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Cherokee Life July/August 2013 Volume 8, Issue 4
W H AT ’ S I N S I D E
E D I T O R I A L S TA F F
departments
DIRECTOR OF MAGAZINES
Mark Wallace Maguire
10 STYLE Dallas Roe and her whimsical world of tutus
LAYOUT AND DESIGN
Stacey L. Evans, Mark Wallace Maguire CONTRIBUTORS
22 SPICE Digging into some of Cherokee’s best biscuits
Carla Barnes, Allen Bell, Jennifer Carter, Chris Collett, Joan Durbin, Stacey L. Evans, Kevin Hazzard
features
PHOTOGRAPHER
Jennifer Carter
14 FARM TO TABLE Inside Cherokee’s Rockin’ S Farm
PHOTOGRAPHY
Joshua Campbell PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT
32 READING GUIDE Our staff gives you a few picks for the end of summer
Marti Sacks PROOFREADER
Jennifer Carter
in every issue
A D V E R T I S I N G S TA F F
14
ADVERTISING MANAGER
FROM THE DIRECTOR 05
HIGHLIGHTS
36
NEWS & NOTEWORTHY 06
SCENE
38
ON THE COVER
REFLECTIONS
REFLECTIONS
42
A tasty bacon, egg and cheese offering from the Biscuit Barn.
20
Kim Fowler
39 38 37 34 6 7 8 37 40 7 6 9 29 35 18 17 40 25 5 8 27 21
Magnolia Thomas Restaurant North Cobb Spine & Nerve Northside Hospital - Cherokee Northside Hospital Cherokee Pediatrics Northside Hospital Sleep Center Pinnacle Orthopaedics Plastic Surgery Center of The South Protective Reach River Green Academy Salon • Spa Venessa Shady Grove Events Sosebee Funeral Home Superior Plumbing The Repair Barn Three Sisters Gifts & Home Accents Wellstar Woodstock Funeral Home Woodstock Furniture Outlet Woodstock Market
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Beth Poirier, Jennifer Hall PRODUCTION
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Afterglow Spa Aqua Guard Basements Atlanta Lyric Theatre Bedoe's Bar & Grille Canton Tire and Wheel Cherokee County Arts Council Cherokee County Farm Bureau Cherokee County Farm Bureau City of Canton Comprehensive Neurology of North Georgia, PC Darby Funeral Home Decorating Den Dixie Speedway Dogwood Hills Academy Eden's Keepers Edward Jones Fowler Electric Frosty Frog Creamery & Café Funk Hereitage Center Reinhardt Guardian Angels Home Care Iva Rebecca Butler Realtor KSU Continuing Education
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Tara Guest, Candace Hallford Paula Milton, Becky Opitz, Liz Ridley
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Leigh Hall
27 31 43
CIRCULATION DIRECTOR
Matt Heck EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER
13
Otis Brumby III GENERAL MANAGER
Lee B. Garrett
33 3
V.P. ADVERTISING Wade Stephens ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
12 16 41 35 36 44 19 18
Jay Whorton I N F O R M AT I O N
Cherokee Life magazine is published six times a year by The Cherokee Tribune and distributed to more than 20,000 homes. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES
To request a copy or to subscribe to Cherokee Life, contact Matt Heck at 770.795.5001 ADVERTISING
25 2 20 32 16
To advertise, contact Kim Fowler at 770.795.3068 SUBMISSIONS
Please send all editorial correspondence to mmaguire@cherokeelifemagazine.com Follow us on facebook
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FROM THE DIRECTOR
God Bless The Biscuit...
every single one of them
T
he nouveau Southern food movement is interesting. On one hand, I like to see folks from the South and outside the South discovering, rediscovering and re-inventing classics. And I have enjoyed some of these new twists on traditional dishes. At the same time, I can’t help but get amused when I hear phrases like, “reverseengineered pork-belly sauce,” see a recipe for Shrimp and Grits with tomatoes, bacon and red wine vinegar or – I kid you not – read a lengthy article about new adventures in barbecue, including BBQ Duck Confit. These are all fine and well and good, but I do have a hard time equating them with the term, “Southern food.” In fact, Southern food, in general, is difficult to pin down. In the mid-90s, I worked with a group of African American men and their treat on Fridays was to go to the local soul food place in downtown Atlanta on Marietta Street. I was invited and looked forward to finally getting some “real soul food.” That was when I discovered that soul food is basically Southern food with a few twists. You can get particular, if you wish, but greens are greens, mac n’ cheese is mac n’ cheese, grits are grits, barbecue is barbecue and sweet potato pie is sweet potato pie. When it boils down to it in my book, there are only a handful of true Southern foods. Like what? Fried okra. And I mean fried okra done right. No heavy breading, nothing frozen from a package. Just pure, lightly breaded and lightly fried okra. Then there’s grits. Simple. Beautiful. Grits. Dress them up with exquisite sausage, drown ‘em in gravy, use cheese from France — grits will always be grits. I could also toss in several other Southern foods, that are not exclusive to the South, but play an important role in our culinary heritage. A sliced tomato with salt and pepper on it, watermelon, butter beans, lima beans, smoked country ham, Brunswick stew, Silver Queen corn and more. But the Queen of all of the food of the South is the biscuit. Yes, that beautiful, fluffy, ethereal food – it is too grand to be called a bread – that makes every morning great. I love biscuits. I also only get to enjoy them a few times a year which I believe
makes my enjoyment for them only more intense. My mom makes dadgum fantastic homemade biscuits. Fluffy, slightly crunchy on the outside and warm and soft on the inside. My grandmother Louise Maguire gave my mom her recipe. Now 90, she still makes outstanding biscuits as well, though not as often as I would like. But, I have been blessed to have eaten at both of their tables many times in my life. I’ll eat just about anything on a biscuit, though for breakfast I prefer sausage and gravy and more gravy and, while you’re at it, a little more gravy please. Any other time, I like my biscuits sweet and simple: Honey and Butter. If I am at a lunch or dinner, I will not even look at a biscuit until I’ve eaten everything else. I know once I get started on biscuits, everything, including dessert, will take a backseat. The art of making biscuits is always in flux. Now, along with the nouveau Southern cuisine movement, it appears to be making a comeback. For many years, it seemed to be going the way of other foods. In other words, it was a staple in the frozen food section and in cans. Lord help me, I ate canned biscuits when I was a bachelor, but now I consider it virtual blasphemy to even call them ‘biscuits.’ I think they should just be called canned dough or something to that effect. Whatever you call them, you can’t measure them to the real thing. My wife doesn’t make biscuits. I am not criticizing her. It is just a fact. She is from Maine. Those fine folks have their own unique culinary culture (if you don’t believe me, just look up fiddleheads, bear burgers and lobster rolls), but biscuits is not in their lexicon. I also do not have a restaurant close by to run out and grab some biscuits on a Saturday morning. Which, as I enter my 40s, is beginning to leave me with one choice: Bake them myself. That is a scary thought. On the other hand, I’ve mastered grits and bacon. Adding biscuits to my limited repertoire would give me the final third of the Southern breakfast trinity. I could become a legend in my boys’ eyes. I could become full and happy in my own. Maybe the next time I visit my grandmother, I need to forgo the usual chatter about my job, my family and my faith and get right down to the nuts and bolts of it: Getting her recipe for biscuits. Best,
Mark Wallace Maguire
The Funk Heritage Center of Reinhardt University Georgia’s Official Frontier and Southeastern Indian Interpretive Center • Hall of the Ancients and artifacts • Huge collection of historic hand tools • Native American art • Visit historic 1840’s log cabins 7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska, GA 30183 • 770.720.5970 www.reinhardt.edu/funkheritage Tues. - Fri. 9am-4pm Sat. 10am-5pm • Sun. 1pm-5pm
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news & noteworthy [shopping]
Outlet Mall
More stores announced for major project in Woodstock The addition of 38 stores was announced for The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta this week, with the outlet mall set to open July 18 in Woodstock. The latest additions make a total of 89 shops slated for the mall that is expected to generate $130 million in annual sales. On Thursday, Horizon Group Properties Inc. and CBL & Associates Properties Inc. announced the addition of Adidas, American Eagle, Chico’s, Coach, Crocs, Fossil, Ghirardelli Chocolate, Johnston & Murphy, Jones New York, Juicy Couture, Kasper, Kate Spade, Lane Bryant, Lenscrafters, Lids, Little Tokyo, Papaya, Sketchers, Tommy Hilfiger, True Religion, Yankee Candle and more. Executive Vice President for Development at CBL Michael Lebovitz said in a press release that “The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta continues to attract the highest caliber retail names.”
Remembering a life well-lived...
“With the center opening on July 18 at more than 95 percent leased, we are looking forward to building on the momentum of a tremendous opening,” Lebovitz said. A public ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place July 18 at 10 a.m. Construction began in May 2012, and the outlets will be completed almost a month ahead of the originally scheduled date. A spokesperson for the outlets said most of the stores will be open for the ribbon-cutting. Horizon spokeswoman Gina Slechta said more than 1,000 people attended the second job fair for the outlets Thursday in Canton, and 40 stores were represented. Slechta said many attendees were hired on the spot and that representatives from the stores said the quality of the applicants was excellent.
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[community]
BridgeMill Sixes Service League awards scholarships The BridgeMill Sixes Service League recently awarded scholarships in the amount of $1,500 each to two exemplary seniors who have committed themselves to service of others in the community. Madison Griffin was chosen from Woodstock High School and will be headed to The University of Georgia this fall where she will double major in Film Studies and Telecommunications. Courtney Mixon was chosen from Cherokee High School and will be furthering her education at Reinhardt University where she will major in Music Education and minor in Religion. The BridgeMill Sixes Service League was honored to present these scholarships to such deserving young ladies.
From left, Courtney Mixon, Judy West, BSSL Scholarship Chair, and Madison Griffin.
BOARD CERTIFIED IN
NEUROLOGY AND SLEEP MEDICINE JULY 8TH-12TH Karen Clegg’s Art Camp Mixed Media Tisha Gotte’s Drama Camp Kathy Carl’s Hand Building Clay JULY 15TH-19TH Karen Clegg’s Art Camp Mixed Media Tisha Gotte’s Drama Camp Kathy Carl’s Hand Building Clay
JULY 22ND-26TH Kim Bates Teen Photo Boot Camp Kathy Carl’s Hand Building Clay
Cost per campper week: $120 + Supply Fee
UPCOMING EVENTS: July 27th - Painted Pig presents the Jagged Stones - 8 pm August 20th - Painted Pig presents Nathan Ware - 8pm
CLASSES: Linda Maphet's Oil/Acrylic Painting Tisha Gotte's Drama Class
Kim Bates Basic Digital Photography John Horne Adult Portrait Drawing Elly Hobgood Paint Group
To sign up for classes call 770-704-6244 or e-mail info@cherokeearts.org. Include name and phone number. Check our website for dates, times and fees. 94 North Street | Canton, GA 30114
WWW.CHEROKEEARTS.ORG
Faiz E. Niaz, MD www.comprehensive-neurology.com Main office in Canton Other offices in Roswell and Blue Ridge Medical Director of the Sleep Disorders Center, Northside Cherokee Hospital
The only neurologist in the area who covers Northside Cherokee Hospital. Dr. Niaz completed his residency in Neurology and fellowship in clinical neurophysiology/epilepsy and sleep medicine at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and was also on the faculty at Vanderbilt University. He treats patients with: • Sleep apnea and other sleep disorders • Seizures/Epilepsy • Stroke • Migraine headaches • Alzheimer's dementia • Parkinson's disease • Snoring • Restless legs syndrome • Multiple sclerosis • Carpal tunnel syndrome • Peripheral neuropathy • Sciatica / back pain • Neck pain • Dizziness / vertigo and other neurologic disorders
EMG & EEG Studies Done in Office All major insurances accepted. By appointment only. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call:
COMPREHENSIVE NEUROLOGY OF NORTH GEORGIA, PC 125 Oakside Court, Suite 301 • Canton, GA 30114 PHONE: 770-345-0070 • FAX: 770-345-0077
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[shopping] Veteran opens boutique in Canton
SATURDAYS 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM Cagle’s Family Farm under wooded pavilion BEE DAY
July 13
APPLE DAY
August 17
CHEROKEE INVITATIONAL PIE FINALS August 24 WATERMELON DAY & More! Find Us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cherokeefreshmarket 101 Woodland Way Suite 1B Canton, GA 30114 For more information call 770-479-1481- ext. 0
Canton resident Kristy White recently opened Brooke’s Boutique in the historic district. Though told she would never work again due to injuries sustained while in the military, White did not want to give up on a lifelong dream to own a boutique. Brooke’s sells casual and trendy women’s clothing along with shoes, boots, sunglasses, accessories, belts, vintage jewelry, organic skin care and a variety of gift items. Over half of items available in the store are made by local artists. “I believe in supporting local people and artists and providing our customers with unique items that support good causes,” said White. Brooke’s Boutique is located at 240 E Main St. in Canton. For more information, visit www.brookesboutiqueshop.com, call 678-880-9829 or find the shop on Facebook.
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July/August 2013
CHEROKEE LIFE
Okabashi shoes In the heat of Georgia summer it’s important to have comfortable flip flops and sandals. We sampled new 2013 summer styles from the Okabashi brand, which is designed and manufactured right here in metro Atlanta. The shoes feature reflexologyinspired massaging insoles with elevated arch support and ergonomic foot beds. What does that mean exactly? They are comfortable! Perfect for the beach, the home, or running errands around town all day long. And don’t worry about getting them dirty, they are easy to clean—in fact they are dishwasher safe. The shoes have a 2-year guarantee, so wear them to your heart’s content and afterwards return the 100% recyclable shoes to the eco-conscious brand’s factory for recycling. What’s more, Okabashi shoes not only feel good, but you can feel good about wearing them. In addition to being made in the USA (today less than 1.4% of shoes sold in the U.S. can make that claim) and recyclable, most styles are vegan-friendly, latex free and BPA free. The brand also buys locally when possible.
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[about us] Magazine director wins First Place Mark Wallace Maguire, director of Cherokee Life magazine, recently won First Place, Humorous Commentary, in the magazines category of the Green Eyeshade Awards. The contest, sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists and now in its 63rd year, recognizes the best journalism in an 11-state competition across the southeastern United States. Maguire’s column, “First! ... and the 5 year old” appeared in the September/October 2012 edition of Cherokee Life.
Bell honored with lifetime award Longtime magazine arts contributor Allen Bell was recently awarded the Paula Vaughn Community Arts Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was presented during the annual conference of the Georgia Arts Network. Bell has worked in arts administration for over 15 years. He is 40. He currently serves as Program Director for Arts Education, Research & Information with South Arts, a regional arts organization based in Atlanta. Bell has also worked as program director for contemporary arts & new initiatives at South Arts and served as executive director of the Rome Area Council for the Arts where he was co-founder of the Rome International Film Festival. Bell served for nine years on the Georgia Arts Network board of directors, including in the roles of vice president of membership, president and past president. He also served on the board of directors for Georgia Citizens for the Arts.
Photographer wins contest Magzine photographer Jennifer Carter was one of four winners of the "Where in the World is This? Photo Contest," sponsored by the Kennesaw State College of Continuing Education's Language Program. Carter correctly identified French landmarks in photos taken by Lyn Cohen, Languages program manager.
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For Dallas Roe,
all the
world’s
a stage
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Photos by Cindy Tallman with Posh Photography
By Meredith Pruden When little girls dream of what they’ll girls. Now, one Cherokee County woman be when they grow into women, the first is helping others reclaim that childhood starry-eyed image is usually that of a baldream one tutu at a time—or just outfit lerina gracefully dancing a pas de deux their own little darlings before they grow across a classical theatre stage. Her hair is into adulthood. slicked back tight into a high bun, and she Meet Dallas Roe, wife and mom of two wears an intricately detailed ballet cos(Haley, 7, and Kristen, 6) and the whimsitume with pink pointe shoes. As her partcally entrepreneurial mind behind Miss ner lifts her off the ground, the audience Priss Tutus. This former Lassiter High erupts into applause and someone hands School grad and Cobb County teacher her a bouquet of red roses. turned fashionable maker of custom tutus Most little girls outgrow that dream, evolved her stint as a stay-at-home mom going on to be teachers, bankers, doctors into a rewarding and profitable new or stay-at-home moms to their own little career after noticing a hole in the market.
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“I had my oldest in December 2005 and decided I wanted to be a stay-athome mom,” Roe said. “When she turned one, I had a vision of her by a Christmas tree in a tutu, but I couldn’t find one I wanted, so I made one. Friends told me I should sell them so, in 2007, I launched the web site, and it just blew up from there.” At once enthusiastic and humble, Roe has been featured in Vogue magazine, on Good Morning America and in The Change Up. She’s also had a veritable who’s who of Hollywood starlets order her custom tutus, and she currently is waiting to hear if she made it through to the last round of applicants for a spot on Shark Tank. Her coveted tutus are fuller than their average store bought counterparts, and all her tulle is sourced from the United States, so they’re much more comfortable than those made from Chinese fabric. Still, she manages to keep her pricing affordable—with most standard versions ringing in between $20 and $40. “When I quit teaching, I still wanted to contribute to our household income,” Roe said. “This was a way to keep busy, make money and still stay home with my girls. The best thing I can be is mommy, but now my girls are old enough to understand I have my own
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business making tutus, and I make money. These days, I wear one heel and one flip flop.” Miss Priss Tutus offers costumes for adults and kids, as well as a prom line featuring custom corsets. “I have high-schoolers who wear them for prom or homecoming and adults who wear them for bachelorette parties and birthdays,” Roe said. “I have moms who were former ballerinas and want a tutu for maternity photos...I’ve even made one for a horse!” Roe may not have invented the tutu, as she’s quick to admit, but she’s certainly cornered the market while helping little girls (and little girls at heart) connect with their dreams in the process.
For more information about Roe and Miss Priss Tutus, including special charity tutus that give a portion of proceeds back to Bert’s Big Adventure and Autism speaks, visit
w w w. m i s s p r i s s t u t u s . c o m .
Releve Photo www.relevephoto.com
CHEROKEE LIFE
July/August 2013
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By Kevin Hazzard Photography by Jennifer Carter
On less than three acres of land in Free Home, Tim and Nichelle Stewart are growing purple watermelons. They will tell you they grow them in the most unnatural of colors because they like strange things. While that may be true, it’s not the whole story. The Stewarts own and operate Rockin’ S Farms and the watermelons, like most of their produce, are heirlooms. This means they come from the seeds of watermelons grown in that very patch of land in years past. Every season the Stewarts save the seeds of their favorite plants and place them back in the soil. This year’s fruit is a direct descendant of last year’s and the year before that. There are easier ways to grow vegetables but what fun would that be? Besides, this hard-fought sense of connection is at the root of everything the Stewarts do. “It’s hard,” Nichelle says. “There are days when I think ‘Oh my.’ But it’s a blessing to put a seed in the
ground and watch what comes of it.” The biggest seed the Stewarts have put in the ground is Rockin’ S Farms, and what came of it is an old fashioned hand-worked farm, a produce stand and a summer camp for kids. Not a bad yield for people who weren’t raised as farmers. Tim grew up working nothing more expansive than a family vegetable patch and Nichelle had even less experience when they first married. For years they tended the garden after work, often by flashlight. It was quiet and rewarding, Nichelle says, the perfect way to unwind. Then came the recession and Tim lost his job and suddenly the couple had to reassess their priorities. They had the two and a half acres in Free Home and another ten acres that were in Tim’s family. Enough for a produce stand, at least. So they became farmers.
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Tim Stewart rides a restored tractor on the farm that produces everything from eggs to vegetables.
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New customers meant new friends and that, in turn, meant more customers. Word spread and soon their produce stand grew into a booth at the Woodstock Farmer’s Market. Over time Rockin’ S Farms became a supplier for Atlanta’s finest restaurants and even the kitchen at the Governor’s mansion stocks their fruit and vegetables. When Jeff Foxworthy visited the Governor and requested a tomato sandwich, he dined on one of the Stewarts’ heirlooms. But food alone doesn’t nourish a community, which explains Farm Camp, the Stewarts’ most unusual creation. The idea sprouted from the realization that children know precious little about agriculture.
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As usual, the Stewarts started small but their work continues to grow. Today, farm campers wash horses, grind cornmeal for grits and plant seeds. This year they even painted the chickens’ toe nails. “The kids loved that,” Nichelle says. The Stewarts also raise beef and pork but they’re not part of Farm Camp and they don’t reside on the two and a half acres in Free Home because Nichelle doesn’t like to eat what she names. Rockin’ S Farms is more than a place to get strange fruit or watch a man work the soil by hand. Its methods may be a throwback to an earlier time but, as Farm Camp attests, its eyes are fixed on the future. For the Stewarts, a return to the simple life is not merely wistful sentiment. It is more than a nod to the tools and ways of a forgotten era. It is a reminder, whispered like a benediction, that there is pride to be taken in the fruit of one’s own labor and that, at its best, a hard day’s work should strengthen the bonds of community.
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Bret Bond Canton, Riverstone Pkwy 770-720-7835
Ned Castleberry, CFP®, AAMS® Downtown Canton 770-720-6245
Steve Tuck Woodstock 770-926-5503
Tawanna Wesson Prominence Point/Canton 770-479-4758
Ivan Garcia Woodstock / Holly Springs 770-926-0105
Kelly Geiken, CFP®, AAMS® Hickory Flat 678-297-0154
Rob Means, Jr. Woodstock 770-926-0909
CHEROKEE LIFE
Charles Simon BridgeMill 678-493-9520
July/August 2013
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CHEROKEE LIFE
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REFLECTIONS
Summer time and the importance of simple blessings Every year about this time when school lets out for the summer, it brings back memories of the summers when I was growing up. It was a far different period of time than it is today. The Cherokee County I live in today hardly resembles the one I grew up in. We obviously live in a far more progressive society. But I’m not sure that’s always a good thing. For something tells me that many children today have been cheated out of some of the simple blessings in life due to our progression. There was a time when being a kid in the summer meant being up early and getting outdoors. We didn’t have computers and handheld games to keep us inside. We only had our imaginations and the pleasure of not being cooped up in school all day.
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CHEROKEE LIFE
There is more swim and tennis communities now than I can count. But when I was growing up in Canton there were two real choices for water entertainment. You could either spend time on Lake Allatoona or be lucky enough to belong to Canton Golf Club, which had and still has a very nice pool. A few were even fortunate enough to have access to Lake Arrowhead. But other than that, water sports consisted of playing in a creek or figuring out different ways to get wet with a water hose. Today, many neighborhoods have their own swimming pools. BridgeMill basically has a water BY CHRIS COLLETT park. Canton now has a pool at the YMCA and earlier this year, the new aquatics center opened on Sixes Road. There are so many mountain bikers today as the sport has exploded. On any given day, Blankets Creek is full of bikers in helmets and biking uniforms. When I was growing up, I didn’t know what a bicycle helmet was. But bicycles were an important part of summers. We rode them everywhere in the community, including the streets. But the traffic wasn’t what it is today. And neither was the crime rate. We played basketball, baseball, hide and seek, and climbed trees to get a different view of the world. We explored the woods in a time when it was safe. We weren’t necessarily looking for anything particular. But we were outside, which is where kids were expected to be in my generation. As night approached, a simple thing like catching fireflies was a thrill. Maybe it was a country thing, but we always referred to fireflies as lightening bugs. Many times my friends and I have set up a tent and camped out if it was only in the back yard. It was fun and somewhat scary at the same time. But it was a safe time in our history. I guess by now that you are getting the theme that being outdoors was an important part of my childhood. Now I am not saying that technology is a bad thing. It’s a great thing in many ways. But like everything else, it has a price. Part of that price is the lack of time many children spend outdoors. It saddens me to know that many will never experience some of the simple things that the outdoors has to offer. But things will never be like they were. We can only hope that our children listen when we tell them of a simpler time in a simpler place. And just maybe they will tell their children so the memories of that time never fade.
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EDITORIAL CALENDAR
e’ve got a dynamic second half of 2013 planned. Below is a brief look at what some of our next issues will feature. Have an idea? Just email us at mmaguire@cherokeelifemagazine.com. And remember, you can follow us on facebook and visit our website, www.cherokeelifemagazine.com for exclusive content and more!
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sept/oct. fitness and health nov./dec
holiday issue
CHEROKEE LIFE
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BEST
We searched the county and found a few of Cherokee’s
BISCUITS By Joan Durbin {Photography by Jennifer Carter}
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{ Lindsey Andrews pops a batch of biscuits into the oven. She uses a recipe passed down from her grandmother. Left, an egg, cheese and bacon biscuit from Sugar Pike Junction.
}
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eep your toast. Hold the bagels. If it’s homemade, give me a biscuit for breakfast every time. Any way you fix ‘em, from loading on the meat, egg and cheese to just butter and maybe a drizzle of honey or spoon of jam, biscuits are the bomb. And Cherokee County is blessed to have several small eateries that offer fresh, hot biscuits made from scratch. We have had a lot of fun making the rounds to locate some of the best examples. Interestingly, no two were quite alike. Two of the places we visited are open for breakfast and lunch only, and none have much of a presence on social media sites like Facebook or a web page of their own. It’s always a good idea to call ahead to check hours before you go. CHEROKEE LIFE
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{ } Simply Southern
12400 Cumming Hwy Canton (770) 889-6248
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ylvia Shirley has been making biscuits since she was 14 and learned how to do it from her mother. Sixty years later, her biscuits are a fundamental element of the downhome menu at Simply Southern. She’s usually in the kitchen at 5 a.m. and has the first pan in the oven in 20 minutes. “I put flour in a big old bowl, add my grease and buttermilk and mix it all up with my hands,” she said. White Lily flour, of course, and solid vegetable shortening are her staples. After rolling out the dough, she scoops up individual portions for a pan full and bakes them off until they’re done, which she determines “by eye, it’s the best way to do it.” On her day off, 26-year Simply Southern veteran Debbie Puckett makes the biscuits. They taste the same as Shirley’s, both ladies agree, but they don’t look alike. “Nobody’s going to make ‘em exactly the same,” Shirley said. “You just don’t overwork the dough.” Simply Southern is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week.
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Debbie Puckett at Simply Southern with biscuit maker, Sylvia Shirley.
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{ } Biscuit Barn
3350 Marietta Highway Canton (770) 345-5212
From left, owner Dianne Gabel and Tallulah Campbell at Biscuit Barn are well-known to the tiny eatery's longtime customers.
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or three decades, the Biscuit Barn has been an enduring landmark for true biscuit fans. Back when it opened in 1975, it was the only place in the vicinity where you could get a real biscuit made from scratch. When her mother and co-owner, Margie Gabel, retired six years ago with health issues, daughter Dianne Gabel kept the business going strong. The biscuits are still as good as ever, said Rev. Luke Wheeler of Ball Ground’s Church of God, who said he’s been coming to the tiny eatery for the biscuits “since Day 1.” Gabel laughed. “They should be. I’ve had 38 years of practice,” she said. There are secrets, including two different kinds of flour and a special buttermilk mix from Mayfield Farms. Implements of choice are a formidable wooden rolling pin and a biscuit cutter. On average, 10 pans of 350 biscuits are sold on the weekdays Biscuit Barn is open. The eatery is breakfast and lunch only and closed on the weekends.
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{} Lindsey Andrews Woodstock resident
by Jennifer Carter
his was my granny,” Lindsey Andrews said, as she wiped flour and fresh buttermilk from her hands with a dishtowel and handed me a brass frame. It was a morning in early June and Nellie May Lindsey’s wide smile beamed at me from behind the glass, as if she didn’t mind a bit that I was about to pilfer her family’s secret biscuit recipe and share it with the whole county. Andrews had spent her entire childhood in Montgomery, Ala. observing her granny prepare what some older Southerners still describe as the iconic “cathead biscuit.” While the origin of the name cathead biscuit might be shrouded in mystery, they always share one characteristic – large. “Granny’s biscuits are a little bit of everything,” said Andrews. “You see, when it’s homemade, they will never be consistent like what you get at a store. Each and every one has its own personality. Because each morsel is rubbed between my fingers, each bite might taste a little different…some flake and some crumble, but the buttermilk consumes your taste buds, and will always stick to your ribs!”
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Now with four hungry boys of her own (Porter, 2; Sawyer, 5; Hudson, 9; Thomas, 12) and her husband Eric, Lindsey Andrews strives not only to replicate the recipe, but also share her love of cooking and generous spirit with her neighbors. “Southern isn’t just the area we live; it’s who we are. It was the way our great grandmothers and our grandmothers served their families and loved ones,” said Andrews. “When someone is down and out, you could count on the Southern Belle coming to the rescue. I see that slowly fading into the distance in our generation, and I am determined to keep it alive.” Top, Andrews with a photo of her grandmother.
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the recipe A couple of handfuls of self rising flour Add a hand full or two of lard (aka Crisco)- yes it does make all the difference in the world! Mix together until the lard makes the flour flaky looking. Add buttermilk until it’s just right. Lindsey also likes to brush butter or margarine on the biscuit tops prior to baking.
And stick to your ribs it does. The biscuits are buttery. And they live up to their moniker of cathead biscuits. But don’t mistake the heft for heavy and dry. They are crispy on the outside, but moist on the inside. I ate mine with apricot jam and a healthy slathering of butter. Apparently, I am not the only one who appreciates Andrews’ biscuits. “Anyone who knows me knows that if a neighbor is sick, a baby is born, a friend had a hard week, or a loved one has passed, I show my love through my food,” she said. “And there is something that happens inside of me when my family sits down at the table and I have poured my life into what is on their plate.” Although Andrews’ passion for food and serving those around her now comes quite naturally to her, she readily admits that recreating her granny’s recipe took a little time. Three years of frustrating trial and error in the kitchen finally led her back to the recipe of her childhood memories. And when her granny became ill following a stroke, the extreme urgency to get them right only swelled. “Granny’s biscuits became an obstacle to conquer when she could no longer make them,” recalled Andrews. “I danced in my kitchen the morning I did it. I think I actually cried.” *Andrews’ original recipe for cathead biscuits calls for Crisco or lard, but on the day of the interview, she substituted vegetable shortening.
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{ } Sugar Pike Junction
2885 Lower Union Hill Rd. Canton (770) 475-2324
steady stream of customers keeps Sugar Pike Junction hopping in the mornings. The homemade biscuits practically fly out the door. They are ordered with various combinations of meats and toppings, with the most popular being sausage, American cheese and a fried egg. Rarely, however, does someone want sausage gravy, said owner Silvia Chavez, who runs the place with her sister, Eleisita.
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Silvia Chavez, owner of Sugar Pike Junction.
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“Gravy isn’t as big a thing here,” Chavez said. “We’re a small place and there’s not much parking, so people like taking food to go, and gravy isn’t good for eating on the go.” Chavez has owned the tiny eatery for seven years and said the biscuit recipe was already there when she bought the business. She has since made a few minor changes of her own, she said, like letting the dough rise sufficiently. “You learn how it should look when it’s ready to go in the oven,” she said. “If it’s hot outside, they have to go in earlier.” She declined to reveal all of her recipe, but White Lily flour and whole milk are two components. The dough is pushed out by hand and biscuit rounds are baked in a convection oven, allowing hot air to circulate for more even cooking. The restaurant, which is open for breakfast and lunch, is at the corner of Lower Union Hill and Sugar Pike roads. It is closed Sundays.
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summer reading guide
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rue or not, we’ve convinced ourselves that summer is the time for prime time reading. Whether you’re looking for something light to take to the beach or something heavier for a night on the porch, our staff has several recommendations. Enjoy.
“Tigerheart” by Peter David
“A Good Fall” by Ha Jin
“Tigerheart” is a twist on everything on the typical Peter Pan/The Boy Who Never Grew Up narrative, and it works quite brilliantly. But, hold tight. As well as it works, the focus of the novel is not on The Boy Who Never Grew Up, but rather a character named Paul who is only searching for a baby sister for his sad mother. Along the way, he encounters The Boy in the land of not growing up, but he also tangles with pirates, Indians and all sorts of characters bound to make for an adventuresome novel. Bonus: The author throws in just enough humor and tads enough of alternate history ala “Jonathan Strange and Dr. Norrell” to even make it stronger.
Ha Jin made his mark in the literary world in the late 1990s and early 00s’ with his novels and collections of short stories. Jin taught at Emory and was dubbed by some as a Georgia literary treasure before he moved to Boston University. It was during his time at Emory that he published some fine pieces of work, including the short story collection “The Bride Groom.” Jin’s straightforward writing style coupled with his intensely unique stories from a ChineseAmerican perspective provide a colorful world for a quick escape from the mundane. While he has produced a handful of good novels in the last decade, “A Good Fall,” marks his return to the top of his game in his best craft – short stories. —Mark Wallace Maguire
–—Mark Wallace Maguire
“A Prayer for Owen Meany” by John Irving
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“I am doomed to remember a boy with a wrecked voice…” That haunting first sentence begins the John Irving novel that I now reveal as my “favorite book of all time” to anyone who will listen. A progressive English teacher lent me a copy during my senior year of high school, and I can still recall staying up so late on a school night trying to finish it that I had to read it with a flashlight under a blanket so my mother wouldn’t make me go to sleep. Since then, I’ve managed to re-read the novel at least once a year, and I’ve forced countless copies on family and friends. (I’ve even gone so far as making my now-husband read it when we started dating, gauging his reaction to the book to see if he was “marriage material.”) Called “brilliantly cinematic” by the New York Times Book Review, this contemporary bildungsroman follows the narrator, John, and his best friend Owen through childhood, adolescence, and into adulthood, all the while commenting (albeit, humorously) on the moral pitfalls of subjects like religion, the Vietnam War and shifting politics. The most memorable and beloved aspect about the book is undoubtedly Owen’s “voice,” both literally and metaphorically, which Irving chooses to represent with all capital letters throughout the novel. In the opening chapter, Owen hits the foul baseball that strikes John’s mother in the head, killing her instantly. Not believing that anything is an accident, Owen decides that he is “God’s instrument,” and uses his high-pitched voice in the most unforgettable ways throughout the rest of the novel. “A Prayer For Owen Meany” is a perfectly thoughtful, laughout-loud summer read that guarantees that its readers, too, will be forever “doomed to remember a boy with a wrecked voice.”
— Jennifer Carter
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“Time Flies” by Claire Cook Queen of beach books author Claire Cook’s latest is out this summer, just in time to toss it in your weekend getaway bag. A fitting vacation read, “Time Flies” takes you on a road trip with soon-to-be-divorced Melanie, an Atlanta resident reluctantly going to her high school reunion in New England. She’s developed a phobia of highways (perhaps a metaphor for a fear of moving on with her life), but her persistent best friend BJ and a flirtatious email exchange with an old high school flame convince her the past may help her figure out her future. So she and BJ embark on a hilarious journey down memory lane as they visit former classmates days before the reunion, and attempt to recapture their youth with tattoos and sexy clothes. Like all of Cobb County resident Cook’s novels, the characters are relatable, as is the humor. Cook is adept at accurately capturing the insecurities and idiosyncrasies we all have, making you laugh at yourself just as much as the character’s blunders and foibles. Cook reminds you to notice and appreciate the laughter in life, even when it seems to be falling apart around you. “Time Flies” is a fun read because it rekindles your own memories of high school. The heart of the story is the friendship between Melanie and BJ, a sort of ‘Thelma and Louise’ do ‘Romy and Michele's High School Reunion’ type of bond. By the end of the novel you will be sad to say goodbye to your newfound friends, but eager to call up the old ones to reminisce about the ‘good ol’ days.’ – Stacey L. Evans
“60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Atlanta” by Randy and Pam Golden
summer reading guide
Whether you’re a newcomer to the Atlanta area or a seasoned native, you’re bound to find some new ground to cover with this remarkable trail guide, now in its third edition. Just in time for warmer weather, Randy and Pam Golden have assembled a list of the best day hikes within a 60mile radius of the city center, and depending on what you’re in the mood for, the book includes a variety of urban walks, mountain jaunts, shady forest paths, and neighborhood hikes. The couple, who began trekking across America and Canada when they first married in 1977, are experienced hikers themselves and also maintain the website georgiatrails.com. They have managed to pack the book not only with relevant information like detailed directions to trailheads and GPS-based trail maps with accurate hike information, but also suggestions to nearby activities and trail histories. Not surprisingly, the hikes often allow walkers to cross paths with many civil war and Native American sites, which make for fun, educational opportunities for kids and adults alike. Whether kept in the well-worn hiker’s backpack or the glove compartment of the family car, this guide is a perfect source for discovering the great outdoors right in your own — Jennifer Carter backyard this summer.
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ig h lights A closer look at events and activities throughout Cherokee this season
DIXIE SPEEDWAY ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION>>The historic Dixie Speedway, located in Woodstock, continues its 2013 season with fan appreciation night on July 20, a kids night on Aug. 10, featuring bike races for kindergarten to sixth grade, plus a full race program. The speedway is located at 150 Dixie Dr. in Woodstock and features an array of racing events. Tickets are available for the main grandstand, trackside and the pit area. Information: www.dixiespeedway.com TEEN ARTS NIGHT>> Bring your guitar, your karaoke CD, your poetry, your artwork, and your short stories to share with other creative, arts-minded teens for Teen Arts Night, sponsored by Elm Street's Teen Arts Guild. Presented by Elm Street Cultural Arts Village, Teen Arts Night is Fridays, July 5 and August 2, from 6 to 8 p.m., at City Center, 8534 Main Street in Woodstock. Admission is $5 cash at the door and includes a slice of pizza and a soda at intermission. This program is for youth in grades 7 to 12. Information: 678.494.4251 or www.elmstreetarts.org
iTHINK IMPROV TROUPE>> Enjoy the restaurants and shops along Woodstock’s Main Street, then join the iThink Improv Troupe for some family friendly laughs as they take audience suggestions and turn them into wacky comedy. Presented by Elm Street Cultural Arts Village, iThink Improv Troupe performs July 5 and August 2, at 9 p.m., at City Center Auditorium, 8534 Main Street in Woodstock. All seats are $5. Information:678.494.4251 or www.elmstreetarts.org ELM STREET SUMMER DRAMA CAMPS>> Often imitated, but never duplicated over 10 years, Summer Drama Camps are presented by Elm Street Cultural Arts Village. Each camp group will write, produce, and perform an original play with music in only five days. Along with their experienced instructors, campers will create characters, plot lines, song lyrics, costume designs, art projects and much more. Each script is tailored for the specific group of campers resulting in an individualized approach to a team activity. Campers also will see a main stage performance of either Disney's “The Jungle Book” in June, or “Beauty and the Beast” in July. Campers can sign up for more than one week as each camp show is unique. Junior camp is available to students ages 5 to 7, and senior camp is for students ages 8 to 14. All campers receive a t-shirt, script, and a DVD of their final performance. Costuming is provided by Elm Street. All campers will have equal amounts of stage time and speaking lines. Family and friends are welcome to attend the final performances on Friday afternoons at no additional charge. Remaining camp dates are July 8 to 12, July 15 to 19, July 22 to 26, and July 29 to August 2. All camps are at City Center, 8534 Main Street in Woodstock. Camp hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Camp tuition is $200 per camper for each week. Registration is available online. Information: 678.494.4251 or www.elmstreetarts.org BEAUTY AND THE BEAST>>When Belle trades places with her father to save his life from a terrible Beast, she learns that appearances are not always what they seem to be, and that love truly conquers all. Elm Street Cultural Arts Village presents “Beauty and the Beast” on July 10, 13, 14, 17, 20, 21, and 24, on Wednesdays at 10 a.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. All performances are at City Center Auditorium, 8534 Main Street in Woodstock. All seats are $10 in advance online, or $12 at the door. Information: 678.494.4251 or www.elmstreetarts.org
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NUNSENSE>> Those nutty nuns from Mt. Saint Helen’s School and convent are back at it again. Will they raise enough funds for their “special” project? A return engagement due to popular demand, “Nunsense” is presented by Elm Street Cultural Arts Village on August 9, 16, and 17 at 7:30 p.m., and August 11 and 18 at 2 p.m., at City Center Auditorium, 8534 Main Street in Woodstock. Tickets are $12 for adults, $11 for seniors, and $10 for children age 12 and under in advance online, and $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, and $12 for children age 12 and under at the door. Information: 678.494.4251 or www.elmstreetarts.org ELM STREET CULTURAL ARTS VILLAGE FALL CLASSES>>Elm Street Cultural Arts Village offers a variety of classes in drama, art, music, film, puppetry, and Broadway dance for ages 5 and up. Drama class fees include t-shirt, materials, costuming, and a DVD of the final performance created by students. Classes are taught by Aubree Metlick, Shawn McLeod, John Horne, and Debbie Tidwell. Private piano, voice, and trumpet classes are provided by Amy Noel Welch. Family and friends are welcome to see the final performances at no additional charge. Fall classes begin August 19 at City Center Auditorium, 8534 Main Street in Woodstock. Call Elm Street Cultural Arts Village or visit their website for registration. Information: 678.494.4251 or www.elmstreetarts.org 16th ANNUAL WOODSTOCK SUMMER CONCERT SERIES>> 2013 marks the 16th season for Georgia’s best summer concert series and the third in the newly expanded Park at City Center. Since 1998, the City of Woodstock has hosted thousands of people in downtown Woodstock by providing free, family-friendly concerts. The remaining concert lineup includes Ed Roland & The Sweet Tea Project on July 13, The Dazz Band on August 10, and The Marshall Tucker Band on September 14. All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free of charge and no tickets are required. Enjoy the concerts in beautiful downtown Woodstock this summer. Information: 770.517.6788 or www.woodstockconcertseries.com CAMP IMAGINE>>Cherokee Arts Center offers a variety of arts camps for children ages 5 to 17. Mixed media art camps for ages 5 to 8 are July 8 to 12 and July 15 to 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Drama camp for ages 5 to 8 is July 8 to 12, from 1 to 4 p.m. Drama camp for ages 8 to 13 is July 15 to 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. Finally, Teen Photo Boot Camp for ages 12 to 17 is July 22 to 26, from 1 to 4 p.m., with a reception on August 2 from 6 to 7 p.m. All camps are $120 per week, plus a supply fee. Camp Imagine art camps are held at Cherokee Arts Center, at 94 North Street in Canton. Call Cherokee Arts Center for camp registration or visit their website for more details. Information: 770.704.6244 or www.cherokeearts.org
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July/August 2013
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Service League Dancing Ball
The 47th annual Cherokee Service League Ball took place in late April at the Marriott Alpharetta. Many notables attended the event, including legendary UGA football coach Vince Dooley as guest of honor. 1. Stephanie and Rand Bagwell of Canton. 2. Eric Gervin and Ashley Owen of Woodstock. 3. Scott and Brandi Murphy of Canton. 4. From left, Hillary Hall of Woodstock, Kristin Gauchier of Waleska and Stephanie Bagwell of Canton.
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5. Sean and Angelle Trimble of Canton. 6. Betsy and Josh Graham of Canton. 7. Brianne Goddard and Holli Kinsey, both of Ballground. 8. Julie and Jim Little of Waleska.
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The Cherokee County Farm Bureau, along with the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Council, will sponsor a
CandidateForum/ Meet and Greet Tuesday, July 30 • 6:30pm
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The forum will be held under the wooden pavilion at Cagle's Family Farm, 362 Stringer Road, Canton. All local, state and national candidates running for office in 2013 will be invited to attend. Current elected officials will have two minutes to introduce themselves and report on this year in office. Questions from the audience will follow. Everyone will have time to meet and greet the candidates and elected officials before and after the forum. Homemade ice cream will be served by Boy Scout Troop #465. Sodas, water and peanuts will be provided by the Farm Bureau. The forum is open to the public. To RSVP to attend please call Cherokee County Farm Bureau at 770-479-1481, ext. 0.
101 Woodland Way, Suite 1B Canton, GA 30114
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Book signing
FoxTale Book Shoppe held a book signing in June for ‘Call me Zelda.’ As part of the evening, author Erika Robuck attended and the shop was decorated in a 1920s theme. 1. From left, Donna Baker of Marietta and Stevie Turner of Woodstock. 2. Ann Wright and Ellen Pribitera, both of Woodstock. 3. Susan Smimmo and Sue Hess, both of Holly Springs. 4. Mary and Grace Delgiudice of Woodstock.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNIFER CARTER
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Book signing
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5. From left, Cynthia Lott of Atlanta and Kate Dickerson of Woodstock. 6. Ellen Ward of Waleska, author Erika Robuck of Annapolis, MD, Karen Schwettman of Kennesaw, and Stevie Turner of Woodstock. 7. Jennifer Smeth of Marietta, author Erika Robuck of Annapolis, MD, and Kimberly Brock of Alpharetta. 8. Carolyn Scaglione with daughters Carissa and Samantha, all of Woodstock.
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Elm Street Green Scene
The Elm Street Cultural Arts Village Center held its kick off for its Founders Circle in late May. The event was held on the newlycreated events green. 1. From left, Sam Kuzian of Marietta, Carys Jeffrey of Woodstock and Kyle Eason of Acworth. 2. Shari Brunson of Woodstock and Debbie Ruda of Woodstock. 3. Amanda Queen of Woodstock and Neel Sengupta of Snellville. 4. Laura Crawford of Canton, Jim Miller of Woodstock and Gay Grooms of Woodstock.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNIFER CARTER
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Elm Street Green Scene
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5 8 5. From left, Christopher Brazelton of Chamblee, Joseph Lemmo of Woodstock and Tony LaRicci of Woodstock. 6. Erin Wilson of Waleska and Brit Flanders of Woodstock. 7. Gay Grooms and Katie Brunson of Woodstock. 8. Adalee Wiseman of Woodstock.
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REFLECTIONS
Playing Outside The Circle This past spring I made some profound conclusions as I sat on the bleachers at Weatherby Park. Number one, I now know where everyone I have not seen in several years has been – the ball field. Number two, everything you ever needed to know about life is played out on the ball field. Regardless of the age of the players, the game is essentially the same. My husband Doug and I experienced our own version of spring training with our daughter who was now playing on an eight-year-old softball team – her first endeavor into team sports. Countless pieces of gear in every shade of pink made its way into the garage and we prepared for our first game – the nail-biting, most exciting event ever. Would she get a hit? Would she make it to the base? Would she feel the ecstasy of a hardfought win? She would do all these things. She also would suffer the strike out and the dreaded tag out on the run to base. She would hear those familiar words of encouragement of “good try” and “way to go” shared by a scrappy group of gals who would become a sisterhood for a season. These words of camaraderie were not used too often the weekend our north Canton team traveled to Woodstock to play a circle ball tournament at J.J. Biello Park. Circle ball has different rules from the traditional game and our first game was truly a disaster. The well-oiled machine synonymous with “the Reds” crumbled with the addition of rules including the one that could stop the game of play when the pitcher had possession of the ball in the “pitching circle.” I decided that day I do not like circle ball. My reason hinges on the belief that the most exciting games are those that have an aspect of “chance.” In a traditional ball game anything can happen. You know the moment when the batter hits the ball short and painfully watches as it rolls straight to the pitcher’s glove. The
pitcher gains control over the ball only to overthrow it to the first baseman allowing the batter to advance to second base. A game of chance is a game of opportunities. Sometimes we succeed and sometimes we fail. I will say I would much rather play in a game – at life, where there is a chance the slowest runner can make it to home plate against all odds because they never gave up and were not driven to distraction by what was happening around them on the field. I wish I could give credit to the person who said that there are dozens of ideas that are always swirling around all of us and it is our choice to grab those ideas and make them into something that ultimately reveals our God-given talents and makes a difference in the lives of others. I think only a handful of us really “go for it.” I have heard many times “I could do that” from a person who “didn’t” and probably won’t ever “do it” because they are missing the risk-taking gene in their DNA. I do believe that there are opportunities all around us, and like softball we have to keep our eye on the prize – get a hit or make it to the base. Sometimes we have the energy we need to step out and pursue something, and other times BY CARLA BARNES we face emotional fatigue and choose to sit back and watch someone else achieve their goal. Thank goodness for the variety of coaches we have in our lives. They often offer the quiet encouragement not to swing at everything and to pick our “ball,” and other times they yell the loudest to push us to victory. In a recent Town & Country article West African professor and sculptor El Anatsui’s work is compared to the work of artists Gustav Klimt and Claude Monet. His 33-foot-wide sculpture, “Earth’s Skin,” on display at the Brooklyn Museum is breathtaking – and made of bottle caps and copper wire. The author Kevin Conley shares that the artist is surprisingly down to earth. He describes him as an outwardly ordinary man but shares one interesting detail – Anatsui arrives to the interview carrying a bag that reads, “Let’s Make Excellence Happen.” This fashion statement reveals to me an important inner quality about this man – one that allows him to put himself out there. Excellence is possible, but I do believe that often it comes when we play outside of the circle.
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