400 Life March 2022

1

400 LIFE MARCH 2022

HORIZON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

From Warriors to World Changers

Forsyth County’s fastest-growing private, Christian School writes a new chapter

Forsyth Central grad, art teacher share snapshot of small town at Rock Solid Brewing

ALSO: Five items to take for hiking safety this spring | Improving your sleep routine can help your overall health | Lawyer: Make sure you are protected before auto accident happens

contents from the editor

While most of the country shut down at the beginning of the pandemic, leaders at Horizon Christian Academy saw an opportunity to grow and redefine what it means to be a Warrior.

They have a new Head of School and several new talented staff members. Pretty soon, a new expansion will be under way. The school’s focus on academics, the arts and athletics continue to evolve, too.

But what hasn’t changed is its reputation for delivering a small-campus feel with prestigious academics and competitive athletics.

Forsyth Central graduate Ian Thibodeau and his favorite high school art teacher, Heather Hanline, have teamed up to show off their talent on the walls of Rock Solid Brewing in Ball Ground.

The artists worked hard to capture the essence of the small town and share it with patrons of the brewery, which happens to be co-owned by another member of Forsyth Central’s family, Antonia Alberga-Parisi, who is the Humanities Academy Coordinator and an assistant administrator at the school. Stop in if you have a chance and see some of the amazing photographs and have a craft beer.

And now that spring is inching closer, it’s time to tackle some of that clutter at home. Inside, you’ll find a guide to help get you on track for a fresh spring-clean home.

This month, our mental health expert talks about how important sleep can be for our overall health.

Special contributors Jennifer Colosimo Sudie Crouch Sabrina Kerns Alexander Popp Cover photo by Bryan White Photography

As the world around Horizon Christian Academy began to shift dramatically two years ago, the leadership saw an opportunity to write a new chapter, and redefine what it means to be a Warrior today. See their story inside.

14 Heather Hanline, a Forsyth Central High School fine arts teacher, and Ian Thibodeau, a recent graduate of the school, are displaying their black and white photos at Rock Solid Brewing.

contributors Managing Editor Tracie Pike

Horizon Christian Academy Warriors redefined

From teacher and student to partners

— Tracie Pike

Publisher Stephanie Woody

4

16 OUTDOORS:

Advertising Tim Anderson Stacy Clark Stephanie Tanner

5 items to take for hiking safety this spring.

This magazine is a product of the

www.ForsythNews.com Sign up for daily newsletters at ForsythNews.com

10 KNOW YOUR

RIGHTS: Make sure you are protected financially before accident happens.

18 HOME: Tackle spring cleaning with a plan to organize, declutter every area.

20 MENTAL HEALTH: Improving your

sleep routine can help your overall health.

March 2022 | 400 LIFE | 3

HORIZON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

Redefining the

Warrior

4 | 400 LIFE | March 2022

As the world around Horizon Christian Academy began to shift dramatically two years ago, the leadership saw an opportunity to write a new chapter, and redefine what it means to be a Warrior today.

How Horizon Christian Academy uses faith, family in its community to create world changers Story by Jennifer Colosimo | Photos by Bryan White Photography

H

orizon Christian Academy has had a presence in the county for over 20 years, more than half of those along a quiet, country road in North Forsyth, and for the most part, it’s remained unchanged. But as the world around it began to shift dramatically two years ago, the leadership saw an opportunity to write a new chapter, and redefine what it means to be a Warrior today.

In “preparing students to be world changers by partnering with families through Christ-centered education and community,” they welcomed a new Head of School, added several talented staff members, made plans for new expansion, and have honed in on enhancing academics, the arts, and athletics in the arena for Christ.

As a result, these last two years have produced unprecedented growth, and with the beginning of a new school year just months away, it’s never been a more exciting time to join their family.

The ARENA for Christ “Each morning when my students walk into my classroom, I want them to know that they are unconditionally loved, fully accepted, personally known, and uniquely supported,” said Sarah Frances Chidester, second-grade teacher. “My desire is for every student to understand the love that God has for them through the way that their teachers and classmates treat them.”

“With all of the turmoil and craziness in the world today, HCA is a place where you can feel safe – not in a sheltered way – but a way in which your child can grow in a healthy and comfortable environment,” added Sharon Walker, secretary of the HCA Board of Directors. “They can pray, they can attend chapel and they are surrounded by teachers and staff that love them and want them to excel in all they do.”

It feels like family, and that’s exactly how you’ll hear numerous parents, teachers, staff, students, and Thomas Shefchunas, a.k.a.

“Shef,” the new Head of School, describe what it’s like to be a part of HCA. That hasn’t changed. Its longstanding reputation for delivering a small-campus feel with prestigious academics and competitive athletics remains a priority.

“When you enroll your child(ren) at HCA, your entire family becomes part of a community,” said Lisa Craig, a volunteer in the Continued on Page 6 March 2022 | 400 LIFE | 5

From elementary to high school, the unique curriculums are highly interactive and focus on providing students with the learning tools they need to develop physically, spiritually, and academically. The teacher shown is using the OrtonGillingham Multi-Sensory Approach.

elementary school chapel, and a new member on the HCA Board of Directors who currently has three children at HCA and will have a kindergartner starting in the fall. “It’s hard to put into words the familial atmosphere that is present here. Every single staff member and teacher is invested in your student. Knowing that your child is loved and encouraged daily makes all the difference in the world.”

“My goal as their teacher is to help them daily see their strengths and values that they can give to the world so they can grow into the special person God wants them to be!” said Chidester.

“This foundation is pivotal for students as they leave Horizon and become world changers!”

Unparalleled ACADEMICS Prepping those world changers rests heavily on what happens inside the classroom.

“There is not another school quite like HCA in FOCO,” said Julie Ross, a first-grade teacher.

“We offer fine arts, athletics, academic teams, foreign language, and Bible.

“Our secondary students lead and set examples for the elementary students. Our school has something for everyone.”

6 | 400 LIFE | March 2022

Warrior Athletics provides a platform for ministering to athletes and equipping them as the next generation of world leaders, no matter if they’re in first grade or a high school senior.

From elementary to high school, the unique curriculums are highly interactive and focus on providing students with the learning tools they need to develop physically, spiritually, and academically. As they grow, rubrics promote leadership qualities, inspire community service, and provide students a basic foundation of faith. Recent graduates have attended West Point Military Academy, The University of Georgia, Tulane and Purdue.

“This isn’t a school where you just drop off and pick up your kids,” said Tonya Phongsavanh, the Board Chair on the HCA Board of Directors. She currently has four children at HCA, and can speak firsthand to the way her children are thriving in the HCA environment. “This is a long-term partnership between the school and parents with the goal of preparing students to be world changers. The teachers and administration truly love their students. HCA is big enough to provide quality academic, athletic and spiritual programs, but still small enough for smaller class sizes and that small-school family feel.”

But despite the “small” talk, the numbers prove they’re growing.

“We are separating the middle school and high school with the announcement of our new middle school principal, Spencer Smith, an HCA teacher and coach,” said Dr. Jenny Thomas, High School Principal at HCA. “Plans to enlarge our facility are in the works now. We are making our five-year expansion plan as we grow, yet remain relatively small.”

In contrast, they’re also doing big things in their small feel, such as the 412 Program designed to help students who may have learning difficulties.

“My husband and I can speak to this program on a personal level,” said Alison B. Smith, Director of Marketing and Development. “HCA’s small class size allowed the teachers and principal to recognize comprehension issues at an early age.

When our child entered the 412 program, it was a game-changer for our family. Not only did this specialized instruction teach our child unique ways to learn based on his wiring, but also gave him the confidence and coping skills to excel and thrive in the classroom and in daily life.”

Further edifying their strong presence in the private school sector, HCA was also recently named Best of Forsyth in four categories: Best School Administrator (Traci Jones-Elementary Principal), Best School Teacher (Julie Ross-First Grade), Best Middle School, and Best Booster Club.

Competitive ATHLETICS While Phase 1 of the campus expansion will start with the construction of the Fine Arts Center and redesign the current worship facility, new classrooms, and a state-of-the-art auditorium, Phase 2 includes the construction of new academic buildings, an athletic complex, and athletic fields.

Warrior Athletics provides a platform for ministering to athletes and equipping them as the next generation of world leaders, no matter if they’re in first grade or a high school senior.

Sports include cross country, basketball, soccer, volleyball, Continued on Page 8 March 2022 | 400 LIFE | 7

The HCA Theatre Company has earned accolades since 2015, including last year’s second- and third-place awards for the one-act play, “She Wrote, Died, Then Wrote Some More,” by Steven Stack.

shotgun/clay targets, cheer, football, and baseball, with opportunities to play and compete from elementary school, on.

Since 2008, the school’s athletics have earned numerous recognitions, awards, and championships, including most recently, the 2021 8-Man Varsity Football Championship, M i d d l e S c h o o l B oy s a n d G i r l s B a s ke t b a l l R eg i o n Championships and the Varsity Baseball Region Championship.

The school recognizes many all-state and all-region athletes on its teams and is proud to acknowledge 2021’s Defensive Player of the Year in Forsyth County Football for its student, Malachi Mathis.

Entertaining ARTS On a different stage, the Fine Arts programs allow students to explore and excel in the creative aspects of their talents, providing resources for budding musicians, artists, and thespians in daily classes and organized competitions. A weekly club period allows middle and high school students to further explore fine arts development through student-led activities such as praise team and concert band.

“My hope for students when they come to HCA is that they know they are loved, listened to, and inspired to follow their dreams,” said Jennie Berry, director of Music and Theatre. “As we are growing our Theatre Program, we want new students to have an opportunity, here, that they may or may not have in larger schools.”

The HCA Theatre Company has earned accolades since 2015, including last year’s second- and third-place awards for the oneact play, “She Wrote, Died, Then Wrote Some More,” by Steven Stack. They’ll perform The Little Mermaid, Jr. this May. 8 | 400 LIFE | March 2022

The Warrior Code “While faith hasn’t changed, how we view and experience faith may look different as our world changes,” said Smith, nodding to why HCA decided to update its mission statement this year. “As we look at the environments and culture around us, we want to make sure our mission aligns with loving one another.

We aren’t discounting the prior mission of the power of a warrior, we are simply redefining and fine-tuning the posture of the warrior so our students will be equipped to love and serve their community well.”

Included in that is the Warrior Code, which pushes students to look up, grow up, build up, show up, speak up, point up, and never, ever give up. They know that everything is because of, and for, Jesus Christ, and answer the call in their community to be the hands and feet of God. And speaking of a changing society, they recognize that there has never been a time where people needed Christ more than right now.

“As a parent and Head of School, I want every student that graduates from this school to walk into the next journey with authentic faith,” added Shef. “The most authentic faith comes from asking questions and finding a resolution to doubt. It’s finding confidence in your faith, it’s serving, it’s understanding that this is a journey.

“This is how we create world changers for Christ. I want them to know that authentic faith that begins in our small communities is what has the potential to change the world.”

— Sponsored content

Indoor Air The Whole Family Can Breathe

USING THE MOST POWERFUL DUCT CLEANING SYSTEM IN THE WORLD

(678)778-1328

Removes dust, pet dander, allergens, bacteria & more from your home

WWW.KENNONHVAC.COM

F Free Pickup & F O $h1e5first Order Delivery T Dry Cleaning 2 3/3 1 / s e r i Exp

02 2

Mr. Rogers’ Cleaners MrRogersCleaners.com March 2022 | 400 LIFE | 9

400 legal Make sure you are protected financially before accident happens A new client called recently. He was in a crash on Ga. 400 due to no fault of his own. It was a serious crash. Another motorist broadsided his car.

Before he knew it, the fire department arrived to extricate him from his car.

Emergency Services arrived and took him to the hospital.

Unfortunately, my client does not have health insurance. He never was advised to get medical payment coverage on his car insurance. He only can look to the person who hit him to compensate him for the wrongs he received. His life was altered.

Unfortunately, the person driving the car that hit him only carried the Georgia minimum limits coverage of $25,000 for a single accident.

By the time the hospital bill was covered, my client had nothing else to receive from that person. My client was rightfully concerned.

How can I pay my bills?

How can I afford to be out of work?

Why should I accept a low settlement when I have been hurt?

10 | 400 LIFE | March 2022

There are no simple answers. To sue the person who hit him would take years.

An asset check showed the at-fault motorist lived paycheck to paycheck.

There was no other coverage.

There were no assets. The answer was to look at my client’s uninsured underinsured coverage.

Perhaps there was enough.

The moral of this story which I see over and over again is that the Lord protects those who protect themselves.

In the world of the blame game, you need to have adequate or better insurance to protect yourself and your loved ones because you can’t count on anyone else to do your job.

That means talk to your agent. That means asking for what you really need. If

you don’t have a health insurance plan or have a high deductible — get medpay.

It’s health insurance for an automobile accident. Ask for disability coverage to pay for lost wages if your employer doesn’t have you covered under a disability policy.

Most of all, make sure you give yourself an uninsured motorist policy at least equal to the liability coverage you give someone else.

Catastrophe does happen to people from auto accidents. It is up to you to protect yourself and your family. Insurance coverage is a two-way street.

It should protect you from lawsuits if you hurt someone but more importantly it’s there to protect you from others.

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.”

— Sponsored content

Smile Consultation by iTero ($250 value) With this coupon. Not valid with other offers or prior services. Offer expires 2/28/22.

NEW

FREE Take

FREE IMPLANT CONSULTATION Smile Consulta with purchase of Full Mouth Set of X-rays ($125)

With this coupon. Not valid w

FREE IMPLA

With this coupon. Not valid with other offers or prior services. Offer expires 2/28/22.

NEW PATIENT

FREE Take Home Whitening Kit &

Smile Consultation by iTero ($250 value) With this coupon. coupon. Not Not valid valid with with other otheroffers offers or or prior prior services. services. Offer Offer expires expires 3/31/22.

2/28/22.

With this

15% OFF VENEERS for established patients only

Shoal Creek Rd d

ill R se M

Hor

With this this coupon. coupon. Not Not valid valid with With with other other offers offers or or prior prior services. services. Offer Offer expires expires 3/31/22.

2/28/22.

Hwy 53

Serving Dawson County for over 35 Years

Shoal Creek Rd d ill R

Shoal Creek Rd d ill R

se M

Hor

754 HWY. 53 WEST, DAWSONVILLE, GA

706-265-2505

With this coupon. Not valid w

Serving Dawson County and 754 HW North Georgia for over 35 Years!

FREE IMPLANT CONSULTATION 7 se M

With With this this coupon. coupon. Not Not valid valid with withother otheroffers offers or or prior prior services. services. Offer Offer expires expires 3/31/22.

2/28/22.

Hwy 53

• B. Manzur, D.M.D. • for estab NEW PATIENT 754 HWY. 53 WEST, DAWSONVILLE, GA FREE Take Home Whitening Kit & Smile706-265-2505 Consultation by iTero ($250 value)

With this coupon. Not valid with other offers or prior services. Offer expires 2/28/22.

Serving Dawson County for over 35 Years

for established patients only

• B. Manzur, D.M.D. •

15% O

Hor

15% OFF VENEERS

With this coupon. Not valid w

With this coupon. Not valid with other offers or prior services. Offer expires 2/28/22.

FREE IMPLANT CONSULTATION with purchase of Full Mouth Set of X-rays ($125)

wit Full Mouth

Hwy 53

with purchase of Full Mouth Set of X-rays Serving ($125) Dawso

With this coupon. Not valid with other offers or prior services. Offer expires 2/28/22.

se M

Hor

Shoal Creek Rd d ill R

We are 180 degrees different than any other 15% OFF VENEERS lender.

Your homeonly for established patients With this coupon.

Not valid with other offers prior services. expires 2/28/22. purchase is orone ofOfferthe largest, most important • B. Manzur, transactions youD.M.D. will • 754 HWY. 53 WEST, DAWSONVILLE, GA ever make.

Hwy 53

706-265-2505

you ServingMake Dawsonsure County for are over 35 Years working with people who see it that way.

The Collection-Forsyth Suite 372 AcopiaOnMain.com Acopia LLC is a residential mortgage lender. All loans are subject to underwriting, credit and property approval. Not all products are available in all states or for all loan amounts. Other restrictions and limitations may apply. Regulated by the Division of Real Estate, GA Residential Mortgage Licensee. 410 Peachtree Pkwy., Suite 372 Cumming, GA 30041 770-654-1022. NMLS 546285 |GRMA 35352 | BRANCH ID 1703225. WWW.ACOPIAONMAIN.COM

March 2022 | 400 LIFE | 11

B EF ORE

If you’re looking for a cost-effective option to boost your home’s value, there’s a new, innovative and eco-friendly trend in home renovations, thanks to Spray-Net. Spray-Net offers Atlanta area homeowners a smarter way to paint homes, and it isn’t with a fancier brush.

Using a patented process, SprayNet has invented a new way to renovate and paint the exterior of your home and your kitchen cabinets. Whether your home is clad with stucco, brick, or siding – or you want to update the look of your

NOW

windows, doors or cabinets, SprayNet can restore a factory quality finish and make it look brand new.

Spray-Net was born out of the problem with traditional painting that many Atlanta area homeowners know all too well. “The issue with painting homes in the Atlanta area using traditional paint is that the paint peels over time and needs to be redone, which is a timeconsuming and costly process,” says Spray-Net North Georgia owner Ken Brock.

The problems with traditional painting were the inspiration to

invent Spray-Net’s patented painting process. Through a combination of custom chemistry and a relentless focus, Spray-Net discovered a way to create more durable and longerlasting paint and process.

In fact, Spray-Net’s paint is a so durable, the company offers a 15-year warranty against peeling, a value-added feature for anyone looking to sell their home.

The best part, is the cost for Spray-Net to paint your home is comparable to that of a traditional painting company. Spray-Net manufacturers all its own paint

B EFORE

to ensure its high-quality standards are always met. Each coating is customized to the surface and adjusted on site for the environment on the date of application, that’s why it’s guaranteed to last.

“Using our proprietary line of industrial-strength coatings and patented application processes, we renew and transform existing surfaces that most people think can’t be painted but, instead, replaced,” he said. “We revamp and transform stucco, brick, Hardie board and vinyl siding, front and garage doors, aluminum and vinyl windows, and even kitchen cabinets.”

Spray-Net delivers a permanent, factory finish that won’t peel and that looks just like new, not repainted. They’ve taken the process of factory painting and optimized it for application outside the controlled environment of the factory. By bringing factory results directly on-site, they give property owners a real alternative to replacement. The cost of the solution is immediately outweighed by the increase in curb appeal and overall property value. Unlike some renovations that don’t pay off,

N OW

Spray-Net’s renovation solution allows property owners to literally see a return on their investment.

Spray-Net’s proprietary paint and service have caught the attention of many high-profile home renovation and interior design professionals.

HGTV has frequently collaborated with Spray-Net to revamp homes and recently worked with the popular TV series Love It or List it.

“We are excited about helping homeowners throughout the entire North Georgia area find a high-quality and cost-effective solution to transform and update their homes,” says Ken Brock, local Spray-Net of North Georgia franchise owner. “While we offer a unique solution, customer service is our true passion. The smiles on our customers’ faces after they see their home for first time is what drives and inspires us.”

Ken Brock is a local entrepreneur and has partnered with Spray-Net to serve the Atlanta area.

To book a free consultation to beautify your home with Spray-Net, call (770) 685-6533 or visit their website at www.Spray-Net.com.

“We are excited about helping homeowners throughout the entire North Georgia area find a high-quality and cost-effective solution to transform and update their homes.”

Ken Brock, Franchise Owner

Sabrina Kerns Forsyth County News

Black and white photos taken by Heather Hanline, a Forsyth Central High School fine arts teacher, and her former student, Ian Thibodeau, hang on the wall at Rock Solid Brewing. Thibodeau credits Hanline for his passion in photography.

‘Art is really important to us’

Central graduate and his former art teacher display photographs at Rock Solid Brewing in Ball Ground Story by Sabrina Kerns

Ian Thibodeau remembers enrolling in his first photography class at Forsyth Central High School, thinking it would be an easy A to add to his transcript.

“I was wrong,” he said. “But I fell in love with it.”

Thibodeau developed a passion for photography and found himself taking photos and working in the school’s darkroom outside of his classes.

Now a freshman at Georgia State University with plans to study photography, Thibodeau attributed finding his passion and success in photography to one of his favorite Central teachers — Heather Hanline, one of three photography teachers at the school.

And now that they are no longer teacher and student, they stumbled upon the opportunity to work alongside each other and display their work at Rock Solid Brewing Co., in downtown Ball Ground.

“That’s why this collaboration is fun because it’s Thibodeau, left, and Hanline’s photos feature subjects themed around somebody I got to teach but now is a colleague the community and history of downtown Ball Ground where the brewinstead of just being a student,” Hanline said. ery is located.

14 | 400 LIFE | March 2022

I had never really gotten the chance to display my artwork publicly besides in the performing arts center at Central. I just thought it was a great opportunity.

- Ian Thibodeau, photographer and graduate of Forsyth Central High School

Hanline had been to the brewery before with Antonia Alberga-Parisi, who is coowner of Rock Solid and Forsyth Central’s Humanities Academy Coordinator and assistant administrator.

She and the other owners, the majority of which are from Forsyth County, started displaying work from local artists in the brewery last year to help connect more with the community and give artists a fun space where guests could see their work.

Since then, the right side of the brewery has been covered in colorful, intricate works of all types available for sale by artists in Ball Ground and Forsyth County.

“We think it’s really important because it’s a local connection, and art is really important to us,” Alberga-Parisi said. “One of the owners, Denise, she’s also an artist.

“She’s the one who painted the Rock Solid [logo on the wall] …. So art is really important to us, and we want people to understand within the community the significance of this just in general and to the brewery.”

When Hanline came to brewery and saw the wall filled with art, she asked AlbergaParisi about potentially featuring Thibodeau’s photography, who was finishing his senior year at Forsyth Central at the time.

“I said — hello — we have a whole other wall,” Alberga-Parisi said. “Let’s do it!”

Once she got approval from the other owners, Hanline went to Thibodeau with the idea that they both put a group of photos on display.

She remembers telling him that he deserved more space to show off his work outside of student galleries and hallways.

Having been his teacher and mentor, she knew how much work he put into his photos and the art program at Forsyth Central.

During his senior year, Thibodeau worked as Hanline’s peer facilitator, helping in her class and in the darkroom.

Eventually, he started spending all the time he could there.

“We used to kid that he lived in the attic because he was literally in my room all the time,” Hanline said, laughing.

Even after graduation, he found his way back to visit Hanline and help set up the darkroom for classes this school year, fixing up any areas that needed it and organizing classroom supplies.

“He was always self-motivated even in that aspect,” Hanline said. “Not just with his photography, but he would help set stuff up and do everything that needed to be happening in the darkroom …. He was a good partner in crime.”

She knew from his past work that he would have both the motivation and skill needed to follow his dream and become a professional photographer, which is why it made sense for them to find a space for him to show off more of his talent.

So Hanline presented the idea to Thibodeau.

“I was really excited,” Thibodeau said.

“I had never really gotten the chance to display my artwork publicly besides in the performing arts center at Central. I just thought it was a great opportunity.”

When putting together photos for the gallery at Rock Solid, they decided to theme them around Ball Ground to give it a more local, historic feel.

He made the trip from his school in Atlanta to visit the town and take photos he and Hanline thought would draw the attention of guests of the brewery located in the heart of downtown Ball Ground.

Between the two of them, they ended up with around 20 framed photos, which they hung on the wall at Rock Solid in August.

As guests of the brewery ask about the photos and consider purchasing them, Hanline said they plan to continue displaying more photography and keep the gallery going as long as possible.

“For it to be in a place where you know so many people are going to see it, that’s a good thing,” Hanline said. “We lucked out.”

Thibodeau said he feels the same, happy to have his work displayed where others can enjoy and appreciate it alongside the work of one of his favorite teachers.

“It feels good,” Thibodeau said. “It feels like I’m a professional … now.”

Rock Solid Brewing Co. is located at 345 Gilmer Ferry Road in Ball Ground. Guests can find them online at www.rocksolidbrewingco.com or on Facebook at Rock Solid Brewing Co and on Instagram @rocksolidbrewingco.

Ian Thibodeau and Heather Hanline finish framing and hanging each of their more than a dozen photos inside of the brewery in downtown Ball Ground.

March 2022 | 400 LIFE | 15

World's B es t A d vent ur es

HIKING GEAR ESSENTIALS

5 items to take for safe hiking this spring Story by Alexander Popp | alex@worldsbestadventures.com

One of the main reasons why I love hiking is how accessible it is. No matter who you are or where you live, you can head off into the woods and get some great exercise, peace of mind, without a huge bill for gear, clothing, and lessons/training.

In most cases, you can just go hiking wherever at the drop of a dime, even if it’s your first time. What other adventure sport can you say that about? But with that being said, there are still a few essential items that any new hiker would be smart to own and use while out on the trail.

This article comes to us from our sister company World’s Best Adventures. World’s Best Adventures provides guided luxury backpacking adventures in Georgia, North Carolina, and the Great Smoky Mountains.

For more articles on backpacking and hiking, and to learn about the services World’s Best Adventures offers, visit www.worldsbestadventures.com or call 770-535-6323.

1. Trekking Poles I put trekking poles at the top of this list, because unlike most pieces of technical backpacking, climbing, and outdoors gear, basically anyone can use them and benefit from using them.

Trekking Poles are a great way to increase your stability while hiking or backpacking and can take a huge amount of pressure off your knees.

Look for a set of poles with adjustable lengths, comfortable grips, and durable tips, and then take them out for a spin on a local trail or walking path. One quick note: trekking poles should be sized so that when they are gripped on an even surface, your arm and elbow make a 90-degree angle.

16 | 400 LIFE | March 2022

2. First Aid Kit The first rule of adventuring in the outdoors – is to expect the unexpected. It might be rain and thunderstorms, a nasty fall, or just something simple-yet-deadly like dehydration, hypothermia, or heat exhaustion. Whatever it is, you gotta be ready for it.

A great way to be ready for whatever comes is a wellstocked first aid kit. But before you buy the largest kit in stock at your local outdoors store, there are a few things you’ve got to consider.

The first thing to consider is the number of people you’re expecting to care for. Good first aid kits are generally sold in sizes corresponding to the number of people they could potentially care for, so don’t go buying a kit for 10 people, when you’ll only reasonably need to care for two.

The second thing to consider is items your kit will carry and your level of first aid training. You should never carry first aid items that you don’t know how to use. A tourniquet or suture kit isn’t going to do anyone any good if they aren’t used properly by trained hands.

3. Water Filter/Purifier Water is life. A cliché I know. But when you’re hiking and it’s hot, the cliché is very true.

Hikers need approximately one half-liter of water per hour, depending on the difficulty of the hike and the climate, and with long day hikes, especially out in the backcountry, that water is going to have to come from somewhere safe and clean.

There aren’t a whole lot of water fountains in the backcountry, so a good purifier or filter is going to be your water lifeline.

Like first-aid kits, filters and purifiers come in all shapes and sizes and are largely categorized by the amount of water they can treat.

Some filters and purifiers are strictly for one person, others can treat water for large groups all at once. As a new hiker, I would suggest picking a filter or purifier that’s compact, inexpensive, and easy to use, like the Sawyer Squeeze filter or Grayl Water Purifier Bottle.

4. Maps, GPS Beacon or GPS App I feel like I shouldn’t have to say this, but maps and navigation gear are often the last things people consider when going out hiking – getting lost isn’t a whole lot of fun.

If you’re new to hiking and unfamiliar with the hiking spots in your community, you should always have a map, a way of navigating, and a plan for whatever adventure you’re embarking on.

Paper maps are great, GPS maps are good (assuming you have battery and cell service), but my rule of thumb is to always have two ways of navigating, no matter where I’m going.

5. Headlamp Sometimes, especially as new hikers or backpackers, the time we spend out on the trail seems to go by quicker than we anticipated, and the sun is already beginning to set when we’ve still got miles left to hike.

In cases like that, and many other cases in the backcountry, it’s great to have a reliable source of light that leaves your hands free to carry things, react to situations, and hike in the dark.

If you haven’t ever used a headlamp, and have only ever used traditional flashlights, you’re in for a nice surprise, because they’re convenient, easy to use and are easily stowed in a backpack, handbag, or glove box for use in any situation.

As a starter, look for a comfortable headlamp with a narrow beam, a high lumen count, and a few different features like a red light, a strobe, and water resistance, which should be about all you’ll need at the beginning of your hiking journey.

March 2022 | 400 LIFE | 17

Tackle spring cleaning with a plan to organize, declutter every area

By M. Gillan Ritchie

S

pring is around the corner and for many homeowners, that means they’ll be reaching for cleaning supplies to help make their space sparkle. For some, the annual event goes beyond the simple acts of opening windows for fresh air, power washing, and cleaning the floorboards. It’s about decluttering their life — literally and metaphorically.

Marie Kondo, born Kondo Mariko in Japan, became a cultural phenomenon in 2011 when her book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing,” was published in Japan. The book was published in the U.S. in 2014 and has sold more than 8 million copies worldwide. Since the launch of her book, Kondo has landed two Netflix series, “Tidying Up” and “Sparking Joy with Marie Kondo,” and published a follow up book titled, “Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up.”

Before

After

Before

After

But what makes Kondo stand out from other professional organizers?

Her approach to decluttering and reorganizing space is almost spiritual. She tells individuals and families that they should focus on items in the home that “spark joy” and eliminate the rest. Greeting the space, recognizing sentimental items, and thanking unwanted objects are all part of her philosophy to a more organized life and home.

“My mission is to spark joy in the world through tidying,” she says in the Netflix introduction for “Sparking Joy with Marie Kondo.” “[Marie Kondo] is known for basically giving clients the confidence to organize their own spaces,” says Marie Mandeville, owner of Atlanta-based TailorMySpace. “Bottom line [is] if the item doesn’t bring joy, get rid of it.”

Like Kondo, Mandeville’s love for decluttering and organizing started at a young age. Growing up in the military, Mandeville’s father taught her that everything has a home and her mother taught her how to clean.

“My mom says it started at 4 years old when I would clean my brother’s room so he wouldn’t get in trouble,” she says.

As a young adult, Mandeville worked at Express as a visual merchandiser by creating appealing visual displays to enhance the customer’s in-store experience.

She loved fashion but she knew that she didn’t want to 18 | 400 LIFE | March 2022

be a fashion designer. As a visual merchandiser, she For Madonna, her bedroom was the space was able to define, design, and implement a visual that needed the most help. According to Before merchandise strategy — all through the correct Madonna, having everything in her closet and placement of items in the store. drawers organized has increased the function“I quickly found joy in making the store look ality of her space and it has been a game perfect,” she says. changer.

Mandeville realized that working as a part-time “How many times have you been late tryvisual merchandiser was only going to get her so ing to find where you thought a piece of far in her career, so she became a bank teller. After clothing was?” Madonna says. “I can’t count starting at the bank, her manager knew Mandeville how many times I have done that so having would be a great fit for sales because of her personeverything labeled and organized has saved ality. As a personal banker, she helped business me so much time!” owners every day. While working with clients, Out of all the rooms in an apartment or Mandeville became less shy and identified her pashome, Mandeville’s favorite space to orgasion. nize is the pantry. It is an area that the whole “I made a post on [Facebook] asking if anyone family utilizes and it’s satisfying to make the wanted a space organized and that I would do it for space functional and accessible. $50,” she says. “Well that closet took 19 hours and Mandeville sets up a virtual consultation to the rest is history!” formally meet with her clients. During the After In October 2021, Mandeville resigned from corconsultation, she discusses the goals that cliporate America and started running TailorMySpace ents want for their spaces. Mandeville aims full time. Taking her passion full time has allowed to be transparent to ensure there is no misMandeville to deliver exceptional service to her clicommunication. She uses the consultation to ents — her motto is “changing lives one organized explain the decluttering process, how space at a time.”

TailorMySpace operates, determine the winKayla Madonna, a client of TailorMySpace, startdow of time needed to complete the project, ed following Mandeville on social media after they and understand the client’s budget. had met at a previous job. Madonna watched as Mandeville says that a common misconMandeville transformed other clients’ homes and ception about the process is that her clients spaces, and Madonna knew she needed help. feel spaces won’t stay clean after being orga“I realized that it was time to get organized when nized. She disagrees because tidying up a I could no longer function in my house,” Madonna space is an investment for a lot of her clients. says. “Nothing had a home so everything was “We tend to care more about the things that everywhere and it was giving me anxiety.” we invest our money in,” Mandeville says.

Madonna hired Mandeville for a move and Mandeville worked “Once your space is picture perfect you would be surprised how for hours unattended. When Madonna returned home, almost easy it is to keep up with!” everything was packed and ready for the move.

Since having Mandeville come in and help organize her home, Throughout the whole process, decluttering was overwhelming Madonna has felt more at peace and productive. She is not having for Madonna but Mandeville made it seamless and enjoyable. to spend a lot of time looking for items that she needs — everyMadonna recalls how Mandeville would break the space into sec- thing has a home now and it all serves a purpose. tions with a goal in mind to make it easier. As the process went “Like the old saying goes, ‘clutter in your physical surroundon, Madonna became more comfortable with organizing. ings will clutter your mind and spirit,’” Madonna says.

“I personally like to work with her [Mandeville] as much as I For more information on how to declutter and organize your can so I can understand/know the systems that she is putting into space or to schedule a consultation, reach out to Marie place,” says Madonna.

Mandeville at TailorMySpace.

EDIT, SORT, AND ORGANIZE – Marie’s tips for decluttering and organizing The key to decluttering and organizing your space is to not get overwhelmed. Becoming overwhelmed is the main reason why most people won’t start. The idea of making it look worse before it gets better can be frightening.

So I have a simple process and it works for any area of the home: • When dealing with any space, the first step is to edit the section you are working on and remove all trash if there is any; • Next, take out the items that don’t belong in that room and then by category, organize what is staying; • Then decide how you want to access the items and put them away based on that! This sometimes can require you to measure the space and purchase the appropriate bins or accessories needed.

• Start in a small space and follow the steps. It helps build the confidence you need to tidy your space and it won’t take very long. Work your way up from a small medicine cabinet to the garage. You simply attack both spaces the same way.

• Remember – edit the area, sort the items, and organize the space.

March 2022 | 400 LIFE | 19

mental health

Improving sleep routine can help your overall health

By Sudie Crouch | Health & wellness columnist

Sleep. Something we all do every night but probably take for granted its importance until we find ourselves not getting enough of it. When we’re younger, we probably relished the thought of burning the midnight oil and staying up as long as we could, until we realized that sleep — or the lack thereof — can have a profound effect on our health and well-being.

As children, we were often put to bed early, sometimes around 8 p.m., to make sure we had adequate sleep. This was important for our developing brains and growth! But, sleep is still just as important as we age.

The average recommended amount of sleep for adults is between seven and nine hours. Sleep quality can make a big difference in how those hours of sleep feel, too. When we wake up still feeling tired and groggy, we know that we’re not getting restorative sleep.

What happens when we don’t get enough sleep?

We often think not getting enough sleep can just make us tired and lethargic, but lack of proper sleep can impact our overall health and wellness in many ways. Studies have found that not 20 | 400 LIFE | March 2022

getting adequate sleep can contribute to memory issues (think of the brain fog you experience when you’re tired!); decreased immunity; weight gain/difficulty losing weight; and an increase in heart disease and diabetes. Hard to believe that sleep can impact so many areas of our lives, but it’s true.

Sleep allows our body to kind of ‘re-set’ each night on a cellular level, and can even help improve our brain function. Think of how much better your phone or laptop performs after restarting.

On a much bigger level, sleep does that for our bodies.

Things that disrupt sleep Many things can disrupt our sleep, but some of the primary ones include: Screen time — studies have found that looking at our phones for long periods of time can actually disrupt our bodies ability to produce melatonin, a hormone our bodies naturally produces to help us sleep.

Stress — this is something that can be one of the biggest disruptors on our health, and it can greatly affect our sleep routines.

When we are stressed, we experience higher levels of cortisol and

anxiety, which can make it difficult for our bodies to get out of ‘fight or flight’ mode so we can truly rest.

Diet — eating large meals can make it uncomfortable for us to sleep, and too much caffeine can affect us as well. (Plus, when we’re tired, we tend to reach for one more cup of coffee, which creates a cycle that makes the situation worse.)

Sometimes spicy foods can disrupt our sleep, causing indigestion that makes it difficult to sleep; same goes for eating too close to bedtime.

Giving ourselves enough time for our stomach to digest our last meal can help tremendously.

How to improve your sleep?

Recent studies have found that taking melatonin is not as helpful as previously thought. Other sleep inducing aids also run the risk of creating a cycle of dependency. (Always consult your medical professional before taking any supplements as well, as even things that are natural and sold over-the-counter may have adverse effects.)

So what’s the best approach?

Creating a sleep routine can help. This means having a set schedule you do that helps your body recognize that it’s preparing for sleep.

Reducing screen-time at least 30 minutes prior to sleep helps our bodies to naturally get in the rhythm of sleep. A bit ironically, there’s several apps on our Smart phones that can help us put these routines in place. If you do find that reading helps your brain shift from the stressors of the day and into a more restful state, switching to a regular book versus e-book can make a difference.

Making the room as dark as possible can also help prevent anything that may disrupt our sleep cycle; this can also be so important for nightshift workers who have to sleep during the day.

Black out curtains and sleep masks can help keep the environment dark enough to be conducive for sleep.

Light stretching and meditation have been found to be helpful as well, as it can help loosen tight muscles and release worries. Another way to help get better sleep is to limit beverages closer to bedtime; when we don’t have to wake up to go the bathroom, we can avoid the struggle of falling back to sleep.

Keeping a sleep journal can also help find patterns of what helps you get good rest, too.

I’m very pro-journaling to help discover what affects any aspect of your health, and being able to see what helped you get good sleep versus what interrupted it can help you take steps towards finding what works best for you.

Getting a good sleep routine in place can take some time and effort, but the overall benefits are definitely worth it.

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

March 2022 | 400 LIFE | 21

family.”

Our goal is to exceed your expectations and become the primary provider for all of your automotive needs. Billy Howell Ford Lincoln carries all new Ford and Lincoln Luxury vehicle lines. We always have a large selection of Certified Pre-Owned Ford and Lincoln vehicles, as well as an expansive selection of preowned vehicles of other

makes and models. We are a certified Featherlite trailer dealer also.

Our Service Department provides impeccable service with factory-trained and certified technicians for Ford, Lincoln, Commercial Trucks, Motor Homes, and Trailers.

Our Collision Center (2878 Canton Hwy) works with an

extensive network of insurance companies and repairs all makes and models with state of the art equipment. This same location houses our Quicklane service center for fast oil changes, tires, and repairs on all makes and models.

We have generations of families that have become valued customers and friends

THE 2022 WINNERS THANK YOU FOR VOTING FOR US A DIRECTORY CELEBRATING OUR 43 ANNIVE rd

The listings below are from winners of Best of Forsyth 2022.

For a complete list of winners, go to bestofforsythcounty.com.

PLACE TO WORK, NEW CAR DEALERSHIP, OFF ROAD DEALERSHIP

HOTEL

LUXURY CAR DEALERSHIP

“Our success can be summed up in two words – our people. Once you walk through our doors you

770-887-2311 • www.howellford.com • Family Owned & Operated since 1977

470-655-2969

866-499-2352

770-887-2311

PEDIATRICS

OUTPATIENT/AMBULATORY SURGERY, GASTROENTEROLOGY

MEXICAN FOOD, CATERING

770-888-8888

404-446-0600

678-456-8892

MEDIATION OR ARBITRATION SERVICE

CHILD CARE CENTER, AFTER SCHOOL EDUCATION/EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, PRESCHOOL

SHOPPING CENTER

PRIMROSE NORTH CUMMING

770-889-0846

770-203-2773

Are you a Best of Forsyth 2022 Winner and would like to be included in this directory?

Email your local sales representative or email Marketing@forsythnews.com

collectionforsyth.com DIVORCE ATTORNEY, ESTATE PLANNING ATTORNEY

www.allfamilylaw.com