Canton Family Life 8-20

Publisher’s Perspective

Perfection just isn’t for us.

Relax.

You’re doing just fine. Pursuing perfection in almost anything is, for the most part, an exhaustive waste of time and effort. There’s little sense in beating ourselves up every day, trying to make a perfect score on all of life’s tests — both great and small. Ironically, our pursuit of perfection often becomes a stumbling block to progress. Of course, I’m not suggesting we settle for being content with mediocrity. There’s always room for improvement. However, perfection, in most any circumstance, is subjective.

Our differences make us perfect for our purpose on Earth. When we understand that each of us is “just perfect enough” in the here and now, our relationship with ourself and others will improve, both individually and collectively. There is no right without wrong, nor wrong without right.

Think about how every tiny snowflake is perfectly formed, yet each is as individual as a fingerprint; no two are alike. Like humans, each flake takes on the most effective and efficient form for its individual journey, often colliding with others or getting tossed about under pressures it encounters. Sometimes, it

bonds together or gets broken apart. But every snowflake has a place and purpose that is perfect for its individual space — much like each of us is perfect in our own way, for our own purpose as well as that of a grander plan.

So, spill the beans. Be willing to share your weaknesses, hard moments, and rawness. One of our deepest fears is that by exposing our imperfect true selves, we will face rejection. We find it hard to open the door to our heart — even to our closest friends. When people share their vulnerabilities with you, do not judge them; warmly accept them. You may scare away the fake ones that have accumulated around you over the years. However, maybe you will motivate them by letting them see how content you are with being you, and they may let their illusion of perfection fade. That’s when the magic happens. That’s when strong, balanced, honest relationships are built. None of us is perfect. Life is simply a balancing act. So, really — be real. Perfect!

PUBLISHER/PHOTOGRAPHER

Jack Tuszynski

Jack@FamilyLifePublications.com

EDITORIAL

Julie Senger

Julie@FamilyLifePublications.com

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Cyndi Braun

ART

Stephanie Bolton

Stephanie@FamilyLifePublications.com

Tiffany Corn

Tiffany@FamilyLifePublications.com

Candice Williams Candice@FamilyLifePublications.com

SALES

Janet Ponichtera

Janet@FamilyLifePublications.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

George Anderson, Mary Kay Buquoi, Jyl Craven, Michelle Davis, Gregory Flail, Joshua Fuder, Bill Grant, Lisa-Marie Haygood, Spencer Lee, Steven Miller, Tim Morris, Jessica Oravec, Ellen Samsell Salas, Matthew Simmons, Bruce Thompson, Vicky Tuszynski, Shannon Wallace, Peter Wrobel

Family Life Publishing Group, Inc. 630 East Main Street Canton, GA 30114 770-213-7095

Also available online at FamilyLifePublications.com

Family Life publications have the largest monthly circulation of direct-mailed community magazines in our area. Canton Family Life is a monthly community magazine with a total print count of over 30,000, direct mailing over 28,000 copies to Canton, Sixes/BridgeMill, Holly Springs, Hickory Flat, and Waleska.

The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists, and submissions are not necessarily those of the editor/ publisher, and the publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. The cover and its accompanying magazine content are a paid advertisement. Canton Family Life magazine is not responsible for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher.

Jack Tuszynski, Publisher

Subscriptions are available for $25 per year. Please contact us for payment options.

© 2020 All rights reserved.

Calendar

Due to recent public health concerns, please confirm each event’s details before attending.

AUGUST

7

Downtown Canton First Friday

With the Kinchafoonee Cowboys

Come out to enjoy live music, food vendors, after hours shopping, and all that downtown Canton has to offer! 6:009:00pm, Cannon Park, 130 E. Main Street, Canton. 770-704-1548. CantonGa.gov, Facebook.com/CantonGAFirstFriday

8-26

The Georgia Clay Council Exhibit — The GCC provides learning and enrichment opportunities and seeks to work with clay artists of all skill levels, sharing the unlimited possibilities clay has to offer. TuesdayFriday 11:00am-5:00pm, Saturday 12:005:00pm, Cherokee Arts Center Gallery, 94 North Street, Canton. 770-704-6244. CherokeeArts.org

AUGUST IS HAPPINESS MONTH

This month is dedicated to celebrating what makes you happy. Remember, happiness is unlimited, and sharing your happiness can bring joy to other people. So, do something nice for yourself and make someone else happy by doing something nice for them!

14

11-12

Peak Dates for Perseids Meteor Shower

Made of tiny space debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle, the Perseids are named after the constellation Perseus. The Perseids are widely sought after by astronomers and stargazers because at its peak, you can see 60 to 100 meteors in an hour.

Northside Hospital’s Movies in the Park — Bring the whole family out to enjoy The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part 8:30pm, Brown Park, 251 E. Marietta Street, Canton. 770-704-1548. Facebook.com/DowntownCantonGA

15

Canton River Rock

Bring the whole family to enjoy a FREE concert of music from the 50s and 60s by Johnny Wild and the Delights. 6:00pm (opening act) and 8:00pm (headlining act), Etowah River Park, 600 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton. Facebook.com/pg/ cityofcanton/events

4

SEPTEMBER

Downtown Canton First Friday With Cody Bolden & Whiskey Business

Come out to enjoy live music, food vendors, after hours shopping, and all that downtown Canton has to offer! 6:00-9:00pm, Cannon Park, 130 E. Main Street, Canton. 770-704-1548. CantonGa.gov, Facebook.com/CantonGAFirstFriday

4-24

Watercolor Club Exhibit

Enjoy beautiful watercolor creations by local artists. Tuesday-Friday 11:00am-5:00pm, Saturday 12:005:00pm, Cherokee Arts Center Gallery, 94 North Street, Canton. 770-704-6244. CherokeeArts.org

ONGOING

Canton Farmers Market

Each Saturday through October 24, this event promotes local growers and artisans. All produce is grown in Georgia and is mostly organic. 9:00am-12:00pm, Brown Park, 251 E. Marietta Street, Canton. 770-704-1548. CantonGa.gov, Facebook.com/CantonGAFarmersMarket

Ball Ground’s Locals Live On Main Street

Each Saturday, bring the family to listen to live music and enjoy all that downtown Ball Ground has to offer. 6:00-8:00pm, Ball Ground Food Court

(behind Burger Bus), 288 Gilmer Ferry Road, Ball Ground. 770-735-2123. Facebook.com/BallGroundMainStreet

Free CPR/AED Certification Class

On the last Saturday of each month, this fundraiser benefits the Hickory Flat Volunteer Association. Donations are appreciated ($75 value). Preregistration is required. 9:00am-12:00pm, Cherokee County Fire Station 23, 7625 Vaughn Road, Canton. 770-406-6657. HFVA.org/ Class-Registration.php

AT HOME With CCEF

By Lisa-Marie Haygood

[Academic Life] Each year, Cherokee County Educational Foundation (CCEF) holds the “On the Road With CCEF” contest to celebrate how far and wide around the globe our annual T-shirts travel. Contestants take pictures wearing their shirts during their summer vacations, and we have seen entries from as far away as Thailand, and Queensland, Australia. It has been a pleasure to be part of these travels, and we enjoy sharing these photos with our community through articles on our website and in social media posts.

In light of the ongoing pandemic and changes in the way our families work and travel, we have opted to alter the format of our contest this year by celebrating the community wearing their CCEF shirts around their home or on trips with a more local, safety oriented flair.

The “At Home With CCEF” campaign encourages creative and fun posts featuring this year’s T-shirt while you go about living your best life. Entries should be submitted to ExecutiveDirector@ccefga.org. Please include the names of anyone featured in the photo, and indicate whether you are

a student or staff member along with the school/grade you attend/ work in.

Entries accepted through August 15. Five finalists will be selected from all submissions, which will be posted to the website (CCEFGa.org) to allow the community to vote on their favorite photo. Finalists will be encouraged to share the posts to inspire others to vote for their submission. The winner will be announced on Friday, September 18, and will receive a $300 gift card to use in his/her classroom.

Lisa-Marie Haygood is the executive director for the Cherokee County Educational Foundation. 770-704-4213. CherokeeCountyEducationalFoundation.org

Forward for All

By Mayor Bill Grant

Inmany

ways, 2020 feels like it has been the longest year ever, but in other ways, the time has flown. Much of the first two quarters was spent adjusting to the pandemic and other rapidly changing issues. Luckily, Canton is fortunate to have an agile and highly motivated team and City Council, and our work has continued.

We recently approved our 2021 Fiscal Operating Budget, maintaining a 5.40 millage rate, representing the lowest taxes since the early 1960s, and once again, the lowest of any city in Cherokee County. Even with projected shortfalls and the rebates of 2020 business license fees to local small businesses, our sound fiscal policies have prepared us for the challenges ahead.

We also have some exciting projects and plans in the works and hope to make some major announcements soon. Our new road map is in full development, and it will be vetted by citizens and unveiled by the end of the year.

Our trail is being extended along the Etowah River, east and west, going beyond Etowah Park over the river and to the train trestles past I-575, and from Heritage Park over to Boling Park. The east trail expansion is on schedule to be completed by the end of the year. You can catch a glimpse of the progress from the I-575 South access ramp on exit 20.

The Mill on Etowah continues to demonstrate the compelling power of adaptive reuse, and this exciting mixeduse development is showcasing the best of Canton’s past while defining vibrant new shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities for the entire region. “The City of Canton Diversity and Inclusion Task Force will help support the City’s mission to facilitate dialogue and enhance understanding, trust, respect, and representation to create a culture of inclusion in our community that is welcoming to all residents. Working with the mayor, council and City staff, the task force will coordinate, encourage, and implement initiatives and activities to promote an inclusive community that reflects the rich and diverse experiences, values, worldviews, and cultures in our city.”

In addition to fiscal and developmental progress, we are dedicated to advancing opportunities for the people we serve. While this year has been more restrictive in many ways, we are working to improve our accessibility and inclusivity. In fact, it has never been more important to make sure we are moving Canton forward for ALL citizens.

On July 4, we acknowledged the 244th anniversary of the day our Declaration of Independence was signed, and we need to continue to work to live up to its promise: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

At our July 2 City Council work session, we achieved one of my major goals: the launch of Canton’s first Diversity and Inclusivity Task Force. I, along with each councilmember, made one appointment each. In creating the initiative, I prepared an overview for the task force, starting with this introduction:

I would like to welcome our Diversity and Inclusivity Task Force members and thank them for their willingness to serve:

Lorraine Aragon

Tiffany Bird

Carlos T. Hill

Shannon Rankin

Carmen Tanner Slaughter

Kathy Strom

We will be meeting soon to begin our collaboration and discuss our priorities, and I look forward to the work ahead.

Together, we will continue to create the coolest small town in America.

Cherokee Recreation & Parks Wins Better Sports for Kids

Quality Program Provider Award

By taking steps to ensure a safe, quality playing environment for children, the Cherokee Recreation & Parks Agency (CRPA) recently earned the Better Sports for Kids Quality Program Provider designation. CRPA met key requirements in five categories: Written Policies and Procedures, Volunteer Screening, Coach Training, Parent Education, and Accountability.

“We recognized that we have to actively demonstrate that we are providing youth sports programs of the highest standard,” said CRPA Director Jay Worley. “Parents have many choices when it comes to youth sports, so the Better Sports for Kids Quality Program Provider designation is an important promotional tool to allow our organization to set ourselves apart and give parents confidence in our programs, since they can take comfort knowing their child is in the best place possible to learn and compete in sports.”

The National Alliance for Youth Sports, a 501(c)3 organization headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, administratively manages the designation that was developed around the National Standards for Youth Sports, a guiding resource originally published in 1987. Any organization can apply to be evaluated for the Better Sports for Kids Quality Program Provider designation, and no cost is involved.

CRPA’s designation is valid until December 31, 2021. More information can be found at NAYS.org/quality.

New Parks and Trails Coming to Southwest Cherokee

At a recent meeting, the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners awarded a professional services agreement to Tunnell, Spangler & Associates in the amount of $48,545 to develop a parks and trails area plan for southwest Cherokee.

“Developing the parks and trails plan is the beginning of long-anticipated project that will bring much needed recreation to southwest Cherokee,” said District 4 Commissioner Corey Ragsdale. “Through this plan, we will select the best location for recreation activities and also determine the appropriate type of activities for this area.”

The parks and trails area plan will study four parcels of land located in the southwest portion of the county, three owned by Cherokee County and one owned by the Cherokee County School District. The plan will recommend a system of parks and arterial trails around the park(s) within the study area. The scope of work will include an analysis of the properties; a robust public participation plan; and an analysis of recreation, parks, and trails needs and opportunities. The resulting plan will include drawings, narrative reports, and cost estimates.

“We estimate the plan will take roughly seven months to complete,” said Cherokee County Community Development Agency Director Bryan Reynolds.

Mercy Care Opens at MUST Ministries

In order to help meet the overwhelming health care needs of impoverished residents, MUST Ministries has teamed up with Mercy Care to offer essential medical care.

This much-anticipated partnership was made possible by a $100,000 grant from the Georgia Baptist Healthcare Foundation of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. Twice each week, Mercy Care will provide a medical team, and MUST will provide the clinic space at 1407 Cobb Parkway North, Marietta.

“We are delighted to be able to offer this important service to our clients and others in the community who cannot afford basic health care,” said Dr. Ike Reighard, president and CEO of MUST Ministries. “The addition of health care completes our circle of wrap-around services that include food, housing, jobs, and clothing. We are a more comprehensive organization when we add the important component of health care, and our goal is always to help those in need be supported in a way that moves them toward stability.”

The organization offers primary care, behavioral health, child and adolescent psychiatry, dental and vision services, as well as an array of critical services and case management. Self-pay discounts are offered based on household income, and most major insurance plans are accepted including Medicaid and Medicare.

Mercy Care provides services to nearly 15,000 patients a year, including 75% who are uninsured and 67% who are homeless. Monday and Wednesday hours are 8:30am-4:00pm. Appointments are required by calling 678-843-8600.

City of Canton Roll-Off Sanitation Site

In an effort to offer more disposal options and better serve City of Canton residents, free trash disposal is being offered to all residents at the Canton City collection site, located at 2525 Ridge Road.

Items allowed include old lumber, washers, dryers, stoves, dishwashers, metal, air conditioners, water heaters, carpet, freezers/ refrigerators (emptied of food and tagged as being freon free), household items (e.g., furniture, couches, tables). Additionally, the facility provides single stream glass recycling.

Items not permitted include paints, oils, chemicals, brush, leaves, roof shingles, tires, and commercial waste. The site is not available for dump trucks or dump trailers.

The collection site is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday-Saturday from 7:00am-4:00pm (closed from 1:00-2:00pm for lunch). Please bring a valid driver’s license with a City of Canton address.

This is a self-service site available for City of Canton residents only. For more information, call 770-720-7674.

GET INVOLVED IN GOVERNMENT

New Citizen Participation Application Created

Are you looking for opportunities to get involved with the City of Canton? Use your talents, time, and passions to participate in boards, commissions, committees, and authorities of the City, or simply volunteer to help with needs as they arise. The mayor and council discussed launching an application process for citizens to learn about and showcase a desire to participate in varied roles with Canton. This new two-page application is available online to complete and email back to the City.

These applications will be used by staff and elected officials to find potential members for volunteer boards and opportunities throughout the year. The online application includes a description of each working group. To get involved, please visit CantonGa.gov/howdoi/get/default.htm.

Community

Northside Hospital Cardiovascular Institute Builds for the Future

Northside Hospital

Cardiovascular Institute has expanded, with new locations in Canton (145 Riverstone Terrace) and Holly Springs (684 Sixes Road).

“Our focus is to provide integrated, high-quality cardiovascular care to patients across north Georgia,” said Dr. Jeffrey Marshall, chief of Northside Hospital Cardiovascular Institute. “Our full and expanding range of cardiovascular services include consultative cardiology, advanced heart failure, cardio-oncology, echocardiography, stress testing, cardiac CT, heart catheterization and angioplasty, and in some locations, the ability to perform structural heart procedures like valve repair and replacement.”

The renowned researchers and cardiologists at Northside Hospital Cardiovascular Institute offer comprehensive cardiovascular care, performing state-of-the-art techniques in interventional cardiology, cardiooncology, advanced heart failure care, electrophysiology, and imaging. For more information, visit NorthsideCVI.com.

Cherokee County Announces New Deputy Manager

Community Development Agency

Director Geoff Morton has been named deputy county manager. He will continue his duties as community development agency director while also fulfilling the deputy county manager role.

“Geoff has been integral in the success of Cherokee County over the years,” said County Manager Jerry Cooper. “Since coming to the county in 2001, Geoff has earned trust and respect across the county, within the county government, and with city and county leaders across the state of Georgia.”

Canton’s Trail Progress

The extension of the Etowah River Trail network continues along the river. Two projects that link the area below I-575 are on schedule to be completed later in 2020 through funding from Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax and Impact Fee revenues.

As work continues in these areas, the Georgia Department of Transportation is working to stabilize stream bank areas.

The City is also reviewing proposals for re-decking the Etowah River Trail bridge, which connects Etowah River Park (ERP) to Heritage Park, as well as working on the launch site at ERP. When the trail is complete, it will include an additional 1.5 miles of hard surface trail length and additional natural surface wooded trail areas.

As deputy county manager, Morton will serve as a key advisor to the county manager and assist at the corporate level in the execution of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners’ strategic plan. Additionally, the deputy county manager provides guidance and assistance to the senior leadership team in the execution of department and division business plans and programs. As deputy county manager, Morton will continue to oversee engineering, public works, stormwater management, building inspections, the Development Services Center, planning and zoning, and the roadway capital improvement program.

He will also function as the municipal liaison to address city and county relations and as the spokesperson for the Board of Commissioners as it relates to Service Delivery Strategy. Additionally, he will serve as the county liaison with regional agencies including the Georgia Department of Transportation, Atlanta Regional Commission (transportation and stormwater), Georgia Environmental Protection Department (stormwater), and FEMA (flood control).

Court esy of

GeorGia Peach ice cream

1 1/2 quarts peaches

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 quart heavy whipping cream

1 can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk

1 small can PET evaporated milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Whole milk to fill line

PROCEDURE

m Blend the peaches in a blender.

m Combine the peaches with the remaining ingredients.

m Pour the mixture into your ice cream churn and fill with whole milk.

milky Way ice cream

6 regular sized Milky Way bars

16 ounces Hershey’s chocolate syrup

1 can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk

1 pint heavy whipping cream

Whole milk to fill line

PROCEDURE

m Melt the Milky Way bars in the microwave with a small amount of whole milk.

m Combine the melted candy bars with the remaining ingredients.

m Pour the mixture into your ice cream churn and fill with whole milk.

refreshinG PePPermint ice cream

3/4 cup finely crushed candy canes or starlight mints

1 1/2 cups whole milk

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

2/3 cup sugar

1-3 teaspoons vanilla extract (adjust to taste)

3/4 teaspoon pure peppermint extract

1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt

Additional crushed candy canes for topping (optional)

PROCEDURE

m Place the candy and milk in a food processor or blender and pulse until the candy becomes like powder.

m Whisk together the cream, sugar, vanilla, peppermint extract, and salt.

m Add the crushed candy and whisk until mostly combined.

m Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and process according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

HOLLY SPRINGS Happenings

By Mayor Steven W. Miller

City Hall reopened to the public on May 4 and resumed in-person public meetings in June. I’d like to thank each of you for your patience with City administrative and municipal court staff while we worked to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 not only to staff, but also to our community.

On June 15, City Council approved a change order from Georgia Development Partners, which included asphalt repairs near the railroad tracks on Hickory Road, the replacement of a broken curb and gutter, and the resurfacing of Hickory Road from Holly Springs Parkway to the railroad tracks. By the time you read this, this work should be complete as well as the top coating of the roundabout.

The City posted a request for proposals for the Holly Springs Mixed-Use Site Work and Infrastructure Project, which includes site development for the new City Hall, the residential-over-retail component, as well as the city homes and townhome components of the Town Center Project. The notice to proceed is scheduled to be given to the chosen contractor this fall. This project is scheduled to take 15 months to complete once the notice to proceed is delivered. At that point, the Town Center Project site will be ready to go vertical.

As part of the 2020 Local Maintenance Improvement Grant (LMIG), the City repaired and repaved Hickory Springs Industrial Drive in April and, after receiving additional LMIG funds in May, also began paving Morgan Road in June.

I’d like to congratulate City Manager Robert H. Logan and the Finance Department staff for once again receiving the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). The City has received this award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) each year since 2012. All past years’ CAFRs are on the City’s website, and you can view the 2018 CAFR at HollySpringsGa.us/fy18audit. The City’s CAFR for the year ending 2019 was completed in June and submitted to the GFOA for review.

During the peak of Gov. Brian Kemp’s shelter-in-place order, City Council took action to temporarily allow restaurants

that held a retail consumption on premises alcohol license to sell beer and wine by the package for to-go orders. During the May 21 meeting, the Council voted to make that a permanent change to the City’s alcohol ordinance.

Congratulations to Chief Michael Carswell and the men and women of the Holly Springs Police Department for Holly Springs’ inclusion (again) in SafeWise. com’s annual listing of safest cities in Georgia. Jumping eight spots from 2019, Holly Springs was named the 6th Safest City in the state. SafeWise.com ranks cities based on population thresholds and data from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program. When you see our police officers out and about, please join me in thanking them for their service to our community.

Divide and Conquer This Fall

[Home Life] Fall is an excellent time to divide perennials in the landscape.

Dividing perennials promotes growth by reducing crowding and helps to reduce disease pathogens and, most importantly, allows you to easily create more plants.

Plants differ in how often they need to be divided (if ever). Division can help in situations where flowering is reduced or flowers are smaller than normal.

Established perennials may begin to die out in the center, show sparse foliage at the bottom of the plant, or just exhibit a general loss of vigor. Plants that flop over or require staking to stay upright may also benefit from division.

Spring and summer flowering plants are best divided in the fall, while fall flowering plants are divided in spring. Be sure to have coarse potting mix and clean pots for the excess plant material. It is also wise to divide plants when the soil is well hydrated, so thoroughly water the area a couple days prior to digging to reduce moisture loss.

When preparing to divide a plant, use a spading fork to lift it with the entire root mass intact. After dislodging it from the pot or ground, shake away loose soil from the roots and inspect the clump for dead or diseased areas that should be discarded. Prune foliage and stems down to about six inches at this stage to limit moisture loss and help with dividing.

Dividing the clump will depend on the type of plant. Some plants can be teased apart

By Joshua Fuder

by pulling the crowns, but others require a bolder approach. You can use old bread knives, shovels, or a garden machete on some of the more stubborn clumps. The most important thing is to have a crown (above ground growing point) with some roots attached.

If you have a garden spot ready, then your divisions can go right back in the ground or place them in a pot with clean, coarse potting mix. Secure the soil around the roots, so the plant is at the same depth as it was originally, and water thoroughly.

While many parents in Georgia are expressing concerns about the reopening of schools, Cherokee County School District (CCSD) has taken accelerated measures to ensure a healthy and safe environment for their students, faculty, staff, and administration for the 2020-2021 school year by enlisting the help of ABM’s proprietary EnhancedClean™ program to support COVID-19 response efforts.

Cherokee County School District has engaged ABM to perform its new EnhancedClean™ program that delivers a healthy environment in Cherokee County Schools and defense against the spread of COVID-19. This program not only creates healthy environments for Cherokee County, but also adds 88 jobs to Cherokee County.

“We are proud to act as trusted advisors to our clients during this unprecedented time,” said Rene Jacobsen, Chief Facilities Services Officer at ABM. “At all levels, the ABM team is deeply engaged in ensuring that we are up to date on the latest governmental regulations, standard operating procedures and work instructions; that the needs of clients are met; and most importantly, that safety remains at the forefront of everything we do.”

What ABM employees enjoy about working in Cherokee County Schools is the ability to make a difference in their communities.

ABM EnhancedClean™ positions offer competitive pay and benefits with opportunities to advance within ABM, the 44th largest U.S. employer. Morning and evening shift available. Applicants can apply to Tinyurl.com/ abmcherokee or call 470240-6793.

ABM trains and certifies janitorial

staff in the ABM EnhancedClean™ program. Whether or not a facility has confirmed cases of COVID-19, ABM offers services to help reduce exposures.

Exactly what will ABM EnhancedClean™ professionals do above and beyond the traditional custodial duties to create healthy environments for Cherokee County Schools?

The ABM EnhancedClean™ program is a threestep approach that delivers healthy spaces with a certified disinfection process backed by experts. The EnhancedClean™ program helps ABM’s clients like Cherokee County Schools to return safely, navigate change, and deliver assurance by demonstrating trustworthy cleaning and disinfection.

 Step One: Return Safely

A comprehensive site assessment produces a framework for well-being that helps build occupant trust. A one-time deep cleaning of the site readies all facilities for occupancy.

 Step Two: Frequent High Touch Disinfection

A recurring cleaning and disinfection program further instills occupant confidence. Occupant communications reiterate mutual social contracts.

 Step Three: Disinfect Broadly Electrostatic spraying that goes beyond high touch point disinfection resets facilities. Broader disinfection at periodic intervals based on each facility’s risk profile.

ABM remains vigilant in monitoring the most up-to-date safety, infection control, and cleaning protocols recommended by global experts including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the U.K. National Health Service (NHS), and others.

ABM’s services are deemed by applicable governmental authorities as “essential” to doing business during the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic. For more on ABM, visit ABM.com/ services/enhancedclean/.

Community Partner

Your

life or your dreams? What a terrible decision to have to make. Choose to submit to the toxic treatment that will save your life, and you may lose your dream of having a child. It happens to many young people each year.

For Team Maggie’s Dream namesake Maggie Davis, it was a blindside. She needed to focus on her brutal cancer treatment, but she was worried about never having children. Sure, there are other ways to have a family, but she felt that her childhood dream of being a mother to little girls had been taken away.

Infertility is a common side effect of some cancer treatments. It affects young men and women who undergo surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted hormonal therapies. Sadly, many are not warned of this side effect. Those who are informed of the possibilities must then rush to find resources and financial support.

Time is of the essence. Generally, cancer treatment starts soon after diagnosis. The arrangements to harvest and freeze eggs or sperm often take longer than the patient has. Fertility preservation is not covered by insurance and costs around $10,000 just for the initial procedure.

Maggie’s story is one of hope and positivity. Her large, gregarious family came together and spoke to fertility doctors and oncologists to educate themselves. They felt as though they were navigating new territory without a map.

Fortunately, Maggie’s journey was a success. She completed her treatment and is cancer free. And her dream of

a family came true as well. She has a beautiful little girl.

The result of this difficult expedition had another positive outcome. After experiencing the frantic and confusing process of cancer treatment and fertility preservation, Maggie and her mother, Mary, decided that no other young person should have to make their own way.

They established Team Maggie’s Dream, a 501c3 nonprofit, to educate young people about their options and assist with funding. The organization works with oncologists and fertility doctors.

To keep the dream of family alive, Team Maggie’s Dream supports, educates, and provides financial assistance to young men and women with cancer who are seeking to preserve fertility prior to treatment. The organization is the only nonprofit in the nation that raises money for fertility preservation for cancer patients.

Team Maggie invites you to help courageous young people battling cancer realize that when the time is right, they can pursue the gift of family. Your generosity can become the blessing of a cherished child.

To donate or to participate in a fundraising event (Fishing Tournament, 5/10K Run, Bike Ride, or Maggie’s Dream Night), please visit the website or call for more information.

227 Hillcrest Drive Roswell, GA 30075

678-977-5755

TeamMaggiesDream.org

Book Review

BY JESSICA ORAVEC

THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY

Onthe surface, the characters in author Natalie Jenner’s The Jane Austin Society have nothing in common. But as you dive deeper into the story, there is one thing that binds them together: a love for Jane Austen. They live in Chawton, a small town in Hampshire, which is where Jane Austen wrote her last three books. It’s where her brother was adopted into the Knight family and inherited the house. It’s where tourists come to see anything they can about Jane Austen. Some of the townspeople welcome those tourists. But others, like Mr. Knight, simply want them to go away.

Each character in this story is broken in some way. All were affected by the two World Wars. Adam Berwick is a farmer without a farm; a quiet man who has experienced a lot of loss in his life. For Adam, reading Jane Austen is a way to escape his grief. So when he learns that others, too, have a love for Jane Austen, he proposes starting the Jane Austen Society, a group that can purchase the cottage where she lived and create a place for people to share their love for her books.

As the Jane Austen Society begins to meet, they discover pieces about themselves that they didn’t know, and they begin to help each other heal. The Society is a lifeline for each of them, and it helps them all be braver than they ever thought possible. What follows is a story of love and betrayal, and how friendship is what sees us through.

In The Jane Austen Society, Jenner gives us a peek into post-war England. She shows us how everyone was affected by the war, but that people were resilient. Readers also discover how literature can bind us together. This book is a reminder of the pliability of the human spirit, the power of friendship, and how hope — even when it is but a small thing — can see us through.

By Ellen Samsell Salas

Bringing Inspiration To Your Outdoor Space

When potential customers call Outback Deck, they can be assured that they will get more than their granddaddy or daddy’s deck. They will be part of the Outback commitment to creating an outside experience where family and friends can come together.

“Life Happens Outback,” said Co-Owner John Gwaltney. “Ten years ago, when we started this business, building decks was more cookie cutter, one size fits all. But we have learned that people really want a space where they can invest more time. That might mean adding more square footage, a fireplace, or a sitting area with a TV.”

This is when Gwaltney, his partner, Bryan Miller, and their team of “solution specialists” begin their work. The solution that fits the customer’s needs and budget might be adding a porch, or it might be a project that includes underdecking, a new deck, or hardscaping such as a retaining wall or patio with a firepit.

Gwaltney says the process begins when customers contact Outback saying, “Hey, I want to spend more time in my yard. How do I do that?”

“We are well rounded, well positioned, and can handle everything our client needs,” said Miller. “We don’t do pools, but we do combine many elements that other companies miss. Our goal isn’t to work quickly and be gone, but to understand our clients’ vision and bring that to fruition in their outdoor living space.”

CUSTOMERS FIRST

“The Outback philosophy is not ‘The Customer Is Always Right’ — but ‘The Customer Is Always First,’” insisted Miller. “We’re focused on what the customer is thinking and feeling. Our whole process is geared toward designing the outdoor space the customer desires and doing our best to provide outstanding service for a reasonable budget. We specialize in removing the pain from the experience and creating a space that brings years of enjoyment.”

Putting the customers and their families first means that Outback makes safety a paramount focus.

“There really isn’t anyone out there who focuses on safety, and that’s what we’re known for,” said Miller. “We care about the safety and security of those you love.”

EDUCATING CUSTOMERS TO MAKE THE BEST CHOICES

Knowing that every family, every house, and every yard is unique, the Outback team doesn’t approach a job with boilerplate ideas.

“Our first step is to educate our clients and figure out what is best for their property and their budget,” said Miller. “We like to say we provide guidance and choices, not set answers. We want clients to understand the products available, the choices available such as water features or hardscaping such as rock work, and the options available for financing. We want our clients to make the best decision for their homes and their families.”

That means, Outback doesn’t pressure customers into quick decisions.

“Our values are trust, confidence, and care,” said Miller. “It is important that our customers

trust us with their home, their family’s safety, and the quality of our product.”

BUILDING TRUST

Essential to building trust is the Outback team that includes solution specialists and seven highly trained crews of at least three members each.

Production Manager Ken Lapierre, who oversees all projects, “is the guy who keeps the promise we make to our customers,” said Miller.

Each project is led by a project manager who is assigned a crew that stays with the project from start to finish.

Their commitment also means that Outback handles everything: delivering materials, hauling away job debris, obtaining needed permits, and being present at all inspections.

ALWAYS ON THE CUTTING EDGE

Seeing a need in the industry 10 years ago, Gwaltney and Miller set out to offer more than just the standard deck. Now known for their

exceptional customer service and products, their business has grown and continues to thrive. Serving Cherokee, Cobb, and Fulton counties, over the next five years, they will be expanding to include the entire metro Atlanta area.

Part of Outback’s success is staying ahead of the status quo. In addition to the required ongoing education for licensed contractors, employees attend national expos, and importantly, Outback works closely with the industry’s top vendors.

“Partnering with premium vendors, we know all the new products now available. Many of our vendors turn to us for ideas. Today, we are on the cutting edge, well ahead of industry practice,” said Miller.

These relationships mean that Outback offers a wide variety of production selections, from leading PVC and composite products (Azek and TimberTech) that are truly “customer friendly” and super low maintenance, to Brazilian hardwoods such as Ipe.

“Because we use premium brands, customers have the same level of surety and confidence in the product, as they have in us,” said Miller.

Simply put — educating customers on their desires and options, offering the best materials available, and providing a trained, dedicated staff ensure that Outback’s products are safe, built to last, and bring inspiration to outdoor living.

“When you serve people at a high level and show you care, you create trust, and that trust breeds confidence that allows our clients to choose what is best for them,” said Miller.

TECHNOLOGY Keeps Cherokee County Courts Moving Through COVID-19

By District Attorney Shannon Wallace

Noone could have predicted the effect COVID-19 would have on every aspect of our lives. From stay-athome-orders and social distancing to face mask protocols and temperature checks, our world looks nothing like it did just a few short months ago.

It should come as no surprise to hear that our courthouse has also operated differently.

At the beginning of the pandemic, Cherokee County officials and local agencies took a proactive approach, working together to ensure that the justice system continued to operate.

In response to these judicial orders, our office instituted new procedures, most notably the handling of court matters via videoconferencing and the creation of an online court system that utilizes electronic documents and signatures. We also worked diligently to move less serious cases through the jail quickly in order to prevent overcrowding.

Office has not seen any interruptions in operations throughout the pandemic.

Our Cherokee County Superior Court and the Supreme Court of Georgia issued numerous judicial emergency orders to protect our community, including criminal defendants and their attorneys, prosecutors, deputies, courthouse staff, victims, witnesses, and members of the general public who would otherwise have been compelled to report for jury service.

Judicial orders led to the cancellation of jury trials beginning in March and continuing at least through August. In addition, orders required those entering the courthouse to wear protective masks and have their temperatures taken, prioritized cases “where an immediate liberty or safety concern is present,” and advised the use of technology in order to maintain social distancing.

Through it all, the District Attorney’s Office has remained open to conduct its business.

We collaborated with the Sheriff’s Office, Solicitor-General’s Office, local defense bar, and Superior and Magistrate Courts to ensure hearings pertaining to criminal matters continued to take place quickly and efficiently.

Throughout the pandemic, court proceedings have been conducted via Zoom, with a live feed posted to ensure court remains open to the public.

From March 13 through July 10, our Office

 Provided services to 947 victims

 Conducted 454 hearings

 Formally accused 242 cases

 Prepared 122 cases for grand jury

COVID-19 and the Judicial Emergency Orders that followed have transformed our daily practices and procedures. While our processes have changed, the justice system has never shut down, and our

Videoconferencing and the online court system have enabled us to handle the majority of hearings and other court matters. With this technology, we can continue to conduct the business of the court while protecting the health and well-being of the public, our colleagues, and ourselves.

We look forward to the day when we can again have live court with all parties physically present. But for now, we are thankful for amazing technology.

NOTES — Facts and figures in this column are current at the time of writing. A copy of all judicial orders can be found here: CherokeeGa.com/District-AttorneysOffice. To watch live court proceedings, which change each day based on the presiding judge, visit Facebook.com/ CherokeeDistrictAttorney for the link.

Fond Childhood Memories

By Family Life Publications Staff

In many ways, because of the pandemic, this summer has been a lot different. So, we found ourselves reflecting on some of our favorite childhood memories from summers past. We hope that sharing these moments will inspire you to think back on some of your own happy experiences.

Janet Ponichtera

DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING

Several days a week, my sisters and I would walk to Robles Park with my Grandpa Girolami. On the way there, we would stop at a little mom and pop grocery store, and Grandpa would buy each of us a cold Coke in a glass bottle and a box of Cracker Jacks. We played at the park for hours. We would occasionally get an ice cream cone when we returned the glass bottle to the store on the way home. My mom always wondered why we were never hungry for lunch when we got back to the house.

Also, my mom would make spaghetti for lunch every Friday, and a homeless man would always knock on our door. She would make him a plate to enjoy while he sat on our porch, and she’d also give him a grocery bag of food to take with him. Sometimes, we’d join him around the picnic table while he ate. He was always grateful. Mom never said anything to us about the man. She just led by example.

Julie Senger, EDITOR

More daylight hours meant more time outside for me and my twin brother to swim in the pool in our backyard; play games like kickball, hide-and-seek, and ghost in the graveyard; or simply ride our bikes with our neighborhood friends. No cell phones meant that the streetlight’s illumination was our signal to go home.

I also looked forward to my family’s annual trip to the beach and simpler pleasures like helping my grandma in her garden when we visited her. Grandma also taught us how to play Parcheesi and Rummy (she never “let” us win), and we always left her house with a sandwich bag full of treats that she’d compile from her famous candy jar.

Candice Williams, GRAPHIC ARTIST

Family vacations are some of my favorite summer memories, but because my dad hated the beach, we went to the mountains in Cherokee, North Carolina, instead, which was about a four-hour drive.

I remember seeing native Americans in their headdresses play music and dance to the beat on the streets while we walked in and out of the gift shops to find the perfect souvenirs. I can still taste the white chocolate covered pretzels from Santa’s Land. I also will never forget how scared I was riding the chairlift up the big mountain to Ghost Town in the Sky. I will always cherish this time spent with my parents.

Stephanie Bolton, GRAPHIC ARTIST

I remember going to Ohio for a family reunion and staying with my mom’s friend who lived in a haunted house. The ghost’s name was Johnny Good Ghost. He mostly just moved furniture around and turned lights off and on. After researching the history of the house, my mom’s friend discovered that, in the 1800s, a drunk man fell out of the second story bedroom window — his name was Johnny. That bedroom (which became the kids’ room!) was where they usually saw him.

During our stay, I met my Italian great-grandmother who spoke very little English. My uncle video recorded her telling a story (in Italian) about meeting a “cotton candy ghost” when she was a young girl.

The reunion was held at a lake that was part natural and part manmade, so half of it had a cement floor. When a huge storm hit, my cousins and I sheltered in their family’s woody station wagon and ate watermelon and spat the seeds at each other. After the storm passed, we got in big trouble!

Jack Tuszynski PUBLISHER/PHOTOGRAPHER

My family’s home was on about 9 acres in rural Hickory Flat — half was wooded, and the other half was a big front yard with fruit trees down both sides of our garden, which contained beans, corn, peas, okra, tomatoes, and squash. My parents were avid farmers, so we spent many days preparing the earth and harvesting fresh vegetables to eat, share, preserve, and store.

Summers were hot up on Dad’s lap on the tractor, on the porch shucking corn with my brother, or in the kitchen helping Mom can vegetables. We lived simply, but our days were filled with lots of family time, our bellies were filled with the fruits of our labors, and our hearts were filled with happiness.

Tiffany Corn, GRAPHIC ARTIST

Like many others, summertime was my favorite as a child. My days were filled with enjoying the sweet taste of honeysuckle, running around with dirty hands and feet, riding bicycles, playing in sprinklers, and chasing lightning bugs.

My mom, my brother, a group of about 12 other family members and friends, and I would pile into a couple minivans and head to Panama City Beach for a special weeklong vacation each year. Dad always said he never wanted to go because he hated the sun, sand, and ocean, so he would stay home to work. He’s one to joke, but looking back, I think he stayed home to help pay for our trip.

The adults rented a beachside condo that was only big enough to sleep about half of the people in our group. Luggage was scattered everywhere. Getting ready for dinner would be done in shifts, which took about four hours because we only had two bathrooms. But we didn’t care — not one bit. In fact, I’d do anything to go back and relive the fun, love, and most importantly, the patience that was gained during our yearly trip. I’d even force Dad to come along with us.

THREE GREAT LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU!

City Laundry

221 Riverstone Parkway

Canton, GA 30114

770-479-6350

Holly Springs Laundry

2240-B Holly Springs Parkway

Holly Springs, GA 30115

770-479-0622

My Cleaners

10490 Bells Ferry Road Suite B

Canton, GA 30114

770-345-2419

CITY LAUNDRY, HOLLY SPRINGS LAUNDRY, AND MY CLEANERS

Bill Kent is the owner and operator of City Laundry and Holly Springs Laundry. My Cleaners, the sister company that handles the dry cleaning for all locations, is owned and operated by Virna Kent. Bill has been a proud Canton resident for 53 years, serving as the president of the Canton Rotary Club and Canton Jaycees as well as a City Council member for six years. He takes pride in his town and has loved watching the community grow and progress.

When his first business, City Laundry, opened in 1985, Kent’s top priority was to provide a clean, safe place for residents to wash their clothes. In all his laundromats, Kent selects his employees carefully, focusing on attention to detail. Other priorities include managing the day-to-day operations of the business and providing excellent customer service. The self-service laundry machines are well maintained, and each laundromat location is cleaned hourly by the on-site employees.

To save customers time, laundry drop-off service is available at all three locations. Employees will carefully wash, dry, and fold your items including large comforters and/ or other bulky clothing. Each location has a

drive-thru option to ensure easy and efficient drop off and pick up. Dry cleaning service is also offered at each of the three laundromats.

All machines are serviced and cleaned daily. All locations have large capacity, 90-pound washers and 50-pound dryers for larger items. Commercial washers heat the water to 150 degrees to kill bacteria and help prevent the spread of viruses, while home washers only heat up to 120 degrees. To kill microorganisms, commercial dryers reach temperatures up to 190 degrees, whereas home dryers only reach up to 140 degrees.

In addition to having an on-site attendant, Kent frequently visits each building to interact with patrons. He enjoys getting to know the community, responding to concerns in a timely manner, and asking questions to determine how he can improve each customer’s experience.

The City Laundry and My Cleaners use Scan Q technology to text costumers when their items are ready for pick up, and by using these locations or Holly Springs Laundry, patrons can free up more time to spend with family and friends.

Not All Exercise

Is for You

By Peter Wrobel, M.D.

[Healthy Life] One of the leading causes of varicose veins is inactivity in the legs over an extended period of time. When you sit or stand for too long, you are putting too much pressure and stress on your veins. This pressure is harmful to everyone, but it’s especially harmful to those with vein disease.

People suffering from vein disease may experience tired, heavy, achy legs, burning/itching, leg pain and swelling, night cramps, and skin discoloration, to name a few. However, doing some exercises can help prevent and alleviate the symptoms associated with varicose veins.

EXERCISES THAT IMPROVE OVERALL LEG VEIN HEALTH

Exercise improves the circulation in your body, which helps the blood to flow more efficiently for everyone, even those who suffer from varicose veins. Exercise can also reduce your risk of getting varicose veins in the first place.

As you exercise, blood is pumped back to the heart by using the calf muscle. A strong calf muscle promotes healthy blood circulation and minimizes vein disease. While exercise increases blood circulation, which is obviously good for varicose veins, not all exercise is ideal. So, which options are beneficial for better vein health and which are counterproductive?

 WALKING — The very best exercise for good vein health is walking. This low-impact activity stretches and strengthens the calf pump and improves blood flow.

 CYCLING/STATIONARY BIKE/ELLIPTICAL — These cardio options also work the calf muscle and improve leg veins without putting too much pressure or stress on your joints and bones.

 SWIMMING — Swimming is great for people with varicose veins because the legs are in a horizontal position, and the muscles are also activated.

 CALF RAISES — This one is pretty obvious. Calf raises help strengthen the calf muscle pump and prevent new varicose veins from forming.

EXERCISES YOU SHOULD DO LESS FREQUENTLY

 RUNNING — Running is not the best option because the pounding on the road or other hard surface can cause your veins to swell and become irritated, actually increasing your risk of getting varicose veins.

 HEAVY WEIGHTLIFTING — Lifting heavy weights can reduce the blood flow out of your legs back to your heart. This allows blood to pool and increases the pressure inside your leg veins.

 LOWER BODY WORKOUTS — Exercises such as squats, lunges, crunches, and situps can increase the pressure in your abdominal area, which can also cause added pressure in leg veins.

People suffering from varicose veins may be able to improve and reduce the chances of worsening symptoms by staying active and having a low-impact exercise program. You will not only help your leg veins, but also improve your overall health. L

Dr. Peter Wrobel is a physician at North Georgia Vein & Wellness, with offices in Canton and Cumming. 678-513-1600. NorthGeorgiaVein.com

GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP

Is a Learned Skill

By Mary Kay Buquoi, Ed.S.

[Academic Life] Being a part of a team, whether it is a sports team or a debate team, can cause the competitive side of children to surface. There is value in talking to your child about being a good sport both in winning and in losing. Emphasize the old saying, “There is no ‘I’ in team.” Explain to your child that teams work together, win together, and sometimes lose together.

Learning to display good sportsmanship both when winning or losing is a valuable life lesson. Our natural reaction is to be excited about winning, which sometimes can result in bragging. The act of being happy without bragging to others is another important skill.

Our natural reaction to losing is to be upset, and this may cause us to place the blame on someone. A valuable skill in this case is remembering that it is okay to be upset without blaming yourself, your teammates, or members of the opposing team.

As parents, we see our children as MVPs (and, of course, they are), but we should support our children and teach them to be happy for the winning team and to be humble when their team wins. A great strategy is to encourage your child to move forward and start preparing for future games/competitions.

When your children sign up to be on a team, remind them that winning is not the most important goal. It is more important for them to do their best and to work with the other team members to create a fun environment for all the children, their parents, and the community.

Mary Kay Buquoi is owner of The Goddard School, 140 Foster Road, Woodstock. 770-720-1311. GoddardSchools.com

By Gregory Flail

Five years ago, Dan and Meredith McMillan had reached a crucial juncture in their lives. They were ready to make a change — a big change. Meredith had been a preschool teacher for several years, and Dan had been successful in his career as a business-to-business executive sales leader for a large communications corporation. Like many established professionals, Dan found himself faced with the choice of continuing in corporate life or opting for an early retirement. Of course, early retirement sounds tempting to most people, but it also begs the inevitable question, “and then what?”

Dan and Meredith knew they had to do their share of soul searching both for themselves and their children. They reflected on what they truly valued in life — faith, family, and home — and they decided to put these values at the forefront of their decision-making process.

Dan wanted a chance to work for himself, and, if possible, with his family. Together, they wanted to connect to the community around them, get to know other local business owners and homeowners, and be a part of the many emerging projects in the area. What they did next might seem counterintuitive. Nonetheless, they saw a unique opportunity to fulfill their vision. They purchased a painting franchise from Neighborly, the nation’s largest home services provider.

As part of a national company, the McMillans did not have to start completely from scratch. They were able to benefit from timetested processes, procedures, and systems that produce great results nationwide.

“From the outset,” Dan said, “Five Star Painting was intended to be a unique painting company.”

There was plenty of competition in the area, both large and small.

Often, it seemed as if anyone with a stepladder and a paintbrush could become a housepainter, but Dan believes that the difference between amateurs and professionals lies primarily in the quality of their customer service.

“Meredith and I realized that we had the skill sets to re-energize a tried-and-true business model,” said Dan. “We wanted to bring a white-collar experience to a blue-collar profession.”

As it turns out, the McMillan’s approach to the painting business is exactly what many customers in the north Georgia area want. Five Star Painting offers a full range of interior and exterior services for residential and commercial projects. In addition, they offer cabinet painting, pressure washing, deck/fence staining, and carpentry. All services include a wide selection of premium paints and eco friendly painting options.

With over 385 projects completed in 2019 alone and several freshly painted prominent buildings in the community to their credit, it seems clear that Five Star Painting has lived up to its name. Consequently, the company has grown 40% every year since 2016.

“We strive to give our customers exactly what they want,” Dan explains. “One of the ways we do that is to assign a professional Project Manager to each client. All our estimates are conducted on-site, so we can accurately assess the cost. Our estimates don’t change either, unless clients request additional services.”

While Five Star’s success has exceeded even the McMillans’ own expectations, Dan and Meredith couldn’t be happier with the additional benefits of running a local business.

They have found an opportunity to contribute to the beautification of the surrounding community as well as the welfare of their fellow Georgians.

Five Star Painting has played an integral role in revitalizing the look and feel of many north Georgia homes, businesses, and churches including the City of Woodstock Municipal Court, the Towne Lake Hills Golf Club, the South Cobb Community Center, and the Resurrection Anglican Church.

During the holidays, Five Star offered its customers a discount on painting when they donated toys for needy children. The McMillans also regularly serve the community as a family by volunteering for MUST Ministries, which is a faith-based social service provider that has helped Georgians access food, clothing, shelter, and employment opportunities for over 47 years.

Five Star Painting is based in Woodstock, and serves Bartow, Cherokee, and Paulding counties as well as most of Cobb County. Free estimates are Five Star’s standing policy. To discuss an upcoming project or schedule an estimate, prospective customers can visit Five Star Painting’s easy-to-navigate website or give them a call.

Senator Speaks

BE Strong AND Courageous

By State Senator Bruce Thompson

Backin 2017, a dear friend of mine and I pooled our resources to attend Super Bowl LI, featuring the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots. Once our early morning flight landed in Houston, we grabbed an Uber and rushed to the hotel. The day was chaotic and a little stressful, as we attempted to take in all the festivities of this once-in-alifetime experience.

Once we were in our seats, reality set in about how rare this opportunity was. Let’s be honest; seeing the Falcons in the Super Bowl is unfamiliar territory, and we were pretty sure our wives were not going to sign off on another road trip like this one, so my friend and I absorbed the moment.

As you can imagine, the first half of the game was pure enjoyment, as we watched the dirty birds move the ball down the field and score three times, ending the first two quarters up 21-3. When the third quarter began, the Falcons got another touchdown, running the score up to 28-3. The excitement that Atlanta may, at last, bring home the trophy started to set in!

As my church pastor articulated in a previous sermon, starting strong is always

a good thing, but finishing strong is even more important. This year started off on a high note, as unemployment was at an all-time low, and the stock market was reaching new highs. Much like the Falcons in Super Bowl LI, there was no sign of letting up, but how easily we forget that things can radically change in a very short period of time.

Although the Falcons were on the losing side of that game, America is on the other side of the ball this time. It feels like the opponent is running up the score with the COVID-19 pandemic, unprecedented unemployment, civil unrest, and hostile elections.

But we are a resilient society, built on a faith that each of us is created in our maker’s image. Like the Patriots, the United States of America has faced many situations that looked hopeless, but both have a history of coming together to ultimately finish on top.

The book of Joshua reminds us that the Lord is with us wherever we go, and to be strong and courageous — not frightened or dismayed.

Bruce Thompson represents District 14, which includes Canton and Woodstock. 404-656-0065. BruceThompsonGa.com

Like

the Patriots, the United States of America has faced many situations that looked hopeless, but both have a history of coming together to ultimately finish on top.

Surviving the Summer Heat

By Tim Morris

[Lifestyle] Unless you just moved here, you know Georgia summers are very hot and humid. The home I grew up in didn’t have air conditioning, so we relied on window fans that just seemed to circulate the hot air. My brothers and I always stayed outdoors instead of just sweating in the indoor heat.

To stay cool, we soaked each other with a garden hose during water fights and then hopped on our bikes, so the air felt nice hitting our wet clothing. The only time we came inside was to eat dinner and go to bed. One summer, I stuck my pillow in the freezer for two hours before I went to my room, and it stayed cold until I fell asleep.

Oddly enough, the heat didn’t affect my brothers and me much. I guess we were used to it because we were outside all the

time. When I was in the 11th grade, we finally got air conditioning.

I remember when my brothers and I played high school football. The summer practices never bothered us, and it was so hot that one time, the coach cracked an egg and fried it over a black football helmet.

We have many seniors who either don’t have air conditioning or choose not to use it because of limited income. During summer months, it’s important to check on the elderly to make sure they are cool enough and that they are staying hydrated.

Senior Services checks on all clients to make sure they are doing okay, especially during heat waves. There have been times when some clients were living in their homes without air conditioning or a fan.

Years ago, Senior Services partnered with the Volunteer Aging Council to help seniors in need. The biggest fundraising drives would allow us to purchase fans and some window units. Today, the Volunteer Aging Council still helps with these needs. If you know a senior who is struggling during the summer heat, please contact Cherokee Senior Services. L

is the director of Cherokee County Senior Services. 1001 Univeter Road, Canton. 770-479-7438. CherokeeGa.com/Senior-Services

STRESS

How Healthy Habits Can Minimize Its Impact

[Healthy Life] As we make our way through recovery phases of the pandemic, it’s normal to feel stressed, frustrated, nervous, or angry. Stress manifests as increased tension in our minds and body and can disrupt our daily emotions, physical well-being, and behaviors. How do we cope with increased stress while still abiding by national and local public health guidelines?

b PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND EXERCISE

Studies have shown a mix of aerobic and resistance activity is best for stress relief. However, when time is limited, any activity will do. Be creative and make the most of opportunities that arise throughout the day. Taking the dog for a walk around the block, using the stairs instead of the elevator at work, doing 30 minutes of parking-lot yoga while waiting for a family member, or enjoying a stroll with your Saturday morning coffee are simple exercise-based activities that can have a big impact on stress reduction and your overall health.

Embrace technology as part of your stress relief. Fitness podcasts, meditation apps, or exercise coaching software are great ways to help facilitate activity. And fitness trackers are helpful for those who like to follow step counts and calories burned or for encouraging reminders throughout the day.

b CONSISTENT SLEEP

Sleep is an integral part of stress reduction. If an adequate amount of sleep is not maintained, it will lead to increased feelings of stress and anxiety over time. Getting an average of eight hours of sleep each night has been shown to

reduce stress and improve quality of life. Consistent, meaningful sleep allows the body to relax, recharge, and rebuild, improving your energy and hormonal balance. It also has been found to impact cholesterol levels and reduce your risk for heart disease.

Have a consistent sleep schedule. Early riser or night owl, find what works for you. Then, set your alarm to wake up and go to bed at the same times every day (including weekends).

b ABDOMINAL BREATHING

Deep abdominal breathing, even for just 15-20 seconds once or twice daily, has been shown to reduce stress, increase oxygen to the brain, and promote relaxation. Studies of the benefits of deep breathing have indicated a sharp reduction in stress for patients who practice the task of deep, slow breathing. The technique continues to be recommended throughout the medical community.

Find a point in your day where you can work your way up to 20 minutes of deep breathing as a regular habit.

With the demands of life ever growing, a few minor changes in your daily activities can make an indelible impact on the repercussions that stress contributes to our everyday lives. L

Dr. Matthew Simmons is a fellowship-trained sports medicine physician with Northside Hospital Orthopedic Institute Sports Medicine. Dr. Spencer Lee is a fellowship-trained pulmonary disease and critical care specialist with Cherokee Lung and Sleep Specialists. For more information, visit Northside.com.

Seek first to understand before being understood.

That is my motto as a financial advisor. I want to understand what is most important to you and your family. I use an established process to build personalized strategies to help achieve your goals. From there, we will work together throughout your life to keep you on track.

I earned a bachelor’s degree from Presbyterian College before earning a master’s degree in finance from the University of Missouri. The motto of Presbyterian College is “Dum Vivimus Servimus,” or “While We Live, We Serve.” I strive to live by this motto every day — not only in my practice, but also in my

Graham Bailey Financial Advisor at Edward Jones

involvement in our community. I am a proud member of the Woodstock Lions Club and enjoy serving on the Chairman’s Council for the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce.

In 2020, I furthered my commitment to providing an ideal client experience for serious long-term investors by earning the Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS) professional designation from the College for Financial Planning.

My client relationships typically begin by focusing on:

• Deciding what to do with an old 401(k)

• Navigating concerns from an estate and how to properly transition your

loved one’s financial goals to your own

• How to earn more interest income than what is offered through bank CDs

From there, I endeavor to:

• Create a personalized financial strategy tailored to your needs

• Identify risks and help determine protection strategies

• Work with you to integrate, coordinate, and monitor your various investment accounts

• Navigate market cycles to help you stay on track toward meeting your goals

• Review your strategy, as your situation changes, or as economic conditions evolve

I invite you to contact me to find out if this approach may guide your family more effectively toward your goals. 8265 Highway 92, Suite 103, Woodstock, GA 30189 678-445-9525 • EdwardJones.com/graham-bailey

Artist Profile

BY ELLEN SAMSELL SALAS

Seeing himself as an “artist” not a painter, photographer, or an illustrator, Georgia native Jay Marsh experiments in many mediums, combining sketching, painting, photography, and computer graphics. Each work beckons the viewer to discover layer upon layer of color, light and shade, and line and plane.

Marsh’s first calling is painting in acrylics, which he turns to on weekends. Working on more than one large canvas at a time, he might spend 40 hours on each, layering, modifying, and flipping the work upside down to get a fresh perspective.

“I love painting whatever inspires me; most often, that is nature. There is a freedom to my acrylic work. I don’t think, ‘I have to sell this.’ It becomes therapy for me.”

Weekdays, Marsh focuses on digital art, “stock 3D assets” that clients download and modify to be used in publications or websites. He might create a mosaic pattern or other abstract work that he has first sketched then manipulated on the computer, then the client might use the digital file as the background of an advertisement.

“The digital products are under my control, what they look like, how they function,” he said. “What I love is I’m open to create whatever inspires me.”

No matter what the medium or subject, Marsh strives for his work to have aesthetic value.

“I believe art should be pleasing to the eye, attractive to look at. If it isn’t, why would you want to hang it in your home?” he asks.

In his painting and digital art, Marsh is fascinated with light, color, movement, lines, and shapes.

“I like the light source to come from behind; it might travel through a bird’s wing, or through a stained-glass window,” he said. “I love fog and translucency — anything where light is coming from the inside and has a mystery to it. And, I like very bright color. I like it to be as bright as possible. The language of color transcends spoken languages and all ages.”

Taking his cue from the dynamics seen in nature, in his “flow” works, Marsh captures repeating shapes such as the fluid lines created by water, ripples in sand, and mirrored in clouds.

Influenced by his parents who are both graphic designers, Marsh was also fueled by high school art classes and his

study at the Ringling College of Art and Design where he majored in illustration and minored in photography – and he is inspired by other artists.

Marsh and other local artists offered each other support during the pandemic shutdown through the Local Artists’ Guild. Together, they are creating a “round robin painting” to which many artists are contributing. They are also planning progressive art shows where each artist will exhibit outside his/her home, and viewers will travel from place to place to enjoy the works.

Marsh says he hopes his art touches all viewers and takes them to a transcendent level of being.

“I love that about art. A child can feel something from it, or a person who has no understanding of English can feel something.”

For more information about Marsh’s work, visit JayMarshArt.com or Facebook.com/jay.marsh.artist.

How To Pray for America

By Pastor George Anderson

[InGoodFaith] As Christians, we should never put love for country above our love for God. I am not saying we should not love our country. We should! But an idol is anything we put before God in our hearts. We can do this with anything — even patriotism. God commands us to love him with all our heart, soul, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5).

Jesus said, “The person who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me…” (Matthew 10:37).

Is Jesus saying we should not love our family? Of course not. But, if we love Jesus most, we will love others better. We must love our country with a sanctifying love — seeing her flaws and praying for her improvement.

So, how should we pray for America?

1. Pray for Her Peace. David wrote, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem,” (Psalms 122:6). The only sustainable ground for peace is the cross of Jesus Christ. That this peace is already available should encourage us (Colossians 1:20). Any other peace is false and flimsy. Only the peace that comes through his cross can last.

2. Pray for Her Prosperity. “And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare,” (Jeremiah 29:7). We should pray for a strong and vibrant economy. Meaningful labor makes for healthier and happier people. Work is important, necessary, and critical.

3. Pray for Her Salvation. Paul wrote, “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God concerning (Israel) is for their salvation!” Our nation is divided, and “A house divided against itself cannot stand,” (Matthew 12:25).

Neither politics, education, nor religion can unite us. The only thing that can bring us together is a new heart, and only God can create a new heart. God is love. When he lives in our hearts, love becomes the dominant feature of our lives, or at least, it should. L

Dr. George Anderson is pastor of Rising Hills Church, 3635 Univeter Road, Canton. RisingHillsChurch.org

Hassle-Free Hair

By Jyl Craven

[Lifestyle] Does your frizzy hair have you in a tussle, as you start each day? Have you ever wished you could have a more manageable mane? If you could reduce your blow-drying time each day, would you want to learn how? Let’s face it, hasslefree hair is something we all dream of. And finding a solution to our own unique hair woes can sometimes leave us feeling bemused. If this sounds like you, then you may want to consider a keratin treatment. Keratin services have many benefits, but there are a few things you must first be aware of before getting one of these transformative treatments.

What is a keratin treatment?

Keratin is a protein that is naturally found in your hair, skin, and nails. In human hair, keratin acts as an external protective shield and an internal structural protein. Over time, as hair becomes physically damaged by chemicals or from the environment (such as from the sun), the hair’s natural keratin becomes depleted. A keratin treatment replenishes the gaps in the hair by penetrating the cuticle. The treatment then works to strengthen the keratin bonds from within while repairing those damaged strands and smoothing the hair shaft.

What are the benefits?

The most common reason people get a keratin treatment is for improved manageability. When keratin gets infused into your strands, your hair will instantly be less frizzy, your split ends will be mended, your locks will become shinier, and

smoothness will reign supreme. Hair feels healthier, and hair color becomes more visibly vibrant. Time spent blow drying may also be reduced by as much as 50%.

How long will it last?

A keratin treatment can last four to five months with the proper care. The longevity of the treatment begins with the proper at-home hair care regimen. Unlike other salon services, getting the proper post-care products for a keratin service is essential, if you want it to last. After a treatment, always opt for a sodiumchloride-free and sulfate-free shampoo. Use styling products, blow-dry creams, and serums that are infused with keratin. And when styling, do not pull your hair up into a braid or pony for the first couple of days. If the Georgia heat has you wanting to relax in the pool, take caution and follow this bit of advice: Since chlorine and salt water quickly strip out keratin, always

rinse your hair with fresh shower water before going for a swim. Doing so will add hydration and help prevent your hair from absorbing unwanted chlorine and salt.

Whether you’re heading back to school or simply want an easier start to your day, hassle-free hair is something we all want. The transformative and lasting benefits of a keratin treatment make it a unique service that delivers both enhanced beauty and improved styling. If this is you, seek out a professional who is certified in keratin treatments. Then, you’ll finally be able to enjoy your hair, your way. L