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Contents
February 2021
VOLUME 8 | ISSUE 7
[16-17]
16-17 On the Cover
The Donnelly Group
20-21
Languages of Love Do You Speak Your Partner’s?
28 Artist Profile
Dustin Emory
[20-21] Follow Us >>>
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[28] Family Life Publications
Woodstock Family Life | FEBRUARY 2021
04
.......................... Perspective
06
.............................. Calendar
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................. Woodstock Notes
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.................... Community Life
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........................ Public Safety
18
................... Senator Speaks
19
........................ Book Review
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............... Community Partner
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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.
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Preserving Rare and
Jun
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Publisher’s Perspective PUBLISHER/PHOTOGRAPHER Jack Tuszynski Jack@FamilyLifePublications.com
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. Be careful. Strive to be happy.
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Cyndi Braun ART Stephanie Bolton Stephanie@FamilyLifePublications.com Tiffany Corn Tiffany@FamilyLifePublications.com Candice Williams Candice@FamilyLifePublications.com SALES Janet Ponichtera Janet@FamilyLifePublications.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Steven Anderson, Stacy Brown, Jyl Craven, Joshua Fuder, Matt Hayes, Lisa-Marie Haygood, Perry Houck, Tim Morris, Jessica Oravec, Michael Ray, Patti Richter, Ellen Samsell Salas, Melody Swilling, Bruce Thompson, Shannon Wallace
Family Life Publishing Group, Inc. 630 East Main Street Canton, GA 30114
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FamilyLifePublications.com Family Life publications have the largest monthly circulation of direct-mailed community magazines in our area. Woodstock Family Life is a monthly community magazine with a total print count of over 30,000, direct mailing over 28,000 copies to Towne Lake, downtown Woodstock up to Hickory Flat and toward the Roswell border. 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. Woodstock 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.
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Desiderata
EDITORIAL Julie Senger Julie@FamilyLifePublications.com
M AG A ZI
N
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
In
Jack Tuszynski, Publisher
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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.
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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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Calendar Due to ongoing public health concerns, please confirm each event’s details and safety precautions before attending.
FEBRUARY
4-7
Freaky Friday — When an uber-organized mother and her spontaneous teenage daughter magically swap bodies, they have just one day to put things right. Masquerading as each other, they must work together to solve the mystery of how to break the spell. Thursday-Saturday 7:30pm and Sunday 2:30pm, Elm Street Cultural Arts, 8534 Main Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. ElmStreetArts.org
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EmPOWer — This is a Young Professionals IN WDSTK networking event designed to create relationships and spark personal development, all while having a great time. 6:00-8:00pm, Location TBD, please visit the website for updates. 770-592-6056. InWDSTK.org/events
ONGOING
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iThink Improv Troupe — iThink Improv is back and ready to get its audiences rolling down the aisle with laughter, fully spaced out in the theatre! Bring friends and family to enjoy a hilarious evening filled with spontaneous moments. Tickets $5; recommended for ages 10+ (content). 8:00pm, Elm Street Cultural Arts Village, City Center Auditorium, 8534 Main Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. ElmStreetArts.org
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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
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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.
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City of Woodstock Arbor Day Celebration Tree Seedling Giveaway — In celebration of Arbor Day, the City will be giving away 700 tree seedlings including dogwood, redbud, and bald cypress. A free booklet with important tree care information is available on the website. A tree will also be planted in the name of City of Woodstock employees who are celebrating 20 years of employment. Tree Seedlings can be picked up at the following Woodstock locations: 8:00am5:00pm, City Hall Annex 12453 Highway 92; 10:00am-5:00pm, Woodstock Visitors Center at Dean’s Store, 8588 Main Street; and 9:00am-4:00pm, William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road. 770-592-6000 x1952. WoodstockParksAndRec.com
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.
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Woodstock Family Life | FEBRUARY 2021
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 Woodstock Walkers — Meet up with other local seniors every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to get daily low-impact exercise. Add
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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
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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
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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)
8:00am, Dupree Park, 513 Neese Road, Woodstock. WoodstockGa.gov Masters Disc Golf — On Fridays, seniors ages 50+ can get together to play disc golf. The whole course takes less than one hour to finish. Discs provided or bring your own. Please call or visit the website to register. 9:00am, Dupree Park, 513 Neese Road, Woodstock. 678-445-6518. WoodstockGa.gov YPOW AM — Join other young professionals every Thursday morning for coffee and networking, featuring an informal chat with a local leader. This is a FREE event, but please RSVP, as Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
space is limited. 7:00-8:30am, The Circuit, 1 Innovation Way, Woodstock. 770-592-6056. InWdstk.org/ events Morning INfluence On the last Friday of each month, breakfast is served at this networking event, which includes a brief presentation that focuses on updates given by greater Woodstock on important issues or services offered that affect the community as a whole. This is a FREE
MARCH
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2021 Georgia Has Talent Each year, the Beat Out Cancer Club at Cherokee High School 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 @georgiahastalent on Instagram and “Georgia Has Talent” on Facebook. The show will be prerecorded and streamed online on 3/20. 6:00pm, online platform TBD. GeorgiaHasTalent.com
event, but please RSVP, as space is limited. 8:009:00am, The Circuit, 1 Innovation Way, Woodstock. 770-592-6056. InWdstk.org/events INSeason Committee Meeting — On the third Thursday of each month, this committee creates projects that help activate and beautify the Woodstock community. Plantings, seasonal decor, tactical urbanism, and engagement events are discussed. 6:00-7:00pm, IN WDSTK office, 1 Innovation Way, Woodstock. 770-592-6056. InWDSTK.org/events
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Woodstock Notes
WOODSTOCK Georgia’s Best Galentine’s Day Destination By Stacy Brown to book spa treatments. Woodstock’s salons offer a luxurious array of services. While you can indulge in classic facials and massages, you can also take advantage of trends like body sculpting or even micro needling.
T
hough Galentine’s Day is a made-up holiday championed by a fictional character, we think Leslie Knope from NBC’s Parks and Recreation would find Woodstock to be the perfect place to celebrate female friendships. According to Knope, “Every February 13, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it, breakfaststyle, ladies celebrating ladies. It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus — frittatas.” Woodstock boasts plenty of top-notch restaurants serving breakfast and brunch. From buttery biscuits to fluffy pancakes, all with perfectly roasted coffee or expertly crafted cocktails alongside, there are ample options for a fantastic first meal of the day in “A City Unexpected.” Woodstock’s restaurants have made changes to keep patrons safe during the pandemic. If you’re opting for a virtual Galentine’s Day celebration in 2021, many of the city’s eateries also offer curbside carryout and/or delivery.
Though Knope asserts that Galentine’s Day is “wonderful, and it should be a national holiday,” the celebration won’t be closing banks and schools anytime soon, but you should still make a weekend of it — especially since it falls on Saturday this year. Book a safe stay right next to the outlets, so you can shop until you drop right into a comfy bed in a well-appointed suite. You could also snag a room for you and your besties at a hotel property within walking distance of Noonday Creek Trail, so you can walk off those brunch calories on your way back from downtown Woodstock. Find a spot to safely gather with your friends over waffles, plan some retail therapy, select a spa to soothe you, or discover a place for a safe overnight stay at VisitWoodstockGa.com.
Stacy Brown is the marketing and communications manager for the City of Woodstock. 770-5926056. WoodstockGa.gov
One of the hallmarks of Galentine’s Day is a heartfelt gift to show your best girls some love. Woodstock is home to the Atlanta area’s newest and best outlet shopping with around 100 luxury brands as well as a vibrant and authentic downtown district with more than two dozen unique shops and boutiques. You’re sure to find a great gift for your gal pals. Another way to ensure that Galentine’s Day is (as Leslie Knope asserts) “only the best day of the year” is
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Music Therapy Groups and Skills for the Workplace By Perry Houck, N.M.T., L.P.M.T., M.T.-B.C. [HealthyLife] Over the years, great minds have sought to define what it means to “thrive” in society. In addition to basic life needs, people must also have their basic social needs met in order to be flourishing members of their communities. These social needs require a balance of independence and dependence — receiving and giving care while benefiting and contributing to society. The opportunity to make meaningful contributions to society through gainful employment continues to be a challenge for members of the special needs community. Computer and other technical skills are important in most workplaces. However, soft skills like emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills, and effective communication are often overlooked, yet they are just as important. Music therapy groups are indicated to
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help those with neurological differences and developmental delays improve soft skills to facilitate access to opportunities in future work environments. Music therapists address soft skills through interventions based on evidencebased research. One intervention involves creating a musical ensemble. After assessing the abilities of each group member, the music therapist creates a musical arrangement with an adapted part for each person. To perform the piece of music, each member must demonstrate focused and selective attention while practicing his/her part; exercise impulse control while others practice; and demonstrate sustained, divided, and focused attention to perform the piece.
The music therapist provides musical structure and cueing to facilitate the intervention. When it comes time to present the piece, each group member experiences a microcosm of meeting his/her social needs — receiving the benefit of the work of others around him/her, but also making a meaningful contribution to others as well. These soft skills of listening, being aware of others, motivation within the group, and effective teamwork are paramount to being successful in a work environment. L
Perry Houck is an occupational therapist at In Harmony Pediatric Therapy. 9880 Hickory Flat Highway, Woodstock. 770-687-2542. InHarmonyPediatricTherapy.com
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Community Reeves House Update The Reeves House is Elm Street Cultural Arts Village’s upcoming visual arts center that is projected to open sometime this May. It is being built at cost by John Wieland Homes and funded by donations from the City of Woodstock, private foundations, as well as other companies and individual community members. Lots of progress has been made on the construction of the Reeves House! The exterior siding and paint have been completed, the concrete porches have been poured, interior painting has been done, and the shiplap accent wall behind the coffee/wine bar that extends across the adjacent ceiling has also been installed. Other cool historical touches that visitors can look forward to seeing are the interior sliding barn door, which was constructed by using salvaged wood from the original Reeves House. Engraved bricks that were sold to the community to raise funds for the new visual arts center will be embedded between sections of the concrete porch as well as in other exterior accents. Fundraiser bricks will be interspersed with bricks from the home’s old fireplace chimney that had remained on the land for years. The Juanita Hughes History Room also features a piece of wood above the doorway that was salvaged from the original Reeves House. Once completed, the Reeves House will be a home for the community to discover something new about each other and themselves. It will feature a gallery with rotating art exhibits from local, regional, and national artists; events that enhance the community pulse such as jazz nights, opening exhibitions, slam poetry, and coffee pouring competitions; and classes for all levels. If you want to show your heart for the arts and Elm Street, visit ElmStreetArts.org/give to help close the remaining 3% funding gap for The Reeves House. If you are curious about future happenings, please send inquiries to Info@elmstreetarts.org.
Bike Helmet Drive a Success An amazing team of students and faculty from the River Ridge HS band program, in partnership with the Holly Springs Optimist Club, organized a bike helmet drive for Cherokee County children and youths in foster care. The initial goal was to collect 50 helmets, but with the Band Boosters member Amber Isaksen community’s generosity and the students’ diligent efforts, the group collected 62 helmets for this deserving group of kids. To add to the challenge, the band students held a contest among themselves, and the Percussion Team won by collecting the most helmets. Band Director Ross Amend supported the efforts, while Amber Isaksen spearheaded the project along with Principal Todd Miller. The donated helmets were distributed through the Cherokee Secret Santa program, which helps ensure that local children and youths in foster care have a wonderful Christmas.
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Woodstock Family Life | FEBRUARY 2021
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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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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 postdivorce budgets as well as help with settlement negotiations to come up with well articulated alimony figures, both in monthly amount and length of time.
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
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
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Public Safety
National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month Help Break the Cycle By District Attorney Shannon Wallace
F
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 14
Woodstock Family Life | FEBRUARY 2021
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Post-Vet Appointment Etiquette in a Home With Multiple Cats By Michael Ray, D.V.M.
[HomeLife] Veterinarians often hear about problems in a multiple cat home after a visit to their office. Humans are often to blame. When we come home from a hard day of work, many of us announce our arrival, as we walk in. Cats do not do this and never appreciate abrupt returns. Not even the matriarch gets to come home loudly. I have been educated by two girl kitties that have disliked each other for almost 15 years. When one goes to the vet, her return home will be the worst part of the experience. I was doing things all wrong. While watching barn cats in Georgia, I noticed that when one returns after a kill and a solo meal, it will remain on the periphery and “sneak� back into the group as soon as the opportunity presents itself. The most amusing part is that the cat will
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
do it several times a day, and the colony seems to debate whether to accept the departed member on every return. In the past, I used to come in and announce my arrival, causing the cat coming out of the carrier to bolt out of sight and seem very embarrassed. I forced them to break a well-established cat code. Now, when I take one of my girls home, I do not make my initial entry with the offender. First, I enter to feed and greet the cat that stayed at the house. After a little time has passed, I will covertly exit the home and reenter through a different door when possible. I will then sneak the offender cat into the home and make the carrier disappear. When the cat is seen next, it is almost like she was stuck in the closet for the day. They
still do not like each other, but they are instantly back to normal with none of the drama that used to accompany the return. In my experience, it is less about smell and more about the presentation into the home, but I do strongly advocate the use of pheromones during travel to minimize adverse smells.
Michael Ray is a doctor of veterinary medicine at The Cat Clinic, 1002 Canton Street, Roswell. 770-552-7877. CatClinicOf Roswell.com
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COVER STORY
The Donnelly Group Home Building and Real Estate Sales
By Patti Richter
Ryan and Ashley Donnelly are a husband-wife team with a dual-focused real estate company — Donnelly Developments and The Donnelly Group with Atlanta Communities Real Estate Brokerage. Together, they help their clients build, buy, and sell some of the nicest homes in Cherokee County. The Donnellys began their married life during the Great Recession with very different vocations. Ryan began his career working for Cherokee County as an assistant district attorney, and Ashley worked in the health care field. But it did not take them long to make a leap of faith and decide to follow their passions in real estate.
Best of Both Worlds Since 2015, Ryan and Ashley have worked full time in construction and real estate. Ryan credits his father-in-law, a long-time builder, for their career reset, especially for mentoring him in the home building business. What really sets the Donnelly businesses apart is the couple's ability to help clients in all aspects of the home buying experience. “From the beginning, we’ve had the benefit of working together to achieve our clients’ goals. Ashley does an amazing job of working to ensure their home building and buying process is as smooth as possible. She’s great at finding the perfect home, which can be difficult to find in a seller’s market,” Ryan says. Ryan can assist clients in creating exactly what they desire. Whether it’s buying new construction or an existing home or selling a current home or a fixer-upper, the Donnelly expertise in real estate and construction is a valuable asset to any client.
Boutique Construction Donnelly Developments specializes in building modern farmhouse, traditional, and craftsman style homes. They’ve built in the Brookfield and Wilshire Estates subdivisions in White, Georgia (west of Canton) and in Sawyers Farm in Waleska. They also build custom homes in Cherokee, Bartow, and Pickens counties for individuals who have their own land.
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Ryan says their clients truly create a new home instead of just buying a new one: “From the initial consultation, to floor plan selection, to design choices, we are with you all the way.” Unlike large nationwide builders who only offer limited selections with no modifications, the Donnelly team offers a happier home building experience. Instead of having to choose everything in a single so-called “design” meeting, clients can express their ideas and pick out everything from doorknobs to light fixtures. “We assist our clients in designing homes that stand the test of time,” Ryan says. As the home is built, Ryan emphasizes that most builders have a cost-plus method that will change according to the actual price. “Buyers pay those builders an extra 15% for everything they choose to add to their home. Our fee, however, is fixed — it doesn’t change if the market prices for material and labor increase. Our fee is set before a client signs a contract,” Ryan explains. Building and buying choices can be overwhelming to people. The Donnelly team is happy to look at any lot a client is interested in to let them know if it will work with the plan the buyer has in mind. “We understand that most people have no idea how to begin. If they don’t have a floor plan, we help them find one. They can use one of our plans or work with our architect to draw one from scratch,” says Ryan.
A Better Buying and Selling Experience The real estate market in Cherokee County is on fire, and the current housing shortage has made it more important than ever to work with an experienced team of realtors. Ashley’s team has the expertise
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
needed to get the best results for clients. “The most important attribute of a great realtor is communication,” Ashley says. “Whether buying or selling a home, there is never a time that my client should feel that they can’t get in touch with their realtor and know exactly what is going on in their deal. We understand that not everybody is familiar with the intricacies of buying a home, and we truly enjoy walking them through every step to the closing table.” “Our clients can expect clear communication,” Ryan adds. “We will always be upfront and honest and do everything possible to keep them informed and involved in either the building or buying process.” The Donnelly Group has helped dozens of families achieve their dream of owning a home. They understand that your home is more than a place to live. “Home is where you raise your family and create lifelong memories, and that is why
you can trust us when you’re ready to build, buy, or sell,” Ryan says.
For more information, please call, email, or visit the website.
DonnellyDevelopments@gmail.com Ryan Donnelly 678-708-7940
DonnellyGroupGA@gmail.com Ashley Donnelly 678-230-2911
DonnellyDevelopments.com
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17
Senator Speaks
Life’s
MANY SEASONS
M
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
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Book Review BY JESSICA ORAVEC
NATURE of FRAGILE THINGS The
In
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.
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
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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”:
1
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. Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
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.
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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Thank you to the Woodstock community for voting
Oaks at Towne Lake Best Senior/Adult Living!
The Salabarria family has been faithfully serving elders in Georgia since 1998. Their commitment to being personally available to residents, their family members, and staff is what sets them apart from most senior living operators. Oaks at Towne Lake is nestled on 5.6 acres next to the Rose Creek Library on Towne Lake Parkway, with 57 assisted-living and 29 memory-care apartments. Each aspect of the Towne Lake community has been built with the best interests of elders in mind, fulfilling a mission that CEO Alex Salabarria and his father began more than two decades ago. It is all too common that adult children face difficult decisions about caring for their parent when they are no longer able to care for themselves. With longevity and population on the rise, the chances are that most adult children, at some point, will find themselves as the primary caregiver for a parent.
Why Choose the Oaks? Residents feel valued. The family’s mission is to provide an environment where residents are valued and appreciated, honoring personal choice, and providing a sense of purpose while enabling meaningful relationships. Some of the unique amenities include all-day dining; bird aviaries; aquariums; community pets; a chapel; separate secured memory care; and on-site physical, speech, and occupational rehab.
“We embrace a philosophy that care is a collaborative partnership where caregivers and care receivers are described as care partners,” said Andrew Greeson, director of operations. “Each is an active participant in the balance of giving and receiving care or helping others to grow. Our goal is to enhance each resident’s well-being by eliminating the three plagues associated with growing older: loneliness, helplessness, and boredom. We try to combat each of these through opportunities for companionship and relationships, activities that not only are enjoyable but provide purpose or that provide moments to help others, and by giving meaning to different parts of each resident’s day.” Residents are safe and social. While COVID-19 has affected everyone’s lives, Oaks Senior Living has found ways to keep residents safe while remaining social. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended screenings and protocols are in place for all staff, residents, and anyone who enters the community. Community-wide testing for residents and staff is done frequently, and any positive result triggers serial testing. In addition to team members wearing masks and eye protection, the company has invested in Global Plasma Ionization air purification systems that reduce the spread of disease through better indoor air. The company has also installed SafeHug Windows that are designed to help families safely see, hear, and touch loved ones. “The smiles and tears of joy we’ve witnessed during these visits remind us that nothing can replace the power of human touch,” said Denise Salabarria, V.P. of sales and marketing. “Families are able to spend their visit close to their loved one, holding hands and reminiscing without masks. The windows have made a world of difference for our residents and their family members.”
4580 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock, GA 30189 770-592-2195 • OaksSeniorLiving.com/oaks-at-towne-lake/woodstock-ga/ 22
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23
Straight, Healthy Teeth
To Last a Lifetime By Steven Anderson, D.M.D.
[HealthyLife] Chocolate, golf, or fresh apple pie may be a few of our heavenly hopes, but having straight teeth in this life is critical. While a smile with perfectly aligned white teeth is aesthetically pleasing, it also helps avoid serious oral diseases that will likely cause tooth loss if not corrected, which is why an astute dentist recommends teeth straightening. Periodontal disease is the deterioration or loss of the supporting bone around teeth. Bone is what holds our teeth in our mouth, and healthy pink gums should cover that bone. Our gums should not be red, tender, or bleed when we gently brush and floss. Bleeding gums can be an initial sign of periodontal disease. Crooked teeth collect plaque in overlapping areas, which is difficult to remove even with regular brushing and flossing. Plaque hardens and turns into a substance called “calculus.” Patients cannot remove hardened calculus at home, and it becomes a breeding ground
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Woodstock Family Life | FEBRUARY 2021
for harmful bacteria. Periodontal disease often sets in, and the bacterium involved destroys the supporting bone around teeth. Left untreated, the disease spreads, teeth become loose, and eventually need to be removed or may fall out. Dentists want their patients to keep their teeth, so they can enjoy eating chocolate and fresh apple pie (in moderation). Your dentist should courteously address problem areas during regular checkups. By performing a comprehensive periodontal exam with probing and X-rays, dentists will show patients existing problem areas and color images supporting periodontal findings. A periodontal exam can help you understand the gravity and severity of looming problems, which is critical during any initial dental exam. Periodontal disease is treated by “deep cleanings,” more frequent exams, and other drug or surgical procedures necessary to control it. Currently, there is no cure, so dentists must work with patients to control it. Proper periodontal disease treatment takes cooperation from patients, which may include treating
crooked teeth. Periodontal disease is serious and should command a patient’s attention once diagnosed. Modern medicine links periodontal disease to other medical issues such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Listen to your dentist and do your best to follow his/her advice. Back to straight teeth — clearly, avoiding periodontal disease is another benefit beyond the obvious cosmetic benefit of straight teeth. Traditionally, visible wire and brackets are used for children and adults. However, modern dentistry offers new and advanced methods to straighten teeth. These alternatives include clear, thin, plastic retainers (known as aligners) that fit over a patient’s teeth and slowly move them into alignment, similar to traditional wire methods. Many patients prefer clear aligners because they are removable, easily cleaned, soft to the inner lip area, not readily visible, and typically require a shorter treatment time. Ask your dentist about straighter teeth and other treatment alternatives to periodontal disease. After all, great dentistry is all about you and helping you arrive at the pearly gates with all your pearly whites intact. L
Dr. Steven Anderson practices cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentistry at Anderson Dental of Woodstock and East Cobb. 650 Claremore Professional Way, Suite 200, Woodstock, GA 30188. 770-384-8505. DrStevenAnderson.com
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Just Like That Stained Glass House [InGoodFaith] There is a stained-glass house located off the Brooklyn Bridge in New York that amazes me. I have never seen it in person, but the pictures are fascinating (seriously, google images of Tom Fruin’s Kolonihavehus). The multiple panes feature various colors that refract and reflect light in a beautiful kaleidoscope of daylight. It’s a bright pop of color in a concrete world. That house comes up often in conversations with my son. Well, the house specifically doesn’t, but the lesson that house teaches does. He’s in second grade, and, like any young child, he’s facing the journey of preadolescence to figure out how he fits in a social world. Everyone around him influences him. What’s alarming is how much that influence affects his confidence. What
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Woodstock Family Life | FEBRUARY 2021
By Pastor Matt Hayes happens on the outside has a dramatic effect on what exists on the inside. And when his world is bright, full of laughter and radiating joy, so does he. Just like that stained glass house. But what about when it’s dark? When the things around him lose light, and the influences sap his happiness, his confidence fades — just like that stained glass house. When the sun goes down, it has nothing to reflect. No colors. No radiance. No uniqueness. In the darkest night, its source of light can’t be external. But what if it was internal? So, when you google this house, the pictures at nighttime are the truly mesmerizing ones. Its source of beauty comes from the inside, and it shines on
everything else around it. That’s my prayer for my son — to be just like that stained glass house, shining on everyone around him because of his internal source of confidence. He’s in second grade; I believe he’ll get there. What about for us adults? Are we more affected by external sources, or are we affecting them? Does your confidence dissolve when your external circumstances turn sour? Or can the source of your confidence be internal, just like that stained glass house? L
Matt Hayes is the high school pastor at Woodstock City Church, 150 Ridgewalk Parkway, Woodstock. 470-689-6000. WoodstockCity.org
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Polished Peach Car Wash (PPCW) on Towne Lake Parkway is an Express Car Wash & Detail Center, delivering its best car wash in under three minutes! Customers will find a wide variety of car wash and detailing services on PPCW’s menu, both on-demand and by appointment. Owners and Cherokee County residents Wil and Brenda Esh have many years of car wash experience. When the opportunity to purchase Towne Lake’s Carwash & Detail arose, the Esh’s knew the business would need a complete overhaul and knew they had the fortitude to take on the challenge to restore the facility to meet Woodstock’s high standards. In November 2020, PPCW installed new modern equipment. They offer four exterior wash options that range from $10-$25 per wash -OR- $19.99-$39.99 per month for an Unlimited Wash Club Membership. Monthly Memberships are convenient since customers can zoom in and out in just a few minutes, or they can stay longer to use the free vacuums, towels, and cleaning solution to pamper the interior of their vehicle. Wash Club Memberships
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
are useful and cost effective because Members can wash and clean their vehicle as often as once per day. Customers can also choose to have PPCW Crew Members do all the work! They offer a Basic Interior/Exterior Service for $35, Hand Wash Service for specialty vehicles starting at $50, and Detailing Packages ranging from $65-$200 that will make your vehicle look like new! Polished Peach Car Wash & Detail Center offers gift cards, family plans, fleet services, school fundraisers, and more. For more information, contact Wil, Brenda, or Manager James Free. You may also visit their website at PolishedPeachCarWash.com.
1490 Towne Lake Parkway (just west of 575 – next to QT).
770-592-8102 | PolishedPeachCarWash.com
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27
ArtistProfile BY ELLEN SAMSELL SALAS
D
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.
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.”
“I like to think of
my work as ripping chunks of the world out and offering them to the viewer to contemplate.”
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.
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.”
After painting that first watercolor, he was hooked, though he turned his focus to large portraits often inspired by photographs.
“I like to think of my work as ripping chunks of the world out and offering them to the viewer to contemplate,” he said.
“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.
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.
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.
“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.
For additional information, or to see more of Emory’s work, visit Instagram – Dustin.Emory. 28
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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 Woodstock, including Towne Lake
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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29
A Second Later
Community Partner
In
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.
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Woodstock Family Life | FEBRUARY 2021
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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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