Contents
November 2018
VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 4
28-29 On the Cover:
Art Jewelers Diamonds & Design
44-46
Holiday Gift Guide 2018
52-53
[28-29]
] 3 5 2 5 [ Follow Us >>>
2
Respite Foster Care
[44-46]
Family Life Publications
Woodstock Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018
The Elder Family
04
.......................... Perspective
08
.............................. Calendar
14
................ Woodstock Minute
16
................... Sheriff Reynolds
17
.................... Community Life
24
................... Senator Speaks
27
........................ Book Review
32
......................... Artist Profile
38
................... Friday Night Live
40
............... Community Partner
51
............................ Quotables
54
.................... Ribbon Cuttings
familylifepublications
@FamilyLifeMags
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
3
Publisher’s Perspective PUBLISHER/PHOTOGRAPHER Jack Tuszynski Jack@FamilyLifePublications.com EDITORIAL Julie Senger Julie@FamilyLifePublications.com ART Candice Williams Candice@FamilyLifePublications.com Laurie Litke Laurie@FamilyLifePublications.com Mandy Marger Mandy@FamilyLifePublications.com
Woodstock Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018
Family Life Publishing Group, Inc. 630 East Main Street Canton, GA 30114
770-213-7095
FamilyLifePublications.com Family Life publications have the largest monthly circulation of direct-mailed community magazines in our area. Woodstock Family Life is a monthly community magazine with a total print count of over 30,000, direct mailing over 28,000 copies to Towne Lake, downtown Woodstock up to Hickory Flat and toward the Roswell border. The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists, and submissions are not necessarily those of the editor/ publisher, and the publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. The cover and its accompanying magazine content are a paid advertisement. Woodstock Family Life magazine is not responsible for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher. Subscriptions are available for $25 per year. Please contact us for payment options.
Jack Tuszynski, Publisher
© 2018 All rights reserved.
AS
IS
E R EC Y C LE
4
What else makes us thankful? Our art director, Candice Williams, is due to expand her family with a new baby girl this month, and we are super excited. Candice has been influential from our humble beginnings in giving our magazines the look and feel that sets them apart in our market. She will be missed. Here at Family Life Publications, we are family first, and we’re happy for her and her family.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Gavin Adams, Steven Anderson, Cyndi Braun, Cobb EMC, James B. Depew, Joshua Fuder, Corey Harkins, Lisa-Marie Haygood, Dawn Major, Tim Morris, Savannah Morrison, Kelly Marulanda, Vishant Nath, Michael Petrosky, Frank Reynolds, Marybeth Stockdale, Sen. Bruce Thompson, Katie Wise, Farris Yawn
TH
Our plan at Family Life Publications for the upcoming year is to remain dedicated in service to our business partners and organizations. We plan to grow together within our communities by staying actively involved and speaking out for those in
Personally, I’ve been busy with some restructuring of my own. God has graced me and others close to me with the chance to get our acts together, and He has given us an opportunity to become closer to who He intended us to be. By keeping a positive outlook, a genuine spirit, and a straightforward attitude, we can accomplish anything when we give our troubles over to Him. That is one blessing we may never be able to show thanks for enough, but we should never stop trying.
SALES ASSISTANT Alexander DuLong
E
We are stronger together. When we pool our resources, ideas, talent, and dreams – we can overcome obstacles more efficiently and effectively than we can individually. This applies to people, families, communities, and organizations. Many of Family Life Publications’ community partner organizations work together for the common cause of simply making situations better for the greater good. These opportunities to serve are something to be thankful for.
need. We are grateful for the chance to be part of positive change.
M AG A ZI
N
ith the cool fall breezes finally upon us, and the scent of leaves in the air, we can peacefully reflect on our year. Our ups and downs, the lessons and wisdom we’ve harvested from both challenges and successes are all reason to give thanks for the blessing of just being able to keep on keeping on each day. We’ve seen some unusual events and activity these past several months, and in turn, we have witnessed some amazing feats of recovery, rebuilding, and restoration within our communities, neighbors, and ourselves. I’m thankful for that.
PLE
W
SALES Janet Ponichtera Janet@FamilyLifePublications.com
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
5
Gobble Up These Energy-Saving Cooking Tips By Cobb EMC
ur ng yo i k o o c eal While ing m v i g s k s to Than liance
[HomeLife] With kitchen lights on, the oven baking, TV running, and HVAC going, it takes a lot of watts to cook up the perfect Thanksgiving. That’s why these important energy-saving cooking tips will help you stress less about your post-dinner energy bill.
or ll app vetop g sma in s u y he sto t r T f o d • instea cook key! at tur h oven. t t a eek or can on’t p en do D v ch o e • as mu ing th rature e Open p r m ou the te sing y lower ack s, cau e e r get b g de er to d r a as 25 h rk e. to wo eratur stove temp d and e ir a des ost t, e m r h t e h o t t he m the own t at fro d e h n f r u o age • T e. dvant r hom take a m you r a w to oven
Happy Thanksgiving from the Cobb EMC family to yours!
•
After every one h clean as ed th eir pl ate Scrap e
, don ’t rins befor e, dis e load hes ing th dishw e m int a sher. o the • R un a f ully lo aded, overlo but n aded, • L ot d ishwa et you sher. r dish es air save u dry to p to t en pe dishw r c e a nt on shing • C energ lean t y costs he bu . rners stove on yo top, w ur hich in efficie creas ncy. es
Source - Energy.gov These tips were provided by Cobb EMC, a not-forprofit electric cooperative. 770-429-2100. CobbEMC.com
6
Woodstock Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
[HealthyLife] There is a season for everything. The Byrds quoted it in their song, “Turn! Turn! Turn!” The retail stores advertise to let us know when the holiday seasons “begin,” but who is going to tell us about flu season? It’s a real season that causes major problems, but there are several ways to maneuver through it with very little work; one way is with the influenza vaccine. The old belief, “The flu shot gave me the flu,” is simply not true. The vaccine itself does not contain a live virus. The influenza virus can cause fevers (100.4 F°+), chills, headaches, body aches, fatigue, sore throat, cough, runny/stuffy nose, nausea/ vomiting, and sometimes diarrhea (mostly in children) for up to a week or more. The flu virus is very unpredictable and changes annually, so the vaccine must change every year. However, because influenza is not a bacterial infection, prescribing an antibiotic is not going to help. A physician
Flu Season By Kelly Marulanda
will test you for the flu and may prescribe antiviral medication if it is within the first day or two of becoming sick. But most likely, the prescription is going to be for lots of rest and clear fluids. How do you avoid flu season? Get the flu vaccine! They are offered everywhere: physician offices, pharmacies, minute clinics, grocery stores, etc., and the best part of all is that the vaccine usually lasts between six and twelve months. Most insurances cover this vaccine, and it comes in either a nose spray or a true shot with an itty-bitty, tiny needle. Babies can begin getting the flu vaccine at six months old, and the age is limitless thereafter.
To prepare for all the seasons in your life, you definitely do not want the flu season to slow you down! Call your physician, and see which flu vaccine is right for you and your family.
OCT - NOV - DEC - JAN - FEB - MAR - APR - MAY
Kelly Marulanda is the practice manager at Woodstock Pediatric Medicine, 2000 Professional Way, #200 Woodstock. 770-517-0250. WoodstockPeds.com
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
7
Calendar Ongoing November is National Adoption Month This month is dedicated to bringing awareness to adoption and the children in need of homes and families. It aims to bring good into the world by putting children first and bringing families together. Cherokee Nation in North Georgia Exhibit Through January 2019, enjoy this FREE exhibit about the Native American tribe that inspired our county’s name. Wednesday-Friday 10:00am-5:00pm and Saturday 10:00am-3:00pm, Cherokee County History Museum, 100 North Street, Suite 140, Canton. 770-345-3288. RockBarn.org
1 Million Cups — The first and third Wednesday of the month, attend this FREE, nationwide program designed to educate, engage, and accelerate early-stage startups. The notion is that entrepreneurs can discover solutions and thrive when they collaborate over a million cups of coffee. Drop in on this community of innovators to connect with and support local startups. 9:00-10:00am, the first Wednesday is at The Circuit, 1 Innovation Way, Woodstock; check the online schedule for the location of the third Wednesday, which changes monthly. 1MillionCups.com/cherokee YPOW A.M. Coffee — Each Thursday morning, join Young Professionals of Woodstock for coffee and networking. 7:00am, Copper Coin Coffee, 400 Chambers Street, Woodstock. 770-5926056. InWdstk.org/events IN Season Monthly Meeting — On the third Thursday of each month, join the volunteers in this group to help plan Woodstock’s seasonal plantings, annual Scarecrow Invasion, and downtown holiday decor. 6:00pm, Chattahoochee Tech Woodstock Conference Room, 8371 Main Street, Woodstock. 770-592-6056. Hello@ inwdstk.org. InWdstk.org/events
Square Dancing — On the second and fourth Friday of each month, enjoy square dancing with the Cherokee Squares. 8:0010:00pm, Woodstock Jaycee Hall, 216 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock. 404-4083180 or 901337-5330.
8
Woodstock Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018
Woodstock’s Farm Fresh Market — Each Saturday through December, the Woodstock Farm Fresh Market’s rules guarantee that it is the best market in the region to get locally grown, fresh produce because produce vendors are required to grow at least 85 percent of the product they bring to the market, and they are subject to inspection to confirm this. 8:30am-12:00pm, Market Street, downtown Woodstock. 770-924-0406. VisitWoodstockGa.com
Tuesday Night Trivia — Every Tuesday evening, enjoy trivia for a chance to win gift cards, plus nightly giveaways and food sampling. 6:30pm, The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta (food court), 915 Ridgewalk Parkway, Woodstock. 678-540-7040. TheOutletShoppesAtAtlanta.com
Detachment 1311 — Every third Saturday of the month, veterans share their first-hand war experiences, which are then used as editorial research data to assist others. The Woodstock Detachment #1311 is chartered as a subsidiary organization of the Marine Corps League. 9:00am, Semper Fi Bar and Grille, 9770 Main Street, Woodstock. 770-672-0026. Holly Springs Young Professional Experience (HYPE) — On the first Tuesday of each month, young in age, young in your profession, or young at heart — doesn’t matter. Meet at Holly Springs’ newest coffee shop for a cup of coffee and some laidback networking with local professionals. 7:00-8:00am, The Coffee Vineyard, 2800 Holly Springs Parkway, Suite 100, Holly Springs. 770345-5536.
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
NOVEMBER
1-30
Turkey Swim Competition — This is a fun, friendly competition between lap swimmers to see who can swim the farthest during the month of November! A log is maintained at the lifeguard station. Last year’s winner is not eligible to win. There is no cost for participating, but if you swim the most, you will win an adult annual pass. Cherokee Aquatic Center, 1200 Wellstar Parkway, Canton. 678880-4760. CRPA.net
2
Friday Night Live “Night of Thanks” Have a fun night in downtown Woodstock, and give back at the same time. Woodstock will be partnering with local nonprofits to spotlight their efforts at this Friday Night Live. Thanks to the extended hours during this popular event, everyone has a chance to explore the variety of shops downtown. 6:00-9:00pm, downtown Woodstock. 770-592-6056. VisitWoodstockGa.com
2-12/19
Cherokee Arts Center Members’ Art Show — Art Center members’ art from various genres will be showcased in the gallery. There will be an opening reception on Nov. 2 from 6:008:00pm. Tuesday-Friday 11:00am-5:00pm and Saturday 12:00-5:00pm, Cherokee Arts Center, 94 North Street, Canton. 770704-6244. CherokeeArts.org
4, 24, & 12/2
It’s a Wibit — Children must be able to pass a 25-yard swim test to use the inflatable Wibit water obstacle course. 1:00-5:00pm, Cherokee Aquatic Center, 1200 Wellstar Parkway, Canton. 678-8804760. CRPA.net
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
6 & 19-21
SPLISH SPLASH Break Camp — Children must be able to pass a 25-yard, deep water swim test with no assistance to attend camp. Camp includes lots of pool fun, arts and crafts, off-site field trips, and more! 7:30-9:00am drop off, 9:00am-4:00pm camp activities, 4:00-6:00pm pick-up, Cherokee County Aquatic Center, 1200 Wellstar Parkway, Canton. 678-880-4760. CRPA.net stina Author Kri Sold on a , is McMorr greet Meet and Monday — this h it signing w and book lling e ts imes bes New York T her t u o d hear ab author, an pm, 0 :3 6 nt novel. most rece 05 1 , e p ok Shop FoxTale Bo 8, 3 1 e eet, Suit E. Main Str 89. 9 -9 6 1 k. 770-5 c o st d o o W .com okShoppe FoxTaleBo
7
nnifer Authors Je ni t & Rosha Armentrou greet and Meet and Chokshi — se young g with the book signin Purchase n authors. adult fictio m FoxTale est Star fro of The Dark
8
9
2018 Jingle Bell $hop — Vendors will be present with an array of gifts and craft items at this FREE holiday shopping expo. Visit with Santa, and take photos with your personal devices as well as enjoy Santa’s Workshop where children may participate in crafts while you shop. 11:00am-8:00pm, Northside Hospital Cherokee Conference Center, 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton. CherokeeChamber.com
9 & 16
Parent’s Night Out — Drop the kids off at the pool, so you can enjoy adult time! Kids will play in the pool, enjoy a pizza dinner, do crafts, play games, and end the night with a movie! 5:30-10:00pm, Cherokee Aquatic Center, 1200 Wellstar Parkway, Canton. 678-880-4760. CRPA. net [continued on page 10]
pe Book Shop for d e is requir to in n admissio e. n li g the signin Book le Ta ox 6:30pm, F Street, 05 E. Main 1 , e p p o h S 70-516odstock. 7 o W , 8 3 1 Suite hoppe.com TaleBookS 9989. Fox y, rah McCo Author Sa bles a G n e Gre Marilla of stselling ational be rn te in e h —T sign her cuss and is d l il w r o auth w novel. cipated ne highly anti Shoppe, xTale Book o F , m p 0 2:0 ite 138, Street, Su in a M . E 105 -9989. k. 770-516 Woodstoc om .c okShoppe FoxTaleBo
10
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
9
LIBRARY EVENTS SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org
Calendar continued from page 9
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 DINO-VEMBER! November 7, 5:30pm, Hickory Flat Attend the third annual Dino-vember! Enjoy dinosaurthemed games, arts, crafts, and fossil digs. See if you can navigate robots through a Jurassic Park-themed maze. Drop in anytime! This is for all ages; children 9 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
QUILTING “CHEATS” & “TECHNIQUES” November 14 & 28, 10:00am, Woodstock Have fun learning a new skill at each class.
COLOR FOR A CAUSE November 8, 10:30am & 3:30pm, Rose Creek In conjunction with Operation Gratitude, create special cards and coloring pages to be sent to the troops. Materials are provided. This is for all ages; children 9 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
CRAFT CORNUCOPIA November 20, 10:30am, Woodstock Get into the holiday spirit by doing some Thanksgiving crafts! Make leaf rubbings, lunch sack turkey puppets, LEGO-stamped Indian corn, and disguise a turkey. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult.
ROBOT FREE PLAY November 9, 10:30am & 2:00pm, Hickory Flat Have hands-on fun learning about coding and robots with Dash and Dot, Sphero, and Bee Bots. This is for ages 3+; children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required.
A DIY CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING November 20, 6:00pm, Woodstock Teens in grades 6-12 are invited to join in on the cooking fun to re-create the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving special. Materials are provided. Registration is required and opens November 6.
A SATURDAY OF WRITING DANGEROUSLY November 10, 11:00am, Woodstock November is National Novel Writing Month. Whether it’s your first time trying NaNoWriMo, or you’re a seasoned NaNoWriMo expert, everyone is invited! This is for ages 13+.
DIY HOLIDAY GIFTS November 27, 6:00pm, Rose Creek Teens in grades 6-12 are invited to make Pinterestinspired holiday gifts for themselves, their family members, or their friends!
QUILTED CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS November 10, 1:00pm, Hickory Flat Create beautiful DIY quilted Christmas ornaments! Bring three different thin cotton fabrics (1/4 yard each) and small sewing pins. Registration is required. BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP November 13, 12:00pm, Woodstock Enjoy coffee, conversation, and a book discussion with new friends. This month’s selection is Still Life by Louise Penny. All ages are welcome; new members are encouraged. DIY CHRISTMAS CARDS November 14, 6:30pm, Hickory Flat Learn to make beautiful Christmas and holiday cards! Registration is required.
10
Woodstock Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018
PROJECT PINTEREST November 18, 3:00pm, Woodstock Explore Pinterest-inspired creative projects!
MUSIC AND MOVES November 28, 10:30am, Hickory Flat Get moving and grooving with friends from Go Noodle! It’ll be a dance party to remember! Experience parachute play, music, gross motor skills, and storytelling in one actionpacked hour. Children 9 and under must be accompanied by an adult. DIY ORNAMENT WORKSHOP November 29, 10:30am, Rose Creek November 30, 2:30pm, Rose Creek Learn how to make Christmas ornaments for yourself or to give away this holiday season. This is for ages 16+. Registration is required. LEGO ROBOTICS CLUB November 29, 6:00pm, Rose Creek Teens in grades 6-12 are invited to join in on some LEGO fun! Take apart, re-build, and program LEGO Mindstorm robots.
10
2018 Malon D. Mimms OneDay Invitational Doubles Pickleball Tournament — In addition to the tournament, there will be clinics, food trucks, and pickleball vendors to help raise awareness for the Boys and Girls Club and introduce everyone to the great sport of pickleball. The entry fee for the tournament is a $25 donation. 9:00am, Kenny Askew Park, 1082 Univeter Road, Canton. Sarahob190@yahoo.com. Facebook.com/ CherokeeCountyGeorgiaPickleball
10
The Cherokee Music Teachers Association Meeting — The meeting will be followed by a program on the Alexander Technique, presented by Dr. Joshua Pifer of Valdosta State University. All those interested in CMTA are welcome to attend. 10:00am, Hickory Flat Library, 2740 E. Cherokee Drive, Canton. Linda@ Lokey.net. CherokeeMTA.org
10
Rope Mill Dirty Duathlon and 3.3 Mile Trail Run — This year’s duathlon will feature an opening bike loop of 5.5 miles on the new Rope Mill Trails, followed by a 3.3-mile trail run on Explorer, and finally, a 5.5-mile bike on the newly improved Avalanche Trails. Solo, two- and three-person team categories
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
are available. 9:00am, Olde Rope Mill Park, 690 Olde Rope Mill Park Road, Woodstock. MountainGoatAdventures. com/ropemill/registration
10-11
Holiday Tour of Homes — The Tour of Homes features several exquisite homes in Cherokee County, which are professionally decorated for the holidays by local designers. This is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Woodstock Junior Woman’s Club, which benefits charities in Cherokee County. Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm, Sunday 12:00-5:00pm, Woodstock. WoodstockJWC.org
11
Veteran’s Day Ceremony — Honor veterans by attending this respectful, candlelight ceremony that celebrates all they have done to secure our freedoms. 7:00pm, The Park at City Center, 101 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-924-0406. VisitWoodstockGa.gov
11
Waiters: A Lesson in Waiting on God's Perfect Timing — This evening includes dinner and a musical performed by Bascomb youth. 5:00pm, Bascomb United Methodist Church, 2295 Bascomb Carmel Road, Woodstock. 770926-9755. BascombUMC.org
14
A Novel Idea — This month’s theme is “Crime Fiction.” The cafe has sandwiches, salads, and desserts. BYOB. Door prizes will be given away! This event is FREE and open to the public. 7:00-9:00pm, East Main Cafe (inside Audio Intersection), 210 E. Main Street, Canton. 770-670-9333. Marsha.Cornelius@ hotmail.com
14
Volunteer Aging Council (VAC) Fundraising Luncheon — Support VAC programs, and get a wonderful lunch for only $5.00! Bring a friend, coworker, family member, or yourself, and enjoy a tasty lunch while supporting the seniors and veterans of Cherokee County. Stay and eat, or pick up and go. RSVP the location, so the amazing chefs can be prepared for all who come to support. 11:30am-1:00pm, Brookdale Neese, 756 Neese Road, Woodstock. 678-230-4067. VAC-CherokeeGa.org
14
The Lunch Circuit — Entrepreneurs can meet other local entrepreneurs, both current and aspiring, share a meal, and learn their story. At each Lunch Circuit, a different
11
Save a Mustang Save a Vet — Help raise money and awareness for a veteran and mustang horse training program. Through this program, veterans will participate in the transition and training of captured wild mustang horses as a way to heal and transition themselves. Activities include mustang demonstrations, a mustang meet-n-greet, a petting zoo, pony rides, DJ, face painting, silent auction, vendors, good food, and more! This event will be followed by a $50 BBQ Bash fundraiser dinner at 4:30pm. 11:00am-4:00pm, Chukkar Farm Polo Club & Event Facility, 1140 Liberty Grove Road, Alpharetta. 770314-3735. SaMSaV.org
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
entrepreneur will be interviewed regarding wins, losses, and lessons learned on their adventure. Event cost is $20 per person and includes lunch, networking, and the program. Seats are limited to thirty people. 11:30am, The Circuit, 1 Innovation Way, Woodstock. 770-3450600. CircuitWoodstock.com
15
Jingle Mingle — Raise a glass to the gift of small business! Mingle with current and prospective business owners in the Woodstock area. Your $30 ticket includes a souvenir glass, food, and a sampling of Reformation Brewery beer. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Woodstock Public Safety Foundation’s Shop with a Hero event. 6:00-9:00pm, Reformation Brewery, 105 Elm Street, Woodstock. 770-592-6056. InWdstk.org/events
15
Brew HaHa — Belly laughs and beer on tap with Elm Street’s iThink improv! Join the local performers for improv games. 5:30-8:30pm, Reformation Brewery, 105 Elm Street, Woodstock. 678341-0828. ReformationBrewery.com
16
Cherokee Aquatic Center Black Friday Sale — This sale occurs one time a year and offers 25 percent off swim lessons for the December-February sessions. 9:00am-9:00pm, Cherokee County Aquatic Center, 1200 Wellstar Way, Canton. 678-880-4760. CRPA.net [continued on page 12]
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
11
Calendar
DECEMBER
continued from page 11
17
Tis the Season to be GREEN Recycling Event — Clean house the environmental way! Visit the website for accepted items. 9:00am1:00pm, Woodstock Elementary, 230 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock. WoodstockParksAndRec.com
27
AHA CPR/ AED Certification — This is a fundraiser for the Hickory Flat Volunteer Association. The class is $50. 7:00pm, Cherokee County Fire Department Station #23, 7625 Vaughn Road, Canton. HFVA.org/CPR-ClassRegistration.php
27
Small Town Creatives PM Meetup — This meeting connects local creative professionals such as designers, illustrators, photographers, writers, artists, filmmakers, and so on. Together, they promote the value creative professionals can add to the local economy and culture. 6:30-8:30pm, Reformation Brewery, 105 Elm Street, Woodstock. 770-592-6056. InWDSTK.org
1
22nd Annual Christmas Jubilee and Parade of Lights — As darkness falls, parade floats will light up the town! After the parade, visit with Santa in The Park at City Center! The mayor and Santa will flip the switch to light the park and Christmas tree. There will be music by DJ Ronnie, inflatables, cupcake decorating, hot apple cider, hot chocolate, children’s crafts, activities, games, food, and special holiday vendors. Parade begins at 5:30pm, Rope Mill Road/Main Street, Woodstock; Jubilee in the Park begins at 6:00pm, The Park at City Center, downtown Woodstock. 770-592-6000. WoodstockGa.gov
1
Holly Springs Christmas Parade Line Holly Springs Parkway to watch local businesses, Girl and Boy Scout Troops, civic organizations, churches, dance companies, and local schools march in downtown Holly Springs. Immediately after the parade, Santa will be taking complimentary pictures in the historic Train Depot. There will also be Christmas music and crafts! 1:30pm, Holly Springs Parkway, Holly Springs. HollySpringsGa.us
1
30
Holly Springs 7th Annual Tree of Hope Christmas Tree Lighting The Tree of Hope will honor all seniors who are served by the Cherokee County Senior Services Center. The community is invited to help decorate the tree by making a contribution of $10 or more “In Honor of” or “In Memory of” a friend or loved one. For each donation, an ornament with your honoree’s name will be placed on the community tree. 6:30pm, historic Train Depot, 164 Hickory Road, Holly Springs. 770-345-5536. HollySpringsGa.us
12
Woodstock Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018
16th Annual Run for the Children Reindeer Run 5K and Fun Run This fundraiser is sponsored by the Service League of Cherokee County, which raises money to provide necessities for needy children in Cherokee County. This year’s run is an official AJC Peachtree Road Race Qualifying Event. 8:00am, Etowah River Park, 600 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton. ServiceLeagueRunForTheChildren@gmail. com. ServiceLeague.net
1-16
Santa’s Mailbox — Kids can drop off their letters to Santa in the North Pole mailbox. Just before Christmas, children will receive a personalized letter back from Santa! Please remember to include a return address. No classroom projects, please. The Park at City Center Gazebo, Woodstock. 770-592-6000. WoodstockGa.gov
4
Annual Holiday Party at the Rock Barn — This annual holiday party is another great opportunity to learn more about the Historical Society and its members. Please RSVP if you plan to attend. 7:00pm, Rock Barn, 658 Marietta Highway, Canton. 770-345-3288. RockBarn.org
6-23
Holiday Lights of Hope — This event features a huge walk-through Christmas light display with more than 2,000,000 lights, concessions, vendors, Santa, and so much more! It’s the new Christmas tradition for kids of ALL ages! Tickets are $10 (ages 14 and under are free). Proceeds benefit the Anna Crawford Children’s Center. 6:00pm, Hobgood Park, 6688 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock. HolidayLightsOfHope.com
7
Friday Night Live “Christmas in Downtown” — The spirit of the season can be found downtown at Christmas on Main. It's the perfect chance to shop for gifts and have some fun at the same time. Santa has already RSVPed to attend! Thanks to the extended hours during this popular event, everyone has a chance to explore the variety of shops downtown. 6:00-9:00pm, downtown Woodstock. 770-592-6056. VisitWoodstockGa.com
7
Shop With a Hero — This event helps children whose families are facing financial difficulties by taking them Christmas shopping. Woodstock’s men and women in uniform take the children to purchase gifts. Donations are always needed and appreciated. For more information, call 678-614-9104, or visit WPSFoundation.org
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
13
Woodstock Minute
By Marybeth Stockdale
T
he tradition of the Christmas Jubilee Parade began on December 6, 1997, in celebration of the City of Woodstock’s Centennial. The City Charter was granted by the State Legislature on December 8, 1897. We celebrated the Woodstock’s 120th birthday in 2017! An important part of this tradition is the lead entry of the Parade, featuring Mayor Donnie Henriques, along with the Citizen of the Year, Bonny Keheley, who was chosen by Preservation Woodstock in recognition of her efforts in historic preservation for our City. The date for the Parade is always on the first Saturday in December. Part of this decision was the availability of our high school bands to march in the Parade. The City manager and City Council feel that the marching bands are a very valuable asset to the Parade, and we love being able to showcase their talent. In 2009, the Parade started at dusk and was then called the Christmas Jubilee Parade of Lights! Since then, everyone has gotten so creative with their floats, the competition is getting better and better every year! The judges are finding it much more difficult to choose from over ninety entries in the Parade. The mayor presents trophies to the winners of the Best Holiday, Most Original, People’s Choice, and History and Heritage Floats, who also have bragging rights for a year.
14
Woodstock Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018
To kick off this holiday season, we present our 22nd Annual Christmas Jubilee Parade of Lights starting at 5:30pm on December 1. After the Parade, everyone is invited to the park to cheer on Santa and the mayor, as they throw the switch to light our thirty-foot Christmas tree. DJ Ronnie will be spinning holiday tunes while the kids visit with Santa. Have fun in our Kris Kringle Kidz Kraft Area and our Sugar Plum Cupcake Decorating Station while enjoying hot chocolate, cookies, apple cider, and inflatables, all of which are sure to delight kids and adults of all ages. Various vendors will be there to help with your Christmas shopping. Don’t forget the food vendors, serving up the perfect options for an evening in the park. We will also be collecting donations to help Cherokee’s Secret Santa in providing Christmas goods to the foster kids of Cherokee County. Another tradition from 2010 was Santa’s Mailbox, which will be in the gazebo from December 1-16, accepting letters to Santa. Just before Christmas, children will receive a letter back from Mr. Claus. It is a joy to witness the belief, hope, and excitement through the children’s creative drawings and skillfully crafted letters. As the Parade lights up the town, it’s great to see the happy faces of the kids and their parents throughout the route. It is such an exciting time of year!
Photos courtesy of Darleen Prem Photography
Marybeth Stockdale is the special events coordinator for the City of Woodstock. 770-592-6000, ext. 1952. MStockdale@WoodstockGa. gov
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
of our actions, behaviors, successes, and accomplishments. We also become our failures and our losses.
Who Are You?
By Pastor Gavin Adams
[InGoodFaith] Who are you? It seems a simple question to answer. We say things like husband, sister, parent, business owner, employee, and the like. Those aren’t bad answers. They are true. But they do lead to a problem. When what we do begins to define who we are, our identity takes shape. We become the sum
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
When what we do defines who we are, our identity is circumstantial, fearful, and fragile. It’s scary to have an identity that can be taken away at a moment’s notice. It’s fragile to build an identity around successes that may not continue and wins that could become losses. This building of our personal identity leads to fear of failure, fear of trying new things, and fear of moving forward. We fear the future because the future isn’t certain. We operate out of the past because what we did just as much defines who we are. This version of identity inevitably leads to a crisis. Circumstantial identities will always suffer an identity crisis. Since we need an identity, and circumstantial identities just won’t do, where do we turn? The Apostle Paul from
the first century has a suggestion. We can trust him on this topic because he spent much of his early adult life building an identity around his works, position, and even birth nationality. But after meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus, he realized there was a better, deeper, and more founded identity from which to live — as a child of God. When our identity is given by God, it removes circumstances, fear, and fragility. When our identity is secured in God, it imbeds a constant truth in our heart and life. When we realize that we are a child of God, we discover freedom to live outside of striving, accomplishing, and succeeding because our identity is freed to take risks, try new things, and even fail.
Gavin Adams is lead pastor at Woodstock City Church, 150 Ridgewalk Parkway, Woodstock. 470-689-6000. WoodstockCity.org
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
15
THE BALANCED STATE OF YOUR SHERIFF’S OFFICE By Sheriff Frank Reynolds
A
s of October 1, the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office (CSO) has concluded its fiscal year, and I’m happy to report that we are under budget once again. Budget The Sheriff’s Office participates in an annual budget process similar to countymanaged departments. However, the
sheriff is a constitutional officer and is not considered a department of county government. The sheriff submits an annual budget proposal to the Board of Commissioners (BOC), which is either approved, denied, or amended.
bigger than themselves. Additionally, law enforcement professionals from other agencies are coming to the CSO team for our competitive salaries and benefits, opportunities for advancement, and stateof-the-art training.
The CSO 2018 annual budget was set at $36,373,674.00 and is expected to be under budget by nearly $300,000.00 once all purchase orders have been finalized. • Salaries and benefits - $29,302,144.00 438 employees • Operations - $6,070,630.00 Jail operations, maintenance, equipment • Allocated costs - $1,782,661.00 Utilities, telephones, pest control, etc.
Training and Education One of our greatest strengths at the CSO is our advanced training and education opportunities. The state of Georgia requires all certified peace officers to attend twenty hours of annual training. This includes mandatory training on deescalation of force, firearms qualification, and reviewing state and federal law regarding the use of deadly force. However, the CSO requires all deputies to receive a minimum of forty hours, twice that of the state mandate. Most CSO deputies receive an average of 100 more hours of annual training.
Jail Expansion In November 2017, the citizens of Cherokee County approved a renewal of a penny special-purpose local-option sales tax (SPLOST), which included funding for an expansion of the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center (ADC). The current jail is nearing maximum daily capacity with an average of 650 inmates. These include individuals waiting for trial, inmates serving a sentence of less than twelve months, and probation revocations. The jail expansion project is currently in the architectural and construction design phase. It is expected the addition will house an additional 600 beds to include updating the medical unit, laundry services, and food preparation. The entire project is budgeted at $40 million. Hiring The CSO has been able to fill 57 civilian and deputy positions in 2018. We expect to hire a total of seventy employees by the end of the year. These positions were made available through employee retirement, a strong private sector market, and as preparation for the jail expansion. Our hiring success is the result of building a very positive relationship with our employees (team). Although we have created a full-time recruiter position, our team actively recruits people seeking to be a part of something
16
Woodstock Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018
Supervisors are required to attend a 400-hour professional supervision and management program hosted by Columbus State University. We have also partnered with Reinhardt University to create scholarship opportunities for deputies to attend the basic police academy with the goal to assist them to obtain their bachelor and master’s degrees. The CSO currently has a dozen employees enrolled in Reinhardt University’s bachelor and master’s programs. The entire CSO family appreciates the support citizens have given us on a daily basis. We consider it an honor to be able to serve such a wonderful community. I believe this positive and meaningful relationship sets our community apart from others. If you would like to learn more about our team, please visit us on Facebook or at CherokeeGa-Sheriff.org
Frank Reynolds is the sheriff for Cherokee County. 678-493-4100. CherokeeGa-Sheriff.org
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
Chamber Names Volunteer of the Quarter The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Lori Flink with Allegro Business Products has been named the Chairman’s Council Volunteer of the Quarter for third quarter 2018. Members of the Chairman’s Council are accepted by invitation only from the Chamber’s board chair. In determining the Volunteer of the Quarter, attendance at Chamber events is evaluated for all members of the Chairman’s Council. “Lori is a dedicated Chamber volunteer, and we appreciate the countless hours of service she has provided this year,” said Chamber Board Chair Julianne Rivera. For information on the Cherokee County Chamber and its programs, visit CherokeeChamber.com.
Community Knights Assist Local Special Olympics The Knights of Columbus St. Michael the Archangel Council 11768 volunteered at the recent Special Olympics Shoot for Champions Event held at Garland Mountain Sporting Clays. The event raised $35,000.00 and will support sending 411 Special Olympic athletes to the Georgia Special Olympics Fall Games to be held in Gainesville. The Knights manned multiple stations, setting off the clays for the competitors. Special Olympics Program Director John Cianfaglione said that the Knights of Columbus members made up over seventy percent of the volunteers for this event.
(L-R) Frank Hagadon, Chris Seeterlin, John Cianfaglione, Allen Peacock, Bernie Palcisko, Brett Miller, and Ron Kos.
Congratulations to our October contest winner, Hope Doornbos! Melanie Tugman! Congratulations to our October “7 Differences” winner, Joyce McMichael! Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
17
Community Etowah HS Student Earns Perfect ACT Score Senior Victoria “Tori” Ridgeway earned the top composite score of 36 on her ACT — a feat accomplished by, on average, less than one-tenth of one percent of students who take the test.
Woodstock HS Junior Earns Spot in Harvard Debate Program A Woodstock High School student has been selected for a Harvard University high school debate program! Junior Laney Broussard is one of an elite group of students, who was selected from hundreds of applications to participate on the 2019 Harvard Debate Council through the Harvard Debate Council Diversity Project (HDCDP).
Next Step Ministries Run, Walk, or Roll 5K Fundraising Results
Hundreds of students throughout metro Atlanta applied to join the latest cohort of scholars that would continue the legacy set by the former champions. Of the myriad of applicants, fifty advanced to an arduous vetting process, after which 26 candidates were invited to a surprise acceptance announcement. The energy and emotion-filled surprise, which took place at The Art Institute of Atlanta, was disguised as a final interview round that turned out to be a magical, unforgettable moment for the students and their parents. A subsidiary of Harvard College, HDCDP is an Atlanta-based pipeline program that provides black youth access and exposure to accelerated academic training in critical thinking, communication, and civic engagement. HDCDP seeks to matriculate underrepresented students into the Harvard Debate Council’s summer residency.
Next Step Ministries Run, Walk, or Roll 5K Fundraising Results The 5th Annual Run, Walk, or Roll was a wonderful success that raised roughly $24,000 with more than 350 registered runners! Money raised from this event will support continued programs for people with special needs. Family Life Publications was a proud sponsor of this event.
18
Woodstock Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
Community
Chamber Announces 2018 Leadership Cherokee Graduates The Leadership Cherokee Class of 2018 Front Row (L to R) Jamie Gianfala, Laura Smith, Ariana McPherson, Kristi Estes, Casey Geiger, Viktoriya Dubovis, Leslie Sullivan, Rachel Ashe, Emili Roman, Shellie Hollingsworth, Amy Macy. Second Row (L to R) Aaron Vincent, Greg Clyburn, Rick Beaulieu, Julie West, Ryan McElwee, Scott Deal, Bill Smith, Will Carlan, Jennifer Puckett. Not pictured - Jessica Carvalho Leadership Cherokee, a program of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, graduated its 30th Anniversary Class during a recent ceremony. With the completion of this year’s class, the alumni count now totals over 600 graduates. Members of the Leadership Cherokee Class of 2018 selected two of their peers to receive special recognition. The Cristal Stancil Leadership Award honoree was Viktoriya Dubovis with Chart, Inc. The Bob Frongillo Magic Spark Plug Award was presented to Kristi Estes with In Harmony Pediatric Therapy. Outgoing 2018 Leadership Cherokee Chair, Jennifer Stanley with the Northside Hospital Cherokee, was commended for her leadership by incoming chair, Neil Blackman with Corblu Ecology Group.
Viktoryia Dubovis and Jennifer Stanley
Over the course of the nine-month period, Leadership Cherokee exposed the group of existing and emerging leaders to a broad range of sessions that focused on topics such as economic development, infrastructure, government, justice, arts, education, recreation, tourism, public safety, healthcare, and social/human services.
Kristi Estes and Jennifer Stanley
Children’s Haven New Director Children’s Haven recently announced the addition of new Executive Director Marcie Smith to its team. Smith has a proven track record in nonprofit management, social services, strategic planning, and fiscal responsibility. She is excited to combine those skills with her passion for community collaboration and love for children to take the Children’s Haven into its next phase of growth and development.
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
Smith has experience in donor and community partner engagement at a national foundation and has served as director of a nonprofit, providing transitional housing for women and children. She has worked with Prevent Child Abuse and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) in providing programs like First Steps, Triple-P Parenting, Parents as Teachers, and Darkness to Light, and she has served as a board member of the Department of Family and Children Services, Chamber of Commerce, and
Young Professional Leaders. Smith also served as a member of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Millennial Advisory Committee and is a 2016 graduate of LEAD Atlanta. Smith states that she is passionate about social innovation, family services, community collaboration, and efforts to work together to protect children. She can be reached at Marcie@ CherokeeChildrensHaven.org or 770-3453274 x105. WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
19
Community Woodstock Citizen of the Year Announced Annually, Preservation Woodstock, Inc. chooses a Woodstock citizen as the recipient of the Barbara G. Ingram Citizen of the Year Award, someone who is actively engaged in the preservation of Woodstock’s heritage and history. This year’s winner is Bonny Keheley. She will be recognized during ceremonies in The Park at City Center following the Parade of Lights on December 1. Keheley has become the face of historic preservation at Woodstock Elementary School. The tradition of an annual “history” walking field trip to the Woodstock Visitors Center at Historic Dean’s Store was her brainchild, a continuation of similar walks to The Park, which she began to establish a sense of community, especially for the many newcomers to the area. The history segment will move to the amphitheater this year. It is estimated that over 2000 Woodstock Elementary students have been introduced to Woodstock’s history through these efforts. Keheley is retired after 38 years of teaching. She’s active in community affairs, especially the Woodstock Main Street program.
Chamber Announces Cherokee Challenge Winners The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce recently held their 4th Annual Cherokee Challenge. Fifteen two-person teams participated in this Amazing Race-style event that involved teamwork, physical skill, mental toughness, networking, and fun! “The teams solved clues in order to travel to various destinations in the county where they participated in a variety of events that required both mental and physical aptitude. I had the opportunity to volunteer at one of the destinations where it was evident that the competitive spirit was alive and well,” said Chamber Board Chair Julianne Rivera.
Local Medical Professional Makes Georgia Trend’s Top 40 Under 40 List For 22 years, Georgia Trend has celebrated the state’s rising stars under the age of forty. This year’s group of inspiring young leaders represents government, small and large businesses, nonprofits, education, healthcare, banking, and professional sports. They were nominated by readers throughout the state who know them well. From more than 300 nominations, the Georgia Trend staff made the final selections, and Cherokee County’s Jennifer Puckett made the list. Jennifer Puckett (age 38) is the owner of Therabeat Inc. and co-owner of In Harmony Pediatric Therapy in Canton. As owner of music therapy clinic Therabeat Inc., Puckett knows how transformative music therapy can be. She’s seen it in her own family through a grandmother with Alzheimer’s, and she sees it in the faces of her clients every day. “When you have a baby that has special needs, your whole world changes,” she says. “[New moms are] overwhelmed. They don’t know what to expect. They’ve only heard what their child can’t do. In music therapy, we try to show them everything they can do.” Puckett also co-owns In Harmony Pediatric Therapy, a clinic for children with developmental delays, and is serving her second term on the Georgia Music Therapy Advisory Committee.
First Place (L to R) Dana Callan, Cherokee Challenge Vice Chair; Adam Cummings and Caitlin Brunson, Orangetheory Fitness Canton; John Barker, Cherokee Challenge Chair.
20
Woodstock Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018
People’s Choice (L to R) Adam Smith and Dan Hagaman – The Synovus Loanerhosens
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
The Importance of Having an Estate Plan [Lifestyle] Since I arrived at Cherokee County Senior Services, I have received many calls regarding estate planning and wills, which I really don’t know that much about. I have heard many stories over the years that did not end well. Many older couples think they can just tell someone what their wishes are and that those wishes will be followed after they pass away. And some couples with no children believe that if one dies before the other,
the surviving spouse will automatically inherit everything. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Families are often torn apart because of poor estate planning. Back in the early 1930s, my great grandfather passed way, and his daughter who still lived with him inherited most of what he owned. Each of his other children got very little. My grandmother was his oldest child, and she was not going to let this happen without saying something to her sister. That was the beginning of a long feud that caused the two sisters to stop speaking to each other for over fifty years. If there is a humorous side to this story, it took place three years before my grandmother passed away. Grandma had put an ad in the paper to give away a dog. She received a call
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
By Tim Morris
and proceeded to talk to the woman on the other end of the line for over thirty minutes. Once she tried to give directions to her farm, the caller paused before abruptly hanging up on my grandmother. She had unknowingly spent thirty minutes talking to her sister that she had not spoken to in more than fifty years. Don’t leave your loved ones behind to try and guess what you’d want after your death. Greed can make people do and say terrible things. I highly recommend contacting an elder care attorney to get your estate and will in order, so you can prevent familial dissent. L
Tim Morris is the director of Cherokee County Senior Services. 1001 Univeter Road, Canton. 770-479-7438. www.CherokeeGa.com/SeniorServices
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
21
By Steven Anderson, D.M.D.
pay unanticipated large claims, and they are very aware of this. Therefore, dental insurance premiums are significantly less than medical insurance premiums. In fact, dental insurance companies cap their risk to an annual limit (maximum payout), which is usually $500-$1,500. A higher monthly premium usually equates to a higher financial contribution from your insurance company.
[HealthyLife] November is insurance open/re-enrollment time. Dentists are often in the middle, playing “messenger” between patients and insurance companies regarding complex policy coverage and benefits. Understanding insurance can be overwhelming. This information may help patients overcome some of the frustrations they face. Dental insurance is a contract/agreement between you and the dental insurance company in which you (or your employer) are sold financial reimbursements for certain dental procedures. You usually pay a premium through your paycheck, and your premium purchases a dental policy that your employer offers. There are many policies available for your employer to purchase and offer you. Each contract has differing benefit percentages for different procedures. Just because your policy has a “100 percent benefit” for a dental procedure does not mean that it will be “free.” The benefit percentage is applied to a predetermined amount that the insurance company is willing to pay for a specific dental procedure. This predetermined amount is not based upon the dentist’s standard fees. The insurance company phrase “usual and customary” (UCR) is largely a misnomer and often inconsistent within an insurance company’s own policy offerings or inconsistent within a geographic region. UCRs are used to control how much the contract will ultimately pay a dentist on your behalf. This is how they control the financial risk of the contract.
Are You Maximizing Your Dental Insurance Benefits? 1. Determine how much you’re paying for dental insurance by asking your employer what your monthly premium is. Multiply that number by twelve. 2. Determine what deductibles you must pay (usually $50-$100) when you initiate certain dental procedures. 3. Estimate the number of times you visit the dentist each year. Are you maximizing your necessary cleanings and routine preventative care? 4. Ask your dentist how much the dental insurance company has paid on your behalf. Dentists usually keep track of this information on your account. 5. Ask your dentist how much they anticipate the insurance company will pay for any necessary treatment that has been diagnosed. Knowing these figures will help you make an informed comparison to see whether your dental insurance premium is a beneficial or unnecessary expense. You may be surprised to learn that it’s wiser to pay yourself a comparable dental premium in a private savings account or use an employer-sponsored Health Savings Account. Discuss your dental insurance benefits and limitations with your licensed oral healthcare provider. After all, great dentistry is all about you.
“You Get What You Pay For.” This old saying certainly applies to providing quality care vs. costs and reimbursements associated with individual dental insurance policies. Dental insurance differs from medical insurance because catastrophic events are non-existent in dentistry. This means insurance companies don’t have to take huge risks or
22
Woodstock Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018
Dr. Steven Anderson is owner/dentist with Anderson Dental of Woodstock and East Cobb. 650 Claremore Professional Way, Suite 200, Woodstock. 770-384-8505. DrStevenAnderson.com
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
23
Senator Speaks
Put Yourself in
Someone Else’s Shoes By Senator Bruce Thompson
were under incredible stress representing the desires of their respective leaders and countries. Some shared that their personal opinions differed from their leaders on many of these matters, and that their time in the U.S. altered their views on many life issues.
A
s a young boy, I remember my grandmother talking to me about a couple of life principles. She stated that most things are not as they seem, and that we should try to put ourselves in another’s shoes before casting judgment. Those are great things to learn, but integrating those principles into our lives is much harder. That became ever apparent recently as my wife and I traveled to New York after being asked to host the U.N. International Prayer Breakfast. This event had over seventy different ambassadors as well as the current and incoming security general in attendance. For the past several months, I felt strongly that the U.S. should pull out of the U.N. I believed the intergovernmental organization comprised of 193 members
24
Woodstock Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018
On the plane ride home, I reflected on the previous two days and the relationships I’d made. I thought about the ambassador who had converted to Christianity while serving in New York yet had to remain silent for fear of being killed and putting his/her family in danger due to this conversion. was dysfunctional and operated more like a country club. My opinion was based upon hearing reports of mass grave discoveries in the Democratic Republic of the Congo this past year, and girls as young as eleven continuing to be married in some of these participating countries. I was afforded the opportunity to have breakfast with many of the ambassadors from several countries. It did not take long for me to realize that my opinion of their country was based upon reports I had read or heard. To my surprise, some of these men and women shared the same concerns about human rights violations, etc. Some of these men and women did not share my faith, but they were deeply devoted to their own faith and their families. These men and women
I also thought about the young wife of an ambassador who attended Bible study as a coping mechanism and refuge from the abuse she suffered at home. This trip completely changed my opinion of our participation in the U.N., as I considered myself in their shoes. If we did not participate, then we would not have the opportunity to develop personal relationships and invest in their lives.
Bruce Thompson is a state senator for District 14, which includes Canton. 404-656-0065. BruceThompsonGa. com
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
D
id you know that Cherokee County is home to two of the largest and best holiday light displays in north Georgia? The Holiday Lights of Hope and the Holiday Lights at Veterans Park are back for their second year. After an overwhelmingly positive response from guests in its inaugural year, the Holiday Lights at Veterans Park will add dozens of displays, lights, music, and more. Guests who remember the enormous American flag and tribute to our military branches will be delighted to see more lights and displays honoring our servicemen and women including a new 25-foot animated, patriotic Christmas tree. This event will continue to benefit local charities including Enduring Hearts, Papa’s Pantry, Veterans of Cherokee County, along with others. Veterans Park is located on Highway 20, five miles east of Canton Marketplace. Also new this year will be the ability to purchase a season pass for Holiday Lights at Veterans Park. This display will run from November 23 through December 31. Continuing its tradition of grand holiday light shows, the Holiday Lights of Hope at Hobgood Park in Woodstock enters its seventh year. It was recently chosen as one of the top ten light shows in Georgia, and one of the top three walk-through events. Benefiting the Anna Crawford Children’s Center, Holiday Lights of Hope has added more lights and a new-and-improved Main Street experience and vendor village. Seasonal concessions, s’mores, and, of course, Santa are mainstays at this event. Holiday Lights of Hope will open December 6 and continue through December 23. For more information on either event, visit HolidayLightsAtVeteransPark.com and HolidayLightsOfHope.com, or see their Facebook pages. Tickets are $10 (ages 14 and under are free) for Holiday Lights of Hope, and admission for Holiday Lights at Veterans Park is $20 per car. Both displays will open nightly at 6:00pm.
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
25
26
Woodstock Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
Book Review BY FARRIS YAWN
I
n today’s hectic, fast-paced world, we all look for ways to slow down a bit, and take a breather. In her new collection of short stories and poems, Anita Roper Foster gives her readers a chance to do just that by sharing a glimpse of a simpler time in the rural south. Her stories are funny, shocking, and at times sad. Foster’s characters come alive in the short time you get to spend with them. From a young girl seeking acceptance from a distant grandmother, to an old-time country healer, to a family taking a rare holiday, you will miss these characters when you finish reading about them.
Fellow southern writer Kathi Harper Hill had this to say about In the Pines: “Whether you want to read about red dirt, mayhaw jelly, Christmas trees cut fresh in the woods, lightning bugs, thunder and lightning or white lightning, funerals, births, how to ‘make do,’ why Jake killed Frank, and (especially) why housework is a bad idea, this book is for you. It goes back to the old days, the not-so-old days, and covers our present day with heartfelt stories and poems. Sweet and funny, this thoughtful book will give you lots of enjoyment, as you stroll through its pages.”
In the Pines is available in hardcover and paperback from Amazon.com and YawnsPublishing.com, or at Yawn’s Publishing in Canton.
Farris Yawn is the owner of Yawn’s Publishing, 2555 Marietta Highway, #103, Canton. 678-880-1922. YawnsPublishing.com
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
27
COVER STORY By Cyndi Braun
Art Jewelers Makes Jewelry Shopping Fun
T
he choices are endless. You can buy jewelry everywhere from chain stores with flashy ads, to retailers that specialize in electronics and clothing, to small family-owned shops. If you want a unique piece of jewelry made by local artisans, Art Jewelers is the place to go. Conveniently located on Highway 92 in Woodstock, Art Jewelers specializes in customdesigned, hand-crafted pieces and unique jewelry. “A lot of life happens here, and that’s one of the joys of what we do,” said Dave Meadows, owner of Art Jewelers. “Family is important to me. I love to see that interaction with customers when they come in as families to create a memory for a child or buy jewelry for an anniversary or an engagement.”
28
Woodstock Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
Designed to Wow With five award-winning artists on staff, it’s no wonder that Art Jewelers has such an impressive selection of one-of-a-kind pieces. Master jewelers offer in-house custom design of rings, pendants, necklaces, cuff links, and anything else you can think of. The custom process starts with a consultation with a designer who guides customers in creating their jewelry. Using pieces in the showroom, catalogs, or the customer’s own research, the designer establishes a base point, so he or she can create something the customer will love. Often, customers like to use generational pieces to create new jewelry. A young man might use a grandparent’s ring to create an engagement ring for his fiancée using a diamond passed down from grandma to grandson. “We share life stories, and we create relationships with everybody who walks through this door,” said Dave. “We recently had a customer whose husband passed away. She decided to create a custom piece with their wedding rings. We were able to take the metal and let her cast it into a new ring. The experience was very meaningful for her and touching for us.” Few jewelers offer the complete design process, start to finish. Art Jewelers does everything in-house, in their Woodstock store, including CAD design, 3D printing, casting, finishing, and setting. Customers are welcome to participate in the process.
No Stuffed Shirts Here Brightly-lit, the showroom is comfortable and welcoming. The unique collections are fascinating to look at and offer a variety of styles and designs. Customers range in age and income level, and the store offers something for everyone. Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
Besides custom work designed inhouse, Art Jewelers sells handmade pieces and unusual pieces created by other artisans.
jewelry and watch repairs, insurance appraisals, laser soldering, stone identification, one-of-a-kind jewelry from local artisans, and much more.
“When we look at outside artisans work, we’re interested in that unique factor. It’s got to fit our vibe here,” said Dave.
“A lot of people are wowed by what we can do here, and that’s always fun. We like helping people and making their dreams come true,” said Dave. “But the best part of being in this business is we get to be part of our customers’ lives. We get to share joyful times with our customers, and they become part of our family.”
Five Generations Strong Dave’s grandson Judah spends many days at the store, observing his family at work. He comes from a long line of jewelers, five generations to be exact. It all started with his great-great grandfather Arthur Meadows, who established the family business in 1926 in Michigan. Art’s sons Gene, Glenn, and Art Jr. continued in the business, passing the craft on to the next generation. The third Meadows generation opened their own stores in Georgia and Florida. Dave Meadows is now passing down the craft to his children, many of whom work in the store.
136 Woodstock Square Avenue Suite 400 Woodstock
Someday, Judah may join the business as well.
ArtJewelers.com
Creating Dreams in Precious Metals Art Jewelers offers hand-fabricated and hand-carved jewelry, ring sizing,
Open Tuesday-Saturday 10:00am-6:00pm
770-924-3133
Facebook - @ArtJewelersOnline Instagram - @Art_Jewelers Pinterest - @ArtJewelers
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
29
Good Savings Habits How to Teach Your Children to Save [Lifestyle] One of the most valuable lessons your child can learn is the importance of saving. Good savings habits can mean a better, more secure financial future. Since children soak up information at an early age, it’s never too soon to start encouraging them to put money in their bank instead of their pocket. So, where do you start? 1. Purchase a piggy bank. A piggy bank can be a fun way to watch the money build up. Tell your child the idea is to fill up the piggy until it has no more room. Talk to him/her about the importance of saving, and explain how more money equals more growth. For older children, a discussion about compounding interest will be a wonderful, beneficial math lesson. 2. Open up a savings account. Once children have filled up their piggy bank, take them to a credit union where they can open a savings account. Have them count their money before depositing it, so they can have a true understanding of its value. Now, you can also reinforce the idea of compounding interest.
30
Woodstock Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018
By Katie Wise
Check with your local credit union, and see how much interest they will pay on your child’s savings account. The more interest they earn, the faster they will see growth. At some credit unions, your child can earn as much as 5.00 percent APY on his/her balance. Over time, as your child sees his/her money growing on its own, he/she will be more enthusiastic about saving. You can even take this opportunity to show your child how much he/she could earn with a higher balance or over a long period of time. 3. Create a timeline. Many children find it hard to grasp the concept of time, so you can help them by providing a timeline. Talk to your child about specific goals for saving, and then set a period of time to reach that goal. Let’s say they want to save $100, and they receive $5 a week in allowance. If they save all their money, it will take twenty weeks to reach their goal. So, start by outlining this on a long piece of paper.
Their savings (starting at $0) will appear on the left, and their goal ($100) will be on the bottom of the right side. Create checkpoints for when they reach 25 percent, fifty percent, and 75 percent of their goal. Now, when they add money to their account, you can illustrate this by drawing a line that shows how much was saved compared to their goal. In addition, you can give them incentive by promising a small reward when they reach certain checkpoints. These are just three ways to help your child learn to save. You know your child and what will work best for him or her. No one will forget the recent recession — we all saw the importance of saving money. If you start teaching your children early, you’ll be developing habits that will serve them well the rest of their life. L
Katie Wise is the Woodstock Financial Center manager at LGE Community Credit Union.12186 Highway 92, Suite 111B, Woodstock. 770-424-0060. KathrynW@LGEccu.org, LGEccu.org
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
31
ArtistProfile BY DAWN MAJOR
INSPIRED. YOU HEAR THAT WORD A LOT. You see “stay inspired” on coffee mugs, T-shirts, and bumper stickers, but what does it actually mean to be inspired? The New Oxford American Dictionary defines “inspired” as having an “extraordinary quality, as if arising from some external creative impulse.” Steven Lester — painter, husband, and father — is someone who has this quality. When asked what inspires him, Lester said, “I don’t want my paintings to look like someone just took a picture. I paint to capture the emotion of a moment. While I paint with my hands, it is my heart that I want to express.” That’s what you see when you look at a Steven Lester painting, whether it’s Matt Ryan poised to throw a football or Evander Holyfield with fists ready, eyes steady, and focused. You see movement; you see energy; and you definitely see what inspires him.
Get
Inspired
Lester’s paintings, like himself, are accessible. He is personable, friendly, and open. A Georgia native, he was born in Decatur and has resided in Canton for the past few years. At an early age, Lester’s family recognized and encouraged him to pursue art. He started out working with pastels and charcoals. While studying at Georgia State University, he focused on visual arts and illustration. Lester has always enjoyed athletics, and he has worked as a commercial illustrator, concentrating his attention on competitive sports. From his work as the creative director for Turner Broadcasting System to serving as vice president, creative director for two international advertising agencies, Lester has enjoyed a successful career as an artist. Although retired from the corporate world, he still works full time, concentrating on painting. Most of his work is commissioned, mainly by individuals, but Lester also does commercial illustrations. In the past year, he has painted portraits of some of our great leaders: Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill, Mahatma Gandhi, Mark Twain, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Billy Graham. Lester loves to travel and makes a point of going to art museums whenever he visits a new city. When asked if he had any advice for other artists, Lester said, “While art takes a certain level of skill, it also requires commitment. Sometimes, you have to table or adjust your dreams to make a living, but it shouldn’t mean giving up on your dreams.” These are wise words from an accomplished artist with a proven track record. For more information on Steven Lester’s art, please visit StevenLesterFineArt.com, StevenLesterSportsArt.com, or StevenLesterPortraits.com.
32
Woodstock Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018
Dawn Major is a student in the MFA creative writing program at Reinhardt University, 7300 Reinhardt College Circle, Waleska. 770-720-5582. Reinhardt. edu/Graduate/MFA-CW/
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
by Artist
Steven Lester
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
33
Want to Become a UGA Master Gardener Extension Volunteer? By Joshua Fuder [HomeLife] I came to Cherokee County as the agriculture and natural resources agent with UGA Extension back in 2015. Since that time, one of the best parts of my job is working with the Master Gardener Extension Volunteers. These folks are a fun and diverse group that have experience living and working all over the world. While their backgrounds and experiences are broad and varied, they are drawn together by a common interest in gardening and an even stronger desire to share their knowledge and give back to Cherokee County in a positive way. Here are a few ways these volunteers give back:
34
Woodstock Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018
•
•
•
•
• •
Answering gardening questions at county fairs, garden centers, flower shows, libraries, farmers markets, and in the Extension office Designing and installing educational demonstration gardens and beautification projects Identifying plant cultural problems, insects, and diseases for home gardeners Teaching communities how to conserve and enjoy their natural resources Educating others about gardening through local seminars Assisting with local school gardens and youth garden clubs
The Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Program is a training and service program offered through county offices of the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Volunteers are trained and certified in horticulture and related areas by faculty of the University of Georgia.
The service component includes a commitment of fifty hours of service in any of our project areas the first year. Following the first year, volunteers are asked to commit to 25 hours a year. This may sound like a lot, but you’d be surprised how easy it is to get these hours when you are working on engaging projects with fellow volunteers. Many of our volunteers finish the year with over one hundred hours! If you love gardening, enjoy learning and sharing your knowledge with others, and want to give back to your community, I would encourage you to apply. Space in the class is limited, and the application deadline for the 2019 class is November 30. For more information, please call the Extension office at 770-721-7803.
Joshua Fuder is an agriculture and natural resources agent at the UGA Cooperative Extension Cherokee County. 770-721-7830. CAES.UGA. edu/extension/cherokee
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
35
Preparing for Colder Weather By Savanna Morrison [Lifestyle]
You spent spring and summer preparing your hair for fun in the sun: you added bright highlights, got a conditioning treatment, and kept your hair away from pools and the ocean. But before you know it, Thanksgiving and Christmas are on the horizon. The holidays mean pictures, and pictures mean making sure we’re taking care of our hair. In autumn and winter, our hair can suffer more than we realize. Without as much moisture in the air, our locks can become dry, brittle, and frizzy. To keep our ‘do looking fresh and healthy during the holidays, here are some steps you can take: MOISTURE
During the summer, we hope for less humidity. During the winter, however, our hair begs for an ounce of moisture. To keep your hair nourished and moisturized, focus on products with lipids and proteins. Lipids stimulate natural oil production, while proteins allow for nourishment to reach the hair follicle. Both of these combined will lock in moisture that your hair needs without weighing it down.
REVITALIZATION
Our hair can start looking as dull and bleak as the winter weather around us. Both coconut and argan oil are perfect remedies for hair that needs a little pick-me-up. These oils add shine and moisture to your hair, leaving it smooth and full of life. They also help with a dry, itchy, and imbalanced scalp. Coconut oil has antibacterial properties, aiding in the actual health of your hair and scalp, while argan oil acts as a UV protectant. Not only can you protect your hair from the factors you can control, you can also protect it from the factors you can’t control.
GROWTH AND STRENGTH
Hair can sometimes stagnate in growth during the winter, and we can also find ourselves shedding much more than usual. To help promote hair growth and strength, focus on products with biotin and creatine. Both biotin and creatine are naturally occurring compounds that promote growth by penetrating the follicle and adding the protein back into your hair. By strengthening the follicle itself, the hair becomes less prone to split ends and breakage. Biotin and creatine also help regrowth come in healthier and stronger.
A FRESH HAIRCUT
Though a new haircut can be daunting, making sure your hair is healthy and properly trimmed will offer a world’s worth of magic to your look. Much like a flower needs pruning, your hair needs trimming! This allows for nutrients to work their magic by nourishing the hair that is healthy rather than trying to overcompensate for the unhealthy hair at your ends.
The year is coming to a close, but that doesn’t mean we have to give up on our hair goals. Maintaining hair health is important because when your hair feels good — you feel good! L
Savanna Morrison is an experience coordinator at Jyl Craven Hair Design of Canton. 770-345-9411. JylCraven. com
36
Woodstock Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
When CCSD initially undertook the change of calendar for the academic year, it was hard for some folks. But for many, it was a great help. For example, students of divorced parents no longer had to try to cram separate family vacations during one week of spring break because there was now a fall break.
A Return to the
Three-Month Summer Break for CCSD? By Lisa-Marie Haygood [AcademicLife] Recently, the Georgia State Legislature made intonations about voting for a school calendar that would start back later in the fall, closer to Labor Day all around the state. The notion was that it would be helpful for our commerce — like parks and recreation, Six Flags, White Water, Stone Mountain, etc.
Cherokee County School District (CCSD) administrators devised a survey and sent it out to all parents, asking them about their calendar preferences, and to no surprise, they largely wanted our calendar to stay like it is. Cherokee County students and parents covet their fall and winter breaks, and many families enjoy savings on travel, cooler temperatures, and smaller crowds at beaches, parks, and attractions.
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
Also, longer summer breaks equate to a longer stretch of time outside the classroom, making it tougher to retain things students have already learned, so more time will have to be spent at the beginning of the new school year refreshing/relearning concepts that were already taught. CCSD is fortunate to have a superintendent who took the time to listen to the families he serves. Hopefully, elected officials listened to their constituents as well. It would be great if the legislature chooses to continue to allow local school districts to make the best decisions for their students, leaving control of Cherokee schools in the hands of locals, not the state house.
Lisa-Marie Haygood is the executive director for the Cherokee County Educational Foundation. 770-704-4213. CherokeeCountyEducationalFoundation.org
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
37
Photos courtesy of Cassandra Bickel
38
Woodstock Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
Dental Health and Your Teenager By Vishant Nath, D.M.D.
[HealthyLife] So many changes occur in our children, as they reach the teenage years. Of course, these changes include physical, emotional, and psychological progressions, as they transition from childhood to adulthood. Many aspects of their lives go through an evolution, and dental health can be affected by these changes. Oral Piercings The decision to undergo any type of body piercing should not be made lightly. Piercings always require adequate care and upkeep in order to avoid infections or other complications. Oral piercings are not an exception to this rule. Piercings of the lip, tongue, cheeks, or any other part of the oral cavity often lead to infection, pain, swelling, or even nerve damage. In addition, oral piercings can damage gums, teeth, or fillings due to the interaction of the piercing with these areas of the mouth. That piercing might
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
look super cool, but is it really worth the side effects that it will most likely lead to in the future? Vaping/Juuling Vaping/juuling seems to be all the rage these days, and our teen community is right in the middle of it. This type of smoking – let’s call it what it is – can be harmful to overall health in a multitude of ways. Your teen may not be impressed with the negative side effects of this habit, but let’s talk about how it effects oral health. Vaping leads to chronic bad breath, redness/bleeding gums, and recession of gums, which leads to sensitivity. Depending on the type of liquid used with the vape pen, it can still include nicotine. Not only is nicotine an addictive substance, but it decreases blood flow,
which interferes with the mouth’s normal ability to fight bacteria. Since bacteria is responsible for tooth decay, one of the long-term effects of vaping is tooth loss. We all know appearance seems to become more important during the teenage years. Perhaps sharing some of the negative impacts to overall appearance may positively influence the decisions our young adults make. The teenage years can be when we develop habits (good and/or bad) that affect the rest of our lives. If teenagers make oral health care a priority, it will stay with them into adulthood.
Dr. Vishant Nath is the owner of Canton/Alpharetta/Roswell Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics. 678-352-1090. KidsHappyTeeth.com
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
39
Community Partner
Cherokee Veterans Community (CVC) was originally established in January of 2017, and it is the veteran’s ministry of First Baptist Church Woodstock (FBCW) on Highway 92. CVC was started by Marine Sergeant Tim King, a ten-year veteran with two tours in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, four years in Japan, and he rounded out his military career as a recruiter in Atlanta. After leaving the military, Tim started having difficulties with many issues that he needed to resolve, but he couldn’t easily find the support he needed from either the VA or civilian institutions, so he moved forward with a God-inspired vision to form the CVC. The CVC provides several services, including its primary service, the veteranonly peer support groups that meet every Thursday evening in FBCW’s building A, rooms 260, 261, and 263. These groups offer support for post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) issues due to military service as well as everyday life issues that sometimes prevent a person from moving forward. These groups are for male and female veterans, and they meet separately because each group’s needs are unique. The CVC also partners with other organizations that serve veterans and their families. Some of those partnerships include Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program (CCHVP), Vet Life Community, and United Military Care. All these groups have one mission and purpose: to serve and help veterans and their families. Additionally, the CVC partners with organizations that physically assist veterans who, for whatever reason, are having difficulty with the upkeep of their homes. The CVC partners with local
40
Woodstock Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018
churches and civic organizations to complete necessary repairs, which allows several non-veteran groups to give back to those who have served their country. CVC Director David Snyder said, “Because of the name (of the ministry), some people think the ministry is only for veterans.” Snyder desperately wants the community to understand that this is not the case. He said, “As with any ministry, volunteers are needed to provide a wide array of services, and the only thing needed to get involved is a heart for service to our veterans.” Snyder also added, “Cherokee Veterans Community is making a difference in the lives of our veterans because I see them come in closed and protective, and within a few weeks, they start engaging and sharing their stories that help other veterans. That’s proof positive.” The CVC has a two-part motto: “We are standing strong shoulder to shoulder and we are stronger standing together than when we are standing alone.” The veterans in CVC say that the motto is not just words to them — it’s their purpose.” For more information about how to get involved, whether veteran or civilian, email VeteransMinistry@fbcw.net, visit CherokeeVeteransCommunity.org, or call 678-494-2680.
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
41
Photos courtesy of PhotoJack.net
42
Woodstock Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
43
2018 Gift Guide
Main Street Nails
Leaning Ladder
Where will most of your guests linger at your in-home party? Your kitchen, of course! If you are the lady or gentleman chef of your kitchen, your wardrobe will be unquestionably classy and include a “Kitchen Boa.” Leaning Ladder has the boa you’ll want to be seen in! Come by and choose yours! 105 E. Main Street, Woodstock 678-401-2609 LeaningLadderOliveOil.com
Treat yourself at Main Street Nail before the holiday rush! Dazzle Dry is the only quick-drying, long-lasting, natural nail care system of its kind. It uses a signature four-step process to strengthen nails, protect against abrasion, dry in just five minutes, and last up to three weeks without the use of UV light. Main Street Nail is a Safe Concept Salon that is Advanced Nail Technician and Medical Nail Technician certified.
44
127 E. Main Street, Woodstock 770-928-2662 MainStreetNailStudio.com
Massage Geeks Treat yourself and those you love to a therapeutic massage! The stresses of the holiday season will slip away. Massage Geeks tailors each massage to your unique needs, whether focused on injury/pain recovery or relaxation. Here’s a merry offer: $20 off all gift certificates with promocode HOLLY18. Purchase in person or online.
Woodstock Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018
8744 Main Street, Suite 103, Woodstock I 470-599-0899 I www.Massage-Geeks.com
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
,
Salon • Spa Venessa This holiday season, give the gift of wellness and beauty. Salon Spa Venessa’s holiday spa packages will restore balance and bring peace and harmony to anyone on your holiday list. Spa packages include massage, facial, and body treatments, and may be purchased online or at the Spa’s guest services desk.
8516 Main Street, Woodstock 770-591-2079 SalonVenessa.com
Three Sisters Gifts &&& Home Accemts
Make her Christmas merry with BRIGHTON Jewelry from Three Sisters Gifts! You’ll find the perfect piece of jewelry for every woman on your Christmas list! Choose earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets, charms, and watches from this complete line of beautifully crafted fashion jewelry. Complimentary gift packaging is always included. 6205 Hickory Flat Highway, Canton 770-345-3090 GiftShopCanton.com
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
Fire Stone Wood Fired Pizza & Grill The holidays are fast approaching! Celebrate the season with family and friends by sharing a delicious meal at Fire Stone. Indulge in seasonal dishes including their famous tabletop s’mores! Enjoy this traditional combination of a Hershey chocolate bar, marshmallows, graham crackers, and a chocolate dipping sauce — the perfect treat to enjoy on cool winter evenings. 120 Chambers Street Woodstock 770-926-6778 FireStoneRestaurants.com
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
45
2018 Gift Guide Gondolier Italian Restaurant and Pizza
With the holidays fast approaching, Gondolier’s catering menu is perfect for any gathering! Celebrate by enjoying a taste of Gondolier at your next family dinner or work lunch. No event is too big or too small. Savor authentic Italian flavors delivered fresh to your holiday party or event!
Canoe
Choose a unique, hand-crafted item made in Georgia from Canoe. These one-of-a-kind fold overs come in two sizes: small for $20 and medium for $40. They make the perfect stocking stuffer or holiday gift item. There are many to choose from. Come pick your favorite! 450 Chambers Street, Woodstock • 770-693-9346 CanoeLook.com
10029 Highway 92, Suite 112 Woodstock 770-516-6292 GondolierWoodstock.com
Fun Finds & Designs This holiday season, do you want to give a gift that literally keeps on giving? Check out Fun Finds & Designs “Giving Bowl”! Fill it with some of your favorite items to pass on to someone as a gift, and the recipient will then add their favorite items to the Giving Bowl to give to someone else, and this process is continually repeated! 2765 Marietta Highway, Canton • 770-704-0448 • FunFindsAndDesigns.com
46
Woodstock Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
47
Photos courtesy of PhotoJack.net
48
Woodstock Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
5
QUESTIONS
to Ask Your Facelift Surgeon
Facelift surgery can take [HealthyLife] years off your appearance. Here are a few questions patients frequently ask during their preliminary appointment:
What is the best age for a facelift? Everyone is unique, and age isn’t as much a factor as is your overall health. Also, depending on lifestyle and genetics, signs of aging become apparent at different times for different people. Because of these factors, facelift patients typically range from forty up to early seventies.
1
How do I know if I’m a good candidate? The facelift procedure addresses issues on the lower two-thirds of the face and neck. If you are concerned about any of the following, you might be a good candidate for a facelift: •Lax facial skin •Loss of muscle tone and facial volume
2
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
•Sagging along the jawline •A tired facial appearance •A lack of youthful chin and neck contours •Wrinkles in the lower face •Deep creases between the base of the nose and the corners of the mouth
What’s the recovery like? Each patient’s experience is different; however, it usually takes from five to seven days for swelling to subside, when patients keep their head elevated as much as possible during this recovery period. Most patients feel comfortable being out in public about two weeks after their procedure.
3
Will I look different afterwards?
4
Often, people are worried that their face will appear “windblown” after surgery. By customizing each procedure to fit the patient’s specific facial structure, this can be avoided. The ideal result is that you
By Drs. Petrosky, Harkins, and Depew
look more rested and youthful rather than like a whole new person.
How can I prepare for facelift surgery? Preparing for your procedure is an essential step. It’s very important to come to the surgery with healthy skin, which you can achieve by using medical-grade skincare products. It’s also important to adjust your medication according to your doctor’s recommendations, avoid nicotine products, and arrange for a friend or family member to drive you to and from Drs. Petrosky and Harkins are board-certified plastic surgeons, surgery and and Dr. Depew is a board-eligible stay with you plastic surgeon at Plastic Surgery for the first Center of the South. 770-421-1242. 24 hours. PlasticSurgeryCenterOf TheSouth.net
5
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
49
50
Woodstock Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
Quotables “I saw old Autumn in the misty morn stand shadowless like silence, listening to silence.” -Thomas Hood
“Look at yourself as a color. You may not be everyone’s favorite, but one day you will meet someone who needs you to complete their picture.”
“Do you not see how necessary a world of pains and troubles is to school an intelligence and make it a soul?” -John Keats
-Unknown
“My sorrow, when she’s here with me, / Thinks these dark days of autumn rain / Are beautiful as days can be; / She loves the bare, the withered tree; / She walks the sodden pasture lane.” -Robert Frost
“The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness.”
“Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.” -Henri Frederic Amiel
“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn, or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.” -Denis Waitley
-Dalai Lama
“We cling to our own point of view as though everything depended on it. Yet our opinions have no permanence; like autumn and winter, they gradually pass away.” -Zhuangz
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
51
a s e d i v o r P y l i m a F The Elder d e e N n i n e r d l i h C r o f Respite
Respite foster parents become like an aunt and uncle figure to foster youth. As a respite foster parent, you can have an incredible impact on a foster child without the full-time commitment of having them live in your home. In addition to the impact on the child, respite care allows foster parents to take a breather and recharge. Greg and Virginia Elder have been respite foster parents with Goshen Valley for over two years. They wanted to share their story in hopes that it will inspire others to volunteer to be respite foster parents. Greg says that he and Virginia “became interested in foster care after attending the Cherokee Homecoming panel discussion in early 2016. At this event, we learned that there were over 100 children from Cherokee County in foster care who were having to be housed outside of Cherokee due to a lack of foster parents within the county, and that siblings were being spilt up in the process.” “After some discussion, prayer, and discernment, we determined that our schedules would not permit us to be full-time foster parents,” Greg added. Then, the Elders learned about respite foster care.
e Elders “We love that th mories are creating me nd we are with our kids, a families in need of more ving this interested in ha er child” impact on a fost
52
Woodstock Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018
The Elders also learned that full-time foster parents need a break from time to time, and that there are obstacles to traveling out of state with foster children. Respite foster care was a solution that kept full-time foster parents from burning out. Knowing that there was already a shortage of full-time foster parents in Cherokee County, Virginia and Greg decided that respite foster care was a way they could help. With grown
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
children and two empty bedrooms, the Elders began to feel God calling them to move towards respite care. “Our first placement was a teenage boy, who we kept for around a week. Since we both still work full time, we were grateful that Goshen Homes had an agreement with the YMCA where we could take him during the day. The evenings were filled with several adventures including a Braves game, fishing at a nearby pond, and watching fireworks from a boat on the 4th of July. We enjoyed our time with him and were sad to see him go, as he returned to his full-time foster family. Our time since then has included older boys, and more recently — two sisters. We’ve kept them twice now, and they have captured our hearts,” Greg said. The Elders have taken in numerous foster youth on respite, and they are amazing at creating memories that the kids will carry for a lifetime. They often end up taking the kids to their first ever Braves game, and the Elders say that they love seeing the kids’ faces light up when taking in such a great first-time experience. “We love that the Elders are creating memories with our kids, and we are in need of more families interested in having this impact on a foster child,” stated a representative from Goshen Valley. When asked what he would tell someone considering respite fostering, Greg said, “These children deserve and need a loving environment. Their full-time foster parents need a breather from time to time. As a respite foster care parent, you control your schedule, and the Goshen Team supports you in every way possible. Your commitment is whatever you make it, whenever you can make it.” To sum it up, Greg describes respite care as being “well suited for busy, working couples who have a little extra room in their homes, their schedules, and in their hearts for children who need to know that others care.”
If you are interest ed in joining the Elders and ot her amazing families providing respite care to the Goshen Homes foster parents, there will be an interest meeting at the Canton YMCA on Novem ber 15 at 6:00pm . You may also visit GoshenValle y.org/homes to learn more.
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
53
Ribbon Cuttings, Ground Breakings, and Celebrations
CherokeeChamber.com
First Choice Haircuts, LLC 9550 Main Street, Suite 100 Woodstock 678-324-1293 Hair Salon
SpeeDee Oil Change, Tires, & Auto Care
3610 Marietta Highway Canton 678-235-9883 Automobile Repair and Service Center
Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp.
InWdstk.org 54
Woodstock Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018
(Benefiting Serenade Heights, Inc.) 481 East Main Street Canton 770-224-6822 Nonprofit Organization
Patrick Ridley State Farm
225 Creekstone Ridge, Office #22 Woodstock 866-912-4800 Home Loans
For information on upcoming events, please visit
Transitions Resale Boutique
101 Mountain Brook Drive, Suite 104 Holly Springs 770-213-7514 Insurance and Financial Services
Reformation Brewery 105 Elm Street Woodstock 678-341-0828 Brewery
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
Photos courtesy of Studio 660
Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake
WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM
55
Anderson Dental
23
Art Jewelers
Cover, 28-29
Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates
13
Bug You No More
34
Burns Law Group
5
C & T Auto Service
41
Canoe 51 Cherokee Breast Care
Inside Front
Cherokee County Historical Society
35
Cherokee County Senior Services
26
Cobb EMC
35
Darleen Prem Photography
49
Dawn Sams, Realtor
35
DMG Creative
41
Elm Street Cultural Arts Village
27
Fire Stone Wood Fired Pizza & Grill
18
Foot & Ankle Reconstruction
31
of North Georgia Fun Finds & Designs, LLC
18
Gondolier Italian Restaurant and Pizza
47
Goshen Homes
41
Holiday Lights of Hope and Holiday Lights at Veterans Park
25
IN WDSTK
26
Intrepid Fallen Heroes
31
Jingle Bell Shop
47
Jingle Mingle
34
Jyl Craven Hair Design
3
Landscape Matters
56
LGE Community Credit Union
Inside Back
Maple Leaf Lawn Care and Pest Control
47
Massage Geeks
31
Malon D. Mimms Doubles Pickleball Tournament
52
Masterpiece Framer
48
North Georgia OB/GYN Specialists
13
Northside Cherokee Pediatrics
15
Northside Hospital Cherokee Northside Radiation Oncology
1 Inside Front
Outdoor Living, Indoor Comfort, LLC
6
Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
7
and Dentistry at Canton Perimeter North Medical Associates
5
Plastic Surgery Center of the South
39
Salon Spa Venessa
25
Summit Financial Solutions
21
Three Sisters Gifts
25
Toys for Tots Parade
43
WellStar Health System Woodstock Pediatric Medicine
56
Woodstock Family Life | NOVEMBER 2018
Back Cover 37
Over 30,000 Each Issue, Every Month
POSTAL CUSTOMER
PRSRT STD ECRWSS US Postage
PAID
Stone Mountain, GA
Permit #1037