Woodstock Family Life 2-18 by Family Life Magazines

Contents

February 2018

VOLUME 5 | ISSUE 7

24-25 On the Cover:

Plastic Surgery Center of the South

32-34

Destination “I Do!”

[24-25] [42-43]

[32-34] Follow Us >>>

Family Life Publications

Woodstock Family Life | FEBRUARY 2018

42-43

Taking Steps Now to Pay for College 04

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

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

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

................... Sheriff Reynolds

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

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

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

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

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

............................ Quotables

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

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

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Publisher’s Perspective

PUBLISHER/PHOTOGRAPHER Jack Tuszynski Jack@FamilyLifePublications.com EDITORIAL Julie Senger Julie@FamilyLifePublications.com ART Candice Williams Candice@FamilyLifePublications.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Gavin Adams, Steven Anderson, Jessica Asbell, Atlanta Hand Specialist, Cyndi Braun, Cobb EMC, Jyl Craven, Jennifer Dattolo, Jessi Fearon, Joshua Fuder, Hillary Gallagher, Lisa-Marie Haygood, Tim Morris, Vishant Nath, Frank Reynolds, Sen. Bruce Thompson, WellStar, George Williams, Ferdinand Yates

Family Life Publishing Group, Inc. 630 East Main Street Canton, GA 30114

770-213-7095

FamilyLifePublications.com Family Life publications have the largest monthly circulation of direct-mailed community magazines in our area. Woodstock Family Life is a monthly community magazine with a total print count of over 26,000, direct mailing over 24,000 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. Subscriptions are available for $25 per year. Please contact us for payment options. © 2018 All rights reserved.

E R EC Y C

When it comes to considering what we, having the benefit of not being in the panic of the moment, might have done differently in a situation, and if we choose to judge, remember that intent often should outweigh actions. By grand design, the problem arises when we are not privy to the intent of others, and that, my friend, is something worth considering. I know a couple of fishermen of big bass and good deeds who have learned better than to cast anything but lures from within a canoe, especially a glass one.

SALES Janet Ponichtera Janet@FamilyLifePublications.com

M AG A ZI

A favorite example of mine (not that those cited above were complete fiction) is a time my friend Roy asked for a tool while we were fishing from a canoe one warm, late winter afternoon. Since everyone knows, or soon will, it’s not wise to stand up in a canoe. “Sure. Here, catch!” I said, lofting the item. As my weight shifted the craft away from the now airborne object, Roy countered with kinetic energy of his own toward the tool, further pushing the canoe completely out from under us. There was no cartoon moment of eye contact before the Roadrunner and Coyote fell of the cliff. The two of us, and everything in that canoe, were suddenly, inextricably, over our heads

Some may judge me for my decision to not consider every possible action/ reaction for how I chose to help in that moment. One may consider I could’ve crawled over, dangled it from a line, or slid it across the bottom. I could have placed the item on the paddle and delivered it like a pizza coming out of the oven; which is the new standard of shuttling tackle, tools, and beverages across a canoe’s middle. My good friend Roy wasn’t angry in the least, as the drama that ensued was not ever intended to occur. As we warmed ourselves by a hastily built fire, there was no fault finding, and lessons were learned.

Laurie Litke Laurie@FamilyLifePublications.com

in very cold water. This was certainly not my intention, but it was now our situation.

At some point in our life, someone got their feelings bent over something you accidentally did. Let that sink in — it wasn’t in your design. Sometimes, we find opportunities to help others and accidentally make things worse. For instance, rushing to open a door for someone who has their arms full and unknowingly sliding a wrinkle in the doormat, causing them to stumble. Other examples may include pushing in a chair for someone as they sit down and having one of the chair legs break; tossing them their keys and seeing those keys fall straight into the sewer drain; or sliding them their beverage and watching it all go into slow motion when the cup bumps against their plate as a wave of sweet tea washes their dinner into their lap.

PLE

We have all been there.

Jack Tuszynski, Publisher

Woodstock Family Life | FEBRUARY 2018

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Calendar FEBRUARY Ongoing YPOW A.M. Coffee — Each Thursday morning, join Young Professionals of Woodstock for coffee and networking. 7:00am, Copper Coin Coffee, 400 Chambers Street, Woodstock. MainStreetWoodstock.org

Ongoing Project Valentine — CRPA collects donations of the following items: lip balm, lotion, sticky notes, pens, markers, word searches, any art or music activities as well as candy (sugar free and regular) and any holiday related items. These items will be made into goody bags and delivered to the Cherokee Training Center, Eagle Point, and Next Step Ministries. Woodstock Recreation Center, 7545 Main Street, Building 200, Woodstock. 770-924-7768. CRPA.net

Ethan Senger “In Your Atmosphere,” a John Mayer Tribute Concert Benefiting the Ferst Foundation — Performing in venues all over Atlanta since he was seven years old, this now Woodstock High School senior is coming to Reformation Brewery to bring you the Grammy Award winning music of John Mayer, covering such songs as “Why Georgia,” “Your Body is a Wonderland,” “Love on the Weekend,” “Gravity,” and many, many more. All proceeds from this performance will benefit the Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit whose mission is to provide books for local communities to prepare preschool children for reading and learning success. Visit EthanSenger.Bandzoogle. com for tickets or to make a donation. 3:00-4:30pm, Reformation Brewery, 500 Arnold Mill Way, Woodstock. 678-3410828. EthanSenger.Bandzoogle.com

Main Event — The Main Event is an after-hours social and networking event for business members and their guests. Held quarterly during the late afternoon at a local business, the Main

Woodstock Family Life | FEBRUARY 2018

Event offers an additional opportunity to the Downtown Buzz for members unable to attend morning events. 5:007:00pm, Red Barn Realty, 790 Market Street, Woodstock. 770-592-6056. MainStreetWoodstock.org

Detachment 1311 — Every third Saturday of the month, veterans share their firsthand war experiences, which are then used as editorial research data to assist others. The Woodstock Detachment #1311 is chartered as a subsidiary organization of the Marine Corps League. 9:00am, Semper Fi Bar and Grill, 9770 Main Street, Woodstock. 770-672-0026.

also tell of kites being invented to spy on enemies or to send messages.

Women’s Exchange — Each month, Elizabeth Pehrson and other guest facilitators explore topics like entitlement, serving our community, seasonal depression, our personalities, and more. This month’s topic is, “Soul Keeping.” 7:00-9:00pm, Venue 92, 12015 Highway 92, Woodstock. 706-506-3405. TheExchangeUS.org

8 8

National Kite Flying Day — Observed annually on February 8, this day is marked by kite flying enthusiasts across the country. Kites date back to China in 470 B.C. China is full of lore and histories of the origins of the kite. Many are related to the way wind affects the leaves on the trees, the shelters they lived in, blowing away the sails on their ships, and the hats they wore upon their heads. The stories

Power Hour — This is a fastpaced networking event with fellow business leaders as well as Chamber Chairman of the Board Julianne Rivera, and Chamber President and CEO Pam Carnes. Before the hour ends, you’ll have a chance to share about your business or organization for all to hear. 10:0011:00am, Chamber of Commerce, 3605 Marietta Highway, Canton. 770-345-0400. CherokeeChamber.com

Introductions — Calling all poets! This is an evening to connect with other poets in the area. Bring a poem (written

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by you) that you think best represents you. There are NO bad poems! Read your poem; listen to others; and connect to help build a poetry group at the Cherokee Arts Center! RSVP, or get more information at Info@CherokeeArts.org. This is a FREE event. 6:30-8:00pm. Cherokee Arts Center, 94 North Street, Canton. 770-7046244. CherokeeArts.org

will gather to read excerpts from their novels about love. The public is invited to meet and listen to M.J. Pullen, City of Yes; Vonna Joseph, Good Enough; G.L. Moore, Refusing to Fall; Ricki Schultz, Mr. Right-Swipe; and Walt Mussell, Samurai’s Heart. Door prizes will be awarded. BYOB. 7:00-9:00pm, East Main Cafe (inside Audio Intersection), 210 E. Main Street, Canton. 770-6709333.

9 & 16

Parent’s Night Out — Drop the kids off at the pool, so you can enjoy adult time! Kids will play in the pool, enjoy a pizza dinner, do crafts, play games, and end the night with a movie! 5:30-10:00pm, Cherokee Aquatic Center, 1200 Gresham Mill Parkway, Holly Springs. 678-880-4760. CRPA.net

It’s a Wibit — Enjoy inflatables in the pool for no extra fee! Children must be able to pass a 25yd. swim test to use the Wibit. 1:00-5:00pm, Cherokee Aquatic Center, 1200 Gresham Mill Parkway, Holly Springs. 678-880-4760. CRPA.net

Downtown Buzz — This event is open to Main Street members and invited guests. There will be networking and a brief topical program. Mayor Donnie Henriques will provide a State of the City Address. Main Street Woodstock will provide coffee and light breakfast. 8:00am, the Chambers at City Center, 8534 Main Street, Woodstock. 770-5926056. MainStreetWoodstock.org

Business After Hours — This is a great networking opportunity! 4:30-6:00pm, Bank of North Georgia, 200 Parkway 575, Canton. 770-345-0400. CherokeeChamber.com

A Novel Idea —Love and romance will be the theme at this month’s event. Acclaimed authors

Arbor Day Celebration & Seedling Giveaway — This year, the City of Woodstock will be giving away 800 seedlings and tree care guides for Arbor Day. They can be picked up between 8:00am-5:00pm at the following locations: City Hall Annex, 12453 Highway 92; Woodstock Parks & Recreation Department, 105 E. Main Street; Dean’s Store, 8588 Main Street; Woodstock Senior Center, 223 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock.770-592-6000 x1952. WoodstockGa.gov

Once Upon a Dive-in Movie — Visit 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. Movie TBD. 6:00pm, Cherokee Aquatic Center, 1200 Gresham Mill Parkway, Holly Springs. 678-880-4760. CRPA.net

10th Annual Guns and Hoses 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run — Together with the Cherokee County Fire Department (CCFD Hoses) and Sheriff’s Department (CCSD - Guns), Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency will be hosting this event to raise money for charitable causes selected by each group. This year, the charity for CCFD will be The Goshen Valley Boys Ranch, which is a nonprofit home serving young men in the state foster care system. The charity for CCSD will be the Cherokee Sheriff’s Foundation, which provides funding for charities and people in need locally in Cherokee County. When registering, you will choose the team that you want to represent, and a portion of your fee will go towards their chosen charity. 7:30am fun run & 8:00am 5k, Hobgood Park, 6688 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock. 770-924-7768. GunsHoses5kAndFunRun.blogspot.com

Resume Assistance — Professionals will be on hand to provide assistance in creating resumes or revising existing resumes. They’ll also share information about enhancing job search skills as well as provide interview tips, and work on soft skills. 11:00am4:00pm, Chamber of Commerce, 3605 Marietta Highway, Canton. 770-345-0400. CherokeeChamber.com [continued on page 8]

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LIBRARY EVENTS SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

Calendar continued from page 7

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 KNIT & CROCHET Tuesdays, 1:00pm, Rose Creek Let Ms. Darlene help you get started on a knitting or crocheting project. Bring your needles and yarn, and be prepared to have fun! No prior knowledge is required. SEED STARTING — GETTING YOUR GARDEN GOING February 6, 11:00am, Rose Creek Get a jump start on your summer garden by starting your own seedlings! Learn about soil health and the benefits of soil testing, timing, and planning your gardening. This program is sponsored by the UGA Cherokee County Extension Agency. This is for all ages; children 9 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

QUILTING CLUB BLOCK-OF-THE-MONTH PROJECT February 14, 10:00am, Woodstock Gather with other friends interested in learning to quilt! This program is designed for those interested in trying a new craft, and it provides instruction in sewing a different 12” block each month. This is for ages 16+. Registration is required. DIY DUCT TAPE ROSES February 15, 5:30pm, Woodstock Teens can use duct tape and pencils to create a postValentine’s Day craft. This will foster fun, creativity, and art appreciation.

STEAM SATURDAY — SNOW SLIME LAB February 17, 3:00pm, Woodstock TUESDAY NIGHT TUTORS Do you want to melt a snowman? He’ll look like he’s February 6, 13, & 27, 6:00pm, Woodstock melting anyway! Make “snow” slime and then build it into a Join teachers and volunteers from Woodstock Elementary School in the library’s Youth Department, as they help children snowman, which will then “melt.” struggling with homework, projects, and school assignments. PROJECT PINTEREST THE ART OF FEMININE PRESENCE AND WOMEN ENERGY HEALING February 7, 6:00pm, Hickory Flat Presented by Adele Wang, this seminar covers how to instantly increase your magnetic presence, how to attract better relationships, and how to avoid being drained by other peoples’ energy. Registration is required. LEGO CLUB February 10, 3:00pm, Rose Creek Children may work alone or in teams to build LEGO masterpieces, which will be displayed in the library until next month’s meeting. LEGO and DUPLO are provided. Children 9 and under must be accompanied by an adult. FAMILY BINGO NIGHT February 12, 6:00pm, Hickory Flat Join the fun, and win prizes! Refreshments are provided. This is for all ages; children 9 and under must be accompanied by an adult. TODDLER STEAM — BEE BOTS February 12, 11:00am, Woodstock Bee Bots are exciting, fun robots that introduce coding to young children. They’ll be exploring coding and having fun in this toddler STEAM lab. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult.

Woodstock Family Life | FEBRUARY 2018

February 18, 3:00pm, Woodstock Explore Pinterest-inspired creative projects! This is for ages 16+. Registration is required. SHERLOCK HOLMES MURDER MYSTERY NIGHT February 22, 6:30pm, Hickory Flat Sherlock Holmes has been found dead. Think you have what it takes to solve the mystery? This is an after-hours game of whodunit, with a twist! Prizes will be awarded to the top sleuths. Refreshments are provided. This is for all ages; children 9 and under must be accompanied by an adult. GAMES GALORE! February 22, 2:00pm, Rose Creek Bring your own board games to play, or play one of the library’s! All ages and games are welcome; children 9 and under must be accompanied by an adult. THE GAME IS AFOOT! February 23-March 21, Hickory Flat Ready to put your detective skills to the ultimate test? Attend this first ever interactive, multiplayer logic game! Grab your game board during week one, and visit the library once a week to get a new clue. Using library and online resources, be the first person to solve the crime of the century! The game will end on March 21 with a party for the players!

MARCH

Good Morning Cherokee Breakfast — This meeting offers both current and future Chamber members the opportunity to conduct business and network with more than 200 fellow business leaders. 7:00am, Cherokee County Conference Center, 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton. 770-345-0400. CherokeeChamber.com

Friday Night Live — Thanks to the extended hours during this fun event, everyone has a chance to explore the variety of shops downtown. 6:00-9:00pm, downtown Woodstock. 770-592-6056. VisitWoodstockGa.com

2-4

The Tour of the Southern Highlands Cycling Stage Race — This is a 3-day professional and 2-day amateur cycling stage race. The ToSH is a USA Cycling sanctioned Pro/Am with a full schedule, as well as a USA Junior National Team selection race. It is the only selection race east of the Rocky Mountains. There will be fun events and race viewing opportunities scheduled throughout the weekend. Various times, downtown Woodstock. VisitWoodstockGa. com

AMPED in The Park — This is a quarterly fitness series powered by PLAE HARD. Woodstock Parks and Recreation is encouraging all residents and visiting families to join in the activities. 7:00-10:00am, Northside Hospital Cherokee Amphitheater, 103 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6000 x1955. AmpedInThePark.com

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hair color is chosen, deciding the best shade of color comes next. Choosing a hair color can be fun since everyone’s skin tone allows for endless possibilities. If blonde hair is your desire and your skin tone is warm, shades of butterscotch or strawberry blonde look best. However, if your skin is cooler, then opt for more icy hues like platinum or ash. Just remember, when choosing the best hair color, oftentimes, there are many perfect possibilities.

Great Finishes

Picture Perfect Hair By Jyl Caven [Lifestyle] Your wardrobe has been decided; the background has been arranged; and your hair looks flawless — the stage has been set for that picture perfect special event photo. All that work to create one beautiful image. But once the special event is over, recreating that perfect, polished look is something only the most vainglorious will try. Who has the time? But with the right haircut, hair color, and styling products, at least your hair can remain fabulous. So, follow these three tips to ensure your hairstyle stays picture perfect every day:

The Right Haircut Determining the right haircut is the first step in guaranteeing your hair will be

Woodstock Family Life | FEBRUARY 2018

picture perfect. The right haircut considers face shape, body type, hair texture, hair density, growth patterns, and styling time. With so many factors to consider, getting the right haircut requires great communication with your hairdresser. It’s great to have dreams of flaunting a trendy new hairstyle, but it’s more important your hair and body type properly support the style.

You’ve landed that perfect haircut and hair color; now it’s time to style your picture perfect look. By using the right appliances, brushes, and products, you’ll ensure your fabulous new style is completed with a great finish. When blowing dry or ironing, always use the appropriate temperature settings on your appliances. Never turn your appliances to the highest setting just to save time. You could damage your hair this way. Identifying the most suitable brush for your hair type is also necessary. Vest brush, round brush, paddle brush, vented brush, brush size, and type of bristles are all considered when deciding which brush to use. Once your styling is complete, finish your style with an all-purpose shine spray. A light mist of shine spray is the perfect way to polish off your look. While it’s nice to make arrangements to capture that perfect, special event photo, the coordinated effort required can leave the most determined of us exhausted. So, why not just focus on the one attribute that screams style the most — your hair! By following this little bit of advice, you can make everyday a picture perfect hair day! L

The Best Hair Color The best hair color can be discovered by properly identifying just two important traits — your skin tone and shade of hair color. Skin tones are either warm or cool and generally the basis for which the best hair color can be determined. Once your

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

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Do I Really Need to Get My

Eyes Checked? By Jennifer A. Dattolo, O.D., F.C.O.V.D.

[HealthyLife] Comprehensive eye exams are important for your overall health, regardless of age. Optometrists do much more than determine your prescription for glasses and/or contacts. Assessments for eye issues such as dry eyes, cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration are performed during yearly exams as well as how the eyes work together as a team. Most importantly, systemic diseases can be detected. Optometrists are often the first health care professionals to detect systemic diseases including diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and stroke. This is because the eye is the only organ in the body in which blood vessels are visible. Changes in the appearance of the vessels and bleeding in the retina are signs of these diseases, and in the early stages,

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there are no visual symptoms. Yearly dilated exams lead to earlier detection and treatment, reducing the risk of vision loss and other systemic problems. Yearly eye exams are just as important and beneficial for children. The American Optometric Association recommends a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first eye exam happen between the age of 6-12 months, and it is free through the InfantSee Program. While it is less common to see eye and systemic disease in children, it is possible. An exam at this young age will also detect potential learning-related vision problems, which can lead to difficulties in school if not treated early. Large amounts of nearsightedness and farsightedness, which should be corrected with glasses/ contacts to promote overall development, are also detected.

Once all aspects of your vision and visual health have been evaluated, a treatment plan can be initiated. This can include glasses/contacts, vision therapy, treatment for eye disease, and treatment of systemic disease. No matter your age, regular exams are important for seeing clearly, learning more easily, and most importantly â&#x20AC;&#x201D; for preserving your vision and overall health.

Jennifer A. Dattolo is a physician at Eyes On Towne Lake, 1075 Buckhead Crossing, #130, Woodstock. 770-7025996. EyesOnTowneLake.com

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Woodstock Minute

How Woodstock Fire Department Marketing

Benefits Citizens By George Williams

ecently, the City of Woodstock has started “marketing” the fire department. Why would we need to do that? Who benefits from this marketing? Obviously, serving the Woodstock community is a high priority. However, how citizens are served has changed over the years. Of course, emergency calls are still handled, but the list of how the Woodstock Fire Department (WFD) serves in addition to emergency situations has expanded. Here are some examples of how the WFD is now marketed: • Present at career days at middle schools • Teach public safety classes at high schools • Educate seniors at assisted living homes • Show trucks and gear at festivals in local neighborhoods and daycares • Represent the fire department at HOA meetings and planning committees • Perform car safety seat inspections at the fire department and local events • Write articles (like this one) to educate the general public Everyone, from parents who must assist their child with making a home escape plan for homework to the seniors who now understand that mobility is much harder as we age, will benefit from these programs. There are educational programs in place that address all ages, and many driven firefighters want to teach citizens how to keep themselves, their families, their homes, and their workplaces safe. Another important reason for these programs is to create awareness. There are many adults who ask questions like, “Why is there a fire truck at my house when I called for an ambulance?” or “Can my

Woodstock Family Life | FEBRUARY 2018

gas stove really put off carbon monoxide?” One popular adult program is the Woodstock Citizens Public Safety Academy. This is an eleven-week program that runs twice a year, in the spring and fall, once a week on Thursday evenings. Citizens attend fire and police classes and hear presentations. Participants take field trips to the Cherokee County Fire Training Center to learn about search and rescue techniques and receive presentations about the use of thermal imaging cameras. Participants also visit the Cherokee County Sherriff’s Office firearms facility to learn about judgmental shooting. Each public safety agency is covered, so participants gain a better understanding as to when and why they do what they do. Many past participants have expressed their satisfaction with how many new things they learned. So, the fire department is marketed in these ways to make citizens aware and to educate them, so they can remain safe and prepared in case of an emergency. WFD encourages you to prepare yourself and your family by educating yourself in fire safety and injury prevention. If you

Photo courtesy of Darleen Prem.

have questions or you need information on these subjects, please email GWilliams@ woodstockga.gov, or call 770-5926000 ext. 1845. If you are interested in participating in the next Citizens Public Safety Academy, the spring class is scheduled to start in late February.

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

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Education Without Limits By Lisa-Marie Haygood

[AcademicLife] What would classroom learning and innovation look like if money were no object? What if teachers were properly compensated for their hard work and dedication, and school buildings were outfitted with all the latest technology as well as state-of-the-art curriculums and resources? Would it change the outcome for student learning? The Cherokee County Educational Foundation (CCEF) will hold its annual Gala at the Northside Cherokee Event Center at the Bluffs on Saturday, March 10. This extraordinary evening will bring supporters from our community together with our school district employees, Foundation board members, officers, and administrators to celebrate the great work happening in all Cherokee County schools. Monies raised during this event will be used to fulfill Impact Grant requests from teachers and employees around the District who share ideas that fit within the strategic plan and vision of the Foundation, and will greatly impact students and their education. A silent auction will be held featuring vacations, experiences, baskets, apparel, and gifts. Each high school in the CCSD will also have an entry in the “CCSD’s Got Talent” showcase, and the winners will take cash awards back to their school to support their arts programming. All too often, we see classroom cuts and less resources for our students to succeed. The CCEF is committed to ensuring that the best innovative classroom ideas can get the funding they so richly deserve.

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Lisa-Marie is the executive director for the Cherokee County Educational Foundation.

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Traffic Stop Protocol By Sheriff Frank Reynolds

e have all had that dreaded feeling when you see the police cruiser sitting on the side of the road, and you look down at the speedometer and realize, “Oops.” Although many of us have been pulled over at some point, many have not. So, what should you do if the police stop you?

1. Don’t panic. Some drivers abruptly stop in the middle of the road, creating a traffic hazard. Others may focus on their rearview mirror and forget to pay attention to the traffic in front of them.

2. Move to the right. Georgia law requires drivers to yield to the right when being approached from the rear by an emergency vehicle. This may require you to change a few lanes prior to moving to the shoulder of the roadway. Officers understand this may take a little time due to traffic congestion. Be mindful to use your turn signal to alert other motorists and the officer of your intent to change lanes. In some cases, it may be coincidental that an officer has pulled onto the road with emergency equipment activated. They may just need to go around you while responding to a call for service.

3. Look for a safe place to stop. Take a moment to think of your

Woodstock Family Life | FEBRUARY 2018

safety, as well as the officer’s, when being stopped. Officers are trained to recognize when someone is being elusive. Interstates or roadways that are particularly dangerous may require you to move to a safer location. Rural and poorly lit areas may also be of concern. If you’re unsure what to do, or have concerns about the legitimacy of the traffic stop, turn on your hazard lights, and signal to the officer while obeying all traffic laws.

4. Contact with the officer … Once you’ve come to a complete stop, place your vehicle in park, and roll your driver’s side window down. Keep your hands on your steering wheel, and wait for the officer to approach. During the course of the stop, the officer will notify dispatch of their location and the description of the vehicle and occupants. The officer will then approach your vehicle from either side based on road and safety conditions. The officer should identify themselves and inform you of the reason for the stop. He/she will then ask for your driver’s license and/or insurance information. You should let the officer know where the documents are located prior to reaching for them. If the documents are in an area where a firearm is

located, inform the officer that you have a firearm, and wait for instructions.

5. Issuance of a citation or warning … The officer may return to their patrol car to check the status of the license and to issue a written citation or warning. If the officer issues a traffic citation, the driver is required, by state law, to sign the citation. Signing the citation is not an admission of guilt or innocence, only that the driver understands the nature of the offense and the court date should the driver wish to contest the citation. If the driver refuses to sign the citation, Georgia law allows the officer to make a custodial arrest. It is our goal that every traffic stop be conducted in a safe, professional, and informative manner. Should you have a concern about a traffic stop, or the conduct of the officer, you may request a supervisor to come to the scene. Each incident is documented with a recording device for the safety and integrity of all parties involved. We ask for your help in keeping our roadways safe by not driving while distracted or impaired.

Frank Reynolds is the sheriff for Cherokee County. 678-493-4100. CherokeeGa-Sheriff.org

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Community

Hickory Flat Volunteers Donate Fire Station to County

The former Hickory Flat Volunteer Fire Department transferred ownership of Fire Station 32 and its assets to Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services in January. Included with the donation was a 1994 Grummen fire truck. Attending the ceremony were Chief Tim Prather, Retired Chief Larry Barry, Retired Chief Tim Crossland, Board Members Mark Cornelius and Jack Tuszynski. Located on Sugar Pike Road in Canton, Station 32 has served the Hickory Flat area for decades. Transferring ownership to the County will ensure that the property continues to provide emergency services in years to come. “We believe that passing ownership on to the County is the right thing to do,” said Tim Crossland, retired HFVFD chief. “The move is necessary to become compliant with new state rules and regulations regarding volunteer fire departments. We are pleased that the property will continue to benefit the residents of Hickory Flat.”

Melanie Tugman! Congratulations Congratulationstotoour ourOctober January“7“7Differences” Differences”winner, winner,Joyce Amina McMichael! Borrero! Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

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Community

LGE Community Credit Union Gives Back LGE Community Credit Union recently presented a total of $170,000 to fourteen local, nonprofit organizations through the LGE Community Outreach Foundation. The fourteen organizations that received donations were Warehouse of Hope, Safepath Children’s Advocacy Center, City of Refuge, Next Step Ministries, McKenna Farms, Racheal’s Rest, CASA of Paulding County, Calvary Children’s Home, The Drake House, Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta - Cobb County, Shepherd Center, MUST Ministries, Angels Among Us Pet Rescue, and Mostly Mutts. Each year, LGE employees nominate and select the organizations that will be supported. The LGE Foundation then organizes and conducts fundraisers throughout the year to raise money to contribute to those nonprofit organizations. Every dollar raised by the LGE Foundation is matched by LGE Community Credit Union. Not only is there a monetary contribution, but LGE staff members volunteer over 2600 hours in the community each year.

Branches of Faith Launch Party Come out to Blank Stage Acting Studios (11517 Highway 92, #112, Woodstock) on Saturday, March 17, between 6:308:30pm for the Branches of Faith Launch Party! Branches of Faith’s mission is to create faith-based, community outreach events that will make a positive impact in Cherokee County and surrounding areas for children and youth, veterans, and seniors, and to support charitable causes that could use a helping hand. Their purpose/vision is to create community events that provide a positive experience by focusing on family fun, faith, fellowship, and leadership. They want to provide safe, judgement-free events where people can feel a sense of community and find hope. Branches of Faith also wants to lend a helping hand to charitable causes in the community by filling in the gaps when the cause’s needs outweigh their resources. For more information, contact Brandon Roberts at 678-2327488 or Brandon@BranchesOfFaith.org.

Woodstock Family Life | FEBRUARY 2018

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Community Cherokee County Educational Foundation Raises Significant Funds for CCSD Schools

Georgia Has Talent is Around the Corner Mark your calendar for March 3, and plan to come out to this exciting community event! Each year, the Cherokee High School Beat Out Cancer Club organizes and sponsors this event, which showcases some of the best talent from around Georgia. This year’s show will feature singers, dancers, bands, martial artists, percussionists, and a beat boxer. Prior to and during the show, there will be an expansive silent auction with baskets full of items from local and national retailers. All proceeds from the show will benefit the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Last year, the program raised almost $10,000 for cancer research. Tickets are $7 for general admission and $15 for reserved VIP (limited availability). See GeorgiaHasTalent. com to purchase your tickets today! If you can’t make it to the show, please consider making a donation anyway. If you are a local retailer that is interested in some great publicity for your business, check out GeorgiaHasTalent.com, and click on “Donate.” The silent auction begins at 5:00pm. The show begins at 6:00pm. Come out, and help Beat Out Cancer through Georgia Has Talent!

Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

At a recent meeting, the Cherokee County Educational Foundation Board (CCEF) presented the Cherokee County School District with a check for $45,0018 for special grants and to help the county target areas of need that align with the Foundation’s strategic plan: Graduation coaching assistance for the special needs high school seniors throughout the District, and targeted course credit recovery for high school seniors. CCEF President Billy Hayes is pictured with Superintendent Brian Hightower, School Board Chair Kyla Cromer, and other Foundation Board members. The Foundation raises money through their annual Gala as well as a golf tournament, a 5k road race, and annual t-shirt sales.

Visitors Center at Dean’s Store is Being Remodeled Renovations on the Woodstock Visitors Center at Historic Dean’s Store are underway. The project will update the interior into a modern center to welcome visitors while maintaining the story of the business that has been conducted there throughout the 1900s. Guests can expect to see historic vignettes featuring the pharmacy, Coke® fountain, bus stop, a reading room where genealogic and historic research can be done, a gallery that can host exhibits, an update and addition to the public restrooms, and a modern gift shop featuring Woodstock- and Georgiagrown products. Additional technology will also be deployed to aid in the Woodstock visitor experience. The Visitors Center is expected to re-open in mid-February. In the meantime, information can be found at VisitWoodstockGa. com or by calling 770-924-0406. WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM

Community Atlanta Regional Commission Staff Recommends Funding for Noonday Creek Trail Extension As part of their update to the Atlanta Region’s Transportation Improvement Program, the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) has recommended approval of funding for the engineering and construction portions of the Noonday Creek Trail connection from Highway 92 south to Noonday Park in Cobb County. If approved by the full ARC Board, it will provide funding for an important milestone in the evolution of the trail system in Woodstock and Cherokee County. Work has been ongoing on the preengineering and alignment portion of the trail extension, which was awarded a study grant in 2016. The positive award of this new $2.5 million grant will result in an additional two miles of multi-use trail and connection into Cobb County. The grant is matched with 20% local funding through SPLOST and park impact fees, bringing the project total to almost $3 million. Since the inception of the Greenprints trail project in 2008, almost thirty miles of trails have been built in Woodstock including the Rope Mill Park - Mountain Park Trails and the first phase of the Noonday Creek Trail, which sees approximately 200,000 users per year. The Towne Lake Pass Trail phase of the system recently added another two miles. “Our focus on ecotourism, including trails and passive park spaces, is really starting to take off,” stated Mayor Donnie Henriques. “We are seeing these type of amenities as a driving factor in the decision for people to relocate or visit our area. Continued investment in this trail system is of utmost importance, and we are excited to see ARC support those investments.”

Woodstock Family Life | FEBRUARY 2018

Reeves House Groundbreaking Elm Street Cultural Arts Village recently had a ribbon cutting to celebrate breaking ground on the Reeves Project and the Visual Arts Center in downtown Woodstock. The ceremony drew over 50 people ready to celebrate the moment with speeches from Executive Director Christopher Brazelton, Mayor Donnie Henriques, and Board President Ann Litrel. The Reeves House is an old farmhouse built in 1897, the same year Woodstock officially became a city. Vacant for decades, this historically significant home will be transformed into the heart of Elm Street Cultural Arts Village as a Visual Arts Center. Upon completion, the Reeves House will host a myriad of visual arts offerings. There will be a rotating gallery space featuring artists from near and far and a 24/7 maker’s space dedicated to artists and their craft, allowing them to create and feature their art for all to see and experience. There will also be classroom space, history space, and a coffee shop/bar space open to all who enter the Reeves House. For more information on the project, or to donate, visit ReviveTheReeves.org.

Woodstock Fire Department 2017 Award Recipients Woodstock Fire Department’s Chief Dave Soumas and Assistant Chief Jimmy Eley recently recognized department personnel for their outstanding achievements in 2017. The following received annual awards signifying their great work and contributions to the Woodstock Fire Department:

Officer of the Year Lt. Shane Tetterton

Firefighter of the Year FF Jason Cox

Rookie of the Year FF Phil Smith

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Loving

One Another

By Pastor Gavin Adams

[InGoodFaith] It seems each month of the year comes with a theme. There’s giving thanks in November followed by Christmas in December. We make resolutions and consider new beginnings in January. Then, we have February. February could be the month of forgotten resolutions or freezing temperatures. But there is a bigger feeling in February — the feeling of love. Blame Valentine’s Day.

Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

What is love, anyway? Or to quote the great Tina Turner, “What’s love got to do, got to do with it?” Love as an action is, at least in theory, others-focused. Loving people put others ahead of themselves. Real love is selfless and unconditional. Unfortunately, most of us fail to love this way all the time. We all tend to express our love with conditions and expectations, which is not all that lovable. Valentine’s Day is a great example of conditional love. Many of us will give gifts to our friends and family, but most of our gifts will be given with an expectation of reciprocation. For example, “I’ll give you a box of chocolates, but I really hope you’ll give me a round of golf in return.” Unfortunately, love coupled with expectation actually isn’t love at all. The apostle Paul, in his famous letter to the churches and Christians in the first-century city of Corinth, provided a meaningful definition of pure love. You can read the entire passage in 1

Corinthians 13, but the synopsis is simple: The most powerful thing in our world is love, and our greatest opportunity is to love one another unconditionally. I wonder how our families, neighborhoods, communities, and country would look if we could begin to love as Paul instructed us. What if we loved others patiently and without conditions? What if we loved others, not because they deserve our love or because they will return our love, but because we have been uniquely positioned to love. That is the kind of love that changes things, and that is the kind of love that changes us, too. So this month, what would it look like for you to love those around you unconditionally?

Gavin Adams is lead pastor at Woodstock City Church, 150 Ridgewalk Parkway, Woodstock. 470-689-6000. WoodstockCity.org

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Senator Speaks

Medical and Lifestyle

TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES By Senator Bruce Thompson

f you’re from my generation, you grew up watching shows like The Jetsons, Inspector Gadget, and even a love story featuring the Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman. Although these shows were fictitious, they provided a possible glimpse of the future. While we may not be able to hop into our personal spacecraft and zip off to the supermarket, autonomous trucks are already being utilized for transporting goods in Europe. You may have wondered if you would ever really talk to your watch like Gadget, or if someone could really have a damaged leg replaced with a robotic one. Several years later, nearly thirty million Apple® watches have been sold. This device allows you to communicate, pay bills, and even monitor your exercise — but these features are likely only scratching the surface. Time will tell, but rumors are that the watch will eventually cannibalize the phone within 2-3 years. The medical field has made significant technological strides. What was once a dream has become a reality, as surgeons

routinely use robotics to replace knees, hips, and ankles. Burn victims used to have little hope they would ever regain their previous appearance, but an incredible procedure utilizing adult stem cells has yielded phenomenal results in testing conducted on injured firefighters. In several trials, stem cells were administered to severely burned areas, and within weeks, the areas were completely healed. In countries such as Austria and Europe, rotary cuff surgery has been dramatically reduced by injecting stem cells directly into the damaged tissue. Another major initiative is showing great promise, as some highly regarded research institutions focus on eradicating diseases including cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes with stem-cell therapy. Sure, movies such as Robocop and Drone provide great entertainment for

audiences, but the technology is not as farfetched as one might think. Consider that Mesa, Arizona and many other police agencies have added robots to their force. Some are only used in hostage situations to provide logistical information, while others are equipped to engage in battle. In most cases, the military lists their development and utilization of drones, robots, and artificial intelligence as classified, but it is widely known that drones as small as bees have been utilized in combat scenarios, and armed, unmanned aircraft are commonly deployed in hostile environments. What does the near future look like? Imagine you decide to build a new home, and it is completed in thirty days using a 3-D printer. This same home is completely automated, so you no longer need keys because it recognizes your face and voice when you approach. When you enter the kitchen, the automated room assistance asks you what you would like for dinner, and then proceeds to order the necessary ingredients from the store to be delivered within fifteen minutes. Once the automated assistant has prepared your dinner, you relax in the living room where the audio/video screen automatically recognizes you and awaits your instruction. You may think this automated home seems years away, but it’s already a reality at Google in California.

Bruce Thompson is a State Senator for District 14, which includes Woodstock. 404-656-0065. BruceThompsonGa.com

Woodstock Family Life | FEBRUARY 2018

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Book Review BY JESSICA ASBELL

ittle Fires Everywhere is about the seemingly perfect community of Shaker Heights. But this utopia isn’t quite as perfect as it seems. The Richardsons are the perfect family with Lexie heading to college in the fall; Trip, the jock who excels at sports; Moody, the shy, quiet one; and Izzy, the black sheep of the family who causes her mother much consternation. But, they live in a great house, on a great street, and go to great schools until Mia and Pearl come along. Mia and her daughter, Pearl, rent from the Richardsons. Mia, a photographer, moves her little family every time she finishes a project. But now, she claims they are staying put. Pearl meets the Richardsons and becomes enthralled by Lexie, Moody, and Trip. Mia works for the Richardsons to help pay the rent, and Izzy finds herself helping Mia with her photography. But, the dynamics have changed. Sparks have ignited. And when another couple on the street ends up in court, trying to keep their soon-to-be adopted child after the birth mother decides she wants her back, battle lines will be drawn.

Little Fires Everywhere raises many questions. Does the mother who gave birth and abandoned her child have more rights than the mother who took the child in and loved her like her own? Who has the right to share your story? How do our own stories form our views? How does our community help us, and how does it cage us? And in the center of it all, how do we hear the advice of others? This story is a slow burn that turns incendiary. And when the dust settles, each character will find out who they truly are, as each must make a choice that will change their world forever.

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

Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

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Community Partners

n 1979, Holly S. Hill was a teen living in northern New Hampshire with her parents and five siblings. Holly’s father, Fred, owned a local business with his brother, Bob, that provided heating fuels, furnace installations, plumbing, and other services. As a child, Holly admired her father’s ability to fix just about anything, and she often accompanied him when he was “out on a call.” Today, she reflects gratefully on how her father made sure she knew how to hammer a nail, tighten a screw, and change a tire.

Fred, his sister, and younger brother worked alongside their father on their dairy farm after their mother died from tuberculosis. Though they were all under the age of seven, they all performed their chores every day before school. Despite facing many hardships, each child grew up to be self-supporting and financially successful with an unwavering work ethic.

Woodstock Family Life | FEBRUARY 2018

Supporting and Celebrating the Trades

One night during her senior year of high school, Holly’s father said to her, “You have to have a trade, something to fall back on.” This was his complete lecture on education. Holly asked if she could go to cosmetology school. Always a man of few words, he replied, “That’s a trade. I’ll pay for that.” At eighteen, Holly graduated from cosmetology school and began working at a busy, local salon. It was not long before she had a regular clientele and a steady income. Years later, Holly moved to Georgia and eventually went on to earn an associate’s degree and a bachelor’s degree. Today, Holly owns and manages a local business with her husband. Over the decades following that conversation with her father, Holly noticed a significant decline in workers practicing the trades the way her father and uncle had done. It seemed fewer and fewer skilled workers were seeking training in the fields of plumbing, welding, electrical, machinery operation and the like. She also noticed some students struggling to complete degrees in majors they didn’t necessarily enjoy. Others seemed to graduate with degrees that didn’t lead to a lot of job opportunities. How could the skills that provided so much security and pride for her family (and helped so many in their small community) have fallen off the radar of viable career options?

Mike Rowe, a television personality who is working to help bring attention to the trades, often shares that there are “5.6 million jobs in the United States today that are unfilled despite there being six million unemployed people.” This is because people are not acquiring the necessary training to do them. The phrase “skills gap” is getting a lot of buzz these days, and its true. In 2014, Holly founded the 2:10 Foundation to support and celebrate the trades. The 2:10 Foundation strives to provide scholarship opportunities to those students who have a desire to work in the trades. To find out if your education is eligible for a scholarship, visit The210Foundation.com. You may be able to finish and get to work sooner than you think! The 2:10 Foundation is a recognized 501c3 non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible.

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Tooth Fairy Talk [HealthyLife] One of the sweetest rites of passage in a child’s life is losing their first tooth. It’s so exciting to receive the first visit from the Tooth Fairy! What parent doesn’t look back fondly at photos of their youngster with a newfound gap in their smile? To reach this healthy milestone, it’s important to take great care of the primary (baby) teeth. The origins of the Tooth Fairy can be traced back to northern Europe, during the 1600s. The Tooth Fairy is celebrated around the world, in many different cultures. However, in some Spanish and Latino countries, the Tooth Mouse rather than the Tooth Fairy exchanges the lost tooth for a small gift for the child. Every child looks forward with wonder to the Tooth Fairy’s visit. They carefully place the lost tooth under their pillow, sometimes in a special pouch, with the

Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

By Vishant Nath, D.M.D.

hopes that it will be replaced with money while they are sleeping. Healthy teeth fall out exactly when they are supposed to fall out, and this varies from child to child. The best way to preserve the natural progression of losing baby teeth is to exercise great oral hygiene and to be sure to have your child’s teeth cleaned and examined twice a year by a pediatric dentist. There are those who question the need for taking such disciplined action to preserve teeth that will fall out anyway, some within the first five years of life. Primary teeth serve several important purposes. They facilitate the ability to smile, speak, and to eat a wide variety of foods. They create and preserve space for permanent teeth. Losing them prematurely can cause a myriad of problems. They are as important as

primary teeth, and need to be cared for just as diligently. If your child loses a tooth prematurely, either due to decay or trauma, be sure to follow the guidance of your pediatric dentist. It’s never too late to establish great oral hygiene techniques for you and your child.

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

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COVER STORY By Cyndi Braun

t’s a new year, and time to take a good, long look at…yourself.

Remember a few years ago when you noticed those tiny lines on your face? Are they not so tiny anymore? Or, did you lose a lot of weight recently (hooray!) but need help losing that excess skin? Do you have some other body feature that has always bugged you? Now is the perfect time for a change. Whether you seek a subtle change or major cosmetic surgery, Plastic Surgery Center of the South is ready to help you look your best.

Two Decades of Quality Twenty years ago, three prominent plastic surgeons joined together to establish a new practice conveniently located off I-75 in Marietta. The four doctors currently with the practice have more than eighty years of combined experience in the field. From the beginning, Plastic Surgery Center of the South has treated patients like valued family members. Staff members make patients feel comfortable from the moment they step into the office. Surgeons explain procedures carefully, offer options, and answer questions. Patients never feel rushed.

Woodstock Family Life | FEBRUARY 2018

It’s no wonder that many patients come back for additional procedures and refer friends and family.

Full Range of Services Plastic Surgery Center of the South offers a full range of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, both surgical and nonsurgical, for male and female patients of all ages. Common procedures include body contouring, breast enhancement, face sculpting and medical spa services, reconstructive surgery after cancer and accidents, facial fractures, hand trauma, burns, and lacerations. As master injectors, physicians administer all injections, including Botox®, and injectable fillers. Most surgical procedures can be performed onsite, with the assistance of a medical anesthetist and a welltrained surgical team. The office contains an independent, comprehensive surgical facility with two state-certified operating suites and recovery areas. This ensures patient privacy and a nurturing

environment. If more extensive cosmetic or reconstructive surgery is required, all four surgeons have staff privileges at WellStar Kennestone Hospital located across the street. The facility also has an extensive medical spa where patients can receive treatments like CoolSculpting®, microneedling, microdermabrasion, and photo rejuvenation. The spa has several lasers, including their newest GentleMax Pro, to provide procedures like hair removal, smoothing away fine lines, and eliminating brown spots.

For More Information Before deciding on a procedure, patients should schedule a consultation, so they understand options and costs. Many patients are surprised at how affordable plastic surgery can be. Be sure to check the website and Facebook page for regular specials, including Botox®, mini facelifts, and skin care products.

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Meet the Doctors Dr. James Leake is one of the founding partners and has more than thirty years of surgical experience. Known for his straightforward approach, Dr. Leake takes his time with patients to educate them about procedures. He is board-certified in plastic surgery. “We don’t rush patients in and out of here. Everybody gets the amount of time they need and deserve,” said Dr. Leake. “I enjoy seeing the positive change in my patients after cosmetic surgery. For many people, cosmetic surgery improves their selfesteem and confidence.”

Dr. Michael Petrosky is one of the founding partners and has been a plastic surgeon for more than 25 years. Double board-certified in plastic surgery and general surgery, Dr. Petrosky is known for his easy-going attitude and honest advice. “I find it especially rewarding when I can perform a surgery that makes a difference in a person’s life,” said Dr. Petrosky. “I enjoy plastic surgery because it is artistic. Plastic surgeons need to be able to see in a three-dimensional way, and they have to be good with their hands. Every case is a little different.”

Dr. Corey Harkins joined the practice in 2014. Dr. Harkins blends the latest innovations with timetested techniques to produce beautiful results. With specialized training in reconstructive surgery, microsurgery, and maxillofacial surgery, Dr. Harkins is board-certified in plastic surgery. “I always knew I wanted to be a surgeon. I like the finesse of plastic surgery. I’m very particular about everything, and I find that plastic surgery best suits my personality,” said Dr. Harkins. “Besides cosmeticrelated surgeries, we can restore form and function with reconstructive surgery.”

Dr. James Depew joined the practice in 2017. A board-certified surgeon and plastic surgery specialist, Dr. Depew has training in cosmetic, traumatic, and cancer reconstructive procedures. Dr. Depew is certified in general surgery and boardeligible in plastic surgery. “While completing a surgical oncology rotation during my residency, I appreciated the profound impact of reconstructive procedures for cancer patients,” said Dr. Depew. “I enjoy the opportunity to look at problems outside the box and figure out new and creative ways to solve problems.”

Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

120 Vann Street Northeast, #150

770-421-1242

PlasticSurgeryCenterOfTheSouth.net Facebook.com/PlasticSurgeryCenterOfTheSouth/

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All About Ganglion Cysts By Atlanta Hand Specialist Staff [HealthyLife]

Ganglion cysts are common lumps within the hand and wrist that develop adjacent to joints or tendons.

The most common locations areâ&#x20AC;Ś - Top of the wrist - Palm side of the wrist - Base of the finger on the palm side - Top of the end joint of the finger The cyst often resembles a water balloon on a stalk and is filled with clear fluid or gel. The cause is unknown, although they may form in the presence of joint or tendon irritation or mechanical changes. They can occur in patients of all ages. Ganglion cysts may change in size or even disappear completely. They may or may not be painful. These cysts are not cancerous and will not spread to other areas.

How are ganglion cysts diagnosed? Physicians can usually diagnose a ganglion cyst based on the appearance and location of the bump. Ganglion cysts are usually oval or round and may be soft or very firm. Physicians may also request x-rays to investigate problems in the adjacent joints. Cysts at the end joint of the finger frequently have an arthritic bone spur associated with them.

Woodstock Family Life | FEBRUARY 2018

What are the treatment options for ganglion cysts? Treatment is often non-surgical. In many cases, cysts are simply observed, as they frequently disappear on their own. If the cyst becomes painful, limits activity, or is otherwise unacceptable, there are several treatment options: - Splints and anti-inflammatory medication to decrease pain - Aspiration to remove the fluid and decompress it - Surgery to remove the cyst (if the above fail to provide relief or if the cyst recurs) Surgery involves removing the cyst as well as a portion of the joint capsule or tendon sheath. With wrist ganglion cysts, traditional and arthroscopic techniques may yield good results. During your appointment, your physician will discuss which treatment options are right for you.

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

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Scams

Aimed at Utility Customers By Cobb EMC

[HomeLife] Utility customers should be on guard for ploys to obtain quick cash and personal information such as credit card and Social Security numbers. “Be aware of callers claiming they are with your utility company and demanding immediate payment or threatening immediate disconnection,” says Leslie Thompson, Cobb EMC director of member and public relations. While utility scams are nothing new, thieves have created a new con: They manipulate an outgoing telephone number, so on caller I.D., the call appears to come from a utility company. If a recipient dials the fake number, he or she will hear an on-hold message that mimics a real utility customer greeting. Needless to say, the practice can catch customers unaware since the phone number and greeting appear to be legitimate. However, according to Thompson, customers should be on high alert regarding any call in which someone claiming to be employed by their utility company demands immediate

Serving Woodstock, including Towne Lake

payment and threatens disconnection. Under these high-pressure tactics, customers should never provide payment information to the caller. “If you have doubts, call your utility company, or check your account balance directly,” says Thompson. In addition to this trick, there have been limited reports of scammers showing up at a service address in clothing marked with what appears to be utility company logos. These scammers attempt to collect a pastdue bill and threaten to instantly disconnect service. A legitimate utility company representative should never come to a residence or business and demand payment by debit, credit, gift card, or cash.

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

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Taste of BY CHEF HILLARY GALLAGHER

(Serves 4-6)

To Begin

Prepare 4-6 servings of your favorite rice or farro according to package directions.

Scallops Ingredients

w 2 lbs. dry-pack sea scallops w 2 oz. olive oil or clarified butter w Kosher salt to taste w Black pepper to taste

Scallops Procedure

- Remove and discard the muscle tab from the scallop, or ask your local fishmonger to do it while you are at the seafood counter. - Heat the oil or butter in a sauté pan over medium-high heat. - Season the scallops with salt and pepper, and sear on both sides until golden brown. This may need to be done in batches so as not to overcrowd the pan.

Beurre Blanc Ingredients

w 1 small shallot, minced w 6-8 black peppercorns w 4 oz. dry white wine w 1 oz. lemon juice w 1.5 oz. cider vinegar w 4 oz. heavy cream w 8 oz. butter, cubed small and kept very cold w 2-3 oz. spinach w 2 oz. basil

Beurre Blanc Procedure

- Blanch the spinach and the basil; wring out; and puree with a few ice cubes; reserve. - In a medium saucepot, combine the shallot, peppercorn, wine, lemon juice, and vinegar. Reduce over medium heat until almost dry. - Add the heavy cream, and reduce by half. - Reduce the heat to low, and adding a few pieces of butter at a time, whisk to emulsify. Continue to add the butter until the full amount is incorporated. - Season with salt and pepper. - Pour the sauce through a mesh strainer; fold in the spinach/basil puree; and serve warm.

Green Beans with Walnuts Ingredients

w 1 lb. green beans w 2 oz. butter w 1 small shallot, minced w 2 garlic cloves, minced w 4 oz. chicken stock or broth w Salt and pepper to taste w 2 tablespoons walnut oil or good quality olive oil w 2 oz. chopped walnuts

Green Beans with Walnuts Procedure

- If needed, cut the green beans on the bias. - Heat the butter in a large sauté pan. Add the shallots and garlic, and sauté over medium heat until translucent (1-2 minutes). - Add the green beans in an even layer, and then add the stock. - Season with salt and pepper. - Bring to a simmer; cover the pan; and steam the beans until tender (about 8 minutes). - Remove the lid, and allow the cooking liquid to thicken and reduce, so it will coat the beans. - When the beans are cooked and the liquid is reduced, toss the beans in the walnut oil and walnuts. - Season with salt and pepper.

Plating

- Place a serving of prepared rice/farro on each plate. - Add the green beans, and top with 3-4 scallops. - Drizzle the plate with the sauce, and serve hot.

Hillary Gallagher, CCC is the Culinary Arts Program Director and Lead Instructor at Chattahoochee Technical College in East Cobb. Hillary.Gallagher@ ChattahoocheeTech.edu. 770-509-6350. ChattahoocheeTech.edu

Woodstock Family Life | FEBRUARY 2018

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Aging AND Love By Tim Morris I have worked in the aging field since 1990, and I [Lifestyle] never get tired of hearing the stories of couples or individuals who were married for a very long time. They seem to light up as they reminisce about the past. I remember asking a couple in the nursing home where I worked how long they had been married. The husband couldn’t recall how long they had been married, but his wife could. She looked up at me and said, “We will have been married 77 years come June.” I immediately tried to do the math in my head. She stopped me, and said he was the love of her life at fifteen, and he was sixteen at the time. They got married after two months of dating and had been by each other’s side the entire time except the three years he was serving in WWI. I asked her for her best advice for a long happy marriage. She quickly said, “Marry your best friend.” Then, with a chuckle, she added, “It wasn’t because he was good looking.” I remember the dating scene back when I was at Georgia Southern University. My friends teased me because I refused to date girls from Atlanta since I thought they were too metropolitan for me. I grew up in a small town in central Georgia, so I preferred country girls. When I graduated, I took a

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job in Dahlonega. Within a month, I met Carol, and fell in love. We got engaged in a matter of a few months, and set a date. When I called one of my college buddies to be in my wedding, he asked, “Where is this wedding?” I told him it was in Decatur, inside the Atlanta perimeter. My friend laughed, and said, “You don’t date girls from Atlanta; you just marry them.” Carol and I have been married for thirty years, and like the couple in the nursing home, I also married my best friend. 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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Quotables “Don’t make friends who are comfortable to be with. Make friends who will force you to lever yourself up.” -Thomas J. Watson

“If you don’t give power to the words that people throw at you to hurt you, they don’t hurt you anymore, and you actually have power over those people.”

“There are four questions of value in life: What is sacred? Of what is the spirit made? What is worth living for and what is worth dying for? The answer to each is the same. Only love.” -Lord Byron

–Friedrich Nietzsche

“Jealousy contains more of self-love than of love.” -Francois de La Rouchefoucauld

Woodstock Family Life | FEBRUARY 2018

-Emily Dickinson

“God employs several translators; some pieces are translated by age, some by sickness, some by war, some by justice.” -John Donne

-Stephen Colbert

“To live is to suffer; to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.”

“Hope is the thing with feathers / That perches in the soul / And sings the tune — without the words / And never stops at all.”

“People go, but how they left always stays.” -Rupi Kaur

“Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers.” -Voltaire

“You can’t learn to have grit if you never put yourself in a situation where you need it.” -Mary Wittenberg

“Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs.” -William Shakespeare

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By Julie Senger

So, your honey recently popped the question, and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re excited to begin planning your future together! You want your wedding to be as unique and meaningful as your relationship is, so you decide to have your special day in a romantically beautiful place that has sentimental value to the both of you â&#x20AC;&#x201D; but that place happens to be hundreds or even thousands of miles away from where you, your family, and your friends live. Here are some things to consider as you start to plan one of the happiest days of your life: 32

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The World is Your Oyster If you are getting married outside the U.S., make sure you understand the legal marriage requirements for your chosen destination. Will you need a blood test? Do you have to spend a certain amount of time in the country before you can get married there? Are there special licenses or other documents you must obtain? Oftentimes, to avoid these concerns, couples will get legally married in the U.S. and then have a formal, “symbolic” ceremony in their chosen destination. Once you’ve done your legal research, explore the internet to select options for your wedding/reception venue(s). Try to schedule an advance trip to your destination specifically to tour the venues, and solidify your choice. If an advance visit isn’t in the cards, many places provide a virtual tour on their website. However, in addition to the venue’s professionally filmed virtual tour, it would be wise to view recent videos that may have been posted by actual visitors to the venue (on sites like TripAdvisor or YouTube), as these clips may be a more current, accurate representation of what you can expect. After you’ve chosen a venue, ask if they require you to use specific vendors for things like food, flowers, photography, music, etc. If so, you will need to find out which of these vendors’ services are included in any price quotes you

may receive. If the venue doesn’t require you to use certain vendors, ask if they have any recommendations. If your chosen wedding venue doesn’t provide a wedding planner, you may want to hire a local one. Since you live far away, your wedding planner will be your eyes and ears as well as your major point of contact. And if you’re not fluent in the language of your chosen destination, your wedding planner may end up doing much of your communicating and negotiating with local professionals who will have a hand in creating your special day.

The Price of Love Traditionally, the bride’s parents covered most wedding expenses. However, many couples are now footing the bill themselves. No one wants to start their new life together with a crazy debt load. To avoid this, set a realistic budget by making sure you consider all possible expenses. There are lots of little details that couples forget to think about, and these things can add up quickly. And, of course, there are additional expenses to consider when your wedding is far from home (travel, accommodations, etc.) Destination Wedding Details (DestinationWeddingDetails.com) is a website that provides handy budget spreadsheets with almost any possible wedding expense you can think of.

Be Our Guest! How much notice should I give my guests? When should I send out invitations? Holly Lefevre, author of The Everything Wedding Etiquette

Book, recommends, “The distance and accessibility of the destination can affect save-the-date timing; traveling to a faroff locale takes more time to plan than a three-hour road trip to the mountains. To be safe either way, send out the ‘save-the-dates’ as soon as you confirm the details. The more time the better — nine to twelve months is ideal and provides guests ample time to schedule travel plans and time off work. Be sure to include info about the wedding destination, so guests can begin to plan.” Consider building a wedding website that you keep updated, so guests have as much detail as possible. Examples of information you may want to include on your website are links to travel brochures, accommodations, maps, things to do, restaurants, etc. However, “save-the-date” invitations are different from the formal invitations you’ll still need to send 8-12 weeks prior to your wedding. Anna Post, author of Do I Have to Wear White? explains, “With a formal invite, the emphasis should be on the invitation itself, so don’t turn it into a travel brochure.” And if you created a wedding website, Post suggests, “List your wedding URL in the invite.” continued on page 34

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continued from page 33

How Accommodating! When recommending accommodations for your guests, try to offer at least two options at different price points, so guests can choose where to stay based on their personal budgets. Ask the hotel/resort if they offer a group-rate discount. If the accommodations that you recommend differ from the wedding/reception venue, they should be no more than fifteen minutes away. Also, make sure the accommodations will have enough space available for everyone on your chosen wedding date. For example, you probably would not want to schedule your wedding during a time when your destination is hosting a major celebration like an annual carnival/festival or popular sporting event.

Finally… If you and your guests will be flying to your destination, make sure no one in the wedding party “checks” their wedding day attire. Better to have the item re-steamed once you arrive at your destination than to risk it becoming “lost luggage.”

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Body Art Is It a Good Idea? By Ferdinand Yates, M.D.

[HealthyLife] According to the Pew Research Center, in 2010, about 38% of young adults had a tattoo, and about 23% had a body piercing somewhere other than their earlobes. And according to a 2017 report in USA Today, more young people have tattoos and piercings than ever before. Scarification is intentional irritation that causes a more permanent pattern on the skin. Additionally, increasing numbers of teenage girls seem to be sporting tongue and navel piercings. Overall, society seems to be more accepting of tattooed and pierced individuals. Most people undergoing these procedures identify it as a form of self-expression. Many states have some sort of regulations regarding these procedures; most do not regulate sanitation, training, or licensing. In most states, a teenager must be at least eighteen years old to have a tattoo, but there is considerable variation from place to place. The most frequent problems are skin infections at the tattoo or piercing site. Rarely, however, far more serious health complications occur. Reputable parlors should provide an information sheet that instructs the recipient regarding care for the site and a list of problems for which the individual should be observant. The effects of piercings and tattooing may be longstanding. About 40% of respondents in a 2014 survey felt that employees with piercings and tattoos reflect poorly on the employer, and that body markings were inappropriate at work. In addition, the same survey revealed that about 75% of individuals with body markings felt that their chances of employment were hurt. If considering a tattoo or piercing, please understand the following: • The social implications of the piercing or tattoo • The medical implications of the procedure (such as a chipped tooth or a skin infection) • The hygiene and sanitation of the parlor • The substantial cost for tattoo removal should you change your mind Also, please be aware of any change in the skin site, and contact your doctor with any concerns. *Source - American Academy of Pediatrics publications

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Dr. Yates is a pediatrician at Woodstock Pediatric Medicine, 2000 Professional Way, #200, Woodstock. 770-517-0250. WoodstockPeds.com

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Pregnant?

Is Your Smile Ready? By Dr. Steven Anderson, D.M.D.

[HealthyLife] There are several things women can do to maintain good oral health during pregnancy, starting with a current dental exam. Many dentists are experienced in treating pregnant patients. Extra precautions are employed to help mom feel more comfortable and to protect the fetus. A routine checkup and cleaning should be scheduled during pregnancy if you have not seen your dentist prior to getting pregnant. Tooth decay and any other oral disease should be treated immediately or as soon as possible. Active oral disease will progress during pregnancy, so resolving problems quickly will help to avoid potentially extensive and painful treatments once the baby arrives. With the modern technology of digital dental x-rays, necessary x-rays are considered safe because the radiation is so low, and the focus is the tooth or jaw â&#x20AC;&#x201D; not the abdominal area. The dentist can even provide a lead apron to further protect the baby and ease a motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s concern. A good time to schedule your dental visit is during your second trimester. In the second trimester, the fetus has progressed beyond the critical early organ development stages and into body development. Often, nausea or other early discomforts have subsided, so mothers are more physically prepared to receive any necessary dental work. Review, and consider necessary treatment only. Listen closely to your trusted dentist, and make decisions together. Medication, dentistry, and pregnancy â&#x20AC;&#x201D; certain drugs can negatively affect a developing fetus. In dentistry, there are very few routinely used medications that could potentially be harmful. Overdosing or chronic use are the primary concerns. Antibiotics, pain medicine, and anesthetics are carefully considered when needed. Your dentist should take precautions and discuss any specific drug concerns with you and/or your OB/GYN. Having a child can be one of the most rewarding experiences in life, and keeping your teeth healthy before, during, and after pregnancy prepares you to enjoy the experience. After all, great dentistry is all about you and your newborn.

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

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ArtistProfile

Perry, the Chainsmokers, Maroon 5, Miranda Lambert, Meghan Trainor, and John Legend.

ith exceptional musicianship, powerhouse vocals, high-energy performances, and more than 100 years of combined professional music experience, the members of Fantabulous know how to get wedding, corporate event, festival, and club crowds on their feet and keep them there. Playing songs from the 60s to today — including pop, rock, country, R & B, rap, funk, and jazz music, their song catalogue has something for just about everyone. A sampling of the variety of artists covered by Fantabulous includes Johnny Cash, the Temptations, the Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind & Fire, Journey, AC/ DC, Guns n Roses, Bruno Mars, Shawn Mendes, P!nk, Kelly Clarkson, Jason Aldean, Katy

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Meet the Band: Drummer Steve Sargent studied music performance at Kennesaw State University and Columbus State University, completing his course of study at the United States Armed Forces School of Music. Steve was a member of the U.S. Army Band for four years, spent two years as a cruise ship musician aboard Holland America Cruise Lines, and has performed with dozens of bands around Atlanta and Austin, Texas for over twenty years. Bassist and Music Director Patrick Cognitore paid his dues in the New York club scene as a member of a Dave Matthews tribute band. He has a degree in musical performance and is proficient in electric as well as upright bass. He originally began

playing rock and pop music before branching out to play bigband jazz, funk, acoustic-roots, and everything in between. Guitarist Wagner Gracciano is a native of Brazil and is a master of all styles of guitar. From classical, to Brazilian jazz, to R & B, and straight up rock n’ roll, Wagner is a walking encyclopedia of popular music. Wagner is also a producer, composer, arranger, and music instructor. His most recent solo album is entitled Across the Universe. Lead Vocalist Terry Gresham is a soulful, award-winning singer and songwriter, and previous lead vocalist for former six-time “Best of Atlanta” party band winner The Neons. Terry has opened for famous artists such as Gladys Knight and Brian McKnight, performed with the Boston Pops Orchestra, and he has worked with top producers including Stevie J and Ryan Leslie.

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Lead Vocalist Julie Senger is a studio vocalist, singer/songwriter for Sinking to Swim, and the previous front woman for the former Atlanta party-rock band, Secret Sauce. She has also lent her powerful voice and songwriting skills to a variety of musicals, including Metro Atlanta Theatre Award nominee, MANopause the Musical. Julie has performed at such notable venues as the Grand Ole Opry, Variety Playhouse, and Buckhead Theatre. Fantabulous rehearses once a week, learning an average of five new songs every other week to keep content fresh for their audiences. “While our song list is pretty extensive, if there’s a special tune you’d like us to learn that isn’t on there, just let us know. We are happy to

functions. If desired, they can also add a horn section, a keyboard player, or other musicians. “Whatever your musical needs, we can make it happen,” said Steve.

accommodate you,” said Patrick. “We want to make each event as special and memorable as possible.”

What’s unique about Fantabulous? In addition to their five-member full band, Fantabulous also performs as smaller ensembles to suit specific types of events such as an instrumental jazz trio; jazz quartet with vocalist for cocktail hours and dinner performances; solo guitarist; or guitarist with one or two vocalists for wedding ceremonies and background

Photos co

To learn more about Fantabulous, to view videos of their energetic performances, to find out where you can see them live, or for booking information, visit FantabulousBand.com, or call 678-770-0029.

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Left to right: Steve Sargent, Patrick Cognitore, Wagner Gracciano, Terry Gresham and Julie Senger.

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Cherokee Man

‘WENT DARK’

in Jet Ski Accident

Kennestone Trauma Team Gives Him a Second Chance

[HealthyLife] Patti Yapp looked out a lake house window. The calm waters reflected the sun. Her husband, Scott, and his brother laughed while they played on their jet skis. It was a perfect day on Lake Allatoona. Something gave her pause, and she glanced out the window again. What she saw chilled her to the bone that hot summer day. Two jet skis collided. Bodies flew. A sunbeam formed a spotlight to reveal their empty jet skis rocking on the water. “I looked over my righthand shoulder,” Scott remembered the moment before the crash. “My brother wasn’t there. I took a quick turn. In a couple seconds, he had moved from my left side to my right side. I didn’t take that second glance. I went into a sharp turn, and he had nowhere to go. He T-boned right into me, and that’s pretty much when everything went dark.” On the dock, Patti called 9-1-1. “I yelled at the first boat I saw,” Patti remembered. “Please go help my husband!”

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A boater found the men; Scott’s brother was okay. However, the collision crushed Scott’s body. Paramedics rushed him to the highest level of care available, WellStar Kennestone Hospital’s Trauma Center. “All hospitals have some level of basic care; they get some trauma from time to time,” said trauma surgeon Jinu Kamdar,

shattered hips. But the team focused on the biggest threat to Scott’s life first: six pints of lost blood. “He came to us with a very low blood pressure, barely alive,” said Dr. Kamdar. “He was hanging on by a thread.” The trauma team stabilized Scott. Then, the trauma orthopedic surgeon performed

“I yelled at the first boat I saw,” Patti remembered. “Please go help my husband!”

M.D. “I think you can imagine that if you do it day in and day out and deal with the worst of the worst, they’re probably very skilled at it. And that’s our team. We are really good at what we do because we do it every day.” When Scott arrived, the trauma team noted his head injury, broken ribs, bruised lung, broken thigh bone, broken leg, and

a series of surgeries to fix his broken bones. An intensive care team nursed him through the critical days and weeks that followed the surgeries. Although things were dark for Scott on the lake, he lights up when he remembers his care team.

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Indoor Seed Starting By Joshua Fuder [HomeLife] Starting seeds indoors is a great way to get a jump start on your spring and summer gardens. Growing plants from seeds can be an inexpensive way to produce many transplants. It is often the only way to grow rare, heirloom plants, or ones that require a long growing season. Many gardeners enjoy starting their own transplants because it extends the gardening year, and it can be very gratifying to harvest vegetables that were cultivated from a single seed. Starting seeds indoors can be a bit tricky, so follow these guidelines to ensure success:

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Soil/Growing Media

Containers

A wide range of growing media may be used as long as it is loose and well drained. Do not use or mix garden soil, as it is too heavy and will potentially introduce pathogens that can kill your young seedlings. A mixture containing equal parts perlite or vermiculite, peat moss, and sterile compost is best, and it can be purchased from most retail locations. This potting mix will have low fertility, so seedlings must be watered with a diluted ¼ to ½ recommended rate fertilizer solution as soon as the first leaves emerge.

Plastic cell packs can be purchased or reused, but there is really no limit to what you can use as long as it is sterile and provides adequate drainage.

Soil Moisture and Temperature The growing medium should be thoroughly moistened prior to planting. After seeding, the soil must be kept moist but not sopping; think of a wrung-out sponge. The temperature of the soil is also critical and must be kept near seventy degrees. A horticultural heat mat may be required under the seed trays and pots to keep roots actively growing.

Light Transplants grown indoors will likely require supplemental light soon after germination. A south-facing window is a great place to get seeds started but oftentimes will not provide enough light exposure, which will result in weak, “leggy” plants. Fluorescent fixtures placed 2-4 inches above the leaves with an exposure of sixteen hours per day is the best method.

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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Taking Steps Now

to Pay for College

By Jessi Fearon

he average college graduateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s student loan debt is $37,172. It will take the average person ten years to repay this debt â&#x20AC;&#x201D; an entire decade! At this rate, many college graduates will barely have their student loans paid off before their own children start college. When money is tight, saving for college can be a challenge. However, completing college debt-free is possible. The following strategies will help families prepare their finances so that paying for college without going broke can become a reality.

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Avoid Student Loans It is no secret that there is a major student loan debt crisis in the U.S., and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. To avoid having your potential college student rack up tens of thousands of dollars of debt before they even begin their adult lives, the time to start saving money for college is as soon as possible. But many families may still not be able to save enough to cover the full cost of college, and due to lack of funds, lots of students sign on the dotted line, agreeing to spend the next decade (or more) of their lives to pay for that nice, shiny, piece of paper framed on the wall. To avoid taking out student loans, have your student begin saving money for college as soon as possible, and have them apply for every scholarship that is offered.

Early Bird Gets the Worm As early as possible, have your student set up a 529 Savings Plan, and deposit a designated amount every month into the account. A 529 Savings Plan works similarly to a 401K or IRA by investing contributions in mutual funds or similar investments.

to build up enough cash (depending on the age of the child when the account was opened). It’s better than a regular savings account.

Going to college is not cheap, and if saving for college is important to the family, then start saving now, no matter how old the children are or how close they are to going to college. And don’t forget to ask Grandparents if they would like to contribute to the child’s college savings account.

The “Check” Rule Teach children the value of saving money early by having them deposit any checks they receive as gifts for birthdays or holidays into their college savings account. Since checks are typically written for higher amounts, this can quickly increase the savings power of the child’s account with very little effort on the parents’ behalf.

If children are older, develop a plan with them. First, determine if college is something that they even want to pursue. Second, decide where they would like to go to college (i.e. their “dream school”). Third, show your child the actual cost of attending that school along with other schools for comparison. Don’t forget to factor in cost of living expenses like dorm rooms, food plans, or transportation costs. And if the school is out of the state, make sure to include the out of state tuition fees. Allow your child to see how much college costs; explain to them that college is a privilege and not a birthright; and that if they want to attend, this is how much it will cost. Afterwards, explain how scholarships work; help them determine which scholarships they can apply for; and encourage them to do so. Finally, explain that they need to take a certain percentage (work this number out with the child) from either their paychecks or allowance (or even both) that will automatically be saved towards their college funds. This will not only teach them to appreciate the opportunity to attend college because they are helping to pay the way, but it will also teach them a valuable life skill – saving money towards their future.

Internships

Since a 529 Savings Plan is an investment account, the amount will go up or down based on the performance of the particular option that is selected. However, it is usually the fastest way

When it comes to attending college, look into how much could potentially be saved by forgoing the traditional 4-year plan. By taking part in an internship or co-op, the student could potentially graduate in less time, saving them an entire year of tuition costs.

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Develop a Plan with Your Child

If paying for college is something that parents want to provide for their child, they should start saving now, and help their child (as young as middle school) start thinking and planning for college. The more prepared they are before they begin applying to schools, the easier it will be for them to understand the true cost of their education and avoid running up student loan debt.

Jessi Fearon is a personal finance coach. For more information, visit JessiFearon.com WWW. FAMILYLIFE PUBLICATIONS.COM

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Advertiser Index Anderson Dental 37 Atlanta Gynecologic Onocology 5 Atlanta Hand Specialist Inside Front The Big Ketch 41 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta 45 Christian Health Solutions 31 Cobb EMC 35 Dawn Sams, Realtor 5 Dr. Fixit, Ph.D. 21 Elm Street Cultural Arts Village 31 Eyes on Towne Lake 29 Fire Stone Wood Fired Pizza & Grill 9 Foot and Ankle Reconstruction 13 of North Georgia Guns and Hoses 5k 31 Healing Hands Youth Ranch 11 Hill & Hill Financial, LLC 16 Jeffrey L. Jackson, CPA, LLC 9 Jyl Craven Hair Design Inside Back LGE Community Credit Union 46-47 Main Street Nail Studio 5 Masterpiece Framer 19 Nature’s Corner Market 3 Northside Cherokee Surgical Associates 3 Northside Hospital - Cherokee 1 Northside Radiation Oncology Consultants 9 Outdoor Living, Indoor Comfort, LLC 44 Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics 27 and Dentistry at Canton Plastic Surgery Center of the South Cover, 24-25 Salon Spa Venéssa 48 Three Sisters Gifts 16 Tour of the Southern Highlands 23 Tranquility Counseling Services 21 WellStar Health System Back Cover Woodstock Funeral Home 41 Woodstock Pediatric Medicine 30 48

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