400 Life: Hospitality Highway

400 LIFE MARCH 2020

HOSPITALITY HIGHWAY Alpharetta. Roswell. Cumming.

Dawsonville. Dahlonega.

Come along on a trip up Ga. 400

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from the editor You’re looking at a Maryland native here, born and raised and lived there until right after I graduated from college. I appreciated Maryland for its eclectic lifestyle. From my suburban home, the beach was two hours away in one direction. Mountains were two hours away in the other. I lived 20 minutes from historic port cities like Annapolis or Baltimore and an international metropolitan in Washington D.C. But I also grew up crabbing during summers in the Chesapeake Bay. So when I moved to the Atlanta area after college to live closer to my then-girlfriend (now wife), I worried I’d lose the variety I’d so enjoyed during my upbringing.

Boy, was I wrong.

One of the first places my wife took me to was the Roswell Mill Covered Bridge. Then we walked down historic Canton Street. Then we hiked along the Chattahoochee River.

Over time, she led me north along Ga. 400 to some of the attractions she grew up enjoying in other cities. As our family has grown over the years, we’ve sought out new adventures of our own. And we’ve found that the “Hospitality Highway” never disappoints.

There’s so much to do along this stretch of Georgia, and we’ve highlighted just a small portion in five cities: Alpharetta, Cumming, Dahlonega, Dawsonville and Roswell. There’s everything from spectacular hikes and mountain views to sophisticated dining and shopping along with loads of history and options for play.

Let this month’s issue of 400 LIFE guide you along this vibrant stretch of Georgia we call home.

— Brian Paglia

inside

contributors

Hospitality Highway

Publisher STEPHANIE WOODY

Inside: We guide you through some great cities along Ga. 400

editor BRIAN PAGLIA Production Manager TRACIE PIKE Staff Writer KELLY WHITMIRE Advertising Director NATHAN SCHUTTER Advertising STACY CLARK DEBORAH DARNELL STEPHANIE MCCABE Photographer BEN HENDREN Special contributors BECKY CAHILL DIYA MOHAN Circulation Manager ALANA WATKINS

400 HOMES Cintron Property Group, Keller Williams Community Partners. Page 12 400 GIVES The Place of Forsyth Thrift Store helps provide essential needs. Page 22 400 READS Learn about new places through reading guides, memoirs. Page 19 400 HEALTH Surgeons at Advanced Gynecology on their unique specialty. Page 20

This magazine is a product of the www.ForsythNews.com March 2020 | 400 LIFE | 3

ROSWELL

Dahlonega

Founded: 1839 | Population: 94,786* County: Fulton | Mayor: Lori Henry (since 2018)

Dawsonville

* 2017 U.S. Census Bureau estimate

In Roswell, hiStory and MoDerN amenities collide. Located along the Chattahoochee River, Roswell dates back to the early years of Georgia’s statehood, and its hiStoriC DiStriCt is filled with historic home tours and ghost walks. But that same historic area has become a popular destination for modern DiNiNG and ShoPPiNG, while the area’s location near the Chattahoochee provides plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities.

Cumming

Alpharetta

WHAT TO DO

Roswell

SoutherN triloGy Roswell is full of history, and that’s no more apparent than in a trio of 19th-century homes in the downtown area: Barrington Hall, Smith Plantation and Bulloch Hall.

Barrington Hall is the home of Barrington King, the son of Roswell’s founder, Roswell King. Smith Plantation was the home of Archibald Smith with his wife, children and 30 slaves. Bulloch Hall is the childhood home of Mittie Bulloch, the mother of future U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt and grandmother of Eleanor Roosevelt. Each offers guided tours that provide a glimpse back into Georgia’s past.

• Barrington Hall, 535 Barrington Dr. • Smith Plantation 935 Alpharetta St. BARRINGTON HALL

SMITH PLANTATION 4 | 400 LIFE | March 2020

Photos courtesy VisitRoswellGA

BULLOCH HALL

WHERE TO EAT

Chattahoochee Nature Center The CNC is one of the best places in metro Atlanta to “get your nature on.” Founded by local activists in the mid-1970s, the CNC offers the community a variety of ways to connect with land, water, wildlife, plants, educators and more on its 127 acres adjacent to the Chattahoochee River. The Discovery Center features live and native animals, interactive exhibits, a nature exchange and gift shop.

Outside, pick one of five wooded hiking trails, glide in the trees on a zipline, take a guided canoe trip or say hello to dozens of native raptors and reptiles. CNC also offers tons of fun summer camps for kids and several classy events (think picnic and jazz) for adults.

WHERE: 9135 Willeo Rd. VISIT: wchattnaturecenter.org

1920 Tavern This upscale restaurant combines the vibe of a 1920s speakeasy with “globally-inspired” cuisine. Together, it creates a unique pub that offers a mix of cocktails and spirits along with brunch, lunch and dinner featuring fresh greens, market-fresh seafood, soups and salads, burgers and sandwiches and much more.

WHERE: 948 Canton St. VISIT: 1920tavern.com

WhirlyBall Atlanta Imagine playing a sport that combines basketball, hockey and JaiAlai while riding something that resembles a bumper car. That’s WhirlyBall. And WhirlyBall Atlanta has been offering a wild groupbonding or team-building experience for 20 years. With a Jai-Alai-style plastic scoop in one hand and steering crank in the other, two teams of five “WhirlyBugs” whiz around the 4,000-square-foot court passing a softball-sized ball.

Ultimately, teams try to get the ball through the 15-inch hole in vertically-hung backboards at each end of the court.

WHERE: 5130 Commerce Parkway, Roswell VISIT: whirlyballatlanta.com

The Fickle Pickle Located in an 1890’s Victorian house in the heart of Historic Roswell, this Southern-style deli and café has been serving “dill-licious” lunch and dinner since 2003. Famous for its Cajun fried pickles with creole remoulade sauce, The Fickle Pickle offers a full menu of sandwiches, sides and salads, along with beer and wine. And naturally, all of its pickles — Dill, Bread and Butter, Cajun, and Sweet Little Devils — are made from scratch.

WHERE: 1085 Canton St. VISIT: ficklepicklecafe.com

Photos courtesy VisitRoswellGA

March 2020 | 400 LIFE | 5

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TOUR OUR SCHOOL TO LEARN MORE. Primrose School of Cumming North 3545 Matt Highway Cumming, GA 30040 770.203.2773 PrimroseCummingNorth.com Each Primrose school is a privately owned and operated franchise. Primrose Schools® and Balanced Learning® are trademarks of Primrose School Franchising Company ©2009 Primrose School Franchising Company. All rights reserved. See primroseschools.com for “fact” source and curriculum detail.

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6 | 400 LIFE | March 2020

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(770) 887-5932

ALPHARETTA

Dahlonega

Founded: Dec. 11, 1858 | County: Fulton Population: 66,255* | Mayor: Jim Gilvin (since 2018)

Dawsonville

* 2018 U.S. Census estimate

What once was a small agrarian community of about 3,000 is now the “teChNoloGy City of the South” with more than 65,000 residents. As such, Alpharetta considers itself part SoutherN, part CoSMoPolitaN with a flourishing music scene, five ShoPPiNG districts, more than 200 reStauraNtS and over 300 attraCtioNS.

WHAT TO DO

Cumming

Alpharetta Roswell

alPharetta City CeNter Explore the city’s modern take on small-town, historic charm with an eclectic mix of eateries, shops and galleries. The 26-acre mixed-use development is a lively destination for local retailers and casual and sophisticated food options. Visitors can also get outdoors at the fiveacre Brooke Street Park. Heck, with 168 luxury apartments, you could even live there.

WHERE: 2001 Commerce St. VISIT: citycenteralpharetta.com Photos courtesy Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 | 400 LIFE | March 2020

WHERE TO EAT

avaloN This 86-acre community has become the standard-bearer of livework-play development in metro Atlanta that opened in 2014.

There’s 500,000 square feet of shopping and restaurants along with a 12-screen movie theater, conference center, full-service hotel, single-family residences and luxury rental homes, all designed in a walkable environment.

WHERE: 400 Avalon Blvd.

VISIT: experienceavalon.com

aNtiCo PiZZa NaPoletaNa One of Atlanta’s pioneering pizza restaurants, Antico Pizza Napoletana offers the classics along with some originals, like the award-winning San Gennaro (sausage, sweet red pepper, bufala mozzarella and cipolline onions) and Diavola (spicy soppressata salami, Calabrian peppers, bufala mozzarella and garlic).

WHERE: 3185 Avalon Boulevard VISIT: littleitalia.com

WillS Park Wills Park is Alpharetta’s premier recreation destination.

On 110 acres, there’s plenty for the sporty-type, with baseball fields, disc golf course, tennis and an equestrian center. For the playful ones, there’s Wills Park Pool and Wacky World Playground. For those with a green thumb, Wills Park is home to the Alpharetta Community Garden and the Arboretum at Wills Park.

Or just enjoy the park’s 1.8-mile walking trail.

WHERE: 11925 Wills Rd. VISIT: awesomealpharetta.com

loCal eXPeDitioN WooD FireD Grill Explore the flavors of the world with a combination of Southern hospitality and family atmosphere. “The Local” has a unique menu featuring the tastes of Asia, Europe and the Americas using locally-grown ingredients and hormone-free meats for the perfect combination of health and flavor.

WHERE: 5315 Windward Pkwy.

VISIT: thelocalwoodfiredgrill.com

March 2020 | 400 LIFE | 9

CUMMING

Dahlonega

Founded: 1834 | County: Forsyth Population: 6,376* | Mayor: Troy Brumbalow (since 2018)

Dawsonville

* 2018 U.S. Census Bureau estimate

Situated between the big city to the south and mountains to the north, Cumming calls itself the “gateway to leiSure liviNG.” And indeed, it has a little bit of everything: Sawnee Mountain, with a 963-acre preserve; Lake Lanier with year-round FiShiNG, boating, swimming and camping; hiStoriC SiteS, like Poole’s Mill Park’s covered bridge; and growing eNtertaiNMeNt scene centered around the Cumming Fairgrounds, home to the city’s annual Cumming Country Fair & Festival.

Cumming

Alpharetta

WHAT TO DO

Roswell

SaWNee MouNtaiN PreServe Here’s arguably the best spot to catch a sunset in Cumming. Hike to the top to the Indian Seats and get a panoramic view all the way to the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains at the horizon. Explore other hiking trails, taking mountain climbing lessons, have a picnic lunch at one of two pavilions or wander into the visitor center and enjoy information on flora and fauna, Native American artifacts and more.

WHERE: 4075 Spot Road

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WHERE TO EAT

lake laNier It’s not the most visited lake in the Southeast for no reason.

Constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1950s, Lake Lanier now features 76 recreational areas, 10 marinas and Lanier Islands, among other amenities and outdoor opportunities.

Locally, enjoy a day of fishing or swimming at Mary Alice Park with beaches, pavilions and boat ramps.

WHERE: 1820 Mary Alice Park Road

taM’S BaCkStaGe Located in the lower level of the city’s historic 1927 schoolhouse, Tam’s BackStage offers a blend of American cuisines with a northern Italian flair in a vintage atmosphere. Upstairs is the School Street Playhouse, a cozy community theater with regular productions, making Tam’s a great stop before or after a show.

WHERE: 215 Ingram Ave. VISIT: tamsbackstage.com

aNDerSoN’S SuNFloWer FarM This Instagram mecca won’t be around for much longer, so visit the scenic stopover this summer. The Anderson family has been growing 10 acres of sunflowers since the early 1990s, and groups flock from around the state to take pictures among the tall flowers.

You can also get some local goods, like honey, lemonade and clothing.

WHERE: 3360 Shiloh Road

iNDiaN FlavorS With the area’s rapidly-growing IndianAmerican population, it’s only fitting to pay one of the many ethnic eateries a visit. Indian Flavors is relatively simple as far as atmospheres go, but its menu is full of authentic Indian cuisine for lunch and dinner.

WHERE: 3020 Old Atlanta Road, Suite 300 VISIT: indianflavorsrestaurant.com

March 2020 | 400 LIFE | 11

400homes

Keller Williams Community Partners Cintron Property Group

Mindy Cintron grew the new branch of the Cintron Property Group into one of the top real estate teams out of Keller Williams Community Partners in Cumming.

MVR: Most Valuable Realtor For Mindy Cintron, real estate is a team sport

Photos by Ben Hendren

W

hen Mindy Cintron and her family moved from South Florida to Forsyth County about 18 months ago, in the process expanding her successful real estate group, she had zero connections in the area.

That didn’t last long. Between her family’s involvement in the local community, and Cintron’s knowledge, expertise and skill set, she grew the new branch of the Cintron Property Group into one of the top real estate teams out of Keller Williams Community Partners in Cumming.

In 18 months’ time, Cintron became one of the top 20% of producers in the office and a member of KWCP’s agent leadership council, a board of directors-type group that is actively involved in leadership decisions. She also

Continued Page 14 12 | 400 LIFE | March 2020

Cintron’s mother, Mary Lou LeBoff, left, is the team administrator, helping to make the process as smooth as possible for Cintron and her clients.

We are excited to announce a transformation here at the Keller Williams Realty Community Partners office located at 540 Lake Center Parkway. With our doors opening in December 2004, our belief is that real estate is a local business driven by individual agents and their presence within their communities.

After 15 years of service we felt it was time for a complete remodel on our Market Center. Our goal was to offer a collaborative work space for our agents and their clients offering a brand new work center with computers, and a technology driven development and training center.

In May our agents came together with local families and businesses to participate in our annual 5K Red Race. This past Tuesday we celebrated by giving a check for $15,000 to the Bald Ridge Boys Lodge as well as $5,000 to the Reading Education Association of Dawson County.

The KWCP Market Center has become home to over 240 agents and we would like to invite you into our family. We believe mindset matters and If you don’t decide what you want to be known for someone else will. “KWCP is to be a development center for agents providing culture, training, solutions and support to lift the lid in their personal growth and business.“

540 Lake Center Pkwy, Ste 201 Cumming, GA 30040 (678) 341-7400

‘That’s why I love the business. People have a vision, a dream of what they’re wanting to do, and we’re able to make it happen.’

- Mindy Cintron, Cintron Property Group

Mindy Cintron, center, with daughter Macey, husband Angel and son Warren.

regularly teaches real estate classes for agents. One recent Monday, Cintron led a class on how to do listing consultations.

But Cintron’s knowledge of real estate runs the gamut. She utilizes the most exclusive and up-to-date market data along with a strategic marketing technique that equals a stress-free home buying or selling experience for clients for the most money in the least amount of time.

Because of her experience, Cintron knows that no two clients are alike. One might be under a stressful deadline to relocate. Another might just be testing the market for a new home.

Both require different strategies, and Cintron uses her data and marketing techniques to tailor the right approach for each client.

“It’s really about the client,” Cintron said. “That’s the main thing I stress: it’s really about what their needs are.”

Cintron didn’t just stumble into real estate success. It’s been 14 | 400 LIFE | March 2020

passed down.

Cintron’s parents were both realtors, and even though she went to college and got a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene, Cintron contributed to her parents’ real estate business while in school.

“Real estate has been in my blood,” Cintron said.

Much like her favorite subject in school, algebra, Cintron found the same satisfaction in taking a family’s specific vision and guiding them step by step through the process as she did in searching for the missing number in an equation.

“That’s why I love the business,” Cintron said. “People have a vision, a dream of what they’re wanting to do, and we’re able to make it happen.”

Even today, family is an integral part of Cintron’s business.

Her mother, Mary Lou LeBoff, is the team administrator, helping to make the process as smooth as possible for Cintron and her

clients. Her husband, Angel, is also a licensed agent, as well as a retired disabled veteran, which has given Cintron a unique insight into the benefits available to veterans when purchasing a new home.

And when Cintron and her family moved from South Florida to Forsyth County, it’s not surprising that Cintron started to form relationships in the community through their kids. Mindy and Angel have a total of five children, including two who live at home and are in Forsyth County schools: Macey, an eighth-grader, and Warren, who is in fifth-grade. Both are active in sports, so the Cintrons find themselves in the bleachers (or in the dugout, in Angel’s case) at a Forsyth County park on nearly a weekly basis.

Cintron hasn’t cut ties with her South Florida office, and so her extended footprint in the Southeast gives the Cintron Property Group an added advantage when helping clients relocate or search for investment properties.

But Cintron’s new office here in Cumming is the group’s hub now — because it’s home, and Cintron knows how much that means.

Macey, Mindy, Warren and Angel Cintron.

CONTACT INFO Website: cintronpropertygroup.kw.com Email: mcintron@kw.com Phone: 954-709-4444 (cell), 678-341-7563 (office) Facebook: cintronpropertygroup

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www.AllStarsChildrensDentist.com March 2020 | 400 LIFE | 15

DAWSONVILLE

Dahlonega

Founded: 1857 | County: Dawson Population: 3,109* | Mayor: Mike Eason (since 2017)

Dawsonville

* 2018 U.S. Census Bureau estimate

Dawsonville might be the quaintest of cities along Ga. 400, but it has a lot to offer. It’s home to Georgia’s talleSt WaterFall, the southern terminus of the aPPalaChiaN trail and is the birthplace of MooNShiNe and NaSCar. With pumpkin patches, U-pick’em farms, seasonal festivals and outlet shopping, Dawsonville has plenty opportunities for aDveNture.

Cumming

WHAT TO DO GeorGia raCiNG hall oF FaMe Dawsonville is called the birthplace of stock car racing. The home of famed NASCAR driver Bill Elliott (and now his successful son, Chase) has a rich history in the sport, and it’s all on display at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame from Monday through Saturday with 40 exhibits.

Alpharetta Roswell

WHAT TO EAT WHERE: 415 Hwy. 53 East VISIT: georgiaracinghof.com

aMiCalola FallS State Park & loDGe Georgia’s highest cascading waterfall is just northeast of Dawsonville, the 729-foot spectacular Amicalola Falls. The hike there is worth the trip alone. But there are plenty of other opportunities for adventure, from 3-D archery to zip lines to GPS scavenger hunts and even a survivalist camp. It’s all available at the lodge, where guests can dine at The Maple Restaurant or just take in the views of the north Georgia mountains.

the Blue BiCyCle Experience flavorful Frenchinspired Southern cuisine in a relaxing environment at this modest bistro. The menu is built on seasonal selections and supplemented by a healthy variety of wine and regional craft beers.

WHERE: 30 Industrial Park Road VISIT: bluebicycle.net

WHERE: 418 Amicalola Falls Road VISIT: amicalolafallslodge.com

DaWSoNville MooNShiNe DiStillery

DaWSoNville Pool rooM

Dawsonville probably wouldn’t be the birthplace of stock car racing if it hadn’t become the “moonshine capital of the world.” The Dawsonville Moonshine Distillery offers hand-crafted corn whiskey using 150-year-old recipes. Take a tour of the distillery, enjoy a tasting and take some home from the gift shop.

Come for the “Bully Burgers,” sweet tea and hand-cut fries, but stay for the vast collection of history and memorabilia covering early autoracing in Dawsonville, Bill Elliott’s NASCAR career and moonshiners.

WHERE: 415 Hwy. 53 East, Ste. 120 VISIT: dawsonvillemoonshinedistillery.com

WHERE: 9 Bill Elliott Street VISIT: facebook.com/ dawsonvillepoolroom

16 | 400 LIFE | March 2020

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March 2020 | 400 LIFE | 17

DAHLONEGA

Dahlonega

Founded: Dec. 21, 1833 | County: Lumpkin Population: 6,884* | Mayor: Sam Norton (since 2018)

Dawsonville

* 2018 U.S. Census Bureau estimate

Dahlonega is “Pure GolD.” Or at least it used to be.

Dahlonega was the site of the first big gold rush in the U.S. after the precious metal was found in 1828. But these days, the city is a MouNtaiN GetaWay featuring an abundance of WiNerieS, outdoor adventures, shopping, dining and seasonal arts and eNtertaiNMeNt festivals surrounded by picturesque views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Cumming

WHAT TO DO

Alpharetta

DahloNeGa CoNSoliDateD GolD MiNe Go back in time to the life of a gold miner. This one was founded in 1896, toward the end of the boom times of the area’s gold rush, but visitors can still try gold panning, gem mining, gem cutting and more year-round.

Head 200 feet underground and learn how minors blasted quartz hoping to discover huge deposits of gold. It’s the No. 1-ranked thing to in Dahlonega, according to TripAdvisor and Yelp.

Photos courtesy of Consolidated Gold Mines

Roswell

WHERE: 185 Consolidated Gold Mine Rd. VISIT: consolidatedgoldmine.com

BraSStoWN BalD looP The purest way to enjoy Dahlonega’s mountainous landscapes is to get out in them. Only the most ambitious will make the full three-and-a-half-hour drive around the 106-mile loop, or head to Brasstown Bald, the highest point in Georgia at 4,783 feet, but there’s plenty to enjoy in smaller chunks. Find one of the loop’s six waterfalls, three lakes or several historic sites. Drive it, bike it or hike it. Start at the Glisson Camp Retreat Center, 690 Camp Glisson Rd. 18 | 400 LIFE | March 2020

400reads Photo courtesy Dahlonega-lumpkin County Chamber & Visitors Bureau

FroGtoWN CellarS Located in the Dahlonega Plateau, Frogtown has become one of the most accomplished wineries in the U.S. outside of California since it was founded in 1998

by Atlantans’ Craig and Cydney Kritzer. The 57-acre complex offers beautiful views of the North Georgia mountains, whether on the porch of the winery’s architectural building, or inside its Italian bistro where you can enjoy paninis, hand-crafted pizzas or a full Sunday brunch. Oh, and of course, Frogtown’s 100%grown, produced and bottled wines.

WHERE: 700 Ridge Point Dr. VISIT: frogtown.com

WHERE TO EAT BourBoN Street Grille Located in the historic Hall House on the Dahlonega square, Bourbon Street Grill offers full bars and dining areas on two floors. Head upstairs for an intimate dining experience overlooking the square, or stay downstairs for a pub atmosphere with flatscreen TVs inside and a pet-friendly deck outside.

A diverse menu offers Cajun-inspired favorites, seafood, burgers, full brunch along with a selection of craft beers, fine wines and specialty cocktails.

WHERE: 90 Public Square N VISIT: thebourbonstreetgrille.com

BratZeit This family-owned restaurant offers German and Swiss staples, such as bratwurst, schnitzel, fondue and raclette, along with desserts made daily from scratch and, of course, German beer.

WHERE: 77 Memorial Dr. VISIT: bratzeit.com

Traveling allows us the opportunity to explore who we are in a variety of settings.

The same can be said for books, which provide us with doors to previously unvisited locations. Traveling and reading go hand in hand, as both afford us with new experiences. with There is no shortage of travel guides that detail your dream destination, but one of my favorite ways to learn about a new place is to read a book that inspires you. For me, these include travel memoirs and guide books with a focus on the heart of country. Memoirs allow the author to provide you with a mixture of factual knowledge, history, and story-telling.

Travel guides that look to encapsulate the spirit of a country can ease the feeling of a checklist, “must-dos,” or “must-sees.” The two books included below provide the reader with a sense of place and a glimpse into the possibilities of travel.

Becky Cahill

The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World is a glossy introduction to the diverse countries around the globe.

This comprehensive book was created by the authors and travelers at Lonely Planet, an organization that has a strong reputation for education and travel literature. This book takes the idea of a traditional, encyclopedic guide and builds from there.

Each of the 193 countries (with extra locations thrown in) is given a favorable treatment to pique the reader’s curiosity. The book does not dedicate an extensive amount of coverage to any one country, but instead strives to inspire wanderlust with awe-inducing photographs and a “getting under the skin” section. This section provided travelers with books, musical selections, and food recommendations to prepare for travel (or at least the daydreams of travel). This book would be an excellent purchase for an avid traveler, as a coffee table book, or as inspiration for those looking to expand their world view.

There are hundreds of memoirs with an element of travel, so it is easy to find one that speaks to you. I selected Alone Time: Four Seasons, Four Cities, and the Pleasures of Solitude by Stephanie Rosenbloom, because it captures the value of travel as a time for self-reflection.

As our lives become more hectic and interconnected, it is important to take time to enjoy quiet moments. Rosenbloom accidentally discovered the value of traveling alone, which along with other solo pursuits is often stigmatized.

The author suggests that periods of solitude will enhance your sense of self and in turn strengthen your relationships with others.

Each section of this book details a different city (Paris, Istanbul, Florence, New York City) and the unique opportunities to discover yourself in a new setting. Rosenbloom’s view of her time in each city will not speak to everyone, but there is a travel writer for all readers. Once you find a voice that you trust and value, the world and the locations that await, will open up before you.

Becky Cahill is a career educator and an avid reader. She reads extensively in her free time and tracks her favorites on her blog tobereadlist.home.blog. Becky is the host of ‘Read It or Leave It!’ a weekly reading podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

March 2020 | 400 LIFE | 19

400health

Advanced Gynecology Drs. Alexcis Ford and Stephen Tugbiyele

Surgeons with Advanced Gynecology discuss unique specialty Story and photos by Kelly Whitmire

W

hen it comes to women’s health, doctors at Advanced Gynecology in Roswell said it is rare for patients in metro Atlanta to know all their options, and that’s something they’d like to see change.

Drs. Alexcis Ford and Stephen Tugbiyele, of Advanced Gynecology, are surgeons specializing in urogynecology, a sub-specialty of urology and gynecology that they said is underserved in the metro Atlanta area.

“We are a full-service GYN, but we focus on urogynecology,” Ford said. “Basically, Dr. Tugbiyele and I are trained in both gynecology and urology, so we see women who have a constellation of symptoms.”

Specialists in urogynecology are in such rare supply that Advanced is the closest option for many residents in other states.

Luckily for those both local and out of Drs. Alexcis Ford and Stephen Tugbiyele, of Advanced Gynecology town, the Roswell location offers all options for patients, including testing, with their main gynecologist.” treatment and surgery.

Along with the specialty, the doctors said what sets Advanced “We have a surgery center right next to our office, so for Gynecology apart from other centers is their aim to be patientwomen who see us for an evaluation, if they are a surgical candifocused, which Tugbiyele said was why they offered same-day date and elect to have surgery, one of the options that they have is appointments, “so patients can call and literally see a provider in the to have their procedures done in our surgery center,” Tugbiyele said. office that same day or at the very latest within 24 hours the very Ford said oftentimes, urogynecologists aren’t the first doctors next day.” women see when dealing with their issues, many times after “This is such a rewarding field because a lot of these conditions already having a surgery that didn’t fix the problem. women experience over the course of their lifetime and it’s not the “We typically see a heavy surgical volume,” she said. “The easiest thing to talk about,” he said. “A lot of women are embarrassed patients who see us, they usually need surgery, so we will see them and put it off. But when women finally see someone like a urogynefor a consultation, we’ll do whatever testing they need, if they want cologist, they are relieved that they are not alone and there are good surgery, we’ll see them typically for a year after their surgery. After options that help and are effective and safe.” that, their problem is fixed and they can go and continue their care

Advanced Gynecology 11660 Alpharetta Hwy. Building 700, Suite 710 Roswell, GA 30076 Online: www.advancedgynecology.com

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400gives

The Place of Forsyth Thrift Store

‘A place where every person, dollar and hour has a purpose’ Story and photos by Brian Paglia

W

hen a group of nuns started a thrift store in Forsyth County with their new nonprofit organization more than 40 years ago, they couldn’t have predicted the impact it would continue to have.

The Place of Forsyth County’s thrift store, at 2550 The Place Circle, has become a pillar of the community, both as a source of affordable clothing and goods for those in need, and as a major source of revenue for the organization.

Indeed, because of the store’s growth — it sold more than 350,000 items in 2019! — The Place is able to put 92 cents of every dollar they receive from individuals toward programs and services to help people who are struggling become self-sustaining.

“We’re very proud that 92 cents does go directly into programs and services for people,” said Jacob Granados, director of purposeful engagement at The Place. “That’s in large part because of the success of our thrift store, and the generosity of individuals and companies who donate their goods.”

The Place was founded in 1975 by nuns who saw the area had no access to social services. Part of the organization’s beginning included opening the first thrift store, out of a small house off Tribble Gap Road, to provide local residents with some of their essential needs.

About 20 years ago, The Place moved to its current location, off Antioch Road, and the thrift store came with it.

And the thrift store’s core purpose remains as a place for the community to find many of their essential needs at affordable prices.

The most popular items are women’s clothing and furniture, Granados said, but the thrift store’s inventory runs the gamut of category. They have books, DVDs, and old records. They have holiday decorations and tableware. They have sports equipment and children’s toys. They have jewelry and rugs of all sizes.

“If the product is good, we’ll put it out,” Granados said.

Donations come from all socioeconomic backgrounds, Granados says. Once, the store received a Rolex and a Louis Vuitton bag. Vintage collectibles come through often, too. The store recently had a Truetone radio and record player from the late ’30s to early ’40s.

No matter where they come from, The Place organizes usable donations and displays them in five-week rotations.

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Some categories of items aren’t accepted, like sophisticated technology or massive furniture pieces, to minimize the cost of taking things to the landfill.

But otherwise, The Place welcomes donations. They keep the thrift store operating as a place that embodies the values of the organization itself.

“Our commitment to the community is to be a place where every person, dollar and hour has a purpose,” Granados said, “and we really hold true to that.”

SPRING CLEANING with a purpose

Great items to donate Donate Clothes Donate Shoes Donate Decor Donate Couch Donate Kitchen Items Donate Your Time Donate Expertise Donate Money Sponsored by:

SCHEDULE A TIME FOR A PICK UP! www.theplaceofforsyth.org/thrift-store

March 2020 | 400 LIFE | 23

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