Woodstock Family Life 6-21 by Family Life Magazines

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Contents

June 2021

VOLUME 8 | ISSUE 11

20-21

[20-21]

On the Cover

Southern Phoenix Services

14-15

Short Story Contest Congrats to Our Winner!

27-33

Health and Wellness Guide Explore Your Options

[27-33]

Artist Profile

Barbara RowlettRheingrover

[14-15] [36] Follow Us >>>

Family Life Publications

Woodstock Family Life | JUNE 2021

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familylifepublications

.......................... Perspective .............................. Calendar ........................ Book Review .................... Community Life ............... Derby Day Pictures ............................ Quotables ................. Woodstock Notes ................... Senator Speaks ........................ Public Safety ............... Community Partner ................... Ribbon Cuttings @FamilyLifeMags

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Publisher’s Perspective

If you’re reading the print version of this magazine that you received in your mailbox, then you live in Cherokee County. My brother and I were born and raised in rural central Cherokee on Route 8/Toonigh when it was just a gravel road. We were blessed to have been brought up by parents who did the best they could to develop two scrappy boys into fine men. They taught us to be thrifty with our goods and our time, to keep our surplus in savings for the future, and to not compare ourselves to others nor try to keep up. We

learned that the paths we build are our own, laid one stone at a time. Our paths travel in one direction — all the hard bumps, the times where we occasionally get lost, and the annoying cracks and puddles will fall behind us, as a greater plan unfolds. The first thing is to realize where we find ourselves falling short and correct the behavior. I screw up my fair share, and I sometimes get bonus points for “stupid Jack tricks,” often joking about how I “just get used to it.” Yes, when things get all “Jacked up” for me, it’s literal rather than a figure of speech, but this story is mine. Eventually, most of our major fumbles, trials, and even those “stupid ‘you’ tricks” end up not really being such a big deal. We learn to overcome our errors, deal with our shortcomings, and change our ways. It’s always a good time to give yourself some grace, say a little prayer, and be thankful. Every annoying pebble in your shoe finds a home along your way, building a greater path to a better you.

ART Stephanie Bolton Stephanie@FamilyLifePublications.com Tiffany Corn Tiffany@FamilyLifePublications.com OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Vicky Tuszynski Vicky@FamilyLifePublications.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Stacy Brown, Jyl Craven, Joshua Fuder, Lisa-Marie Haygood, Scott Lavelle, Tim Morris, Jessica Oravec, Patti Richter, Andy Rogers, Liane N. Rowe, Ellen Samsell Salas, Bruce Thompson, Shannon Wallace

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

770-213-7095

Also available online at

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 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. 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.

E R EC Y C

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

ne of the keys to building a successful future is appreciating the fact that we each have a history that has molded us, causing us to exist as the individuals we are today. Without the broken roads, lost deals, sorrowful times, and storms, we may not have had the opportunities for arrival, success, and happiness that we celebrate, as the person each of us has become. We get hurt, and we heal. At one time or another (and sometimes more often than not), we trip over our ignorance and scrape a knee, bruise an ego, or tarnish a reputation. These are just facts of life.

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Cyndi Braun

M AG A ZI

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EDITORIAL Julie Senger Julie@FamilyLifePublications.com

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PUBLISHER/SALES Jack Tuszynski Jack@FamilyLifePublications.com

Jack Tuszynski, Publisher

Woodstock Family Life | JUNE 2021

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

DECEMBER JUNE

1-30

TrailStory — During the month of June, 15 signs featuring a bestselling children’s book will be placed along Noonday Creek Trail. Created by the Sequoyah Regional Library System and Woodstock Parks and Recreation, the special signs will include pages from Adam Rubin’s Dragons Love Tacos on one side of the sign and interactive/QR code questions about the book on the other side. Event is dawn to dusk, Noonday Creek Trail, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1955. WoodstockParksAndRec.com

LunchIN’ — Financial Advisor Mike Sena, CFP, will present “Positioning Your Business Operationally and Financially.” Reservations required due to limited seating. 11:30am12:30pm, Chattahoochee Technical College Board Room, 8371 Main Street, Woodstock. 770-592-6056. InWdstk.org/events

Family Fun Night at the Oasis Jump into an evening filled with swimming, music, games, and contests for the whole family. 5:00-7:00pm, Cherokee County Aquatic Center, 1200 Wellstar Way, Canton. 678-880-4760. PlayCherokee.org

Essential Gardening: Pollinator Gardens Let the bees buzz! Join Cherokee County UGA Extension Agent Joshua Fuder to learn how you can do your part to help pollinators thrive in your landscape and our community. FREE! 10:00am, William G. Long Activity Center Expansion, 223 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1955. WoodstockParksAndRec.com

ONGOING Unwind Wednesdays — On the first Wednesday of each month through November, gather your family and friends to enjoy food trucks, live music, and other monthly activities such as axe throwing, bounce houses, cornhole tournaments, archery, and trivia. 5:30-8:00pm, Cherokee Veterans Park, 7345 Highway 20 E, Canton. PlayCherokee.org Woodstock Farm Fresh Market — Each Saturday through 12/18, enjoy your hometown farmers market, featuring occasional chef demos from local restaurants. 8:30am-12:00pm, Market Street, Woodstock. VisitWoodstockGa.com

Woodstock Family Life | JUNE 2021

Woodstock Walking Tour On the last Thursday of each month until September, take part in a FREE small group tour focused on a particular topic of interest (e.g., history, trail system, architecture/development, and ghost tours). Tours are hosted by the Visitors Center. Locations and themes are announced two weeks prior to the event on Downtown Woodstock’s Facebook and Instagram pages. Please RSVP; space is limited. Tours begin every 30 minutes from 6:00-7:30pm, Woodstock. 770-924-0406. VisitWoodstockGa.com

Lantern Series: Swedish Jam Factory — This tap dance/music duo is pioneering a new hybrid of tap dance and musical expression. Imagine a Gene Kelly/ Donald O’Connor duo, but instead of a good old fashioned “Singin’ in the Rain” traditional musical theatre tap break, they’re playing bluegrass instruments, saxophone, accordion, piano, and more. 7:30pm, Elm Street Cultural Arts Village Event Green, 111 Elm Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. ElmStreetArts.org

9-23

How I Became a Pirate — Sail off on a fantastic musical excursion when a band of comical pirates lands at North Beach looking for an expert digger to join their crew. Braid Beard and his mates enlist young Jeremy Jacob to look for the perfect spot to bury their treasure. Wednesdays 10:00am and Fridays and Saturdays 2:30pm, Elm Street Cultural Arts Village, 8534 Main Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. ElmStreetArts.org Woodstock Walkers Meet up with other local seniors every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to enjoy low-impact exercise. 8:00am, Dupree Park, 513 Neese Road, Woodstock. 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 register since space is limited. 7:00-8:30am, The Circuit, 1 Innovation Way, Woodstock. 770-592-6056. InWdstk.org/events

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Annual National Cancer Survivors Day

11 & 25

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. PlayCherokee.org

Free AHA First Aid and Stop the Bleed Class — Learn First Aid skills including how to help someone involved in a traumatic bleeding incident. This fundraiser benefits the Hickory Flat Volunteer Association. Donations are appreciated ($75 value). Preregistration is required. 9:00am First Aid; 1:30pm Stop the Bleed, Cherokee County Fire Station 23, 7625 Vaughn Road, Canton. 770-406-6657. HFVA.org

Golfing FORE! The Children Golf Tournament Presented by the Service League of Cherokee County, play golf for a great cause. All proceeds will go to help children in need in Cherokee County. 7:30am registration and 9:00am shotgun start, Eagle Watch Golf Course, 3055 Eagle Watch Drive, Woodstock. ServiceLeague.net

Volunteer Aging Council (VAC) Fundraising Luncheon Support VAC programs and get a delicious lunch for only $5. All proceeds support the seniors and senior veterans of Cherokee County. 11:30am-1:00pm, Waterford at Hidden Lake, 3100 Hidden Valley Drive, Canton. VAC-CherokeeGa.org

Woodstock Summer Concert Series Presents Black Jacket Symphony – Enjoy this FREE tribute to Tom Petty’s Damn the Torpedoes. 7:30pm, Northside Hospital Cherokee Amphitheater, 101 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1952. WoodstockConcertSeries.com

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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This day is a celebration for those who have survived, an inspiration for those recently diagnosed, a gathering of support for families, and an outreach to the community. For more information or to find local events, visit NCSD.org

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 Morning INfluence — On the last Friday of each month, breakfast is served at this networking event, which includes a brief presentation that focuses on important issues or services that affect the Woodstock community. This is a FREE event, but please register since space is limited. 8:00-9:00am, The Circuit, 1 Innovation Way, Woodstock. 770-592-6056. InWdstk.org/events

June 6

AMPED in the Park With Twisted Cycle Enjoy this FREE monthly fitness series, presented by Woodstock Parks and Recreation and a monthly community partner. Twisted Cycle Woodstock will conduct the June event. All workouts are fitness friendly (meaning you don’t have to be super fit to participate). Online registration is required. 9:00am, Northside Hospital Cherokee Amphitheater, 101 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1955. WoodstockParksAndRec.com

Garden Pests? Attend this FREE outdoor class, presented by Cherokee Master Gardeners to assist in identifying and controlling common pests that could ruin your summer vegetables. Registration is required. Please bring a chair. 10:00-11:30am, Papa’s Pantry/ Encompass Ministries, 6551 Commerce Parkway, Woodstock. 770-591-4730. CherokeeMasterGardeners.com

Storytime Live! With Belle Belle from Beauty & the Beast will read a story and pose for photos. Event is presented by the FoxTale Book Shoppe and Woodstock Parks and Recreation. FREE! 11:00am, The Park at City Center, 101 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1955. WoodstockParksAndRec.com [continued on page 8] WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM

Calendar

LIBRARY EVENTS SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

continued from page 7

ROSE CREEK 4476 TOWNE LAKE PARKWAY WOODSTOCK, 770-591-1491 R.T. JONES 116 BROWN INDUSTRIAL PARKWAY, CANTON 770-479-3090 WOODSTOCK 7735 MAIN STREET WOODSTOCK, 770-926-58595859 *Attendees are advised to wear a protective face covering and follow social distancing guidelines. PET ADOPTION 101 June 5, 10:30am, R.T. Jones The Cherokee County Animal Shelter is coming to the library! Enjoy fun activities that will teach attendees how the Shelter helps the community as well as the best way to care for your own beloved pets. SOUTHEAST REPTILE RESCUE June 12, 10:30am, Woodstock Wrangle some reptiles with the Southeast Reptile Rescue! Run, walk, and slither into the library parking lot for a socially distanced good time. SAFARI SUNSET POUR PAINTING June 22, 10:45am, Rose Creek Give pour painting a try and create your own one-of-a-kind safari sunset painting outdoors. All supplies are provided. This is for ages 14+. CENTER FOR PUPPETRY ARTS June 24, 10:30am, Woodstock Learn about different puppet traditions from around the world in this entertaining and interactive International puppetry presentation. Puppeteers of all ages are welcome to the library parking lot for a socially distanced celebration of the magic of puppetry. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A PARK RANGER? June 29, 10:30am, Woodstock Do you have what it takes to be a park ranger? Join Ranger Jake in the library parking lot for a socially distanced adventure. 8

Woodstock Family Life | JUNE 2021

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, recommended for ages 12+ (content). 7:30pm, City Center Auditorium, 8534 Main Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. ElmsStreetArts.org

JULY

June 20

25-26

Summer Plant Sale The UGA Master Gardeners Extension Volunteers of Cherokee County present this rain-or-shine event, with a great selection of unique plant varieties. 9:00am-12:00pm, Cherokee Senior Center, 1001 Univeter Road, Canton. 404-202-4716. NMcCarthy411@gmail.com

The Lantern Series: The Foxies Enjoy this modern power trio, built on thrashing punk energy and the hypnotic pageantry of electronic pop. 7:30pm, Elm Street Cultural Arts Village Event Green, 111 Elm Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. ElmStreetArts.org

City of Canton 4th of July Fireworks Celebration Bring the whole family to enjoy this spectacular display in honor of the birth of our nation. Fireworks will begin at dusk. Riverstone Parkway, Canton. 770-720-7674. CantonGa.gov

July 5th Spectacular! The City of Woodstock invites you to celebrate our nation’s birth with a day full of fun! Enjoy a traditional parade, festival, 5K Freedom Run, and fireworks! 7:15am Freedom Run, 10:00am parade, 11:00am festival, and fireworks at dusk, downtown Woodstock, 101 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1952. WoodstockParksAndRec.com, WoodstockFreedomRun.com Add

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Book Review BY JESSICA ORAVEC

Surviving Savannah “What do we do when tragedy bursts through the door, trailing smoke and grief in its wake?” And if we are the survivors of that tragedy, how do we “survive the surviving”? Surviving Savannah, a work of historical fiction by Patti Callahan, seeks to uncover what happens to the survivors of tragedy. Do they become better people for having survived misfortune, or does their grief and anger create a prison for them? Surviving Savannah is about the steamship Pulaski, which left Savannah, Georgia, bound for Baltimore, Maryland, in June 1838. It carried some of Savannah’s elite on board including the Longstreet family: Lamar and Melody; their six children; Lamar’s sister, Augusta; and their niece, Lilly, along with her husband, small daughter, and nursemaid. On the second day at sea, a boiler exploded, breaking the ship apart and causing it to sink the bottom of the ocean in just 45 minutes. As the ship broke apart, people scrambled to lifeboats, tried to find their families, and did their best to survive. Some survivors were rescued, and others floated in the sea, desperately praying for a miracle. The story is told by Augusta and Lilly, both fighting for survival, and Everly Winthrop in present day, who is fighting for survival from her own tragedy. As Everly digs deeper into the sinking of the Pulaski, she discovers who survived and how they survived the surviving, which may help her find a way to move past her own tragedy. Callahan deftly weaves the gripping tale of the ship disaster with a modern-day tragedy. She brings the people of the ship to life in rich detail — their hopes and fears, their lives outside the Pulaski, and what happens when they face the greatest trial of their lives. Surviving Savannah is a story of grief, tragedy, and hope that stays with you long after the last page.

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

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Community Cherokee County School District Highlights Three Seniors Named U.S. Presidential Scholars Program Semifinalists Award Winners The Yes I Can Awards celebrate the achievements of children and youth with exceptionalities. The awards also increase public awareness of the abilities, aspirations, and personal qualities of those with disabilities. Each CCSD elementary school is invited to select one student to receive the award, based on achievement in the following categories: academics, art, school and community, selfadvocacy, and technology. This year’s honorees are Arnold Mill ES, Kaleb Storey; Avery ES, Jace Runyan; Ball Ground ES, Dylan Moss; Bascomb ES, Jill Cramer; Boston ES, Cameron Moore; Clark Creek ES, Logan Arnold; Clayton ES, Avery Turner; Hasty ES, Baynachi Celestin; Hickory Flat ES, Aiden Office; Holly Springs ES, Logan Wright; Indian Knoll ES, Addyson Watson; Johnston ES, Peyton Wilhoite; Knox ES, Christian Shoemake; Liberty ES, Robert Simpson; Little River ES, Ariana Moss; Macedonia ES, Allie Wentworth; Mountain Road ES, David Whiteside; R.M. Moore ES, Oscar Flores Nandi; Sixes ES, Kaleb Lee; Woodstock ES, Colton Waggoner.

Sequoyah HS Music Facility Named for Beloved Band Director A crowd of family, friends, former students, and colleagues recently gathered outside Sequoyah HS for the dedication of the David E. Harrison school’s band room in memory of the late David E. Harrison, who launched Sequoyah’s marching band program and directed it for 20 years. “Mr. Harrison was the first band director at Sequoyah High School and extremely instrumental in the phenomenal growth of the band program and the expansion of what is now the SHS band room. The impact he had with our program, as well as other high schools, universities, and community bands and orchestras in Georgia was extremely meaningful and significant. He truly created a legacy around fine arts for children and adults alike,” said Sequoyah HS Principal Robert VanAlstyne in 10

Woodstock Family Life | JUNE 2021

Koryn Todd

As semifinalists for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, Koryn Todd of Creekview HS, Annelise Axelsson of River Ridge HS, and Sophia Abbott of Woodstock HS are among only 700 students from the more than 3 million graduating seniors in the nation’s Class of 2021 selected to advance in this prestigious recognition program. Only 18 students from Georgia were named semifinalists.

Annelise Axelsson

Established in 1964 by executive order of President Lyndon B. Johnson, the program honors and recognizes extraordinary graduating seniors. Candidates for the invitation-only Sophia Abbott recognition program are initially selected based on outstanding performance on the ACT or SAT. Semifinalists and finalists are then chosen based on an application that considers overall academic excellence, personal character, leadership, and service activities. Additional recognitions are awarded for students who excel in the arts or in career and technical education (CTE). Axelsson is a semifinalist for the CTE honor. Last school year, of the 700 semifinalists, 161 students were named scholars and received national recognition and an invitation to an all-expenses paid trip to the White House.

his request to the Cherokee County Board of Education for the naming honor. Speakers for the April 30 dedication event included Dr. Brian V. Hightower, superintendent of schools; daughter, Kason Sams; son, Jonathan Harrison; and The Harrison family at the dedication ceremony. friends and band supporters Rick James and Steve Bell. All shared stories and memories of Harrison and his love of his students and the arts. The program closed with the SHS “Ocean Spray” Steel Band playing one of Harrison’s favorite tunes, “Margaritaville.” Add

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Tammy Owen

Community

Oak Grove ES Fine Arts Academy Teacher Earns National STEM Honor Oak Grove ES Fine Arts Academy third-grade teacher Tammy Owen was selected by Discovery Education as a DEN STAR Educator, a program for top STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) teachers that offers them professional learning opportunities and event kits containing resources to share with Owen’s class using iPads for other educators.

CEO Bikes 9,000 Miles Jeff Salter Across the U.S. To Raise Awareness.

an outdoor STEM lesson

“Mrs. Owen is a leader at planning intentional blended learning and STEAM [adding arts to STEM] integration that both enhances and showcases her students’ learning,” Principal Penny Valle said. “She uses the digital resources from Discovery Ed to broaden her students’ knowledge, experiences, and application of skills for problem-based learning.” Among her many innovative projects for students are stop-motion film shorts, STEAM journals, and Adobe Spark and Nearpod interactive presentations.

(L-R) Stephen Burroughs, Ben Thornton, and Danny Antonelli, and Tyler Carder (not pictured) were part of this year’s winning team from Capital Mortgage Solutions.

Fore the Children Golf Tournament Winners The annual Fore the Children Golf Tournament, presented by Kia, was recently held at BridgeMill Athletic Club. The day featured delicious food, gifts for all participants, and a beautiful round of golf with perfect weather. The competition was stiff, but the real winners are the members of the Malon D. Mimms Boys & Girls Club of Cherokee County! All proceeds go directly to support programming for the club’s members and its daily operations. Thanks to everyone who supported the event, and an extra special thank you to Cherokee County Board Members for all their hard work.

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Every 11 seconds, a senior citizen is treated in the emergency room for a fall, with treatment costs averaging $30,000. More than 80% of those falls happen in the bathroom. To help change these scary statistics, Jeff Salter, founder and CEO of Caring Senior Service, a national in-home, nonmedical care provider committed to improving the lives of seniors, has embarked on a national bike ride to raise awareness and funds to prevent falls.

Salter is biking 9,000 miles cross-country on an electric bike to shine a spotlight on underserved seniors and raise funds to prevent falls, which are the leading cause of fatal injury for seniors. As he visits all 45 Caring Senior Service locations during his four-month bike ride, Salter will launch the company’s “Close the Gap in Senior Care” movement, which focuses on fall prevention through the “Grab the Bars” campaign to raise funds for installing grab bars, which help prevent falls in the homes of seniors who may not have the means or ability to install them. To donate to the campaign, please visit GiveButter.com/ grabthebars. To learn more about the Close the Gap in Senior Care movement, please visit CaringSeniorService.com/ closethegap.

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Community Congratulations to Woodstock Police Department’s Award Winners The Woodstock Police Department recently held its annual Awards Banquet. Normally held in December of each year, the 2020 Awards Banquet was delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions. With proper safety precautions in place, the Woodstock Police Department’s command staff recognized department personnel for their outstanding achievements. While many awards and recognitions were presented throughout the night, the following received annual awards signifying their great work and contributions to the Woodstock Police Department: Supervisor of the Year Sergeant Gary Cowan Officer of the Year Corporal Dennis Hornes Rookie of the Year Officer Justin Ismach Civilian of the Year Patti Behrend

Patti Behrend, Justin Ismach

Tessa Basford Community Service Award Katie Wise and Officer Shane Bonebrake Volunteer of the Year Billy Doby

e, Shane Bonebrak

Darby Katie Wise, Earl

Legacy Award Earl Darby, Retired Cherokee County Coroner

The Tessa Basford Community Service Award may be awarded to any person who makes significant contributions to the Woodstock Police Department through his/her time, actions, talents, and dedication to making the City of Woodstock a better place. The Legacy Award may be awarded to an individual, group, or entity who, through sustained and lasting efforts, has had a significant impact on many individuals and has improved the quality of life in Woodstock and beyond.

Woodstock Family Life | JUNE 2021

Woodstock Ranks Third in Best U.S. Suburbs To Move to in 2021 According to Homes.com, “The remote work tidal wave during 2020 dramatically reshaped the way many Americans are making their home buying and rental decisions. Working from home and the elimination of long commutes has prompted a mass migration away from large metropolitan areas into smaller surrounding suburbs, where overall costs of living are usually more accessible.” Homes.com determined the best 50 suburbs to move to in 2021 based on nine residential and sociocultural ranking factors, and Woodstock ranked third in the nation! Out of the highest possible weighted score of 50, Woodstock scored a 40.69. To learn more and see the other cities that made the list, visit Homes.com/blog/2021/04/best-suburbs-2021.

Holly Springs Pins New Police Chief The City of Holly Springs recently pinned Tommy Keheley as its new police chief. Keheley has more than 50 years of experience in law enforcement and 25 years in the military. He has served as the deputy chief of police for the Holly Springs Police Department since 2016. Throughout his professional career, Keheley has served our nation in the Naval Reserves and Coast Guard and has served in the Georgia Air National Guard. Add

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18th Annual Day H

istory Cherokee’s largest fundraising event of the year, the Kentucky Derby Day, was a galloping success! The sold-out event hosted nearly 200 attendees who came together last month at The Mill on Etowah to cheer on the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby while supporting the mission of History Cherokee. From the big hats that were atop the ladies’ heads during the Hat Parade and Contest to the bold bourbons available for tasting, History Cherokee successfully raised nearly $30,000 to aide in supporting educational programming and historic preservation efforts throughout Cherokee County. “Hosting this signature event outdoors at The Mill on Etowah allowed our guests to safely celebrate together once again,” said Jessica Gordy, marketing and communications manager of History Cherokee. “We were lucky to have great weather, be able to work with incredibly gracious vendors, and see new and old friends for this annual tradition.” History Cherokee will break ground for the new Cherokee County History Center later this month and anticipates opening the new museum and research library in Spring 2022.

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S N O I T A L U T A R G CON

INSPIRED BY A DREAM By Liane N. Rowe Easywoods Inspired by a Dream may sound like a thoroughbred racehorse or maybe even a gated community for the silver-haired, but in fact, it is my given name. I speak the language of love and understand two others, and I hold dual citizenship as well as a passport stamped with transatlantic travel. One flight in particular serves as an indelible reminder of why I prefer traveling on foot. I love outdoor sports and indoor heating and air. My tastes lean more toward meat and potatoes, but the older I get, the more I realize that life without cows could add years to my life instead of inches to my waist. And since I enjoy compliments as much as the next guy, I gladly choose organic in exchange for all those looks from the ladies. They seem to like my six-pack and golden red hair, though I can only take credit for chiseling one and keeping the other cut and combed. Dutch by birth and American for work, I strive to follow my parents’ ethic to serve, protect, and love what I do and those around me. With 10 children to raise, Mom and Dad both made careers in world class port cargo safety, instilling a desire in their offspring to succeed wherever we landed. My three sisters decided to remain close to home, but all seven of us boys ventured to various parts of the globe. Dad’s name, Masou, could very well translate to “built like a tank” with his broad shoulders and lean body of solid muscle, passing down his physique to all his sons but me. That led some brothers to join the family business, while others chose law enforcement support. I, on the other hand, inherited Mom’s soft heart of strong compassion and worked diligently to sustain my previously mentioned six-pack abs.

Woodstock Family Life | JUNE 2021

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! E W O R . N E N A LI , R E N N I W R U TO O Being next to last in birth order, chances were good that I would dare to do something different. I have snored on my back since birth, while everyone else quietly slept on their stomachs, so it is highly likely that my trip across the pond was “inspired by a dream” on one of those noisy nights. Leaving the European continent – and Mom – with little more than gumption and grit might be the hardest thing I have ever done. It has also been the most rewarding. Discovered by a Netherlands business opening a new American franchise in need of a Superman/Clark Kent look-alike with big brown eyes and a quiet but alert demeaner, I accepted their proposition and packed light. With the promise of a one-way ticket to my new home, deluxe accommodations including meals, gym privileges, and flexible hours — with time off for good behavior, I was confident with my choice, except for one thing — I wondered what, exactly, in this day and age is a “lady’s companion.” My sisters were all into novel romance, so I was vaguely familiar with the term. I thought it referred to a wealthy woman living in the 1800s who suddenly found herself without fortune and in dire need of financial support. Since my future “lady” was financing this endeavor, none of that seemed to apply. Several questions later and job description in hand, it was clear that I would be expected to provide confidence, surveillance, distraction, entertainment, and undivided attention all while being this lady’s constant companion. Sweet deal. I could do that and add a cherry on top as well. Culture shock and even allergies to foreign trees and shrubs plucked from all over the world and planted in one place nearly had me turning back. Previously living on my beloved Netherland island, an engineering marvel of dikes and canals that keep it from sinking, I was used to life below sea level where it’s flatter than a pancake. Out of a keen sense of national pride and respect, one-third of our houses will always be painted black in memory of their occupants who perished from one plague or another four centuries ago. They stand as eternal memorials

amidst a manmade sea of windmills and vast acreage of rainbowcolored bulbs that ship to spring gardens and fill lover’s bouquets around the globe. My fellow citizens include the likes of Vincent Van Gogh and Anne Frank and her house of temporary refuge during World War II — definitely not the genteel South of mountainous north Georgia. What a delightful surprise it was, arriving at my new home to a burst of yellow sunshine with a bold burgundy front door after driving past row upon row of whites, grays, and tans. It would seem that my lady and I were soulmates in our desire for bright and beautiful. We could be different together. Time has turned our working relationship into a loving friendship built on trust. Perhaps you’ve seen this in action at one of my favorite places where everyone knows my name. If so, you already swing wide, stay silent, and just smile when you see us coming. For all those friends I have yet to meet, allow me to introduce myself. I can claim a 4-foot vertical jump (leap tall buildings); see day or night at an 11-mile distance (X-ray vision); bite through leather, steel, and bone (superhuman strength); and clock 35mph on a short track (super speed). I can, but as previously mentioned, do not like to fly, and I admit to a kryptonite spot on my belly that tickles me senseless. Easywoods is my surname, the physical place of my birth, and the one word that means everything to me, for it represents two precious people I left behind to accept this mission, the ones responsible for my illustrious pedigree and very being. I am all that and more. I am Cherokee County’s own Clark Kent, a.k.a. Brodie – golden retriever PTSD service dog.

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO SHARED SHORT STORIES WITH US! We received 30 thoughtful, well written submissions that covered a variety of topics, and we appreciated reading each one. We truly enjoyed “visiting” the succinct worlds you created, which inspired us to think and feel a wide array of emotions. Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

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Quotables “People are hard to hate close up. Move in.” -Brene Brown “Behind every strong person is a story that gave them no choice.” -Unknown

“It’s one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it’s another to think that yours is the only path.” -Paulo Coelho

“Do not confuse motion and progress. A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress.” -Alfred Montapert “Everybody wants to be a diamond, but very few are willing to get cut.” -Eric Thomas

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” -Seneca “Change is the law of life, and those who look only to the past and present are certain to miss the future.” -John F. Kennedy

“I wondered about the explorers who’d sailed their ships to the end of the world. How terrified they must have been when they risked falling over the edge; how amazed to discover, instead, places they had seen only in their dreams.” -Jodi Picoult, Handle With Care

Woodstock Family Life | JUNE 2021

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My Childhood By Tim Morris

[Lifestyle] When I was a child, I always wanted to be a professional football player. My dad didn’t believe in me playing organized sports as a kid because he thought it was a waste of money. He only allowed me to play football once I got to middle school. On the first day of 7th grade football practice, I quickly realized my knowledge and skills were behind those of my teammates. I knew nothing about agility drills or the proper way to tackle someone. I remember the coach constantly yelling at me, calling me names, and telling me I should quit because I would never be a good football player. During the 4th quarter of the last game of the season, that coach turned to me and asked if I wanted to play. After I said yes, he replied, “Maybe next year,” with a grin. After that, many kids would have been too discouraged to ever play again, but I was more determined to prove him wrong. In 8th grade, that coach was no longer at our school, and I had improved enough to become a two-way starter.

Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

Dream Job When I reached the 9th grade, I was asked by the high school coach to play varsity. During one practice, my old 7th grade coach was visiting and watching from the sidelines. I was all over the field that day, and when someone told him who I was, he was speechless. After practice, he walked toward me and put his hand out to apologize for how he’d treated me two years earlier. Though I never played professional football, what I learned by playing football in school taught me so much. My dad would’ve been 90 years old this year, and I’m sure he would still believe that playing organized youth sports is a waste of money. The Greatest Generation was hardworking and steadfast in their ideals, which were fostered by living through the Great Depression and WWII. Because of the way my dad Tim Morris is the director of Cherokee raised me, I County Senior Services. 1001 Univeter didn’t let that Road, Canton. 770-479-7438. CherokeeGa.com/Senior-Services coach force me to quit. L

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Woodstock Notes

Father’s Day Ideas for Woodstock Dads By Stacy Brown

his month, we celebrate Father’s Day, which provides children of all ages the opportunity to show extra love for their dads. There are lots of different types of fathers, so there are countless ways to make them feel special. Here are some ideas to celebrate the most popular types of fathers in Woodstock. The Downtowner The downtown dad always has the golf cart ready for a ride along Main Street. He loves dinner al fresco while listening to live music and enjoying people watching. A great gift for this dad would be new camp chairs for the upcoming Woodstock Summer Concert Series or a Downtown Dollars gift certificate, which are available in the Woodstock Visitors Center and redeemable at dozens of downtown merchants. The Mariner This dad loves being on the water whether it’s bustling Lake Allatoona or meandering Little River. He loves the sight of the sun’s rays shimmering on the water. Make his day with a boat rental – you can treat him to an excursion on a ski boat, a pontoon boat, wave runners, or even kayaks and paddleboards. Go to VisitWoodstockGa.com/explore to find companies offering rentals at various area locations. The Thrill Seeker While thrill seekers may not be so common in other towns, Woodstock is full of them. That’s in no small part because of the mountain bike trails at Olde Rope Mill Park. Our trails are beloved by those dads who enjoy the challenge and endorphin rush they experience, as they speed down single-track trails. Consider a gift in dad’s honor to SORBA Woodstock, the group that tirelessly builds and maintains Woodstock’s trails. Visit SORBAWoodstock.org/donate for more information. The Sport Does your dad love a little friendly competition? Spend a day with him at Dupree Park. You can play a full round of disc golf, challenge dad to a tennis match, shoot some hoops, or score points on him in a game of pickleball. There’s even a stocked pond, if you want to see who can catch the biggest fish. Learn more about this great park at WoodstockParksAndRec.com.

Stacy Brown is the marketing and communications manager for the City of Woodstock. 770-592-6056. WoodstockGa.gov

Woodstock Family Life | JUNE 2021

For more information on the many shops, restaurants, and attractions in the Woodstock area, go to VisitWoodstockGa.com.

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Southern Phoenix Services

More Than Just a Plumbing Company

simple leak can be expensive since a dripping faucet washes money down the drain. However, water is the No. 1 cause of home damage, and anyone who’s experienced a broken or clogged pipe probably won’t forget about it anytime soon. When we need a plumber, we often need one right away. By Murphy’s Law, a household crisis will happen at night or on the weekend — when most companies are closed. It’s important for homeowners to know a trustworthy local plumbing company that offers 24/7 emergency services. Southern Phoenix Services understands how frantic those circumstances can be. The company not only responds when needed but also keeps customers informed throughout the entire process.

A Can-Do, Figure-It-Out Attitude This Marietta-based company is set apart from other plumbing services for an interesting reason: it’s female-owned. Julie Guy is the founder and owner. Guy says she also serves as dispatcher and scheduler but adds, “I’m known by the staff as ‘Mama Hen.’”

How does a woman excel in this typically man’s world of plumbing? “Having three older brothers and a dad who fixed literally everything made me want to do and learn all the handson things they were doing. If I didn’t know how to do something, I learned to figure it out. To this day, I am constantly researching and learning new things,” says Guy. Guy’s introduction to the plumbing world came to her as a growth opportunity more than eight years ago when she used her freelance marketing skills to help a friend with his company. “In my position as business development manager, I excelled by learning not only the plumbing trade but also how to run a successful business — from top to bottom,” she explains. After helping that company grow, Guy realized it was time to start her own. “Joining an already existing company and starting one from scratch are two very different things,” she says.

Guy forged a course toward a self-made future and named her company Southern Phoenix Services to represent both the city of Atlanta and the mythical bird that symbolizes overcoming obstacles. Continuous A+ Ratings and Growth The company is now family-owned since Guy’s son, Albert, joined her in the business last year. Southern Phoenix Services has grown from an initial staff of two employees to a team of eight with three service trucks. This company has expanded its residential plumbing services across north metro Atlanta to the cities of Woodstock, Canton, Roswell, Alpharetta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Powder Springs, and Hiram. Southern Phoenix Services takes pride in being a woman-owned business. Under Julie Guy’s leadership, with her fierce commitment to integrity, this licensed and insured company stands behind every technician's work. Continuing education

Southern Phoenix Services in Marietta serves the greater Atlanta metro area including Cherokee, Cobb, North Fulton, and Paulding counties. 20

Woodstock Family Life | JUNE 2021

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COVER STORY By Patti Richter

for the staff (including Guy) contributes to the company’s growing reputation for being the place to call to get a job done right. Employees are provided with the latest up-to-date information on constantly changing equipment, material, and plumbing codes. Last year, Southern Phoenix received multiple customer service awards across the metro area including Angie’s List Super Service Award 2020, which comes from gathering continuous “A+” ratings from customers. “Repeat customers and referrals make up 48% of our business,” Guy says. This company is also community focused. Julie Guy’s motto is, “Always Pay It Forward.” Each month, Southern Phoenix Services donates to local charities or organizations in need of help or encouragement. Giving projects have included comfort items for nursing home residents, necessities for children in foster care, and back-to-school flowers and gift cards for teachers.

“We make ‘giving back’ a priority,” Guy says. A Wide Range of Services Southern Phoenix offers a plethora of residential plumbing services: miscellaneous repairs, installation of water lines, video camera inspection of drain and sewer pipes, replacement and repairs on sewer pipes, sump pumps, and foundation or slab leaks.

“Our team has the latest video equipment to properly diagnose problems,” says Guy. General plumbing services include sinks, showers, toilets, faucets, garbage disposals, water heaters, sewer and water line replacements, and entire house pipe replacement. The company also offers gas services, from leak detection to gas lines run for grills and outdoor cooktops. Employees are fully trained for all tankless and regular water heater issues: inspections, replacements, and maintenance solutions. Guy says they receive inhouse continuing education with various manufacturers’ representatives coming every other month. “Knowledge is power, and our Southern Phoenix technicians like to be fully prepared to help with our customers’ plumbing needs,” Guy says.

Visit the website for informative articles on water heaters, pinhole leaks, frozen pipes, sump pumps, and clogged drains. While there, be sure to check out the monthly specials.

Marietta, GA

770-455-2700 SouthernPhoenixServices.com Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

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Senator Speaks

What’s in a Name? By State Senator Bruce Thompson

a young boy, I would occasionally have the opportunity to leave the farm and spend time with my best friend at his home in town. We would generally shoot hoops, and then he would break out the Swan’s Ice Cream and the A&W Root Beer. In my opinion, there is no better root beer float than one made from these two ingredients. While many things consumed our minds, figuring out where the name “A&W” came from was never one of them. It turns out that a man named Roy Allen set up a roadside root beer stand in California one hot evening when the city was celebrating the homecoming of WWI heroes. Allen later partnered with Frank Wright to expand the concept, and coined the name A&W. In other words, the company is rooted in recognizing others for their service — even featuring a 6-foot mascot called the Good Ambassador Bear at many of its locations. That little stand has now grown to more than 1,000 restaurants in the United States and beyond.

his mission of investing in others. A homeschool dad himself, he became a staunch advocate for this community as well as those without a male role model in their lives. Unfortunately, the Lord called Mosely home just over two years ago, but his legacy of service to others lives on. At a time when our communities are so divided, most people agree that team activities break down barriers by bringing kids together from diverse backgrounds for a common goal. Understanding the need to find common ground, both sides committed to exploring solutions and changes to address the concerns. Before long, Dr. Robin Hines of the GHSA and I proudly announced our endorsement, which ultimately led to the passage of the Dexter Mosely Act. The next time you glance at the name on a product or name of an initiative, consider exploring the heart behind the name.

Over 5 years ago, I began working on a piece of legislation modeled after many other states titled the Tim Tebow Bill. It allowed homeschoolers to try out for extracurricular activities including drama, debate, music, and sports at the public school they would normally attend. The name was to honor the legacy of Tim Tebow, who was homeschooled in Jacksonville, Florida, and was permitted to play football for the struggling Allen D. Neese High School team. He joined the team as a junior, making an immediate positive impact, even rushing for a 29-yard touchdown with an undiscovered broken fibula. Named Florida’s Player of the Year as well as an All-American, he led his team to a state title the following year. Year after year, the Tim Tebow Bill met intense scrutiny and objections from the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) and members of the House, preventing a vote on the floor where I was convinced it would successfully pass. Recognizing that insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result, this year, I decided to change the name to the Dexter Mosley Act to reflect and honor the legacy of a man who devoted his life to serving others in sports. Mosley played football for the Auburn Tigers. Although he overcame several health challenges, including a heart transplant, Mosley finished college, settled in Georgia with his family, and continued 22

Woodstock Family Life | JUNE 2021

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

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Trouble Seeing the Big Picture? By Pastor Andy Rogers

[InGoodFaith] Overwhelmed? Distressed? One of the amazing opportunities I have as a pastor is to chat and visit with people from all walks and seasons of life. It is one of the many aspects of my calling that brings me great joy. These conversations also remind me that I am not the only one who feels overwhelmed at times. Sometimes, life’s circumstances overwhelm us, which can cause us to feel like we’re surrounded, as if in a battle where we’re outnumbered and outgunned. Ever been there? One morning, Elisha (a prophet of God) and his servant awoke to find themselves surrounded by an enemy army. Overwhelmed and in distress, Elisha’s servant cries out, “What shall we do?” Elisha responded, “Don’t be afraid…. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then, the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha (2 Kings, 6:16-17).

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In our times of distress, we often fail to see the bigger picture. God has been, and continues to be, at work in this world and the circumstances of our lives. Even when we find it hard to see him at work in our lives, we need not believe that he is not acting on our behalf. Apostle Paul, having been imprisoned, was also able to see the bigger picture, as he wrote this to the church in Rome, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). Next time you find yourself overwhelmed, ask Andy Rogers is lead pastor at The God to open your Way | Woodstock United Methodist eyes, so that you Church, 109 Towne Lake Parkway, may see that he Woodstock. 770-516-0371. is at work in your TheWayWoodstock.com situation. L

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Public Safety

Protecting Our Elders From

Scams, Abuse, and Neglect By District Attorney Shannon Wallace

ecently, a friend received an email that she immediately recognized as a scam. The writer claimed to be a banker from another country and told my friend that he would send her millions of dollars from an unclaimed inheritance. But first, he needed my friend to provide very specific personal information, including her bank account number. If you think a promise of millions of dollars sounds too good to be true, you are right. Fortunately, my friend was savvy enough to recognize this as a scam and laugh it off. However, some scams are trickier to spot, and even the savviest among us can be manipulated by these opportunists. Many of these unscrupulous individuals specifically target senior citizens.

Scams Targeting the Elderly Whether in person, by phone, text, email, or social media, scammers often pose as someone you might normally trust. Here are a few common scams: •A n email from someone who says he’s a clergyman asking congregants to purchase gift cards to support someone enduring a tragedy. • A text claiming to be a COVID-19 vaccine scheduler, then asking for personal information and, later, using that information to steal the individual’s identify. •A visit from someone claiming to be a Medicare agent, who informs the victim he/she needs a new Medicare card, then requests his/her Social Security number.

Criminals often target older adults because they believe seniors have retirement savings or are more easily tricked than younger people. In some cases, seniors are so embarrassed that they fell victim to a scam, they hesitate to report the crime.

Elder Abuse at Home Besides this type of financial exploitation, elder abuse also occurs when trusted family members, friends, or caregivers intentionally harm or fail to provide needed services to older adults in their care. Typically, elder abuse is one (or all) of the following: • Physical - Often includes sexual and emotional abuse as well. • Neglect - Failure to provide essential medical care, adequate nutrition, hygiene, or a safe living environment. • Financial Exploitation - Depriving access to financial resources by using force, threats, or deceit. We take elder abuse very seriously and have a prosecution unit within the District Attorney’s Office that specializes in handling these crimes. Members of our office participate in the Cherokee County Adult Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Multidisciplinary Team, which meets monthly. This multidisciplinary team brings together organizations committed to protecting vulnerable adults from situations of abuse or exploitation. Members discuss reports of abuse and collaborate to ensure

Georgia laws related to elder abuse: O.C.G.A. §16-5-101, §16-5-102, §16-5-23.1

Woodstock Family Life | JUNE 2021

seniors receive the services they need. In 2020, the group reviewed 235 cases of suspected abuse or neglect of elders or vulnerable adults in Cherokee. We also partner with Cherokee Triad S.A.L.T., an organization that works to reduce victimization of older adults by offering programs for seniors and caregivers. More information on these programs can be found at SALTCherokee.com.

World Elder Abuse Day Each year on June 15, communities worldwide draw attention to the problem of physical, emotional, and financial abuse of our elders. The day provides the opportunity to educate people about the unique challenges of our aging population, reach out to elders to help them avoid becoming crime victims, and exchange ideas on how to reduce crimes against elders.

How To Help You can help, too. Visit older adults in your life and make sure they are healthy and safe. Talk to them about common scams and make sure they are making sound decisions. Report elder abuse through the Georgia Division of Aging Services. Aging.Georgia.gov/report-elder-abuse 866-55AGING (866-552-4464)

Call 911 if someone is in immediate danger.

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

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3 Summer Haircuts for Busy Women By Jyl Craven

[Lifestyle] Today’s woman leads a demanding life, and spending

The Pixie Cut

more than a few minutes on her hair in the morning just isn’t an option. As summer approaches, and the days become longer, our agendas become fuller than ever before. With work, meetings, carpool lines, sports practice and kids’ activities, what woman has time for herself?

Actresses from Mia Farrow to Ann Hathaway have popularized this classic cut, which is perfect for women with fine hair. The cut makes hair appear fuller, while shorter lengths also allow for smooth or tousled styles. Plus, busy women will appreciate that the pixie cut works well even if they only have time to air-dry their hair.

If this sounds like you, never fear. Ask your stylist about one of these three haircuts. With minimal muss and fuss in the morning, any one of these three styles will leave you looking dazzling this summer.

The Curly Bob The curly bob is an easy and versatile look for women on the go. If the word “bob” scares you, don’t worry; the curly bob can vary from shoulder length to just above the earlobes. Active women can wear a curly bob straight or with layers for extra movement and bounce. A curly bob can be a simple, subtle look that conveys urbanity and sophistication without taking a long time to style. For a touch of shine, consider adding a little of your favorite gloss spray. The curly bob can also easily be styled into a beach wave look. To create the look without stiffness or stickiness, use a styling aid like Keratase Spray à Porter. This water-based lotion leaves your hair feeling smooth and breezy all summer long.

Want to create a chic, textured, and disheveled look? Keep some sculpting paste on your vanity. Shape Paste by Shu Uemura Art of Hair perfectly complements the pixie cut because it bonds to the natural protein sites on the hair, reinforcing the structure and style.

Long, Loose Layers Did you think long hair automatically means a long styling time? That’s simply not true! If you embrace loose layers, you can keep your long, thick, or curly hair and still have time to live your life. Long hair with round layers that nicely frame your face will always be in style. Long layers can also be used to shape and contour your face. Women with round faces should ask their stylists for fewer layers, since layers tend to widen the face. For a different look, you might ask your stylist to add side-swept bangs to keep your hair looking modern. The best thing about all three of these simple, timeless cuts is that they can be appropriate for day-to-day life or styled for a night on the town. If your busy lifestyle is keeping you on the go this summer, ask your stylist about a no-fuss haircut today. L

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

Woodstock Family Life | JUNE 2021

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2021

Health Wellness Guide

Pinnacle Orthopaedics Southern ENT Specialists

AlignLife Chiropractic

Anderson Dental

Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

28 30 31 32

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Pinnacle Orthopaedics

innacle Orthopaedics provides quality care, convenience, and assurance that patients are receiving the most advanced and comprehensive orthopaedic care in a professional and courteous manner. Pinnacle has five offices throughout the northwest Atlanta area, including two in Cherokee County. The practice has 16 physicians with a wide range of orthopaedic specialties, including arthroscopic surgery, total joint replacement, surgery of the hand, surgery of the foot, fracture care, pain management, spine surgery, traumatic injuries, limb lengthening and deformity repair, and treatment of work-related and sports-related injuries. The office also offers MRIs, physical and occupational therapy, and an on-site Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) in the Woodstock location.

ROSA Robotic Knee Replacement System

Pinnacle Orthopaedics’ Physicians, Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners

In the 10 years since its ASC opened, Pinnacle has performed thousands of outpatient surgeries, giving patients the ease and comfort of having surgery close to home. This ASC has fully functioning operating rooms for all types of outpatient orthopaedic surgeries, including total knee and hip surgery, certain outpatient spine procedures, and all orthopaedic sports-related injuries. With 20 employees within the center and several employees on call, more than 400 procedures are performed each month at the ASC. Pinnacle is constantly striving to increase the level of service and convenience the practice offers to its patients. Continuing with that effort, Pinnacle is the first in the Atlanta metro area to have a new robotic technology. ROSA Knee is a robotically assisted

SPECIALTIES AND SERVICES • Orthopaedics • Sports Medicine • Spine • Joint Care and Replacement • Hand and Foot • Physiatry • Limb Lengthening • Deformity • Trauma • Workers’ Compensation • MRI • Surgery Center • Physical Therapy

surgical system designed to help perform total knee replacement surgery. It includes features to assist with bone resections and assessing the state of soft tissues in order to facilitate implant positioning intraoperatively. “ROSA Knee offers a number of key benefits and advantages,” said Karthik Ponnusamy, MD. “We believe these robotically assisted technologies have the potential to make the recovery easier for patients and improve their outcomes.”

720 Transit Avenue Suite 202 Canton, GA 30114 770-345-5717 1505 Stone Bridge Parkway Suite 200 Woodstock, GA 30189 770-926-9112 28

Woodstock Family Life | JUNE 2021

Total joint replacement is one of the most commonly performed elective surgical procedures in the United States. It is also an increasingly popular outpatient procedure at surgery centers, including Pinnacle’s ASC. The ROSA Robotic Knee Replacement System personalizes the approach to total knee arthroplasty and replacements, which optimizes patients’ recovery. Add

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Southern ENT Specialists

alking inside Southern ENT Specialists, the first thing patients experience is being greeted by a smile and friendly staff members who make them feel welcome. Dr. James Courtney French founded Southern ENT Specialists to fulfill his dream of combining the most advanced care in ear, nose, and throat medicine with a healthy dose of southern hospitality. His exceptional patient care, gifted approach to medicine, and utilization of cutting-edge technology recently earned him many awards for top doctor for otolaryngology including the Castle Connolly Award, GA Top Doctors, and Atlanta Magazine Top Doc for 2019, 2020, and 2021. “We promise to do our best to always treat our patients as we would want to be treated,” said Dr. French. Southern ENT Specialists provides minimally invasive advanced solutions that are custom-tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Audiologist Dr. Victory Ashmore was recently added to the practice’s team of providers. Dr. Ashmore joins the ranks of advanced practice providers Keevil Helmly and Tayler Mauldin. Patients will be pleased to know that Southern ENT Specialists has expanded to a new location in Woodstock to accommodate its growing patient network in that area. Common Treatments Physicians at Southern ENT Specialists treat common conditions such as allergies, congestion, sinus issues, nasal drip, headaches, hearing loss, and ear

Woodstock Family Life | JUNE 2021

fullness. Dr. French, who is a board-certified otolaryngologist, head, and neck surgeon, especially enjoys treating patients with chronic sinus and allergy problems, nasal congestion, and snoring/sleep apnea. Balloon sinuplasty is a procedure performed by an otolaryngologist that is used to treat blocked sinus passages. As a leader in Dr. Victory Ashmore and Dr. James Courtney French the field, Dr. French has extensive experience in the procedure. Dr. Ashmore conducts physical and His experience started near the inception audiometric testing to diagnose different of the technology in the operating room types of hearing loss in which hearing aids over 15 years ago to the office-based may be a viable solution. Dr. Ashmore’s procedure it is today. He has served as experience in audiology as well as her an instructor for surgeons coming from friendly approach and attentive listening across the U.S. to learn how to perform skills make her exceptional in her field. the procedure in the safest and most comfortable manner possible. Visit Dr. French and His Team Southern ENT Specialists also offers these advanced services: • Allergy Testing and Treatments • Clarifix and RhinAer Treatments for Chronic Nasal Drainage • Vivaer Nasal Airway Remodeling for Chronic Congestion • Audiology and Hearing Aids • Botox and Juvederm Injectable Fillers • Skin Medica Skin Care Products Helping Those With Hearing Loss Hearing loss impacts 20% of Americans and 15% of children ages 6-19. Eventually, everyone develops hearing loss as part of the normal aging process, which can impact relationships with significant others, inhibit learning, and cause depression and early dementia. Treating this condition early can drastically improve quality of life.

If you’re suffering from ear, nose, throat, or allergy concerns, call Southern ENT Specialists to make an appointment. The practice takes all major insurances and offers competitive self-pay pricing. To learn more about the team, please visit the website.

1816 Eagle Drive Building 200, Suite B Woodstock, GA 30189 460 Northside Cherokee Boulevard, Suite 410 Canton, GA 30115 678-786-7430 SouthernENTSpecialists.com Add

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AlignLife Chiropractic of Woodstock

Dr. Taylor Hoskins

lignLife of Woodstock’s No. 1 goal is to make Woodstock healthy. Through its brand of care, Dr. Taylor Hoskins, a graduate of Life University, can treat more than just pain by teaching patients how their nervous system impacts essential functions throughout the body. Dr. Hoskins primarily practices diversified, Thompson, activator, and extremity adjustments. “These techniques give me the ability to help people with a wide variety of issues, the flexibility to tailor the adjustments to

Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

what is most comfortable for the patient, and the opportunity to help patients who have extremity complaints that might otherwise be overlooked by other providers,” .said Dr. Hoskins, who sees stress as one of the biggest impactors of health in her community. “Stress tears down our immune system, our body, and our overall health. Chiropractic helps to balance out stress levels by making your body more adaptable to everyday life,” Dr. Hoskins explained.

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Services Offered: • Chiropractic - Gain long-term pain relief and improved mobility without medication or surgery. • Detoxification - Rid the waste and trim your waist. Increase energy, enhance mood, and lose weight. • Nutrition Enhancement - Receive a customized diet and supplementation program for quick, long-lasting results. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call or visit the website.

AlignLife Promises To:

• Focus on finding the cause of each • • •

patient’s problem. Treat patients like family. Educate and empower patients to make their own healthcare decisions. Help patients with healthcare concerns, or help them find someone who can.

10917 Highway 92, Suite 160A Woodstock, GA 30188 678-385-9333 AlignLifeWoodstock.com

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Anderson Dental

r. Steven Anderson opened Anderson Dental in November 2005 in Woodstock/East Cobb’s Claremore Lake Professional Park. After working for other dental practices, Dr. Anderson decided to build a state-of-the-art professional building and open his dental practice on the top floor. Dr. Anderson earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Louisville in Kentucky. He also graduated with honors from the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology as well as Community Dentistry and Public Health. “Dentistry is a second career for me,” says Dr. Anderson. “I was an executive in computer science and did a couple successful start-up companies, but that career required a lot of traveling, and I was tired of that. My family was starting to

Dr. Steven Anderson

Anderson Dental Front Office

grow, too, and I wanted to be home to be a father and watch my boys grow.” Anderson Dental is committed to comprehensive and quality patient care. Dr. Anderson says, “We focus on our patients and their needs and wants. Our patients are very important to us. We do not treat patients like a number or rush through treatment. We want to know each patient, and we demonstrate that by spending time to do quality work.” “It takes time to diagnose a patient’s dental problem correctly and even more time to do quality dentistry; otherwise, things get missed,” he continues. At Anderson Dental, you can expect to receive comprehensive, quality dental care, which includes a complete oral health examination, accurate diagnosis, and thorough treatment explanation for every patient. Dr. Anderson takes time with each of his patients. Using modern diagnostics and training, he is dedicated to knowing and treating diseases that affect patients’ oral health. Anderson Dental features a modern, well-equipped office and an experienced staff. The practice provides some of the latest state-of-the-art equipment in a comfortable, clean, and spacious environment. The staff at Anderson Dental has decades of experience in dentistry.

Woodstock Family Life | JUNE 2021

“I am absolutely committed to surrounding myself with a highly experienced, caring staff to assist me in everyday patient care,” Dr. Anderson says. “I want each patient’s experience to be smooth and pleasant from start to finish.” Anderson Dental will begin seeing patients at age 1. This allows the child to become acclimated early and arms parents with valuable knowledge to help prevent the most common dental disease in the world: tooth decay. Other services that Anderson Dental offers include custom-fit mouth guards to adequately protect teeth and oral soft tissue for athletes who participate in contact sports; implant dentistry, which completely replaces a missing tooth; wisdom teeth extractions; and aligner orthodontics (clear braces), which allow patients to straighten teeth without metal brackets.

650 Claremore Professional Way, Suite 200 Woodstock, GA 30188 770-384-8505 DrStevenAnderson.com Add

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Fundraiser Event

reated to support families raising children with special needs, Special Needs Respite, Inc. is committed to providing rest for 24/7 caregivers, giving them the opportunity to make timeless memories and reaffirm the bonds that keep families together and give them hope. In 2017, within months of being formally established as a 501(c)(3) charity, Special Needs Respite began funding respite for families. This nonprofit organization started with a small but dedicated crew with little overhead, and its story remains consistent with more than 80% of every dollar going to pay for qualified caregivers.

Community Partner Founder Stacy Georges divorce for such parents. Respite can also provide much needed sleep to parents who have children with sleep disruptions. Sleep deprivation causes lost wages, poor health, confusion in decision making, and car accidents.

The process for parents is simple. After applying for a scholarship on the Special Needs Respite website, each family meets and approves their caregiver (or uses their own established caregiver), which the scholarship funds. That caregiver comes to the family’s home, ensuring that the child can be in familiar surroundings. This is especially helpful for children with special needs who have trouble adapting to new environments.

Now in its fourth year of serving the special needs community and relying solely on the generosity of individual donors, the organization has qualified for grants and partnerships with large corporations. The long-term goal is to keep growing until it can serve those in metro Atlanta who have not been able to get other funding. The state of Georgia offers at least three waivers through Medicaid, but many families who qualify are on years-long waiting lists. The organization’s mission is to stand in the gap to help families get the respite they need.

The benefits of respite are physical, psychological, financial, and emotional. The unfortunate truth is that when parents become hopeless, marriages suffer and, in some tragic cases, murder or suicide occurs. Marriages are strained when spouses have no time to focus on cultivating their relationship, which translates into a much higher rate of

Special Needs Respite’s Valentine’s Day gift to parents this year was a Getaway Giveaway, sending couples and single parents on a weekend getaway in the North Georgia mountains for four days and three nights, in collaboration with “A Mother’s Rest,” a nonprofit located near Helen, Georgia. Childcare was paid for the entire weekend.

It was such a hit that Special Needs Respite offered the weekend getaway again in May in honor of Mother’s Day. If you know of a foundation that would align with Special Needs Respite’s mission, if you’d like to sponsor a mom or couple for a weekend getaway, or if you have a heart to help special needs parents, please visit the organization’s website for more information. A Mother’s Rest

Getaway Winners

Special Needs Respite 2300 Holcomb Bridge Road, Suites 103-218 Roswell, GA 30076 info@specialneedsrespite.org | SpecialNeedsRespite.org 34

Woodstock Family Life | JUNE 2021

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Stranger Than Fiction

Zombie Flies By Joshua Fuder

[HomeLife] If you were out in your garden among your trees and shrubs this spring, you may have observed a dead fly or two attached to a flower stalk or tree branch. Upon closer inspection, you may have observed that the fly’s wings were outspread, and the abdomen had developed a characteristic white striping. Flies exhibiting these traits have most likely been killed by the fungus Entomophthora muscae. The genus name Entomphthora means “insect destroyer.” These fungi are transmitted by airborne spores and only affect adult flies in certain species or family classifications. When the spore lands on an unsuspecting victim, it germinates and begins to penetrate through the fly’s exoskeleton. Fungal hyphae begin growing throughout the body of the fly, eventually reaching the brain.

Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

Once inside the brain, the fungi cause a distinct change in behavior. The fly is now being controlled by the fungi and exhibits “summit disease,” whereby it will crawl up to the tip of a branch, flower, or leaf it is on. This behavior is accompanied by specialized fungal structures or a glue-like material secreted by the hyphae for attachment. Before dying, the fly will spread out its legs and position its wings perpendicular to its body. This distinct posture and elevated place of death work to increase the chances that the fungal spores that are produced will find another host to infect. Once the fly reaches this death pose, the fungal hyphae have swollen its abdomen to the point where the light-colored membranes between the dark, hard segments become exposed. When humidity and temperature conditions are right, the fungus produces numerous spore-bearing structures called sporangia. Next time you hear an update about the newest movie or television show being filmed in our area, just remember that what is happening in your own backyard is just as interesting and bizarre.

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

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Putting

Heart in Art

Barbara Rowlett-Rheingrover

culptor, painter, teacher, wife, mother, and grandmother, Canton resident Barbara Rowlett-Rheingrover has lived by her belief that “Life’s a gift, and you have to give it away.” In her 45 years of sculpting and painting, RowlettRheingrover’s mission has been to help all people experience the wonder of art.

Artist Profile

“I pray over my work,” Rowlett-Rheingrover said, “that people will enjoy it, be enhanced by it, be uplifted by it.” Over the years, in both mediums, her work has become more abstract, as she attempts to capture light, energy, and movement and “to stimulate viewers’ imaginations to see not only with their eyes but also with their hearts.” Rowlett-Rheingrover, who studied and had a studio in Italy for 15 years, is perhaps best known for her sculpture Ovation, created in honor of the 1996 Olympic athletes and now on the campus of Georgia Tech. Done in white Carrara marble, the 10-foot sculpture evokes the strength and grace of athletes. Flowing upward like a flame, its curves move the viewer’s eye with them, and characteristic of Rowlett-Rheingrover’s sculptures, Ovation’s contours and planes, curves and defined edges, smooth and rough textures invite touch. Whether they are experiencing her signature heart sculptures or her abstract works, as with Ovation, the viewer wants to move with her works’ lines and feel their sheen as well as their rougher surfaces.

BY ELLEN SAMSELL SALAS

Rowlett-Rheingrover sculpts in stone, clay, and bronze, hoping to convey “the feeling within me, the joy.” Sometimes, she has a concept in mind, but other times she is guided by the stone. “The stone speaks to you,” RowlettRheingrover said. “It’s so freeing. A stone has never been looked into or touched by anyone. It’s spiritual. Will it be a heart or an abstract?” Although she uses power tools, she is more connected to the stone when working with hand tools. “Power tools make the work go a lot faster, but you lose some of the heart. When you do it slow, you put your whole heart into it.” Now 77, Rowlett-Rheingrover proclaims she has 20 more years of creating. She works daily, moving from sculpting to painting, which she terms “contemporary impressionism with a hint of realism.”

In an array of colors, some canvasses burst with bold brushstrokes that mirror the curves and dynamism of her sculptures; others, while also colorful, more quietly depict flowers and trees in quicker brushwork characteristic of impressionism. Working in acrylics, she engages with the painting as it evolves, “layering, moving from dark to light, light to dark.” Rowlett-Rheingrover gets up each day, has a cup of coffee, and, with her husband, watches the birds and other wildlife in their yard. She then retreats to her studio. “You get going, and cares float away. You’re in your own world — it’s heaven,” she said. “I’ve reached the pinnacle of what an artist hopes to do. I’ve given of my art and life, and now I’m enjoying the freedom to create whatever I want to, when I want. If someone loves it and wants to buy it, that’s wonderful. Life’s a gift, and you need to give it away.”

To view more of Rowlett-Rheingrover’s work, visit

BarbaraRheingrover.com or TaylorKinzelGallery.com/collections/barbara-rheingrover. 36

Woodstock Family Life | JUNE 2021

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Support a Great Cause

Run This Year’s

“Moove It” 5K By Lisa-Marie Haygood [AcademicLife] The Etowah River Park will once again come alive to a flurry of activity on Saturday, August 14, as the Chick-fil-A “Moove It” 5K Road Race benefiting the Cherokee County Educational Foundation (CCEF) and Special Olympics of Cherokee County takes center stage. This is the largest 5K road race in north Georgia, so you don’t want to miss it! CCEF is a nonprofit organization that serves the community by raising funds and awareness for continued teaching, learning, leadership, and recognition events for all schools in the Cherokee County School District. The funds raised by this 5K race support students and teachers in Cherokee County classrooms in the form of Impact grants. Teachers are encouraged to apply for Impact Grants from CCEF each year to fund materials, resources, and innovative ideas that will benefit teaching and learning initiatives that ensure excellence in education throughout Cherokee’s award-winning school district. Race registration can be completed at CFAMooveIt.com. Festivities begin at 7:00am, with live music and the Chick-fil-A cows leading prerace festivities and warm-up fun. The 5K will start at 8:00am, and the “Calf Run” for tiny participants will begin at 9:00am. Sponsorship tables are still available. Please visit CFAMooveIt.com, CherokeeCountyEducationalFoundation.org, or call 770-704-4213 for more information or to volunteer.

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

Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

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How To Create a

More Secure

Password

[StrategicLife] Everyone uses passwords to access all sorts of information on the computer, online, and other places. People often complain about having to remember too many passwords, and as a result, they tend to use the same one for everything. To make matters worse, that password is often not very strong, leaving individuals vulnerable to data loss, identity theft, and hijacked online accounts. The most common passwords – including 123456789, qwerty, password, iloveyou, and nothing – are easily guessed and easily hacked.

By Scott Lavelle

Five Tips for Creating a More Secure Password 1 Always Use a “Strong” Password

The technical definition of a strong password is one that has eight or more characters and at least three of the four character types: uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters (such as @ or %).

2 Never Share Your Password

In business, this means that all staff members who are going to access a resource should have their own I.D. and password. This way, if there is ever a separation, the I.D. can be easily disabled without disturbing other employee operations.

3 Be Creative

A common method for creative passwords is using numbers or special characters in place of letters that look similar. For example:  S = $  O = Zero  3 = E Another effective method is to use a phrase that is represented by an acronym. For example, “I couldn’t remember my password for thirty minutes if you paid me” might look something like “Icrmp430miniy$me.” This has all four of the character types and is 16 characters long, but it’s not hard to recall.

Scott Lavelle, MCSE is the co-owner/ technical director of Technical Resource Solutions. 678-928-9491. TechnicalRS.com

Woodstock Family Life | JUNE 2021

4 Use a Password Manager Application

These apps keep up with your passwords by storing them in a “vault,” and they also automatically fill online forms. LastPass, which is one of the most popular password managers, has options for both personal and business use. You can sign into this app using your master password on any computer, providing access to other passwords any time they are needed.

5 Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication apps require you to enter a password and type in a code that is sent to or viewed on a secure device. This code changes with every log in, making it more difficult for hackers to gain access to accounts. Even with strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication for accounts that offer this option is strongly recommended. Also, the mobile app is preferred over the mobile phone SMS (text message) option.

Like most things in life, there are no guarantees that these things will completely protect you, but they certainly point you in the right direction and add another level of security to your accounts. Living in a digital age requires a heightened level of diligence and awareness. L

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Ribbon Cuttings, Ground Breakings, and Celebrations

Snowmies Shaved Ice 1 Year Anniversary 115 Mill Street, Suite C Woodstock 404-480-3588 Sweet Treats

Rootstock Restaurant & Bar Expansion Groundbreaking 8558 Main Street Woodstock 770-544-9009 Restaurant

Timbers On Etowah

225 Reformation Parkway, Suite 202 Canton 470-546-4207 Event and Wedding Venue

Furniture Fashions and Sleep Solutions, LLC 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 380 Woodstock 770-779-9486 Furniture Store

Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

Cherokee County Young Life 2720 Holly Springs Parkway Holly Springs 470-377-1235 Nonprofit Organization

Culver’s

11799 Highway 92 Woodstock 470-377-4176 Restaurant

Credit Union of Georgia 2873 East Cherokee Drive Canton 678-486-1111 Credit Union

2Work Staffing

10150 Ball Ground Highway, Suite 106 Ball Ground 706-503-5063 Staffing Services WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM

Advertiser Index AlignLife of Woodstock

Anderson Dental

32-33

Chattahoochee Technical College

Cruise Planners

Dawn Sams, Realtor

Elm Street Cultural Arts Village

Falany Performing Arts Center

GarageExperts

Harmony Orthodontics

Jyl Craven Hair Design

Inside Back

Landscape Matters

Lingerfelt and Associates

Masterpiece Framers

Mosquito-Free

Inside Front

North Georgia Vein & Wellness

Northside Hospital Cherokee

Oaks at Towne Lake

Pete’s Plumbing

PhotoJack.net 16 Pinnacle Orthopaedics

Polished Peach Car Wash, LLC

Service League of Cherokee County Golfing FORE! The Children Golf Tournament

Southern ENT Specialists

Southern Phoenix Services

Cover, 20-21

Spencer Investigations Inc.

St. George Village

Back Cover

Summit Financial Solutions

Technical Resource Solutions

Vincent Financial Group

Inside Front

VRoK Fitness

Woodstock Funeral Home

Woodstock Summer Concert Series

Online ads link to advertisers’ websites.

Woodstock Family Life | JUNE 2021

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PRSRT STD ECRWSS US Postage

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Stone Mountain, GA

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