Contents
November 2023
VOLUME 11 | ISSUE 4
[14-15]
14-15 On the Cover
Art Jewelers
20-21
Season of Giving
24 Teacher Feature
Robyn West
[26]
26 Artist Profile
Duane Willoughby
04 .................... Editor’s Outlook 06 .............................. Calendar 10 ................... Senator Speaks
[20-21]
11 .................... Community Life 16 ................. Mayor’s Message
[24] Follow Us >>>
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Woodstock Family Life | November 2023
Family Life Magazines
22 ........................ Public Safety 25 ........................ Book Review 27 ................... Ribbon Cuttings familylifemagazines
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Editor’s Outlook
PUBLISHER Family Life Magazines Publisher@FamilyLifePublications.com
Thankful To Be Grateful
ART Stephanie Bolton Stephanie@FamilyLifePublications.com
Thankful — Conscious of benefits received. Grateful — Appreciative of benefits received.
Tiffany Corn Tiffany@FamilyLifePublications.com
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Julie Senger Julie@FamilyLifePublications.com
Another way to give back this holiday season is by shopping at small local businesses. Though it may be convenient to jump online and order from a large e-commerce company, when you shop at small businesses in Woodstock, you’re actually stimulating the local economy, creating jobs, putting children through school, and helping a neighbor realize their dream. This Thanksgiving, as we gather with friends and family, I hope we are all conscious of the benefits (thankful) of being grateful (appreciative) for all we have because whatever we choose to focus on tends to multiply. “Gratitude is one of the strongest and most transformative states of being. It shifts your perspective from lack to abundance and allows you to focus on the good in your life, which, in turn, pulls more goodness into your reality.” –Jen Sencero Happy Thanksgiving!
Julie Senger, Editor-in-Chief
SALES/MARKETING MANAGER David Wright David@FamilyLifePublications.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS John Albers, Steven Anderson, Michael Caldwell, Sarah Childers, Jyl Craven, Joshua Fuder, Lisa M. Grisham, Barbara P. Jacoby, Tim Morris, Ellen Samsell Salas, Elaine Scott
Family Life Magazines
6175 Hickory Flat Highway Suite 110-PMB 341 Canton, GA 30115
770-213-7095 Also available online at
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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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Woodstock Family Life | November 2023
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Subscriptions are available for $25 per year. Please contact us for payment options.
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Speaking of blessings, over the last 10 years, Family Life Magazines has been blessed to partner with more than 100 community charities to help raise awareness about their important causes. This month, we’ve compiled a list of all our Community Partners that are still active (see pages 20-21). We hope you will check it out and choose to support a cause that is near and dear to your heart. Each charity is a certified 501c3 nonprofit, so all donations are tax-deductible. If a financial contribution isn’t in your budget, many organizations also need volunteers for various tasks and events.
PHOTOGRAPHER Jack Tuszynski PhotoJack.Net@Gmail.com
M AG A ZI
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he above definitions are from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary and Thesaurus. Though people often use these words interchangeably, I think it’s important to note the difference. To be conscious of something means we acknowledge it, but perhaps it doesn’t always mean we appreciate it. And though times can be tough, I’ve always found that when I take time to consider everything that I’m grateful for, I become overwhelmed by the abundance of life’s blessings.
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Being Neighborly By Tim Morris
[Lifestyle] I grew up in a time when my family knew all our neighbors, and there was something unique about each one. Ms. Louise ran her own hairstyling business out of her home. She would ask my brothers and me to help her clean and reward us with a cold soft drink from her soda machine. There was an older man who lived across the street who was a distributor for a candy and cracker company. When we helped him stock his small storage building, he’d let us choose a box of candy. The Neals lived three houses down, and I was best friends with their son. Every Thursday night, my friend’s family would invite me over for spaghetti dinner. My wife and I have lived in the same community for more than 20 years. We know the elderly lady across the road, the couple next door, and we used to be best friends with the couple that lived behind us. After our best friends sold their home, I wanted to meet the new couple that moved in, but I never saw them outside. I didn’t want to knock on their door to introduce myself because, nowadays, lots of people are uncomfortable with that. Recently, my wife and I learned the husband had died, and I felt bad because I never got the chance to meet him.
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
We have lots of seniors in our program who have good neighbors, and some who don’t even know their neighbors. If you have elderly people in your neighborhood, take the time to get to know them. You could make a huge difference in their lives. 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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Calendar NOVEMBER
1-7
Marzipan Week Marzipan is a moldable candy that is created by mixing ground almonds with egg whites, corn syrup, and sugar. Celebrate the week by making your own marzipan, hosting a marzipanthemed afternoon tea, making marzipan cocktails, or preparing a marzipan dessert.
1-30
1-30
Veteran’s Appreciation at the History Center As a small token of appreciation, all veterans and active military members will receive FREE admission to the Cherokee County History Center in November. Up to 4 accompanying guests will also receive discounted admission. 10:00am-5:00pm Wednesday-Saturday and 12:00-5:00pm Sunday, Cherokee County History Center, 221 E. Marietta Street, Canton. 770-345-3288. HistoryCherokee.org
1-12/10
Small Town: Small Works Featuring local artists who live within a 15-mile radius of Woodstock, artworks in this show are small in stature but big in impact. Only 15 inches or smaller, these artworks boast prices that are accessible to a wider audience. FREE admission. 10:00am-6:00pm MondayFriday and 11:00am-5:00pm Sundays, Reeves House Visual Arts Center, 734 Reeves Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. WoodstockArts.org
Turkey Swim Competition Take part in a fun, friendly competition among fellow lap swimmers to see who can swim the farthest during the month of November. A log is maintained at the lifeguard station. Free with paid aquatic center admission. If you swim the most, you will win a FREE adult annual pass. Regular Aquatic November Is — National Adoption, Epilepsy Center hours, Cherokee County Awareness, Native American Heritage, Novel Writing, Aquatic Center, 1200 Wellstar Peanut Butter Lovers, and Pomegranate Month as well Way, Canton. 678-880-4760. as Manatee Awareness Month, Movember, PlayCherokee.org and World Vegan Month.
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Hazardous Household Waste Drive Woodstock residents can properly dispose of paint, chemicals and pesticides, Styrofoam, and clean/dry plastic film. Visit the website to register. 9:00am-1:00pm, Woodstock City Church, 150 Ridgewalk Parkway, Woodstock. LiveThrive.org/Woodstock
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Cherokee County History Center 1 Year Anniversary — To celebrate its 1 year anniversary, guests pay only $1 per person to visit the History Center during this weekend. 10:00am-5:00pm Saturday and 12:005:00pm Sunday, Cherokee County History Center, 221 E. Marietta Street, Canton. 770-345-3288. HistoryCherokee.org
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Dia de los Muertos Festival — Enjoy live music, local vendors, and the creation of a community ofrenda. FREE. 10:00am7:00pm, Woodstock Arts Event Green, 113 Elm Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. WoodstockArts.org
ONGOING Santa’s Calling — If you’d like Santa and his elves to call your child(ren), complete a Santa’s Calling request form on the Cherokee Recreation & Parks Agency website. Forms must be mailed, dropped off at The WREC, or emailed by 12/11. FREE! Santa and his elves will make calls 5:00-7:00pm on 12/13. Regular hours, The WREC, 7545 Main Street, Building 200, Woodstock.770-924-7768. PlayCherokee.org
Santa’s Letters — Would you like Santa to send your child a letter? Drop off letters to Santa at the North Pole mailbox in The WREC by 12/4. Santa will reply to each letter from his North Pole address. Parents, if your child’s handwriting is not legible, please leave a note for Santa’s elves. Santa will mail his letters on 12/11. FREE! Regular hours, The WREC, 7545 Main Street, Building 200, Woodstock. 770-924-7768. PlayCherokee.org
The G.O.D. Squad (Grandparents On Duty) — Second and fourth Thursdays of each month, 10:30am, Hickory Flat United Methodist Church, 4056 E. Cherokee Drive, Canton. 770-345-5969.
Woodstock Farm Fresh Market — Saturdays through 12/30, 8:30am-12:00pm, Market Street, Woodstock. VisitWoodstockGa.com
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Woodstock Family Life | November 2023
Hugs in a Blanket — Through 12/13, Cherokee Recreation & Parks Agency is accepting new blankets and slipper socks for residents of Cherokee County nursing centers. Donations accepted during regular recreation center business hours. The WREC, 7545 Main Street, Building 200, Woodstock. 770-924-7768. PlayCherokee.org Cherokee Veterans Community Monthly Meeting — First Thursday of each month, 6:30-8:00pm, First Baptist Church Woodstock (“A” Building/ Chapel Building, Room A250), 11905 Highway 92, Woodstock. 678-570-5828. CherokeeVeteransCommunity.org
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Veteran Appreciation Luncheon To show appreciation for their service, FREE lunch will be provided to senior center members who are veterans. Membership required. $10 lunch for non-veterans. 12:00-2:00pm, William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 678-445-6518. WoodstockParksAndRec.com
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Veterans Day Ceremony This celebration honors America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, willingness to serve, and sacrifice for the common good. 7:00pm, William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1952. WoodstockParksAndRec.com
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Coffee With a Cop — Join the men and women of the Woodstock Police Department for coffee. This is an opportunity for the public to ask questions, have casual conversations, and meet the officers serving the community. 9:0010:30am, Chic-Fil-A, 9728 Highway 92, Woodstock. WoodstockGa.gov/police
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The Cherokee Music Teachers Association Meeting — Those interested in CMTA are welcome to attend. 10:00am, Falany Performing Arts Center (second story classroom), 199 Fine Arts Drive, Waleska. Linda@lokey.net
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Veteran Appreciation Breakfast All past and present military members and their spouses are invited to a special meal to include bacon, biscuits, coffee, eggs, gravy, grits, orange juice, and sausage. Please call to register by November 4. 9:00-11:00am, First Baptist Church Woodstock (Fellowship Hall), 11905 Highway 92, Woodstock. 404-368-6688. CherokeeVeteransCommunity.org/events
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Essential Gardening: Houseplant Care Get tips and secrets from the Cherokee Master Gardeners to keep your plants lush, green, and blooming. Registration fee is $5. 10:00am, William G. Long Senior Center (Activity Center Expansion), 223 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1955. WoodstockParksAndRec.com
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Fall Family Mountain Bike Jamboree — Gather with friends, family, and neighbors for rides, information, and community. Just learning? Looking to branch out into the Woodstock mountain biking community? Come on out for this FREE event! 3:00pm, Dupree Park Family Mountain Bike Trails, 513 Neese Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1955. WoodstockParksAndRec.com
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Downtown Woodstock Holiday Sip N Shop Visit your favorite shops for special deals and discover new merchants you’ll love. Merchants will provide light bites and festive beverages. Tickets are $10 at the Visitors Center or online at WdstkBrandStore.square. site. 5:00-9:00pm, Main Street, Woodstock. VisitWoodstockGA.com
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Stand Up For Seniors Volunteer Aging Council’s (VAC) Fundraising Luncheon — Support VAC programs and get a delicious lunch for $10. All proceeds benefit local seniors and senior veterans. 11:30am-1:00pm, The Retreat at Canton, 3333 E. Cherokee Drive, Canton. VAC-CherokeeGa.org
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Storytime Live! With Marshall From PAW Patrol — Bring the kids for a story with Marshall, photos, and other activities. FREE! 11:00am, The Park at City Center (gazebo), 101 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1955. WoodstockParksAndRec.com [continued on page 8]
YPOW AM — Thursdays, 7:00-8:30am, The Circuit, 1 Innovation Way, Woodstock. 770-592-6056. InWdstk.org Morning INfluence — Last Friday of each month, 8:00-9:00am, The Circuit, 1 Innovation Way, Woodstock. 770-592-6056. InWdstk.org
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
American Legion Post 316 South Cherokee County Meeting — Third Thursday of each month, 7:00pm, William G. Long Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 706-726-2754. ALPost316ga.org
Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group Second Thursday of each month, 11:00am-1:00pm, Little River United Methodist Church, 12455 Highway 92, Woodstock. 615-293-1670.
MilVet Meetup — First Monday of each month, 6:008:00pm, Reformation Brewery, 105 Elm Street, Woodstock. MilVetCommunity.com
Community Yoga Classes — Mondays, FREE, 10:00-11:00am, The WREC, 7545 Main Street, Building 200, Woodstock. PlayCherokee.org
Marine Corps League Detachment 1311 Meeting — Third Saturday of each month, 9:30am, Semper Fi Bar & Grille, 9770 Main Street, Woodstock. 561-213-5699. Harry123130@gmail.com
Local’s Night First Friday of each month, 6:00-9:00pm, The Reeves House, 734 Reeves Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. WoodstockArts.org
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Calendar
LIBRARY LIBRARYEVENTS EVENTS
continued from page 7
SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org ROSE CREEK 4476 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock 770-591-1491
WOODSTOCK 7735 Main Street, Woodstock 770-926-5859
GLASS ETCHING 101 November 9, 11:00am, Rose Creek Use precut stencils from the Cricut machine to etch art onto glass. This program is for adults. All supplies provided. Registration is required. DROP-IN STEM HOUR: FLOATING BOAT CHALLENGE November 9, 4:00pm, Woodstock Celebrate National STEAM/STEM Day by working on a fun and challenging STEM activity. All ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. GEORGIA’S DINOSAURS AND FOSSILS WITH TELLUS MUSEUM November 16, 5:30pm, Rose Creek Celebrate Dino-vember by learning about Georgia’s dinosaurs and fossils. All ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. NANOWRIMO WRITE-IN November 18, 1:00pm, Woodstock Are you participating in National Novel Writing Month this year? If so, join a write-in at the Woodstock Public Library! Drinks, snacks, and music will be provided in the perfect environment for all writers to focus and finish their books. Writers of all ages are welcome. PASSPORT TO EMPLOYMENT November 29, 12:30pm, Woodstock This free program helps with resume development and review, interview skill improvement, and job search coaching for those looking to enter the workforce or find a new career pathway. Registration is required. 3D PRINTED STOCKING STUFFERS November 30, 5:30pm, Rose Creek Learn about the library’s 3D printer and see some of its best 3D printed items to stuff stockings with this holiday season. Registration is required. 8
Woodstock Family Life | November 2023
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Tis the Season To Be Green Recycle & Paper Shredding Event — Clean house the environmental way! Recycle, reuse, reduce, repurpose, and rethink! Free except TVs and monitors. 9:00am-1:00pm, Woodstock Elementary School, 230 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1952. WoodstockParksAndRec.com
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31st Annual Cherokee Thanksgiving — Each year, more than 2,000 meals are provided to families in need, seniors, emergency service providers, or anyone who just needs a meal in Cherokee and Pickens counties. Meals can be picked up or delivered by volunteers. Williamson Brothers BBQ in Canton hosts the event and prepares the food. For more information, to volunteer, or to make a donation, visit CherokeeThanksgiving.com.
24-12/30
Holiday Lights of Hope — This event features a walk-thru Christmas light display with more than two million lights, a light maze, and visits with Santa. Kids 14 and under are FREE. All others are $10 per person. Season passes are $25. Proceeds benefit the Anna Crawford Children’s Center. 6:00-9:00pm Sunday-Thursday and 6:00-10:00pm FridaySaturday, Hobgood Park, 6688 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock. HolidayLightsOfGa.com
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Small Business Saturday Throughout Cherokee County, members of our community own and operate small businesses. Take the time this holiday season to support them by shopping small and local. Times vary by establishment, Cherokee County.
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Jazz Night — Sit under the stars, sway to some live jazz music, and unwind for the weekend with a glass of wine in hand. 6:00-9:00pm, Reeves House Backyard, 734 Reeves Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. WoodstockArts.org
27-12/10
Santa Mail If your child would like to send a letter to Santa Claus, drop it in the Santa Mailbox in downtown Woodstock. Word has it that you may get a letter back, so be sure to include your return address! No classroom projects, please. The Park at City Center Gazebo, 101 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1955. WoodstockParksAndRec.com
18-12/31
Holiday Lights at Veterans Park — Take a ride in your car through a two-mile light show featuring two drive-thru tunnels, animated Christmas displays, and over two million lights! Admission is $20 per car or $50 for a season pass. Proceeds will benefit various local charities. 6:00-9:00pm, Sunday-Thursday and 6:0010:00pm Friday-Saturday, Cherokee Veterans Park, 7345 Cumming Highway, Canton. HolidayLightsOfGa.com Add
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Historic Cherokee Gingerbread Village Display See iconic buildings and spaces of Cherokee County turned into gingerbread works of art by local bakers. Guests can vote for their favorite (bring your change and dollar bills to vote). All money raised from votes will benefit History Cherokee’s mission to collect, preserve, and interpret the history of Cherokee County. 10:00am-5:00pm Wednesday-Saturdays and 12:00-5:00pm Sunday, Cherokee County History Center, 221 E. Marietta Street, Canton. 770-345-3288. HistoryCherokee.org
DECEMBER
1-24
A Christmas Carol — Enjoy this good old-fashioned Christmas ghost story, wrapped into a classic Broadway-style musical. 7:30pm and 2:30pm Sunday matinee, Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main Street, Woodstock. 678-4944251. WoodstockArts.org
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Reindeer Run for the Children This annual event sponsored by the Service League benefits children in need in Cherokee County. Register for the 5K walk/run, 10K run, 1-mile fun run, or just be a “Santa’s Helper” and snag a T-shirt. Registration is $20-$35 per person. 7:00am registration, 8:00am fun run, 8:30am 5K/10K; Etowah River Park, 600 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton. ServiceLeague.net/fundraisers/run-for-the-children/
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Christmas Jubilee & Parade of Lights — As darkness falls, parade floats will light up the town. After the parade, the jubilee festivities will begin. 5:30pm parade followed by the jubilee, downtown Woodstock/The Park at City Center, Main Street/103 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1952. WoodstockParksAndRec.com
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Christkindl Market Celebrate the holidays and do some shopping with local makers and artists. There will be food, activities, Christmas movies, and the classic German Christkindl mugs. 10:00am-6:00pm, Woodstock Arts Event Green, 111 Elm Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. WoodstockArts.org
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
FamilyLife Magazines.com
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Senator Speaks
American Dream Letter
T
his month, municipal elections will be held in Georgia, and we will honor our veterans on November 11. Each of us can easily slip into a routine, and I challenge you to never lose sight of what makes our country so great. The following is a letter I wrote to my sons, and I resend it to them every year as a constant reminder.
To Will and Ryan, We are truly blessed to live in our great country. Our founding fathers were divinely inspired men of great wisdom. The ideals and governance they conceived into our republic have led to the greatest nation in history. Our founding principles and historical documents combine to create a unique recipe for success, allowing for independence, freedom, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We have the platform, but every person and generation must be accountable and responsible for our cause. Don’t let socialism or fascism ever challenge what we know to be right. There are those who will work hard to do little. You need to work tirelessly and climb mountains. My values are strongly rooted in my faith and conservatism. I believe in hard work, accountability, small government, lower taxes, compassion, innovation, serving others, and generosity. You can do anything in our great land, and I challenge you both to be great at whatever you do. Wherever you serve (e.g., business, church, military, government, community, family), do so with tenacity, compassion, and a sense of urgency. Make a real difference in others’ lives, and you will reap the benefits. Help people by giving them a hand up and not a handout because true compassion is doing what is best for people — not what is easiest. Never settle for the status quo. Rock the boat and innovate when others rest. Advocate when others are silent, and remember the priorities of life: God, family, country, and work. Be exceptional at everything, and never take “no” for an answer. As a fourth-generation firefighter, I pray you continue our family tradition of “running in when others run out.” Don’t back down from problems or challenges; be the solution. One day, the Lord will call me home. When I stand before him, I will be judged. Remember, it is his job alone to judge — not ours. The Lord will hopefully know my dance card was full. I worked tirelessly to preserve and protect my life priorities and our founding principles. We will get all the sleep we need in heaven, and I plan to make the most of my time on Earth. You are leaders, no matter the situation or circumstance. Be men of strong character and integrity. When others act foolishly, be professional and be a gentleman. It will always pay dividends to you. Remember the legacy of our founding fathers, and one day, I expect your names to be added in the history books with them. Always do more than is expected of you, and remember — it is God’s plan and our free will to implement. You have all the tools and talent you need. With unending love and pride,
Dad
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Woodstock Family Life | November 2023
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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Community Adopt-A-Senior This Holiday Season (L-R) Brandon Owens, Dwight Kelley, and William Hegwood
Chief Investigator Retires, New Chief and Assistant Chief Appointed After 36 years of service to the citizens of Cherokee County and the State of Georgia, Chief Investigator Dwight Kelley retired at the end of September. A lifelong resident of Ball Ground, Kelley served in uniform patrol and special operations for the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office before accepting a position in 1990 as an investigator in the District Attorney’s Office. In 1997, Kelley was appointed chief investigator, a position he held for 26 years. During that time, Kelley assisted with the prosecution of countless criminal cases, in addition to supervising a growing staff that now includes 20 professionals with extensive law enforcement experience.
Effective October 2, 2023, Brandon Owens took over the role of chief investigator, and William Hegwood took on the role of assistant chief investigator. Chief Investigator Owens is a Cherokee County native and U.S. Marine Corps veteran with 26 years of law enforcement experience and extensive training, including completion of the Columbus State Professional Management Program and the Georgia Chiefs of Police Executive Development Program. Assistant Chief Investigator Hegwood possesses 33 years of law enforcement experience and 3,800 hours of specialized training, including completion of the FBI National Academy Class 261 and the Georgia Chiefs of Police Executive Development Program.
Cherokee County Senior Services is asking for donations for its annual Adopt-A-Senior program. “We routinely receive phone calls from seniors requesting financial assistance with everything from utilities to groceries,” said Cherokee County Senior Services Resource Coordinator De Gale. “Since most of these folks live on a tight budget, we reach out to the community each year to ask for assistance in gathering their requested Christmas gifts.” Requested items include flashlights with batteries; $30 gift cards to local grocery stores; reacher/grabber tools; stamps; small boxes of chocolate; and nonperishable items such as toiletries, lip balm, tissues, and lotion. Senior Services will accept donations through December 1. Gifts can be dropped off at the Cherokee County Senior Center (1001 Univeter Road, Canton). Drop-off times are Monday through Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm, and on two Saturdays — November 18 and December 2 — 10:00am12:00pm. All items should be new, unwrapped, and placed in a holiday gift bag. The program, which has been in effect for more than 20 years, serves an average of 250 seniors. For additional information, contact Cherokee County Senior Services at 770-345-3025.
Rotary Club of Canton Honors Public Safety Heroes The Rotary Club of Canton recently honored community heroes at its Sixth Annual Public Safety Appreciation Luncheon. State Senate Public Safety Committee Chairman Sen. John Albers, who represents portions of Cherokee and Fulton counties and is a businessman and fourth-generation firefighter, served as keynote speaker. The event included the presentation of Employee of the Year Awards to at least one representative from each community agency. The honorees are Ball Ground Police Department Officer Erik Witherington, Canton Police Department Officer Courtney Rogers and Sgt. Jesse Hamilton, Cherokee County District Attorney's Office Senior Investigator Brandon Owens, Cherokee County E-911 Communication Officer Genesis Beltran, Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services Division Chief Chad Davis, Cherokee County Marshal's Office Capt. Dwayne Casteel, Cherokee County School District School Police Department Officer Samira Rezagholizadeh, Cherokee County Solicitor General's Office Investigator Drew Alexander, Cherokee Sheriff's Office Deputy Renato Guido, Holly Springs Police Department Terminal Agency Coordinator and Crime Analyst Erin Mason, Woodstock Fire Department Firefighters Jessie Brookshire and Gregory “Zeb” McAllister and Woodstock Police Department Officer Josh Buckner. Additionally, three leaders were honored with awards as part of the event: Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
• T he Canton Rotary Community Leadership Award for “Service Above Self” was presented to Cherokee County Sheriff Frank Reynolds.
• T he Canton Rotary Public Safety Service Award was presented to Cherokee County Chief Marshal Jamie Gianfala.
• T he Colonel George Bailey Distinguished Leadership Award, named for the late Rotarian and community leader, was presented to Cherokee County Fire Chief Eddie Robinson. FamilyLife Magazines.com
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Community 2023 Leadership Cherokee Graduation Leadership Cherokee, a program of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, graduated its 34th Anniversary Class, which brings the total alumni count to more than 700 graduates.
Leadership Cherokee Class of 2023 front row (L-R) Mark Smith, Cherokee County School District; Kristin Norton Green, City of Canton; Jenna Geary, Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce; Jenn Goddard, RE/MAX Town & Country; Sheila Keeffe, His Hands Church; Delease Chester, Canton Tire & Wheel; Rebekah Gibson, Soil Erosion and Education, LLC.; Heddy Proctor, Next Step Ministries, Inc.; Laura Gentilello, Woodstock West by Walton; and Lynne Saunders, Encompass Ministries. Second row (L-R) Courtney Argo, Goshen Valley Foundation; Chyretta Fullmore, Georgia Division of Family & Children Services; Marc Liscio, Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services; Katy Leggett, City of Woodstock; Michelle Meek, The Children’s Haven, Inc.; Anna Teal, Teal Marketing, LLC; Barbara Corey, WellStar; Kayla Cleveland, Cherokee County Office of the Solicitor-General; Casey Barton, City of Holly Springs; and Chad Davis, Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services.
Members of the Leadership Cherokee Class of 2023 selected two of their peers to receive special annual recognitions. Mark Smith with the Cherokee County School District received the Cristal Stancil Leadership Award. The Bob Frongillo “Magic Spark Plug”
Award was presented to Jenna Geary with the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce. Outgoing 2023 Leadership Cherokee Chair Dana Callan with Synovus was commended by incoming Chair Jeffrey Pourchier for her dedication to the leadership program.
Over the course of a nine-month period, Leadership Cherokee exposes the group of existing and emerging leaders to our diverse county as well as a broad range of topics such as economic development, infrastructure, government, justice, arts, education, recreation, tourism, public safety, healthcare, and social/human services.
Cherokee Planning Department Earns Statewide Awards The Georgia Chapter of the American Planning Association recognized Cherokee County and its cities with prestigious awards for efforts in cooperative planning. Over the last few years, Cherokee County has worked with each city’s leadership to resurrect and update long-expired growth boundary agreements. While a growth boundary agreement is not legally binding, it provides guidance for cities and the county on where the cities will grow as well as coordination on character areas and other planning efforts. The GPA bestowed Cherokee County and its cities with the Distinguished Leadership and Service Contribution Award for Innovation in Planning. The award is given in recognition of a specific planning tool, practice, program, project, or process that is a significant advancement to specific elements of planning. The category emphasizes results and demonstrates how innovative and state-of-the-art planning methods and practices helped implement a plan. The City of Waleska also was recognized with the GPA’s Outstanding Planning Document for Small Communities for its Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The Small Communities
GPA Growth Boundary Agreement (L-R) Adam Hazell, GPA Awards committee chair; Thomas Trawick, Zoning Division manager; Chris Luly, Ball Ground Planning & Zoning director; Brantley Day, Community Development Agency director; David Greenberg, senior planner; and Whitney Shephard, GPA president.
designation is reserved for cities with fewer than 1,000 or counties with fewer than 10,000 residents. Cherokee County provides the City of Waleska with its planning documents and all development requests, requiring the planning and zoning process to go through the Cherokee County Municipal Planning Commission.
Cherokee County Educational Foundation’s 2023 Fall Classics Fundraiser Success
Golf Overall Winning Foursome Mike McGowan, Randy Hall, Avery Poe, and Billy Hayes
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The BridgeMill Athletic Club was buzzing with athletes ready to raise money for a good cause at last month’s Fall Classics fundraiser, which is held annually on Columbus Day and features a Golf Scramble (presented by Northside Hospital Cherokee) and a Tennis and Pickleball Round-Robin style rotation of match play (presented by Credit Union
Woodstock Family Life | November 2023
of Georgia). More than $70,000 was raised for the Cherokee County School District (CCSD). The Foundation will use the funds to support Classroom Impact Grants and Rapid Grants for teachers and classrooms. The golf tournament had 100 players, several contests, and a 50/50 cash raffle that was won by Todd Baker of The Holler in Canton.
Kevin Williams of Chick-fil-A with several of his pickleball opponents.
Jenny Spain, retired CCSD teacher and CCEF board member, helped facilitate the tennis and pickleball events, ensuring that all registered guests got several hours of court time and experienced competitive play. Add
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Community Cherokee County School District Announcements Fifteen Seniors Named National Merit Commended Students The 15 CCSD high school seniors are among the only 2-3% of the Class of 2023 honored nationwide with the recognition, which is based on the high scores the students earned on the PSAT. Although Commended students do not continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, they may earn special National Merit Scholarships sponsored by corporations and businesses that will be awarded in the spring. The honorees are Thaddeus Brake, Sarah Pfanstiel, Hayden Roberson, Sydney Watson, and Renzo Zapata from Cherokee HS; Camdyn Gates, Brayden Huguenard, and Cameron Thrower from Creekview HS; Hailey Weiner from Etowah HS; Aiden Allison, Caleb Lewis, and Adrianna Musser from River Ridge HS; William P. Murphy and Sunny Nguyen from Sequoyah HS; and Bryce Jones from Woodstock HS.
Thaddeus Brake
Sarah Pfanstiel
Hayden Roberson
Sydney Watson
Renzo Zapata
Camdyn Gates
Brayden Huguenard
Cameron Thrower
Hailey Weiner
Aiden Allison
Caleb Lewis
Adrianna Musser
William P. Murphy
Sunny Nguyen
Bryce Jones
CCSD Special Education Director Earns State Award Charlette Green, who has led CCSD’s Special Education department since 2009, was awarded the 2023 Phil Pickens Administrator Award by the Georgia Parent Mentor Partnership. The award is presented to one special education administrator statewide each year to recognize “outstanding leadership in the collaborative work between school, home, and community to improve the outcome for students with disabilities.” Examples of the most recent new initiatives under her leadership include developing a CCSD Special Education Parent University program, establishing an employability fair with the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, collaborating with the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency to bolster summer job training programs, and creating a parent feedback system.
Etowah HS Student Named to State School Superintendent’s 2023-24 Student Advisory Council Senior Cristina Garcia is among the 69 high school students from across the state selected for this prestigious role. State School Superintendent Richard Woods chose his student advisors based on their applications and answers to essay questions about improving public education. The group will meet with Superintendent Woods throughout the school year to talk about how state policies affect their schools. Garcia is an outstanding student, school and community leader, and volunteer. A Governor Honor's Program alumna for chemistry, she has earned the UGA Certificate of Merit and SOAR Award, is an AP Scholar with Distinction, and a Superintendent’s Key Scholar. She has served as president of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (National Spanish Honor Society) for the past two years and is a member of the National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta (National Math Honor Society).
River Ridge HS Student Participates in Select Aviation Program Junior Eva Yokley was selected for the Women In Aviation “Women Inspiring our Next Generation” (WING) program, sponsored by Delta Air Lines. Only 130 young women from metro Atlanta were chosen for the special program. Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
The group participated in a one-day flight from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport directly to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, FL. It was only the second time for a commercial aircraft to land at the space center. The flight was fully staffed by an all-female crew, and the space center tour included a panel presentation by women in the aerospace and aviation industries. FamilyLife Magazines.com
13
For Life’s
Forever Moments
COVER STORY By Ellen Samsell Salas
Lauren, Sales Associate; Dave Medows, Founder; and Andrew McDeermond, Store Manager are happy to help you with all your jewelry needs.
S
ince they first made their way to the earth’s surface in the magma of erupting volcanoes, diamonds have captivated man’s imagination. Desired for their strength, beauty, and rarity, they have remained the most sought-after gem from the time of ancient Greece to today. In 1947 when De Beers of Britain coined the phrase “A diamond is forever,” they designated the diamond as the gem to commemorate life’s forever moments — engagements, anniversaries, and other important milestones.
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Woodstock Family Life | November 2023
Today’s Choices: Natural-Mined Diamonds or Lab-Grown Diamonds? Today, when customers visit Art Jewelers of Woodstock to look for that forever stone, they might for the first time be faced with the question: Which diamond is the right one for them? Natural-mined or lab-grown? Or, if they already have a diamond, do they know which kind it is? They might then ask, “What are labgrown diamonds? How do they differ from natural-mined diamonds?” Put simply, they differ only in origin. Lab-grown diamonds are grown in a
lab. Mined diamonds grow deep within the earth’s surface. Whether they are carbon vapor deposit (CVD) created or high-pressure-high-temperature (HPHT) created, lab-grown diamonds have the same physical, chemical, and optical qualities as natural-mined diamonds. They are as strong as natural diamonds. They are cut and polished the same way traditional diamonds are cut. They have the same enticing sparkle. They appear identical to mined diamonds.
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Which Diamond Is Right for You? Rather than taking billions of years to form like natural-mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds can be cultivated in a matter of weeks. This means that supply is more abundant, so the cost is significantly less than that of mined diamonds.
Four Generations of Quality Care and Beautiful Design For almost 100 years, and for four generations, family-owned-and-operated Art Jewelers has excelled in the craft of creating jewelry that will be treasured in your family for generations.
Thus, lab-grown diamonds are increasingly popular, especially among newly engaged couples who are often just starting out financially. Tradition and the fact that natural-mined diamonds continue to appreciate in value make them the preferred choice of the majority of diamond buyers — at least for now.
Art Jewelers is happy to offer both options to its customers. And, with gemologists on staff, Art Jewelers can grade both lab-grown and natural-mined diamonds using the same grading scale.
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
So, it’s no surprise that whether customers choose to purchase a labgrown or a natural-mined diamond, they will receive Art Jewelers’ tradition of individualized customer service, custom design, and quality craftsmanship. With all work completed onsite, from the design phase to the finished product, Art Jewelers guarantees beautiful creations and fine craftsmanship that will last for decades. The design process begins with a consultation to learn the customer’s tastes and desires. Then, using computer-assisted software and 3D imaging, designers bring those visions to life. When the customer is satisfied with the imaging, a wax model of each piece is created, allowing for any modifications they may want to make. This process assures that the client will be happy with the final product. Then, the piece can be cast and polished, the customer’s special stones can be set, and the vision they had for their forever piece of jewelry becomes a reality.
Art Jewelers Adds State-of-the-Art Yehuda Diamond Tester Given that lab-grown and mined diamonds appear identical, how can a customer know which kind of diamond they have? Attuned to jewelry industry trends, and responding to the rapidly changing diamond market, Art Jewelers is excited to have added a Yehuda diamond tester to its toolbox. While graduate gemologists are on staff, no one can accurately determine if a diamond is lab-grown or natural-mined. With the Yehuda tester — considered “the Sherlock Holmes of diamonds” — customers will know for certain which type of diamond they have. It can even detect whether a lab diamond is CVD or HPHT.
During the month of November, bring this article into Art Jewelers Diamond & Design to have up to three pieces of jewelry tested to determine if they contain lab-grown or natural-mined diamonds! Whether you choose lab-grown or natural-mined diamonds, Art Jewelers Diamond & Design creates jewelry that is uniquely yours. Art Jewelers Diamonds & Design 136 Woodstock Square Avenue Woodstock, GA 30189 770-924-3133 (call or text) ArtJewelers.com Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00am-6:00pm
FamilyLife Magazines.com
15
Mayor’s Message
Tax Rate Rollback
Woodstock City Council Puts Residents First By Mayor Michael Caldwell
At
a time when inflation has impacted every American’s buying power and home prices have skyrocketed, Woodstock residents owe our city council a big “thank you!” City of Woodstock is the only local government I know in the state that has chosen not to raise taxes by fully rolling back the millage rate this year. The city council has chosen to put families’ financial health first, and this decision is a testament to its commitment to residents. What is the “millage rate?” It’s the local property tax rate calculated in “mills,” one-thousandth of one dollar, which translates to $1 for every $1,000 of assessed property value. When property values rise, as they’ve certainly done in Woodstock over the past year, and this rate is allowed to remain the same, it can lead to higher taxes for property owners. However, a full rollback means that the city council has actively chosen to reduce the rate to ensure that the government does not collect more taxes due to the increase in property values. Council members voted to lower the rate from 5.693 mills to 5.125 mills for the new fiscal year, which is down from 5.981 mills when I took office in January 2022 — that’s a nearly 15% reduction in the tax rate for property owners. This decision is more than just a financial calculation. It’s a statement. It tells us that our city council recognizes the challenges that come with balancing a family budget, the importance of predictability in expenses, and the value of every dollar earned by our residents.
managing the City’s finances in a way that prioritizes the needs and well-being of Woodstock residents. It’s impossible to fully roll back the rate every year, as the buying power of a dollar brought in by the City has been negatively impacted in the same way it has been for families. So, it’s important that we recognize the impact of this decision. To the members of the Woodstock City Council — thank you. Your vote to roll back the millage rate underscores your dedication to our community. It’s a choice that reflects thoughtfulness, responsibility, and a genuine desire to serve. As the 31st mayor of Woodstock, I’m proud to serve with a team of dedicated elected officials on our city council who consistently place families and stakeholders first. I am grateful to the hundreds of public servants who work for the City of Woodstock and will directly shoulder the burden of meeting the increasing calls for service amid continual growth, even while revenues for the coming year remain static. Above all, I am honored for the opportunity to serve my constituents in this role — thank you as always — and please join me in thanking the members of our city council for putting Woodstock’s families first.
Michael Caldwell is the mayor of the City of Woodstock. 678-523-8570. WoodstockGa.gov
It’s also a demonstration of the council’s fiscal responsibility. The choice to forego additional tax revenue shows a commitment to 16
Woodstock Family Life | November 2023
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On Gratitude By Elaine Scott
[InGoodFaith] One of my ongoing challenges is cultivating an attitude of gratitude. I wrestle with wanting more, wanting it now, and being resentful if I don’t get what I want (or if someone else does). It doesn’t help that the internet knows what I buy and leverages that when I’m online. And sometimes, I believe that my wants are needs or that if I had more money or different circumstances, then I’d be content. I don’t think I’m alone in this struggle. So, how can we develop attitudes of gratitude? Here are three suggestions that help me: 1. Say “thank you.” How often do we thank those who provide services to us every single day? Many times, we’re so wrapped up in ourselves that we’re oblivious to the kindnesses and courtesies others extend to us. But we do notice when others fail to thank us. We’re quick to expect gratitude, but slow to express it. What if we reversed that? Let’s start by communicating thankfulness. 2. Say “I have enough.” This is helpful because it reminds us of all we already have when tempted to purchase things we don’t need. My life is cluttered with things I’ve wanted but not needed to purchase. It’s not wrong to occasionally purchase things we want, but we should strive to be disciplined — especially when it’s financially unwise. Acknowledging that we have enough produces contentment. 3. Ask “How can I share with others?” When we share our resources, whether it’s time, money, or material items, we realize just how much we have. Jesus said we’d never lack opportunities to help others, and he’s right. With the holidays coming up, the opportunities are endless. We’ll always be tempted to believe the world revolves around us and our stuff. But what if we began saying “thank you” instead of “thank me,” “I have enough” instead of “I want more,” and “how can I share?” instead of “how can I keep?” How could your life and the lives of those around you be better? L
Elaine Scott is the director of Womens Groups at Woodstock City Church, 150 Ridgewalk Parkway, Woodstock. 678-525-4851. WoodstockCity.org
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
FamilyLife Magazines.com
17
Sports
Dental Injuries By Dr. Steven Anderson, DMD
[HealthyLife] At a recent high school women’s basketball tournament, a player hit her head on the floor, was knocked unconscious, and experienced convulsions. She was not wearing a sports mouthguard. These types of injuries, which are both painful and scary, can be avoided by wearing professionally made, custom mouthguards. A necessary and affordable piece of sports equipment, custom mouthguards can help reduce the overall trauma to an athlete’s head and mouth. Concussions, brain injuries, soft tissue lip or cheek trauma, and/or complete tooth loss often occur in sports. Dental injuries are the most common type of damage sustained to the face during athletic activities, and they are often preventable. An athlete is 60 times more likely to sustain damage to her/his teeth when not wearing a protective mouth guard. Also, the cost of fixing or replacing a fractured or lost tooth is much higher than the cost of a professionally made, custom mouthguard from your dentist.
What if a permanent tooth is knocked out? Do your best to find the tooth. Do not wash or rinse the tooth. Store the tooth in saliva (carefully in the cheek) or in milk. Water is not ideal, but better than transporting the tooth dry. If you are comfortable orienting the tooth correctly back in the mouth, and the tooth does not have foreign debris on it, you can reposition the tooth back where it goes. If there are no urgent/life-threatening conditions, call your dentist immediately. Repositioning the tooth back in the mouth is most successful within the first hour after trauma.
A mouthguard should be considered for all contact sports as well as activities where the athlete is at a higher risk for head injuries. Professional, custom-made mouthguards are not bulky and do not interfere with play. They are fabricated to custom fit the upper and/or lower teeth, so they fit snuggly and stay in place during play. Mouthguards can even be fit over braces. However, the cheap “bite-and-boil” mouthguards often fall out during impact play (rendering them useless), disintegrate prematurely, obstruct breathing and speaking, and sometimes require a strap attachment. Athletes usually find biteand-boil mouthguards uncomfortable. For about $50, custom-made mouthguards provide a great return on investment due to the safety and protection they offer. A trip to the dentist to treat facial trauma and/or to replace a tooth can cost 10 to 100 times the price of a custom mouthguard. If your child has braces, choose a dentist who is experienced in fabricating mouthguards to accommodate them because it can be tricky. The most important function of the mouthguard is to protect against concussions and brain injuries. For less than the cost of athletic shoes, a custom-made mouthguard can be designed and fabricated by your dentist to help protect your face and teeth. Everyone sees your teeth, and we all need them to chew our food, so be sure to protect them. After all, great dentistry is all about you and keeping your teeth! L
Dr. Steven Anderson practices cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentistry at Anderson Dental of Woodstock and East Cobb. 650 Claremore Professional Way, Suite 200, Woodstock, GA 30188. 770-384-8505. DrStevenAnderson.com
18
Woodstock Family Life | November 2023
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Season of O
ver the last decade, Family Life Magazines has been honored to partner with more than 100 community charities to help raise awareness about their important causes and inspire our readers to get involved and help others by making financial or material contributions or by volunteering their time. Below is a list of our Community Partners that are still active. During this holiday season of giving (or any time of year!), we hope you will consider helping one or more of the following organizations in any way you can. Each one is a certified 501c3 nonprofit, so donations are tax-deductible.
Giving By Julie Senger
Arts/Education Causes • • • • • • • •
Cherokee Arts Center, 770-704-6244, CherokeeArts.Squarespace.com Cherokee County Historical Society/History Cherokee, 770-345-3288, HistoryCherokee.org Cherokee Theatre Company, 770-591-0282, CherokeeTheatre.org Distinguished Young Women of GA, 229-366-0869, Ga.DistinguishedYW.org Ferst Foundation, 706-343-0177, FerstReaders.org Matiak Foundation, 678-873-7288, MatiakFoundation.com Women in Technology, 470-264-1780, MyWit.org Woodstock Arts, 678-494-4251, WoodstockArts.org
Addiction Recovery Causes
Children’s Causes
• •
• • • •
Hopedealers Worldwide, 770-224-6825, HopeDealersWorldwide.com No Longer Bound, 770-886-7873, NoLongerBound.com
Animal Causes • • • • • • •
All About Cats Rescue & Adoption, 678-235-8585, AllAboutCatsRescue.org Angels Among Us, 877-404-5874, AngelsRescue.org Cherokee County Animal Shelter, 770-345-7270, CherokeeGa-Animals.org Green Pets America, GreenPetsAmerica.org Rock for Rescues, RockForRescues.com Save the Horses/Canine Adoption Network/Animal Rescue Fair, 470-380-3120, SaveTheHorses.org Wildlife Action, 770-924-7464, WildlifeActionGeorgia.org
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Woodstock Family Life | November 2023
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
500 Songs for Kids, 404-541-9231, SongsForKids.org Anna Crawford Children’s Center, 678-504-6388, AnnaCrawfordCAC.org Bend Your Knees/Collins 5K, 404-271-1360, BendYourKnees.org Cherokee Youth Works (a Cherokee FOCUS program), 770-345-5483, CherokeeFocus.org The Children’s Haven/CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), 770-345-3274, CherokeeChildrensHaven.org CURE Childhood Cancer, 770-986-0035, CureChildhoodCancer.org Easterseals of North GA, 404-943-1070, EasterSealsNorthGeorgia.org Experiences Foundation, 678-386-4513, ExperiencesFoundation.org Give a Kid a Chance, 770-345-2737, GiveAKidAChance.org Goshen Valley, 770-796-4618, GoshenValley.org Ian’s Friends Foundation, 404-966-0752, IansFriendsFoundation.com Malon D. Mimms Boys & Girls Club, 770-720-7712, BGCMA.org/club/mimms North Georgia Angel House, 770-479-9555, AngelHouseGa.com Skye Precious Kids, 404-478-9794, SkyePreciousKids.org St. Baldrick’s, 888-899-2253, StBaldricks.org/atlanta TEARS Foundation, 678-427-1597, TheTearsFoundation.org/Georgia United Way of Greater Atlanta, 404-527-7200, UnitedWayAtlanta.org Walk for Ferrial, 470-572-3297, Facebook.com/walkforferrial
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Illness-Specific Awareness and Health/Wellness Causes Domestic Violence/Sex Crime Causes • • • •
Ahimsa House, 404-496-4038, AhimsaHouse.org Cherokee Family Violence Center, 770-479-1804, CFVC.org Saprea (formerly The Younique Foundation), 801-901-2474, Saprea.org She Is Safe, 877-552-1402, SheIsSafe.org
Faith-Based Causes • • • • • • • • • •
Art of Living Ministries, 770-479-6961, ArtOfLivingMinistries.com Bethany Christian Services, 770-455-7111, Bethany.org/Atlanta FCA Cherokee (Fellowship of Christian Athletes), 678-617-5409, CherokeeFCA.org Hide and Seek Ministries Day Camp, 770-720-0005, HideAndSeekDayCamp.net HopeQuest Ministry Group, 678-391-5950, HopeQuestGroup.org The Joy House, 706-253-7569, TheJoyHouse.org Next Step Ministries, 770-592-1227, NextStepMinistries.net SEEDS/ The Hope Center, 770-924-7990, SupportHopeCenter.com Vision Warriors/War On Addiction, 833-894-4357, WarOn.org Young Life, CherokeeCounty.YoungLife.org
Food Insecurity/Homelessness Causes • • • •
Butterfly Whisper, 678-235-8520, Facebook.com/ButterflyWhisper21 Meals On Wheels, 770-345-7440, CherokeeGa.com/Senior-Services/ meals-on-wheels MUST Ministries, 770-479-5397, MustMinistries.org/canton Project Live Love, 404-664-8095, ProjectLiveLove.com
• • • • • • • • • •
Miscellaneous Community Causes • • • •
Cherokee County Senior Services, 770-345-5320, CherokeeGa.com/ Senior-Services (seniors) Kate’s Club, 404-347-7619, KatesClub.org (grief counseling) A Second Later, 770-331-4834, ASecondLater.com (distracted driving awareness) Southern Magnolia Charities, 678-770-7936, SouthernMagnoliaCharities.org (fundraises for various charities)
Special Needs Causes • • • •
Blake’s House of Independence, 470-629-3833, BlakesHouseOfIndependence.com Empower Cherokee, 770-345-5821, EmpowerCherokee.org Kathy B. Davis Foundation, 615-533-0668, KBDFoundation.net Special Needs Respite, SpecialNeedsRespite.org
Veteran Causes • • • •
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
Bethesda Community Clinic, 678-880-9654, BCCCherokee.com Center for the Visually Impaired, 404-875-9011, CVIGa.org GA Highlands Medical Services, 678-807-1050, GHMS-Inc.org GA Ovarian Cancer Alliance, 404-255-1337, GaOvarianCancer.org GA Transplant Foundation, 770-457-3796, GaTransplant.org North Georgia Pregnancy Center, 706-253-6303, BabyOnTheWay.org PAMAH Foundation, 678-926-9507, PAMAHFoundation.org Perfect Harmony Health/The George Center Foundation, 678-965-0993, PerfectHarmonyHealth.com Team Maggie’s Dream, 678-977-5755, TeamMaggiesDream.org TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation, 770-360-9271, MyTurningPoint.org
Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program, 678-983-7590, CherokeeHomelessVeterans.com Operation Not Forgotten, 678-494-2680, OperationNotForgotten.com Cherokee Veterans Community, 678-494-2680, CherokeeVeteransCommunity.org Witness to War, 770-481-3018, WitnessToWar.org
FamilyLife Magazines.com
21
PublicSafety
Outdoor Burning Information
From the Fire Marshal’s Office and Community Risk Reduction Division By Lisa M. Grisham, CPSTI
As
of October 1, 2023, Cherokee County resumed “normal” outdoor burning rules and regulations, which are posted on the Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services (CCFES) website (CherokeeCountyFire.org). Each year, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources issues a burn ban on open burning from May 1 to September 30. The outdoor burn ban affects 54 Georgia counties, including Cherokee. CCFES enforces the burn ban in unincorporated Cherokee County. Permits are not required for yard debris fires and recreational fires. Yard waste means limited natural vegetation yard debris. Natural vegetation includes leaves, pine straw, and dry brush/limbs no more than six inches in diameter that have fallen or been cut from growth on one’s own property. NOTE: Use of a charged garden hose and rake/shovel are required. Recreational fires are outdoor fires in which only logs or clean wood are being burned where the fuel is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, barbecue grill, or barbecue pit and has a total fuel area of three feet or less in diameter and two feet or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth, or similar purposes and which is not used to dispose of garbage or yard waste. NOTE: Use of a charged garden hose is required. Permits are required for bonfires and land-clearing fires. Bonfires are larger than recreational fires, but they also only use logs or clean wood for ceremonial burnings. Land burns are the burning of debris in an area for the purpose of land clearing, which requires the use of an air curtain destructor. Contact the Cherokee County Fire Marshal’s Office at 678-493-6290 to obtain permits for these types of burns. Penalties - The county marshal or her/his designee shall be authorized to issue a citation returnable to the magistrate’s court for violations. Any person who violates any provision of the Outdoor Burning Ordinance shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a violation of such ordinance and shall be punished in accordance with Sections 1-12 and as it may be amended from time to time.
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Woodstock Family Life | November 2023
Remember SSTAR* during outdoor burnings. SPACE — At least 25 feet between fire and woodlands SPACE — At least 50 feet between fire and structures TIME — 10:00am to one hour before sunset ATTENDANCE — Person responsible must stay onsite until fire is completely extinguished and there is no risk of spread REASONABLE PRECAUTIONS — Examples include tools/measures in place to prevent escaped fire such as continuous pressurized water source on site; manmade or natural barrier to contain fire such as bare soil, rocks, bricks, rake, shovel, garden hoe, etc.; and awareness to National Weather Service red flag warnings, High Fire Danger designation of “very high” or “extreme” days, and other hazardous conditions such as low relative humidity and high winds. In case of Emergency CALL 911. For more information, visit CherokeeCountyFire.org. *SSTAR is an educational tool from the Georgia Forestry Commission.
Lisa M. Grisham is the senior fire safety educator for Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services and the coordinator for Safe Kids Cherokee County. 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton. 678-493-6296. CherokeeCountyFire.org
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THREE TIPS FOR
Picture Perfect Hair By Jyl Caven
[Lifestyle] Your wardrobe has been decided, the background has been arranged, and your hair looks flawless — the stage has been set for that picture-perfect special event photo. All that work to create one beautiful image. But once the special event is over, recreating that flawless, polished look is something only the most vainglorious will try. Who has the time? But with the right haircut, hair color, and styling products, at least your hair can remain fabulous. Follow these three tips to ensure your hairstyle looks exceptional every day. 1. Choose the Right Haircut Determining the right haircut is the first step in guaranteeing your hair will be picture perfect. Face shape, body type, hair texture, hair density, growth patterns, and styling time should all be considered. So, getting the right haircut requires great communication with your hairdresser. It’s great to have dreams of flaunting a trendy new hairstyle, but it’s more important that your hair and body type properly support the style. Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
2. S elect the Best Hair Color The best hair color can be discovered by properly identifying just two important traits — your skin tone and shade of hair color. Skin tones are either warm or cool. Once your hair color is chosen, deciding the best shade comes next. If blonde hair is your desire and your skin tone is warm, shades of butterscotch or strawberry blonde look best. If your skin tone is cooler, then opt for more icy hues like platinum or ash. Just remember, when choosing the best hair color, oftentimes there are many perfect possibilities. 3. D on’t Forget About Great Finishes You’ve landed that perfect haircut and hair color; now it’s time to style your picture-perfect look. By using the right appliances, brushes, and products, you’ll ensure your fabulous new style is completed with a great finish. When blowing dry or ironing, always use the appropriate temperature settings on your appliances. Never turn your appliances to the highest setting just to save time
because you could damage your hair. Identifying the most suitable brush for your hair type is also necessary. Vest brush, round brush, paddle brush, vented brush, brush size, and type of bristles should all be considered when deciding which is your best option. Once styling is complete, a light mist of shine spray is the perfect way to polish off your look. While it’s nice to make arrangements to capture that pristine special event photo, the coordinated effort required can leave the most determined of us exhausted. So, why not just focus on the one attribute that screams style the most — your hair! By following this little bit of advice, you can make every day a picture-perfect hair day! L
Jyl Craven is owner of Jyl Craven Hair Design of Canton. 770-345-9411. JylCraven.com
FamilyLife Magazines.com
23
Teacher Feature BY BARBARA P. JACOBY
R
R OBY N W E S T
obyn West’s love of helping others has influenced her own life and the hundreds of students she’s taught during her career.
The Dean Rusk MS eighth-grade English teacher has known since she was a little girl playing school with her baby doll that she wanted to be a teacher. A favorite childhood Christmas memory is the year she received a giant chalkboard, chalk, and a grade book as gifts. “When in elementary school, I loved to be the teacher helper: hand out papers, take up papers, and even — back then — grade papers. So, here I am fulfilling my calling!” said West, who is in her 26th year as an educator. “As a teacher, the students are my ‘why,’ and I do my best to use this unique calling to make a difference every day.” West is an avid school and community volunteer who has mentored new teachers, coached cheerleading, taught Sunday school and vacation Bible school, and delivered MUST Ministries summer lunches. She was also a longtime active service member and is a current honorary member of the Service League of Cherokee County. “Volunteering in the school and the community is something I enjoy because I can serve others,” she said. That spirit carries over into her lessons. One of her favorite examples is how she teaches research and informational writing standards. She has made charities the focus of the assignment and begins by inviting representatives of local charitable organizations to speak to the class about volunteerism and its importance.
Her effort to bring the real world into the classroom has expanded into a charity fair attended by all eighth graders. Students determine the need that matters most to them, then form a charity, explaining in writing how it would address the need. They name the charity, plan a real fundraiser, and design a logo and advertisements. The students then present their charity to their classmates and collect donations for their cause, which students make using play money West provides to the class. “Because I teach eighth graders, I must be sneaky when encouraging them to get excited about learning!” she said. “I want the students to know it is okay to make a mistake, and we can work through anything together; it is a safe zone for them. Another way I encourage their learning is by giving them choices on assignments, which gives the students a sense of control, which they really like. I also have friendly competitions and offer rewards when we are learning and practicing unit standards. Most of all, though, it is the relationships that I build with them that make them want to come to my class and learn.”
What can parents do to help their child be as successful as possible at school? “I believe that parents can foster independence, teach problem-solving skills, and help them create good habits like time management, organization, and self-advocacy. Having these skills will lead them to good grades, a successful school year, and being a productive citizen of their community,” said West.
Barbara P. Jacoby is the chief communications officer for the Cherokee County School District. 770-704-4228. CherokeeK12.net
24
Woodstock Family Life | November 2023
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Book Review BY SARAH CHILDERS
THE POETRY OF
ROBERT F RO S T
T
his November is the perfect time to curl up with your favorite blanket and enjoy some light reading, as you prepare for the upcoming holiday season. If you’re looking to check out a cozy read, look no further than one of the poetry collections available at your local public library. For poems that explore themes of everyday life, nature, rural living, and more, readers can find new fall favorites in the pages of The Poetry of Robert Frost. One of the many poetry collections available in the Sequoyah Regional Library branches, Frost’s writings emphasize the connection between nature and self-discovery with descriptive language and tone. To find other poetry collections available at your local public library, visit the “Find a Title” page on SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org. If you’re looking for fun fall activities or an inviting atmosphere to help you on your NaNoWriMo journey, look no further than your local public library. NaNoWriMo is a “nonprofit organization that provides tools, structure, community, and encouragement to help people find their voices, achieve creative goals, and build new worlds — on and off the page,” (NaNoWriMo.org). Library cards are always free for those who live in Cherokee, Pickens, and Gilmer counties. Whatever journey you’re taking this November, whether you’re looking for your next read, your next hobby, or your next storytime, Sequoyah Regional Library System is proud to be your dynamic destination for discovery.
Sarah Childers is the marketing manager for the Sequoyah Regional Library System. ChildersS@seqlib.org. SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
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ArtistProfile ArtistProfile BY ELLEN SAMSELL SALAS BY ELLEN SAMSELL SALAS
Duane Willoughby Creates Humor
That Kids Love To Read
A
uthor and illustrator Duane Willoughby is funny. So, it isn’t surprising that his first foray into writing children’s books, Eddie Eats Everything, wins readers — “the kids who hate reading, the kids who are always in timeout.”
Growing up, Willoughby loved comic books, loved drawing, and wanted to be a cartoonist. He hated writing. It was his fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Sawyer, who helped determine Willoughby’s path when she suggested he draw first and then write to narrate his illustrations. That is the process that led to Eddie Eats Everything, which he wrote, illustrated, and self-published in 2020. It is the process he is using to complete his current projects. An elementary and middle school teacher, Willoughby is the first to laugh at himself. With encouragement from his wife, he dove into creating Eddie, trusting his love of drawing and his sense of humor to guide him. “I never fear rejection,” he said. “That comes from being a teacher. I’ve had kindergartners cuss me out. I’m not afraid to put something out there. I just went and did it.” In fact, when writing and illustrating, Willoughby welcomes feedback from children as well as fellow teachers. “My neighbor’s daughter, who is in sixth grade, will tell me if she doesn’t like something. Other kids in the neighborhood will also be honest with me,” he said. Much of the appeal of Eddie Eats Everything is its humor and its honesty.
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Woodstock Family Life | November 2023
The characters act and react like real kids. And, they are funny. Willoughby said Eddie is based partly on himself, partly on his son, and partly on a friend’s son — all of whom as children would eat almost everything in the pantry. Other characters are based on former students. His illustrations, which he sketches in pencil and then refines on an iPad or Wacom tablet, enhance the energy of the characters and story. He purposely draws in a minimalist style, so young readers can replicate it. Drawn to children’s fare because it doesn’t lock him into a formula, Willoughby is rewriting Eddie Eats Everything as a TV show and creating two more Eddie books. Another project, a graphic novel, whose characters are creatures who live in a sewer, is fulfilling Willoughby’s childhood dream to be a cartoonist. While the message of Eddie Eats Everything is “Don’t lie to your parents,” the message of his graphic novel is “Be yourself,” the motto Willoughby lives by. “Part of my appeal to kids is honesty. I will laugh at myself,” he said. “It’s not trying to be funny; it’s just earnestness. I don’t try to be funny with kids. I am who I am.”
You can laugh along with Willoughby at DuaneWrites.com, SidekicksStudio.com, or follow him on social media @duanewrites. Eddie Eats Everything is available on Amazon.com.
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Ribbon Cuttings Ground Breakings 1 Man Geek, LLC
Cherokee County 770-653-9344 Mobile Tech Support/Repair
Woolfson Eye Institute
100 River Pointe Parkway, Canton 866-527-3722 Lasik Eye Surgery Center
A Solution for Shaded Slopes By Joshua Fuder
Penette’s Boutique and Spa 5471 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth Fashion and Wellness
[HomeLife] Ground cover alternatives in shady areas are a challenge many homeowners face. Grass or turf is the best known ground cover, but most turf grass varieties will require a minimum of four to six hours of full sunlight per day. English ivy is most often found in this understory environment because it thrives in full shade, is low maintenance, evergreen, drought tolerant, and has little to no insect or disease problems. But English ivy is a vine that has a tendency to climb walls, fences, and trees, which often makes it undesirable.
Alternatives to Ivy Pachysandra is a dense evergreen that grows to six to nine inches and spreads by runners, prefers full to part shade, and tolerates poor acidic soils as well as competition with trees. It also produces tiny white flowers in early Spring. Liriope, or lily turf, is a common ground cover that performs well in the shade and forms thick mats of turf-like blades that grow between 10-18 inches tall. It is remarkably tough and tolerates drought, light traffic, and Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
The Knox
100 Etowah Ferry Drive, Acworth 678-605-9504 Apartment Complex
an annual mowing in winter. A few dwarf and variegated cultivars exist. Cast iron plant, as the name would imply, is as tough as nails. With long broad leaves that reach two feet tall, the plant adds an almost tropical look to shady areas. Sweet box is a small evergreen shrub that reaches from one to three feet tall, thrives in shade, and produces wonderfully fragrant blooms in late winter. It is very hardy as well as resistant to deer, most insects, and diseases. Establishing a new ground cover is the same as with most new plants. If you lightly amend the soil to improve texture and drainage and reduce early competition from weeds, these plants will thrive for years to come.
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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Sawyers Farm A Woodall Construction Company Community
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Woodstock Family Life | November 2023
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First Baptist Church of Woodstock | Sounds Of The Season | see pages 22-23