400 Life March 2023

MARCH

ANDEAN

Andean Chevrolet

Andean Chevrolet was founded by James A. Otwell Jr, and his wife Dorothy, in 1948. Named after their daughters, Patricia Anne and Sara Dean, the name Andean was coined. James “Jim” Otwell III took the reins in 1973 and Andean Chevrolet has been serving Cumming and surrounding areas ever since along with wife Janet and their four sons. The family is celebrating 75 years of business and the opening of a new dealership in Franklin, N.C.

13 Try these tips for spring cleaning.

Otwell’s celebrate 75 years of business

Established in 1835, it’s no secret that the city of Cumming has roots that run deep.

While time causes the march of progress to move ever forward, some companies are learning that relaxing and taking life in stride is the key to happy customers, content employees, and a successful business plan.

One such company is Andean Chevrolet.

Andean Chevrolet was founded by James A. Otwell Jr, and his wife Dorothy, on March 23rd, 1948. Named after their daughters, Patricia Anne and Sara Dean, the name Andean was coined.

James (Jim) Otwell III took the reins in 1973 and Andean Chevrolet has been proudly serving Cumming, Georgia, and surrounding areas ever since. Jim, along with wife Janet, and their four sons; James Otwell IV, John Otwell, Joseph Otwell and Jacob Otwell, continue the Andean tradition serving the communities transportation needs.

And Andean has stood the test of time and is celebrating its 75th year in business this year. With a history like that, you’d expect that they have made an impact in their local community – and you’d be right.

A middle school carrying the family name, Otwell Middle School, makes it easy to see the impact the Otwell family has had on the community here in Cumming, Georgia.

Looking to continue that legacy, Andean Chevrolet gives back to the community through efforts such as the Teacher of the Year program and donations to the school system’s annual Duck Dive for Education, the Junior Achievement Discovery Center, and to the FoCAL Center in 2021, leading to the main theatre being named the James and Dorothy Otwell Theatre, here in Cumming.

They also support the athletic programs at all the local high schools in Forsyth and Dawson counties.

As for their business model, this car dealership has found that a relaxed attitude has had a significant impact on their customers’ experience.

“We are very low-key and laid-back. The customers love it. We aren’t about trying to force a decision. We want what’s best for the customers. If they buy from us, great. If they don’t, great! We are happy as long as they are happy,” sales manager Alex Donaldson said.

Story by Alexis E. Abbott | Photos by Vicki Alsup Photography

Family continues to give back to community that has supported them since 1948

While that attitude may seem backwards, the results speak for themselves.

“We have been able to grow to over 200 sales total per month seemingly out of no where over the last several years making us the No. 2 Chevrolet retailer in Georgia for 2022,” Donaldson said.

As of 2022, Andean Chevrolet is the No. 1 Suburban and Tahoe retail dealer in the state of Georgia, the No. 1 Chevrolet SUV retail dealer, the No. 1 Silverado retail dealer two years in a row for 2021-22 in the state of Georgia and they’re making strides to be No. 1 in 2023.

Being voted Best of Forsyth for nine years in a row, not only are their sales numbers good, but their employees are happy.

“We have the best team and best personnel, that’s what makes the best dealership. That’s the difference that makes Andean Chevrolet one of the top teams in Georgia,” said Jim Otwell about being voted Best of Forsyth in one category or another every year since the contest began in 2015.

When asked about his own viewpoint,

General Manager Shaun Streib said, “We are truly humbled at the fact that we have been voted Best of Forsyth. The competition here has grown over time. They’re amazing and the people are amazing. We are very honored to have won Best of Forsyth with all the local competition and with all the growth and additional outstanding dealerships in the area.”

And if celebrating 75 years in business isn’t enough, this year they plan to extend their reach to Franklin, N.C., with a new Andean Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership.

“We think it’s going to be a great opportunity to expand our business to a new community,” Joseph Otwell said.

Once the keys are passed down to the Otwell’s four sons, the Andean Chevrolet dealership will officially be owned by a third generation of Otwells since its founding in 1948 and the future is brighter than ever.

Joseph Otwell Executive Manager

Shaun Streib General Manager

John Otwell Assistant Controller

Jacob Otwell New Car Director

James Otwell Finance Director

Jim Otwell, president of Andean Chevrolet, along with wife Janet, continue the Andean tradition of serving the community.

Why traumatic brain injury affects women worse than men

Traumatic brain injury, or TBI, affects women more severely than men.

Women are more likely to experience a mild TBI, also known as a concussion, as a result of domestic violence, falls or car accidents.

The Centers for Disease Control, or CDC, defines concussion as a brain injury after a hit to the head or body causing the brain to move back and forth inside the skull. Brain injuries are often underdiagnosed but can have long-lasting effects on cognitive, physical, and emotional functioning.

Research has shown that women may have a higher susceptibility to TBI due to hormonal and physiological differences, which can affect their recovery from the injury. Although there is a link between TBI and women, little is known why.

In a recent article Ann McKee, MD, director of the Boston traumatic encephalopathy center was quoted as saying: “We do not have enough information about what happens to the female brain. We don’t know if women are biologically more susceptible to these injuries”

Women are more susceptible to worse symptoms than men. Women have a far greater risk of cognitive decline, headaches, and other symptoms of a traumatic brain injury, as well as fertility injuries as their pituitary and hypothalamus are located at the base of the skull. These glands control hormones and are a part of a traumatic brain injury.

Unfortunately, there is also a link between head injury and sui-

cide. Although suicide is rare, the risk of suicide doubled as reported in a 2018 JAMA Neurology article.

Robert Cantù, a clinical professor of neurology for the center for the study of traumatic encephalopathy at Boston University School of Medicine, said that there are several theories as to why the incidence of suicide is higher in people who have suffered concussion, including behavioral dysregulation.

It is important for women to become aware of any symptoms they experience after a head injury. As many practitioners are unfamiliar with how these injuries manifest in women, they are less likely to give proper medical attention or support for their recovery.

Therefore, it is important for women to be aware of any problems they experience and notify their doctors of symptoms they are experiencing. Any depression should also be noted and reported to loved ones.

Head injuries are serious injuries and should not be ignored. Our office recommends that people who have been in an accident and diagnosed with a concussion do not ignore symptoms. It is important to seek treatment from physicians and follow recommended treatment.  For a more comprehensive analysis about head injuries and their symptoms, go to www.gabrainlaw.com.

Steven Leibel is a well-respected personal injury lawyer in Cumming and Dahlonega. He has consistently been recognized as a GA SuperLawyer in Personal Injury; rated 10 by AVVO, and he is considered “preeminent by his peers, as an Martindale AV rated attorney.”

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Steven Leibel

Feeling like a fraud?

How to overcome Imposter Syndrome at work and in life

By Sudie Crouch | Health & Wellness columnist

If you’ve ever had those or similar thoughts coupled with feelings of panic, anxiety and depression surrounding certain areas of your life, you may be struggling with Imposter Syndrome.

Even though many of us may sometimes question our successes from time to time, Imposter Syndrome takes it a

bit further.

Imposter Syndrome is something that many people — approximately 82 percent according to the American Psychological Association —experience and can have a profound impact on their personal and professional lives.

While anyone can experience Imposter Syndrome, it does tend to be more prevalent among those who may be high-achievers. Those driven folks that you see and think

are at the top of their game may very well be suffering from internalized fear and doubt that they don’t deserve their success.

Battling these thought distortions can lead people to feel like their happiness and success is a fluke, that something will expose them as a fraud, and that they have no authority whatsoever in their area of expertise. Those feelings of inadequacy can manifest in many different ways.

Someone may feel unable to do their job out of fear they will make a mistake. Perfectionism can often accompany this syndrome, as people dealing with it often feel like what they do is never quite good enough.

You may find yourself also secondguessing your choices and decisions and not trying out for promotions or projects because you fear failure. On a personal level, it can make us afraid to be honest and vulnerable, because we feel like we’ll be judged or ridiculed. It can even affect your relationships, too. The stressors of self-doubt can spill over into your personal life and maybe even make you doubt that someone could love you or want to be with you –especially if they knew the ‘truth.’

Given the fact that so many people struggle with this, working through those areas of self-doubt and powerful thought distortions can be difficult.

When I began working as a coach for a global company several years ago, I found myself dealing with Imposter Syndrome.

I myself was struggling with my weight and even though I knew the steps I needed to take to correct my behavior and emotional eating, I didn’t. It made me feel like I was incompetent at my job, despite all the education and training I have. So who was I to tell anyone what to do?

I said as much to my supervisor in a performance review and thankfully, she gave me the grace to work through it, encouraging me to find ways to celebrate my successes and the skills I brought to the table.

But digging into our abilities and strengths can be tough to do though for many reasons.

Sudie Crouch is a health & wellness coach, helping clients create healthy, attainable changes using positive psychology and cognitive behavior approaches.

Some helpful steps towards celebrating yourself and overcoming thought distortions

t FOCUS ON THE FACTS

We often think in terms of what we lack, rather than we have and can do. By listing out your strengths and the things that you’re capable of, it can help you shake off those doubts.

Having trouble finding those yourself? Ask a close, trusted friend, colleague, or family member what they feel like is your strengths. At my former job, we once had a team exercise where everyone listed out one word about everyone on the team to help us all have a snapshot of how others viewed us. It was powerful to see those words.

t REFLECT ON YOUR PAST SUCCESSES

What achievements have you had? What skills, abilities did you use to reach those goals?

t BREAK FREE FROM PERFECTION

There’s really no such thing as perfect anyway, and letting go of that impossible ideal can help tremendously. Give yourself new personal metrics to measure what will be good enough and how you achieve that.

t STOP COMPARING YOURSELF TO OTHERS

This is a big one, especially when we’re bombarded with posts on social media (Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn).

We always see what everyone else is sharing and think there is no way we can be remotely close to their level of accolades and success – when often what is shared on social media is not always a true barometer of what is really happening.

Remind yourself that you’re doing the best you can, and if you do find areas that you want to work on, take the steps that will help you feel empowered and grow.

Potatoes Potatoes The star of this Irish dish The star of this Irish dish

St. Patrick’s Day is a time to pay homage to Ireland’s patron saint and celebrate Irish culture and cuisine.

Even though corned beef and cabbage is ubiquitous on this holiday, that meal really isn’t the most authentic Irish cuisine. There are plenty of other foods to dress the St. Patrick’s table if a person wants to dabble in Irish cooking.

Many cultures have a variation on the potato pancake, and the Irish are no different. Boxty is a traditional Irish potato pancake. Individuals who want to include boxty in their celebrations can try this recipe, courtesy of Chef Gallagher of Gallagher’s Boxty House in Dublin.

IRISH BOXTY

10 1/2 ounces raw potatoes, peeled

10 1/2 ounces cooked potatoes, mashed

10 1/2 ounces flour

2 1/2 teaspoons salt

3 1/2 cups milk

Makes about 10 servings

DIRECTIONS

1. Grate the raw potatoes into a muslin cloth and squeeze as much liquid as possible into a bowl. Let liquid stand for 20 minutes.

2. Gently pour off the liquid and keep the starch that settled in the bottom of the bowl.

3. Add grated potatoes to mashed potatoes and flour. Add starch and salt to mix.

4. Slowly add 3/4 of the milk to form a batter of pouring consistency. Depending on the potato, you may not need to use all the milk. If the batter is too heavy, add more milk.

5. Leave batter resting for 30 minutes.

6. Drop a ladle full onto an oiled nonstick pan over medium heat and cook on the first side for two minutes (this depends on how heavy the batter is and how much you use). Check color (it should be a nice golden color) on the bottom. Adjust heat if necessary.

7. Turn and cook on the other side for two to three minutes more.

8. Boxty pancakes are best left overnight in a fridge and reheated in a pan in good butter.

Details to include in a renovation work contract

Contracts provide protection for all parties signing on the dotted lines. According to LegalMatch.com, a contract is an agreement between two parties that creates a mutual legal obligation. Oral contracts are possible, but written contracts are preferred for a number of reasons.

Any time a person sets out to do a home improvement project that involves the use of contractors and other professionals, he or she should have a contract drawn up. A contract can ensure that the work will get done safely, within a given time frame and according to specifications. A contract should contain certain details.

A defined scope of work: Here is where the scope of the job should be spelled out in detail. This portion should include the materials being used, what the homeowner has requested, special details, and who will take care of each facet of the job. For example, if the homeowner will be providing the materials, it should be noted here.

t Procedure for changes: To be comprehensive, renovation contracts should note the process that will be followed for any alterations or additions to the project.

t Floor plans: In some instances, the contract will include floor plans, architectural drawings and other details.

t Indemnity clause: The contract should include a clause that indemnifies the property owner against legal liability should any damages or injuries take place on the property.

t Work schedule: The contract also should include a work schedule that identifies the requested start time and estimated end time for the project. Parties should understand that inclement weather or other delays could affect the schedule.

t Cost: The contract should reference the agreed upon bid price, highlighting the agreements for procedures if additional materials are needed or if the job runs long

t Warranty: If a warranty is being offered, the details should be included in the contract. Homeowners should expect a reasonable one-year warranty to cover any defects in the contractor’s work.

Renovation contracts are essential any time there is an agreement between homeowner and contractor. Good contracts will include various components.

Try these tips for SPRING CLEANING Try these tips for SPRING CLEANING

SPRING IS A SEASON OF RENEWAL

When the flowers are blooming and the trees are budding and the weather is pleasantly warm, people often feel inspired to make changes around their homes. Work may begin with culling belongings and organizing essentials. As people embark on their plans to tidy up, these tips can help them along.

Tackle one big task a day

Who hasn’t started one project only to be distracted into moving along to another room? This often occurs when people discover something out of place in one space and then move that item where it belongs, only to find a new cleaning task at hand in that space. Inefficiency can make you give up on spring cleaning prematurely. Agree to address one room/task a day. Keep a basket or box handy to store errant items until you move on to the next room.

Stock up on supplies

Prepare all of the cleaning supplies in advance. Put together a tool kit of sorts with the equipment you need, including mops, brooms, rags, cleansers, and the like. Organization can keep you on course.

Harness your strengths and weaknesses

Some people clean because they are stressed or angry, others do so to avoid other tasks. Keep personality in mind when establishing a cleaning schedule. For example, clean

at night if you’re a night owl, or wait until you are feeling antsy before embarking on a “calm down cleaning.”

Tackle seasonal chores first

Some tasks need to get done to prepare for the spring and summer season. These may include cleaning the grill and sorting through outdoor furniture and decor. Spring cleaning may involve readying the pool for another year of use, or cleaning out rain gutters to prepare for spring storms. Tackle time-dependent tasks first and then move on to others that are less time-sensitive.

Spread out the work

Some people like to devote full weekends to spring cleaning, but that can be overwhelming for others. Breaking down cleaning tasks into 15- to 30-minute intervals each day can make the job more tolerable.

Spring cleaning season has arrived, and certain tips can make the job more efficient and manageable.

Celebrate Women this month at the library

National Women’s History Month in March highlights the contributions of women in history and contemporary society, encouraging us to honor the women who came before us and fought for equality among all races and genders. Forsyth County Public Library invites you to join us in Celebrating Women this month through our March Adult Program Series featuring lectures, performances, and displays about women who made and continue to make a difference in the world.

Picturing Women Inventors: A Smithsonian Exhibit

March 1-31 at the Cumming Library

Throughout American history, women with diverse backgrounds and interests created inventions that changed lives every day. But women haven’t always had equal opportunities to be inventors or received as much recognition.

Leslie Marinelli has lived in Forsyth County for 20 years with her husband and three children and is the Communications Manager at Forsyth County Public Library.

The Smithsonian and the United States Patent and Trademark Office present “Picturing Women Inventors,” a poster exhibition that explores the inventions of 19 highly accomplished American women.

Astronauts, computer pioneers, and businesswomen join athletes, engineers, and even teenagers in this remarkable group of inventors. The posters will be on display at the Cumming Library the entire month of March along with educational resources, weekly trivia, and a book display.

For more information about FORSYTH COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY or any resources or upcoming events, visit WWW.FORSYTHPL.ORG or connect with FCPL

Bold Women in Health care

2-3 p.m., Sunday, March 5

Hampton Park Library

Learn from Dr. Carolynn DeSandre about the women who have challenged the negatively held beliefs about women in health care. Dr. DeSandre will take us on a journey of the evolution of women in healthcare beginning with the influence of the early works of Florence Nightingale through the influx of influential women into health care following the Civil and World War eras.

She will highlight the impact of strong women whose efforts have significantly influenced how healthcare is delivered today. Our journey will highlight the many varied roles of women in health care including but not limited to innovator, scientist, caregiver, educator, and researcher.

Temperance Women: The Tragedy of the Bailey Sisters’ Murder

7–8 p.m., Wednesday, March 8 Post Road Library

What is a Doula?

2–3 p.m., Sunday, March 26

Sharon Forks Library

The word “doula” comes from ancient Greek, meaning “a woman who serves.”

Since ancient times, doulas have assisted women throughout the centuries with births at home, in the hospital, or at a birth center, and they have provided pain management techniques as well as reassurance and advocacy in the labor room. These women still provide valuable roles in the 21st century.

In celebration of National Doula Week and Women’s History Month, we’re honoring all the important roles of doulas who work around the world by hosting an informational program presented by Aeryka, owner of Through Thick & Thin Doula Services. Throughout the program, participants will be able to ask questions while exploring the various roles of doulas, learn about doula history, and listen to stories and experiences that shape the valuable work doulas do.

Dr. Erin Bush from the University of North Georgia will present a fascinating research-based talk about how a double homicide ended with one woman’s push to pass a local option temperance law in Georgia in the 1880s.

Eleanor Roosevelt, Godmother to the World

2–3:30 p.m., Sunday, March 19

Cumming Library

Professional storyteller, actress, historical interpreter, and author Cathy Kaemmerlen will perform as Eleanor Roosevelt, highlighting the achievements of our first “working first lady.”

Wife, mother, newspaper columnist, speaker, UN Ambassador, human rights activist, and first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt emerged from her shell as a shy, ugly duckling to become one of our most popular and famous first ladies — a woman who made a difference.