Woodstock Family Life 12-16 by Family Life Magazines

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Contents

December 2016

Volume 4 | Issue 5

28-29 On the Cover:

Live Clean, Inc.

38-39 Lucky 13

An Adoption Adventure

48-49

Loco for Cocoa Hot Chocolate Recipes

[28-29]

[48-49] [38-39]

Woodstock Family Life | DECEMBER 2016

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

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

....................... Business Life

................ Woodstock Minute

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

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

......................... Taste of Life

......................... Artist Profile

......... Main Street Woodstock

.................... Ribbon Cuttings

Publisher’s Perspective

s they learn to walk, toddlers are known to “toddle,” clumsily propelling themselves forward, often on the verge of taking a spill. No one is born with all the necessary abilities and skills needed to take one step at time when learning to walk. Many of us still struggle with this concept in other areas of our lives. As we grow, we learn that balance is key, not only for walking, but for many of life’s obstacles. Over time, we come to understand that there will be challenges placed before us, and in the long run, it is our responsibility to muster the drive to overcome them.

“God’s trials are meant to customize us and help us become the person we are intended to be,” said Dr. George Anderson. Faith is what we need more of each day. Faith in the realization that if we try our best, if we believe, if we focus, that whatever the sum of our struggles may be, we will be better in the end. Find resolve; develop a backbone. The understanding that success comes from within us is vital to accepting what is placed before us.

Laurie Litke Laurie@FamilyLifePublications.com SALES Janet Ponichtera Janet@FamilyLifePublications.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Steven Anderson, Jessica Asbell, Atlanta Hand Specialist, Sen. Brandon Beach, Kyle Bennett, Paul Bodrogi, Chris Bryant, Rick Cheney, Cobb EMC, Michael Consoli, Rajayne Cordery, Jyl Craven, Natalie del Valle, Anna Katheryn Duquette, Jessica Fowler, Joshua Fuder, Corey Harkins, Lisa-Marie Haygood, Cameron Johnson, Nathan Kaller, James E. Leake, Kelly Marulanda, Pamela Marquess, Robbie Matiak, Tim Morris, Anthony Musarra, Vishant Nath, Michael Petrosky, George Williams

Family Life Publishing Group, Inc. 150 North Street, Suite A 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 25,000, direct mailing over 23,000 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. Woodstock Family Life magazine is not responsible for errors and omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher.

Woodstock Family Life | DECEMBER 2016

e r ec y c le

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

Recently, I was fortunate to hear a message from a pastor about two boys and their attempt to set a scarecrow upright. They would prop the scarecrow up, and it would fall. They would straighten it up, and it would slouch forward; this happened again and again. One of the youngsters soon realized

Often, it is our technique that handicaps us, so let us concentrate on the game instead of the other players. Set a goal for your next step, not your final step, and push ahead. We may grow weary and need to temporarily push aside whatever we are struggling with to lean on a friend, our family, and most importantly, our faith to regain the strength and the diligence to persevere.

ART Candice Williams Candice@FamilyLifePublications.com

that the scarecrow needed something “inside of him” to hold him upright. We need that, too. We each need “something inside” that keeps us on task and moving forward.

EDITORIAL Julie Senger Julie@FamilyLifePublications.com

m ag a zi

~ Lucille Ball

PUBLISHER/PHOTOGRAPHER Jack Tuszynski Jack@FamilyLifePublications.com

Ple

“One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn’t pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself.”

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Calendar 8-23

dECEMBER

1-18

Santa Mail — Drop off letters to Santa! Santa’s Mailbox will be in the gazebo at the Park at City Center, 101 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000. WoodstockGa.gov

adult time! Register in advance! Space is limited. Ratio of staff to children is 1:10. 5:30-10:00 pm, Cherokee Aquatic Center, 1200 Gresham Mill Parkway, Canton. 678880-4760. CRPA.net

1-22

9-24

Members Holiday Art Show The Holidays are quickly approaching, and there is no better time to pick out some gifts for your loved ones. There will be a wide variety of artwork and crafts for sale, and all pieces will be under $100. Tuesday-Friday 11:00-5:00 pm, Saturday 12:00-5:00 pm, Cherokee Arts Center, 94 North Street, Canton. 770-7046244. CherokeeArts.org Coffee & Connections — Coffee & Connections provides the Chamber’s newest members with the opportunity to learn more about the Chamber, its programs and benefits. Committee activities and volunteer opportunities are highlighted. Attendees also learn about their fellow new members. 9:00 am, Chamber of Commerce Board Room, 3605 Marietta Highway, Canton. 770-345-0400. CherokeeChamber.com

Parent’s Night Out — Drop off your children in a fun, safe environment for a few hours, so you can have some

Woodstock Family Life | DECEMBER 2016

A Christmas Carol — A Christmas Carol is rich with thrilling ensemble music, alive with color and movement and is created to tell this great and enduring Dickens tale in a manner that people of all ages will enjoy. Fridays/Saturdays 7:30 pm, Sundays 2:00 pm, December 24 2:00 pm. City Center Auditorium, 8534 Main Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. ElmStreetArts.org

Meet Santa Claus! — This is a free event for the community, and children can also have their picture taken for free. Cookies and refreshments will be provided. 10:00 am-12:00 pm, BB&T Branch Banking & Trust, 936 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock. 770-308-7909. BBAndT.com

Swim with the Grinch — The Grinch will be visiting the Cherokee County Aquatic Center! The cost is $10.00 per child and includes pictures with the Grinch, a goodie-bag, open swim and pool games! Registration is available online or at the aquatic center. Advanced

Anna Crawford Holiday Lights of Hope — The Holiday Lights of Hope is a large-scale, walk-through event, with almost two million holiday lights. The event includes a mixture of traditional holiday lights with animated displays including a 30-foot Christmas tree, 17-foottall reindeer, 15-foot-tall snowman family and even a replica of the Eiffel Tower. Parents and children can get lost in the mile-long maze of bright Christmas lights. Enjoy their Main Street, as it comes to life with holiday décor. Visit the Home Depot field, as they compete for the best holiday village. Families can have their pictures taken with Santa every night in the Santa Village. Shop with unique vendors in the Vendor Village. Opens at 6:00 pm, Hobgood Park, 6888 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock. 678-504-6388. HolidayLightsOfHope.com

registration is recommended. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a paid/supervising adult. Any children who are non-swimmers or are in a lifejacket must have a parent in the water within arm’s reach of them. 1:00-3:00 pm, Cherokee Aquatic Center, 1200 Gresham Mill Parkway, Canton. 678-880-4760. CRPA.net

Power Hour — Come for an hour of fast-paced networking with fellow business leaders as well as Chamber Chairman of the Board Steve Garrison, Jr. and Chamber President/CEO Pam Carnes. Before the hour ends, you will have a chance to share about your business or organization for all to hear. 10:00 am, Chamber of Commerce Board Room, 3605 Marietta Highway, Canton. 770-345-0400. CherokeeChamber.com

Mother’s Morning Out — Drop off your children in a fun, safe

26- 15 JAN

DEC

Christmas Tree Chip & Dip — Throw away your Christmas tree the environmental way! Bring your tree to be fed into the chipper, and the following week, bring a shovel any time during park hours to “dip” into the free mulch! 8:00 am- dusk, Olde Rope Mill Park, 690 Old Rope Mill Park Road, Woodstock.770-517-6788.

environment for a few hours, so you can have some adult time! Register in advance! Space is limited. Ratio of staff to children is 1:10. 10:00 am-2:00 pm, Cherokee Aquatic Center, 1200 Gresham Mill Parkway, Canton. 678-880-4760. CRPA.net

Once Upon a Dive-In Movie — Come to the indoor pool for a night filled with floating and movie fun. Floats will be available for use, or you can bring your own noodle or clear inner tube. 6:00 pm, Cherokee Aquatic Center, 1200 Gresham Mill Parkway, Canton. 678-880-4760. CRPA.net

Scan to submit your upcoming event!

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Library Events SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org Hickory Flat 2740 East Cherokee Drive, Canton, 770-345-7565 Rose creek 4476 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock, 770-591-1491 Woodstock 7735 Main Street, Woodstock, 770-926-5859

Holiday Extravaganza: A Night with Santa and Mrs. Claus December 5, 6:00-7:30 pm, Hickory Flat A fun-filled evening, including a tree lighting, crafts, face stamping and entertainment by the Avery Elementary Chorus. Bring your camera, and take pictures of visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Refreshments will be served.

Feeder Frenzy Craft December 12, 11:00 am, Woodstock Make a birdfeeder to keep our feathered friends full during the chilly winter days. This program is for toddlers.

Pinterest Family Edition December 7, 4:00-5:00pm, Woodstock Join us as we make holiday-themed bookmarks. This program is suitable for all ages.

Snowman Craft December 13, 10:30 am, Rose Creek Build a snowman without having to go outside in the cold. Socks, stuffing and decorations provided for participants. Ages 16 & up are invited to register for this holiday program.

Holiday Celebration December 8, 5:30-6:30 pm, Rose Creek Enjoy holiday festivities this season with the children’s choir from Bascomb Elementary. There will be crafts, face painting and a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus! Bring your camera for the perfect holiday photo! All ages are welcome.

Polar Express Read Aloud December 14, 6:00 pm, Hickory Flat December 15, 6:30 pm, Woodstock Bring your blanket, and wear your best pajamas! Our favorite conductor will be on hand to give you a ticket to an evening of music, crafts, photo ops and refreshments. This program is for all ages.

Ugly Holiday Sweater Party December 8, 6:00-7:45 pm, Woodstock Wear your tackiest holiday sweater or t-shirt, and enter our contest, design an ugly sweater cookie, and make a holiday craft. This is for 6th-12th graders.

Tai-Chi December 15, 5:30 pm, Rose Creek All fitness levels are welcome. Loose fitting clothing and flat shoes are suggested.

STEM Holiday Lights December 9, 4:30 pm, Woodstock Come for a STEM project of studying circuits by using Christmas lights. This program is for children ages 9-12.

American Girl Club December 16, 4:30 pm, Woodstock Children are welcome to join the American Girl Club and bring their doll. Play a Victorian-era game, and make a craft. This is for ages 7-12.

LEGO Club December 10, 3:00-4:00 pm, Rose Creek December 18, 3:00-4:30 pm, Woodstock Children can work alone or in teams to make their special creations, which will be displayed in the library until next month’s program. All ages are invited. Ages 9 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Jewelry Making for Beginners December 12, 6:00 pm, Hickory Flat Discover the jewelry artist in you while learning basic jewelry making and design. Make a great bracelet! A limited selection of beads will be available, or you may bring your own. Large beads do not work for this project. Space is limited, and registration is required.

Woodstock Family Life | DECEMBER 2016

Pilates and Prevention December 19, 6:30 pm, Hickory Flat Come and participate in a fun Pilates class, and learn how to prevent illness and disease through proper nutrition and mind/body exercise. Bring your yoga mat or towel. Consult with your physician before beginning any exercise regimen. Holiday Movie December 20, 1:00-3:00 pm, Hickory Flat Get in the Christmas spirit by coming to watch this G-rated, Muppet holiday classic. All ages are welcome. Refreshments will be served.

Sunnyside Church of God

2510 E Cherokee Drive, Woodstock 770-693-1018 December 24, 5:00 pm “Illuminate” candlelight communion and music

Timothy Lutheran Church and School

556 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 770-928-2812 December 7 & 14, 7:30 pm Wednesday night Advent services are preceded by a family dinner at 6:30 pm December 11, 10:00 am Christmas Contata featuring Timothy’s Music Ministry December 24, 5:00 pm & 7:30 pm Christmas Eve services, candlelight services with Holy Communion December 25, 10:00 am Christmas Day service with Holy Communion January 1, 2017, 10:00 am New Year’s Day service with Holy Communion

Woodstock First Baptist 11905 GA-92, Woodstock 770-926-4428

December 9, 8:00 pm; December 10, 6:00 pm; December 11, 3:00 pm Atlanta Christmas Musical — visit AtlantaChristmasMusical.com for more information.

Church Listings

December 24, 3:00 pm Christmas Eve service December 25, 11:00 am Christmas Day service

Rising Hills Church Mountain Road Elementary School 615 Mountain Road, Woodstock RisingHillsChurch.org

Woodstock City Church

December 24, 3:00 pm Christmas Eve service at Mountain Road Elementary School.

December 23, 5:00 & 7:00 pm December 24, 9:00 am, 11:00 am & 1:00 pm Christmas services

Happy Holidays!

150 Ridgewalk Parkway, Woodstock 470-689-6000

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Business

WellStar Health System has announced plans to

85,000 square feet of space, phase I will include physician

begin construction on the WellStar Cherokee Health Park.

offices, medical imaging, urgent care, a sleep center, cardiac

The nearly $80 million facility will serve as a one-stop-shop

diagnostics, lab outreach and physical therapy.

for patients, providing convenient access to world-class healthcare. Construction is slated to begin in late summer

WellStar has pioneered the concept of health parks in

2017, with an anticipated completion date late in 2018.

Georgia. Health parks are designed to bring outpatient and physician services directly to the community. Residents will

The Cherokee Health Park will be built in two phases, on a 60-

no longer have to endure long drive times, frustrating traffic

acre site at Sixes Road in Holly Springs, just off I-575. With

congestion and multiple trips to access their health services

Woodstock Family Life | DECEMBER 2016

at various locations. By combining and coordinating services under one roof, WellStar is improving patient and family convenience and access to their outpatient care needs.

Diamond Castle of Woodstock offers free jewelry cleaning and inspection to ensure that your jewelry retains its beauty. The store showcases a wide variety of unique and designer pieces to fit any budget. Their in-house master jeweler can custom design engagement rings and bridal bands or special order the perfect piece. Their jewelry repair center is in-house, and they replace watch batteries while you wait. Diamond Castle provides jewelry appraisals in its Woodstock jewelry store on Highway 92, one block west of Main Street, located at 9940 Highway 92. The owner, Ali Aydin, has over sixteen years of experience, and his other location, Canton Jewelry, has been serving the Canton area since 2003. Their Woodstock jewelry staff includes highly trained professionals to help you select the perfect piece of fine jewelry to compliment your style and fit your budget. For more information, please call 770-516-5689, or visit DiamondCastleOfWoodstock.com/about-us/.

No Longer Bound (NLB) is a residential, 12-month regeneration program for men with addiction to drugs and alcohol. NLB makes it their mission to â&#x20AC;&#x153;rescue addicts, regenerate men and reconcile families.â&#x20AC;? No Longer Bound is excited to be entering the Woodstock area with the opening of its new NLB Thrift Store on 1910 Eagle Drive (near Etowah High School). The thrift store is a non-profit, 501(c) (3) organization. It offers an upscale retail environment with a wide variety of affordably priced inventory for your shopping pleasure. Whether you are looking for household items, office furniture or clothing, they have something for every shopper.

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Woodstock Minute

Christmas

s you deck the halls this holiday season, be smart about potential fire hazards! A small fire that spreads to a Christmas tree can quickly become large and out-of-control.

Tree

The Woodstock Fire Department would like to remind you of these helpful tips from the National Fire Protection Association: Picking the tree — Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched. Placing the tree — Before placing the tree in the stand, cut two inches from the base of the trunk. Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights. Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit. Add water to the tree stand each day. Lighting the tree — Use lights that have the label of a recognized testing lab. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use. Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer’s instructions for the recommended number of light strands to connect. Never use lit candles to decorate the Christmas tree. Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

Safety Tips

After Christmas, get rid of the tree, or get rid of the tree once it is dry. Dried-out trees are a fire hazard and should not be left in the home or garage nor placed outside against the home. Check with your local community to find a recycling program. Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent dangers and to make them last longer. The Woodstock Fire Department wishes you and yours a very happy and safe holiday season.

By George Williams George Williams is a sergeant with the Woodstock Fire Department. 770-9262302. WoodstockGa.gov

Woodstock Family Life | DECEMBER 2016

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Christmas Sights By Pastor Chris Bryant

There’s a lot to see at Christmas. Lights, colors and images, religious and secular, are everywhere. But in all that we can see, what should we be sure not to miss? Christmas lights remind us of Christ, who is the shining light of the world, sent to us by God, and His promise that light will always overcome darkness. Christmas greenery, including evergreen trees we put inside our homes, reminds us of everlasting life found in Christ and our victory over death in Him. The sharp, thorny edges of holly, with their deep red berries, remind us of the pain and sacrifice of Christ. The nativity scene illustrates Jesus’ birth.

Woodstock Family Life | DECEMBER 2016

Holiday lights and decorations also connect us with the past, helping us make new memories by reminding us of old ones. That’s part of the reason we like Christmas movies so much, watching the same ones over and over. Through what we see, we feel a nostalgia, a magical, imagined place in time that is seemingly worry-free, with family that loves each other, with gift giving where financial stress isn’t considered and with eating too much without negative consequences. However, experience often fails to measure up to this vision. That’s because the truth is that what we’re

really supposed to see is the miracle of the incarnation, which is just a fancy, religious way of saying that God came into the world through Christ. In other words, the good news isn’t that we escape into fantasy, but that God has joined us in our pain and suffering. The good news is we are not alone, for God is with us. The good news is Christ offers us a better way through the trouble we find around us, even in our own families. That’s some of what we should see when we look around at Christmas, not hope that all can or will be perfect, but hope that as imperfect as life often is, with Christ, it will all be okay.

Chris Bryant is lead pastor at City On A Hill United Methodist Church. 678445-3480. COAHUMC.org

GA Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture Offers $60,500 in Scholarships The Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) Foundation for Agriculture is offering up to $60,500 in scholarships to Georgia students pursuing a degree related to agriculture, veterinary medicine, family and consumer sciences or a related field. GFB has awarded scholarships to students entering college with plans to pursue a career in agriculture or family and consumer sciences since 1959. On a local level, Cherokee County Farm Bureau (CCFB) will award $75 to each high school senior who fills out an application for a college scholarship. CCFB will award two $1000 scholarships to two Cherokee County HS seniors who are pursuing an agriculture-related degree. They will also be awarding additional scholarships for agriculture, technical scholarships for agriculture and UGA College of Veterinary Medicine scholarships. The deadline to apply for scholarships is Feb. 3, 2017. Applications and scholarship eligibility requirements may be obtained from the Cherokee County Farm Bureau office or downloaded at the GFB Foundation for Agriculture website at GFBoundation.org.

Community Feature Energy Assistance Program Now Open for Homebound and Elderly The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program administered by the GA Division of Family and Children services is now open to homebound and elderly households. All households participating in the program must meet the income criteria; be responsible for paying the cost of energy for home heating directly to the supplier, and be U.S. citizens or aliens admitted to the U.S. for lawful, permanent residence. To apply, applicants must bring their most recent heating bill, proof of household income, proof of valid Social Security number, proof of citizenship with a valid picture I.D. and/or alien status. In addition, elderly households must provide proof of age for all household members. Assistance will be in the form of a one-time payment on behalf of the eligible household to help offset the cost of heating their homes. The checks will be issued directly to the home’s energy supplier. Assistance is on a first-come, first-served basis, while funds last. For more information, call 770-345-6351.

Melanie Tugman! Congratulations to our October “7 Differences” winner, Joyce McMichael!

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Community Feature

Georgia National Cemetery Carillon Project The Georgia National Cemetery Advisory Council announces the Carillon Project, a program benefiting the Georgia National Cemetery by installing a bell tower to be located near the entrance of the cemetery. The bell tower will be erected at the front entrance, in the center of the turnaround, adjacent to the Public Information Center of the cemetery. The goal is to install the bell tower by September in 2017. Chime concerts will be scheduled daily, under the direction of the volunteer staff, to accommodate scheduled burials, while keeping the serenity of the cemetery and its surroundings in mind.

Woodstock Family Life | DECEMBER 2016

Adaptive Music Lessons:

Developing New Skills and Targeting Learning Difficulties By Anna Katheryn Duquette, L.P.M.T., M.T.-B.C. Why does my child get so frustrated while practicing his instrument? Why is she not making the progress she should be making? Parents desire for their child to be able to create music and enjoy it. Of course, music therapists desire for the child to be successful, too. Music is a form of selfexpression, which is intended to provide motivation for a child to practice, and practicing develops better musicians.

accordingly. This uses the temporal lobe and the auditory cortex. What about using all ten of your fingers? That requires the use of your primary motor cortex, prefrontal cortex and cerebellum. Eventually, the goal is to be able to play a song without having to look down at the keyboard. That means that you have to engage the parietal lobe, cerebellum and the right hemisphere. Needless to say, there’s a lot of brain activity going on when a child is playing the piano.

Learning to play the piano requires a lot of work from the brain, which is important for parents to understand, as their child is practicing. You have to use your eyes to read the written music. This uses the visual cortex and the occipital lobe. Your ears are there to help you listen to the notes that you are playing, and adjust

It’s important to know what the specific needs of our children are as they learn new skills. Attention, memory, fine motor, hand-eye coordination or auditory processing difficulties may make music lessons more challenging, but all children are able to learn. Chances are, there is a reason why they aren’t sitting still at

the piano for more than thirty seconds. There’s also a reason why they have a difficult time retaining information that we’ve said three times, but these things can be addressed through alternative approaches. Allowing them to get up and move or making visuals for them to see during practice time facilitates the learning process and are just some of the methods music therapists use when necessary.

Anna Katheryn Duquette is a L.P.M.T., M.T.-B.C. at In Harmony Pediatric Therapy. Kristi Estes and Jennifer Puckett are co-owners of In Harmony Pediatric Therapy. 770-345-2804. InHarmonyPediatricTherapy.com

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Community Feature

Sequoyah HS Science Teacher Named CCSD 2017 Teacher of the Year

River Ridge HS Opens Student-Run Coffee Shop River Ridge High School recently celebrated the grand opening of The Knight Stand, a student-run coffee shop. The shop, which is housed in the cafeteria, is operated by special education students, with support from teachers and administrators.

Student Nicole Haustman helps a customer.

CCSD Earns High Approval Rating Marks in Regional Report More than 76% of residents polled rank Cherokee County’s public schools as “excellent” or “good” in a new regional report – the second-highest school approval rating in metro Atlanta. The poll, which was recently published by the Atlanta Regional Commission, found 35.6% of respondents describe Cherokee’s schools as “excellent,” and 40.6% describe them as “good,” for a total that trails only Fayette County. The remainder was split between “fair” (10.8%), “poor” (4.3%) and “don’t know” (8.7%). Residents were polled in thirteen metro counties and in the city of Atlanta.

Cherokee County School District 2017 Teacher of the Year Brian Carnes of Sequoyah High School.

“Chicken farmer” has been a nickname for the poultry industry leader-turnedscience teacher at Sequoyah High School since he made the career change twelve years ago. Recently, Brian Carnes earned a new nickname: Cherokee County School District’s 2017 Teacher of the Year.

“I was very surprised and excited just to be named Sequoyah High School’s Teacher of the Year; it’s such an excellent school. I know all of the great teachers we have in Cherokee County, so this is just kind of overwhelming to me,” said Carnes. The CCSD Teacher of the Year is selected by a panel of community leaders who evaluate applications from each school’s Teacher of the Year. The school winners are selected by their peers. Mr. Carnes will serve as CCSD’s nominee for Georgia Teacher of the Year; the winner will be named in the spring.

“These results affirm what we already know to be true: our students, parents, employees, volunteers, partners and School Board are working together to continuously improve teaching and learning,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said. “We appreciate the support of our community and recognize the confidence placed in our School District. We’re committed to further strengthening our schools and seeing our approval ratings rise to even higher levels.”

Public Education Rating Excellent

Good

35.6

40.6

Fair

Poor

10.8 4.3 8.7

NOTE: Image of rankings chart credit: Atlanta Regional Commission

Woodstock Family Life | DECEMBER 2016

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower surprises Sequoyah HS chemistry teacher Brian Carnes with the news he is CCSD’s 2017 Teacher of the Year.

The Northside-Cherokee Amphitheater at City Center Opens in Woodstock Local performers Mark Wills and Thomas Fountain performed at the amphitheater’s inaugural event to a crowd of over 6000 guests. We at Family Life Publications are thrilled to be sponsors of the upcoming 2017 Concert Series along with other local businesses including City of Woodstock, Northside Hospital-Cherokee, Colby Family Chiropractic, LGE Community Credit Union, Harry Norman Realtors, Outdoor Effects Landscaping, Thomas Eye Group, Astra Group, Inc., Microtel Inn & Suites, Gas South, Buffalo’s Cafe, ERB Industries, Inc., Walmart, Dentistry of Olde Towne, Reformation Brewery, Georgia Power, Momentum Church, WGB Group, Waste Management, Digital Media Group and Tom and Mary Russell. Keep an eye out for the announcement of the 2017 Concert Series schedule in forthcoming Family Life magazines and online at WoodstockConcertSeries.com. Photography by Dwight Philpott and John Humphreys

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Cubital Tunnel Syndrome By Atlanta Hand Specialist Staff Cubital tunnel syndrome is brought on by increased pressure on the ulnar nerve at the elbow. The ulnar nerve passes under a bump of bone on the inner portion of the elbow (medial epicondyle). At this site, the ulnar nerve lies directly next to the bone and is susceptible to pressure. When the pressure on the nerve becomes great enough to affect the way it works, then numbness, tingling and pain may be felt in the elbow, forearm, hand and/or fingers. If this pressure is long-lasting, then permanent damage to the nerve can occur. Causes of cubital tunnel syndrome can include frequently leaning your arm against a table on the inner part of your elbow, having the ulnar nerve at the elbow click back and forth over the bony bump, leading to significant irritation; holding the elbow in a bent position for a long time, and stretching the nerve across the medial epicondyle (this often occurs during sleep); gradual thickening of the connective tissue over the nerve, or there may be variations of the muscle structure over the nerve at the elbow, which causes pressure on the nerve. Symptoms usually include pain, numbness and/or tingling in the ring and little fingers. If this has been present for a long time, you may notice weakness while pinching, occasional clumsiness and/or the tendency to drop things. In severe cases, you may lose complete sensation, and the muscles in the hand may lose bulk and strength. Cubital tunnel syndrome is first assessed by physical examination. The pattern and distribution of your symptoms as well as muscle weakness, irritability of the nerve when tapping and/or bending the elbow and changes in sensation help with the diagnosis. Other conditions, such as

Woodstock Family Life | DECEMBER 2016

thyroid disease or diabetes, must also be considered. An electromyography (EMG) and/or a nerve conduction study (NCS) may be performed to confirm diagnosis, and stage its severity.

Surgical options include: • Traditional open cubital tunnel release (bigger incision) • Minimally invasive endoscopic cubital tunnel release (smaller incision)

Sometimes, symptoms can be relieved without surgery, particularly if the EMG/ NCS testing shows that the pressure on the nerve is minimal.

The minimally invasive surgery achieves the same goal as the traditional open technique, but with a much smaller incision. This is because the surgery is aided by an endoscopic camera and endoscopic instruments. Studies have shown that this technique, with leaving the nerve in the native position, is equally as effective in treating cubital tunnel syndrome as the open technique. However, there are situations when it’s not possible to perform the minimally invasive technique because of the nerve clicking back and forth over the medial epicondyle.

Treatment options include: • Changing the patterns of elbow use • Avoiding putting your elbow on hard surfaces • Wearing an elbow pad over the ulnar nerve and “funny bone” • Keeping the elbow straight at night with a splint • Occupational hand therapy If symptoms are severe or do not improve, you may need surgery to relieve the pressure on the nerve.

Atlanta Hand Specialist is located in Canton, Marietta, Smyrna and Douglasville. 770-333-7888. AtlantaHandSpecialist.com

Senator Speaks

ow that it’s December, people all around Georgia are feeling pressure to purchase gifts for their loved ones. Christmas is a time of celebration, family time and giving. It’s a time for reflection on the year and acknowledging all that has come to pass. Sadly, many forget the true meaning of the season, as they focus on never having or being enough: not enough presents, not enough cards, not enough time. It’s important to remember that kids may not remember the presents years from now, but they’ll always cherish the time you spent with them making cookies, decorating the tree, looking at Christmas lights and teaching them about the spirit of the season.

Remember the

Reason for the Season By Sen. Brandon Beach

The Christmas Season is a celebration of the blessing we received from God in his only son, Jesus Christ. This Christmas, let’s remember to be thankful for our many blessings. It’s important to never take our blessings for granted, and we must always remember the true value of loving friends and family. While there’s no gift we can give that will equal God’s child, our everyday actions can represent true Christian values. When complaining that work is hard and stressful, think about the many people who no longer have an office to complain about. Think about the military men and women who are spending their holidays protecting our nation instead of with their families. Think about the children who do not have a family to love them, let alone shower them with gifts. Remember that success comes in counting blessings, not possessions. Give priceless gifts, like love and time, rather than gifts bought to put under the tree. There are plenty of opportunities for you to share your love with those who need it most this holiday. The Salvation Army created the Angel Tree program, more than thirty years ago, to provide clothing and toys to children at Christmastime. You can find an Angel Tree at malls around the metro Atlanta area. Toys for Tots is another program that provides children

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with toys, and donation centers can be found in many retail locations. If spending money is not an option, you and your kids can write letters to soldiers stationed overseas, thanking them for their service and sacrifice. You can visit the elderly, and spend time talking with them, which will surely make their day. You can volunteer to feed the homeless. The opportunities are abundant, so forget the feeling of “never enough” because you are enough to make a difference to someone this holiday season.

Whether you hang stockings and decorate trees for Christmas; light the menorah, and play a game of dreidel for Hanukkah, or light a kinara for Kwanzaa, this time of year brings happiness and celebration to many families throughout the world.

Brandon Beach is a state senator for district 21, which encompasses a portion of Cherokee County in the Georgia General Assembly.

Is Your Electrical System Ready for the Holidays? With the holiday season rapidly approaching, it’s an important time to make sure that your home electrical system is up for the challenge. You should begin by making sure to change the batteries in your smoke detectors. It’s recommended that you change the batteries in your smoke detectors once every six months. Coincidentally, many people don’t realize that the smoke detectors themselves may need replacing. The U.S. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) issued the following guidelines: “Replace all smoke alarms, including those that use 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they are ten years old or sooner if they do not respond properly when tested.” It’s important to check your smoke detectors, and determine when they were installed or last replaced. Most smoke alarms will have a date on them, so you can verify

By Rick Cheney

when they were manufactured. If you’re unsure of your smoke detector’s age, call a qualified electrical company to come out and check. Smoke detectors are typically hard-wired straight into your home’s electrical system, using a nine-volt battery for backup in case of a power outage. It’s best to have a qualified electrician change out your smoke detectors, so you know they are safely connected to your electrical system. Many people will decorate their homes this holiday season. Using extension cords or pulling too much power from any electrical receptacle could cause unsafe conditions for your family. A qualified electrician can assist you in making your holiday lights safer and more convenient. By adding a weatherproof receptacle outside, you can eliminate the need to

run extension cords through doors or windows. You could also eliminate the need to lay an extension cord across the floor to plug in your tree by adding a receptacle right behind your favorite tree location. By calling a qualified electrician in your area for assistance, you can be sure your home is safe for the holidays.

Rick Cheney is in the purchasing department at H&H Electric and Security, LLC. 770-735-1136. HHElectrician.com

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Eat like

an Italian By Nathan Kaller, D.O.

our health goals. Getting back to that inspirational region of the world, the Mediterranean diet is a very healthy option. It consists of heavy vegetables, fruits, nuts, moderate protein — like seafood — and “good” fats. Eating this way lowers our chances of heart attack, diabetes and more. Then, we exercise. It’s easier said than done; life gets in the way. But not everyone needs to run a marathon. Just 30-60 minutes of activity — a walk around the neighborhood a few times a week — can change your future. A recent patient is a great example. He came in for a routine physical and discovered he had high cholesterol. He took the “Italian Challenge” and was able to bring his cholesterol down to healthy levels, without medication. Small changes in diet rendered huge results.

According to Dr. Nathan Kaller at WellStar Family Medicine, children have more obesity problems now than ever before. Eating habits have changed; exercise has been eliminated from school programs, and kids spend hours curled up on the couch with their electronics. Fit parents are the best hope for our kids. You don’t see the same rates of hypertension, diabetes and obesity in Italy — or overseas in general — as you do in America. More than a third of Americans are obese, and in twenty years, our population is projected to hit a startling obesity level of 50%. Obesity leads to more disease, more time in the hospital and a lower quality of life. It’s important for patients to try to improve their health through lifestyle changes, not just with prescriptions. When patients buy into a lifestyle-change mindset, they feel better physically and mentally, and their health reflects that. We could start by eating like Italians.

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Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean eat lots of pizza. It’s the portion sizes that set us apart from our friends overseas. A “large” serving size in Europe is equal to a “small” in the same fast-food franchise in the U.S. Another lesson from Italy: eat bigger lunches and smaller dinners. Heavier portions earlier in the day provide energy when we need it. We spend the day burning off the calories. Thus, a heavier dinner doesn’t always get burned off because we’re about to go to bed. When it comes to what we eat, if it’s a plant, eat it! If a box claims it comes from a plant, better to leave it on the shelf. Things in boxes are usually highly processed and don’t help us reach

Healthy lifestyle choices clearly mean better health. But it’s important to remember, it’s not just for ourselves. It’s for our children, who have more obesity problems now than ever. Exercise has been eliminated from school programs. Electronics are luring our kids to spend hours on the couch. Fit parents are the best hope for our kids. Just imagine — we can change the obesity epidemic. We can stop diabetes and lower cholesterol. We can reduce heart attack risk. We can make life better for ourselves and serve as incredible role models for our children. Doesn’t that make eating like an Italian worth it?

Dr. Nathan Kaller is a family medicine physician at WellStar Family Medicine – Bridgemill, 3755 Sixes Road, Suite 202, Canton. 770-720-1880.

Book Review by jessica asbell

“If we are brave enough, often enough, we will fall. This is a book about what it takes to get back up,” says Brené Brown about her book, Rising Strong. We’ve all fallen on our face at some point. A relationship goes south; we lose a job, or someone we thought was a friend betrays us. All eyes are on us; there are supporters, yes, but also many critics. So what do we do? We rise; we put ourselves out there; we make ourselves vulnerable. We know it’s the only way to live a wholehearted life. When we’re vulnerable, we open ourselves up to pain, but we also open ourselves up to love and to hope. In Rising Strong, Brown breaks it down into three things: the reckoning, the rumble and the revolution. The reckoning means facing things. We must be honest about our feelings. It’s hard to own our emotions, but it’s the only way to begin healing. And once we own our feelings, Brown says we must rumble with them. We rumble with our stories when we write them down, when we relive our stories, and make sense of what happened. We must rumble with our disappointments, expectations, resentment, heartbreak, grief or whatever it is that happened and how it made us feel. Finally, after we rumble with these things, the revolution begins because we own up to our mistakes and failures. Growth and vitality come, and we are stronger than we were before. So, we tentatively put ourselves out there again. There’s no guarantee that we won’t fall again. In fact, it’s pretty much guaranteed that we will. But we will be stronger and more capable of reckoning with our emotions, rumbling with our stories and our disappointments, and once again, revolution will come. In Rising Strong, Brené Brown gives us the tools we need to move on from our pain, and live wholeheartedly.

Jessica Asbell is an avid reader and a children’s minister. She holds a BBA from Mercer and a Master of Divinity in Christian education from McAfee School of Theology. She’s also a frequent customer at Foxtale Book Shoppe. 770-516-9989. FoxTaleBooks.com

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Welcome to the 21st Century!

Control Your Home’s Temperature From Your Smartphone

More home devices and systems are designed to work together than ever before, largely due to an increasing homeowner demand for connectivity. Honeywell’s Lyric™ product line is perfect for families who have busy, unpredictable schedules. This product is designed to offer easy installation and set-up, and it allows homeowners to control their home’s comfort and remain aware of their home’s environment by providing alerts about any concerns related to possible water issues. The Lyric Round™ Wi-Fi Thermostat is designed to function and operate based on real-time conditions. There are no programs, schedules or complex menus to navigate with the Lyric Round™. The Lyric Round™ thermostat’s function is to simply provide homeowners comfort when they are home and savings when they are away from home. Control on the go, when using the Lyric™ mobile app, gives homeowners location-based temperature control by utilizing their smartphone’s location to adjust temperature settings in their home. By establishing location parameters, they can arrive home to

By Robbie Matiak their customized temperature setting, and their home will be more energyefficient because their system will not be running when they are outside their home-location parameters. The Lyric Round™ Wi-Fi Thermostat will also send maintenance notifications and alerts about extreme conditions in the home to help maintain efficiency and extend the life of HVAC equipment. In addition to the Lyric Round™ Wi-Fi Thermostat, homeowners can also utilize the Lyric™ Wi-Fi Leak and Freeze Detector. Leaks and frozen pipes can cause serious damage to a home. According to the American Insurance Association, the average water leak causes approximately $7,000 in damages for homeowners. The Lyric™ Wi-Fi Leak and Freeze Detector provides peace of mind with a water sensor and can also detect temperatures that could freeze pipes as well as humidity that could damage valuables. The detectors are placed near potential trouble spots such as water heaters, washing machines and underneath sinks. They are battery-operated, lasting up to three years before needing to install new batteries. Each detector links directly to your home’s wi-fi, with no need for hubs or gateways. Each detector comes with a four-foot sensor cable, and additional cables can be joined for up to 500 feet of coverage. The entire

“As we continue to lead fuller and more enriched lives, sacrificing our family’s comfort doesn’t have to be an option.” 26

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cable is water-sensing. Homeowners would receive alerts regardless of where they were, via the Lyric™ mobile app, allowing them time for action while the problem is still measured in drops instead of inches of water. As we continue to lead fuller and more enriched lives, sacrificing our family’s comfort doesn’t have to be an option. Honeywell’s Lyric Round™ Wi-Fi Thermostat and Lyric™ Wi-Fi Leak and Freeze Detector allow homeowners the ability to remain connected and manage their home’s comfort, without the hassle of programs, while providing peace of mind for those with active lifestyles. Robbie Matiak is a project coordinator at R & D Mechanical Services, Inc. 770-917-1795. RandDMechanical.net

Give Your Child the Gift of a Stress-Free Holiday Season By Kelly Marulanda

Hooray! The holidays are upon us! We think about them all year long, plan weeks in advance, make endless lists to achieve the perfect holiday season, and they come and go in the blink of an eye. Then what? We begin the process over by thinking of what we will do different next year to achieve even better results. But maybe we should have different thoughts when it comes to our children during the holidays. The hustle and bustle of parties, family get-togethers, church events, shopping days, cooking, late-night baking and rushing around to get the perfect Facebook picture might be adding

stress to our children. “Children don’t stress,” you say? Oh yes they do! Children can easily become stressed, and they can feel our stress, too. Crying for minor reasons, withdrawal from family/friends, loss of appetite, bedwetting and the inability to sleep are all signs of stress. Here are some helpful hints to help your child have a stress-free holiday: •

•

Remember routines/schedules: Children respond positively to routines/schedules. When routines are broken, children break. Just say “No”: It’s ok to decline five invitations from the twenty you receive. Savor the time to be with your child instead. Nutrition: Excessive amounts of sweets, skipping meals or eating out routinely

•

because you don’t have time to cook are all earmarks of stress. Plan at least one healthy meal daily with your family, and eat it at the table together. Favorite thing: Traveling or going out for the entire day? Take your child’s favorite item with you. This item will lend the comfort of home. Rest: While you’re scheduling your events and to-do lists, schedule time to rest and relax. A well-rested child is a much happier child. Don’t sweat the small stuff: Forgot the marshmallows? Forgot to buy a present? Your lights aren’t twinkling as bright? It’ll be okay. Just don’t forget to give your child sweet memories of a holiday filled with fun and love.

Kelly Marulanda is the practice manager at Woodstock Pediatric Medicine, 2000 Professional Way, #200 Woodstock. 770-517-0250. WoodstockPeds.com

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COVER STORY By Rajayne Cordery

ive Clean. A beautifully simple concept, surprisingly understated. Spit and polished on the outside, their philosophy is that the splendor truly comes from within. The local Canton cleaning company has a unique ideology, with a dedication above the usual scrubbing. It is all about the “shine” reflected in their purpose and their hearts. Their outstanding care, and fine attention to detail, mirrors the company’s reflective philosophy to “Live Clean.” It is truly a calling. It is a sincere belief that you just can’t contain “shine” when it comes from within. Just over 27 years now, Live Clean, Inc. has been tending to the art of keeping homes and businesses looking their 28

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best. Helping Hands, renamed in 2009, has grown significantly, yet it still affords the hands-on, friendly, reliable service on which it was built when Tracey Satterfield began. A local Canton mother who wanted to stay home with her first-born son, Harvey, started modestly, with ONE single customer, and magically, over time, the single customer flourished into a business. Her testament to good will and her excellence in customer service have grown Live Clean into one of the largest cleaning companies in Cherokee County, with over 350 regular customers, they proficiently complete over 700 jobs per month. Live Clean currently has ten crews working their magic across Cherokee County.

The local Canton cleaning company has a unique ideology, with a dedication above the usual scrubbing.

And speaking of magic, Tracey Satterfield earnestly wants this message to reflect what the Christmas spirit is all about…. the magic of the “shine.” A simple, real-life story comes to her mind, and she shares: Back in January of 2010, one of my ladies, Ileana, came to me in tears — sobbing tears. I remember so distinctly, exactly where we were standing — just outside our barn where our business was located before it moved to downtown Canton. You see, Ileana was pregnant, and she and her husband had just returned from her doctor’s visit. She had worked with me for years, but she began to have problems early in her pregnancy. On top of things, the economy was horribly slow. Her husband was out of work, so Ileana was working day and night with me, trying to financially provide for her family. Then, her doctor gave strict orders to put her in bed. Sobbing

tears were flowing, knowing her family would be devastated with no income. She had one daughter at home already. Ileana and I stood in the gravel driveway, both crying, trying to come up with answers or solutions to her needs. The bottom line was…. she had to do what was best for what was inside her— a gift, a blessing. Faithfully, all I could share with Ileana was the only promise I knew to share. The promise that really had no immediate answers or solutions for her. It was just a promise that if she BELIEVED, somehow, someway, things would work out for her and her husband. I encouraged her to imagine the very next January; she would be holding her baby; her family would still be eating, still be sheltered somehow, someway. The only thing I could say, “Just believe!!!” And six years later, Ileana’s second daughter is

beautiful; her family is thriving! When there are no explanations, it is simply the magic of the “shine!!!” Tracey Satterfield shakes her head with the same perplexed, unanswerable questions from people who want to know how did Live Clean grow? Why did Live Clean grow? Where do you find your staff? How do you keep it all going? She says: The only way I know how to answer that is the same way I tearfully answered Ileana. All I know for sure is there is a promise. The promise has no immediate answers but just to believe. We all have to recognize what is within us — a gift, a blessing. Then, faithfully trusting, moving ahead, knowing you just can’t contain “shine!!!” MERRY CHRISTMAS to all from Tracey’s family and the Live Clean family. Go out and spread your “shine”!!!!!!

“We all have to recognize what is within us — a gift, a blessing. Then, faithfully trusting, moving ahead, knowing you just can’t contain “shine!!!”

24 Waleska Street, Suite 100, Canton, GA 30114

Lilia, operations manager • Brandy, scheduling coordinator • Tracey, owner • Jennifer, office manager

770-345-8035 WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM

Affordable Medications Part 1 —

Manufacturer’s Coupons By Pamela S. Marquess, Pharm. D. The key to ensuring that a patient takes a medication as prescribed is to make sure the medication is affordable. Recently, one of our pharmacists had a conversation with a customer. The pharmacist learned that this customer had been prescribed three different medications during the past year to help manage his diabetes. Two of the three medications were available only as a brand name, and a third medication was available as a generic. In this instance, the customer had only taken the generic because that is the medicine that was affordable. The patient had insurance. The two drugs that were only available as a brand name were covered, but they had a very

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high co-pay, an amount that was still not affordable. The patient went to the doctor every quarter for lab work to check his numbers. His numbers were not improving, so the doctor’s protocol was to incorporate another medication, followed by a third medication. The reality was that the patient never took either of the new medications, so his numbers never changed, and he never told the doctor the truth. When the pharmacist learned the real situation through their conversation, he knew how to access the manufacturer’s co-pay cards to bring the patient’s actual cost down to fifteen dollars each. These prices were now affordable! One of the medicines offered the co-pay of $15 for two full years!

The patient can now begin to feel better, have a better quality of life, and the doctor will see a change in his numbers.

Pamela S. Marquess, Pharm. D. is Co-Owner of Woodstock Health Mart Pharmacy, 8612 Main Street, Woodstock. 770-926-6478. WoodstockRX.com

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Taste of by chef Paul Bodrogi

Ingredients 3 oz. cream 7 oz. milk 2 oz. sugar

3 ea. egg yolks 5 oz. chocolate

Preparation 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Bring the cream to a boil. Combine the milk, yolks and sugar in a separate saucepan. Whisk the boiling cream into the egg yolk and sugar mixture. Cook it on low-medium heat until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon but not until its boiling. Remove the mixture from the heat, and stir in the chocolate immediately. Pour the mixture into the bowl of your choice, and let it set. Serve with fresh raspberries and your favorite cookie.

Paul Bodrogi is a pastry chef, Pastry Live event producer and instructor at Chattahoochee Technical College.

Woodstock Family Life | DECEMBER 2016

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Glamorous Peninsula

First-Ever Crystal AirCruise Now Open for Booking LIFESTYLE Crystal announced a new partnership with the Peninsula Hotels for the maiden journey of Crystal AirCruise’s ultra-luxury Boeing 777-200LR jet, taking off on August 31, 2017.

The 27-day Peninsula Grand Inaugural Crystal AirCruise flies from New York to Paris, stopping in ten glamorous cities. Remarkable Peninsula-curated events that depict the authentic spirit of each destination await guests, including four special galas, beginning with a rooftop cocktail reception with the New York skyline as the glittering backdrop; a private party and dinner on the Great Wall of China in Beijing; an over-the-top dinner reminiscent of the glamour of “Old Shanghai” at the Peninsula Shanghai, and a special Loy Krathong “Festival of Lights” celebration at the Peninsula Bangkok. Additionally, in Tokyo, guests will enjoy a private performance of the ancient art of Kabuki, while the conclusion of the program in Paris takes guests on a behind-the-scenes journey and private lunch at a famed Champagne house. In each destination, guests will be treated to the Peninsula’s famous afternoon tea experience. 34

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Travelers aboard the inaugural journey will be treated to truly immersive destination experiences, as each Peninsula Hotel visited boasts authentic, cultural atmosphere and heritage of its location. Destinations and Peninsula Hotels set to enhance this journey of rare privilege include: • • • • • • • • • •

The Peninsula New York The Peninsula Chicago The Peninsula, Beverly Hills The Peninsula Tokyo The Peninsula Beijing The Peninsula Shanghai The Peninsula Hong Kong The Peninsula Manila The Peninsula Bangkok The Peninsula Paris

The grand finale of the journey in Paris is an architectural masterpiece, as the hotel’s rooftop affords a 360-degree perspective of the city. Surprise events showcasing the romance, history and culinary arts will conclude the guests’ journey. As an introduction to each city, The Peninsula will arrange for a special welcome cocktail reception, hosted by a local insider who will share their first-hand knowledge of the city’s cultural heartbeat.

By Michael Consoli The luxury hotel group’s famed Peninsula Academy programs will also integrate into the itineraries across all ten cities, from dumpling-making class in Beijing to Chinese tea appreciation with The Peninsula’s tea master, each program is masterfully arranged. The dramatically redesigned aircraft is larger and newer than any global, jet-tour travel option, appointed with features rarely found in even the most luxurious private jets. The Crystal Exclusive Class seats are designed for maximum personal space and ergonomic comfort and convert to 180-degree, lie-flat beds. The expansive social lounge, with stand-up bar and dedicated table seating, fosters friendly camaraderie among luxury travelers. Cuisine will be prepared by a dedicated executive chef, in two state-of-the-art galleys, and paired with an elegant, premium wine list. L

Michael Consoli is a professional travel and cruise specialist and owner of Cruise Planners. 770-650-7667. PlanMyCruise.com

Dental Crowns

They’re Like a Hardhat for Your Tooth By Dr. Steven Anderson, D.M.D.

Have you ever been advised by a dentist that you “really should consider crowning that tooth?” And that is perhaps the last you thought about it until you’ve bitten down on the holiday peanut brittle and felt a “crack.”

inner band distributes the force of a blow evenly around the head. A dental crown does the same for your tooth. However, not all crowns are created equal. The materials your dentist uses are important. Gold crowns are unique because of their plaqueand-bacteria-resistant surface characteristics. But vanity sometimes wins the cosmetic battle, and a tooth-colored crown gets chosen. Tooth-colored crowns are made from porcelain and can have higher quality gold foundations or lower quality nickel foundations. Also, all porcelain crowns are usually the best option for crowns that show when you smile. All these factors play a role in selection as well as the final cost of a crown.

A dental crown or “cap” restoration is one of the primary ways an unstable tooth becomes stable, protected and restored to healthy chewing functions. It’s often the best treatment for that tooth, and a clear understanding of why should help motivate you to restore the tooth quickly. Whenever a tooth undergoes treatment to remove decay or disease, internal supporting tooth structure is removed. “Filling” material replaces the removed, diseased area of the tooth. When a large area of the tooth is filled, the entire tooth becomes unstable, and if not treated with a crown, the tooth can easily fracture and be lost. Large, silver-colored, metal fillings act like wedges in a tooth, similar to the familiar process of “splitting fire wood.” A wedge placed in the wood, and subsequently struck, usually splits the wood in two. Metal fillings that are struck repeatedly through daily chewing act like a wedge and contribute to tooth fractures. A fractured tooth may not be able to be restored and may have

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to be removed. Loss of a tooth actually can have serious ramifications to your oral health, immediately and long term. Nearly every tooth in your mouth has a purpose. Medical knowledge continues to reveal the primary role oral health plays in overall health. A dental crown is placed over the entire biting surface of a tooth. The crown distributes the direct biting force across the entire surface of the tooth, which removes the “wedge effect” of the metal filling. Think about why construction workers wear hardhats and the importance of the inner band inside the hardhat. The

A dental crown is an excellent option to restore an otherwise unstable tooth. Given good oral hygiene, a healthy diet and regular dental checkups, a dental crown is truly “worth its weight in gold” and can restore years of function to your tooth. After all, quality dentistry should be all about you! Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays.

Dr. Steven Anderson is owner/dentist with Anderson Dental of Woodstock and East Cobb. 650 Claremore Professional Way, Ste. 200, Woodstock. 770-384-8505. DrStevenAnderson. com

By Rajayne Cordery

arried for over thirty years, Bob and Julie Carter have chosen an exceptional path for their lives. In addition to raising five biological children, they have legally adopted eight

youngsters over the past sixteen years, now ranging in age from 3-16. Before moving to Georgia twelve years ago, their incredible journey began in Missouri. Their story is a testament to the abiding love and selfless generosity of the nurturing human spirit.

Their tremendous parenting adventure began 29 years ago with the birth of their first child. Seven years later, they decided to become foster parents while they still had five of their own children at home. Initially, the Carters did not intend to adopt. The foster program’s goal is reunification. Realizing that a little girl they were caring for was not 38

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going to be reunited, they decided to adopt her. Now 16 years old, she is the eldest of the eight adopted children in their wonderful family. The couple explains, “They have the same growing needs as our biological kids, honestly. All kids want the safety of a nice family atmosphere and someone they can rely and depend on.”

A typical day begins at 6:00 am. A hearty, traditional breakfast is served at the table, and usually, most everyone is in attendance. After dressing and getting ready for the school day, Bob takes the children to the school bus stop, where he waits with them every morning. The children know their responsibilities, whether it’s folding

laundry or setting the table. “This is not a TV show or a movie with Steve Martin. It’s real life. It’s sitting down for dinner every night, someone loading the dishwasher and someone cleaning up.” He adds, laughingly, “It’s a group-participation sport.” Asked if it doesn’t become overwhelming, the couple explains, “It’s what we’re used to, and we’ve been doing this for almost 30 years. It’s our routine.” They wouldn’t trade it for the world. Both Bob and Julie have full-time professions. How do they manage to juggle the schedules and be such responsible and caring parents of such a large group of children with varied activities and needs? “We split up and conquer a lot,” Bob grins, as he explains that Julie is very organized, and they do their very best to make as many events as they can on the children’s calendars. Julie keeps them all in view. They explain that there is an “A” and a “B” list, and they do everything in their power to participate in all items on the “A” list.

Finding time for each other is all about how one defines that. They explain that a lot of their time together is spent on the children’s activities. “We’ve carved out a lot of our togetherness with that,” Bob says. And they spend one night a week out, just the two of them, exclusively in each other’s company. “It’s a very traditional,

family-based life. It’s not out of the ordinary for us. We have always made our family our priority. It just so happens that we have thirteen kids!” Bob exclaims.

Christmas morning in the Carter household is an all-day celebration. It begins very early in the morning. The children each open a gift, one at a time, while the others watch. They take a break, clean up and keep going. They eat breakfast and continue unwrapping individually, taking time to play with their toys in between. Bob smiles, “It’s a very traditional, family-around-theChristmas-tree type of celebration.” Blending a family has been a highly rewarding experience for all of the Carters. Speaking of the benefits to the children, Bob says, “It’s helpful to give them a little different perspective on life. They see a whole different side of it, growing up with different entities unlike a traditional family would have. It has been a great experience for everyone.”

The Carters’ philosophy on life is grounded in the importance of teaching their children to become more well-rounded, empathetic people through their family experience. They attest, “The benefits reach out in ways, generationally, that you can’t really calculate. The incredible mark you are going to make on young people is almost immeasurable. You can’t fathom how far down stream it’s going to impact other people’s lives.” When asked to offer advice to couples considering adoption, Bob and Julie say, “Adoption should be entered into with eyes wide open, heart wide open; there is a lot to be shared.” With an open and adventurous spirit such as this, it would seem that thirteen is a very lucky number, indeed.

THE CHILDREN’S HOUR By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Between the dark and the daylight, When the night is beginning to lower, Comes a pause in the day’s occupations, That is known as the Children’s Hour. I hear in the chamber above me The patter of little feet, The sound of a door that is opened, And voices soft and sweet. From my study, I see in the lamplight, Descending the broad hall stair, Grave Alice, and laughing Allegra, And Edith with golden hair. A whisper, and then a silence: Yet I know by their merry eyes They are plotting and planning together To take me by surprise. A sudden rush from the stairway, A sudden raid from the hall! By three doors left unguarded They enter my castle wall! They climb up into my turret O’er the arms and back of my chair; If I try to escape, they surround me; They seem to be everywhere. They almost devour me with kisses, Their arms about me entwine, Till I think of the Bishop of Bingen In his Mouse-Tower on the Rhine! Do you think, O blue-eyed banditti, Because you have scaled the wall, Such an old mustache as I am Is not a match for you all! I have you fast in my fortress, And will not let you depart, But put you down in the dungeon In the round-tower of my heart. And there I will keep you forever, Yes, forever and a day, Till the walls shall crumble to ruin, And molder in dust away! WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM

ain often has a negative effect on a person’s quality of life, which could hinder recovery from surgery, injury or illness. At Georgia Medical Treatment Center, we believe in providing quality patient care for the absolute best results possible, using state-of-the-art, modern technology and very little-to-no prescription narcotic medication. We strive to help our patients get back to a pain-free lifestyle, using alternative treatments and therapy rather than surgery and pharmaceuticals. Our Christian-based, integrated practice opened its doors to the community over ten years ago, and we pride ourselves on the relationships we’ve built with our patients as well as within our staff. Dr. Eric Cavaciuti graduated from Life University in 1997. Dr. Eric holds a board certification in chiropractic medicine as well as certifications in physiology and radiology. He is also a member of the Georgia Council of Chiropractic. Dr. Eric resides in Kennesaw with his wife, Beverly, and their two sons. Dr. Satish Cuddapah works alongside Dr. Eric. With a 1997 doctorate from Northeastern Ohio University, Dr. Cuddapah is boardcertified in family medicine and

Pain Management:

By Jessica Fowler, Practice Coordinator

A Holistic Approach holistic health and wellness. Dr. Timothy Shelton is the newest addition to our practice. With a medical degree from St. Mary’s School of Medicine, Cook Islands, Dr. Shelton holds many certifications and recognition awards such as the Patients Choice Award (2015), Compassionate Doctor Recognition (2013, 2015) and Top 10 Doctors of Metro Atlanta (2014). Dr. Shelton specializes in sports medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation. Dr. Shelton resides in Canton with his wife and two children. Douglas Cox is Georgia Medical’s Nurse Practitioner. Doug is from Detroit, Michigan and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing Science from Kennesaw State University and his Master’s in Advanced Practice Family Nursing and Primary Care from Georgia State University. With an extensive list of credentials, Doug also served in the U.S. Army’s 97th Military Police Battalion as well as with

the Cobb County Police Department. He and his wife, Linda, have two daughters. Our practitioners work together to provide a specialized treatment plan, based upon the specific needs of each patient. Treatment at Georgia Medical involves an entire team of health care providers who work directly with each individual patient to offer a program for pain assessment, treatment, education, communication and follow up, all under one roof. No referral is needed. To help our patients who suffer from pain, we provide a variety of traditional and evidencebased therapies, chiropractic care, pain injections, physical therapy and massage therapy, all tailored to fit each person’s individual needs. Give us a call, or stop by the office anytime to make an appointment or just to simply say, “hello.” We are located at 557 Riverstone Parkway in Canton. For more information, call 770345-2000, or visit GeorgiaMTC.com

“Our patients are like family to us, so we treat them the same way we would treat our own family members. We would like to welcome you to our family.”— Dr. Eric Cavaciuti 40

Woodstock Family Life | DECEMBER 2016

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Artist Profile

Silhouette cutting has stood the test of time since it first by natalie del valle began in the mid-1700s. Its unique, vintage-style appearance makes it very popular today, although the art form has lost much of its authenticity since the invention of machines that cut precise images in a matter of seconds. There are only a few silhouette artists who still cut by hand, using nothing but a pair of scissors and a keen eye. Clay Rice is one of them, and he takes pride in his uncommon ability. “I can look at a child’s profile one time and have it in my head exactly what he or she looks like. I’ve been doing this for so long; it literally takes me a minute to cut the child’s profile out,” Clay says. As the third generation in his family to cut silhouettes, Clay’s talent is no surprise. The art has been in his family for 86 years. Clay’s grandfather first started cutting silhouettes in 1930. When Clay was a young boy, the art form was passed down to him. “I started cutting silhouettes at six years old. My grandfather taught me. I learned basic shapes, and I eventually advanced into making more detailed landscapes and profiles,” Clay says. Now, he’s been making silhouettes professionally for the past 35 years, and he uses some of his work to illustrate his children’s stories. Although it only takes Clay a minute to cut out a profile of a child, it takes much longer to create the beautiful scenes and landscapes like those seen in his children’s books. “Some of my more intricate work can take hundreds of hours to do, and they sell extremely well. My landscape artwork sells so fast that I hardly have time to create enough silhouettes to do a show,” Clay says. While Clay doesn’t sell the children’s silhouette illustrations, he does cut profiles of children while traveling to showcase his stories. “Not only can I do the children’s silhouettes that hang on the wall, each child can have their silhouette cut out and mounted inside their copy of one of my books to personalize it,” Clay says. This fall, Clay had 96 events, in 35 states. “I live out of a suitcase for about half of the year,” he proclaims. As a songwriter-turned-author and an artist, Clay has a lot of talent to offer to the world. “My children’s stories have won several awards. The Lonely Shadow won the Moonbeam Award in 2009, and a gold medal in the 2010 IPPY Awards. I also won the Benjamin Franklin Award for my story The Stick in 2015,” Clay says. Between the poetic and musical rhythm of Clay’s story lines, and his unique illustrations, his children’s books are well-loved and widely received. It’s obvious this is Clay’s passion. “This is all I have ever done for the past 35 years of my life. It is my life.”

Woodstock Family Life | DECEMBER 2016

th Whitenin o g To

in ns Chi e e ldren and T By Vishant Nath, D.M.D. There are several options available for whitening teeth. These range from whitening toothpaste, to whitening strips, to at-home or in-office bleaching procedures. With each option, there are advantages and disadvantages of which to be aware. Whitening toothpaste can help to remove surface stains, but will not be as impactful on staining caused by injury, medication or certain foods. If your children are ages 6-12, whitening toothpaste can be used to

remove the surface stains. However, this product should not be used long term, and parents should be on the lookout for signs of sensitivity to teeth and gums. Other options to remove surface stains are baking soda and charcoal. There are recipes online for creating your own “natural” toothpaste. These options should also only be used short term, as these abrasive substances can remove tooth enamel over time. If your child is thirteen or older, there are more intensive whitening options. •

•

Tooth whitening strips are popular due to their ease of use, relative comfort and effectiveness. The strips are worn for multiple days in a row to get the desired effect. In-home bleaching kits are a bit more intensive because the whitening component is held in place by a plastic mold that is slipped over the teeth. In some cases, the mold is custom-made via an impression, so it will exactly match the individual’s

•

teeth. The effect of this option is seen after multiple uses. In-office bleaching is the most intense option of the three. It usually takes about an hour at your dentist office, and the effect is immediate.

It’s important to remember, with all three of these options, there are potential side effects. The most typical side effect is tooth or gum sensitivity. And with the whitening strips and in-home bleaching options, it’s very important to follow all directions exactly to avoid any discomfort or issues. Whiter teeth are within reach! Consult your pediatric dentist to determine what is best for your child!

Dr. Vishant Nath is the owner of Canton/Alpharetta/Roswell Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics. 678-352-1090. KidsHappyTeeth.com

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Upcoming Event Downtown Buzz December 9, 8:00 am Woodstock Elementary School 230 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock DowntownWoodstock.org/downtown-buzz/

Downtown Dollars: One Size Fits All! By Kyle Bennett

hopping for the holidays is in full swing! Downtown Woodstock offers a one-of-a-kind shopping experience that cannot be found anywhere else. In the historic setting of Woodstockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s downtown area, you will find over thirty unique shops. During a shopping trip to downtown Woodstock, you will discover a wide range of items that make perfect gifts for the holidays. Not sure what to buy? Then Downtown Dollars is the answer for you. This gift certificate is accepted at forty businesses in downtown Woodstock. It is the perfect gift for anyone who loves shopping in Woodstockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quaint, downtown shops. Downtown Dollars

Woodstock Family Life | DECEMBER 2016

can be purchased at the Woodstock Visitors Center, which is located at 8588 Main Street and is open MondaySaturday, from 10:00 am-4:00 pm. The Visitors Center also has a great selection of locally themed gift items like Woodstock shirts, ornaments, magnets, art prints and much more! Also, be sure to take advantage of the Woodstock Trolley to help you get around the downtown area. The trolley is free to ride, and it has stops around downtown Woodstock at various parking locations in the area, Reformation Brewery, The Outlet Shoppes of Atlanta and many other convenient locations. The Woodstock Trolley is a program of the

Woodstock Downtown Development Authority. For more information on the trolley, be sure to check out DowntownWoodstock.org/trolley/ For a full listing of the stores and restaurants in downtown Woodstock, and to check out what events will be taking place in the area during the holiday season, make sure to visit VisitWoodstockGa.com.

Kyle Bennett is director of tourism and operations for the Woodstock Visitors Center. 770-924-0406. KBennett@WoodstockGa.gov

4 Facts

About Breast Implants By Drs. Musarra, Leake, Petrosky & Harkins Through the ages, women have turned to brassieres, corsets and now, surgery, to obtain what they deem a more aesthetically pleasing bust line. The size, shape and appearance of the breast can influence how women feel about their bodies. Most women who seek breast enhancement fall into two groups: the younger woman who has always been dissatisfied with the size and proportion of her breasts, or the woman in her late twenties through forties who has lost volume due to pregnancy, and with breast-shape changes, especially sagging, a lift may not be warranted. Breast augmentation enhances the size and shape of breasts through the placement of breast implants.

Breast surgery is a highly emotional and fulfilling experience. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a very personal decision. Most women consult a plastic surgeon after a lot of careful consideration and research. Homework does not, however, replace the guidance of an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who will assist a woman in confidently making the decision to have breast surgery. No other medical specialty includes formal training and testing to maintain credentials in all breast procedures. Breast surgery is your choice and decision. Of course, those who love and support you may have concerns about it. But remember, the effects of the surgery on your breast and your body are yours and yours alone. The goal of your plastic surgeon and the entire staff should be to help you achieve the most beautiful, natural results and to make your experience as easy and comfortable as possible. As with any

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ll breas t impla be dete nts may cted by touch. 2. Fals e - All bre b ast imp ecome lants hard ov er time 3. Tru . e - Breas o t impla r fall ou nts can t of pos move ition. 4. Fals e S il ic one bre c an caus ast imp e cance lants r and o ther dis eases.

procedure you are considering, make sure your consultation is with a specialtytrained, board-certified plastic surgeon.

Drs. Petrosky, Musarra, Harkins and Leake are board-certified plastic surgeons at Plastic Surgery Center of the South. 770-421-1242. PlasticSurgery CenterOf TheSouth.net

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(Serves 4)

Ingredients

Procedure

1 ½ cups uncooked Arborio rice 5 cups chicken stock, simmered 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated 1 cup butternut squash puree* ½ cup dry white wine 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 lb. jumbo lump crab

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 2. Place the rice, 4 cups of the chicken stock and the white wine in a large stock pot. 3. Cover, and bake for 45 minutes until most of the liquid is absorbed, and the rice 4.

5. 6.

is al dente. Remove from the oven, and add the remaining cup of chicken stock, parmesan cheese, butter, salt and pepper, and fold in the squash puree; stir vigorously for 2-3 minutes until the rice is thick and creamy. Add the jumbo lump crab, and stir until heated through. Serve hot.

Procedure Ingredients 2 large butternut squash, halved, seeds removed 4 tablespoons butter, softened ½ cup heavy cream 1 cup chicken stock 2 tablespoons champagne vinegar 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon fresh thyme 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Salt and pepper to taste

Woodstock Family Life | DECEMBER 2016

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Rub the squash with extra-virgin olive oil, and sprinkle it with salt and pepper. Roast the squash for 30-40 minutes or until tender. Set the squash aside to cool. Use a spoon to remove the squash from the skin, and place it in a food processor/ blender with all other remaining ingredients except salt and pepper. Puree the squash mixture until smooth, and add salt and pepper to taste.

Adopt a Senior By Tim Morris

LIFESTYLE Christmas is my favorite time of the year because it brings back so many good memories. One of my favorite memories is of my Grandmother, who was a very thoughtful person, but didn’t have a lot of financial means. She became a widow at the age of 45, and after my grandfather passed away, she never remarried. Through the years, her friends started losing their husbands. She would always take things to them, and my brothers and I would

always make those trips with her. Christmas was a very busy time for her because she loved to give. You could always count on her making over a dozen fruit cakes in the prior few months. Admittedly, her fruit cakes were delicious because of her special ingredients. A couple of days before Christmas, we loaded up the car with those cakes, and off we went to the homes of her friends. When my grandmother gave them their cake, you’d have thought she gave them a diamond necklace. Their expressions were priceless; they were so thankful someone was thinking about them. Today, that is the same feeling the staff of Cherokee County Senior Services feels during the Adopta-Senior Christmas drive for the seniors in our program. Last year was my first involved in this program, but the community involvement blew

me away with their generosity to our seniors. Cherokee County Parks and Recreation and Senior Services worked together these past few years in the drive to get donations and collect gifts. Senior Services owes a lot of gratitude to Parks and Rec for their efforts, and a special “thank you” to Frankie Sanders. Sharon Smith, the home delivered meals coordinator, has spent most of her career organizing this event and loves being a part of something so meaningful. The Senior Services staff has eagerly anticipated the upcoming Christmas season with our clients. If you’d like to adopt a senior for Christmas, please contact the Adopta-Senior hotline at 770-704-2320. L

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

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By Julie Senger

s the unpredictable Georgia temperatures seemingly go from “Summer Nights” to “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” with little

warning, here are some hot, smooth, chocolaty (or not-so-chocolaty) cocoa recipes for you to try with your family and friends this winter season. So, stock up on firewood, and grab some blankets to cozy up with one or more of these comforting concoctions. You are bound

to be crazy about one or more of these recipes!

Woodstock Family Life | DECEMBER 2016

Traditional Hot Cocoa ¼ cup cocoa powder ½ cup sugar ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ cup water 3 ½ cups whole milk ½ cup evaporated milk 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Whipped cream or marshmallows (optional)

(serves 4)

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, add cocoa, 2. 3. 4. 5.

sugar, salt and water, and bring to boil. Allow the mixture to boil for 3 minutes. Add the whole milk and the evaporated milk, and continue stirring. Allow the mixture to come to a simmer, careful not to let it come to a boil. Pour into your favorite mugs, and add whipped cream or marshmallows, if desired.

Nutella Crock-Pot Cocoa for a Crowd (serves 10)

10 cups whole milk 1 cup Hershey’s cocoa 1 cup Nutella 1 cup sugar 2 cups hot water

1. In a large pot, combine cocoa, sugar, Nutella and hot water.

White Christmas Cocoa (serves 3-4)

4 cups whole milk 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract ¼ teaspoon cinnamon 8 oz. white chocolate, chopped Whipped cream or marshmallows (optional)

1. In a saucepan over medium2. 3.

low heat, add the milk, white chocolate, cinnamon and vanilla. Stir occasionally until the mixture comes to a simmer, careful not to let it come to a boil. Pour the mixture into your favorite mugs, and add whipped cream or marshmallows, if desired.

New Year’s Resolution Cocoa (serves 2; 35 calories per

serving, vegan, gluten and sugar-free) 2 cups unsweetened cashew or almond milk 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 12 drops Stevia, or to taste (you may

1. In a saucepan over medium-low heat,

2. 3.

add all the ingredients, and whisk until the cocoa powder is mostly incorporated. Continue whisking frequently for 3-5 minutes or until warmed through. Pour the mixture into your favorite mugs, and enjoy, guilt-free!

Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cocoa (serves 1)

1 ½ cups whole milk 1 cup of your favorite red wine ₁⁄₃ cup dark chocolate chunks Marshmallows or whipped cream (optional)

1 cup whole milk ¼ cup half and half ¼ cup milk chocolate chips 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter Whipped cream or marshmallows (optional)

1. In a saucepan over medium heat,

2. 3.

combine the milk and chocolate, whisking until the chocolate is melted. Add the wine, and stir until it’s hot. Pour the mixture into your favorite mugs, and top with marshmallows or whipped cream, if desired.

gentle boil.

3. Transfer the mixture to a crockpot; add the milk, and stir well.

4. Cook on high for 2 hours, or low for 4 hours, until hot.

5. Pour the mixture into your favorite mugs, and top with marshmallows or whipped cream, if desired.

substitute your favorite zero-calorie sweetener)

New Year’s Eve Wine-O-Cocoa

(serves 2, over-21 cocoa lovers)

2. Stir the mixture, and bring it to

Mexican Hot Chocolate (serves 2)

2, 3.5 oz. bars high quality, bittersweet chocolate 2 cinnamon sticks ½ cup water 2 cups whole milk 1 cup heavy cream ½ tsp chili powder (optional) ½ tablespoon light brown sugar (optional) Pinch of nutmeg Whipped cream (optional)

1. In a saucepan over medium-high 2.

1. In a saucepan over medium-low

2. 3. 4.

heat, add the milk and half and half and bring to a simmer, careful not to let it come to a boil. Add chocolate, stirring until it melts. Add peanut butter, and stir until just melted. Pour into your favorite mug, and top with marshmallows or whipped cream, if desired.

3. 4.

heat, melt the chocolate with the water and cinnamon sticks. Once the chocolate is melted, add the milk, heavy cream, chili powder and sugar (if using) and the nutmeg. Stir until everything is blended, and bring the mixture to a boil. Once it boils, reduce the heat to medium-low, and let it simmer until it thickens a bit (about 5 minutes). Remove the cinnamon sticks and pour the mixture into your favorite mugs, and add whipped cream, if desired.

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What is the Symfony Lens? By Cameron Johnson, M.D.

“...a new lens has just been FDA-approved, which will help eye surgeons overcome many of these limitations and help more cataract patients see well, with less dependence on glasses.”

A cataract forms when the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy, causing decreased vision. During surgery, the cataract is removed through a small incision and replaced with a clear, artificial lens. Standard monofocal lenses have been used for many years and allow a patient’s vision to be set for distance or up-close, but not both. If vision is optimized for distance, the patient will require reading glasses. If the vision is adjusted for reading, the patient will require distance glasses. Over the last decade, multifocal intraocular lenses have become widely available, allowing many patients to decrease their dependence on glasses for both up-close and distance. These lenses have concentric rings on their surface. Some of the rings focus the light up-close, and some focus light for distance. Multifocal lenses have increased quality of life for many patients. However, they also have limitations such as increased halos and glare at night. Most patients can adjust to this, though rarely, a patient may

Woodstock Family Life | DECEMBER 2016

be bothered enough to request removal of the lens. For this reason, multifocal lenses may not be recommended for patients who do a lot of night driving. Patients also lose some contrast sensitivity, or crispness, of distance vision when they opt for multifocal lenses. For this reason, patients who desire the clearest distance vision may choose a monofocal lens, understanding that they’ll need reading glasses after surgery. Finally, patients with significant amounts of astigmatism are not candidates for multifocal lenses, as these lenses are unable to correct astigmatism. A better option for these patients is a toric lens, which corrects astigmatism so patients can see clearly in the distance without glasses, although they will still need reading glasses. It’s exciting to hear that a new lens has just been FDA-approved, which will help eye surgeons overcome many of these limitations and help more cataract patients see well, with less dependence on glasses. This new lens, called the Symfony lens, improves vision from the distance all the

way up to about eighteen inches from the patient. Patients treated with this lens have been shown to have excellent vision for distance activities, such as driving and sports, as well as intermediate activities, such as using a computer or tablet. Many patients can also perform some activities at a distance closer than eighteen inches, although low-power readers are needed for activities such as reading fine print and knitting. There are some impressive features that make the Symfony a big advancement compared to previous lenses. One unique feature is that it’s the first lens to correct near and intermediate vision that can be used in patients with significant astigmatism, as it also corrects mild-tomoderate astigmatism. The Symfony also has a much lower incidence of glare and halos compared to previous multifocal lenses. Finally, the contrast sensitivity, or crispness of vision, is excellent.

Dr. Cameron Johnson is a boardcertified ophthalmologist with Milan Eye Center, located in Canton. 470326-0320. MilanEyeCenter.com

Energy-Efficient

Holiday Decorating By Cobb EMC Staff

•

Don’t let electric bills dampen your holiday spirit. A few simple changes can reduce your decorating costs for years to come, saving you extra money for holiday shopping. • Replace traditional light strands with LED strands. They use 70% less energy and last ten times longer. Additionally, LEDs don’t put off heat, making them a safer option. You can even connect up to 24 strands without overloading an outlet. Still skeptical? Long gone are the days of blue LED

•

lights. Today, strands come in a variety of warm light options. If making the switch is too expensive, shop afterChristmas sales, and stock up for next year. Extend the life of your tree. I Real trees: Water cut trees regularly to reduce the risk of a fire hazard. After Christmas, take them to a chipping facility, and they can be reused as mulch. I Living trees: Living trees can be planted after the holidays. I Artificial trees: Artificial trees can be used for years, offering continued savings (and less sweeping!). Use timers for all lights and décor. Don’t pay to keep lights on before it gets dark or after your neighborhood is fast asleep. Timers ensure lights are on during your selected time frame. Take advantage of electricity-free décor including garland, wreaths and ribbons. Save even more money by decorating with materials from your yard, such as magnolia leaves. Skip inflatables, and opt for plastic

decorations that require no electricity. • If you’re leaving town for the holidays, set timers, or unplug holiday lights to save energy. • Green wrap. If every American family wrapped three gifts with reused materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields. You can also reuse the fronts of last year’s holiday cards as gift tags. For more information about home safety, visit CobbEMC.com/home-safety. Sources: U.S. Department of Energy, Centers for Disease Control http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/energy-efficientholiday-decorating-tips http://www.cdc.gov/features/greenholidays.

These tips were provided by Cobb EMC, a non-forprofit electric cooperative. 770-429-2100. CobbEMC.com

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Become A Bespoke Brunette By Jyl Craven LIFESTYLE When you hear the words cool almond, sweet molasses and hazelnut honey, what do you think of? The newest coffee drink your local barista is serving up? Maybe. Actually, these are varying shades of hair color that can transform a normal, everyday, brown-haired woman into an eye-catching, multi-dimensional, bombshell brunette. Yes, this is the time of year primed for new colors, both in nature and wardrobe, so let’s not forget our most important feature — our hair! If you’re a natural brunette and feel your color options are limited, think again. Here are a few fun ways to turn your earthy-brown hue into a seasonally bespoke brunette.

Balayage

Balayage is a French hair coloring technique that means “to sweep or paint.” Balayage, a lowmaintenance way of coloring your hair, looks beautiful on brunettes, especially in the cooler seasons. A coppery balayage that displays a full transition of colors, from rich brown to shimmery copper tones, mimicking the changes in nature, is very flattering. For those medium brunettes, a bright honey-blonde balayage is a gorgeous look for those wanting to keep a summery feel all year long.

Cool Brunettes

Yes, cooler weather means it’s time for “cooler browns.” Shades ranging from dark espresso to toffee cream are awe-inspiring colors of brown 52

Woodstock Family Life | DECEMBER 2016

that will look fashionable this season. But which hue is for you? If your complexion is cooler, meaning you have a bluish undertone, make sure you opt for darker shades like chestnut or mocha espresso. For those with warmer complexions, having golden or olive undertones, lighter browns like mocha caramel and sweet molasses will look more chic.

Bronde

If you have blonde hair and want something that’s both fresh and fashionable this season, consider adding some warm brown to deepen your golden tone. One way to achieve this look is to add some caramel low lights. This color effect is perfect for the cooler seasons and will add some nice dimension,

while contrasting colors show off the beautiful caramel tones. For those darker blondes, consider deepening the root with a soft brown tone for a softer color appearance. So while you’re spicing up your latte this season, why not consider spicing up your look, too? Now is the time to stand out from that holiday crowd. Don’t wait until winter passes. Soon, those cool shades of brown will be replaced with thoughts of warmer colors, signifying a new season. L

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

Water

in Winter der By Joshua Fu

The drought conditions of the summer and fall have had a big impact on our plants and landscape. Many trees went into early dormancy, but it is critical to remember that they will continue to need supplemental moisture during the winter if precipitation does not return to normal levels. Deciduous trees and shrubs will continue to require soil moisture, even

when the green, top growth has ceased for the year. Here are a few things to remember this winter to make sure your plants come out of dormancy healthy and ready to flourish next spring. Mulch matters. Mulch helps retain soil moisture, regulates soil temperature, adds organic matter as it decomposes, controls weeds and adds aesthetic value. Keep a 4â&#x20AC;? layer around shrubs and out to the drip line of trees. How and when do I water? Watering at the soil level by drip irrigation or soaker hose is recommended. This will help to reduce leaf and stem wetness, which can cause fungal disease problems. If soils are hard or compacted, you may have to soak, wait, then soak again to avoid

runoff. Plan on watering once a month for mature trees and shrubs or twice monthly for newly established plants. How much do I water? Plan to provide ten gallons per inch of trunk diameter, at knee height, for trees dispersed across the dripline. For small shrubs (less than three feet), apply five gallons of water. Apply eighteen gallons of water for large shrubs (more than six feet). Make sure to put the water where the plants need it most, which is spread across the dripline.

Joshua Fuder is an agriculture and natural resources agent at the UGA Cooperative Extension Cherokee County. Contact the UGA Extension office for any gardening assistance, 770-721-7830 or CAES.UGA.Edu/ extension/cherokee

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Ribbon Cuttings

Anna Crawford Children’s Center Holiday Lights of Hope

Cherokee Emergency Veterinary Clinic

Hobgood Park, 6688 Bells Ferry Road Woodstock Non-Profit Organization

7800 Highway 92 Woodstock 770-924-3720 Veterinary Emergency Clinic

Southern Advisors, Inc. 265 Parkway 575 Woodstock 404-379-0268 Financial Advisors

1. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers 8265 Highway 92, Suite 101 Woodstock 404-843-2500 Real Estate

2. Edward Jones — Jimmy Cushingham 13190 Highway 92, Suite 103 Woodstock 770-675-9964 Financial Advisors

3. Diamond Castle 9940 Highway 92 Woodstock 770-516-5689 Fine Jewelry

3 54

Woodstock Family Life | DECEMBER 2016

4. Founders Insurance 8358 Main Street Woodstock 770-592-3132 Insurance

Keeping Kids Busy

During the Holiday Break By Lisa-Marie Haygood

Happiness abounds when school lets out for the holidays. But without fail, after a week at home with siblings and family, we often begin to feel restless and crowded. Parents everywhere will be looking for ideas for the best places to go and the best things to do to keep kids entertained. Going to the movies, the zoo, Stone Mountain, museums, ice skating, etc. are great ideas. However, if your kids have to do some work to earn the outings, you’ll create better citizens and make memories at the same time.

Parents can use this time to get some chores done and foster responsibility for children, no matter what their age. Toddlers: • Help feed pets and clean water and food bowls • Put away toys and clean any play areas • Help package extra art work and projects to mail to grandparents for a nice treat Elementary Students: • Clean their room, including drawers and spaces under the bed • Sort movie CDs and ensure they are in their proper cases • Wipe down baseboards and staircases around the house • Disinfect door handles • Unload the dishwasher • Set the table and clear away dishes after a meal Middle School: • Remove outgrown clothing from

drawers and closets (bag them up for donations to make room for new gifts) • Evaluate bedroom decor for potential changes or updates • Remove unnecessary items from school backpacks, binders and notebooks • Sort, wash, dry, fold and put away laundry High School: • Clean out the garage • Sort and clean out the pantry • Help wrap presents for younger siblings and/or run shopping errands for parents • Plan and execute the preparation of at least one meal a week while out of school

Lisa-Marie Haygood is the president of Georgia PTA. 404-659-0214. LMHaygood@GeorgiaPTA.org

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Advertiser Index Anderson Dental Art Jewelers Atlanta Hand Specialist Burns Law Group Camellia Place Chart Industries Cherokee Chorale Cobb EMC Cruise Planners Dawn Sams, Realtor Diamond Castle/Canton Jewelry Dr. Fixit, Ph.D. Elm Street Cultural Arts Village Fire Stone Wood Fired Pizza & Grill Georgia Medical Treatment Goin’ Coastal H&H Electric & Security, LLC Hill & Hill Financial Holiday Lights of Hope In Harmony Pediatric Therapy Jyl Craven Hair Design LGE Community Credit Union Live Clean, Inc. Masterpiece Framer Milan Eye Center Nature’s Corner Market Northside Cherokee Pediatrics Northside Hospital-Cherokee Park Pediatric Dentistry of Woodstock Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics and Dentistry at Canton PharMoore & Woodstock Health Mart Pharmacy Plastic Surgery Center of the South R & D Mechanical Services, Inc. Rejoice Maids Rising Hills Church Salon Spa Venéssa State Farm, Jared Davis Summit Financial Solutions Technical Resource Solutions Three Sisters Gifts WellStar Health System Woodstock Funeral Home Woodstock Pediatric Medicine 56

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37 7 Inside Front 51 53 31 47 41 27, 45 25 33 25 16 11 40 9, 46 23 33 31 10 21 Inside Back Cover, 28 & 29 55 3 5 5 1 13 31 43 13 35 47 17 41 13 30 14 41 Back Cover 11 33

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