Woodstock Family Life 4-22 by Family Life Magazines

Contents

April 2022

VOLUME 9 | ISSUE 9

18-19

[18-19]

On the Cover

Outback Deck, Inc.

24-25

Save Mother Earth! Creative Ways To Repurpose Disposable Products

26 Teacher Feature

Morgan Hudson

[26]

32 Artist Profile

Rob Lassetter

[24-25]

[32] Follow Us >>>

Woodstock Family Life

Family Life Publications

| April 2022

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

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

................. Mayor’s Message

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

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

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

.................... Cherokee Office of Economic Development

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

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Publisher’sPerspective

Spring Cleaning

PUBLISHER/SALES Jack Tuszynski Jack@FamilyLifePublications.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Julie Senger Julie@FamilyLifePublications.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR Cyndi Braun

etter late than never, right? Spring has always been filled with inspiration for me, in life and in my career. The warmer temperatures tend to lead us outdoors, and we’re generally more active than in the colder months. The newness of life almost always helps generate a more youthful spirit.

It’s good to be able to get outside for cutting brush, weeding, prepping gardens, cleaning gutters, blowing leaves, and some general straightening up or “spring cleaning,” as it has come to be known. This year, doing yardwork with family will have more purpose and meaning. By spending more time with each other, we’ve been putting more heart into the process, creating a special place to relax and unwind together. Spring is a time to build and, often, to rebuild. Our world is always changing. Currently, there is much unrest in our society, our nation, and on our planet due to cultural, economic, and environmental crises. Each generation seeks to do better than those that came before it. For the most part, we’ve done well. Statistically, we live longer, healthier lives, but living longer has its consequences. As populations increase, so does the demand for housing, resources, and opportunities. With more burdens and limitations, greed, selfishness, empathy, and bitterness can knock the wind from our sails. We must remember to hold fast and pray often, always seeking ways to foster kindness.

ART Stephanie Bolton Stephanie@FamilyLifePublications.com Tiffany Corn Tiffany@FamilyLifePublications.com OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Vicky Tuszynski Vicky@FamilyLifePublications.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Steven Anderson, Michael Caldwell, Cherokee Office of Economic Development, Joshua Fuder, Barbara P. Jacoby, Tim Morris, Jeremy Morton, Jessica Oravec, Patti Richter, Ellen Samsell Salas, Bruce Thompson, Shannon Wallace, Scott Weaver

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

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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.

Woodstock Family Life

| April 2022

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Subscriptions are available for $25 per year. Please contact us for payment options.

Jack Tuszynski, Publisher

Family Life publications have the largest monthly circulation of direct-mailed community magazines in our area. Woodstock Family Life is a monthly community magazine that reaches more than 30,000 homes and businesses via digital subscription and direct mail in Towne Lake, downtown Woodstock up to Hickory Flat and toward the Roswell border.

M AG A ZI

It’s important for us to remember that life’s not perfect. It’s okay to take shelter or seek solace from what may befall us. But it’s more important, when the time is right, that we harness whatever it takes to gain a foothold and rise again, to be bolder and brighter than we were before, to be a positive influence on others, and enjoy the marvels of being renewed, refreshed, and resilient. Root firmly, find courage, break forth. Grow.

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PLE

When the daffodils begin to bloom each year, we’re reminded of their natural resiliency, as they instinctively seem to retract into the shelter of the ground when their surroundings cause them to get dark and cold, much like we do under similar circumstances. Then, when the right moment comes — and it always does — the daffodils burst forth with all the splendor within them, leading the charge into the new season.

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Calendar APRIL

1-17

New Media: Art + Technology — Check out this interactive exhibit, which explores the intersection of technology and art. Please check the website for gallery hours. The Reeves House, 734 Reeves Street, Woodstock. WoodstockArts.org

1 & 22

Parent’s Night Out — Drop off the kids at the pool, so you can enjoy adult time. Kids will swim, enjoy a pizza dinner, do crafts, play games, and end the night with a movie. Tickets $15 early registration or $20 late registration. 5:30-10:00pm, Cherokee County Aquatic Center, 1200 Wellstar Way, Canton. 678-880-4760. PlayCherokee.org

iThink Improv Troupe — This troupe will have audiences rolling down the aisle with laughter! Bring friends and family to enjoy a hilarious evening filled with spontaneous moments. Tickets $8 online/$12 at the door; recommended for ages 10+ (content). 8:00pm, City Center Auditorium, 8534 Main Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. WoodstockArts.org

ONGOING TrailStory: Last Stop on Market Street For the month April, there will be 15 signs along the trail with pages of the book Last Stop on Market Street, a national bestseller by Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson, on one side of the sign and interactive/ QR code questions about the book on the other side. Dawn to dusk, Trestle Rock Trail in Olde Rope Mill Park, 690 Olde Rope Mile Park Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1955. WoodstockParksAndRec.com Morning INfluence — Last Friday of each month. FREE, but registration is required due to limited space. 8:00-9:00am, The Circuit, 1 Innovation Way, Woodstock. 770-592-6056. InWdstk.org/events

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Stand Up For Seniors Volunteer Aging Council’s (VAC) Fundraising Luncheon Support VAC programs and get a delicious lunch for $5. All proceeds support seniors and senior veterans of Cherokee County. 11:30am-1:00pm, Merrill Gardens, 12730 Highway 92, Woodstock. VAC-CherokeeGa.org

EGG HUNTS

Flashlight Egg Hunt — Enjoy this fun twist on a classic Easter activity. Children will be divided into age groups up to 12 years old. Flashlights and some Easter baskets will be available. Activities before the hunt include food vendors, music, face painting, crafts, a kid zone, and visits with the Easter Bunny! The fee is $10 per child. 6:00pm event and 8:30pm egg hunt, Cherokee Veterans Park, 7345 Highway 20 East, Canton. PlayCherokee.org

The Lasting Laugh — Enjoy this new hybrid comedy series that brings in two different Atlanta-based comedians monthly, hosted by Jessica It’s All Good. Tickets $10 online/$14 at the door, recommended for ages 12+ (content). 7:30pm, City Center Auditorium, 8534 Main Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. WoodstockArts.org

Easter-Themed Hiking Scavenger Hunt Hop through the trails to find all the items in this scavenger hunt! Fee is $10 per person. All ages are welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult. 6:30pm, Lewis Park, 100-4466 E Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock. PlayCherokee.org

Eggs-traordinary Extravaganza — Traditional and underwater egg hunt! Children ages 3 and younger hunt for eggs on the lawn, and children ages 4-12 enjoy an underwater egg hunt. Registration is required. Photos with the Easter Bunny also available. 2:00-2:30pm lawn egg hunt and 2:30-5:00pm underwater egg hunts, Cherokee County Aquatic Center, 1200 Wellstar Way, Canton. 678-880-4760. PlayCherokee.org

Unwind Wednesdays First Wednesday of each month (April-October), enjoy a variety of food trucks, craft vendors, live music, and state-of-the-art playground equipment. 5:308:00pm, Cherokee Veterans Park, 7345 Highway 20 E, Canton. PlayCherokee.org Free CPR/AED Certification Class Last Saturday of each month. Donations are appreciated ($75 value). Preregistration is required. 9:00am-12:00pm, Cherokee County Fire Station 23, 7625 Vaughn Road, Canton. 770-406-6657. HFVA.org

Ladies’ Cancer Support Group — On the third Monday of each month, no matter the type of cancer or where you are in your journey (disease-free survivor or newly diagnosed), this group’s goal is to offer a loving and supportive environment and a positive outlook, focusing on the good things. Membership is kept completely confidential. RSVP to ensure adequate space. 6:30pm, 1062 Longwood Drive (Eagle Watch subdivision in Towne Lake), Woodstock. Coco092011@comcast.net Woodstock Farm Fresh Market — Each Saturday, 4/26-12/31, enjoy your hometown farmers market, featuring occasional chef demos from local restaurants. 8:30am-12:00pm, Market Street, Woodstock. VisitWoodstockGa.com

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Free Skin Cancer Screenings — Individuals 18 or older are invited to participate in this rapid screening. See your doctor for a complete exam. COVID-19 safety measures will be practiced. Please call to schedule an appointment. 6:00-8:00pm, Northside Hospital Cancer Institute Radiation Oncology, 460 Northside Cherokee Boulevard, Suite T10, Canton. 404-531-4444. Northside.com/healthscreenings

Discovering Disc Golf Participants will learn the basics of this sport, so they may walk away with the ability to play a round on the course. Three successive monthly classes are recommended to obtain all the information. This month’s session focuses on technique and strategy. Equipment for the class is provided. Registration required/$5 fee per person. 2:00pm, Dupree Park Prodigy Par 2 Disc Golf Course, 513 Neese Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1955. WoodstockParksAndRec.com

AMPED in the Park With Strongside — AMPED in the Park is a free monthly fitness series, presented by Woodstock Parks & Recreation and a monthly community partner. All workouts are fitness friendly (meaning you don’t have to be super fit to participate). Registration required. 9:00am, Northside Hospital Cherokee Amphitheater, 101 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1955. WoodstockParksAndRec.com

Art on the Spot — In under 3 hours, local artists create a piece of art on the spot that will be raffled off at the end of the night. 6:008:30pm, The Reeves House, 734 Reeves Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. WoodstockArts.org

21-6/19

Storytime Live! With Fancy Nancy — Bring the kids to listen to beloved children’s book character Fancy Nancy read a story. She will also pose for photos. FREE! 11:00am, Park at City Center gazebo, 101 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1955. WoodstockParksAndRec.com

The Garden Cemetery Movement Join Marcy Breffle, education manager at Atlanta’s Oakland Cemetery, for a FREE behind-the-stones look at the garden cemetery movement. 7:00pm, Rock Barn, 658 Marietta Highway, Canton. 770-345-3288. HistoryCherokee.org

Stacy Rose Art Exhibit — Rose’s art features a mixture of gestural mark making, process, and hard geometric lines to form a dichotomy between the immutable and the ethereal. This visual language is a study in opposing forces and how tension can lead to balance. Gallery hours, The Reeves House, 734 Reeves Street, Woodstock. 678-4944251. WoodstockArts.org

22-5/8

Sister Act Based on the hit movie with the same name, this upbeat musical follows wannabe star Dolores Van Cartier who witnesses a murder and is put into hiding as a nun. Fridays and Saturdays 7:30pm and Sundays 2:30pm, City Center Auditorium, 8534 Main Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. WoodstockArts.org [continued on page 8]

1 Million Cups The first and third Wednesday of the month, attend this FREE program designed to educate, engage, and accelerate early-stage startups. The notion is that entrepreneurs can discover solutions and thrive when they collaborate over a million cups of coffee. 9:00am, the first Wednesday is at The Circuit, 1 Innovation Way, Woodstock; check the online schedule for the location of the third Wednesday, which changes monthly. 770-345-0660. InWDSTK.org/events, Facebook.com/freshstartcherokee

Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

Marine Corps League Detachment 1311 Meeting — On the third Saturday of each month, the League meets to enjoy the camaraderie of fellow Marines while discussing issues such as rendering assistance to active and veteran Marines and observing the anniversaries of Marine Corps historical events. Membership is open to honorably discharged Marines and Fleet Marine Force Navy Corpsmen and chaplains. 9:30am, Semper Fi Bar & Grille, 9770 Main Street, Woodstock. 561-213-5699. Harry123130@gmail.com YPOW AM — Thursdays. Young professionals. FREE event. Please register since space is limited. Networking, featuring an informal chat with a local leader. 7:00-8:30am, The Circuit, 1 Innovation Way, Woodstock. 770-592-6056. InWdstk.org/events

Woodstock Business Club Meeting Each Thursday morning, come together with fellow business owners, professionals, and entrepreneurs to make positive changes in business and the community. 8:30am, Reformation Brewery, 105 Elm Street, Woodstock. 404-793-3312. WoodstockBusinessClub.com Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group On the second Thursday of each month, gather with other caregivers from the greater Woodstock community. 11:00am-1:00pm, Little River United Methodist Church, 12455 Highway 92, Woodstock. 615-293-1670.

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LIBRARY EVENTS

Calendar continued from page 7

SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org HICKORY FLAT 2740 East Cherokee Drive, Canton 770-345-7565

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

WOODSTOCK 7735 Main Street, Woodstock 770-926-5859 WATERCOLOR LANDSCAPE PAINTING April 11, 4:00pm, Hickory Flat Enjoy an afternoon of painting and chatting. After this event, paintings will be displayed in the library all month. Registration required. EASTER EGG HUNTS April 16, 11:00am and 12:00pm, Woodstock Hop into the library to meet the Easter Bunny himself! Enjoy an onsite egg hunt, story time, and plenty of Easter-themed crafts. Registration required. STORY TIME IN THE PARK April 21, 10:30am, Hickory Flat It’s story time in the great outdoors! Join Miss Leslie at J.B. Owens Park (2699 Hickory Road, Holly Springs) for reading, rhymes, and movement. LIBRARY INKLINGS April 23, 11:00am, Woodstock Bring your rough draft, finished copy, or writing ideas to this local writers group for critiquing and brainstorming. Ages 17 and older are encouraged. DINO DIG April 26, 6:00pm, Rose Creek Learn about dinosaurs at this interactive event. Dig for bones, explore specimens under a microscope, and make your own fossils. Registration required. JACKBOX PARTY GAME NIGHT April 28, 6:00pm, Rose Creek Ages 10-18 are invited to play Jackbox Party games. Games and light snacks will be provided. Registration required. 8

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Agriculture Expo — Visit 30 different agriculture booths and a children’s area with planting, animals, and games. There will also be door prizes, and food and drink will be available for purchase. 4:00-7:00pm, Cagle’s Farm, 362 Stringer Road, Holly Springs. 770-479-1481. SFPahl@gfbco.org

Discovering Fishing This introductory class is designed to teach participants the basics of this wonderful recreational activity. You’ll learn about equipment needed and how to use it, ideal fishing times, and best practices once you’ve caught a fish. All equipment is provided. Registration required. Fee is $5. 9:00am, Dupree Park pavilion #2, 513 Neese Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1955. WoodstockParksAndRec.com

Essential Gardening: Cutting Gardens Learn about how to select annuals, perennials, and woody plants, so you can transform your garden into a season-long source of beautiful bouquets. Registration required. Fee is $5. 10:00am, William G. Long Senior Center Activity Center Expansion, 223 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1955. WoodstockParksAndRec.com

Senior Center Murder Mystery After Hours Seniors can enjoy a meal and test their mystery solving skills. Fee is $5 with a Senior Center membership, which can be purchased at the door. 4:00-6:00pm, William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 678-445-6518. WoodstockParksAndRec.com

Discovering Gold Panning — Check out this historical and functional introduction to panning for gold, enabling participants to pan the many authorized gold creeks of Woodstock and Cherokee County. Registration required. Fee is $5. 1:00pm, William G. Long Senior Center Activity Center Expansion, 223 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1955. WoodstockParksAndRec.com

Senior Center Mother’s Day Luncheon — Moms can come out to enjoy a delicious lunch. Fee is $10 with a Senior Center membership, which can be purchased at the door. 12:00-2:00pm, William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 678-445-6518. WoodstockParksAndRec.com

Greenstock Day Recycling & Paper Shredding Event — Let the Spring cleaning begin! FREE, but there is a fee for TV recycling. 9:00am-1:00pm, Woodstock ES, 230 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1952. WoodstockParksAndRec.com

Master Gardeners Plant Sale — This event will feature varieties of plants, shrubs, trees, and garden accessories. All plants are propagated by the master gardeners. 9:00am-12:00pm, Cherokee County Senior Center, 1001 Univeter Road, Canton. CherokeeMasterGardeners.com

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Inaugural Gala & Benefit for the Children — Organized by the Cherokee County Service League, the evening will include a live band, heavy hors d’oeuvres, dancing, a raffle, and a silent auction. A portion of the proceeds will benefit MUST Ministries. Tickets are $75. 6:00pm, Timbers on Etowah, 225 Reformation Parkway, Suite 202, Canton. ServiceLeague.net

Church Easter Listings BridgePointe Church 7745 Main Street, Woodstock 770-517-2977 | BPC.life

First Baptist Church Woodstock 11905 Highway 92, Woodstock 770-926-4428 | FBCW.org

Grow Church

An Evening in Spring Classical Music Concert — Enjoy a spectacular evening of classical music performed by the renowned Georgia Musicale Group. This event is a fundraiser for the Cherokee Arts Center. Tickets $15. 6:00pm, Cherokee Art Center, 94 North Street, Canton. 770-704-6244. CherokeeArts.org

SKILLS: Gun Safety — Taught by a firearm instructor from the Woodstock Police Department, this class covers the importance of gun safety, paying particular attention to the four cardinal rules. Safe ways to store a firearm in the home and the avenues to obtain training on shooting and carrying will also be discussed. Fee is $5. 10:00am, William G. Long Senior Center Activity Center Expansion, 223 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1955. WoodstockParksAndRec.com

MAY

2510 East Cherokee Drive, Woodstock 770-693-1018 | GrowChurch.org

15 G ood Friday 7:00-8:30pm (childcare available for ages 4 and under)

17 E aster Service 10:30am in the Center

St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church

14 H oly Thursday 7:00pm Last Supper Mass (bilingual) 15 G ood Friday 12:00pm Outdoor Stations of the Cross 1:00pm Seven Last Words 3:00pm (Spanish) 7:00pm (bilingual) Outdoor Stations of the Cross 16 Holy Saturday 8:00pm Easter Vigil Mass 17 E aster Sunday Masses 7:00am, 9:00am 11:00am, 12:45pm 2:30pm (Spanish)

490 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-516-0009 SaintMichaelCC.org

Timothy Lutheran Church 556 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-928-2812 TLCWoodstock.org

Senior Center Grand Open House Come check out your local senior center and enjoy free food and entertainment as well as access to the Center’s golf simulator, pool hall, and bocce ball courts. 12:00-3:00pm, William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 678-445-6518. WoodstockParksAndRec.com

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15 Good Friday 7:00pm 17 R esurrection Sunday 9:00am and 11:00am

Jubilee Church 260 Parkway 575, Woodstock 573-280-9900 | JubileeChurch.com

Kentucky Derby Day — Enjoy History Cherokee’s signature fundraising event, supporting all historic preservation and education programs for the society. Gather to watch the race, sip mint juleps, and dine on gourmet food. Ladies are encouraged to wear their finest chapeaux to qualify for entry in the hat parade and contest. There will also be a silent auction and a pony pull. Visit the website for tickets. 4:30-7:30pm, The Mill on Etowah, 225 Reformation Parkway, Canton. 770-345-3288. HistoryCherokee.org

17 E aster Services 9:15am and 10:45am (free family photos at both services)

The Way | Woodstock 109 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock 678-445-3480 TheWayWoodstock.com

6 Lenten Service 11:00am 7:00pm (livestream) 6:00pm family supper 10 P alm Sunday 8:30am (livestream) 11:00am Holy Communion at both services 14 M aundy Thursday 11:00am 7:00pm (livestream) Holy Communion at both services 15 G ood Friday Tenebrae Service 11:00am 7:00pm (livestream) 17 E aster 6:30am Sunrise service with Holy Communion 7:30am Easter breakfast 8:30am (livestream) 11:00am Service with Holy Communion 6 Easter Egg Hunt Time TBD. Please visit the website or call for details. 17 E aster Services 7:00am Sunrise 9:00am Traditional 11:00am Modern FamilyLife Publications.com

Mayor’s Message

State of the City Recap

By Mayor Michael Caldwell

Woodstock’s new mayor, one of my first official duties was to present the State of the City Address to our council and the public. My speech highlighted that our city is leading from a position of strength. With publications like Homes.com and Money Magazine ranking Woodstock among the best places to live in America, Safewise.com calling us one of the safest cities in the state, and an unemployment rate resting at a historic low 2.8%, the state of our city is strong and growing stronger. Woodstock’s revenues have outpaced projections and expenses, our reserves are growing, and most importantly — we have kept a responsible, low debt ratio all while maintaining some of the lowest property tax rates in Georgia. Our population has grown from 4,500 in 1990 to more than 35,000 in 2020, which establishes Woodstock as the largest city in Cherokee County and the 29th largest city in the state. There is no doubt about it: we have built a place where people want to be. With growth comes some major challenges. We’ve seen strain on our transportation network and other city services. During my speech, I reminded the audience that though these problems must be solved, nearly every other community in America would do anything in their power to have these problems. We face the problems that come

Woodstock Family Life

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with success and an attractive community, rather than those that come with a declining city where people can’t wait to leave. Our position is strong, and we can shift these problems into opportunities. Despite nearly 50% growth in population over the past 10 years, our Woodstock Police Department effected a 44% reduction in crime during the same period. While the metro Atlanta region is seeing historic crime spikes, Woodstock has cut crime in half. Meanwhile, our award-winning fire department has responded to a record number of calls, and they are meeting these new needs with a newly established training officer and an eye to the future. Traffic and parking have become chief pressure points over the past decade. Our Public Works department is proposing the first 10 Year Comprehensive Transportation Plan in Woodstock’s history. We’re among a small handful of cities statewide that will have established this level of long-term planning, and with projects like our Hub Transformation Project already underway to dramatically improve our downtown traffic flow, we’re well on our way to the next generation of efficient infrastructure. We’ve long established Woodstock as a great place to live and play. We’re engaging in a concerted effort to begin attracting employers to our city to diversify our

commercial mix and to encourage more of our residents to work a short distance from home. We’re not chasing Fortune 500 headquarters. We’re chasing small business employers who create 80% of the jobs in our state, many of whom already live in our city, and we’re going to bring their businesses back home. This will have a dramatic impact on both our traffic footprint and, more importantly, our residents’ quality of life. You can watch my entire State of the City Address at MayorCaldwell.com. We’ve built Woodstock into something special. I am calling on us to lean in. Together, we will build a community that is connected through walkable grid-streets and trail systems. Together, we will build a forward-looking city by ensuring our home ownership rates remain high and our plans are data-driven. Together, we will build a safe city that values public safety personnel and public servants who work on our behalf every day. Together, we will build a city that will be worth passing on to our children.

Michael Caldwell is the mayor of the City of Woodstock. 678-523-8570. WoodstockGa.gov

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Community Cherokee County School District Announcements Etowah HS Junior Named One of Top 21 Youth Leaders in Georgia Ila Prabhuram has been honored by the 21st Century Leaders nonprofit organization with its 2022 Georgia Youth Leadership Award. The annual awards recognize the “extraordinary achievements of 21 inspirational high school students from across Georgia, and their commitment to leadership in their communities and schools.” The honorees are chosen by a member selection committee made up of Atlanta Business Chronicle “40 Under 40” members and 21CL board of directors, alumni, and student peers. Each honoree is awarded a $500 grant and is paired with a “40 Under 40” leader to serve as a professional mentor. Etowah HS Air Force JROTC cadets (above). Lt. Col. (Ret.) Bergey (right).

JROTC Program Receives Highest Accolades The Etowah HS Air Force JROTC program recently earned an overall unit assessment score of Exceeds Standards, the highest rating available. Only one time prior in its 27-year history has Etowah’s JROTC earned this elite score, which ranks the program in the top 12% worldwide. Units are assessed every few years by a national inspector, who reviews all aspects of the program. The Etowah unit is headed by lead instructor, Lt. Col. (Retired) Stephen Bergey, and Technical Sgt. (Retired) Ciarra Malto. The program’s numerous extracurricular programs include an Aero Club, Cyber Patriot and Academic Bowl teams, and Raider competition team, which has earned All-Service National rankings in its first three years competing. In recognition of its excellence, the unit has been recommended for the prestigious Air Force JROTC unit-level award of Distinguished Unit With Merit for the 2021-2022 Academic Year. The unit was also awarded a $10,000 drone with infrared capability and other special features. In addition to the honor of the highest assessment score, the accomplishment allows the program to retain Honor Unit status for three years and to nominate five students each year for appointment consideration at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Lt. Col. (Ret.) Bergey has been tapped to develop an Air Force National Championship for the JROTC Raider competition program and is one of eight nominees, out of 1,900 Air Force JROTC instructors worldwide, being considered for Outstanding Instructor of the Year honors. 12

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Etowah HS Senior Named to All National Symphony Orchestra Ryan Lofland was selected for the National Association for Music Education’s All National Symphony Orchestra and earned the position of sitting top chair in the country for tuba. A three-year member of the Georgia All-State Band, Lofland won a spot in the national group by undergoing a rigorous audition process. As part of the national orchestra, Lofland recently participated in the association’s Honor Ensemble Performance, a three-day virtual event. He and fellow top young musicians practiced under the guidance of master instructors and had the opportunity to speak with composers. “The amount of feedback I got from so many professionals was such a great way to hear a new perspective of my playing and allowed me to grow tremendously as a musician,” said Lofland, regarding the virtual event.

River Ridge HS Senior Wins National Merit Corporate Scholarship Rachel G. Kim has earned the National Merit Raytheon Scholarship. She plans to study computer science. Raytheon Co. is an international technology and innovation company specializing in defense, security, and civil markets. Kim is one of only about 1,000 distinguished high school seniors nationwide to win corporatesponsored National Merit Scholarship awards financed by corporations, company foundations, and other business organizations. Corporate awards range in value of $500 or more, and Kim’s scholarship is for $2,500. Recipients can use their awards at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university of their choice. Add

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Community

2021 Partners of the Year, Volunteers of the Year Named CCSD recently honored a Partner of the Year and a Volunteer of the Year for each individual school and center. The overall Partner of the Year and Volunteer of the Year were selected from that pool of 79 honorees.

Dupree Park Tennis and Pickleball Courts Under Renovation The City of Woodstock Parks and Recreation Department has temporarily closed the Dupree Park tennis and pickleball courts. Once the renovations are completed in mid-April, weather permitting, the Department will introduce several instructional programs to teach citizens how to play pickleball and/or tennis. “The project will provide dedicated courts for pickleball, which has been a very popular program offered by the City of Woodstock and is in high demand. We are equally excited to have two dedicated tennis courts that will provide the community a place to play and not have to share with other sports. In addition to a great facility, there will be more opportunities to offer programs and leagues for both programs,” said Woodstock Parks and Recreation Director Michael Huffstetler.

Cherokee Fire Appoints New Deputy Chiefs The Laurel Canyon Optimist Club (above), the CCSD Preschool Centers’ Partner of the Year, was named the 2022 Partner of the Year, and Peter Gleichman (below), the Hasty Elementary School Fine Arts Academy Volunteer of the Year, was named the 2022 Volunteer of the Year.

Last month, Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services appointed Kevin Lanier (L) to the position of deputy chief of Operations, and Shane West (R) was named the new deputy chief of Support Services. Beginning in 2000, Chief Lanier has worked at several fire stations throughout the county. In 2021, he rose to the rank of division chief, serving as the A-Shift commander. He is also a certified Georgia Chief Fire Officer from the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs. Chief West has worked for Cherokee County Fire since 1995. He obtained his paramedic license, served as an instructor for both fire and medical education, successfully completed the Georgia Smoke Diver program, received the Georgia Chief Fire Officer certification, and chaired several committees and projects to improve the department’s success.

City of Woodstock Announces New Staff Positions “We need you. We respect you. We’re so glad you’re with us,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said, as he congratulated the auditorium filled with outstanding volunteers and partner businesses and organizations. “The time, talent, and treasure you share are valuable beyond measure. We appreciate you and thank you.”

Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

The City of Woodstock recently hired Elicia (Elle) Taylor (L) as its new city clerk and promoted Katie O’Connor (R) to deputy community development director. As administrative office coordinator for the City of Alpharetta, Taylor served as board secretary for the Planning Commission, Design Review Board, and Board of Zoning Appeals. She also served as Alpharetta’s

Planning and Zoning coordinator, making her very familiar with the public hearing process. O’Connor has served as senior city planner since December of 2015. She began working for the City of Woodstock with an internship as assistant program coordinator for the Sustainable Woodstock program in June 2010. She was promoted to development services supervisor in 2012 and became a city planner in 2013. O’Connor earned her American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) qualification in 2017. FamilyLife Publications.com

Community (L-R) Sheriff Frank Reynolds, Amy Economopoulos, Amy Turcotte, and Chief Deputy Tommy Pinyan.

Frank Reynolds Charities Celebrates Successful Golf Tournament Fundraiser Frank Reynolds Charities recently made donations to two local organizations with proceeds from its annual charity Golf Tournament, which was held last October at Hawks Ridge Golf Club. The first donation of $15,000 was made to the Anna Crawford Children’s Center, which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect. For more information on the Anna Crawford Children’s Center, visit CherokeeChildAdvocates.org.

Victim Advocate Receives Statewide Award During the recent Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia’s annual Victim Witness Assistance Program (VWAP) conference, Kayla Cleveland was named the 2022 VWAP Director of the Year.

Kayla Cleveland after receiving the 2022 VWAP Director of the Year award.

Cleveland is director of the Victim/Witness Unit for the Office of the Cherokee County Solicitor-General. She joined the office in April 2014, as the sole victim advocate. In less than five years, she was promoted to director, and grew the Victim/Witness Unit to add three more advocates.

“Nowhere in the entire state will you find an advocate who devotes herself to the service of victims’ rights and needs more completely. Without hesitation, she tirelessly goes the extra mile to see that their voices are heard, and that they are not left out of the process, as the wheels of justice turn around them,” said Solicitor-General Todd Hayes during the awards presentation.

The second donation of $15,000 was made to The Children’s Haven, which is a nonprofit organization that promotes the health and happiness of children impacted by abuse. For more information on The Children’s Haven, visit CherokeeChildrensHaven.org. “I want to thank everyone who helped organize and sponsor the golf tournament, as well as all the people who played in the annual event. Your involvement helped us make a huge impact on these two wonderful organizations here in Cherokee County,” said Sheriff Frank Reynolds.

(L-R) Victim Witness advocates Rebekah Smith, Emily Cipra, and Kayla Cleveland; Solicitor-General Todd Hayes; and Assistant Solicitor-General Kryss Roch.

A Night of Fundraising Success and Alumni Winners This year’s Cherokee County Educational Foundation (CCEF) Gala raised more than $175,000 for Classroom Impact Grants for Cherokee County School District schools. The community supported the CCEF with donations for the silent auction as well as through the purchase of tables to attend the event. The highlight of the evening was the surprise presentation of the prestigious Alumni of the Year Awards. This year’s winners were Blue Ridge Superior Court Judge Tony Baker and president and CEO of the Cherokee Office of Economic Development, Misti Martin. Both winners are graduates of Cherokee HS who have made significant contributions to the Cherokee County community, making it a better place for all to live, work, and play.

Woodstock Family Life

| April 2022

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FamilyLife Publications.com

Senator Speaks

Are You Inviting Stress in Your Life? By State Senator Bruce Thompson

ears ago, before it became popular to shop on Amazon and other retail websites, many of us attempted to finish Christmas shopping early to avoid the stress of crowds and limited inventory. I say “attempt” because, while we may have secured a gift or two by early November, we would inevitably find ourselves lured into shopping on Black Friday. Shopping on the day after Thanksgiving is fraught with stress, beginning with the first daunting task of securing a parking spot without circling the lot for hours. Once parked, shoppers hope that no more than 50 people will be camped out, ready to be the first to enter the store. Regardless of the size of the crowd, the starting line is always a restless bunch. It’s not uncommon to see more than 100 people lined up to rush the aisles, as if they’re at the starting line of the Peachtree Road race. Once inside the store, the experience feels more like the Daytona 500 than a civilized shopping trip, with carts bumping into each other and people racing around the aisles, rushing to find advertised bargains. Sometimes, I would quickly achieve my goal and exit the store with my gift. But many times, the item I was looking for was already sold out, or the line to secure it exceeded my patience level and the value of the deal.

Many times, we make decisions that invite stress. An example of this from the Bible is when David runs for his life from King Saul. We are not exactly sure what David did, but we know it was enough to make the king mad. When the Israelites complained to Moses while he was leading them out of Egypt, he and Aaron humbly prayed to God for answers rather than allowing their situation to dictate their attitudes. Luke chapter 9 teaches that procrastination is not acceptable because there is always another reason or excuse not to do what needs to be done. In fact, on one occasion, Jesus is addressing followers about obedience and uses a parable to explain, “No one having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God!” While it is true that we can’t avoid stress, we can avoid making decisions that invite stress.

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

By the time I returned home with or without the gift, I was exhausted by the whole experience. On Black Friday, it was common to see customers in shouting matches with each other, sometimes becoming physical, over items they were trying to secure for loved ones — all in the name of Christmas. The stress to find a perfect gift at a great price was substantial. Some years, I found myself last-minute shopping on Christmas Eve in crowds that rivaled those of Black Friday. With predominately male shoppers out the day before Christmas, we silently acknowledged each other as members of the “procrastination club,” with a symbolic nod of the head, as we passed by each other. We put ourselves in this stressful situation, knowing the crowds would be heavy and choices limited. 16

Woodstock Family Life

| April 2022

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Inspiring Outdoor Living Spaces

The Brickleys, Outback Deck customers, with their dog, Spark.

he current economy features sharply rising costs of fuel, food, paper products, and nearly everything else. But for many who experienced the challenges of the 2007-2009 recession, it’s a roundtwo experience. Those in constructionrelated businesses have had to look harder at the services and products they offer.

Woodstock Family Life

| April 2022

Bryan Miller, founder of Outback Deck in Woodstock, well remembers the economic downturn during that time, especially since it led to a change of direction in his work. After 20 years in the home remodeling industry, he turned to growing opportunities in creating residential outdoor spaces. “Home sales and new construction came to a standstill at that time,” Miller says. “Most homeowners decided to stay put in their homes and find ways to improve them.”

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COVER STORY By Patti Richter

CREATING GREAT SPACES In the ongoing pandemic, with many people now working from home (some permanently), home improvement has resurged. Homeowners want to enjoy their space both inside and outside. “They’re using home equity as an affordable way to expand their outdoor living space — for both recreational and entertaining purposes,” Miller says. After establishing his business in 2010, Miller merged with John Gwaltney, who ran a successful home exterior business for years. These two senior partners at Outback Deck oversee every aspect of their growing company. While Miller manages sales leaders, team training, and leadership development, Gwaltney directs marketing, operations, and financial management. Both share a passion for creating great spaces. “We believe if you have an outdoor space, you should want to spend time in it,” Gwaltney says. “Our company slogan says it all, ‘Life Happens Outback.’ It’s a great feeling to help our customers create an oasis to enjoy in their own backyard.”

GROUND-LEVEL, RAISED, AND MULTI-LEVEL SPACES Outback Deck is known for designing safely. “Customer satisfaction means not only exceptional service and products, but also safe practices — a main focus for us,” Miller says. “Part of our process is to exceed building code — not just checking boxes. A full-time project manager oversees each job, and we ensure that our team is building safely, even hiring a third party to perform spot safety inspections.” “Trust, confidence, care, and grit are core values for us,” Gwaltney adds. “And we provide a ‘BuiltSafe Guarantee’ to our customers.” Outback Deck’s attention to superior products and safe processes is important since today’s outdoor space is typically more than a simple cement patio or wooden deck on the backside of a home. Decks and patios now include multiple spaces and enhanced features such as pergolas, under-decking, firepits, outdoor kitchens, brushed Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

or patio while still enjoying ventilation. The louvers can be closed into a beautiful flat ceiling for shelter against wind, rain, and snow. or stamped concrete, and more. Outback Deck crews can do it all. “Besides our experts in carpentry and finish work, we have a full-time architect-designer on staff,” Miller says. “We provide a full set of computerassisted design plans. We’re also known for using long lasting, low maintenance products. Just rinse with a garden hose!”

LATEST AND GREATEST Outback Deck uses the best brands in the manufactured decking industry. “We’re forward thinking, known for synthetic decking — the best designed and best looking materials. We’re always looking to find the newest, latest, and greatest deck designs and products,” says Miller. They choose super-low-maintenance, one-anddone products that are weather resistant and easy to maintain, with no need for coatings or intense cleaning, and no ongoing expenses or warranty issues.

A PROVEN PROCESS Outback Deck offers custom projects as opposed to a quick fix for an outdoor space. Their solution specialists give guidance to customers, beginning with an initial visit and followed by a design process and presentation that help clients determine their best options. “The Outback process provides everything a client needs from start to finish,” Gwaltney says. “We offer fast, accurate pricing and excellent workmanship. We’re committed to giving customers the best experience in creating a new deck, porch, patio, or pergola.” “Customers appreciate having everything well communicated and in writing,” adds Miller. “If homeowners will look beyond price alone, they can avoid common pitfalls with contractors: poor communication, unrealized expectations, and unforeseen extra costs. We combat these issues by offering a proven process to deliver on our promises.”

Miller and Gwaltney are excited about one of their newest products — a louvered pergola. The Sundance Louvered Roof is a structurally engineered pergola suitable for any climate, designed to provide year-round luxury in outdoor living. Made of high quality aluminum, it’s both durable and elegant. While porch roofs are also durable, they block light, and wood pergolas are not all-weather friendly. But the louvered pergola gives homeowners remote-control ability to direct sunlight and heat into or away from their deck

501 Hickory Ridge Trail, Suite 150 Woodstock, GA 30188

678-262-4113 OutbackDeck.net

FamilyLife Publications.com

PublicSafety

Helping Survivors

Find Justice By District Attorney Shannon Wallace

or more than 40 years, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) has challenged communities across the country to confront and remove barriers to achieving justice for victims of crime. During NCVRW, we celebrate the accomplishments of the victims’ rights movement, reflect on how far we have come, and honor survivors and those who provide services to people affected by crime. Crime victims have rights; they have a voice; and they have support and services in the Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office.

Empowering and Supporting Crime Victims Starting in the 1980s, federal and state laws began to address the rights of victims of crime. In Georgia, a 1988 constitutional amendment authorized payment for services to people harmed by violent crime. In 1995, the Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights ensured that Georgia residents have the right to be informed, present, and heard concerning criminal cases in which they are affected. In 2018, voters passed a constitutional amendment that added other victim rights to our state constitution. Last year in Cherokee County, 11 dedicated advocates in our Victim Witness Assistant Program provided support and guidance to more than 3,000 crime victims. The services these advocates provide uphold the Georgia Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights, which include notification of case status, education about the criminal justice system, accompaniment and support during criminal proceedings, referrals to resources, and assistance in filing for victim-related compensation.

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week The 2022 theme is rights, access, and equity for all victims. Throughout the week, our office will issue a series of Facebook posts that support crime victims, highlight services we provide, and reach out to members of our community (Facebook.com/ CherokeeDistrictAttorney). We hope you never find yourself in need of crime victim services. But if you do, we are here to help guide you and protect your rights.

Georgia Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights Below are some rights you have as a victim of crime in Georgia. A complete listing can be found in § O.C.G.A. 17-17-1. • Reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of any scheduled court proceedings; • Reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of the arrest, release, or escape of the accused; • Not be excluded from any scheduled court proceedings involving the accused, except as provided by law; • Be heard at any scheduled court proceedings involving the release, plea, or sentencing of the accused; • File a written objection in any parole proceedings involving the accused; • Confer with the prosecutor in any criminal prosecution related to the victim; • Restitution as provided by law; and • Be treated fairly and with dignity by all criminal justice agencies.

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

For more information, contact the Victim Witness Assistance Program at 770-479-1488.

Woodstock Family Life

| April 2022

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The Glorious Ground Bee By Joshua Fuder

[HomeLife] Every year, from late March to mid-May, one of nature’s great cycles happens in our area. Adult ground-nesting bees begin to emerge from their yearlong, complete metamorphosis. As they emerge, the female bees immediately get to work by mating and then making nesting holes for the next generation. Georgia is home to approximately 500 species of native bees with about 70% of those being ground nesting. The most common types of ground nesters include mining, leafcutter, membrane, and sweat bees. Unlike the social bees that thrive in colonies such as honeybees, bumblebees, or the dreaded yellow jacket, ground nesters are solitary, which means they have no swarming or attacking behaviors. Ground-nesting bees prefer sites with drier soils with low organic matter content, good

Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

sun exposure, and thin vegetation. Many residential lawns and grassy park spaces fit this description. During the day, females collect pollen and nectar to carry back to the nests. These nests appear to be mounds of excavated dirt that are a couple inches in diameter with a small hole in the middle about the size of a pencil. Typically, a site will have multiple mounds, called an aggregation, sometimes in the hundreds or thousands. It’s very easy to distinguish them from ant hills, which tend to be much larger with no apparent entrance hole. The standard yellow jacket hole will be much wider (two inches or more) with no obvious mound of excavated soil. People get concerned when they notice several bees whizzing around the openings and flying just above the surface of the ground. These are the males doing their best

to make themselves available to the busy females. Of course, male bees do not have an ovipositor (stinger), so they are harmless. The season to see these fun creatures only lasts about six weeks. By mid-May, most of the mounds will be closed off, and the next generation will wait in the larval stage until next spring.

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

FamilyLife Publications.com

NAV Changing the Way

Startups Do Business By Cherokee Office of Economic Development

[StrategicLife] Mentorship is a two-way street, but with the North Atlanta Venturing Mentoring Program (NAV) – it’s a multiple lane highway. NAV is changing the way startups do business. Principled and trained through the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Venture Mentoring Service, this unique program gives entrepreneurs the guidance they need to succeed through the power of team-based mentoring. In Cherokee, Alma Coffee has quickly become a household staple in restaurants, offices, and trendy kitchens. But how did this budding small business owned by husbandand-wife duo Harry and Leticia Hutchins build such a devout following? Smart marketing, bold vision, and team-based mentoring. Alma’s story goes back many generations but took root in Cherokee in 2019 with the opening of its Holly Springs roastery and cafe in The Circuit Woodstock. The Hutchins will be the first to spill the beans about how getting involved in the NAV Mentorship Program has made all the difference in catapulting their business from startup to success. Since starting the program, Alma has grown to 12 employees, automated its fulfillment process, increased packaging speed, moved and expanded its cafe to its Holly Springs location, and obtained its own export license – making it one of almost 260 companies that can export coffee out of Honduras.

“Thank you so much to our NAV mentors for guiding us and mentoring us through this global pandemic,” said Leticia. “For any ventures out there or small ventures getting started, I’d highly recommend the NAV mentorship program as your first step,” added Harry. Ventures like Alma are made stronger by those who invest in their success like NAV mentor and Woodstock Mayor Michael Caldwell. “There’s no better way for seasoned entrepreneurs to give back than to work with up-and-coming ventures,” said Caldwell. “The NAV program provides such a unique way to give our ventures multiple perspectives on specific problems and empower them to scale.” Another inspiring success story is SuiteSciens founder Shalakay Gibbs. SuiteSciens is a NetSuite consulting and implementation firm that empowers companies with the tools needed to successfully grow and scale. This up-andcoming tech company has been a part of the NAV Mentorship Program since its founding in July 2019. Since taking the plunge with NAV, SuiteSciens has grown “byte by byte.” The company has hired new talent including a business development representative and virtual admin, unveiled a new website, launched a prepaid managed services program, and signed two managed service clients. The sweetest part of the deal? SuiteSciens revenue is up 34% compared to 2020, a milestone that’s worthy of celebration. With growth, comes change. In February,

Woodstock Family Life

| April 2022

Harry and Leticia Hutchins, owners of Alma Coffee.

Gibbs moved her corporate office to Holly Springs, an expansion that represents the success of not only SuiteSciens but the NAV mentorship program’s ability to grow and scale local business. “Shalakay Gibbs embraced her NAV mentors as a ‘resource team,’ allowing them to partner with her in her growth,” said Barbara Baxter, NAV mentor. “She used the strengths of the three mentors to her benefit by utilizing recommendations and in-depth discussions from mentoring sessions to build on her ambitious business plan.” For Gibbs, Cherokee was a natural fit for SuiteSciens. “We knew we needed talent and resources to scale. Cherokee fit the bill. Initiatives like NAV keep the business community connected and provide the resources needed to grow,” she said. Successful business ownership takes time, resources, community investment, and most of all — mentorship. If interested in being a part of the NAV mentorship team as either a mentor or a high growth venture, visit NorthAtlantaVMS.com. L

The Cherokee Office of Economic Development, One Innovation Way, Woodstock. 770-345-0600. CherokeeGa.org

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Stepping Up to the Task By Tim Morris

[Lifestyle] We are fortunate that many who live in Cherokee County have a great willingness to help others. Regardless of the increase in population, there are still good people who step up to help a stranger. The community may not be aware of all the things Senior Services is responsible for. Daily programs consist of running the senior centers, coordinating transportation, homemaking services, delivering meals, organizing volunteers, and providing information, assistance, resources, and case management. But the calls we receive require us to go far beyond these services. A recent example of this tested us to the limit.

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

Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

A call came in to help two sisters who have lived in their home since 1993. Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services had been out multiple times to assist them and found their living condition to be one of the worst they had ever seen. So, they contacted Senior Services to see what could be done to help the sisters.

Almost immediately, a plan was put in place and phone calls were made. Several organizations were contacted for financial assistance and to help with the work that needed to be done to make the home a safer and more manageable living environment. If the firefighters had not gotten involved, these ladies may never have gotten the help they truly needed. The Senior Services staff would not have been able to do the work this team accomplished together. I am grateful to these firefighters for helping. The sisters consider these first responders angels. This is just one example of the many calls of this nature that our office receives. Though the job can be mentally and physically draining, we will always do the best we can with the resources we have along with the wonderful people in our community who step up to help. L

FamilyLife Publications.com

Creative Ways To Repurpose Disposable Products By Julie Senger Before you throw away another single-use food or beverage container, take that old coffee table to the dump, or toss those outdated CDs in the trash, you might want to keep in mind that many materials take hundreds of years to break down, with plastic taking an estimated 1,000 years to decompose. “Recycling benefits us by preserving natural resources, saving energy, and protecting the environment,” (ComfyLiving.net). In addition to sorting waste into recycling bins at home, repurposing “disposable” items is another responsible, useful, and fun option. Since April 22 is Earth Day, celebrate it by trying out one of these crafty ideas that reuse materials you likely already have on hand:

This project is perfect for a teenager’s funky bedroom, a musician’s rehearsal space, or anywhere you want to add a bit of eclectic sparkle to the area.

DIY Sprinkler Kids will love running through this sprinkler on a warm spring day, especially if you let them take a Sharpie and mark all the spots on the bottle where they want an adult to drill holes. You can also use the sprinkler to water your grass or garden. Materials • Recycled plastic 2-liter bottle • Waterproof tape • Drill • Water hose Instructions • Drill holes in the plastic bottle in the places you’d like water to squirt out. Do not drill holes on the side that will be in contact with the ground. • Align the opening of your plastic bottle with the nozzle of the water hose and secure the connection with waterproof tape. • Turn on the water and let the fun begin!

Woodstock Family Life

Mosaic Table/Nightstand

| April 2022

Materials • Old table or nightstand, cleaned and dried • Unwanted CDs and DVDs • Hot glue gun and glue sticks • Heavy-duty scissors Instructions • Gather enough old CDs and DVDs to cover the surface you wish to turn into a mosaic. • Using heavy-duty scissors, carefully cut the CDs and DVDs into small pieces of varying angular shapes. Be sure the shapes are similar in size and no larger than about an inch if measured across in any direction. • Using the hot glue gun, put a small dot of glue on the back of a piece of CD/DVD and stick it to your table/nightstand. Repeat this step with each piece until the surface is covered to your liking. • Allow the glue to dry then delight in your new, one-of-a-kind, sparkly mosaic piece of furniture.

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Wine Bottle Tiki Torch This project will not only add some lovely ambiance to your next intimate outdoor gathering, but it will also help repel mosquitos. While lit, be careful to place the bottle on a stable, flat surface; do not leave it unattended; and be sure to keep out of reach of children.

Retractable Sidewalk Chalk If your children have ever come inside with hands covered in chalk dust after using the driveway as a canvas for racecar tracks, rainbows, and unicorns, you’ll appreciate these retractable chalk holders for creating their masterpieces. Materials • 4 empty retractable stick deodorant containers, cleaned and dried • 1 tablespoon coconut oil • 4 cups plaster of paris • 1 large bowl or bucket (dedicated to crafting — not food items) • 4 mason jars (dedicated to crafting — not food items) • Food coloring (colors of your choice)

Materials • Empty wine bottle, cleaned with label removed • 2-3 cups small gravel • 12 ounces of tiki torch oil • 5/8-inch male metal hose mender • Teflon tape • Ball of twine • Hot glue gun and glue sticks • Tiki torch replacement wick Instructions • Use the hot glue gun to adhere a 4-inch decorative section of twine to the wine bottle, as you wind it around the middle portion of the glass. • Fill half of the bottle with gravel to help stabilize it. • Fill one-third of the bottle with tiki torch oil. To gauge the amount, the oil should not reach the neck of the bottle when poured on top of the gravel. • Wrap the thinner end of the mender with enough Teflon tape to allow it to fit snuggly in the bottle’s opening, but not so tight that you can’t remove it when needed. • Thread the wick through the mender and place it inside the bottle. The thicker part of the mender and the top of the wick should be sticking out of the bottle. • Light the wick and enjoy.

Instructions • Use your fingers to apply coconut oil to the inside of each deodorant container to keep the chalk from sticking. Be sure to smooth out any clumps. • In the large bowl/bucket, prepare the 4 cups of plaster according to the package’s instructions. • Separate the plaster into the four jars, add a few drops of your choice of food coloring to each mixture, and stir well. • Pour each mixture into a separate empty deodorant applicator. The plaster will harden in less than an hour, but let it cure at least 8 hours before using.

Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

FamilyLife Publications.com

Teacher Feature BY BARBARA P. JACOBY

Morgan Hudson S

he knows it sounds cliche, but it’s true: Morgan Hudson always knew she would be a teacher. The eight-year educator, who teaches AP and Honors U.S. History at Creekview HS, grew up teaching her younger brother all her school lessons. “To me, being a teacher was more than just a career choice, it is my calling,” Hudson said. “There is no other job that I would pour my heart into like I do with teaching and the field of education.” Her love for teaching shines through in innovative lessons and her willingness to take on additional roles at school — from sponsoring the Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society to organizing the school’s observance of National Girls and Women in Sports Day. As one example of innovation, Hudson uses the Flipgrid video communication platform and a blob tree (a drawing of a tree inhabited by multiple figures depicting different feelings) as a regular checkin on how her students are doing “both inside and outside of the classroom and on specific skills/content we were learning.” Students select the blob that best expresses their feeling and record a video of themselves talking about their choice and sharing any other feedback. Hudson is the only one who can view these videos, and she can use Flipgrid to respond back. “I love how I can utilize Flipgrid to emphasize social-emotional learning,” she said. “Utilizing the blob tree allowed me to get to know the students better more quickly and gave me a stronger understanding of how each student was doing.” Hudson also makes lessons personal, such as by sharing stories and photos from her visits to the historical places they’re studying.

Woodstock Family Life

| April 2022

What can parents do to help their child be as successful as possible at school? “High school is a transition period for students, as they begin to take more ownership in their education. Parents can help with this transition by asking questions, listening, and encouraging their children,” Hudson said. “It’s important for parents to create open lines of communication with them. For the high school level, especially for a social studies classroom, parents can discuss the news and current events with them to help them gain a better understanding of the world around them.”

“I think that by being unapologetic about my love of history and sharing the new information that I learn with my students, they see how exciting it can be to dive into learning and finding what they are passionate about,” she said. “Any time students have a question about something that I do not know the answer to, I encourage them to look it up, and we all learn as a class in the moment, which is a cool experience. In our activities, I have students connecting historical events to more modern- and present-day events, so that they can see the connections and how things have changed or stayed the same. To me, creating relevancy is key in making them excited about learning.”

Barbara P. Jacoby is the chief communications officer for the Cherokee County School District. 770-704-4228. CherokeeK12.net

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Book Review BY JESSICA ORAVEC

The GLITTERING HOUR

The Glittering Hour, by Iona Grey, Selena Lenox seems to have it all. She is young and beautiful and runs with the “bright young things” of the 1920s. She takes risks, parties too much for her parents’ tastes, and lives life to the fullest. After an unexpected accident, Selena meets Lawrence, a poor, young artist. They are worlds apart. And yet, Selena finds herself falling for him and tries to imagine herself in a different life from the one that is expected of her. As she begins to imagine a different world, an unexpected tragedy jolts her back to reality. Suddenly, she can no longer imagine the vulnerability of a world filled with love, so she runs off and marries someone predictable and safe. But then, Selena has a daughter, Alice. As she tells her story to Alice, her daughter discovers who her mother truly is, which is very different from who she thought. As Alice learns more about her mom, she discovers a new world filled with color, life, and love. The Glittering Hour is a beautiful novel filled with love, loss, and pain. It reveals the despair hiding within the roaring 20s, and the life choices that were made due to the losses from the Great War. Grey has written a novel with a lot of heart and soul. The story is filled with brilliant prose that brings the characters to life, causing them to stay with readers long after the final page is read.

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

FamilyLife Publications.com

Vs.

Endpoint Detection and Response

Traditional Antivirus Software

The Debate Is Over By Scott Weaver

[StrategicLife] The battle of protecting your personal and business related technology is one that probably feels never ending. Every day, we see new methods of ransomware attacks on local businesses, large corporations, and even international entities. It can be easy to trick ourselves into thinking, “That will never happen to me,” but statistics continually prove otherwise. The truth is if you use technology, your network is at risk. Fortunately, as technology evolves, so do options for protection. Most people are already familiar with traditional antivirus software. However, is that really the best and only solution to your network protection problems?

What is Endpoint Detection and Response? Think of endpoint detection and response (EDR) as a culmination of processes rather than a singular replacement of your traditional antivirus software. EDR does not work entirely on its own. In fact, it actually works in conjunction with your traditional network protections. This is because EDR already has traditional antivirus software built into its process. The EDR process entails an entire suite of protective tools that work alongside each other to ensure the best protection of your network. IT teams use EDR to monitor, identify, and stop problems before they travel along to other devices in your network. The fast-acting software severely lessens the chances of infection to multiple devices. Meaning, you can have more peace of mind that your network will be better protected from nefarious cyberattacks.

Woodstock Family Life

| April 2022

More Than Just Data Security Many businesses have a slew of guidelines that must be followed to be considered lawful. For example, while Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Standards should be adhered to by every health care related business to ensure safety of both patients and health care providers, these standards don’t only affect health related businesses. No matter the type of business, they must not willfully violate these standards, or they can be subjected to hefty fines. One HIPAA standard requires businesses to prevent, protect, detect, contain, and correct security violations as well as guard against, detect, and report malicious software. Endpoint security meets and exceeds these requirements by identifying malicious attacks and immediately addressing them at the source, preventing further damage to private networks of sensitive information. Another set of guidelines includes the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Compliance Standards. These rules focus on any business that handles credit cards and/or payment information. The standards require

that the security systems in place must be able to actively seek out threats and remove them. Not only that, but businesses are required to periodically scan for malware, maintain up-to-date records, and make timely detections. Having Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) software in place is one of the most effective tools to help businesses abide by legal guidelines. Relying on traditional antivirus software is no longer sufficient. The influx of ransomware attacks and malware infiltration is proof enough. Remember, your data security is crucial to your business’ success. L

Scott Weaver is a technology specialist at Technical Resource Solutions, 120 Arnold Mill Park, Suite 100, Woodstock. 678-928-9491.

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Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

FamilyLife Publications.com

The Happiest People

By Pastor Jeremy Morton

[InGoodFaith] We live in a wonderfully diverse world with people from many different backgrounds who have a myriad of goals and talents. Yet, we all have one thing in common — we search for purpose, fulfillment, and success — things that society tells us we need in order to be happy. When someone is genuinely happy, it’s almost contagious. Others long for that same feeling. They want to know, “What’s their secret?” In a devotion called All Dads Pro, Andrew Lindor wrote an article entitled, “3 Things Happy People Have.” He explains that the three happiest people in the world are those who forgive, those who forget, and those who let go. Someone who forgives realizes the power of forgiveness. Choosing forgiveness is optional, but the consequences of unforgiveness, such as bitterness and resentment, are not. Those who forget refuse to be defined by their past and choose to focus on the future instead. They make the choice to love again, trust again, and heal from the pain of their past. A person who lets go is willing to give second chances, and in doing so, he or she relinquishes the desire to punish a person, hold a grudge, or bring up past hurt. It is absolutely possible that those who have been wounded most deeply can be the most genuinely happy. Hurts are a part of life, but so is happiness if you choose to be one of these three types of people. Just like Jesus, we pray that we forgive those who have offended us. L

Jeremy Morton is the lead pastor of First Baptist Church Woodstock. 770-926-4428. FBCW.org

Woodstock Family Life

| April 2022

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setter s a L oR b Photo credit Camille Lassetter

Capturing Life’s Joyful Moments

rtist Rob Lassetter jokes that his love of humor and his short attention span make him the right fit for creating cartoons. Even as a child, he could quickly knock out an image then move to another — sometimes in the margins of his school notes. As a teen, he was asked to paint murals on the walls of his alma mater, Francis Wheeler High School in Marietta. Lassetter has parlayed that early love of drawing into a career as a cartoonist, animator, illustrator, and web designer that includes commercial art for Coca-Cola, the Atlanta Braves, and Bell South. He has gravitated toward creating for Christian ministries, often working with his wife, Camille, his colorist. Together, they illustrated 200 stories in the My Awesome God Bible storybook. No matter the project, Lassetter’s images are distinguished by their humor and their energy. Whether depicting a quizzical camel or a befuddled Adam, he creates expressions that bring the characters to life. Every detail of his images — Noah’s beard and eyebrows, a lion’s mane, a shark’s teeth — dance with movement and personality. Young and old alike find themselves smiling.

Woodstock Family Life

| April 2022

Artist Profile BY ELLEN SAMSELL SALAS

Skilled in a wide range of software, Lassetter begins with a rough pencil sketch. He then scans that sketch into Adobe Illustrator and lays down vector shapes and colors. In Photoshop, he combines his creation with photos or other images. The process typically takes four to five hours.

About the Animal Kingdom, a collection of rhymes spotlighting animals from ant to zebra, published in 2020. A Crittertoons activity book is in the works.

The reward for Lassetter has been not only a successful career, but also a joyful one.

“I springboard off of his words; it’s amazing,” Lassetter says.

“If I could have just a few people look at my work and smile, to me, that’s very rewarding.”

Both men agree that their collaboration is almost effortless.

Gruhn concurs, adding, “There was no one else I wanted to do the book. Robby brought Crittertoons to life, and for that, I am incredibly grateful and blessed.”

Crittertoons — Fun in Words and Images While Rob Lassetter was painting the walls at Francis Wheeler High, his friend Richard Gruhn was being inspired by Ogden Nash’s poem, “The Trouble With a Kitten.” So, Gruhn created “The Trouble With a Fish,” and immediately took it to Lassetter to illustrate. Forty-some years later, Gruhn, who has dedicated himself to rescuing animals, has continued to compose his humorous stories as another way to honor animals. And again, he turned to Lassetter — this time to illustrate Crittertoons, Fun Poems

For more information about Lassetter’s work, you may reach him at Robstertales@gmail.com.

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Got

? J TM

By Steven Anderson, DMD

[HealthyLife] Everyone has TMJ. In fact, everyone has two TMJs, or temporomandibular joints (jaw joints). “TMJ” is often mistakenly used in reference to a complex condition known as “TMD” (temporomandibular dysfunction/disorder). TMD is not a disease, but the dysfunction of a TMJ may result secondary to a disease such as a degenerative joint disease or other arthritic conditions. TMD occurs when the TMJ does not function correctly, and research and diagnosis generally relate this dysfunction to three main categories: 1. Myofascial pain (most common and involves pain in face muscles) 2. Internal derangement of the joint (dislocated jaw/disc or injury related) 3. Degenerative joint diseases (examples are osteo and rheumatoid arthritis)

What causes TMD? Much research in this area has occurred over the past 25 years, and further research is needed. Sometimes, the exact cause is unknown. We do know that trauma to the TMJ can cause TMD. Joint diseases as well as exaggerated tension in the muscles that control the jaw, neck, and shoulder can contribute to TMD. Are you a gum chewer? While experts vary in their opinions about whether gum chewing leads to TMD, common sense should tell you that if your jaw hurts after chewing gum, you should probably refrain from doing it. What about that jaw click or pop? Surprisingly, a lot of people click or pop their jaw. As long as there is no pain or other symptoms, treatment is usually not necessary. Research shows that people who clinch or grind their teeth and subsequently experience pain and dysfunction with their TMJs are often diagnosed with TMD. That’s because clenching and grinding tire the jaw muscles, resulting in discomfort.

How is it diagnosed? There is no “standard test” for TMD. However, most patients can give adequate descriptions of symptoms, and with an examination of the mouth, jaw, and facial muscles by a trained care provider, TMD can usually be diagnosed.

How is it treated? Treatment philosophies vary slightly. The most successful treatments are noninvasive and reversible. Most people do not have serious degenerative TMD, so conservative treatment works very well. Besides reducing excessive TMJ activity (repetitive chewing, yawning a lot, or opera singing), examples of conservative treatments include hot/cold packs, facial and neck muscle relaxing/stretching techniques, short-term use of muscle relaxing or anti-inflammatory drugs, or a custom-made oral appliance known as a “hard splint” that directly aids in the reduction of TMJ muscle tension. Surgical and irreversible treatments should be approached very cautiously and as a last resort. Examples may include TMJ replacement, complex adjustments of teeth, and/or extensive dental work. For most people, TMJ discomfort is temporary and resolves with simple “self-cure” or non-invasive reversible treatments. Many practitioners, especially dentists, are specifically trained in conservative treatment and are well qualified in correctly diagnosing and effectively treating TMD. As with any condition, if pain persists, it is very important to seek a qualified health professional. After all, great dentistry is all about you. L

What are the symptoms? Pain in the TMJ, head, or chewing muscles are the most common symptoms. Other symptoms include radiating pain in the face, neck, or shoulders; locking of the jaw or limited movement; painful clicking or popping of the TMJ; or top and bottom teeth not fitting together correctly. 34

Woodstock Family Life

| April 2022

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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