afternoon, after fortifying himself with a cup of coffee, he heads to his studio. In an old warehouse, now the haven of Emory and three other artists, he pours himself into his art, often until 1 or 2 in the morning. Emory paints until he is satisfied — changing, reworking, sometimes scrapping what he has created and starting over. “It’s hard for me to stop working. I keep seeing wrong strokes. I keep working,” Emory said. Yet, his insistence on perfection doesn’t paralyze him. “I know I can change it,” he said. “I know I can get to where I want to be.” In fact, being open to experimentation and trying different mediums, palettes, techniques, or canvases define his artistic journey. Without any formal art instruction, Emory, now 21, only began painting in 2016 when, recovering from back surgery, he borrowed his younger sister’s watercolor set and painted a sunset and palm trees.

Fascinated with light, shadow, and contrasts, Emory works primarily in oils, which he says effects greater realism than acrylics and gives him the freedom to leave his work and come back to it over several days. Applying the oils with brushes and scrapers, Emory uses “a lot of strokes and a lot of color. You can move paint really well on canvas. You can apply it, then move it around,” he explained. “I blend heavily, then create texture. I might take a scraper and move the paint just to give it some interest.” In his paintings, Emory explores current issues, hoping to make a difference in the world. Through the interplay of light and shadow and an often-monochromic palette with perhaps a shock of color, sometimes a neon effect, his large canvases are uncannily realistic. Filling the foregrounds, the figures convey emotion through both expression and posture. They make viewers “feel as if they are in the image, grappling with the issue.” “I like to think of my work as ripping chunks of the world out and offering them to the viewer to contemplate,” he said.

After painting that first watercolor, he was hooked, though he turned his focus to large portraits often inspired by photographs.

In his recent works, Emory conveys the dehumanization of incarceration, portraying groups of men, all dressed alike, their heads, torsos, and legs visible, but not their faces.

“I dove in,” he recalls. His immersion includes hunting for other artists on social media, studying their work and methods, and finding people and images that inspire him.

“I hope to always make work that I’m proud of, to bring to light issues I’m attacking, and I hope people will continue to reach out and ask about my paintings and topics,” he said.

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“I like to think of

my work as ripping chunks of the world out and offering them to the viewer to contemplate.”

For additional information, or to see more of Emory’s work, visit

Instagram – Dustin.Emory.

Serving Canton, Sixes/BridgeMill, Holly Springs, and Hickory Flat

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A Second Later

Community Partner

February 2008, Molly Welch was a junior studying journalism at Auburn University. While she was driving back to school, she was listening to interviews she’d conducted for a newspaper article assignment. She dropped her recorder, reached down to pick it up, and ended up crashing head-on with a pickup truck. As a result of the accident, Welch sustained a traumatic brain Injury, was given a 50-50 chance to live, and was diagnosed with hemiparesis. Her life was forever altered. Welch was transferred from East Alabama Medical Center to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta after three weeks in a coma. Another month passed, and she was still in a coma and not making progress, so she was sent home. When she started mouthing words and waking up at home, she returned to the Shepherd Center for intense physical, occupational, and speech therapies.

Molly Welch

across Georgia about the importance of continuing education, not driving distracted, and not giving up. Welch has spoken to many high schools, nonprofits, faith groups, and businesses. She has also spoken at TEDxEmory and to the Georgia General Assembly prior to the adoption of a Hands-Free bill. She would be happy to speak to any group that needs to hear her message, which she hopes to share throughout Georgia and beyond.

After a while, Welch was able to return home for good, and she was eager to finish her remaining classes at Auburn and obtain her degree. Her professors only required her to attend class once a week, so Welch’s family took turns driving her to campus. Though it took an extra three years, she was able to walk across the stage to receive her diploma. Once she received her degree, Welch met with business owners from NuTEQ Solutions, who helped her create a PSA and a nonprofit motivational speaking company. Through this company, Welch has been able to speak to students

Molly Welch

Since large groups are not able to meet right now because of the pandemic, Welch is available to share her message in Zoom meetings/ conferences. She has also started a new initiative called Keep Your Eyes On the Road, which provides magnets to put on car bumpers to help raise awareness about focusing on driving while you are behind the wheel. Magnets are $10 each and can be purchased on GoFundMe (search “Keep Your Eyes On the Road”) or by visiting NorthAtlantaKids.com/asecondlater. Welch is determined to help keep others from making the same mistake she made. After 13 years, she still walks with a cane, has no use of her right arm, and has a softer speaking voice. Please help her bring attention to this dire problem. For more information or to arrange for speaking engagements, email ASecondLaterMedia@gmail.com.

Canton Family Life | FEBRUARY 2021

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“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the

Quotables

world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” “When you don’t show up as who you are, people fall in love with who you’re not. Then when they find out who you are, that’s when they leave.”

-Iyanla Vanzant

-Muhammad Ali

“Don’t worry about who’s following you or who’s not following you back. Worry about why that worries you.”

-Chris Rock

“If you want to fly, you have to give up everything that weighs you down.” -Toni Morrison

“Easy to spot a red car when you’re always thinking of a red car. Easy to spot opportunity when you’re always thinking of opportunity. Easy to spot

“Money is numbers, and numbers never end. If it takes money to be happy, your search for happiness will never end.”

-Bob MarleY

reasons to be mad when you’re always thinking of being mad. You become what you constantly think about. Watch yourself.”

-Denzel Washington

Serving Canton, Sixes/BridgeMill, Holly Springs, and Hickory Flat

“Sometimes you need to get knocked down to understand what your fight is.”

–Chadwick Boseman

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Senator Speaks

Life’s

MANY SEASONS

any years ago, several friends described the beauty of Seattle, Washington, and encouraged me to visit. That February, I was invited to participate in a weeklong conference held in that area. I was excited to see the Space Needle, the incredible architectural buildings, and Mount St. Helens. As a kid, I remember when Mount St. Helens spewed ash all over the Pacific Northwest, clear into my home state of Montana. When I landed, I was shocked about how dreary the city looked. The weather was rainy, foggy, and miserably cold. This was hardly the picture I had in mind when I accepted the invitation to travel there. I don’t believe the sun peaked through clouds for more than a few hours the entire time I visited. I remember wondering why anyone would think this depressing, gloomy place was so beautiful.

By State Senator Bruce Thompson

When I arrived back in Atlanta, I shared my disappointment about the trip with a colleague, who laughingly informed me that I had visited in the wrong season. After explaining that it takes dark, rainy days in winter to formulate the beautiful days of spring and summer, he suggested that I give Seattle another chance by visiting in the summer when I could truly experience its beauty. Two years later, I had another opportunity to visit Seattle. This time, I was traveling for a three-day conference in June, and what a difference a few months made. The sun was bright, people were jogging, and the sights I longed to see were clear and evident in the distance. The rain seemed like a distant memory, and the smell of fireplaces was replaced with the sweet smell of flowers and Starbucks coffee. America has experienced a very challenging winter thus far, enduring divisive senate elections, spikes in COVID-19, and an unpredictable stock market, but spring is on the horizon. While it may seem bleak now, soon barren Zoysia fields will transition into plush green yards, daisies will pop out with luscious blooms, and birds will once again chirp. Life has many seasons, and regardless of how challenging the year has been in certain circumstances, our Father in heaven is not surprised or caught off guard. In fact, he may actually orchestrate the clouds of life to ensure we appreciate the beautiful gifts that appear. As the rain and fog subside, “then I shall give you rains in their season, so that the land will yield its produce and the trees of the field will bear their fruit,” (Leviticus 26:4).

Bruce Thompson represents District 14, which includes Canton and Woodstock. 404-656-0065. BruceThompsonGa.com

Canton Family Life | FEBRUARY 2021

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WELLNESS AT HOME

Why Buy New in 2021? By Kelley Archer [Lifestyle] As we navigate these unusual times in our communities, the places we call home have suddenly taken on all new functions and purposes. Living rooms have become offices. Kitchen tables have become classrooms. A small journey outside has become a momentary “vacation” from the rooms and spaces we’ve come to know so well. Throughout all the uncertainty, one thing remains certain — a new home can signal a new beginning by improving your and your family’s overall wellness. BUILT WITH YOU IN MIND Master-planned communities rely on reputable home builders to create high quality environments behind every front door. As green and energy-efficient building materials continue to enter the homebuilding market (including energy-efficient windows and high-energy HVAC systems), new home buyers benefit from state-of-the-art advancements from day one as well as cost savings over time.

Serving Canton, Sixes/BridgeMill, Holly Springs, and Hickory Flat

WIDE OPEN SPACES As a new construction home buyer, you will work side by side with your selected builder to choose the specific layout that provides your family the space they’ll need as well as the look and feel you desire. Unlike purchasing a preowned home, there will be no need to make a list of updates and renovations the moment you move in because your new home will already be up to date and fully optimized. THE MASTER-PLANNED LIFESTYLE In addition to the home-focused benefits of new construction, new home master-planned communities provide opportunities for everyday lifestyles focused on well-being. In addition to amenities like pools and fitness centers, these communities are intentionally designed for access and connection to a variety of natural amenities including ponds, trails, and parks, all of which contribute to a holistic quality of life. Moreover, residents can take part in exclusive community events like cooking classes, pool parties, and golf outings. L

Kelley Archer is the marketing manager for Landeavor, the developer of the Great Sky community, 100 Sun Shower Ridge, Canton. 770-704-0234. GreatSkyGa.com

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Heirloom Apple Varieties in Georgia

By Joshua Fuder

[HomeLife] In terms of production and value, apples are one of the top three fruit crops in the United States. There are an estimated 7,500 named varieties with approximately 1,600 varieties that either originated or at one time were grown in the South. Sadly, over the last century, most of these varieties have been lost. By 2008, 90% of apple production was limited to just 15 varieties with “red delicious” accounting for 24%.

Since 2018, I have been collaborating with colleagues within UGA Extension and UGA history professor Dr. Stephen Mihm to establish The Georgia Apple Preservation Orchard at the Blairsville Research Station. In March 2020, a small team grafted 100 varieties in triplicate where they were potted and cared for throughout the growing season. Now, we will take grafted trees and plant them in their permanent orchard block in the field. While serving as a valuable preservation site, the project will also help reintroduce wonderful varieties to gardeners and apple consumers. If you grow an old, potentially rare variety, we’d love to hear from you. u rb Ta

Joshua Fuder is an agriculture and natural resources agent at the UGA Cooperative Extension Cherokee County. 770-721-7830. CAES.UGA.edu/extension/cherokee

w Yello

There are 59 officially recognized species within the Malus genus, with only four Malus species (crabapples) native to North America. The apple that we know and love, Malus x domestica, is an interspecies hybrid that was introduced to North America via seeds and plant material from Europe. Once here, apples quickly became critical to life. New orchards were typically planted from seed, which meant a new combination of genes and traits with every tree. This led to new varieties that fit a multitude of uses.

By the late 1800s, the many factors that contributed to the decline in apple varieties were all connected to the rapid industrialization of our country. These factors include external threats like changes in weather patterns, new invasive pests and diseases, and pests and diseases that develop resistance to standard control measures.

tto n

Preserving Rare and

Jun

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How Experts Can Help

Streamline Your Divorce Case By Melody Swilling, Esq.

[StrategicLife] The thought of adding on to your divorce team can seem daunting and costly. But, the right experts can help streamline the process, which may save time and money in the long run. Therapists — Therapists can help clients work through the emotional fallout and trauma of unpacking a relationship to help avoid processing these issues in the courtroom. Therapists also help clients improve communication through coparenting counseling sessions. Financial Planners — A certified divorce financial planner can help analyze current and post-divorce budgets as well as help with settlement negotiations to come up with well articulated alimony figures, both in monthly amount and length of time. Realtors — If you and your spouse plan to sell jointly owned property as part of your divorce, the right real estate agent can be a neutral voice of reason when it comes to marketing and pricing as well as what home improvements will help sell the home. Appraisers — When the parties cannot agree on what their real estate is worth, an appraisal can be a vital tool to give a realistic value of the property prior to settlement negotiations. Certified Divorce Mortgage Lenders — These professionals can weigh in on whether your Settlement Agreement language for real estate will pass through the underwriting process. They help ensure you have the best opportunity to secure mortgage financing moving forward. Tax Attorneys and Certified Public Accountants (CPA) Involving a tax attorney or CPA can help provide a realistic understanding of what the divorcing couple’s tax landscape should look like in hindsight if all tax returns are filed, and how to move the parties forward when tax liability will still be owed from one or both spouses. Accountants — If a party is moving money in a suspicious way to try to hide assets, a forensic accountant is vital early in the case to analyze the money trail. L

Melody Swilling, Esq. is an attorney, guardian ad litem, and mediator at Swilling Family Law Firm. 11175 Cicero Drive, Suite 172, Alpharetta. 678-646-6755. SwillingFamilyLaw.com

Serving Canton, Sixes/BridgeMill, Holly Springs, and Hickory Flat

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Advertiser Index The Arbor at BridgeMill

The Carpenter’s Shop

CASA SuperHero Run

Chamberhouse 19 Cherokee Children’s Dentistry

Cruise Planners

Downtown Canton

Falany Performing Arts Center

Fun Finds & Designs

The Goddard School

Graham B. Bailey – Edward Jones

Inside Front

Great Sky

Inside Front

Holly Springs Chiropractic & Massage

Ireland Restorative Dentistry

Jyl Craven Hair Design

Key’s Jewelry

Killian Automotive

Masterpiece Framer

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Mathnasium of Holly Springs

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North Georgia Vein & Wellness

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Reliable Built Homes

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Results Inc. Weight Loss Centers

ServiceWise Electric

Tecali Grille

Technical Resource Solutions

Three Sisters Gifts & Home Accents

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Canton Family Life | FEBRUARY 2021

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