Momentssept2013 by Forsyth County News

September -October 2013

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Moments Magazine | September - October 2013

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John Hall Publisher Kevin Atwill Editor Adlen Robinson Director of Content Ryan Garmon Advertising Director Jeff Bucchino Graphic Design Photographer Amber Cloy Adlen Robinson Jennifer Sami Contributing Writers Alyssa LaRenzie Crystal Ledford Jennifer Sami

Contents

8 Moments Mom Meet Leigh Ann Shaw Cannady, a professional music teacher and owner of Forsyth Academy of Performing Arts.

10 Dinner Matters

Pork and a slow cooker is a simple, inexpensive solution to the question, ‘What’s for dinner?’

14 Frugal Focus

Adlen’s advice on finding the best ingredients at affordable prices.

26 Outdoors

Autumn brings changes in weather, changes in foliage, and everyone’s favorite...fall festivals. Forsyth Mom - Page 8

Moments Magazine

is published bimonthly by the Forsyth County News Co., 302 Veterans Memorial Boulevard, Cumming, GA 30040. Advertising rates and deadlines available upon request. Contact Ryan Garmon at (770) 205-8960 or rgarmon@forsythnews.com. Follow us online at forsythnews.com, as well as:

Facebook.com/ForsythMoments and

Twitter.com/ForsythMoments

Moms at Work �� 12 From the Cellar �� 18 Smart Snacking �� 19 Community Notes �� 20 For the Health of It �� 22

Home Matters �� 24 Outdoors �� 26 Community Matters �� 28 School Spotlight �� 30

Moments Magazine | September - October 2013

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Welcome to

hank you for reading this issue of Moments! It was such fun learning about all of these amazing women. It always inspires me to see women so passionate about what they do for a living. I loved visiting with Leigh Ann Shaw Cannady! Her passion for teaching voice lessons to children — and performing in general — is obvious to all who know her. How lucky we are to have a quality place where kids can go to take performing arts classes. Kudos to her for opening the Forsyth Academy of Performing Arts. Inside you’ll also meet Marla Mann, owner of Building Bridges Therapy. She’s passionate about helping children

overcome physical obstacles in their lives. As always, I am awed by moms who decide to give back to the community. In Lisa Rogers and Alisha Ballew’s case, that means giving back to the world community through their nonprofit, Open Hand. We’ve had such a mild summer, we’re all curious to see what fall will bring. Rest assured, the forecast calls for festivals and fun. There’s so much more in this packed issue, so please read your copy and pass it along. And we always want to hear from you, so feel free to e-mail me!

Adlen W. Robinson is a longtime resident of Forsyth County and mother of four. A contributor to the Forsyth County News for more than 10 years, Adlen is author of “Home Matters: The Guide to Organizing Your Life and Home.” E-mail her at contact@adlenrobinson.com.

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Moments Mom

Musical Mother

School for performing arts fulfills her dream

id you know Forsyth County now has a performing arts school for children, complete with some serious professionals on staff? The newly opened Forsyth County Academy of Performing Arts is the brainchild of Cumming resident Leigh Ann Shaw Cannady. Classes began in August. “It is truly a dream come true,” said Cannady with a big smile. “I always dreamed of having a space, and I cannot believe it has finally happened. “There is nothing better than doing what you love on a daily basis.” And what Cannady loves doing is 8

teaching children how to hone their talents and skills in the performing arts, specifically singing. Cannady began performing as a little girl. Taking dance and piano lessons, as well as singing in church when she was in high school, she was hooked. “I was always an artsy kid, but when I was in high school that is when I found my tribe,” she said. After earning a music education degree from Shorter College, Cannady taught in public schools, worked in a large church and kept her hand in performing. “Even when I was busy teaching, I never left musical theater,”

Moments Magazine | September - October 2013

she said. Cannady performed in a variety of shows across the metro Atlanta area and North Georgia, all the while teaching students whenever she could. After having her first son, Cannady decided to teach private voice lessons out of her home. “There were some crazy years when I was teaching a lesson and then would run upstairs to start dinner,” she said. When Cannady found herself a single mother in 2011, she realized she needed to attract more students to support her family. After networking and getting her students to spread the word, the business grew to where she

students asked for various classes, I have had to send them to Atlanta or other faraway places. Now we will be able to offer these classes and instruction right here in Cumming.” The Forsyth County Academy of Performing Arts features acting classes for all ages, including musical theater, imagination theater, improv and intensive acting, as well as private voice lessons. At the end of each semester, classes will perform a showcase in the center’s Black Box Theater, a fantastic space complete with a stage, lighting and sound. Cannady said the theater wouldn’t have been possible without the hands-on help of her husband of one year, John. See Cannady pg. 16 Leigh Ann Cannady hangs decorations in one of the classroom spaces at Forsyth Academy of Performing Arts.

could again work from home as a private voice coach. She noted that balancing work and parenting is always a challenge. “Finding a balance for working mothers is always challenging,” she said. “I always felt blessed because I had the best students with the kindest families.” Cannady said she will be forever grateful for their support during that time. “I have always had the heart of a teacher,” she said. “Working one on one with students is really what I love to do.” But Cannady can’t do it all by herself. “My team is made up of some extremely talented teachers and I have worked at some point with all of them,” she said. “It was very important to me to find people who, like myself, want to help build a child’s character. We want them to be well rounded.” Cannady explained that in the world of theater, it is important to be versatile. “You must be able to wear many hats — being able to sing, act, dance and, most of all, be a nice person,” she said. “At the end of the day, people want to work with nice people. That one quality is sometimes what helps you get your foot in the door.” Cannady relishes being able to offer such top quality teachers in Forsyth County. “For so many years, when my

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Dinner Matters

Pork to the Rescue! Shredded leftovers are a quick fix for dinnertime dilemma “What’s for dinner?” As a mom of four children, that’s probably a question I have heard hundreds, if not thousands, of times over the past 22 years. With crazy schedules and both parents (in most households) working all day, that one simple question can cause serious anxiety, which often leads to a call for pizza delivery. One way to combat that is to have precooked shredded pork in your freezer. My favorite way to cook this inexpensive but delicious cut of meat is in the trusty slow cooker. Throw everything in the pot in the morning, and when you come home, dinner is ready, complete with lots of leftovers for future meals. After dinner that night, just shred all of the meat and — depending on the size of your family — place it in freezer bags with a label and date. Here’s a recipe, along with suggestions for using up that leftover shredded pork. -- Adlen W. Robinson

Slow cooker pork shoulder ➤ 4 to 5 pound boneless pork shoulder ➤ 1 ½ tablespoon kosher salt ➤ 2 ½ teaspoons black pepper ➤ 1 large onion, roughly chopped ➤ 5 garlic cloves, finely minced

(or put through a garlic press) ➤ ¾ cup dry white wine Rub the pork shoulder with the salt and pepper. Place meat inside slow cooker and scatter the chopped onions on top. Add garlic and white wine. Cover and cook on low for nine to 10 hours, until tender. Allow to cool and then using two forks or your hands, shred the meat.

10 Moments Magazine | September - October 2013

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and some chopped jalapenos and serve in a corn tortilla with salsa.

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Moments Magazine | September - October 2013 11

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Moms at Work

G T H N I E G G D I AP R B Speech Therapist Helps Kids Develop

Marla Mann, shown at left with husband David and son Andrew, owns and operates Building Bridges Therapy in south Forsyth.

hen Marla Mann is not busy chasing after her 18-monthold son Andrew, she is running her successful South Forsyth business, Building Bridges Therapy. Mann, a speech therapist, opened the enterprise five years ago, about the same time that many businesses were closing due to the economic downturn. “It was a dream to own my own business, and even though it is always scary when you start out, my husband and I decided it was worth trying,” she said. Instead of building from the ground up, Mann purchased an empty building off of Ronald Regan Parkway and redesigned the interior. The 10,000-square-foot, modern facility is equipped with a large physical therapy gymnasium and several therapy rooms complete with the latest equipment for working with children of all ages. The facility is bright and inviting. “We wanted to create an atmosphere that is stimulating, welcoming and comforting,” she said. Mann said it was of paramount importance that her team of 16 therapists be extremely qualified. “At the end of the day, our clinic is only as good as our therapists, so that is the most critical thing,” she said. “I invest in their continuing education, so they always are up to date on the latest techniques and information.” Mann said her interest in helping children with difficulties has been something she always knew she wanted to do. “I worked with children in a neonatal intensive care 12 Moments Magazine | September - October 2013

unit and loved that,” said Mann, who received her undergraduate degree in communication sciences and disorders from the University of Georgia and her master’s in communication disorders from Georgia State.

While in college, Mann also took courses in medical billing, which ended up coming in handy when she set out on her own in the business world. “At the beginning it felt like I was doing everything,” she said. “At the time, we did not yet have a baby, so I was here pretty much all the time.” Mann said the work they do at Building Bridges Therapy is both demanding and rewarding. It takes a special kind of person who possesses knowledge, as well as excellent communication skills. “When you work with children who have special needs, you are also working with the families,” she said. “Our therapists develop close relationships with both our clients and their parents.” She added that the amount of information can be overwhelming for parents. “We have a bookstore so that parents can see the books we think would be helpful and beneficial to them in their quest to help their children,” Mann said. “We want to find out

what helps them. “A child with autism might do some active play, and then can come and sit down and focus on whatever therapy his therapist is working on.” According to Mann, the goal is always to help the child enough so he or she no longer needs therapy. There is definitely a feeling of camaraderie among the staff members. Jill Feldman, an occupational therapist of 14 years, has been working for Mann for some time.

“We wanted to create an atmosphere that is stimulating, welcoming and comforting.”

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“Marla is such a terrific person and she has a gift for hiring people who are kind and patient and love what they do,” she said. “Our work environment is very open and supportive. We all feel Marla is fair and really listens to us.” Mann said while she loves her work, there is no better job than being a mother. “I struggled with fertility issues for years, and our son is a surrogate from my sister-in-law,” she said. “She is an amazing person and we are forever grateful to her.” Mann and her husband are expecting their second child, once again a surrogate from her sister-in-law, in January. “Owning my own business has allowed me the flexibility to go to all of the doctor appointments with her and feel as if I am a part of the entire experience,” she said. Mann’s expertise in her field has not gone unrecognized. Besides winning several awards from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, she also lectures throughout the metro Atlanta area on topics such as pediatric feeding disorders, social skills and bullying. -- Adlen W. Robinson

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$ Frugal Focus

hen it comes to cooking, people have heard me say this for so long it may as well be my mantra â&#x20AC;&#x201D; buy the freshest and best quality ingredients you can find and afford. That may sound as if I am telling you to always spend the most money. But since being on a budget is quite familiar to me, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve learned a few tricks for finding quality ingredients at affordable prices. Here are some secrets to help you do the same. Shop at ethnic grocery stores and markets. This is one of my best tips and probably the one that is the most under-utilized. I used to drive all over Atlanta seeking out various ethnic stores, but now we have several in Forsyth and neighboring counties. I love going to a local Spanish market, where half of the store is a delicious restaurant (beyond casual, but the food is fantastic and so are the prices) and the other half is a market. You can get any kind of Mexican food ingredient for a whole lot less than you would pay at a grocery store, and you can find a lot of authentic specialty ingredients. The meat counter is also interesting and they have the best pre-seasoned chicken thighs for fajitas

Seek Out Ingredients Where to find the best for less

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve ever tasted. The homemade, fresh chorizo is amazing, and everything is much less expensive. There is a separate counter for all sorts of fresh Mexican cheeses, all of which are quite pricey elsewhere. Produce is also a great deal, though there may not be a vast selection. The other day I got 10 limes for $1. My regular grocery store was selling one lime for 33 cents. I am so happy Forsyth County is home to several Indian markets. Again, you can find items for much less, and you can enjoy authentic varieties of these items. For example, I found Himalayan sea salt for just a few dollars. I usually only see that in high-end gourmet stores that charge outrageous prices for a few ounces of the pink salt. Does your family eat a lot of rice? Check out the delicious Basmati and Jasmine rice varieties. Tahini, which is a delicious sesame seed paste used in making hummus and other Mediterranean dishes, costs a small fortune at the grocery store. At the Indian market, it is half that price and sometimes less. You can also find big bags of sesame seeds and various spices that are extremely pricey elsewhere. If you split some of these bulk-type items with a friend, you can get them

14 Moments Magazine | September - October 2013

for just a few dollars. I once bought a big bag of cinnamon sticks and split it with two other people. For just a few dollars each, we had more cinnamon sticks (usually not cheap) than we knew what to do with. Just beyond our county line is a huge Asian grocery store that also has plenty of bargains in the produce, meat and seafood departments. In addition, there are hundreds of Asian ingredients you can use to take your cooking to a new level. Every time I shop there I feel as if I am in a museum. I call all of these shopping experiences my culinary field trips. The members-only warehouse clubs are good for certain items, but you have to be careful. For example, if you are a name-brand-only shopper, you probably love them. If you are more like me and will happily use a good quality generic product, you may not feel a membership is worth it. I buy certain things at our warehouse club that I feel warrant the membership fee, including deli meat, grass-fed ground beef, organic chicken and eggs, olive oil, kalamata olives, beef and chicken base for soup stock. Of course, if you are a coupon clipper, a regular grocery store or big box retailer may work just fine for your household. Try as I might, I seem to be somewhat of a coupon-challenged person. We just seem to need so many things for which there are no coupons. The bottom line â&#x20AC;&#x201D; if you want to find quality ingredients at the best prices, you probably need to start branching out and visiting different types of stores. It takes a little more time, but your wallet will thank you and your cooking will likely improve too! -- Adlen W. Robinson

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Moments Mom Continued from page 9

“I always say that artsy kids make up their own ‘tribe’ ... they can tend to be the square peg trying to fit in the round hole...” Leigh Ann Cannady gives a voice lesson to Mikayla Mummaw, left, and Maddy Ender at the Forsyth Academy of Performing Arts.

“H

e is amazing,” she said. “He has hammered, nailed, painted and labored and I cannot say how much I appreciate his help and his emotional support.” Between them, the couple has four boys, ages 7, 9, 10 and 15. After performing, directing, producing and choreographing so many performances in her career, Cannady has touched the lives of many. Perhaps her biggest fans are her current and former students and their parents. Tammy Ford, whose daughter Kealy is one of Cannady’s voice students, said the teacher has a gift. “She always knows how to fix an issue that Kealy might be having with her voice,” Ford said. “She has so much diverse experience for the students to draw from.”

Leigh Ann and John Cannady are shown here with children from left: Sam McIlvain, Will McIlvain, Jack Cannady and Tom Cannady.

16 Moments Magazine | September - October 2013

Ford went on to note that Cannady has the voice of “an angel” and students are comfortable being around someone who is so obviously overjoyed with what they’re doing. Cannady said opening the academy has been a true labor of love. “I always say that artsy kids make up their own ‘tribe’ ... they can tend to be the square peg trying to fit in the round hole and I’m so glad that they have a place now here in the county where they can come to be with their ‘tribe.’” Cannady said they hope to provide a safe and encouraging place where each student can have a sense of belonging and at the same time grow as a performer. “We want to help students hone their skills while at the same time build relationships with fellow students and teachers that will hopefully last a lifetime.” -- Adlen W. Robinson

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Moments Magazine | September - October 2013 17

From the Cellar

Marvelous Malbec Tasty transition to red wine as seasons change

hile I tend to prefer white wines in summertime, fall and winter seasons make me want reds. It is fun to experiment and see which ones appeal, and a good malbec is perfect for now and the upcoming months. For some reason, I always thought Malbec was a pricey wine. Turns out, there are plenty of good ones for less than $15 a bottle. I had no idea how much I would love Malbec! I tried one that was reasonably priced and found it to be extraordinary. As I began experimenting, two stood out and are featured here.

The Tapiche Malbec is fantastic. This feels like an expensive wine, but in reality it is quite affordable, at less than $10 a bottle. It’s rich and full and tastes of blackberries, plums and vanilla. There’s also an almost smokiness about it. Aged in oak barrels for nine months, this is a wine you’ll love. Perfect with a steak or even a portobello mushroom burger. Also from Argentina, the Red Diamond Malbec is a few dollars more and just as “expensive” feeling as the Trapiche. I think the vanilla is a little more pronounced, but all in a good way. Good with meat, this is also perfect

with a chicken parmesan dinner or other hearty Italian fare. My wine guy said to let them breathe for a while and I did that when sampling both. One more note — Paul and I are trying our hand at making wine. Our first kind is going to be a Malbec. Stay tuned for a future article telling readers how the experiment goes and if we can create a drinkable wine. Cheers! -- Adlen W. Robinson

Feedback If you have a favorite (affordable) wine, please let me know at contact@adlenrobinson.com. Photo: Adlen Robinson

18 Moments Magazine | September - October 2013

Smart Snacking

Hail to Kale!

Taste, benefits will surprise

f you saw that kale is the subject matter here and are thinking about not reading this, wait! If you really don’t like kale, chances are you just haven’t had it prepared correctly. Did you know you can make delicious kale chips? They are salty, crunchy and a fantastically healthy alternative to regular chips. I love to sauté kale with some onion, a chopped-up piece of bacon and a little chicken stock. It is also wonderful when served alongside some homemade corn bread (which you can use to sop up the “potlikker”), and pinto beans. Don’t forget the hot sauce. If I have still not convinced you to eat kale, you simply must try a kale smoothie. You won’t taste the kale at all, but you will reap all of the health benefits. Remember, kale is incredibly rich in Vitamins A, C and K, as well as Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids. In the way of minerals, it is high in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. One more kale attribute is that a big bunch of kale costs just a few dollars, sometimes less.

Bake in a 325-degree oven until crispy. It overcooks easily, so check it often.

Kale smoothie

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and grated ½ cup apple juice (or other favorite juice) 1 banana, cut up ½ cup frozen pineapple or mango 3 large kale leaves, de-stemmed and roughly chopped 1 scoop protein powder or ½ cup Greek yogurt Combine everything in a blender and blend until smooth. You can also add a few ice cubes if you want it even colder. -- Adlen W. Robinson

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Just clean kale, make sure it is destemmed and completely dry. Spray it with some olive oil cooking spray and sprinkle with some finely ground sea salt.

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Community Notes

F T T T T

ORSYTH COUNTY NEWCOMERS AND WOMEN’S CLUB holds luncheons on the third Thursday of each month at Windermere Golf Club, 5000 Davis Love Drive, Cumming. Membership is open to all women of Forsyth and surrounding counties. For more information, call Linda Fitzwater at (678) 947-6156. Visit the club Web site at: www. newcomersclubofforsyth.org. he Cumming Civitan Club meets at 11:45 a.m. the first and third Thursday of each month at the Golden Corral on Market Place Boulevard. For more information, call Ann Raines at (770) 887-3778. he Cumming Garden Club meets at 10 a.m. the second Tuesday of every month at Cumming Baptist Church in the fireside room, 115 Church St. For more information, call (770) 844-7061. he Chestatee River chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution meet at 3 p.m. the second Sunday of each month at the Forsyth County Public Safety Complex on Setting Down Road. For more information, call (678) 513-6127. he Cumming Sunset Quilters is open to anyone interested in joining them at 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month in Northside Hospital-Forsyth’s Building 1400. For more information, call (770) 889-9471.

aby Boomers of Cumming and North Fulton is a group of married couples who enjoy social activities like dinner, theater, trivia and more. For more information, e-mail boomercouples@gmail.com.

20 Moments Magazine | September - October 2013

ended Hearts, a nationwide heart patient support network, is forming a Cumming chapter at Northside Hospital-Forsyth. For more information, contact Jim Thompson at (770) 887-8469 or gd8469@yahoo. com.

he Forsyth County Senior Center is offering free life coaching/counseling the first, second and third Wednesday of each month, as well as a free caregiver support group the first and third Wednesday of each month, at 595 Dahlonega St. in Cumming. Call Dan Hill at (770) 781-2178 to make an appointment.

ESOLVE, a peer-led support group for couples struggling with infertility, meets from 10-11:30 a.m. the third Saturday of each month at the counseling offices of Beth Franchini, off Ga. 400, Exit 13. To learn more, contact Kate Badey at katie9924@hotmail.com.

estore Motherhood is a nonprofit group that helps chronically ill mothers during their tough times. The group assists with household chores so that “Mommy” can spend time with her children. Duties include laundry, light cooking, dishes, sitting with mom while in the hospital and providing a ride to the doctor. If someone you know could use some help or you want to volunteer, call founder Sandy Moore at (770) 899-5641 or e-mail ericsandy@ comcast.net. The group’s Web site is restoremotherhood.webs.com. There is no charge for these services; however, it is always accepting donations and seeking volunteers.

ompassionate Care Hospice is looking for volunteers to help those facing terminal illness. The program takes an hour a week and has needs in the Cumming area. For more information, contact Lin at (770) 220-2723 or e-mail tatum. lin46@gmail.com.

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AMI FDL support groups, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, offers two local support groups (for families and peers). Meetings are from 7-8:30 p.m. the second and last Thursday of each month at the Forsyth County Senior Center, 595 Dahlonega Hwy. in Cumming. For more information, go online at www.namifdl.org or call (770) 406-8322. The help line is (800) 950-6264.

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awnee View Memorial Gardens support group meets from 11 a.m. to noon the second Wednesday of each month at Piedmont Methodist clubhouse. On the fourth Wednesday the meeting is at an area restaurant. The group is for those who have lost family members and loved ones. For more information, call Scott Bennett at (770) 887-2387 or William Phillips at (770) 889-0607. he Cancer Support Community offers the following free events at Northside HospitalForsyth, 1400 Northside Forsyth Drive. R.S.V.P. at (404) 843-1880. • Support group for people with cancer/their loved ones — 6:308:30 p.m. every Tuesday in Suite 180. • Drop-in Breast Cancer Support Group — 3-5 p.m. the third Sunday of the month in Room 140.

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For the Health of It

to Better Health Walking is an easy way to improve fitness

s any mother knows, a baby taking his or her first step is a big milestone. However, when those babies grow into teenagers and adults, steps often are taken for granted. But the simple act of walking can be beneficial for everybody for many reasons. Walking, like most forms of aerobic exercise, is good for the cardio-vascular system as it strengthens the heart and lungs. Together with good nutrition and other forms of exercise, such as strength training, it can also help with weight loss and toning up of muscles. According to the Mayo Clinic website, walking just two miles in one hour can burn between 200 and 300 calories. Michele Melton, a family and

consumer sciences agent with the Forsyth County Extension Service, is a firm believer in the benefits of walking. Every year, she leads a program for the community called Walk-aWeigh. During the eight-week offering, which this year wraps up Oct. 15, Melton discusses the ways walking — when paired with healthy eating — can help participants lose weight and control or reduce their risk of chronic disease. “We use walking as our baseline activity for our Walk-a-Weigh program for a couple of different reasons,” she said. “First of all, walking is such a functional skill. Walking is one of those things that you take for granted when you’re able to. We’ve all been in situations where we’ve broken a bone or just injured ourselves and it’s limited our ability to walk. It’s then that you realize how important of an action walking is in our daily living.” In addition, Melton said, unlike some exercise, walking has no limitations or requirements. “You do not have to have any sort of membership. You don’t have to have a special location. You can even walk in

22 Moments Magazine | September - October 2013

place indoors and it’s all beneficial.” She said the fall is a great time of year to start a walk workout routine. “The heat of the summer has started to subside and folks are interested in getting outdoors and taking advantage of those longer days while we still have them,” Melton said. In Forsyth County, there are many opportunities for outdoor walking, which make starting a routine even easier. “The access to the [Big Creek] Greenway and ample options you have for the various Forsyth County parks and rec locations are such an advantage to Forsyth residents,” Melton said. But she noted that another benefit to walking is that it can be done anywhere, not just at special amenities. “We always encourage people that if you can’t get to a ‘walking path,’ don’t let that stop you,” she said. “There’s no reason that you have to make a special trip to walk. “That’s the beauty of walking. You can do it anywhere.” But safety should always be taken into consideration before beginning a walking routine. For example, Melton said, walking in some neighborhoods alone at night or on busy streets with a lot of traffic may not be the best options. Overall, Forsyth County is a great area to enjoy walking for exercise. “We’re very fortunate in Forsyth to have so many options spread all throughout the county,” she said. “You don’t have to live on one end or the other, so there’s no excuse to not get out there and walk.” -- Crystal Ledford

Tips for starting a walking routine * Start out slow and easy. Walk for 5 to 10 minutes per day at first and then add 5 minutes to each walk until you are walking as long as desired. If it’s easier on your joints (or schedule), take a couple of shorter walkers, 10 to 20 minutes each, instead of one long walk a day. * Wear comfortable shoes specifically designed for walking or running and loose-fitting, comfortable clothing. Layer clothing during cooler times of year since body temperatures rise when doing exercise. * Watch your posture. Think of elongating your body with head up and eyes forward. Shoulders should be down, back and relaxed. Tighten abdominal muscles and buttocks and fall into a natural stride. * Breathe deeply, but if you can’t converse or catch your breath while walking, slow down. * Don’t think about speed at first — just get out there on a regular basis and establish a habit. * Drink plenty of water before, during and after your walks.

* Pay attention to safety. If you wear headphones, keep the volume down and watch out for traffic you may not hear. Wear bright colors or reflective clothing, especially if walking at times of low light. Walk on in parks or on sidewalks if possible or stick to streets with lower speed limits. Source: The American Heart Association

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Home Matters

Becoming a I

hear it all the time. “I can’t cook!” Or, “I try, but everything I make always turns out terrible or just OK.” If you put yourself in one of those categories, or would just like to improve your cooking results, try some of these tips and suggestions: ■ Use fresh ingredients. Nothing can substitute for freshness. When possible, use only the most pristine fruits, vegetables, etc. If your grocer is not good about keeping only the best-looking produce, speak to the manager or shop elsewhere. ■ Grow your own fresh herbs. Just remember that herbs love full sun. For soups and sauces, you can put herbs in ice cube trays, cover with water and freeze. Then pop out and put into labeled freezer bags. ■ Use fresh garlic. No powder or salt can imitate the flavors of fresh garlic. When purchasing, remember to look for garlic bulbs that are firm and big. Don’t buy garlic that has green stems coming out of it. If you do cut into a clove and see green, don’t use that part as it can be bitter. For easier chopping, separate the garlic cloves, then smash each one with the flat end of a knife. The outer papery skin will easily peel away. ■ Use fresh ginger. Dry ginger may work with cookies and cakes, but for most cooking nothing can rival the flavor fresh ginger delivers. Look for smooth skins and no mold on the fresh ginger. I’m often frustrated with grocers who have only “old” ginger, so voice your concerns if you find this to be true in at your store. ■ Use good chicken, beef or vegetable stock. There are plenty of decent stocks available in the canned or boxed variety, or you can buy a

chicken or beef base (I use Minor’s, available at B.J.’s). ■ Try using organic beef and chicken. Yes, it’s more expensive. But in my mind, it’s worth the cost. More grocery stores and warehouse sites are stocking organic meats. ■ Have the proper tools. The No. 1 tool to have in a kitchen? A good knife! Think of it as an investment. My favorite is a 10-inch chef’s knife that I have had for years and years. Learn how to sharpen it and it’ll last a long time. ■ Ask friends who like to cook for their best, no-fail recipes. Once you master a few good dishes, your confidence will grow. ■ Don’t be afraid to tweak a recipe. If you don’t like a certain herb, substitute one you do. If you love garlic, add a bit more than the recipe calls for. ■ Taste, taste, taste. If you wait until a dish is finished to add salt, it will likely taste salty. Season as you cook, tasting often. ■ Read a recipe all the way through several times before beginning. My friends used to make fun of me for reading cookbooks as if they were novels (yes, I still do this). But the more you read recipes and then experiment, the more familiar you become with knowing whether a recipe will turn out as good as the cook claims.

24 Moments Magazine | September - October 2013

Take the stress out of culinary success ■ Watch cooking shows and/ or take a few classes. Getting some professional instruction will boost your confidence and help you realize just how fun cooking can be! ■ Remember, presentation is important. Take whatever herbs you used during cooking to garnish the plate. Also, spend a few minutes arranging the food on the plate so it looks appetizing. For example, if serving a boneless chicken breast, slice it on the bias and fan it out on the plate. ■ Invite a friend who is a good cook over for dinner. People who love to cook usually are more than happy to share their knowledge. ■ Lastly, relax and enjoy yourself. Those of us who love to cook agree that it can be a stress reliever, not something that causes more stress. Just remember, it’s only food. Turn on some music, pour a glass of wine, roll up your sleeves and enjoy the process. -- Adlen W. Robinson

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Outdoors

Fun is in the air this fall T

Festivals celebrate season, heritage

he autumn season in north Georgia means leaves changing color, cooler weather and, of course, fall festivals for families. Some events celebrate the season, including the Georgia Mountain Fall Festival in Hiawasee, Alpharetta Scarecrow Harvest and Mule Camp Market in Gainesville. Other festivals — the Cumming Country Festival & Fair, Gold Rush Days in Dahlonega, Oktoberfest in Helen and the Moonshine Festival in Dawsonville — take a look at history and heritage. Most events offer free or lowprice admission and a variety of entertainment for all ages. Whether the family prefers live music, carnival rides, unique performances, seasonal celebrations or delicious food, a fall festival in the area will probably spark your interest. Here’s a brief sampling, listed in chronological order, of some of the major upcoming fall festivals: Oktoberfest

Thousands visit Helen’s annual German festival, which is now in its

43rd year. The festival boasts beer, brats and bands in a celebration that is centered at the Festhalle. Outside the festival’s headquarters, the Alpine village has several shops, restaurants and activities for visitors to explore. Helen’s Oktoberfest, the longestrunning in the United States, offers activities for adults or families.

When: Sept. 12-15 and Sept. 19-Oct. 27 Where: Helen Festhalle, 1074 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen Cost: Festhalle admission is $8 on weekdays, $9 on Saturdays and free on Sundays Online: helenchamber.com Cumming Country Fair & Festival

The 19th annual event at the Cumming Fairgrounds brings concerts, rides and entertainment to town. Visitors can also enjoy local history in Heritage Village, which includes the cotton gin, steam engines and the Indian Village. The schedule includes a concert or special price for admission or rides each night. This year, Casey James, Kellie Pickler and Don Williams will each perform a concert and the fair will conclude with the American

26 Moments Magazine | September - October 2013

BullRiders Tour. Some days feature admission or ride special prices.

When: Oct. 3-13 Where: Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Road, Cumming Cost: Regular admission is $7 for adults, $3 for students and free for children 4 and younger Online: cummingfair.net Alpharetta Scarecrow Harvest

Scarecrows lining the Alpharetta streets are a sure sign that fall is coming. Students and others in the community create interesting designs for the scarecrows to decorate the town for October. The 8th annual festival is a one-day community celebration that includes games, hayrides, music and awards for the creations. At night, adults can return for the Alpharetta Brew Moon Fest, featuring beer, wine and food at a town street party starting at 6:30 p.m.

When: Oct. 5, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Where: Downtown Alpharetta Cost: Free admission; $10 for Brew Moon tickets Online: awesomealpharetta.com

Georgia Mountain Fall Festival

The nine-day event at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds features musical performances, educational demonstrations, arts and crafts shows and more. The state fiddlers’ convention, which takes place Oct. 19, also draws a crowd to the Hiawasee festival. Changing leaves, mild temperatures and mountain backdrop set the mood for the annual event.

When: Oct. 11-19, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. most days Where: 1311 Music Hall Road, Hiawassee Cost: Admission is $11 and children 9 and younger are free Online: georgiamountainfairgrounds. com

Dahlonega historic district.

When: Oct. 19 and 20, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Where: Downtown Dahlonega Square Cost: Free admission Online: dahlonegajaycees.com Mountain Moonshine Festival

There’s no moonshine at this annual weekend event, but the family festival explores Dawsonville’s history in the times of prohibition. Now, thousands of visitors come to explore the birthplace of NASCAR racing and hear about local legends such as Lloyd Seay, Roy Hall, Raymond Parks

and Gober Sosebee, who once sped through the north Georgia mountains. A unique car show, parade, historical tours and many activities for children are included in the 46th annual celebration. The event benefits KARE for Kids, a local nonprofit organization.

When: Oct. 26 and 27, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Where: Downtown Dawsonville Cost: Free admission Online: kareforkids.us -- Alyssa LaRenzie

Mule Camp Market

This Gainesville fall festival showcases mule rides, arts and crafts vendors, live music and carnival activities for kids. Visitors can enjoy bluegrass music and mountain charm at the annual event. Named after Mule Camp Springs, which became Gainesville, the event began decades ago as a farmer’s market near the downtown square. In the early 1990s, the Gainesville Jaycees took over the event and grew it into the regional fall festival with crowds of up to 75,000 over three days.

When: Oct. 11-13; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday Where: Downtown Gainesville Square Cost: Free admission Online: gainesvillejaycees.org Gold Rush Days

The weekend festival commemorating the 1828 discovery of gold in Dahlonega is timed so visitors can enjoy the beautiful fall colors. Activities include a parade, live entertainment, 300 arts and crafts vendors, crowning of a king and queen and, of course, a gold panning contest. Voted as one of the top 20 regional events by the Southeast Tourism Society, Gold Rush Days is expected to draw more than 200,000 to the

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Community Matters

“A Lifestyle of Generosity”

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28 Moments Magazine | September - October 2013

and help another struggling person. While many who observed such a program might think it’s a good idea, Rogers and Ballew were determined to be much more hands on. After much research, the friends decided to start their own program in the poverty-stricken nation of Haiti. They

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hen then 16-year-old Lisa Rogers and Alisha Ballew met at a youth camp, it soon became apparent theirs was a friendship that would last. They stayed in touch in their home state of California, and kept in close contact during college. They were even in each other’s weddings. After Ballew’s husband, Jason, relocated with work to Forsyth County in 2001, Rogers said she and her husband, Ty, thought about following their friends. “All of my family was here, so that along with the high cost of living just made sense to us to move,” said Rogers, adding that moving closer to her best friend was a bonus. Rogers and her husband have one son and Ballew has two. Last year, amid all of the rigors of parenting, the friends lamented that they wanted to do something to give back. When the opportunity to travel to Africa presented itself, the women jumped at the chance. Much of their 10-day trip was spent learning about the epidemic of human trafficking and what organizations are trying to do to stop the worldwide problem. “We learned about a micro-loan, which is basically an interest-free loan to someone so they can start a business and get out of poverty,” explained Ballew. “To most of us, a hundred dollars doesn’t seem like that much money, and would certainly not seem like it could start a business. But in so many parts of the world, that loan can mean the difference between a woman selling her body or being able to put food on the table and feed her children.” The amount of the micro-loans range from $50 to $350. Recipients pay a little bit from their weekly earnings and work diligently to pay it off within a year. Once the loan has been settled, the women are encouraged to “pay it forward”

founded Open Hand, a 5013c nonprofit, to not only make micro-loans but also to aid others around the world. The name reflects the women’s desire for people to live with “an open hand and not a closed fist.” While they hope one day to serve countries all over the world, their first target was Haiti. “Haiti is such a poor country. The average Haitian earns only $500 a year,” Rogers said. “The micro-loans are fantastic because the people realize this is their answer to earning a living and getting out of poverty.” According to Ballew, the recipients are grateful for the opportunity the loans offer. They are eager to work, as well as pay back the loans. “To have their own business, whether it is a fruit stand, a bread stand, or some other product, the program really gives them a sense of self worth and purpose,” she said. Another emphasis of the Open Hand organization is providing shoes for children in need all over the world. “A pair of shoes seems like such a small thing, but in our travels and our research, we have found that so many people, especially children, do not own even one pair of shoes,” Ballew said. Open Hand purchases and collects new Crocs and distributes them to those in need. Crocs are ideal shoes because they can easily be sanitized, which is key to battling hookworm. Rogers explained that hookworm, contracted by walking barefoot on contaminated soil, is a common problem in third-world countries. According to the CDC, an estimated 576 million to 740 million people are infected with hookworm, which can result in horrible infections. Open Hand sponsors Sole Sister Parties, where a woman can organize a party with friends and ask for an admission price of a pair of new, children’s-sized Crocs. Open Hand provides the refreshments. The women are quick to say they could not have founded Open Hand without the support of their husbands. The men, who both have their MBAs, are instrumental in helping with the

business and marketing aspects of Open Hand — not to mention acting as “Mr. Moms” when their wives are traveling abroad for mission work. Clearly passionate about what they are doing, Ballew and Rogers say they have a heart for the global community. “Until you see extreme poverty, it is really hard to imagine,” Rogers said. “One village we visited was so poor, I saw a little 5-year old boy who didn’t even have clothes. He was just walking around naked.” Rogers recounted the story to her husband, who was so moved by it he suggested that once a month Rogers take their 4-year old son to buy $100 worth of children’s clothes to ship overseas. “We really have fun going to garage sales and thrift stores,” Rogers said. “You can buy so much and it feels good to know children will be wearing what we purchase.”

Lisa Rogers, left, Alisha Ballew, right, founded Open Hand, a nonprofit that aids people in Haiti and other impoverished areas.

Running a nonprofit with your best friend, along with a lot of help and support from their spouses, has been incredibly rewarding. “We love what we are doing and are just so excited to see what the future will bring,” Rogers said. “Alisha is the sister I never had and I could not be happier to have her as my business partner.” The friends say their work is not about them. “We want to empower these women, so they have a chance for themselves and their children,” Ballew said. “We truly have a heart for the world.” ––Adlen Robinson

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School Spotlight

Get to know your schools

Johns Creek Elementary Fun facts: The school was named prior to the incorporation of the city of Johns Creek. It was named after Johns Creek, an early 19th century trading post along the Chattahoochee River in what was then Cherokee Indian territory. The area was once a meeting ground between the rival Cherokee and Creek nations. The school is one of the more diverse in the county, which principal Degliumberto said “allows for a rich learning opportunity for our students. What better way is there to learn about different cultures and customs first hand than from your friends and neighbors,” she said. 

Special programs, clubs and activities: Activities include Forsyth Optimist Club Oratorical Contest; Hands-On Science Club; chess; hip hop dance; karate; technology; designs with clay; guitar; cooking; knitting; jewelry design; physical fitness; and test taking skills. Student programs include robotics; Science Olympiad; chorus; recycling team; safari leader program; morning news crew; student council; and safety patrol. -- Jennifer Sami 

Principal: Alyssa Degliumberto Address: 6205 Old Atlanta Road Suwanee, GA 30024

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