Contents
October 2015
VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 3
28-30 On the Cover:
Woodstock Pediatric Medicine
36-38
Leaf Gazing Locales Fall Color Guide
[28-30] [36-38]
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Woodstock Family Life | OCTOBER 2015
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.......................... Perspective
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............................. Calendar
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....................... Business Life
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................ Woodstock Minute
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................... Senator Speaks
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....................... Scoop of Life
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............. Community Partners
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........................ Book Review
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......................... Taste of Life
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......... Main Street Woodstock
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......................... Artist Profile
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............................. Chamber
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Publisher’s Perspective PUBLISHER/PHOTOGRAPHER Jack Tuszynski Jack@FamilyLifePublications.com EDITORIAL Julie Senger Editor@FamilyLifePublications.com ART Candice Williams Candice@FamilyLifePublications.com Laurie Litke Laurie@FamilyLifePublications.com SALES Janet Ponichtera Janet@FamilyLifePublications.com
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Woodstock Family Life | OCTOBER 2015
FamilyLifePublications Woodstock Family Life welcomes your comments, stories and advertisements. 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. Woodstock Family Life magazine is not responsible for errors and omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the Publisher. Subscriptions are available for $25 per year. Please contact us for payment options. AS
E R EC Y C LE
Jack Tuszynski, Publisher
770-213-7095
FamilyLifePublications.com
© 2015 All rights reserved. TH
Changes in our lives build our character. All of the reactions we have, along with the emotions those changes evoke, build upon our soul. Trials and tribulations may seem difficult sometimes, and we may often feel overwhelmed. But remember, warriors find strength in their tears. The truth is that those difficult times are forging us like the refiner’s fire, and we often become stronger as they pass. Hold fast; embrace the knowledge that when brighter days arrive, you will be better equipped to handle whatever befalls you. Each and every day brings us closer to becoming the person we’re intended to be in our lives. Whatever season you find yourself in, the season is yours. Change is in the air. Embrace it, your true colors are about to glow.
150 North Street, Suite A Canton, GA 30114
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I’ve often reflected on the annual cycle of the trees and the many metaphors that may relate to the natural rhythms in our lives, how their branches, once lush with emerald leaves, will soon turn to hues of amber, red and gold, then shed their bounty onto the forest floor below, where they return to the soil. Like the roots of the tree, is our character not also insulated and fed by the stripping down of some seasons?
Family Life Publishing Group Inc.
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risp fall mornings have made their way back into our lives, and the time has come for us to settle like the tree sap, and slow down a little. The forests will soon be covered in the magnificent hues of our southern autumn, and the time to frolic in the leaves and enjoy fall festivals has arrived. To me, fall is a time to relax and recover from the busier days of spring and summer. It is a time for a sort of inner renewal, not like the aesthetic, external rebirth of spring, but more of an internal reflection or evaluation of who we are at our root level.
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Refiner’s Fire
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Steven Anderson, Jose Baez, Sen. Brandon Beach, Jennifer Beil, Kathleen Boehmig, Anjum Cheema, Michael Consoli, Jyl Craven, Natalie Del Valle, Joshua Fuder, Georgia Farm Bureau, Catherine Groves, Lisa-Marie Haygood, Corey Harkins, Jenna Hill, Johnny Hunt, Kimberly King-Spohn, Michelle Knapp, James E. Leake, Pamela S. Marquess, Robbie Matiak, Jeff Moon, Tim Morris, E. Anthony Musarra, Vishant Nath, Michael Petrosky, Juan Reyes, Nick Roper, Suzanne Taylor
Calendar OCTOBER ONGOING Woodstock Farmer’s Market — Each Saturday morning and Tuesday evening, the Woodstock Farmer’s Market will be held downtown on Market Street, between Mill and Maple Streets, adjacent to the Elm Street Arts Village event green. Saturdays, 8:30 pm-12:00 pm; Tuesdays, 4:00 pm-7:30 pm. 770-924-0406. DowntownWoodstock.org/Farmer/ Scarecrow Invasion — Throughout the month of October, scarecrows will be lining Main Street in Downtown Woodstock. You can vote for your favorite scarecrow at the Woodstock Visitors Center. Clay Council Ceramic Show — Ceramic works of art will be on display daily, throughout the month of October, beginning on October 2. 12:00 pm, Cherokee Arts Center. CherokeeArts.org
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Downtown Woodstock’s Friday Night Live: Hollywood Night — Celebrate all things Hollywood in Downtown Woodstock at this Friday Night Live. Participating downtown merchants will have activities going on at their stores and throughout the Downtown area related to the theme of the month. Friday Night Live also features great music, as bands play throughout Downtown Woodstock in front of the stores, which adds to the street festival feel of the event. The 2015 Friday Night Live Series is presented by Regions Bank. 6:00-9:00 pm. 770-924-0406. DowntownWoodstock.org
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Bobcat Boogie 5K — Help Bascomb Elementary celebrate their 20th anniversary with this 5K, immediately followed by a birthday bash! DJ, Food Trucks, Games, and More at the 1st annual Bobcat Boogie 5K! Registration is open now. 6:30 pm, Bascomb Elementary School, 1335 Wyngate Pkwy, Woodstock. Active.com/Woodstock-Ga/Running/
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Night Under the Stars, Featuring the Douglas Cameron Orchestra — Hailing from Columbia, South Carolina, Douglas Cameron grew up listening to the sounds of Glen Miller and Tommy Dorsey. His early influences inspired him to take up drums at the age of nine. A multi-faceted performer, he also is a guitarist and songwriter. Often described as “smooth and seductive,” his sounds have a wide variety to certainly please almost anyone! 7:30 pm, Resurgens Orthopaedics Community Stage, 111 Elm Street, Woodstock. ElmStreetArts.org/ NightUnderStars/
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Childhood Dreams Breakfast Fundraiser — Event ticket Includes IHOP pancakes, Sing-a-long entertainment, jugglers, crafts, balloon artist, prizes, raffles, pictures with princesses and heroes! Batman, Belle, and several more have already RSPVed! $10 for Adults, $5 for children under 12 years old. Adults pay children’s price if you come dressed up! 9:00-11:00 am, His Hands Church, 550 Molly Lane, Woodstock. SerenadeHeights.org
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Woodstock Fire Department Open House — Live Extrication Demo’s with the “Jaws of Life,” quick dress gear races, fire safety house, lunch provided, station tours and truck shows, hose line operation station, FREE bounce houses and inflatables — for children of all ages and much more! 10:00 am-2:00 pm, Station 14 off of Arnold Mill Road. WhatsUpWoodstock.com
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The Last Friends of Cherokee County Public Libraries Book Sale for 2015 All proceeds from the book sales go to children’s materials and all audio materials. Rose Creek Public Library, 4476 Towne Lake Pkwy, Woodstock. 770-591-1491.
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The Cherokee Zombie Fest and Food Truck Fair — Back for its 3rd year, with a 5K Run, motorcycle ride and Zombie Response Unit vehicle show, ghost tour, zombie movies, costume contest, food trucks, vendors, inflatables, face painting, brain eating contest and video game contest. $5 dontation at the gate, all proceeds benefit Cherokee FOCUS and Cherokee Youth Works. Historic Downtown Canton. CherokeeZombieFest.com
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Herbs: What Do I Do With Them? Learn how to harvest and use herbs. Pre‐register by October 14. 10:00 am, Hickory Flat Library, 2740 East Cherokee Drive, Hickory Flat. 770-7217803. Email UGE1057@UGA.edu
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Little River Clean-Up — Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be provided, please bring your own water bottle. There will be a limited supply of River’s Alive T-shirts available. Participate in Georgia Adopt-A-Stream and World Water Monitoring Challenge monitoring. 9:00 am-1:00 pm, Old Rope Mill Park. 770-479-1813 ext. 246.
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Owl-O-Ween Hot Air Balloon Festival — Come celebrate Octoberfest, dress up for our costume party and see Atlanta’s only hot air balloon festival! Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for children ages 3-12, under 3 yrs old is free. Friday 6:00-11:00 pm, Saturday 4:00-11:00 pm, KSU Sports and Entertainment Park. 470-578-4849. Owl-O-Ween.com
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Free Document Shred Day — Summit Financial Solutions is offering a documents shred day. This event is free and open to the public. A professional shredding company will be on site to shred personal and confidential documents. There is no need to remove staples, paper clips, folders or notebooks. All documents are shredded on site and the process may be watched on a video display monitor to ensure security. 11:00 am-1:00 pm, 1816 Eagle Drive Ste. 100-A, Woodstock. 770-928-8100. SfsGa.com
Community Feature Cherokee County’s 2015-16 Teachers of the Year The Cherokee County School District announces the school-level winners of its Teacher of the Year program that recognizes its most outstanding teachers. The county winner is entered as the School District’s nominee for Georgia Teacher of the Year award, which is announced in the spring.
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Kidfest! — Halloween trickor-treat activities for our younger ghouls and goblins, including moonwalks, DJ Ronnie, Time the Magician, Adam the Juggler, games, the ever-popular stringed apple and pumpkin bowling games, face painting, costume contest and candy give away; all in the safety of the Park at City Center. Euro Bungee ride for a minimal fee. Costume contest at 6:00 pm at the Gazebo. Trophies for funniest, scariest, cutest and best costume! Movie in the Park at 7:00 pm. 3:007:00 pm, The Park at City Center. WhatsUpWoodstock.com
The CCSD and school-level winners are honored at the annual CCSD Teacher of the Year Banquet in December, which is sponsored by Northside HospitalCherokee and Credit Union of Georgia. Congratulations to the 2015-16 Teachers of the Year! Arnold Mill ES: Allison Fuss
Mill Creek MS: Becky Stodola
Bascomb ES: Dawn Barrett
Mountain Road ES: Rebecca Spears
Boston ES: Jennifer Martin
Oak Grove ES Fine Arts Academy:
CCSD Preschool Centers: Lori Rich
Carli O’Connell
Carmel ES: Audrey Craig
River Ridge HS: Henley Sawicki
Clark Creek ES STEM Academy:
Tippens Education Center:
Jennifer McIntosh
Jamie Horton
E.T. Booth MS: Angela Mentzel
Woodstock ES: Amy VanFossen
Etowah HS: Dr. Brian Heglund
Woodstock HS: Loretta Cameron
Johnston ES: Cameron Johnston
Woodstock MS: Brandi Miller
Little River ES: Debbie Brown
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LIBRARY EVENTS SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org HICKORY FLAT 2740 East Cherokee Drive, Canton, 770-345-7565 ROSE CREEK 4476 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock, 770-591-1491 WOODSTOCK 7735 Main Street, Woodstock, 770-926-5859
SIT & STITCH SOCIAL October 1, October 8, October 15, October 22, 10:00 am, Woodstock Enjoy the company of other creative people while you stitch on your current project. Take time to finish a work in progress. Get inspired to try something new! Meet new people and have fun! DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION PRESENTATION October 13, 6:30 pm, Woodstock Learn about this service organization and the many contributions it makes to your community. Loriann White, Hightower Trail Chapter, NSDAR, will present an introduction to the DAR past and present. LEGO CLUB October 18, 4:00 pm, Woodstock Children can work alone or in teams to make their own special creation, which will be displayed at the library until next month’s meeting. Each month, Lego Club will feature
a new theme. All ages are invited; 9 and under must be accompanied by an adult. FALL WATER COLOR CLASS WITH KATHI FLY October 19, 10:30 am, Rose Creek Come learn how to mix colors to create a fall scene. Supplies will be provided. Registration is required. This program is for ages 15 and up. To register, call the Rose Creek library at 770-591-1491. Seats will be limited. STARTING A BOOK CLUB October 20, 12:30 pm & 6:30 pm, Woodstock This is an opportunity to establish a new book club, with people sharing similar interests. If you are interested in joining a discussion group, please come to a meeting to discuss the selection of future titles. BOOKMARK BOOK CLUB October 20, 4:00 pm, Woodstock Rack up 8 AR points and have fun doing it! Join us for a
fun discussion about current Georgia Book Award nominee, Loot: How to Steal A Fortune, by Jude Watson. We will discuss the book, go on a scavenger hunt in the library, and enjoy light refreshments. Registration is required. Call 770-479-3090 ext. 233 to sign up or for more information. For ages 9-12. PARANORMAL 101 October 20, 7:00 pm, Hickory Flat Everything you wanted to know about investigating the paranormal, but were too afraid to ask! We’ll tell you all about the equipment we use, how we use it, and why we do what we do when we investigate purportedly haunted locations. We’ll finish up by showing you some of our best evidence of the paranormal and answering any questions you may have. Come join us! This is an after-hours event. The library will close at 6:00 pm and reopen at 7:00 pm for this presentation. No admittance after 7:15 pm. AMERICAN GIRL AFTERNOON October 21, 4:00 pm, Woodstock Fans of the American Girl series, ages 7-12, are invited to join us for an afternoon of fun, inspired by the characters and times featured in the books. We will have games and crafts inspired by American Girl favorites! Space is limited; registration is required. Registration begins October 7. ADULT LEGO NIGHT October 22, 6:00 pm, Rose Creek You are never too old to show your creative side. Come out to the Rose Creek Library for a night full of Lego fun. We provide the Legos, and you provide the creativity. READING DOGS Children 6 years of age and older can read to a nonjudgmental, furry listener who won’t laugh if mistakes are made, or the reader stumbles. Parents can register their child for a 10-15 minute program, two weeks ahead for one session by calling their library. Children are asked to select their own reading material before their scheduled session. Call a participating library to reserve your spot for one of the Reading Dog programs.
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Woodstock Family Life | OCTOBER 2015
Business BMW Roof System Manufacturer Announces Achievement Inalfa Roof Systems continues to impress. The automotive manufacturer of sunroofs and open roof systems has achieved their TS-16949 Certification, which is crucial to their success and growth in the automotive sector. This certification is evidence that the Cherokee team has successfully developed a quality management system, which provides for continual improvement, emphasizing defect prevention and the reduction of variation and waste in the supply chain. The Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED) was honored to celebrate this achievement with all of their employees as they proudly held a banner showcasing their accomplishment.
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Chamber Recognizes Winners of Mayor’s Recycling Challenge The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Going Green Committee has concluded their 4th Mayor’s Recycling Challenge event, which challenged cities in Cherokee County to encourage their residents to recycle during the City of Woodstock Mayor, Donnie months of Henriques (center), accepts the June and Mayor’s Challenge award from July. The Chamber Chairman, Jeff Rusbridge, winning city Dyer & Rusbridge, P.C. (l) and Going for total Green Chairman, Vic Knight, Waste Management. pounds
recycled, winning city for most pounds collected per capita and the winning city for highest percentage increase over last year were announced during the Chamber’s September Good Morning Cherokee breakfast meeting. North Metro Waste and Waste Management partnered with the Chamber on this event.
City of Waleska Clerk, Aimee Abernathy (center), accepts the award for the most recycling collected - per capita from Chamber Chairman, Jeff Rusbridge, Dyer & Rusbridge, P.C. (l) and Going Green Chairman, Vic Knight, Waste Management.
The City of Woodstock collected the most recycling, which totaled 460,146 pounds, followed by City of Canton — 260,584 pounds, Ball Ground — 85,260 pounds, Waleska — 77,860 pounds and Holly Springs — 46,780 pounds. The combined total collected by all the cities was 930,630 pounds, which is a fifteen percent increase over last year. The City of Waleska, for the fourth consecutive year, collected the most recycling per capita with 111.39 pounds per resident, as determined based on 2013 U.S. Census population estimates. Additional per capita totals included City of Ball Ground — 57.53 pounds/resident, City of Woodstock — 17.11 pounds/resident, City of Canton — 10.78 pounds/resident and City of Holly Springs — 4.78 pounds/resident. The City of Canton was recognized for having the highest percentage increase of collected recyclables over the previous year. This year, the city collected 260,584 pounds, which is a 64% increase over last year. This is the first year this award was presented. City of Canton Council Member, Farris Yawn (center), accepts the award for the highest percentage increase from Chamber Chairman, Jeff Rusbridge, Dyer & Rusbridge, P.C. (l) and Going Green Chairman, Vic Knight, Waste Management.
The mission of the Chamber’s Going Green initiative is to encourage the community to implement green practices that conserve community resources, while helping businesses thrive. To learn more about the Chamber’s Going Green efforts, or to participate in upcoming events, visit the Chamber at CherokeeChamber.com, or contact the Chamber at 770-345-0400.
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Cubital Tunnel Syndrome By Jose Baez, M.D.
Cubital tunnel syndrome is brought on by increased pressure on the ulnar nerve at the elbow. The ulnar nerve passes under a bump of bone on the inner portion of the elbow (medial epicondyle or “funny bone”). At this site, the ulnar nerve lies directly next to the bone and is susceptible to pressure. When the pressure on the nerve becomes great enough to affect the way it works, then numbness, tingling, and pain may be felt in the elbow, forearm, hand and/ or fingers. If this pressure is long-lasting, then permanent damage to the nerve can occur.
What causes it? Causes of cubital tunnel syndrome can include frequently leaning your arm against a table on the inner part of your elbow, having the ulnar nerve at the elbow click back and forth over the bony bump, leading to significant irritation, holding the elbow in a bent position for a long time and stretching the nerve across the medial epicondyle, (this often occurs during sleep), gradual thickening of the connective tissue over the nerve, or there may be variations of the muscle structure over the nerve at the elbow, which causes pressure on the nerve.
What are the symptoms? Symptoms usually include pain, numbness and/or tingling in the ring and little fingers. It’s more noticeable during activities that put pressure on the nerve, such as sitting with your elbow on an arm rest or with repetitive elbow bending or straightening. You may also notice symptoms more when you’ve held your elbow in a bent position for extended periods, such as when holding the phone or while sleeping. If this has been present for a long time, then you may notice
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weakness while pinching, occasional clumsiness and/or the tendency to drop things. In severe cases, you may lose complete sensation, and the muscles in the hand may lose bulk and strength.
How is it diagnosed? Cubital tunnel syndrome is first assessed by physical examination. The pattern and distribution of your symptoms, as well as muscle weakness, irritability of the nerve when tapping and/or bending the elbow and changes in sensation help with the diagnosis. Other conditions, such as thyroid disease or diabetes must also be considered. An electromyography (EMG) and/or a nerve conduction study (NCS) may be conducted to confirm diagnosis, and stage its severity.
How is it treated? Sometimes symptoms can be relieved without surgery, particularly if the EMG/ NCS testing shows that the pressure on the nerve is minimal. Treatment options include: • Changing the patterns of elbow use • Avoiding putting your elbow on hard surfaces • Wearing an elbow pad over the ulnar nerve and “funny bone” • Keeping the elbow straight at night with a splint • Occupational hand therapy If symptoms are severe or do not improve, you may need surgery to relieve the pressure on the nerve. Surgical options include: • Traditional open cubital tunnel release (bigger incision) • Minimally invasive endoscopic cubital tunnel release (smaller incision)
The minimally invasive surgery achieves the same goal as the traditional open technique, but with a much smaller incision. This is because the surgery is aided by an endoscopic camera and endoscopic instruments. Studies have shown that this technique, with leaving the nerve in the native position, is equally effective in treating cubital tunnel syndrome as the open technique. Not all physicians have the experience to perform this technique, as specialized training is required. However, there are situations when it’s not possible to perform the minimally invasive technique because of the nerve clicking back and forth over the medial epicondyle, and in those cases, the traditional open procedure would be the treatment of choice.
Dr. Jose Baez is a physician with Atlanta Hand Specialist, located in Canton, Marietta, Smyrna, and Douglasville. 770-333-7888, AtlantaHandSpecialist.com
Increase Curb Appeal with Great Siding
One of the best ways to increase the curb appeal of your home is to give it a new exterior look. Whether you’re ready to sell or just want to give your home a facelift, a new exterior and updated windows can completely change its outward character.
•Better Insulation When replacing your home’s exterior, it offers the opportunity for the addition of more and better insulation. Also, as siding ages, it can allow water to seep into the underlying timbers of the home, leading to rot and other problems. Giving your home an exterior makeover allows you to find these problems, and give them the attention they need before they become insurmountable.
•Benefits of New Siding Replacing the exterior of your home can have added benefits that may not be as obvious as the improved look of the home’s façade. These include increased energy efficiency and the opportunity to find and repair any damage that has occurred to the structure of the home. Homes that were built during times of cheap, plentiful energy may lack much of the insulation that you might expect to have in your home.
•Fiber Cement Siding The use of fiber cement material is quickly gaining in popularity and has consistently been shown to provide one of the best possible increases in your home’s value for your investment dollar. Giving your home an updated, fresh look is easy when you enlist the help of professionals, and it can mean the difference between a home that feels like home, and a house that makes you cringe every time you pull into your driveway.
By Juan Reyes
•Whole Home Protection Your home is protected with a full net of properly-installed components, such as windows, gutters, and roofing. Each of these components can greatly increase the appeal and value of your home, while offering complete protection for its underlying structure. In the metro Atlanta area, the weather can vary greatly from season to season, and protecting your home is an important aspect of keeping your heating and cooling costs under control. More importantly, performing proper repairs and upgrades to the exterior of your home can help protect the interior of your home, as well as the rest of your belongings.
Juan Reyes is owner of Pro Roofing & Siding. 770-777-1733, MyProRoofing. com
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Woodstock Minute
By Jeff Moon
R
ecently, Money Magazine named Woodstock as one of the “50 Best Places to Live” in the United States of America for 2015. Woodstock was the only city in Georgia to be included on their list this year. This was the first time that Woodstock was chosen for this honor.
review the city’s vision statement, goals and priorities. Goals are broader policy statements, while priorities are the measurable action items (long and short term) that will help the city accomplish its goals. Each year, the city’s fiveyear goals are updated, along with its priorities.
It was nice to be selected and recognized by a national publication. To be honest though, I can’t tell you that we set out with the goal in mind of being selected for this list. We have tried to focus on an “all of the above” approach for implementing the mayor and council’s vision for the future of Woodstock. From creating a vibrant downtown, to improving the number and variety of recreational opportunities, and providing quality public safety and planning for first-class neighborhoods, the focus of elected officials and staff has been on accomplishing this shared vision.
Some of the short-term goals for 2015 include construction of the Amphitheater at City Center, the addition of public restrooms at City Center and designing a third fire station. Long-term goals for the next five-years include a parking deck in Downtown Woodstock, expanding the grid network of streets in Downtown Woodstock, expanding the Greenprints Trail System and expanding the city’s sidewalk system, just to name a few. You can find a complete listing of the goals and priorities on the city’s website (WoodstockGa.gov) under the “strategic plan” section.
Each year, the mayor and council work with staff at our planning retreat to
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There wasn’t an application process for
the Money Magazine recognition. As a matter of fact, we didn’t even know about it until about a week before they made the public announcement. To be recognized independently, as was the case with Money, is indeed an honor, very humbling and a compliment to our residents, business owners, elected officials and staff for the accomplishments achieved in the past decade in Woodstock. I am proud to live and work in this community. It is amazing what can be accomplished when you’re not worried about who gets the credit. I can assure each of you that we will continue to work each and every day to achieve the vision adopted by the mayor and council. And if we move up the list of “Best Places to Live” because of the efforts, so much the better!
Jeff Moon is the City Manager for the City of Woodstock. 770-592-6000, JMoon@WoodstockGa.gov
Community Feature Cherokee County Marching Band Exhibition The 19th annual Cherokee County Band Exhibition will be hosted at Woodstock High School on Tuesday, October 13th. This local tradition will include all six of Cherokee County’s high school marching bands, as well as performances by Reinhardt University and Kennesaw State University. The gates open at 6:00 pm, with performances beginning at 7:00 pm. It is open to the public. Tickets are $7 per person, and children 6 and under are free. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Woodstock Wolverine Band Boosters. Concessions will be available. For more information please email WoodstockBandBoosters@ gmail.com, or call 678677-2589.
Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services Promotes Croft to Sergeant A Cherokee County firefighter was recently promoted during ceremonies at the Cherokee County Fire Nathan Croft’s wife, Jackie, pins the new sergeant Training insignia on her husband’s collar. Center, located just south of Holly Springs. Nathan Croft was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Croft came to work for Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services in September of 2008. He currently works at Fire Station #23 in Hickory Flat. He lives in Woodstock with his wife, Jackie. Numerous firefighters, chiefs and friends attended the event. Congratulations to Croft for being promoted!
Congratulations to our September “7 Differences” winner, Morris Skurka!
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Community Feature Perfect Your Recipe for an Upcoming Chili Cook-Off Fundraiser! Woodstock Chiropractic and Chili’s Grill and Bar, Towne Lake are sponsoring a chili cook-off on November 7th, at 1:00 pm, at the main park in the Eagle Watch subdivision. The proceeds will benefit Serenade Heights and Woodstock Police and Fire Department. There will be a silent auction, football game coverage, raffles, cash prizes for those who place in the chili cook-off, bounce houses and other children’s entertainment. Anyone is welcome to register to compete in the cook-off; the deadline to register is October 20th. You may contact Kristina Valente at 484-6141681 to register.
Local Student, Zelma A. Estrada, Receives National Honor The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) announced student, Zelma Angelique Estrada, from Woodstock, GA, has been selected to become a member of the esteemed organization. The Society recognizes top scholars who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, scholarship and community commitment. The announcement was made by NSHSS Founder and Chairman, Claes Nobel. “On behalf of NSHSS, I am honored to recognize the hard work, sacrifice and commitment that Zelma has demonstrated to achieve this exceptional level of academic excellence” said Mr. Nobel. “Zelma is now a member of a unique community of scholars that represents our very best hope for the future.” Her goal is to become a Physical Therapy doctor. “I am willing to work hard to maintain my grades and comply with all the prerequisites that this program requires, while staying committed to help the community in every way I can.” said Zelma, a senior at Woodstock High School.
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Let’s be honest…life can be hard. Every human being, no matter how successful or content we may feel at a particular moment, will experience valleys. But remember, to paraphrase the adage, “if we never traversed the valleys, we couldn’t appreciation of the mountaintops.” Are you going through a difficult season? Some things are out of our control; external circumstances can affect us in a negative way. A loved one passed away. A friend hurt you deeply. Finances took a hit. Your family is dealing with a crisis. Any number of things can factor into our perception of life. And if we are believers, it can feel shameful to admit that we’ve allowed something (or someone) to steal our joy in the Lord. God has been so good to us, what right do we have not to rejoice at all times? The last thing we’d like to do is seem ungrateful. With many things not in our control,
what is? How we react. For example, bitterness is one of Satan’s “Come to me, all you who are greatest tools weary and burdened, for discouraging and I will give you rest. us and turning our – Matthew 11:28 eyes away from the blessings of Christ. It hurts when someone By Johnny M. Hunt wrongs you. Anger and resentment can creep in, and you might desire we know to be true of the character justice, expect an apology, feel sorry of God. He is loving, kind and He cares for yourself, or you may even decide for his children. If you’re in a valley right to shut them out, and become numb. now, take some time to process. Ask Are these responses indicative of a life God to help you release any bitterness surrendered to Christ? and help you forgive if the situation
Rest for the Weary
Soul
A good friend once said, “We let our circumstances define our view of God, when we should let our view of God define our circumstances.” We get to choose. We can hold onto bitterness, which doesn’t do anyone any good, or we can focus on what
calls for it. Our Father promised He’d give us rest when we’re weary and burdened, so it’s up to us to go to Him.
Johnny Hunt is senior pastor of First Baptist Church Woodstock. 770-9264428, FBCW.org
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Community Feature Clark Creek Elementary School STEM Academy Makes History! A Georgia Department of Education State STEM Certification Team visited Clark Creek ES to determine if they had met the high bar to earn the prestigious, State STEM Certification. Dr. Scrivner then visited every classroom to tell teachers and students the positive outcome of their four years of hard work… and she was met with jubilation! “We are simply ecstatic about our State STEM Certification!” Dr. Scrivner said. “The students, teachers and community have worked diligently to ensure an amazing 21stcentury education for our students.”
Platinum winners: Avery ES, Boston ES, Clark Creek ES STEM Academy, Holly Springs ES STEM Academy, Indian Knoll ES, Knox ES, Sixes ES Gold winners: Johnston ES, Creekland MS, E.T. Booth MS, Freedom MS, Mill Creek MS, Woodstock MS
Clark Creek ES STEM Academy is one of only 11 elementary schools in Georgia to earn this commendation.
Outstanding CCSD Athletes Recognized
24 Cherokee County Schools Selected for SHAPE Honor Roll
Clark Creek ES STEM Academy Teacher of the Year, Jennifer McIntosh, and students react with jubilation to the news that their school has earned the prestigious State STEM Certification.
The Cherokee County Sports Hall of Fame recently recognized outstanding Cherokee County School District senior student athletes. From left to right, female student athletes: Caitlyn Farrell, Cherokee HS; Camille Fahrnbauer, Creekview HS; Leena Morris, Etowah HS; Avery Blackmon, River Ridge HS; Kyli Schmitt, Sequoyah HS; Alexandra Melehan, Woodstock HS; and male student athletes: Andrew Harris, Cherokee HS; Brennan Garriques, Creekview HS; Brad Morgan, Etowah HS; Scott Morgan, Etowah HS; Tanner Hicks, River Ridge HS; Jake Jensen, Sequoyah HS; Zach Shareef, Woodstock HS.
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Silver winners: Ball Ground ES STEM Academy, Bascomb ES, Canton ES STEM Academy, Clayton ES, Free Home ES, Macedonia ES, Oak Grove ES Fine Arts Academy, Dean Rusk MS, Cherokee HS, Etowah HS Bronze winner: River Ridge HS
Twenty-four Cherokee County School District schools have been named to the Governor’s SHAPE (Student Health and Physical Education) Honor Roll in recognition of their commitment to the health and well-being of Georgia’s students through fitness and nutrition. The State named 186 schools statewide to the Honor Roll. CCSD claimed 13% of the total!
CCSD Ranks in Top 5 Districts in GA for SAT Scores The Cherokee County School District continues to rank in the top 5 school districts in Georgia for average SAT scores, and earned the highest county average in metro Atlanta! The School District’s Class of 2015 earned an average total score of 1560, which is the fifth-highest score out of 180 school systems in the State of Georgia, according to data released by the College Board. The School District’s Class of 2015 graduates topped the National average by 70 points and the State average by 110 points on the curriculum-based, college entrance and placement exam, which is the most commonly recognized measure of achievement for high school students.
are less than medical insurance because lower costs and risks are associated with dental care. Dental insurance companies cap their maximum annual payout, usually $500-$1,500 for each customer.
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By Dr. Steven Anderson, DMD
Here is a short guide that may be your answer to overcoming some of the dental insurance “pain” and frustration you face. 1. Dental insurance, or the contract that the insurance company sells you, primarily deals with how much monetary “benefit” they pay on your behalf for a given procedure. It’s a financial agreement between you and the insurance company. Your dental premiums directly equate to dental benefits. There are many dental insurance policies available, and they have a business license for profit, not a dental license that requires a standard of quality dental care. 2. You get what you pay for. This adage is true with dental insurance. The more you pay in premiums, the more potential financial benefit gets awarded with your policy (e.g. fewer limitations/procedures not covered). Dental insurance premiums
3. Maximize your dental insurance, or don’t have it. Do a simple cost/benefit analysis. Determine how much you pay each year for dental insurance. Determine what deductibles you have to pay (usually $50-$100), and ask your dentist how much the dental insurance company has paid on your behalf. Estimate the number of times you visit the dentist each year and for what procedures. Ask how much they anticipate the insurance company will pay for any necessary treatment that has been diagnosed for you for the upcoming year. You can then make an informed comparison of whether your dental insurance premium is a financial benefit (e.g. are you getting your money’s worth). You may be surprised to learn that it’s financially better for you to pay yourself a comparable dental premium in a private savings account, or use an employer sponsored Health Savings Account. Dentistry is a preventive medicine, and keeping up with your dental care can save a lot of money over time.
Dr. Steven Anderson, DMD is owner/dentist with Anderson Dental of Woodstock and East Cobb. 650 Claremore Professional Way, Ste 200, Woodstock, GA 30188. 770-384-8505. DrStevenAnderson.com
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Home Heating: You Have Options!
While the majority of homes in North America rely upon gas furnaces for their heating needs, there are other alternatives, such as conventional heat pumps and dual-fuel systems that pair a heat pump with a furnace.
By Robbie Matiak
Conventional heat pumps operate by constantly moving warm air from one place to another, to where it’s needed or not needed, depending on the season. Heat energy is present even in air that seems too cold. During the colder months, a heat pump extracts heat from the outside air and transfers it inside. When it’s hot outside, the heat pump reverses its operation and removes heat from your home. Heat pumps, such as the Trane TruComfort System, move heat instead of generating it, thus giving you more energy efficiency. For those areas that experience abovefreezing winter temperatures but occasionally drop below freezing, a dualfuel system is an economical alternative. While temperatures remain above freezing, the system operates as a conventional heat pump, which extracts heat from the outside air and deposits it in your home. Once the outside temperatures drop below freezing, the conventional heat pump becomes less efficient and relies upon auxiliary electric heat strips to supplement the air temperature being deposited in your home. A dual-fuel system, such as the Trane XR17, paired with a Trane XV80 or XV95 furnace, will automatically bring the gas or propane-fueled furnace online when the temperature drops below freezing, to provide heat more economically. The dual-fuel system offers the best of both the heat pump and gas furnace for meeting your home’s heating needs. Variable-speed heat pumps and furnaces are able to operate in increments of their full capacity. According to 20
Woodstock Family Life | OCTOBER 2015
the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), homes on average, see the need for 100% heating or cooling capacity less than 5% of the year, and see the need for part-load capacity (approximately 75% capacity) for 60 to 80% of the year. This reduced need for capacity for the majority of the year is where a variable speed unit earns its keep. The unit can determine what capacity the home needs, and adjust to provide incremental operation. The variable-speed systems run at lower speeds, consuming less power while doing so, resulting in a savings on monthly power bills. Pairing your new, High-Efficiency Trane system with Honeywell’s RedLINK™ Wireless Technology — and the full-suite
of wireless-enabled comfort systems — provides even greater efficiency by putting control of the temperature in your home in the palm of your hand, even when you are away, via the web portal or the mobile app. You will be able to remain connected to your home whether you’re at a neighbor’s house or half-way around the world. As your system operates, every RedLINK™ enabled component is communicating, which allows your system to learn as it operates, optimizing itself for comfort and efficiency based on your family’s needs.
Robbie Matiak is a project coordinator at R & D Mechanical Services, Inc. 770-917-1795, RandDMechanical.net
DIVORCE: I often have friends call me when they are struggling with separation or divorce, and ask me for advice. While this can be a difficult time for parents, it is important to remember that you must try to make this transition as smooth as possible for your children. Here are some things that were helpful for my family when we were going through this time of change: •
After my own divorce, I made a habit of starting each school year with a letter to the girls’ teachers, explaining that though we were divorced, my ex-husband and I were a committed parenting team.We could both be copied on all papers
Suggestions for Making a Smooth Transition By Lisa-Marie Haygood
and information. If one of us got something and could see the other had not, we would forward that info, or make a copy of everything for each other. I would supply both of our numbers and home addresses. • While this may not be possible in every situation, we appeared together for all parent-teacher conferences and meetings.We also both continued to be present to support our girls in all other school functions and extracurricular activities. •
Additionally, I started a shopping bag each Monday, filling it with papers, art work, information and anything that needed to be signed or handled.
We passed the bag back and forth when we dropped off or picked up our children from one another. •
We communicated with their friend’s parents as a united front concerning birthday parties and overnight visits. Everyone knew where both parents lived and how we could be contacted.
So, though we couldn’t make our marriage work, we were committed to not make our issues, our girls’ issues. Because my ex-husband and I worked together to solve challenges in the classroom and in other areas of the girls’ lives, they were allowed to continue to be children, free from worrying about adult problems.
Lisa-Marie Haygood is the President of Georgia PTA. 404-659-0214, lmhaygood@georgiapta.org
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Senator Speaks
Growing Film Industry Thrives In Cherokee County By Senator Brandon Beach
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his year alone, movies starring Tom Cruise, Michael Keaton, Vin Diesel, Kristen Stewart and Steve Martin all spent time shooting scenes in Cherokee County. These films are a portion of the thriving television and film industry in Georgia, which generated a $6 billion economic impact for the state in Fiscal Year 2015, according to the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Originally passed as part of the 2005 Georgia General Assembly and later expanded in 2008, Georgia’s aggressive TV/film tax credit has encouraged what has become a major contributor to our state’s economy. It is a simple fact that government cannot create private sector jobs, but basic economic theory says that government can make the environment favorable for growth and success. Georgia is now the third leading state for entertainment production, and the economic development shows no signs of slowing down in Georgia. Not only does the massive growth in the industry create tax revenue for the state, but it also creates revenue for the local businesses that feed production crews, supply
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Woodstock Family Life | OCTOBER 2015
lumber and other materials for sets and the hotels that host both crew members and tourists attracted by the production. The opportunities for jobs are so plentiful that the state has recently created the Georgia Film Academy to train the skilled workers necessary to build sets, operate cameras, manage budgets, maintain schedules and ultimately, produce high-quality entertainment like “Captain America: Civil War,” which is shooting primarily out of the newly constructed Pinewood Studios in Clayton County. More close to home, films called “Mena,” “The Founder,” “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk” and “The Have’s and the Have Not’s” have all wrapped filming in Cherokee County in the past few months. Camera Ready initiatives, a free location scouting database and the TV/Film tax credit have positioned Georgia to become a top destination for both location and studio filming. We have become just that. As the “Hollywood of the South,” Georgia’s entertainment production industry added up to $1.6 billion in wages for nearly 32,000 jobs during 2012-13 and currently ranks third in the nation
in production, behind only California and New York. Misti Martin, President of the Cherokee Office of Economic Development, told ScoopOTP.com that it’s Camera Ready Committee, led by Katie Bishop, has done great work to attract these productions and the subsequent tourism that comes after them. Across the state, productions can earn up to a 30% tax credit. The first 20% can be earned if the production budget exceeds $500,000. Budgets commonly include food, lodging, transportation and set construction, among other costs for both cast and crew. This credit can increase to 30% if the production features a Georgia peach logo in the credits. Next time you watch a major motion picture, stay to the end. These logos are popping up more and more, and they will only continue to do so. If you have additional questions about Georgia’s TV and film production industry, I’d encourage you to look at the Department of Economic Development’s website (Georgia.org).
Brandon Beach is a State Senator, District 21, who represents a portion of Cherokee County in the Georgia General Assembly.
Medicare Part D:
Double Check Delivery Options, Ensure Proper Coverage By Pamela S. Marquess, Pharm. D. Medicare Part D enrollment begins October 15. The plan’s price is always a primary factor. This year, seniors need to consider the service level for their plan. Over the past few years, seniors learned that formularies, prior authorization and step therapy limited how medications could be accessed. Insurance companies use these tools to limit access by either not paying for a prescription because it was not in the formulary or by delaying the fill by requiring a prior authorization from the doctor to justify the choice of the medication. This fall, a major Medicare Part D prescription plan began a new limitation.
Pharmacies have been instructed that they cannot submit a payment request to the plan if the medication is delivered to the patient at home, thus requiring the patient to travel to the pharmacy, or arrange to have someone pick up the prescription.
Independent pharmacies took the lead for delivery service to seniors several years ago; it’s one way they serve seniors today. They also know the requirements for these plans. They have the tool that allows them to view the service levels for any plan that’s considered.
Delivery Helps: •
Seniors receive their medication on a scheduled basis, so they do not miss taking a dose.
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Seniors manage their budget when they are living on fixed income.
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The senior who lives in a planned or long-term care residence and has limited mobility.
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Give family members the assurance that the right medication, is going to the right person, at the right time, so they can stay compliant with doses.
Seniors should plan to travel to their independent pharmacy to speak with a member of the pharmacy team, so they can review options to choose a Medicare Part D plan that serves their needs. Independent pharmacies know how the insurance will be processed and are in the best position to provide comparison information. Always have a list of your medications and the strengths that you take to begin the comparison. The medications start the conversation and give the reference to compare formularies, prior authorizations, step therapy and now, delivery service.
Pamela S. Marquess, Pharm. D. is CoOwner of Woodstock Pharmacy, 8612 Main Street. 770-926-6478
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Scoopof BY MICHELLE KNAPP & SUZANNE TAYLOR
This year, Canton will be home to Paranoia, located at 2075 Marietta Highway. Previously, Paranoia had been located in Roswell. They are opened on select dates in October and November and claim to be one of the largest haunted houses around town. The second Friday in October is National Haunted House Day, which might be a good time to visit Paranoia, if you dare! ParanoiaHaunt.com Family-friendly corn mazes are ready for good times at Big Springs Farms, located at 2100 Sugar Pike Road in Woodstock and Cagle’s Dairy Corn Maize, located at 362 Stringer Road in Canton. Both farms feature hayrides, seasonal fare and great fun for the entire family. BigSpringsFarms.com, CaglesFamilyFarm.com
The Jaycees run Woodstock’s Trail of Terror at 216 Rope Mill Road. This year’s theme is Freak Show! It’s good to know if you are getting scared out of your wits, that the ticket money is helping those in need through the Jaycee’s community programs. WoodstockJaycees.com/ haunted-house-2015/
Georgia’s longest-running haunted house is House on Horror Hill in Alpharetta. For their 34th year, they promise screams like no other. Located at 1650 Alpharetta Street, they will be open Thursday-Saturday in October. House on Horror Hill is run by volunteers. They promise a thrilling and passionate show. They don’t use animatronics, just good ole’ fashioned horror! GaHouseOnHorrorHill.com We love supporting local haunted houses, but there are a few other notable ones that are also OTP and around Atlanta. You can get a thrill by visiting Netherworld (FearWorld.com) in Norcross, Gates of Misery (GatesOfMisery.com) in Rome and 13 Stories (13StoriesHauntedHouse.com) in Newnan.
We wish you a safe and scary Halloween! Please check each haunted house’s website for ticket prices and other details. Scoop of Life is compiled by Scoop OTP owners Suzanne Taylor and Michelle Knapp. For more Outside The Perimeter “Scoop,” visit ScoopOTP.com.
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Believe it or not, there are actually people who LOVE haunted houses! They enjoy the anticipation of the unknown around each corner and the thrill of being scared. Even if you’re not interested in haunted houses, you may have teenage children or others in your home who would love to check out some of these top OTP haunted attractions, so we compiled some information for you!
Working together with businesses, organizations and community leaders is what makes it possible for the team at Family Life Publications to deliver the best educational, enlightening and entertaining community magazines each month. Last month, we were thrilled to have such a great showing at our annual appreciation event for our contributors, advertisers and community organizations. From our family to yours — Thank you.
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770-633-4451 HHYR .org
Community Partners
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s Winston Churchill said, “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” These words have been proven to be true at Healing Hands Youth Ranch. Healing Hands Youth Ranch (HHYR) provides a positive, safe and structured equestrian environment for middle school and high school aged youth, who are experiencing turbulence, considered at risk or troubled. HHYR’s unique program is where horses and volunteer mentors help youth learn to develop relationships, leadership and communication skills. Through the program at HHYR, youth build selfconfidence, learn effective problem solving and conflict resolution techniques and gain social skills. The ultimate goal is to empower the young person to make the positive changes in his/her life needed to develop into healthy and productive adults.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful , committed citizens can change the world; indeed , it ’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead
The volunteer mentors invest hours of time into training with the horses. Volunteers also commit to weekly, 90-minute sessions with one student and one horse. If you have a desire to help youth, and an interest in horses, check out HHYR.org to find out how to become a volunteer mentor. Volunteers are also needed to serve on fundraising committees, provide administrative support, help maintain the grounds and care for horses. Spread across 145 acres, the beautiful facilities have been built by volunteers and local businesses that have provided labor, materials, goods and services. This season, HHYR is looking for community partners to assist with expanding existing facilities. The most urgent need is to build three hay shelters for the horses. This will enable HHYR to extend the horse food budget by keeping the hay dry and allowing less waste. This shelter will also provide protection for the horses from the rain while they are eating. In addition, HHYR would like to expand the program’s ability to serve kids by completing the outdoor arena. This includes proper grading and footing, addressing drainage issues and adding
lights and fencing. This will enable the program capacity to expand into evening sessions. Plans are underway to build a covered arena that would enable HHYR to offer sessions no matter the weather. Currently, sessions are limited to daylight hours on sunny days. We invite you to visit HHYR.org to discover ways you and your organization can support Healing Hands Youth Ranch. The Annual Golf Tournament is our primary fundraising event. Net proceeds fund the program, provide for the health and care of the horses and provide training to the volunteer mentors. Do you or someone you know enjoy golf? Are you looking for an opportunity to host business associates with a lovely day on the golf course? Searching for unique ways to advertise your business? The 2nd Annual HHYR Golf Tournament meets all of those needs!
HHYR 2nd Annual Golf Tournament In memory of Justin David Allen
Friday, October 23rd, 2015
The Highlands Course at Lake Arrowhead (486 Arrowridge, Waleska, GA 30183) Register online at HHYR.org or call 770-633-4451 9:30-11:15 am: Registration; 11:30 am: Shot Gun Start Following play, join us for the awards ceremony & buffet dinner.
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Woodstock Family Life | OCTOBER 2015
Senior Centers in Cherokee County By Tim Morris
LIFESTYLE Cherokee County Senior Services operates four senior centers in the county. The Canton Center is a five-day-a-week center that offers activities, trips, health related programs and lunch each day. We are currently taking new members and would like to fill our afternoons up with groups who would like to play cards and billiards. We would like to start an exercise group in the afternoons, as well. We would like to make our center, your center, where you can socialize with others and enjoy yourself. We currently have satellite centers in Waleska, Ball Ground and Bells Ferry that meet one day a week at each site. The Waleska group meets on Tuesdays, 10:00 am-2:00 pm, at 9801 Fincher Road. Ball Ground seniors meet on Wednesdays, 10:00
am-2:00 pm, at the Ball Ground Methodist Church on Hwy 5. Bells Ferry seniors meet on Thursdays, 10:00 am-2:00 pm, at Heritage Presbyterian Church, 5323 Bells Ferry Road. I know these centers would love to invite new members to come out, and help their groups grow. I have been the Director for Cherokee Senior Services for two months, and I’ve met all the groups in the various centers. They are each a truly wonderful group and have made me feel at home. I take a personal interest in helping each site to attract new members, so we can help our program grow. I would like to say a special “thank you” to Ball Ground United Methodist Church, Heritage Presbyterian Church and the Waleska Fire Department for housing our groups. Without you, we would not
have a place for our groups to attend. Our programs are run by Cherokee County and monitored by the Atlanta Regional Commission. Each person must be 60 or older to join, and a brief intake will be done at no cost to the participant. We provide a social and recreational atmosphere for the seniors in Cherokee County. If you are at home and want something to do, come join us. The main office is located at 1001 Univeter Road in Canton, or call us at 770-345-2675. 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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At Woodstock Pediatric Medicine, people find excellence in pediatric medicine, but also compassion, caring and a lot of laughter and camaraderie. This isn’t just a group of doctors. It’s like a family. Woodstock Pediatric Medicine, providing pediatric care to the area for almost twenty years, is a comprehensive pediatric practice, providing well and sick child care to newborns and children from birth through the age of 21. There are six providers, with combined experience totaling more than 50 years in medicine: Drs. Maren Bear, Jordana Heaven, Adriana Rzeznik, and Frini Shah; and Shannon Dobson and Melanie Sprung, Nurse Practitioners. All physicians are board-certified pediatricians and members of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), as well as the Medical Association of Georgia.
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COVER STORY By Kathleen Boehmig
“We believe our first responsibility is to our patients, their needs and overall well being,” says office manager, Kelly Marulanda. “We realize that patients are the reason we exist, and we treat them professionally, with compassion, respect and dignity.” “Our pediatric practitioners are dedicated to treating the illnesses of children, as well as promoting good health, wellness and disease prevention,” Kelly continues. “Ease of access, prompt, courteous service and responsiveness to our patients’ concerns will always be our primary goal.” Other goals are to offer an uncompromising level of medical care to meet the preventive, acute and chronic medical and emotional needs of children, and to ensure that their young patients enjoy longer, healthier and more productive lives. Their website (WoodstockPeds.com) states: “Woodstock Pediatric Medicine shall utilize all levels of medical technology to ensure the best medical outcomes for our patients. We strive to maintain the highest quality physicians by board certification and maintaining continuous medical education.” The practice has privileges at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, as well as Northside Hospital Atlanta, utilizing the team of in-patient pediatricians to care for patients during their hospital stay. These doctors are dedicated and funspirited. They are a cohesive team, too. “We have each other’s backs,” Dr. Bear declares. “We are here for each other, as well as for our patients. If someone needs help, such as another pair of eyes or any
kind of assistance with a difficult case, we know we can depend on each other.” This combination of dedication and friendship is award-winning. Woodstock Pediatric Medicine was twice-voted “Best Pediatricians” in Woodstock by Family Life readers. Dr. Heaven, with the longest tenure at the practice (13 years), says one great advantage of Woodstock Pediatric Medicine is that it’s privately owned. “So many pediatric practices have been bought out by hospital systems, and they are bound by rules that hinder their autonomy,” she says. “We don’t have that problem. We all bring different skills and characteristics to the practice of medicine. We are able to treat our patients to the utmost of our abilities, to spend time with each one, talking with them and taking into account physical, as well as emotional issues and to establish long-term relationships with them.”
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2000 Professional Parkway, Suite 200 Woodstock, Georgia 30188 She continues, “Our patients hold special places in our hearts, and I think the feeling is mutual. We go through major life events with them; we get invited to graduations and weddings. It’s very rewarding.” It’s obviously rewarding for the patients, too, because Dr. Heaven sees over 100 second-generation patients. Dr. Bear agrees. “We’re very old-school here,” she says with a smile. “Sometimes we receive really sweet gifts, like glitter pinecones, homemade fudge or bags of vegetables. That sort of thing means a lot to us.” Their reputation for excellence is farreaching. Parents bring their children from all over the region, including Ellijay, Atlanta, Tucker and Paulding County. One family comes in for annual physicals during their summer hiatus from their missionary work in Thailand. Dr. Jesenko Vukotic bought the practice in 1998 and hired several of the doctors who still work at the location. His vision of high quality, compassionate care is still currently followed by the practitioners. Sadly, Dr. Vukotic passed away in 2011. The doctors and staff strive to live up to his ideals. In November, the office will begin their annual fundraising for lung cancer awareness to honor Dr. Vukotic and will be accepting donations. These pediatricians not only work hard to help their own patients, they gladly give back to the community and to the world. Each year during the holidays, they adopt families through Cherokee County schools, and donate meals and gifts to those in need. They participate in mission trips, providing medical 30
Woodstock Family Life | OCTOBER 2015
770-517-0250 WoodstockPeds.com Follow them on Facebook:
Facebook.com/pages/Woodstock-Pediatric-Medicine
supplies and services in Guatemala. Nurse Practitioner, Shannon Dobson, participates in fun runs, which benefit The American Lung Association, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, The American Cancer Society and The Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia. In addition, for 16 summers Dr. Heaven has run Camp Kudzu, which is a three-weeklong diabetes clinic/camp for kids. Two hundred kids typically participate in Camp Kudzu. “Sometimes we’re up until the wee hours, getting only three to four hours of sleep. It’s exhausting,” she says, eyes twinkling, “but totally worth it.” Kelly says, “Our doctors continue to do their jobs well. We continue to provide consistently great service. We keep learning in order to be knowledgeable about the latest in medical advancement, while staying grounded and focused on each patient’s wellbeing.” “If there’s a way we can help, we do,” Dr. Heaven says. “Seeing a need and being able to serve, and sharing our patients’ milestones and accomplishments… that reminds us that what we do is important.”
Woodstock Pediatric Medicine is providing an important service. They are helping their patients enjoy happier and healthier lives, while making a difference in their community and the world.
Book Review BY CATHERINE GROVES
ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE: Historical Fiction with Memorable Characters Pulitzer Prize winner and New York Times bestselling author, Anthony Doerr, introduces two of his most memorable characters to date, Marie-Laurie and Werner, in All the Light We Cannot See. Marie-Laurie and Werner are living their lives, completely unaware that one day their paths will collide, changing their destiny for all time. Innocent, young lives are caught up in a war of good versus evil. Both are drawn to light of goodness, but circumstances dictate each path. Marie-Laurie and her father live in Paris. Her father is the master of the thousands of locks at Paris’s Museum of Natural History. Marie-Laurie has been blind since she was 6, and her father builds her a tiny replica of the village so that she may memorize each street, giving her much needed peace of mind. At the age of 12, she and her father flee the city after being invaded by the Nazis. Life in Saint-Malo with her somewhat eccentric uncle becomes their haven by the sea, but the dangerous, authentic jewel they brought with them from the museum is the most sought after jewel of all time. Werner, an orphan in Germany, is destined to work in the mines at the age of 16.When his mastery in repairing transistor radios is discovered, he’s drawn into Hitler’s academy for the youth, much to the dismay of his sister. Doer intricately intertwines the lives of young Marie-Laurie and Werner during a time of brutal, evil warfare. With delicate prose and historical facts, the author reveals the power of choosing the light in the darkest of times. All the Light We Cannot See can be purchased at most major bookstores and is available on Kindle and Nook.
Catherine Groves is an avid reader and book collector (owning more than 5,000 books). She also is publisher of two neighborhood magazines and is writing her first novel.
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Convenient and Affordable Genetic Testing
for Early Cancer Detection By Kimberly King-Spohn, M.S., CGC Genetic testing has moved beyond the realm of science fiction. It’s now a reality that can aid patients in our community. Paired with family history and lifestyle, genetic testing helps determine a person’s risk of developing cancer. We often work with patients who have a family history of breast and ovarian cancers. The process is simple and noninvasive, requiring only a blood or saliva sample to look for genes associated with hereditary cancer syndromes, such as the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. When functioning properly, BRCA genes help the body to prevent tumors from growing. When these genes are not working properly, tumors grow more frequently and may lead to cancer. By identifying gene mutations, we can proactively plan for our patients’ health. In the past, cost has been a concern. Many patients I meet with are surprised to learn it’s much more affordable now, often covered by insurance plans if deemed medically necessary. Some patients I meet with don’t have cancer, but are concerned they may be at a
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higher risk. This was recently the case with a mother of two. We looked at her family history, going back three generations. It’s a concern when we see breast and ovarian cancer multiple times in one family. The young woman had multiple instances of cancer in her family; she had most recently lost her mother to ovarian cancer. This served as the basis for moving forward with a test to examine her BRCA genes. If a patient knows there is a gene mutation, she can decide on a treatment course, whether it involves proactively minimizing risk of developing ovarian cancer by having her ovaries removed or an added emphasis on screening to catch potential cancer growths. It’s all about arming our patients with information and allowing them to make informed decisions. In the case of the woman who had lost her mother to cancer, the tests came back negative and gave her peace of mind. Other times, patients with a cancer diagnosis find genetic testing useful. Identifying a mutation may affect treatment, such as making a patient eligible for clinical trials or choosing
surgical options to prevent recurrence. For example, a woman with breast cancer and a gene mutation is at a higher risk for breast cancer returning. Therefore, she may consider a bilateral mastectomy to keep breast cancer from recurring. Women with a BRCA gene mutation are also at higher risk for ovarian cancer. If it’s appropriate for her age and life goals, a patient may consider removal of her ovaries, too. No matter the result, as genetic counselors, we help guide what new genetic information could mean for a patient. It’s a very unique process for each individual, and we’re here to help patients understand it, and be as informed as possible. Genetic counseling is offered at three WellStar locations: Kennestone, Cobb and Paulding hospitals. A referral is not required to make an appointment. Contact 770-793-7472 or Genetics@WellStar.org to learn more.
Kimberly King-Spohn is a boardcertified genetic counselor and serves as the manager of the WellStar Genetic Risk Assessment Program.
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Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted.” John Lennon If a man harbors any sort of fear, it makes him landlord to a ghost.” Lloyd Douglas
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It’s in literature that true life can be found. It’s under the mask of fiction that you can tell the truth.” Gao Xingjian
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A tangerine and russet cascade of kaleidoscopic leaves, creates a tapestry of autumn magic upon the emerald carpet of fading summer.” Judith A. Lindberg
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Never jump into a pile of leaves with a wet sucker.” Charlie Brown, It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
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The worst thing about Halloween is, of course, There is a part of me that will forever want to be candy corn. It’s unbelievable to me. Candy corn is walking under autumn leaves, carrying a briefcase the only candy in the history of America that’s containing the works of Shakespeare and Yeats and a never been advertised. And there’s a portable chess set. I will pass an old tree under reason. All of the candy corn that which once on a summer night I lay on the grass was ever made was made with a fragrant young woman and we quoted in 1911. And so, since nobody “What if E.E. Cummings back and forth.” eats that stuff, every year trees refused to let Roger Ebert there’s a ton of it left over.”
You,” he said, “are a terribly real thing in a terribly false world, and that, I believe, is why you are in so much pain.” Emilie Autumn
go of their dying leaves? Letting go lets us grow.” Laurie Wallin
Never let your kids buy an off-the-shelf Halloween costume. Forbid it, no matter how close you may be to the witching hour. Instead, help them make their own. Encourage them to use their imaginations and their ingenuity. Show them that what can be created is often better than what can be bought.” Joe Kita, “What I Know,” Wisdom of Our Fathers
Quotables
Lewis Black
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Stuff your eyes with wonder. Live as if you’d drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It’s more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories.” Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451
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Taste of
INGREDIENTS
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• package soft dinner rolls,
• 1 cup chopped Georgia apples
12 roll equivalent*
with peels on
• 4 ounces softened cream cheese
• ¼ pound sliced deli ham
PREPARATION
Wrap with aluminum foil, and bake at 300 degrees for about 15 minutes until warm. Cut rolls to desired size, and serve warm. You can cut rolls by their original size or smaller to make appetizers.
Split roll in half lengthwise, spread cream cheese on both sides. Sprinkle with garlic powder. Evenly arrange apples on bottom half of rolls and top with ham. Place top half of bread on apple, ham mixture.
*We used King’s Hawaiian mini sub rolls
Recipes are brought to you by Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) and were developed through a partnership between GFB and the Georgia Department of Agriculture for a segment called “Meals from the Field,” on GFB’s Georgia Farm Monitor TV show. Visit GFB.org/Recipes to view the latest monthly video. GFB is a membership-driven, nonprofit organization dedicated to serving as the voice of Georgia farmers and rural Georgia. For more information about GFB membership or to join, visit GFB.org.
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Woodstock Family Life | OCTOBER 2015
Photo courte
sy of GFB &
GDA
The Best Way to Choose a
Pediatric Dentist By Vishant Nath, D.M.D.
So, you’ve decided that you would like your child to see a pediatric dentist. How do you decide which office to choose? What are some things to keep in mind in your research? Many of our patients are referred to us by family and friends. It’s great to ask other parents you know to share their experiences with you. Another great resource is your insurance company. Their website should allow you to search for innetwork providers in your area.
Both of these avenues involve getting referrals from people you trust or an entity with which you have an existing relationship. Another common way to research businesses is looking at online reviews. These can be useful, as well, but use scrutiny. Whether the reviews are positive, negative or neutral, consider the source. Some online review websites do a good job of policing their reviews to make sure that they’re accurate accounts of actual customer experiences, but unfortunately, this cannot be said for all review sites. The bottom line is that since it is free, anonymous and easy to post any type of online review, their validity cannot be guaranteed. Once you’ve narrowed your choice down based upon trusted referrals and your insurance website, plan to call or visit the offices. You may want to take your child to visit the offices so you can get a feel for how comfortable they might be there.
appointment will be an opportunity to meet the dentist and staff and get them accustomed to having others look into their mouth. The dentist can take a peek at what’s going on by counting your child’s teeth. This may not be done in a dental chair, but rather, with your child sitting on your lap. These early visits are crucial in establishing a trusting relationship. For older children, hopefully they’ve had great experiences at their previous dentist. But if not, it’s never too late to begin creating positive moments for them. Lastly, once you have chosen a dentist, stick to regular six-month visits to keep your child’s teeth healthy!
Dr. Vishant Nath is the owner of Canton/Alpharetta/Roswell Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics. 678-352-1090, KidsHappyTeeth.com
If your child is very young, the first dental
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By Julie Senger
utumn is that time of year when most Georgians welcome the reprieve from the summer heat and humidity with enthusiastic, open arms. Many of us look forward to the cooler temperatures, which seem to usher in excitement about football season and tailgate parties, all things “pumpkin spiced,” and cozy nights by a fire, as we dine on a hearty bowl of chili, soup, or stew. However, nothing defines the season more than nature’s breathtaking, colorful display of fall foliage. Georgians are very fortunate to have many options from which to choose when they want to gather friends and loved ones, and head out for a day to appreciate the crisp bursts of color. Here are some favorites:
DAWSONVILLE Amicalola Falls is the Southeast’s tallest, cascading waterfall. There are wooded trails leading to the top of the falls, or you can opt for the more challenging hike, which is up the steep stairways; your reward being that you walk alongside the water the entire way up to the platform that overlooks the falls. If you want to see the breathtaking view without the hike, you can also drive to the top platform. Due to its close proximity to pumpkin farms and apple orchards, Amicalola Falls becomes very popular during this glorious time of year.
LAKE LANIER This park is fairly new, having just opened in 2013. It boasts a protected hardwood forest, which surrounds the lake. If you have a boat, it’s a dazzling perspective to be able to see the trees from the water, as they provide a mirrored reflection off of its surface on cool, sunny days. For land lovers, a 1.5 mile paved trail is open to bikers and walkers, and another 2 mile trail is exclusively for hikers.
CHATSWORTH This park is best known for its curious rock wall along the top of the mountain. There are also a variety of trails, with varying levels of difficulty. For example, there is the mostly flat, 1.2 mile, picturesque walk around an emerald green lake, or for the more serious hiker, there is the 8-mile Gahuti Trail, and mountain bikers are welcome to make tire tracks on more than 14 miles worth of trails.
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Woodstock Family Life | OCTOBER 2015
SUMMERVILLE Attention families with small children! This is a great park for you! Walk around a fishing lake, and spend time on the boardwalk, from which little ones love to feed the fish. There is also the Marble Mine Trail, which leads to a lovely, small waterfall.
KENNESAW History buffs get a twofer at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, which is a 2,965 acre, preserved Civil War battleground. There are 18 miles of trails for hiking, or on weekdays, you can take a drive to the top of the mountain. On weekends, a shuttle bus is available to the mountain top. Bring your binoculars for birdwatching or a closer look at the Atlanta skyline.
LITHIA SPRINGS One of the closer parks for those living ITP (Inside the Perimeter), you’ll find 9 miles of hiking trails, a delightful creek and a small lake. The popular, 1-mile Red Trail follows the creek to the ruins of an old mill. If you continue past the mill to the Blue Trail, you’ll find steep bluffs to scale for splendid creek views.
BLAIRSVILLE The 4-mile Bear Hair Gap Trail offers magnificent mountain color and a superb view of the park’s lake. If you opt for the less challenging Lake Loop, you will happen upon a cute little waterfall. The bewitching, winding roads around the park, particularly Wolf Pen Gap Road, reveal some of north Georgia’s most graceful fall sights, as wind blows through the trees causing swirls of crimson red, vivid orange and golden yellow to float down around you.
CARTERSVILLE There’s an East Loop and a West Loop that connect Pine Mountain. Both loops provide a rugged challenge that’ll surely get your heart pumping, as it quickly starts to incline, reaching 1,562 feet above sea level at its summit. Once you reach the top, you’ll be at the highest point in the City of Cartersville, overlooking stunning views of the surrounding area. The trail is open daily for hiking. Mountain biking is allowed on Wednesday and Saturday, only on the East Loop.
WINNERS
BIRTHDAY PARTY VENUE Stars & Strikes
678-965-5707 Ext. 460, StarsAndStrikes.com
LAKE ALLATOONA Just north of Atlanta, this park has a variety of trails with lots of different types of trees, providing a glorious array of fall hues. The flat, Iron Hill Loop welcomes hikers and bikers. Iron Hill is surrounded by Lake Allatoona for most of its 4 miles and has a few charming little bridges along the way. Another great trail with lake views is the 5.5 mile Homestead Trail, though it’s hillier.
HELEN Hike a 3-mile trail, which leads from the park into the quaint, German-themed town of Helen. There, you can dine and window shop before hiking back to the trailhead. There’s a challenging, 7.5 mile loop, where mountain bikers can make a blur of the autumn leaves as they race along the trail. There’s also the steep, 4.8mile Smith Creek hike up to Anna Ruby Falls.
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Woodstock Family Life | OCTOBER 2015
WINE/GROWLER SHOP Barrel and Barley
678-540-7245, BarrelAndBarley.com
PUMPKIN PATCH Big Springs Farms
678-899-3900, BigSpringsFarms.com
HALLOWEEN EVENT/HOUSE Trail Of Terror Haunted House Woodstock Jaycees 770-926-8336, WoodstockJaycees.com
Keys to Successful Tree Planting:
Autumn
TREE PLANTING By Joshua Fuder The transition of leaf color is full of symbolism and marks an end of the growing season. While we may associate this time of year with death and an end to the growing season, it is actually the best time of year to start trees in our landscape. When correctly sited and planted, a fall planted tree will perform better than a spring planted tree, because it will establish roots before the warm summer temperatures draw moisture from and stress the tree.
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Woodstock Family Life | OCTOBER 2015
• Plant and Site Selection: Select trees that are well-adapted to the individual planting site. Soil drainage is critical, as most trees don’t like “wet feet.” If you are unsure whether you have proper soil drainage, you can dig a test hole, and fill it with water. If the hole drains at a rate of less than one inch per hour, you may need to choose a different species, or raise the planting site. • Site Preparation: Dig your planting hole at least two times as wide as the root ball. Do not dig holes deeper than root balls or put loose soil beneath the roots, because the soil will compact over time, and the tree will be planted too deep. In our heavy clay soils, it is recommended to score the edges of the hole, so roots can penetrate out of the planting hole. Backfill the holes with native soil, as too much organic matter can cause differences
in pore size and create water/ drainage issues. Fertilization at planting time is not recommended; a slow release fertilizer can be added if needed the following spring. • Tree Preparation: Remove all wrapping, and closely inspect the root ball for girdling roots. If roots are circling around the root ball exterior, cut through the roots in a few places. Remove all tags and labels to prevent girdling of branches. • Water and Mulch: Thoroughly water the tree after planting, and water when needed during the winter. Mulch should be put down in an area at least equivalent to the dripline of the tree. Two to three inches of mulch is best, and mulch should be kept from touching the trunk. Joshua Fuder is the Agricultural and Natural Resources Agent of Cherokee County. UGA Cooperative Extension Office: 770-721-7830, CARS.UGA.Edu/ extension/cherokee
Harmony of the Seas
to Debut New Aquatic Park for Kids By Michael Consoli
LIFESTYLE The best of Royal Caribbean Innovations unite! On their new generation ship, Royal Caribbean International will amp up the adventure when the cruise line debuts Harmony of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, and the first to feature Splashaway Bay, an interactive aqua park for kids. The Starting next summer, Ultimate Abyss, tallest slide at sea, touting a 100 foot dramatic plunge, The Perfect Storm trio of water slides and Splashaway Bay are the latest in a thrilling collection of activities that will make Harmony of the Seas the ultimate family vacation experience. Harmony of the Seas will be the first in a new generation of Oasis class ships, where groundbreaking architectural innovations are combined with breakthrough technologies of the Quantum class. The ship will debut in May 2016 for her inaugural summer season, showcasing Europe’s most popular cruise destinations, on sevennight Western Mediterranean itineraries, calling on Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Provence, France, Florence/Pisa, Rome and Naples, Italy. In November 2016, Harmony will arrive to her homeport of Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, offering sevennight Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings. 42
Woodstock Family Life | OCTOBER 2015
Splashaway Bay will be a vibrant waterscape for kids and toddlers, with sea creature water cannons, winding slides, a gigantic drench bucket and a multi-platform jungle-gym to keep everyone entertained for hours. Guests of all ages will get the ultimate heart-pounding thrill ride on the Ultimate Abyss, a 10 story slide that begins in the Pool and Sports Zone at the aft of the ship, and ends down at the Boardwalk neighborhood below. Spiraling five decks above the lushly landscaped, open-air Central Park in the center of the ship, water slides Cyclone, Typhoon and Supercell come together as The Perfect Storm, inviting travelers to slide into an incredible adventure. Thrill seekers can test their mettle in Supercell, which features a champagne bowl, that swirls guests around as they descend towards a big splash finale. Harmony of the Seas will be home to the seven distinct neighborhoods for which the Oasis class of ships is known and feature technological advancements now synonymous with the award-winning cruise line. Revolutionary features include the Bionic Bar dancing robot bartenders on the Royal Promenade and Virtual Balconies in many interior staterooms, which offer sea and port views. The Royal WOWBands with RFID technology simplifies the guest experience, and VOOM, the fastest internet at sea, is found exclusively on Royal Caribbean ships. Catering to every craving, Harmony will offer the most dining options at sea, including new specialty restaurants Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, Sabor Taqueria and Tequila Bar and Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine, a whimsical setting where Royal Caribbean chefs twist their culinary kaleidoscopes. L
Michael Consoli is a professional travel and cruise specialist and owner of Cruise Planners. 770-650-7667, PlanMyCruise.com
Dawn is a multi-million dollar producer, who was voted “Best Realtor” in multiple local contests, for 4 of the last 5 years. She has had ten consecutive years of success, every year since 2005, despite the ups and downs of the housing market. Dawn works closely with her sellers to reach their goal for getting their home sold at a great price. She institutes marketing plans that provide maximum exposure and she offers a free staging service to place items in an empty house, which will help to make it more appealing to potential buyers.
In addition, Dawn works with ALL buyers to help them understand the process. She can help you navigate your first home purchase or help you move into your established, luxury home.
If you’d like to discuss the purchase or sale of a home, Dawn can be reached at 770-893-8835 (cell) or 770-2402000 ext. 688 (office), email Dawn@ DawnSams.com, or visit DawnSams.com
Dawn’s willingness to handle a variety of tasks makes the transition of buying and selling homes a smooth process. She loves to be a part of finding her clients’ dream home and helping them sell one they love. Dawn is a Certified Negotiations Expert, Accredited Buyers Representative and Accredited Staging Professional. She is a professional realtor who is dedicated to personal service.
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Attention Young Professionals of Woodstock!
A
new and exciting opportunity is coming! YPOW, which stands for Young Professionals of Woodstock, was created for the growing young professional population in Woodstock and its surrounding areas. The mission of YPOW is to provide an outlet for participants to develop professionally, build lasting relationships, become philanthropically active and contribute to the economic development and high quality of life in our community. YPOW is for anyone ages 18-40, with an interest in learning new things, meeting new people and cultivating skills for career enhancement. It is open not just for people in Woodstock, but for people from all over the area. There is a $25 annual membership fee; however, if you are already a Main Street Woodstock member, you can join for free.
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Woodstock Family Life | OCTOBER 2015
By Jenna Hill
YPOW will be made up of the area’s most passionate, authentic and driven future leaders. Our number one goal is to create opportunities for aspiring professionals to meet each other, network, gain career enhancement skills and explore ways to give back to our community. YPOW will be having educational, social and charity events throughout the year, which will focus on everything from best social media practices for your business, to interviewing techniques, to fun ways to volunteer. We will have a holiday charity event and will really start our educational and motivational events in January. As a young professional in Cherokee County, I came to the realization that there weren’t many organizations like this of which to take advantage. Some surrounding communities have young
professional groups, and we saw a need here in Woodstock. YPOW came out of that thought process, and with the help of other talented individuals, I believe it will become an asset to the community and may help retain young entrepreneurs in this area. Keep an eye on our Facebook page and website for upcoming event dates and more info (Facebook.com/ YoungProfessionalsOfWoodstock). We would also love to hear from you about what you see in the future of YPOW. Check out YPOW.org and take our short survey.
Jenna Hill is Tourism Information Coordinator at the Woodstock Visitors Center. 770-924-0406, WhatsUpWoodstock.com
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ArtistProfile BY NATALIE DEL VALLE
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Woodstock Family Life | OCTOBER 2015
D avid R anes
“M
usic takes me anywhere I want to go at any time,” says Cherokee County musician, David Ranes. “It’s not a job to me.”
He discovered his love for music when he was just seven years old, and by the time he was fourteen, he taught himself to play guitar. Now, 30 years later, David says he loves the freedom of expression and creativity that comes with writing and performing music. What he enjoys most is playing uplifting, meaningful songs with a story to tell, which led him to create Legacy Love Songs — a business that specializes in writing personalized songs for any occasion, using people’s life stories. Through his music, David has performed at fundraising events to raise money and awareness for area homeless shelters, AIDS and cancer research, and his unique songs have also been part of weddings, anniversaries and other special life events. David keeps busy with Legacy Love Songs and his own music publishing company, Ranes Music Publishing, as well as performing with two current bands, the Jukes and David Ranes Band, which released a CD entitled Fly this past year. David draws on personal experiences, primarily ones others can relate to, in order to write the rock and blues songs on his albums, including “Breathe You In,” a Billboard Award Winner. Over the course of his musical career, he has been a part of eight bands, playing everything from old rock, pop rock and classical. As a member of the Jukes, David and his partner, Jaymi Renae, like to say, “You request it, we play it!” The band includes an acoustic guitar and piano performance, with Jaymi and David singing from a list of 300 songs, from which their audience can make requests. The playlist includes covers from the 60’s to current covers in country, rock and pop, as well as their own, original songs. Selections vary according to the demands of the audience. The ever-evolving playlist can add up to as many as ten new songs a week, and the Jukes retire less popular songs to accommodate demands. “Some of the most requested artists are Taylor Swift, Ray Charles, Maroon 5, Rihanna and Lady Antebellum,” David says; “It just depends on the age of the audience.”
The band plays for clubs, venues, weddings, private parties and corporate events all over the north and east Atlanta area, including Alpharetta, Roswell, Woodstock and Cumming. They also occasionally travel south and west of Atlanta, and sometimes commute out-of-state for a show. But no matter where or for whom they perform, the talented duo’s passion for music is evident in every gig they play. Music is such a special and important aspect of both Jaymi’s and David’s lives, and that is what makes the Jukes so wonderful. You can see and hear their unmistakable enthusiasm in their performances and just by talking to them. Jaymi and David agree: Music is the greatest gift.
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Breast Cancer
Screening By Jennifer Beil, M.D.
Besides skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women. It’s also the second leading cause of cancer related death in women, second only to lung cancer. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists recommends screening, including breast self-awareness, clinical breast exams by health care professionals and mammograms. In women who have a family history of breast cancer, genetic testing for heritable breast cancer genes and breast MRI may be indicated. Breast self-awareness emphasizes that women should note what‘s normal in their own breasts. It’s important for women to discuss any lumps, breast pain or changes
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Woodstock Family Life | OCTOBER 2015
in the skin with their doctor. Women are encouraged to be their own advocates. Clinical breast exams are usually done annually at your wellness exam by your medical professional. They’re important because they can help confirm any findings that you may have noticed on your regular, self-breast exams. Your health care provider may help to alleviate concerns over common and normal findings, as well as identify areas of concern that need additional evaluation. After the age of 20, women are encouraged to have a clinical breast exam approximately every 2-3 years. Mammography is a special X-Ray that’s performed, generally beginning at age 40. There’s very little radiation exposure during a mammogram, and there’s no increased risk of cancer from yearly mammograms. If abnormalities are encountered on your screening, additional images are sometimes necessary, as well as breast ultrasound or breast MRI. This is common and may not mean you have cancer, but
it’s important that the additional images are done. Breast ultrasounds show if it’s a solid tissue mass or a fluid-filled cyst and can help your provider decide if a breast biopsy or other surgical procedure is indicated. If there is a family history of cancer, mammograms may begin earlier. Patients are encouraged to discuss the best time to begin screening with their primary care provider. Death rates from breast cancer have been declining since about 1989. This has been attributed to better screening and awareness among women, as well as better treatments for those who are diagnosed. Women are encouraged to have an open and honest discussion Jennifer Beil, M.D. is an OB/GYN with Falany & with their health care Hulse Women’s Center, provider about the located in Woodstock. best screening plan 770-926-9229, FalanyAndHulse.com for them.
Serves 2 Ingredients:
Béarnaise Sauce Ingredients:
• • • •
2-12 oz local ribeyes (from Robin Solomon at Farm Fresh Beef) 4 oz fresh king crab meat 2 tablespoons butter salt and pepper to taste
- - - - -
Season steaks with salt and pepper and let sit at room temperature for 1 hour. Preheat large grill pan over medium-high heat (cast iron preferred) Add butter to pan and let melt Add steaks and cook for 3 minutes per side for medium rare, set aside and cover with foil Top with warm picked crab and béarnaise recipe to follow
• • • • • • •
1 tablespoon plus 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2” cubes 3 tablespoons minced shallots Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 tablespoons champagne vinegar or white wine vinegar 2 large egg yolks 1 tablespoon (or more) fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh tarragon
- - - - -
Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots and a pinch of salt and pepper; stir to coat. Stir in vinegar, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until vinegar is evaporated, 3-4 minutes. Reduce heat to low and continue cooking shallots, stirring frequently, until tender and translucent, about 5 minutes longer. Transfer shallot reduction to a small bowl and let cool completely.
Meanwhile… - - - - - - - - - -
50
Fill a blender with hot water to warm it; set aside Melt remaining 1 cup butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until butter is foamy Transfer butter to a measuring cup Drain blender and dry well Combine egg yolks, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon water in warm, dry blender Purée mixture until smooth; remove lid insert With blender running, slowly pour in hot butter in a thin stream of droplets, discarding milk solids at bottom of measuring cup Continue blending until a smooth, creamy sauce forms, 2-3 minutes Pour sauce into a medium bowl Stir in shallot reduction and tarragon, and season to taste with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice, if desired
Woodstock Family Life | OCTOBER 2015
Small Businesses
BIG Risks BIG Gains By Nick Roper
Many entrepreneurs have a grand vision of being their own boss, while sipping a cold drink on a sandy beach, answering to no one except a waiter, who is asking if they can be of any assistance. There are success stories of companies started by individuals, which grow from nothing into very successful businesses. However, the number of people who achieve this success is far outnumbered by those who work extremely hard just to get by, as well as those who fail all together. Quite often, small business owners have to risk all of their savings in order to launch their dream. Success of these risky business ventures is often accredited to catching a lucky break, but I feel like it is much more than luck. Success has far more to do
with the intellect of the business owner’s knowledge of when to present their unique product to the correct market, rather than hoping for luck to help. As stated by the great U.S. Army General, George S. Patton Jr., “If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn’t thinking.” This translates directly from the battlefields of World War II to small business owners in the 21st century, because if you’re offering the same product, at the same price, with the same marketing strategy as your competitor, then you’re going to have to rely on luck rather than skill to propel you to the level that you wish to reach. Small businesses must discover what they can offer that makes them superior to their competitors, whether it’s better customer service, lower prices through superior vendor pricing agreements or offering a variation to an existing product, previously unrealized by similar businesses, along with many other options. It’s going to be difficult for small business owners to do something that hasn’t already been
done by someone in their market. My challenge to you is to consider spending the 4th quarter of 2015 thinking outside of the box to come up with a strategy for your business that you can utilize in 2016, which will set you apart from your competitors.
Nick Roper is manager of business development for H&H Electric and Security LLC. 770-735-1136, MyAtlantaElectrician.net
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Body BUILDING LIFESTYLE
By Jyl Craven
While hitting the gym, “Sweating
to the Oldies” or hanging around with your friends at the local Crossfit box may make you buff, it will have little effect on building that other body, the body of your hair. Just as some people are more genetically fit than others, so is the natural volume in one’s hair. So here are a few little secrets if YOU are looking for ways to add more volume to your profile.
SECRET #1
Adding body and volume all starts at the root. Start with a quality shampoo that cleanses at the root. If you are currently shampooing every day, you may be stripping away some of the natural oils from your scalp, which may cause your scalp to over-produce oil, thus weighing down your hair. So if this is the case, try cleansing your scalp every other day, and follow up with a conditioner, starting at the middle and proceeding down to the ends of your hair. Also, consider a dry shampoo. Dry shampoos are excellent for absorbing those oils, dirt and odor that may be weighing down your hair.
SECRET #2
The longer your hair, the more strain it puts on your roots, making it harder for your hair to stand up. So if you have long hair, want to keep the length and 52
Woodstock Family Life | OCTOBER 2015
add volume, consider adding some concave layers. Adding these layers will help keep the weight towards the length and lightness towards the crown. For short hair, consider adding some graduation to help build up weight and body. While graduated haircuts come in many varieties, they are great for giving the appearance of more volume.
SECRET #3
This little known secret is one the celebrities definitely wouldn’t want you to know. Thanks to the wide variety of options for all hair types, hair extensions are one of the fastest ways to add instant volume and density to almost any hairstyle. Hair extensions are also very versatile, as you can cut, color and style them as you would your normal hair. Also, when done professionally, no one will know this stealthy approach to your style.
SECRET #4
This last tip is one that anyone who’s serious about adding more body to their hair must consider. Before you begin blow drying your finished look, apply a volumizing spray from the roots to ends. Many professional hair care products have long-lasting root support and can deliver a finishing look that has added texture and body. Adding more volume to your hair is only a few steps away. With these tips and many more your hairdresser can offer, you can begin building the hair body of your dreams. L
Jyl Craven is owner of Jyl Craven Hair Design of Canton. 770-345-9411, JylCraven.com
Exploring Satisfaction Rates
for Facial Procedures:
By Drs. Petrosky, Musarra, Harkins & Leake Patient satisfaction rates for facial plastic surgery and non-surgical aesthetic procedures seem to be up in recent years, likely due to the rising number of options that produce results that look very natural. Whether someone undergoes a full facelift or simply Botox®, our goal is to have patients look like a younger, more vibrant version of themselves. There have been a lot of advances in our industry in recent years, involving minimally invasive techniques and products that produce very natural looking
results, and patients seem to love it. A recent study published in the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery showed facelift patients stating they were “extremely satisfied with their decision to undergo face lifting and the outcomes and quality of life following the procedure.” It went on further to say that, despite the increasing popularity of injectables and non-invasive procedures, facelifts performed by experienced and skilled plastic surgeons remain unmatched when it comes to results. Results for both surgical and nonsurgical treatments are better than ever. This rise in non-surgical products and procedures has opened up cosmetic enhancement to a whole new demographic of people who might otherwise have done nothing, because they weren’t interested in surgery. Now, people at all levels of need can get results.
Finding a qualified, experienced surgeon who takes a subtle, “natural” approach to facial plastic surgery is one of the key factors in being satisfied with the results. Also, patients need to trust in their surgeon’s expertise and have realistic expectations. Patients who expect to look decades younger may be disappointed, but those who expect to look refreshed and great for their age can be very impressed by today’s techniques. Surgeons do a good job managing those expectations these days, and that is why satisfaction rates are so high. As with any procedure you are considering, make sure your consultation is with a specialty trained professional. Drs. Petrosky, Musarra and Leake are board-certified plastic surgeons at Plastic Surgery Center of the South. 770-421-1242, PlasticSurgery CenterOf TheSouth.net
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Ribbon Cuttings, Ground Breakings and Celebrations
BB&T
Pollo Tropical
Piolax Corporation
936 Towne Lake Parkway Woodstock 770-308-7903 Banks
188 Molly Lane Woodstock 770-924-0354 Restaurants
139 Etowah Industrial Court Canton 770-479-2227 Manufacturers — Auto Parts
Fendley Farmstead, LLC
Cherokee Theatre Company
Cagle’s Family Farm The Corn Maze
1287 Sardis Road Canton 404-408-5561 Event & Wedding Venue
P.O. Box 5885 Canton 770-591-0282 Nonprofit Organizations
362 Stringer Road Canton (Holly Springs) 770-345-5591 Tourism
For information on Chamber events, please visit CherokeeChamber.com Crooked Creek Furniture and Gifts
12746 Cumming Highway Canton 770-265-9872 Retail Furniture, Gifts & Home Décor
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Ichiban Buffet
2210 Holly Springs Parkway, Suite 104 Holly Springs 770-720-4196 Restaurants
Narrow Angle
Glaucoma By Anjum Cheema, M.D.
What is the angle, and what is a narrow angle? The eyeball is continually producing and draining fluid, called aqueous humor. This aqueous humor drains out of the eye through a complex, circular drainage structure in the “angle.” That is, the angle formed between the iris and the cornea, the clear front covering of the eye. In some eyes, this angle is more acute than usual, and is called “narrow angle.” Such eyes are at risk of developing “angle closure,” in which access to the drain is closed off completely, leading to a sudden, potentially dangerous increase in eye pressure, sometimes leading to permanent vision loss in a short amount of time.
Who is at risk? Hyperopic (far-
NORMAL EYE
sighted) individuals, as well as elderly individuals are at the highest risk for narrow angles.
What are the symptoms? Typically, narrow angles are asymptomatic, which means they don’t cause any noticeable problem to the patient. On the other hand, angle closure if it develops, often leads to dramatic symptoms, such as an unbearable pressure-like headache, blurry vision, nausea, vomiting, redness and/or extreme eye pain. How is it treated? In general, treatment involves either laser surgery or cataract surgery. Laser surgery typically involves making an iridotomy, which is a small hole in the iris that causes the angle to open further. An alternative is cataract surgery in those patients with a cataract. When should I seek medical attention? If you are far sighted, you
HYPEROPIC EYE ensure that you have not developed a narrow angle. If you have any of the other symptoms described earlier — headache worse in dark lighting, episodic blurry vision, eye pain or redness — seek immediate attention.
Dr. Anjum Cheema is a boardcertified ophthalmologist with Milan Eye Center, located in Canton. 678-381-2020, MilanEyeCenter.com
should have an annual eye exam to
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Advertiser Index Anderson Dental Inside Front Atlanta Hand Specialist 5 Big Springs Farms 48 Cherokee Angel Senior Care 31 Cherokee County Historical Society 43 Cherokee Imaging Center 21 The Children’s Haven 23 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta 41 Sports Medicine Cruise Planners 34, 45 Dawn Sams, Realtor 43 Dr. Fixit Ph.D. 31 Elm Street Cultural Arts Village 16 Falany and Hulse Women’s Center, P.C. 40 Fire Stone Wood Fired Pizza & Grill 11 Goin’ Coastal 7, 50 H&H Electric & Security, LLC 51 Herbert Sparks Law Group 11 Jyl Craven Hair Design Inside Back Landscape Matters 48 Masterpiece Framer 45 Milan Eye Center 3 Nelson Elder Care Law 13 Northside Cherokee Pediatrics 3 Northside Hospital-Cherokee 1 Owl-o-ween Hot Air Balloon Festival Inside Front Park Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock 56 Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics 27 and Dentistry at Canton Perimeter North Family Medicine 10 Plastic Surgery Center of the South 55 Pro Roofing and Siding 19 R & D Mechanical Services, Inc. 49 Rejoice Maids 56 Skin Cancer Specialists, P.C. & Aesthetic Center 17 Summit Financial Solutions 33 Technical Resource Solutions 25 WellStar Health System Back Cover Woodstock Health Mart Pharmacy 35 Woodstock Lions Fall Festival 53 Woodstock Pediatric Medicine Cover, 28-30 Zombie Fest 9 56
Woodstock Family Life | OCTOBER 2015
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