Woodstock Family Life 6-22 by Family Life Magazines

Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

FamilyLife Publications.com

Contents

June 2022

VOLUME 9 | ISSUE 11

[20-21]

20-21 On the Cover

Nic Goodwin and Zack Bobo ERA Sunrise Realty

16-17

Short Story Contest Congrats to Our Winner!

27-34

Health and Wellness Guide Explore Your Options

[16-17]

Artist Profile

Erik Scherb

[38] Follow Us >>>

Woodstock Family Life

[27-34] Family Life Publications

| June 2022

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

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

............... Derby Day Pictorial

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

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

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

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

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

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Publisher’sPerspective

A LETTER FROM

My Father

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

In April 2021, Dad moved back to Hickory Flat where he and Mother had raised me and my brother, Victor, until our teen years. After settling into his new home, he started reading the local magazine that appeared each month in the mail. Imagine his surprise when he read this column and saw a somewhat familiar face in the signature below! The scattered pieces of the past began to come together again, as only our Father in Heaven could align. The fact is, I had already forgiven Dad for his decisions and had no burden upon me to that regard, but to receive letters from him and actually be able to enjoy my father as my dad again was truly uplifting. The slate had been cleaned. Two years ago this month, I married my wife, Vicky. I am proud and blessed to be a co-father to a pair of really great teenagers, Molly and James. It is refreshing to have another grand-gentleman to share these times with, too. Life is particularly interesting when one realizes that it’s best we have no control over the circumstances of God’s plans ( Jeremiah 29:11). Let it be. That’s the kind of stuff that keeps me smiling. It is now my time to enjoy with our kids baseball games and horse shows, camping and hiking, and homework struggles and school achievements. Having spent my years building my career, I’ve come to realize that having kids is the ultimate job in life. I want to be most successful at being a good father – just like my dad.

Jack Tuszynski, Publisher

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Vicky Tuszynski Vicky@FamilyLifePublications.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS John Albers, Kelley Archer, Joshua Fuder, Orlando Llerandi, Tim Morris, Jessica Oravec, Andy Rogers, Ellen Samsell Salas, Anna Teal, Shannon Wallace, Scott Weaver

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.

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Among rumors of his declining health, I had decided to simply “let him be,” discontinue my vain attempts to contact him and, out of respect, let him enjoy his final years as he wished. So, receiving a well written, succinct, and heartfelt letter in the mail just a week after Father’s Day was quite a surprise. My dad was alive and well.

Tiffany Corn Tiffany@FamilyLifePublications.com

M AG A ZI

ast June, I received a most memorable letter in the office mail — a letter from my father who was reaching out after many years of absence from my life. See, my father had felt it best to part ways with me and my brother many years ago in the confusion of the times.

PLE

ART Stephanie Bolton Stephanie@FamilyLifePublications.com

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Calendar JUNE

1-19

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. 678-494-4251. WoodstockArts.org

Essential Gardening: Daylily Basics Learn why this flower returns every year and is hardy as the day is long. $5 registration required. 10:00am, William G. Long Senior Center Activity Center Expansion, 223 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1955. WoodstockParksAndRec.com

4&5

The Cherokee Chorale Presents a “Salute to America” — The public is invited to join our veterans, families, and friends for this program of patriotic music. Adults $15, veteran tickets are discounted, and students $5. 4:00pm, River Ridge HS, 400 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-314-5507. CherokeeChorale.org

ONGOING YPOW AM — Join other young professionals every Thursday morning for coffee and networking, featuring an informal chat with a local leader. Please register since space is limited. 7:00-8:30am, The Circuit, 1 Innovation Way, Woodstock. 770-592-6056. InWdstk.org/events

8-22

LunchIN’ — This FREE quarterly boxed-lunch event includes an interactive learning discussion with a small business subject matter expert on important topics for business leaders. RSVP is required due to limited seating. 11:30am-12:30pm, Chattahoochee Technical College Board Room, 8371 Main Street, Woodstock. 770-592-6056, InWdstk.org Orphie and the Book of Heroes — In this hilarious new musical adventure perfect for younger audiences, spunky and curious Orphie sets sail to save Homer and his “Book of Heroes.” A sensory friendly performance is available on 6/11. Tickets are $13.50 online and $18 at the door. Wednesdays 10:00am or Saturdays and Sundays 2:30pm, Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. WoodstockArts.org

mINgle — This FREE afterhours networking event brings together members of the Woodstock professional community and those who would like to connect with them. 5:307:30pm, Holbrook Woodstock, 13682 Highway 92, Woodstock. 770-592-6056. InWdstk.org

TrailStory: Walter’s Wonderful Web For the month of June on the Noonday Creek Trail, 15 signs will be placed along the trail with pages of this national bestseller by Tim Hopgood on one side of the sign and interactive/QR code questions about the book on the other side. Children and their families can enjoy the book and the trail at their Unwind Wednesdays — Enjoy a own pace, anytime, as many variety of food trucks, craft vendors, times as they like. Dawn to live music, and amazing playground dusk, Noonday Creek Trail, equipment. 5:30-8:00pm, Cherokee 111 Elm Street, Woodstock. Veterans Park, 7345 Highway 20 E, 770-592-6000 x1955. Canton. PlayCherokee.org WoodstockParksAndRec.com

Woodstock Family Life

| June 2022

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

Woodstock Summer Concert Series: Sister Hazel — This band’s single “All for You” topped the adult alternative charts during the summer of 1997, and its success propelled their album to platinum status. Since then, the band has become firmly established not only in rock and alternative music, but also in country with four back-to-back Billboard Top Country Albums. FREE! 7:30pm, Northside Hospital Cherokee Amphitheater, 101 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1952. WoodstockConcertSeries.com

EF2 Golf Tournament and Fundraiser This golf tournament benefits the Cherokee County Education Foundation, which provides grants to CCSD schools. Grab n’ go breakfast, buffet awards party, and player gift bag included in registration fee. 8:00am registration/warm up and 10:00am shotgun start, Woodmont Golf Course, 3105 Gaddis Road, Canton. CCEFGa.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 (diseasefree survivor or newly diagnosed), this group’s goal is to offer a supportive environment and a positive outlook. Membership is kept 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 Saturdays through 12/31, enjoy this hometown farmers market, featuring occasional chef demos from local restaurants. 8:30am-12:00pm, Market Street, Woodstock. VisitWoodstockGa.com

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une Is — Audiobook Month, Care for Your Grandparents Month, Guitars on the Beach Month, Pride Month, International Mud Month, National Camping Month, Candy Month, Country Cooking Month, Dairy Month, Great Outdoors Month, Iced Tea Month, PTSD Awareness Month, and Soul Food Month.

Family Fun Night — Bring the family to downtown Woodstock to enjoy Super Hero Night, which includes fun activities such as a costume contest, a trivia contest, and a free movie on the Woodstock Arts Event Green. 5:00-9:00pm, downtown Woodstock. VisitWoodstockGa.com

FREE Prostate Cancer Screenings Men who are between the ages of 45-75, who do not have a prostate cancer diagnosis and have not had a PSA blood test within the past year are eligible for this screening. Please call to schedule an appointment. 5:30-8:00pm, Northside Hospital Cancer Institute Radiation Oncology, 460 Northside Cherokee Boulevard, Suite T10, Canton. 404-531-4444. Northside.com/healthscreenings

SKILLS First Aid — Presented by the Woodstock Fire Department, this basic class is designed to give practical, life-saving steps you can implement in an emergency with injury. Class fee is $5. 6:30pm, William G. Long Senior Center Activity Center Expansion, 223 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1955. WoodstockParksAndRec.com

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, Oaks at Towne Lake, 4580 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock. VAC-CherokeeGa.org

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Cherokee County Master Gardeners Summer Plant Sale A nice variety of plants, shrubs, trees, and garden accessories will be available at this sale. All plants are propagated by the Master Gardeners and accustomed to our growing climate. 9:00am-12:00pm, Cherokee County Senior Center, 1001 Univeter Road, Canton. CherokeeMasterGardeners.com

18 17

Father’s Day Vintage Car Show Po Boys Car Club, vintage cars, music, BBQ, and FUN! $10 with Senior Center membership. 12:00-2:00pm, William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 678-445-6518. 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. 6:00-8:30pm, The Reeves House, 734 Reeves Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. WoodstockArts.org

Marine Corps League Detachment 1311 Meeting 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. 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

Woodstock Business Club Meeting Each Thursdays, come together with fellow business owners, professionals, and entrepreneurs to make positive change in business and the community. 8:30am, Reformation Brewery, 105 Elm Street, Woodstock. 404-793-3312. WoodstockBusinessClub.com Nonprofit CPR/AED Certification Class The last Saturday of each month, this event benefits the Hickory Flat Volunteer Association. 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

AMPED in the Park With Twisted Cycle — This 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). 9:00am, Northside Hospital Cherokee Amphitheater, 101 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1955. WoodstockParksAndRec.com

Storytime Live! With Buzz Lightyear Bring the kids for a FREE story and photos with Buzz Lightyear. 11:00am, The Park at City Center (gazebo), 101 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1955. WoodstockParksAndRec.com [continued on page 8]

Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group 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. Morning INfluence — The last Friday of each month, this networking event includes a brief presentation that focuses on important issues or services that affect the Woodstock community, 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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LIBRARY EVENTS SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org CalendarWiz.com/sequoyahreglib 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 SUMMER LEARNING KICK-OFF WITH ADAM BOEHMER June 8, 10:30am, Rose Creek June 9, 1:30pm, Hickory Flat June 10, 10:30am, Woodstock Adam Boehmer wows audiences with his highly entertaining and engaging juggling expertise. Children must be accompanied by an adult. FAMILY GAME NIGHT June 13, 2:00pm, Woodstock Join Woodstock Public Library and Unite Homeschool for classic family game time while making new friends. WATER PARTY AT THE PARK June 14, 10:30am, Rose Creek Play with water blasters, chalk, bubbles, and more, as you enjoy a popsicle at Patriots Park (1485 Kellogg Creek Road, Acworth). STORYTIME IN THE PARK June 16, 2:30pm, Hickory Flat Join Miss Leslie at J.B. Owens Park (2699 Hickory Road, Holly Springs) for a fun-filled time of stories, rhymes, dancing, and a craft to take home! This event is for all ages, and attendees should bring a blanket to sit on. UNDER THE SEA MINI GOLF June 17, 2:00pm, Woodstock Teens in grades 6-12 are invited to this drop-in sea-themed mini golf experience. JELLYFISH, JELLYFISH! CRAFTING HOUR June 20, 2:30pm, Hickory Flat Join Miss Leslie to make your very own jellyfish craft to display anywhere you’d like! Materials are provided. All ages are welcome, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. 8

Woodstock Family Life

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Calendar

continued from page 7

Lantern Series Presents Paul Beaubrun — In a unique and transfixing sound he calls ‘roots/blues,’ Beaubrun weaves impeccable guitar skills, rich vocals, musical ingenuity, and cultural history (English, French, and Creole). Tickets are $19 (individual) or $260 (table). 7:30pm, Woodstock Arts Green, 111 Elm Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. WoodstockArts.org

Braves World Champions Trophy Tour — Visit the Mill and have your photo taken with the World Series Championship Commissioner’s Trophy. FREE! 1:00pm, The Mill on Etowah, 225 Reformation Parkway, Canton. EtowahMill.com/events

4th Annual Golfing Fore! the Children — The Service League of Cherokee County hosts this golf tournament to raise funds to benefit children in need in the community. Registration fee includes a round of golf, cart rental, breakfast, lunch, golfer goodie bag, and a raffle ticket. Fee is $130 per single player or $500 for a foursome. 9:00am shotgun start, Eagle Watch Golf Course, 3055 Eagle Watch Drive, Woodstock. ServiceLeague.net

Ancestral Treasures: Historic Preservation of Family Heirlooms Focusing on photography and jewelry, presenter Tanzy Ward will emphasize the importance of carefully preserving family treasures and delve into the significance of the preservation of Black Victorian heirlooms. FREE! 7:00-8:00pm, Cherokee County History Center, 221 E. Marietta Street, Canton. 770-345-3288. HistoryCherokee.org/events

Jazz Night — Sit under the stars, sway to some live Jazz music, and unwind for the weekend with a glass of wine in hand. A rotating ensemble will play on the back porch. FREE! 6:00-9:00pm, the Reeves House, 734 Reeves Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. WoodstockArts.org

Discovering Fishing — 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

Woodstock Public Art Tour Be inspired by the plentiful public art in downtown Woodstock. Tour tickets are $5 and go on sale two weeks prior to the tour date. Tours begin every half hour from 6:00-7:30pm, downtown Woodstock. WdstkBrandStore.Square.site

JULY

Independence Day Pub Crawl Visit downtown Woodstock for this themed event that features festive food and drink specials. Hours vary by establishment, downtown Woodstock. 770-592-6056. VisitWoodstockGa.com

Lantern Series Presents Sub-Radio Enjoy indie pop music that grooves, stabs, winks, punches, and inspires. Tickets are $19 (individual) or $260 (table). 7:30pm, Woodstock Arts Green, 111 Elm Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. WoodstockArts.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 4th Spectacular! — The City of Woodstock invites you to celebrate our nation’s birth with a day full of fun. Enjoy a traditional parade, festival, 5/10K Freedom Run, and fireworks. 7:15am Freedom Run, 10:00am parade, 11:00am festival, and fireworks at dusk. Please visit the website for locations and maps. 770-592-6000 x1952. WoodstockParksAndRec.com, WoodstockFreedomRun.com Add

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History Cherokee’s 19th Annual

Kentucky Derby Day

More than $63,000 was raised at this year’s 19th Annual Kentucky Derby Day! Due to the community’s generosity, History Cherokee will continue to procure, preserve, and share Cherokee County history through its educational programming and fascinating collections at the new Cherokee County History Center.

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Get Outside at Home

This Summer! By Kelley Archer

[Lifestyle] Sweet summertime is just around the corner, and families across our region are already enjoying quality time outdoors with family, friends, and neighbors. That’s why if you’re looking for a new home this summer, one very important factor to consider is the access to nature you’ll enjoy just outside your front door. Residents of master-planned communities enjoy a lifestyle that’s intrinsically connected to nature, with direct access and connection to a variety of natural amenities including ponds, trails, parks, and more. Communities intentionally designed to embrace green space are always just steps away from the many wonderful benefits the great outdoors can provide. When you purchase a new house in a master-planned community that offers the perfect balance of nature and home, you and your family will…  Enjoy direct access to green space just outside your front door, improving moods and often lowering levels of daily stress and anxiety. What better way to finish off a long day at work than with some downtime in a community park, or even a peaceful walk along a greenway or wooded trail?  Experience the many benefits of living an active lifestyle, promoting healthy habits through outdoor exercise opportunities for your family. Master-planned communities offer a variety of programming and events for their residents to connect through active outdoor activities.  Develop lasting connections with others, providing an intrinsic sense of community through outdoor activities. As a part of a community with a strong focus on nature, you know you’ll be surrounded by like-minded neighbors, making plenty of new friends along the way! Master-planned communities throughout our region offer unparalleled access to nature where natural beauty and lifeenhancing natural amenities mingle perfectly to create a peaceful, rewarding life for families, friends, and neighbors alike. L

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

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Community Cherokee Parks Design Contract and Master Plans Approved

Local Businesses Join Forces With American Legion To Give Back to Homeless Veterans American Legion Thomas M. Brady Post 45, parent company of Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program (CCHVP), will partner with Christian Brothers Automotive and Patriot Towing to expand the veteran vehicle donation program and provide further offerings to local veterans. The CCHVP works to provide donated vehicles to disabled veterans at the 70% VA service-connected disability rating. Since the start of the program in 2018, the CCHVP has donated 33 vehicles to veterans in need. Through these partnerships, CCHVP will expand its ability to acquire and repair nonoperational donated vehicles, since Patriot Towing will tow the vehicles as well as offer tax-deducted services on all vehicle pickups through the CCHVP program. Christian Brothers Automotive, which currently donates roughly 1,000 vehicles a year to those in need, will provide preinspections of all the donated vehicles and will work closely with CCHVP to assist in locating vehicles to donate. In addition, Christian Brothers Automotive will also provide free services and repairs to veterans in need. For more information about the vehicle donation program, visit CherokeeHomelessVeterans.com. To donate your vehicle, contact Jim Lindenmayer, director of CCHVP, at JLindenmayer80@gmail.com. 12

Woodstock Family Life

| June 2022

The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an agreement for the design of the future park on Highway 92 at Hunt Road. The 52acre parcel, which was part of the Southwest Cherokee Parks and Trails Plan, is a combination of what was known as Parcels 1 and 2 in the master planning process. Plans include a recreation/community center fronting Highway 92, sports fields, hiking trails, a playground, and open lawn.

Corey Ragsdale

Steve West

Cherokee County Commissioners

The $175,000 cost for designing and constructing Phase 1 is fully funded through $2 million in Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). Phase 1 includes the initial design and construction of parking, restrooms, playground, trails, and the open lawn area. Phase 2 of the project is expected to focus on the recreation/community center, tree canopy walk, and sports fields. The $27 million needed for the complete development of Phase 2 will include funding from recreation and parks impact fees. A portion of the funding required is included in the proposed project list for SPLOST 2024. Commissioners also recently got their first look at the full Northeast Cherokee Parks Master Plans. The County engaged TSW last year to create master plans for three parcels including the 102-acre E.W. and Edith Cochran Park, the 24-acre Long Swamp Creek Recreation Area, and the 538-acre Yellow Creek Road Conservation Area. The Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the three parks master plans as part of the Cherokee Recreation, Parks Green Space & Trails Master Plan. The proposals for Long Swamp Creek include an open lawn, walking trails, a wildflower meadow, and a feature to highlight the Native American settlement. The plan also shows a picnic area, orchard and pollinator garden, archery range, and a visitor’s center and restrooms. The Yellow Creek Road Conservation Area will feature separate equestrian/hiking trails and mountain biking trails. The drastic topography changes on the property make it ideal for trails. The concept plan also calls for primitive campsites. E.W. and Edith Cochran Park concept designs include two open green space areas, including one with a loop trail and fitness stations, a playground, two dog parks, and an 18-hole disc golf course. Due to its proximity to Free Home ES, the park offers a partnership opportunity with the school district to utilize an outdoor classroom for educational purposes. The parcel also features Buzzard Flapper Pond, providing the opportunity for a fishing pier. Rough cost estimates for the design and construction of the three parks is $24.8 million. Completion time is dependent on funding source identification and allocation. Add

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Community Woodstock Downtown Sold to Iconic Entertainment District Developer Cheri Morris, president of Atlanta-based Morris (L-R) James W. Apple, Jr., Burroughs & & Fellows, recently announced the sale of Chapin president & CEO; Cheri Morris, Woodstock Downtown to Burroughs & Chapin. president, Morris & Fellows; and Chad Developed from 2006 to 2012, Morris & E. Carlson, CFO, Burroughs & Chapin. Fellows’ holdings occupy several blocks along Woodstock’s Main Street. The sale excludes the historic train depot and grounds, which Morris & Fellows retained to be part of their adjoining Woodstock City Center development now underway. “We were careful to select a buyer who is experienced in high-quality, high-street development. It is exciting and gratifying that Woodstock Downtown attracted this storied firm that acquires iconic properties in historic shopping districts like Charleston’s King Street and Savannah’s Broughton Street,” said Morris. “The name Burroughs & Chapin is synonymous with lively, successful retail on world-class shopping streets. Most importantly, they are committed to caretaking the unique appeal and value of historic context and cultural identity.” Throughout the development of Woodstock Downtown, Morris & Fellows emphasized historic architecture contextual to the 19th century downtown, and open-air gathering spaces that enliven the property and the surrounding downtown area. As a result, Woodstock Downtown became a powerful catalyst for economic development – property values in the downtown area have grown from $34 million in 2006 to over $382 million in 2021. Woodstock Downtown has garnered international attention as an unprecedented success and driver of ancillary economic redevelopment in its downtown environs. The project has been awarded the Development of Excellence by the Urban Land Institute, cited as Development of the Year by the Atlanta Regional Commission, and received the Congress for New Urbanism International Charter Award for Best Neighborhood-Scale District.

Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services Announces New Medical Director Dr. Jon Allen was recently named the new medical Dr. Jon Allen Dr. Jill Mabley director for Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services. Dr. Allen replaces Dr. Jill Mabley who is now medical director of the Training Division. After graduating from Indiana University School of Medicine in 2004, Dr. Allen completed an emergency medicine residency at the Medical College of Georgia in 2007 with a focus on tactical, disaster, and prehospital medicine. He has extensive operational medicine experience, gained both through his residency and during his career as an emergency physician. Dr. Allen previously served as a medical director for several public safety agencies in Georgia and Tennessee. He also served as a flight surgeon and medical director of the McGhee-Tyson ANG Base Fire Department with the 134th Medical Group of the Tennessee Air National Guard. He most recently worked for a government contractor for the U.S. Department of State as the operational medical director for an overseas diplomatic protective security contract in the Middle East. He also provided emergency medical care to patients in the Northside Hospital system at the Cherokee, Gwinnett, and Duluth campuses.

Cherokee County, Woodstock Approve Growth Boundary Agreement Cooperative growth is being memorialized with the first Growth Boundary Agreement to be approved in nearly 20 years by the Woodstock City Council and the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners. The Growth Boundary Agreement is a document that defines and limits future growth for a city. While not legally binding, the city generally agrees to limit its annexations to areas inside the boundary, and the county generally agrees not to oppose annexations there. Leadership and planning officials on both sides have met extensively for the past several Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

months and have agreed to implement the program to better manage growth and serve all citizens. With the approval of the growth boundary agreement, which expires in June 2028, Woodstock and Cherokee County have relaunched a program that guides sensible growth and aligns character areas. The document will be used as both Woodstock and Cherokee County update their respective Comprehensive Land Use Plans, which are required in order to receive grants and other funds from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

The Woodstock Growth Boundary encompasses an area around the current city limits. On the south and east sides, the areas extend to the county lines with Cobb and Fulton, south of Highway 92 and the Little River, respectively. Lack of bridges over Little River limit the county’s ability to provide public safety services in that area. On the west side, the area abuts Putnam Ford Drive and includes frontage along Highway 92 that extends to Hartwood Drive, about one-third of a mile from Bells Ferry Road. On the north side, the area abuts Holly Springs, following Little River and Arnold Mill Road, arriving at a corner on the east side with Trickum Road. FamilyLife Publications.com

Community Cherokee County School District Announcements Two First-Place Winners at State Technology Competition David Holbrook of Woodstock MS (Mobile Apps category) and Marissa Migneco of Etowah HS (Graphic Design category) won first-place state honors at this year’s Georgia Student Technology Competition, which offers students in grades 3-12 the opportunity to showcase their skills through 16 categories and vie for honors at regional and state fairs. Student Wins Award at State Science and Engineering Fair E.T. Booth MS 7th-grader Pradhyumna Vasishta earned first place in the junior division at the state fair and won a Broadcom Masters nomination. The Broadcom competition, sponsored by the Society for Science & the Public, is the nation’s premier science fair competition for middle school students. Senior Wins $25,000 Local Scholarship This year’s Jason T. Dickerson Family Foundation scholarship was limited to students planning a career in veterinary medicine. Keira McHugh of River Ridge HS is the Class of 2022 scholarship recipient. She plans to pursue a career as a veterinarian in a rural area and will use the funds toward her education at UGA. Students Earn State Honors at Georgia PTA Reflections Fine Arts Contest The annual competition offers students in all grades and Zachary Gonzalez, abilities the opportunity to Etowah HS, Grade 9, create original works of art Photography in the categories of dance *Overall State Winner choreography, film production, literature, music composition, Rachel Lee, River Ridge HS, Grade 9, photography, and visual arts. Visual Arts * This year's theme was “I Will Overall State Winner Change the World By...” Nine CCSD students won first-place Ava Matthews, awards, and five of those were Johnston ES, named the overall state winner Grade 2, Dance in their category. *Overall State Winner Megan Weber, Bascomb ES, Grade 4, Photography

Caitlien Nguyen, Creekview HS, Grade 12, Music *Overall State Winner

Ryan Weber, Etowah HS, Special Artist, Photography *Overall State Winner

Afton Sheldon, Knox ES STEM Academy, Grade 5, Dance Pranav Vasishta, Clark Creek ES STEM Academy, Grade 3, Photography *Overall State Winner

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Tessa Wieland, Little River ES, Kindergarten, Literature | June 2022

Cherokee Student Film Festival participants.

4th Annual Cherokee Student Film Festival Winners Announced The Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED), in partnership with the Cherokee County School District’s (CCSD) Audio/Video Technology and Film (AVTF) educators, recently announced the winners of the fourth annual Cherokee Student Film Festival as part of a live screening and awards presentation hosted at Sequoyah HS’s Skip Pope Stadium.

CCSD AVTF educators, front row (L-R) Jeff Wagner, Lin Woods, Linda Yunker, Ashley Pruitt, and COED Film Project Manager Molly Mercer. Back row (L-R) Aaron Childers and Brad Mann.

Student films were screened on the Jumbotron, as 175 audience members cheered on 19 groups of student filmmakers from across the county. With strict parameters designed to simulate production requirements, 10 groups of students met criteria for judging. Qualifying submissions were judged by regional post-secondary film instructors Dr. Jay Hamilton (University of Georgia), Steven Hames (Berry College), Meredith Muse (Chattahoochee Technical College), Etowah Film Festival Founder Brent Lambert-Zaffino, and Media Producer Justin Webb. Awards were issued based on the judges’ total scores. 2022 Cherokee Student Film Festival Winners Best of Show and Best Cinematography Secret Agent Annie Mills | Sequoyah HS Created by Justin Clark, Ava Roberts, Sequoyah HS’s Lauren Turnage, Hailey Thompson, and Lauren Turnage Ava Roberts, Hailey Thompson, Audience Choice Award and Justin Clark. (Qualifying Entry) Unconscious | Sequoyah HS Created by Andrew Kennedy, Tyler Sandt, and Gabe Squillace Audience Choice Award (Participating Entry) I Miss You | Sequoyah HS Created by Donovan Victorino, Robyn Walker, and Ben Willison Best Use of Prop Wanna Hear a Scary Story | Etowah HS Created by Sophia Berry, Marissa Migneco, and Kaili Phillips Donovan Victorino (center) Best Sound Quality rejoiced with teammates Robyn Lucid Dream | Cherokee HS Walker and Ben Wilson. Created by Hunter Schwartz, Hunter Tadin, Felisa Vasquez, and Riley Watkins Best Use of Line Security Breach | Woodstock HS Created by Taylor Collins, Alex Manser, Riley McCall, and Brody Yot Add

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Adventure Convertible

My With a By Orlando Llerandi

After reading in a book entitled 100 Things You Must Do Before Dying that one most own a convertible car, at least once in one’s lifetime, I told my wife that considering that we were in our late 70s, we should fulfill this “must do” requirement as soon as possible.

Finally, a fake, thin, straight black mustache. Back at home, after dressing up with all these new items, I looked in the mirror and saw the person I wanted to see driving my convertible: a Mediterranean sexy looking and mysterious individual, dressed casually but in good taste, projecting an image of wealth and power. A man that would be the envy of all men and the desire of every woman.

She agreed. I also told her that, being a brunette, she wouldn’t be allowed to drive it since only blonde females are permitted to drive convertible cars. She disagreed. A week later, we bought a new Sebring convertible that looked like a shark, black on top with a slender silvery flashing body.

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO SHARED SHORT STORIES WITH US! We received an entertaining assortment of 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 feel a wide array of emotions.

Afterward, I realized that I had some shopping to do in order to blend the fantasy of a sexy automobile with the image of the driver. So, off shopping I went the following day. First, I bought a creamy-colored, supple and smooth Panama hat with a wide brim and a black band around it. Then, a straight L-shaped pipe along with a pouch of chocolate flavored tobacco. I had never smoked a pipe in my life, but this was an accessory that had to be had. Sunglasses next: Ray-Ban aviator style, dark and impenetrable with a golden frame. Then, some appropriate clothing: beige Chino pants; very light fabric, long-sleeved, white Greek shirt with no collar; and a pair of white loafers to be wore with no socks.

Woodstock Family Life

| June 2022

The following day, a cool early autumn Sunday morning, I drove my convertible out of the garage and was just finishing retracting the top when my wife joined me dressed for the occasion, also: dark sunglasses with wide tortoise frame, black pants, light silky longsleeved red blouse, and a large straw Pamela red hat. Before driving off, I ran a mental checklist to make sure that everything was in order. Sunglasses clean, hat positioned in the correct angle, shirt with the top two buttons undone, mustache in place, and top and windows down. Then, I lighted my pipe. After merging onto Highway 92, I accelerated until the car reached the legal cruising speed of 45 mph. The wind felt cold and blew hard against our faces. I looked at my wife with a satisfying smile on my face, which soon changed into a smirk when I saw that her lips were turning blue, and her cheeks were the color of raw meat. “What’s happening to you? Your face is changing color.” “I think it’s too cold to be driving with the top down. I’m freezing. At least pull up the windows,” she requested, trembling.

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Congratulations to Our Winner, Orlando Llerandi Following her request, but not being familiar with the locations of the different command switches in the new car, I took my eyes off the road and started to look around for the switch that operates the windows. Then, I looked back to the road and back again to the control panel.

The only thing I achieved was to knock the pipe out of my mouth, making it land on the back seat of the car.

As I was moving my eyes up and down, a rush of wind took possession of my Panama hat, which flew up and away like a kite. In the split second when I noticed that the hat was about to separate from my head, I made a sudden movement with my left hand trying to hold it in place, but it was too late.

I drove off the road immediately and stopped the car.

I ripped the false accessory off my face and threw it away also. “Let’s go home,” I said.

“Oh my God,” yelled my wife in panic. “The burning ashes came out of the pipe and are all over the seat.”

After getting out of the car, I went to the back seat, took the burning ashes with my handkerchief, and threw them away along with the hanky. Still infuriated by the stupid accident, I also threw away the pipe followed by the pouch of tobacco. I looked back, trying to spot my hat, but all I could see was a white object jumping from side to side off the road, over which cars and trucks were rolling at top speed. Re-entering the car, I felt exhausted and frustrated. At that point, my wife made the final humiliating comment: “Your mustache is hanging from just one end.”

“That’s fine with me, but before you start driving, please — put the top back up.” I did. “Listen,” I said. “I’m nervous and irritated, so I think it would be best if you drove the car back home.” “Excuse me, but not being a blonde woman, I’m not allowed to drive this car,” she responded with a sweet voice and making a face I knew so well: eyes looking way up, eyelids opening and closing in quick succession, lips showing a subtle smile, and head tilted to the side. “Well, never mind about what I said before, you can drive the car now.” “Do you mean now as in now only, or now as in every time I need the car?” Take no prisoners, I thought. “Okay, you could use the car at any time,” I conceded. Going back home, I kept very quiet while my wife was humming a song, playing drums with her fingers on the steering wheel, and a Mona Lisa smile on her face.

Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

FamilyLife Publications.com

PublicSafety

Protecting Our Elders from Scams, Abuse, and Neglect By District Attorney Shannon Wallace

magine receiving an unexpected phone call telling you that your child or grandchild was in a terrible accident and needed assistance right away. Most of us would drop everything to help, no questions asked. This is exactly why scammers continue to use ploys like this with susceptible, older adults who stand to lose all their retirement savings. These criminals are savvy and use technology to scam even the wisest of victims. Since June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, it’s a good time to review common scams and abuse that especially affect our elderly.

Common Scams • Imposter scams — Imposter scams occur when criminals pose as family members, law enforcement officers, bank officials, or others in an attempt to trick people into giving them money or personal data. Recently, a defendant mimicked the voice of an individual’s grandchild, which we believe she found on social media, to deceive and scam the victim out of money. • Romance scams — Online dating provides scammers with the opportunity to pose as a love interest and then convince the unwary to send money, usually in the form of gift cards. • Sweepstakes or inheritance scams — Victims are told they will receive a large sum of money, but first they must pay a processing fee to claim it. Of course, no winnings follow.

Elder Abuse Apart from scams by strangers, elder abuse can also occur with trusted family, friends, or caregivers. Typically, elder abuse is one (or all) of the following: • Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse; • Failure to provide essential medical care, adequate nutrition, hygiene, or a safe living environment; • Financial exploitation by using force, threats, or deceit to deprive access to financial resources.

How We Help The District Attorney’s Office has a specialized unit to handle the prosecution of these crimes. In 2017, our office founded, and now leads, a multidisciplinary team that meets monthly and brings together organizations committed to protecting vulnerable adults from situations of abuse or exploitation. Members discuss reports of abuse and collaborate to ensure victims of abuse, neglect, and exploitation are better served. In 2021, the group reviewed 371 cases of suspected abuse or neglect of elders or vulnerable adults in Cherokee, up from 235 cases in 2020. We also partner with Cherokee Triad S.A.L.T., an organization that works to reduce victimization of senior citizens by offering programs for seniors and caregivers. More information on these programs can be found here: SALTCherokee.com.

How You Can Help We all can play a role in reducing victimization of our vulnerable population. Visit older adults in your life and make sure they are healthy and safe. Talk to them about common scams and ensure they are making sound decisions. Report elder abuse through the Georgia Division of Aging Services at 866-55AGING (866-552-4464) or Aging.Georgia.gov/ report-elder-abuse. Call 911 if someone is in immediate danger. Remember, scammers often pose as someone you might normally trust. While scammers may specifically target senior citizens, even the savviest among us can be tricked.

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

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

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| June 2022

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Making Real Estate

Fun Again

COVER STORY By Anna Teal

hen they’re not walking their pet goats down Main Street or roasting each other on social media, Nic Goodwin and Zack Bobo are dominating the real estate game. In fact, these two are blazing their own trail while reaping significant results with a dash of humor right here in our Cherokee County community. While many mistakenly perceive them as partners in business, they are two separate agents working for ERA Sunrise Realty, the third largest real estate company in the country. However, their comradery and friendly banter are a true comedic gift to those around them.

Work Hard, Play Harder With a motto of “Work Hard, Play Harder,” Goodwin and Bobo pride themselves in providing the ultimate real estate experience to buyers, sellers, and investors alike. While they both take their jobs seriously, a huge part of their business is dedicated to having fun. “While we like to cut up, we also outwork anyone in our business,” says Goodwin. They believe in making the real estate process as memorable as possible for their clientele – and they don’t disappoint.

A Dude Date One may wonder how these two found each other. Goodwin and Bobo met while taking a post real estate class. “One day after class, Zack asked me out on a dude lunch date, and the rest is history. He even paid! We’ve been wailing on each other and having a blast together ever since,” jokes Goodwin.

Friendly Competition Bobo’s and Goodwin’s competitive yet chummy relationship has fueled their success. “We push each other in a good way,” says Goodwin. This is evident in the long list of awards they’ve added to their bookshelves. For instance, Bobo won the national Jim Jackson 1st in service award as well as the Best Realtor award two years in a row in a local magazine’s Reader’s Choice awards. During their first year in real estate, Bobo and Goodwin were both finalists for ERA Sunrise Realty’s Rookie of the Year award in competition with 10,000 other new agents. Bobo ultimately won while Goodwin came in a close second. For the past two years, they’ve received the CAOR (Cherokee Board of Realtors Top Award). Needless to say, these two are the best of the best. 20

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Both Goodwin and Bobo are fifth-generation Cherokee County natives whose families have left prominent legacies in the community. Goodwin’s grandfather, Dr. Edwin Swords, was a well-respected dentist and owner of the renowned Burger Chief restaurant, a popular high school cruising spot back in the day.

Nic's

Deep Family Roots

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“I’m proud of what my grandfather accomplished and want to keep that hardworking and honorable legacy going. I feel that’s what drives me daily,” explains Goodwin. In addition to his grandfather’s legacy, his father was a councilman, and his brother is currently a Cherokee County magistrate court judge. Bobo’s family members were the first owners of Georgia Hills and the Canton Sawmill. “My father passed away when I was very young. He invested in rental properties and other types of real estate, which later sparked my interest in real estate,” explains Bobo. Since high school, Bobo has been an investor, gravitating toward fix-and-flip projects. He currently owns 48 rental properties in Canton, and he and Goodwin flip five to seven homes a year, creating more inventory as agents, which is uncommon in their industry. Bobo and his wife Megan have three children, Maddox, Addie, and Palmer.

Nic Goodwin and Jean Chiang

A Heart for Charity There’s more to this dynamic duo than having fun in real estate. They genuinely have a heart for giving back to the Cherokee County community. They both are avid supporters of Goshen Valley, Cherokee County Division of Family & Children Services, Volunteer Aging Council, Cherokee Sheriff’s Office, and Canton Police Department. They support the local Service League in which Goodwin’s mother, Debra Swords, was part of the group that started Riverfest. “Giving back is an important part of our mission. We give about 10-15% of our earnings back to our community,” says Bobo. Due to their love of sports, they also support youth sports teams. Zack Bobo

Future Aspirations and Shenanigans These two have grand aspirations to bring their Canton and Woodstock communities together. For instance, Goodwin plans to run for mayor of Woodstock, and Bobo intends to run for mayor of Canton, so they can bring these two powerhouse communities together.

Nic Goodwin

“In the meantime, we will continue to bust our butts daily. We work harder than any other real estate agents out there, and that’s a FACT! We continue to be extremely efficient in outselling teams much larger than ours,” touts Bobo.

ERA Sunrise Realty 157 Reinhart College Parkway, Suite 200 Canton, GA 30114

Nic Goodwin Group, Inc. NicGoodwin.com

“We want our community to come to us with their buying, selling, and investment needs,” says Goodwin. For those looking for a good belly laugh and an out-of-the-box real estate experience, these two will deliver. P.S. Nic Goodwin says Zack Bobo is not an island boy. Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

770-570-6705 Follow on Facebook @nicgoodwingroup

Zack Bobo Real Estate ZackBobo.com

770-876-2790 Follow on Facebook @zackboborealestate FamilyLife Publications.com

Senator Speaks

Gold Dome Update By State Senator John Albers

hile the 2022 legislative session has been adjourned for several months, the measures adopted by the General Assembly deserve a more detailed examination. This past session, I supported several initiatives aimed at promoting education, economic development, public safety, and passing surplus dollars back to the taxpayer. Many of our accomplishments related to protecting students and strengthening parental oversight in their child’s education. Recently, there has been an unsettling rise in the content taught to our students as well as the materials that are available to them in school. To curtail any effort to indoctrinate students rather than educate them, we passed legislation prohibiting the promotion of divisive concepts in our schools. Any attempt to single out a specific race, gender, or religion and make a student assume blame for that group’s actions is not just morally wrong, it’s academically false. Additionally, many parents shared examples of material taught in their children’s schools that should remain out of reach until approved by the child’s parent. Due to these issues and more, Georgia parents wanted additional input in their child’s education. To support this, we passed the Parent’s Bill of Rights to allow parents greater access to each school’s curriculum, so they can determine what is appropriate for their child. As COVID cases diminish, legislation was also passed to ensure that no public school enacts a student mask mandate. 22

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Another priority was promoting fairness in high school athletics by ensuring that no gender would have an unfair advantage by competing in events against the opposite gender. This legislation levels the playing field and safeguards opportunities for female athletes to earn scholarship opportunities. We were able to restore the austerity cuts made to education during the pandemic and recognize teachers for their exceptional work by bringing their total pay raise over the last few years to $5,000, as well as passing a measure to permit retired teachers to return to the classroom while still collecting their retirement benefits. I also sponsored legislation to adjust the charter school funding formula and refine their programs to ensure that students can transfer to a charter school during the school year. A constituent brought another issue to my attention, and I authored a bill to clarify that the GNPSEC would only have governing authority over institutions that grant degrees and would not have jurisdiction of what equates to tutoring centers. The Protecting Georgia Businesses and Workers Act grants businesses the flexibility to schedule employee work hours based on need rather than rely on government mandates. Another measure to bring

flexibility to Georgia’s small businesses would permit food trucks to operate in multiple counties. To streamline the land survey and engineer process, I sponsored legislation that transitions the Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors to the Georgia Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors Board. This ensures that dedicated staff will be in place to reduce delays when issuing licenses and to address issues in an expedited manner. While government needs money to function, it should not tax any more than necessary. This year, we passed a historic income tax reduction, decreasing Georgia’s income tax rate annually to 4.99%. As far as veterans are concerned, legislation passed this year allows up to $35,000 in military retirement income to be exempt each year from individual state income taxes. These measures represent not just my own priorities, but those of the General Assembly and of the entire state. I am excited to pick up where we left off next year to continue to make Georgia the best state to live, work, and raise a family.

John Albers represents the 56th Senate District, which includes portions of Woodstock. 404-463-8055. SenatorAlbers.com. John.Albers@Senate.Ga.gov

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Japanese Beetle Invasion By Joshua Fuder

[HomeLife] There are few things as predictable as frustrated gardeners complaining about Japanese beetles in June. These pests are especially destructive because both the adults and larvae injure plants. Adult beetles will periodically leave the plants on which they are feeding to lay eggs. They burrow about three inches into the soil to do this. In four to six weeks, the adults begin to die. By late summer, larvae begin to hatch from the eggs and start feeding on the roots of lawn grass. Crows, starlings, and many other birds eat the larvae. Moles and skunks are also fond of Japanese beetle grubs. Homeowners can apply insecticide treatments to control grubs. Treatments include imidacloprid (Bayer Advanced), carbaryl (Sevin SL), and others. Of course, always follow all label directions when using pesticides.

Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

Organic gardeners may use milky spore disease to control grubs. This material is sold under the brand names Doom, Japidemic and Milky Spore. Over time, this biological material will help control grubs in the areas you treat, but adults may still fly in from untreated areas. You can spray adult Japanese beetles on ornamentals with dinotefuran. Special precautions should be taken if plants are in bloom, as pollinators may be harmed. Organic gardeners may choose to shake or hand pick the critters into a container of

soapy water. This is most effective in early morning while the beetles are sluggish. Early control and prevention of large congregations can go a long way, as damaged plants will emit an odor that combines with a pheromone released by female beetles to attract even more beetles to an area. Whatever you do, do not use beetle traps, as they attract beetles with a pheromone and will attract far more of them than they are able to catch. Traps should only be used as a monitoring tool, far away from desirable plants, to help determine when control measures will be warranted.

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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Standardize Tech for an Efficient Workplace By Scott Weaver

[StrategicLife] When it comes to buying equipment for a workforce, you’re faced with a balancing act. Between the cost of the equipment, its capabilities, and its practicality, it can be hard to narrow down what the ideal workplace machine will look like. To top it off, the issue is made even more confusing thanks to widespread supply issues for computer components. Despite all this, standardizing your workplace’s computing infrastructure can have real effects on a company’s bottom line.

Benefits of Standardization Replacing Equipment Regardless of how carefully you select a machine for your company to use, or how well it is maintained, hardware can break down with little notice. Whether it be the fault of a power surge, or a laptop bag left on the top of a company car, computers break all the time. But replacing them can be costly and time-consuming, which can lead to a drain on your IT budget as well as a loss of company productivity and a loss of time for all affected. However, using standardized machines means that one can be easily switched out for a replacement when something goes wrong. Your employee can be up and running in no time, and the broken computer can be repaired or replaced in time for the next unforeseen happenstance.

Maintaining and Using Software Within any company’s IT infrastructure, there are endless interdependencies that allow software to work properly as well as to interconnect without issue. Even minor updates to one of those dependencies can bring a system to a screeching halt, resulting in company time being spent fixing issues instead of generating income. Whether it’s versions of operating systems (including updates between major versions) or versions of program dependencies like Java Runtime Environments or Microsoft Frameworks, it’s vital that computers stay consistent with each other. This way, when a problem occurs, the repair can be applied to all machines at once, and your employees are not impeded by individualized updates.

Planning for Standardization More important than ensuring that all devices are standardized is ensuring that all devices are capable of completing the task at hand. A good starting place is to list the requirements your business would have of a computer. W hat software must an employee use during a normal workday? H ow many programs are likely to be open at once? W ill employees be able to access the internet? W hat software needs to be able to interact with other software?

Questions like these will begin to point you in the right direction for the requirements you may have for office computers. When the entire infrastructure is based on meeting the needs of each employee, then it will be easier to scale a larger workforce once the business grows. 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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| June 2022

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everything I did for them. I still talk about Mattie, Bill, BJ, Irene, and the list goes on. There are so many amazing seniors in our centers in Cherokee County that I can’t mention them all, but one who really stands out as a good person in my mind is Jimmy. He is so kind, polite, never has a bad thing to say, and would give the shirt off his back to help someone. I strive to be more like Jimmy, and if I can be half as good as he is, I will be just fine.

Be a

Good Person By Tim Morris

[Lifestyle] Throughout my life, I have known some really good people. What makes up a good person? I believe they are sincere, patient, and kind with a willingness to help others. These are the character traits I look for in the people I hire to work with the elderly at the Senior Center. Recently, I walked into a gas station, following another man. Even though he knew

Woodstock Family Life

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I was behind him, he opened the door and let it close on me without even attempting to hold it open. I was always taught to hold the door for someone, even if they were several feet away. Does that make me a good person? I try to be, but I didn’t feel like a good person when I let that man’s actions bother me at the gas station. A good person would not have dwelled on it. Working in aging for more than 30 years, I have met some truly incredible seniors who will forever be a fond memory for me because they were so kind and grateful for

Being a good person can be helpful in any job, but especially in the Senior Center because our staff needs to go the extra mile to do what they can for our seniors, and Senior Center employees will have the blessing of remembering those they’ve helped for years to come. L

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

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28 Pinnacle Orthopaedics 29 Woodstock Pediatric Medicine 30 Southern ENT Specialists 31 Northside Hospital Cherokee 32 Anderson Dental 34 Jyl Craven Hair Design

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H 2022 &W 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. The practice has five offices throughout the northwest Atlanta area, including two in Cherokee County. The 16 Pinnacle physicians have 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 practice also offers MRIs, physical and occupational therapy, and an onsite Ambulatory Surgery Center in the Woodstock location.

Back Pain Treatment

Getting You Back to the Life You Love! Dr. Charles Land joined Pinnacle in 2020 and specializes in surgical and nonsurgical care of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. This includes degenerative spinal conditions, lumbar and cervical stenosis, disc herniations, minimally invasive spine surgery, spinal trauma, kyphoplasty, and sacroiliac (SI) joint disease and repair. Back pain is a leading cause of missed work and missed recreational activities. The SI joint can be a significant cause of lower back pain. Located in the pelvis,

Dr. Charles F. Land

it links the iliac bones (pelvis) to the sacrum (lowest part of the spine above the tailbone). Unresolved chronic lower back pain without a solution could be coming from your SI joint.

Symptoms include: • • • • • • • •

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

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Lower back pain Pain, numbness, tingling, and/or weakness in legs Feeling of leg instability (buckling/ giving way) Disturbed sleep patterns due to pain Inability to sit for long periods, sitting on one side Pain going from sitting to standing Pelvis/buttock pain Hip/groin pain

The professionals at Pinnacle are constantly increasing the level of service and convenience they offer to their patients. Continuing with that effort, Dr. Land can perform a minimally invasive iFuse procedure to stabilize and fuse the SI joint. This involves inserting (typically) three triangular-shaped titanium implants across the sacroiliac joint to maximize SI joint stability, reduce pain, and improve function. The procedure is done through a small one-inch incision and only takes about an hour. Come to Pinnacle to see Dr. Land today, and “Get Back to the Life You Love!” Add

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Woodstock Pediatric Medicine Is Expanding!

oodstock Pediatric Medicine (WPM) has been treating children and adolescents for almost 25 years. The practice treats patients from birth through age 18. As primary care practitioners, they provide regular checkups to keep your child healthy. And when children are sick, they are seen quickly to get them feeling better and to help parents rest easy knowing their little one is on the mend. WPM’s providers offer patients a level of care unsurpassed among other pediatric practices. Doctors, nurse practitioners, medical assistants, and a mental health counselor treat illnesses while promoting good health, wellness, and disease prevention. Each month, the practice sees about 2,500 patients. Appointments are available five days a week, Monday through Friday. WPM accepts almost all forms of insurance, including Medicaid. Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

Since WPM is not a corporate practice, there is more flexibility and customization in the level of care that is provided to meet patient needs. WPM’s goal is to make every visit a positive experience. It is not a “minute-clinic.” The providers want to spend more than a minute with you and your child. They also talk to the child, not just to the parent, which helps children understand that the doctor is listening carefully to what they say. To better meet the needs of the community and existing patients, WPM is happy to announce that Dr. Nathan Lynes will join its team of pediatric providers in August. Dr. Lynes is a board-certified pediatrician and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Born in Charleston, South Carolina, he was raised in both South Carolina and Georgia. As a teen, he lived in Woodstock and graduated from Sequoyah High School. Dr. Lynes earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia in biochemistry and molecular biology and his medical degree from Morehouse School of Medicine. He continued his medical training through the Morehouse School of Medicine Pediatric Residency Program, attracted by its mission to treat the underserved.

Dr. Lynes became a pediatrician because he loves children and enjoys seeing them grow, thrive, and overcome difficulties. His favorite parts of working in pediatrics are seeing growing babies babble and smile, seeing teens try not to laugh at dad jokes, and, of course, seeing sick kids get well. He enjoys sports, music, playing guitar, the outdoors, and spending time with his wife and four children. The providers at Woodstock Pediatric Medicine are looking forward to meeting you and your precious children. Help them welcome Dr. Lynes back to Woodstock! Monday-Friday 8:00am-12:00pm and 1:00-5:00pm

2000 Professional Way Woodstock, GA 30188 770-517-0250 WoodstockPeds.com FamilyLife Publications.com

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Southern ENT Specialists

alking inside Southern ENT Specialists, the first thing patients experience is a smile and friendly greeting from 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 has 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, 2021, and 2022. “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. Dr. Gregg Sachs, a board-certified otolaryngologist, recently joined the team of providers that also includes advanced practice providers Keevil Helmly and Dr. Gregg Sachs

Dr. Victory Ashmore. 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. Drs. Victory Ashmore and James French

SOUTHERN ENT SPECIALISTS ALSO OFFERS THESE ADVANCED SERVICES: •A llergy 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

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Dr. Ashmore conducts physical and audiometric testing to diagnose different types of hearing loss in which hearing aids may be a viable solution. Dr. Ashmore’s experience in audiology as well as her friendly approach and attentive listening skills make her exceptional in her field.

Visit Dr. French and His Team

Physicians at Southern ENT Specialists treat conditions such as allergies, congestion, sinus issues, nasal drip, headaches, hearing loss, and ear fullness.

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 their team, please visit the website.

As a leader in the field, Dr. French has extensive experience in the procedure. His experience started near the inception of the technology in the operating room over 15 years ago to the office-based procedure it is today. He has served as an instructor for surgeons coming from across the U.S. to learn how to perform the procedure in the safest and most comfortable manner possible. Woodstock Family Life

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, affect learning, and cause depression and early dementia. Treating this condition early can drastically improve quality of life.

Common Treatments

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.

Helping Those With Hearing Loss

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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H & 2022 W

Northside Hospital Cherokee

orthside Hospital Cherokee celebrated its 5th anniversary in May 2022. Over the past five years, the Canton hospital has seen tremendous growth and recently completed the latest major expansion of its facilities and services.

to meet future growth and a redesigned entrance and lobby with a “Fast Track” that streamlines patients with less severe injuries (once triaged) to a registered nurse, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner, making their visit easier and faster.

In November 2021, Northside Hospital Cherokee completed the final phases of its newly expanded emergency department and radiology services and opened two more floors atop the hospital’s main patient tower.

More space in the adjacent radiology department allows select imaging services, including X-ray and computed tomography (CT), to be dedicated to emergency patients. A new interventional radiology suite frees up the hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab for patients experiencing heart attacks.

Billy Hayes, CEO of Northside Hospital Cherokee, said that the projects add more beds and greater patient access to high quality care for the community and the region. “Our continued expansion of the hospital and its services are a direct reflection of our commitment to our community,” said Hayes. “With this latest expansion, our 10-year growth plan was completed in a little more than four years.” According to the Atlanta Regional Commission, Cherokee County has grown rapidly over the past 15 years and is now the sixth largest county in the Atlanta region. That growth is certainly reflected at Northside Hospital Cherokee. Nearly 60,000 patients visit the Northside Hospital Cherokee emergency department each year. The expanded emergency department features 22 treatment rooms Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

The hospital’s new ninth and tenth floors add 53 inpatient beds, increasing the hospital’s total beds to 211, and serve patients receiving oncology, pulmonary, renal, and general medical/surgical services. Hayes said that more people are moving into the area, and more patients are choosing Northside Hospital Cherokee for their health care.

four more operating rooms, expanded the pharmacy, and will begin construction on a third cardiac catheterization lab soon. The Northside Hospital system is one of Georgia’s leading health care providers, with five acute-care hospitals in Atlanta, Canton, Cumming, Duluth, and Lawrenceville, and more than 250 outpatient locations across the state. Throughout Cherokee, patients have access to Northside providers and specialty services including cancer care, cardiovascular care, maternity and women’s services, sports medicine and orthopedics, weight management, rehabilitation, pediatric and adult imaging, primary care, urgent care, and other specialty care services. Please follow @NorthsideHosp on social media, and for more information, including free community health screenings and virtual webinars, please visit the website.

“Northside Hospital Cherokee looks forward to the continued expansion of access and diversity of services for our community,” he said. Within the last six months, Northside Hospital Cherokee opened an innovative Lung Nodule Clinic that is dedicated to the evaluation of lung nodules in order to detect lung cancer earlier and lead to better outcomes. The hospital also has opened

450 Northside Cherokee Boulevard Canton, GA 30115 770-224-1000 Northside.com FamilyLife Publications.com

H 2022 &W Anderson Dental

Dr.

Steven Anderson opened Anderson Dental in November 2005 in Woodstock/East Cobb’s Claremore Lake Professional Park. After working for other dental practices, he 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 grow, too, and I wanted to be home to be a father and watch my boys grow.” Dr. Steven Anderson

Check-In Desk and Patient Waiting Area

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, wellequipped 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. “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

Woodstock Family Life

| June 2022

Patient Exam Room

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 allows 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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H 2022 &W Jyl Craven Hair Design

yl Craven Hair Design serves guests of all ages. Designing hairstyles that accentuate your personality, benefit your lifestyle, and complement your natural features is something the professionals at the salon do every day. Over the years, the salon has been caring for a growing number of women challenged with hair loss. By artfully crafting haircuts, the stylists can give guests added body, density, and strength. Dimensional color can also be used to give the illusion of thicker hair, and the salon carries an exclusive line of professional products that specifically target thinning hair.

Challenged with FINE or THINNING Hair? Nearly 30 million women in the U.S. experience hair loss, and 50% of women experience female pattern baldness by age 50. The reasons for hair loss may include an imbalance of hormones, medications, thyroid problems, menopause, stress, or genetic conditions. But regardless of the reason, the emotional struggle is the same. Evolve Volumizer Before & After

“While hair loss is rough for men, it can be even more devastating for women. Men enjoy a certain level of societal acceptance when going bald. But women with thinning hair are subjected to more emotional distress. Many women take pride in their hair, and it can be a strong source of self confidence for them. As strands fall out, so does their sense of security about themselves,” says Jyl Craven. A lady’s hair plays a huge role in her self-esteem and self-image. Imagine the emotional anguish experienced by women with fine, thin hair — hair that is insufficient to cover the top and crown of the head, the areas that everyone sees, but no one talks about.

Jyl Craven Hair Design Has the Solution The Evolve Volumizer is a nonsurgical, integrated hair replacement system for women experiencing up to 50% hair loss on the crown or top of their head. It consists of 100% human hair, which is lightweight and conforms to the shape of the top and crown of the client’s head. It can be worn for up to five weeks before being uninstalled and reinstalled. Each hair on the system is hand-tied to create volume on the top, causing it to lay flat and blend in with the sides of a client’s head shape.

7970 Knox Bridge Highway Canton, GA 30114 770-345-9411 JylCraven.com 34

Woodstock Family Life

| June 2022

Jyl and Jason Craven with their staff.

The system can be cut to your individual style and blow-dried, ironed (curl and flat), dried naturally, braided, tucked behind your ear, or put up into a pony or chignon for evening wear. The Evolve Volumizer addresses all the needs and desires that a woman has for fuller, thicker, denser hair. It produces immediate results and requires no glue, no adhesives, and no chemicals. Since 2012, Jyl Craven Hair Design has been helping women both emotionally and physically with the Evolve Volumizer. The salon has multiple Evolve Certified stylists who provide guests with ease of scheduling and the added assurance that there will always be someone available to assist them. The Evolve Volumizer doesn’t change who you are; it changes how you feel about yourself. To schedule your confidential consultation and learn how you can get the added volume and density you desire, call Jyl Craven Hair Design. Add

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Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

FamilyLife Publications.com

Community Partner

2021, Butterfly Whisper, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, served 152 homeless, transient, and at-risk families, one urgent need at a time. This year is already showing the needs will be even larger than last year, and the organization’s clients are ready to bounce back with the generous support of their Whispers. At this nonprofit, donors are called “Whispers” because of the quiet strength, experience, and hope they provide to Cherokee’s “Butterflies” (their clients) to help them soar using their own “wings.” Butterflies are the forgotten members of our community, the ones among us who need the most support. Urgent needs are ever-changing, and Butterfly Whisper rises to meet needs such as coordinating the delivery of 60,000 pounds of food to 11 mobile home communities in Cherokee, the placement and replenishment of two small food pantries in our community, care bags for our homeless community members, and one-time emergency rental assistance to vetted individuals to prevent homelessness. Butterfly Whisper fills existing gaps in other nonprofit services. Nights and weekends are their strongest support hours, as staff members meet needs that cannot wait until Monday or tomorrow.

In 2021, Butterfly Whisper coordinated the disbursement of $40,000 in donations raised exclusively within our community, all of which was distributed solely in Cherokee County. This is no small feat for a 100% volunteer-based organization, helmed by Tonya Reynolds, a decade-long Cherokee resident, who established Butterfly Whisper after her own experience with homelessness. Permanently laid off from her job in 2010, Reynolds lived in a motel for more than a year. She knew that if she ever made it out of homelessness, she was going to do everything she could to prevent others from going through what she went through. Reynolds is a success story, and she works tirelessly to create success stories for others. Last year’s Christmas program was an enormous success with 50 families being provided Christmas wishes including items like AirPods and hoverboards, which are not normally fulfilled by nonprofits. The organization stands behind the belief that all children deserve the same magical Christmas, regardless of economic status. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter meal boxes were provided thanks to the generous support of Publix. With growing corporate sponsorships, Butterfly Whisper has received donations from retailers such as Apple, Amazon, and Walmart, and they are strongly supported by local small businesses such as Atlanta Bread Company (Woodstock), Scrappy’s Junk Removal, Longview Lighting, McDonald’s (Hickory Flat), and Align (Woodstock). This support has given the organization the ability to take on special interest projects such as a recent clean out of a hoarding situation. Butterfly Whisper also offers GED scholarships, and computers with internet access are available in their office to apply for jobs and create resumes. For more information and to learn how you can help, please follow Butterfly Whisper on Facebook and/or visit their website. The organization currently has 2,700 Facebook followers, which is where interested parties can see upcoming events, current projects, fundraisers, and updates about members of our community who are doing the right thing.

2555 Marietta Highway, Suite 202, Canton 470-222-6066 ButterflyWhisper.org 36

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Book Review BY JESSICA ORAVEC

The Lost Summers of Newport

you could go anywhere for the summer, where would you go? Italy? Martha’s Vineyard? In The Lost Summers of Newport, by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White, Newport, Rhode Island, is the hot summer vacation spot for the wealthy in the late 1800s. Everyone is there: the Vanderbilts, the Schuylers, and even the Spragues, a family with newly acquired wealth eager to prove themselves. In 1899, Ellen Daniels comes to Newport to be the music teacher of Maybelle Sprague. Alone and desperate, Ellen sees her time with the Spragues as a chance for a new life. But all is not as it seems in the family’s Newport mansion. When a prince comes to court Maybelle, everyone’s lives change. At nine years old, Lucia (Lucky) comes to America with her Nonna, the Princess di Conti. She always knew that the Sprague mansion was her inheritance, and she married Stuy Sprague after discovering she was pregnant. In 1957, Lucky is living in the Sprague mansion, unhappily married to Stuy (he cheats), and spending her nights chasing her Nonna (who sleepwalks) and her days mothering Joanie and planning the Tiffany Ball. Things happen that upend all their lives, leading Stuy to disappear and Lucky to live out her days in a mansion that begins to crumble around her. In 2019, Andrea Figuero (Andie) is the show host for Makeover Mansions. She travels to Newport to fix the Sprague mansion and uncover some of the family’s history. Lucky is a recluse, living on the third floor of the house. Her two grandchildren are not very welcoming, and the network sponsors want more flash and scandal and less history. While uncovering items at Sprague Hall, Andie ends up unearthing a scandal that changes everyone’s lives. It’s always a gamble reading a book written by multiple authors, but this book is well written and well researched. The storylines are well developed and cohesive.

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

Artist Profile BY ELLEN SAMSELL SALAS

Photographer

Erik Scherb

Explores Diverse Avenues As an undergraduate, Erik Scherb trained to be a commercial photographer. Now, his photography and videography span commercial as well as artistic realms, combining technical know-how with aesthetic sensibilities. Scherb’s goal — whether he is photographing an actor, author, or family or creating a company video or an abstract piece — is to engage viewers. In portraits, he must gain a sense of his subjects’ essential qualities, what makes them interesting, and then figure out how to “visually tell the story they want to convey.” In shooting product stills, Scherb aims to showcase what makes the product special. “Products need to look authentic and real, but you also want them to be almost super real and perfect,” he said. “You want them to look amazing. You have to have the lighting, the color temperature right.”

Enhancing Scherb’s understanding of color, light, value, and composition is the aesthetic element of his work. Two tours in Afghanistan impressed upon him that life is fleeting and caused him to expect more than technical precision in his photography. Later, his master’s program at Savannah College of Art and Design spurred him “to think as an artist, not a craftsperson.” His recent work in abstraction freed him to work as an artist. Scherb’s urban landscapes evolved, as he walked through empty streets at the onset of the pandemic, asking how could he present the everyday world in unique ways. “I experimented with movement. Movement of the camera,” he said. “So, it became expressionist versus only being an observer. I was able to put myself into the image by movement then to send it out into the world, and let viewers react. I really enjoy that the

artist puts so much into the work then is forgotten, and the viewer does the work of interpreting, seeing what they want to see.” Skilled in Photoshop, Scherb combines multiple images, creating a finished work where light, color, and shapes interplay and invite viewers to respond to the piece through their own discernment. While definitely a photographic jackof-all-trades, “explorer” more aptly describes Scherb. “Portrait, product, or fine art, I want people to be completely in love with my photographs. My joy is getting people to love themselves in the image I create. In my abstract work, my joy is when someone is engaged and impacted by the same thing I was impacted by. I hope that I’m building a connection, a bridge through my art.”

For more information about the artist, or to view his work, visit SageCatStudio.com or follow him on Instagram @sagecatstudio or Facebook.com/sagecatstudio. 38

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Facing Life’s Uncertainties With the

Certainty of God By Pastor Andy Rogers

[InGoodFaith] It’s been said, “When we worry, we are having a conversation with ourselves about something we most likely can’t do anything about. When we pray, on the other hand, we are having a conversation with God about something he can do everything about.” Apostle Paul knew this well. Having been imprisoned in Rome, he faced an uncertainty most of us will never face, “Will this be the day that I am executed?” Yet, in the face of his incertitude, Paul wrote the following words to others facing uncertainty in their own lives: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 4:4-7). Paul’s words reflect a life ordered by prayer. When prayer becomes a way of life, we are reminded of the certainty of God amid the uncertainty of our circumstances. Three things Paul learned from living a life of prayer:

REJOICE We can rejoice not because of the problems we face, but in the God who faces them with us. Paul reminds us that the Lord is near, and when we draw near to him, we realize that he is bigger than our problems.

RELEASE A life of prayer invites us to release our worries. God cares about what is on our minds and hearts. He knows what those things are, but he desires to talk with us through them. To be anxious about nothing requires us to be praying about everything.

RECEIVE God not only wants us to release our anxiety to him, but he also wants us to receive his peace. He gives us peace when we invite him into our lives and converse with him in prayer about life’s uncertainties. Prayer has the power to change everything. God is available to chat anytime. L

Andy Rogers is lead pastor at The Way | Woodstock United Methodist Church, 109 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock. 770-516-0371. TheWayWoodstock.com

Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

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Advertiser Index Anderson Dental

32-33

Art Jewelers

Inside Front

Chattahoochee Tech

Cherokee Floor Covering

Inside Back

CSA Impact

Cultured Brilliance

Edward Jones — Graham B. Bailey

Georgia All-Star Gymnastics

Golf Cars of Canton

Back Cover

Great Sky

Jyl Craven Hair Design

15, 34

Landscape Matters

LGE Community Credit Union

Merrill Gardens

Nelson Elder Care Law

Nic Goodwin and Zack Bobo — ERA Sunrise Realty Northpoint Roofing Systems

Northside Hospital Cherokee

1, 31

Pinnacle Orthopaedics

9, 28

Polished Peach Car Wash

Advertise Once Per Month

Pro Roofing & Siding

Inside Front

Southern ENT Specialists

St. George Village

Summit Financial Solutions

Taekwondo of Woodstock

To Promote A Healthy& Successful Business

Cover, 20-21

Technical Resource Solutions

Inside Back

Vincent Financial Group

Woodstock Arts

Woodstock Pediatric Medicine

Woodstock Summer Concert Series

With Increased Sales and Profits. Online ads link to advertisers’ websites.

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