Canton Family Life 10-16

Recently, i have started waking up before my alarm goes off in the morning. Now, this used to happen from time-to-time; however, i now find myself staying up and getting started on the tasks of the day. Being blessed with more time early in the waking day allows me the opportunity to get through my “to-dos” as well as more time to enjoy doing less obligatory items that may exist or cross my path. it has been brought to my attention that i appear to stretch myself a little thin, so i’ve promised to work on that by better prioritizing my tasks.

it is really important to get a handle on the truth when taking some weight off your shoulders; understanding that even though we cannot please everyone, we still have daily chances to be a blessing to many. if we actually take the time to think about the right path and act as the hands and feet of God, or if we seriously consider, “What would Jesus do?” in all of life’s circumstances, we’ll find contentment in the knowledge that we did things for the right reasons, regardless of popular opinion. Strive to be excellent; perfection isn’t obtainable.

“Do what you feel in your heart to be right — for you will be criticized anyway.”

~ Eleanor Roosevelt

if we always try to please others, we may find that we often go stumbling down a path of stress and failure. With all the options, conveniences, communication and networks that are constantly available to us, we can easily become overwhelmed when trying to make everyone happy. My mother once told me, “ you are not required to set yourself on fire to keep others warm.” Just remember that the reason we do what we do should be for His glory, not our own. Being an example that others can follow may be the best way to invite company to join us on the road less travelled.

Jack Tuszynski, Publisher

PUBLISHER/PHOTOGRAPHER

Jack Tuszynski

Jack@FamilyLifePublications.com

EDITORIAL

Julie Senger

Julie@FamilyLifePublications.com

ART

Candice Williams

Candice@FamilyLifePublications.com

Laurie Litke

Laurie@FamilyLifePublications.com

SALES

Janet Ponichtera

Janet@FamilyLifePublications.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jessica Asbell, Atlanta Hand Specialist, Rep. Mandi Ballinger, Paul Bordrogi, J. Daran Burns, Mary Kay Buquoi, Michael Buckner, Rick Cheney, RaJayne Cordery, L. Michael Cox, Jyl Craven, Natalie del Valle, Micah Fowler, Joshua Fuder, Corey Harkins, Lisa-Marie Haygood, Cameron Johnson, Vicki Knight-Mathis, James E. Leake, Pamela Marquess, Robbie Matiak, Jim McRae, Tim Morris, Anthony Musarra, Vishant Nath, Michael Petrosky, Matthew Thomas

Family Life Publishing Group, Inc. 150 North Street, Suite A Canton, GA 30114

770-213-7095

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 25,000, direct mailing over 23,000 copies to Canton, Sixes/ BridgeMill, Holly Springs and Hickory Flat.

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. 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.

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

© 2016 All rights reserved.

Calendar

OngOing

Canton Farmers Market

Each Saturday in downtown Canton, you can find locally grown produce, baked goods, food specialty items, fresh flowers and bedding plants, along with handmade crafts. 9:00 am-12:00 pm, Cannon Park, 130 East Main Street, Canton. 770-7041548. CantonHDL.com

Old, New, Borrowed, Blue

Old, New, Borrowed, Blue will feature wedding dresses, photographs and accessories from women around the county through October 29th. The exhibit will include dresses from the 1920s to the current day. Wednesday-Friday 10:00 am-5:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am3:00 pm, Cherokee County Historical Museum, 100 North Street, Ste. 100, Canton. 770-345-3288. RockBarn.org

OCTOBER

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First Friday — Canton’s monthly block party, featuring live music, food and good times! October’s theme is “Octoberfest/Dancing in the Streets” with music by First Generation. 6:00-9:00 pm, Cannon Park, 130 East Main Street, Canton. 770-704-1548. CantonHDL.com

7-26 Clay Council Show —

A variety of beautifully handcrafted clay pieces will be displayed in the Arts Center Gallery from the Clay Council. All of the artwork will be up for sale, and there is something

for everyone. Tuesday-Friday 11:00 am-5:00 pm, Saturday 12:005:00 pm, Cherokee Arts Center, 94 North Street, Canton. 770-704-6244. CherokeeArts.org

7&21 Parent’s Night Out

— Drop off your kids at the pool for a night of fun for both of you! This is for ages 5+. 5:30-10:00 pm, Cherokee County Aquatic Center, 1200 Gresham Mill Parkway, Canton. 678-880-4760. CRPA.net

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Annual Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre Fundraiser

Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce’s Coffee & Connections — Coffee & Connections provides the Chamber’s newest members with the opportunity to learn more about the Chamber, its programs and benefits. 9:00-10:00 am, Chamber Board Room, 3605 Marietta Highway, Canton. 770-3450400. CherokeeChamber.com

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President Abraham Lincoln: Life in the White House

During the Civil War — Nationally known historic interpreter James Conine portrays President Lincoln. He has traveled throughout the United States and Europe delivering his first-person portrayal of Lincoln. Refreshments and photo op with Lincoln follows program. 2:00 pm, Funk Heritage Center of Reinhardt University, 7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska. 770-720-5970. Reinhardt. edu

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Main Street Morning — This event is free and open to the public. Come get updates on Main Street and downtown as well as hear a short presentation from our host. Free coffee and pastries from CupUp provided. 8:00 am, Stout’s Growlers, 188 North Street, Canton. 770-7041548. CantonHDL.com

Come enjoy a threecourse meal and an exciting murder mystery production put on by Reinhardt’s finest students! Between each course, the plot will unfold, and guests must pay close attention to the characters and guess which character is the murderer. 6:00-8:00 pm, W. Frank & Evelyn J. Gordy Center, Reinhardt Campus, 7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska. 770-720-9167. Reinhardt.edu

15 Georgia Zombie Fest 2016 — Back for its 4th year, 2016’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever! Zombies will be taking over the town! 4:00-9:00 pm, Main Street in downtown Canton. 770-345-5483. CherokeeZombieFest.com

15 Canton Theatre Presents — Scooby Doo on Zombie Island (free!) at 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm and an independent film, Big Foot and the Curse of Blood Mountain ($5, rated PG13), at 8:30 pm. Canton Theatre, 171 E. Main Street, Canton. 770-704-0755. CantonTheatre.com

18 Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours — There is no charge to attend. This is a great networking opportunity! 4:30-6:00 pm, Merrill Gardens, 12730 Highway 92, Woodstock. CherokeeChamber.com

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Billy Joel/Elton John Face-2Face Tribute Show — Taking turns at an onstage piano, the dual impersonators of the Billy Joel/Elton John Face-2-Face Tribute Show conjure the beloved songsters in both sound and image. 7:30-9:30 pm, Falany Performing Arts Center, 7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska. 770-720-9167. Reinhardt.edu

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Food Truck Friday — Enjoy a variety of food trucks. 6:00-9:00 pm, Cherokee Parks and Recreation Center, 7545 Main Street, Building 200, Woodstock. 770-924-7768. CRPA.net

21&22

King’s Academy Presents Unplugged and Walkin’ Home — The King’s Academy will be showcasing 2, one-act plays. You do not want to miss these talented performers. 7:00 pm, Cherokee Arts Center Theater, 94 North Street, Canton. 770-704-6244. CherokeeArts.org

21-30

Agatha Christie’s Love with a Stranger — Presented by Cherokee Theatre Company. This is a thrilling mystery, adapted from a story by Frank Vosper. Friday & Saturday 8:00 pm, Sunday 2:30 pm, Canton

Theatre, 171 E. Main Street, Canton. 770591-0282. CantonTheatre.com

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Tree and Blueberry Planting — Learn where and how to plant your trees and berries and how to care for them, so they provide harvests for years to come. 10:00 am, Hickory Flat Library, 2740 East Cherokee Drive, Canton. 770721-7803. CAES.UGA.Edu/extension/ cherokee

28 2nd Annual Charity Homeless Veteran Golf Event — The event is put on by the Cherokee County Homeless Veterans program (CCHVP) with support from the Lake Arrowhead MGA/ LGA and local veterans and volunteers. 100% of the proceeds of the golf outing goes to support the various programs of the CCHVP, and 100% of the monies spent by the CCVHP stays in Cherokee County. There will also be a silent auction, prizes and raffles. Lunch will be provided. 8:00 am, Lake Arrowhead Highlands Course, 486 Arrowridge, Waleska. 678-983-7590. GaLegion.org/

28 Spooktacular! — There will be trick-or-treat activities, free games, food, crafts and more! 4:00-9:00 pm, City

Li Bra Ry Ev E n Ts

SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

BALL GROuND 435 Old Canton Road, Ball Ground, 770-735-2025

HiCKORy FLAT 2740 East Cherokee Drive, Canton, 770-345-7565

R.T. JONES 116 Brown Industrial Pkwy., Canton, 770-479-3090

JuNiOR WRiTiNG STuDiO

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:00-5:00 pm, Ball Ground

Children in grades 3rd -8 th can practice writing skills with a retired teacher in a small group or a one-on-one environment. Parents can register their child for a class by calling.

BRiDGE CLuB

October 10 & 24, 10:30 am-1:00 pm, Ball Ground

Beginners and experienced players are welcome to gather at the library to play this globally-popular card game. Adults only.

TECH TuESDAy

October 11 & 25, R.T. Jones

Make a date to get answers to many basic technology questions. Get help downloading eBooks and audiobooks to your computer or mobile device (phone or tablet.) Assistance will be provided with setting up and using email, flash drives and posting photos to Facebook. Bring your device and/or laptop and power cords. Call 770-479-3090 to reserve your spot.

DiG. DROP-iN GENEALOGy

October 16, 2:00-4:00 pm, R.T. Jones

Grow your family tree through genealogy. Join this monthly group to learn and work on your genealogical research. Topics will vary each month, but will include how to use Ancestry.com, using your smartphone to scan documents and how to use local newspapers on microfilm.

BOOK CLuB

October 17, 11:00 am, Ball Ground

Come join the group members as they discuss their impressions of a different book each month.

FLu SHOT CLiNiC

October 19, 10:00 am-2:00 pm, R.T. Jones

A fast, safe and easy way to get your flu shot. Partnering with the Cherokee County Health Department, two flu shot clinics will be offered in the library. The cost of the flu shot will be $25 and the Fluzone High-Dos (for ages 65 and older) will cost $50. Cash, Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue

Shield, Aetna, Cigna, Coventry, Humana and United Healthcare Health Insurance will be accepted.

AuTuMN ExPRESSiONS iN CERAMiCS

October 20, 6:00 pm, Ball Ground

Helene Maloy, the owner of A Piece of Time Ceramic Studio in downtown Ball Ground, demonstrates how to decorate a ceramic piece with a fall theme. You may bring $5 to buy a ceramic piece to decorate. Registration is required.

FALL PAPER MOSAiCS

October 24, 6:00-7:15 pm, R.T. Jones

Create your own autumn-inspired mosaics out of magazines and scrapbook paper. All supplies will be provided. This program is for 6th -12 th graders. Please contact Ms. Lindsay at 770-479-3090 ext. 244 for more information.

HALLOWEEN BASH

October 26, 4:00-5:30 pm, R.T. Jones

Come dressed in your Halloween costume, and drop-in for fun carnival activities and prizes. All ages are welcome to attend.

A PEEK iNTO THE PARANORMAL

October 27, 6:30 pm, Ball Ground

Join the Georgia Paranormal Investigators for their Paranormal 201 program. The team members will share their methods, mission and evidence captured during their investigators. All ages are invited to attend, but children under 9 must be accompanied by an adult.

L.i.F.E (Learning information For Everyday)

October 30, 2:30 pm, R.T. Jones

Parents, teachers and other youth mentors — help the tweens and teens you work with prepare for life in the adult world by teaching them basic life skills (ex: reading analog clocks) through dialogue and mutual learning.

For more October events, please visit SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

continued from page 7

Park, 215 Valley Street, downtown Ball Ground. 770-735-2123. CityOfBallGround. com

28 1st Annual Monster Dash Glow Run 5K and Little Monster 1 Miler — When registering, you will receive a glow-in-thedark, long-sleeve t-shirt and glow-in-the-dark accessories. Please come dressed in your most outrageous costume! There will be awards in a variety of categories for the best costumes!!! After the race, enjoy an outdoor movie on the lawn, starting at 9:00 pm. There will be inflatables, music, food trucks and much more! 6:00 pm, Hobgood Park, 6680 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock, 770-924-7768. CRPA.net

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Once upon a Dive-in Movie —

Come to the indoor pool for a night filled with floating and movie fun. Floats will be available for use, or you can bring your own noodle or clear inner tube. 6:00 pm, Cherokee County Aquatic Center, 1200 Gresham Mill Parkway, Canton. 678880-4760. CRPA.net

29 Halloween Fall Festival —

Activities will include hay rides, a climbing tower, trunk-or-treat, a costume contest, games, a bounce house and lots more. 3:00-9:00 pm, Cherokee Outdoor YMCA, 201 E. Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock. 678-923-9933. YMCAAtlanta.org

30 The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Presented by Theatre iV — Washington Irving’s autumnal masterpiece tells of the new schoolmaster, Ichabod Crane, his sweetheart Katrina, and the devilishly handsome Brom Bones. This clever adaptation by one of our nation’s leading playwrights for young audiences is loaded with hearty audience participation, is more funny than scary and comes complete with the Headless Horseman. 2:00-6:00 pm, Falany Performing Arts Center, 7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska. 770-720-9167. Reinhardt.edu

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Cherokee County Educational Foundation (CCEF) Golf Classic 2016 — Proceeds will help provide grants to support Cherokee County schools, teachers and students! 9:30 am shotgun start, Hawks Ridge Golf Club, 1100 Hawks Ridge Golf Club, Ball Ground. 404-229-3840. CherokeeCountyEducationFoundation.org

1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton. 770-3450400. CherokeeChamber.com

5 Canton Community Ministries Fall Festival — There will be food, a DJ, inflatables, raffles, vendors and fun for all ages! All proceeds will benefit Community Christian School. 11:00 am-3:00 pm. Community Christian School, 152 Rolling Hills Avenue, Canton. 404-538-0700. n Ov EMBER

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Cherokee County Chamber’s Good Morning Cherokee Breakfast — These monthly meetings offer both current and future Chamber members the opportunity to conduct business and network with more than 200 fellow business leaders. 7:00 am, Northside Hospital-Cherokee Conference Center,

Jingle Bell Shop — This will be a one-stop shopping extravaganza of beautiful and distinctive gifts. Vendors will be present with an array of gifts and craft items at this FREE holiday shopping expo. You’ll be able to visit with Santa, and find special gifts for everyone on your Christmas list without crossing the county line. 11:00 am-8:00 pm, Northside HospitalCherokee Conference Center, Cherokee County Administration Bldg., 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton. 770-345-0400. CherokeeChamber.com

Scan the QR Code to submit your upcoming event to our online calendar! BellJinglehop $

Owl-O-Ween Hot Air Balloon Festival is Atlanta’s largest costume party! Held on October 21st (6:00-11:00 pm) and 22nd (4:00-11:00 pm) at Kennesaw State University’s Sports and Entertainment Park, Owl-O-Ween will have trick-or-treating, a beer garden and five stages of live entertainment:

• The Glow Stage — Ice Cuban Carving, Fire and LED Experience Performers

• The Garden Stage — Check website for times

• The Busker Bus Stage — Fortune Teller and Captain & Maybelle

• The Levitation Stage — a fashion show, a DJ, aerialists and live music

• The Kids Stage — Big Thinkers demos and performances by youth musicians and other performing artists

There will also be tethered hot air balloon rides, a kids play field with free face painting, arts and crafts and inflatables! For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Owl-O-Ween.com.

Ben’s Mattress has a ten-year history of providing a huge selection of quality, brand-name mattresses, at extreme discounts, with easy financing options. With eleven locations in Atlanta and two new convenient locations in Riverstone Plaza in Canton and Publix

Shopping Center in Holly Springs, you can save bazillions at Ben’s Mattress. For more information, visit Bens.com, or call 770-479-0030, Riverstone, 1443 Riverstone Parkway or 770720-0030, Holly Springs, 110 Prominence Point Parkway.

Century 21 Real Estate Agent Hunter Ramsey isn’t your run-of-the-mill agent. He’s a former member of the United States Air Force, and since leaving, he’s been working hard in real estate to bring the most value he can to home buyers and sellers. He knows the market well and works with your best interest in mind. Whether buying or selling, he’ll work hard to get you the most value for your money, and he’ll ensure your transaction will go smoothly by being proactive and keeping you in the loop.

Because of his years of experience, he’ll make sure you know what’s happening every step of the way. His great working relationship with other agents, lenders, home inspectors and closing attorneys means that you’ll avoid the pitfalls and stumbling blocks that other buyers and sellers might encounter in their real estate processes. For more information, call 770-889-6090.

Send the

By Matthew A. Thomas

Oftentimes, someone will recommend that the economic development office should contact a particular restaurant or retailer to put Canton on their radar, “Canton could use a ____ store,” or “It would be nice if we had a ____ in town.” The blanks can be filled with a variety of establishments.

L EADS

i wish Canton had ...

Canton could use a ____ store. it would be nice if we had a ____ in town. i would like to see ... Our town needs a ____. i would like to recommend ...

Could we please have a ___? i want to suggest ...

These suggestions are appreciated. More often than not, they create interesting conversations with concerned citizens who want to see Canton grow and prosper. It also provides insight to community preference and desirability for support of such businesses. These are typically good indicators for targeted business recruitment efforts.

Site selection, especially for regional and national chains, can be a deliberate process. Everything from incomes, crime, education, age, traffic, visibility, competition, major employers, ethnic composition and parking are several factors that are given a close look as an area is assessed.

However, many can also loosen up on their checkpoints if trends and forecasts show positive changes for a community in the future. The economic development office welcomes any recommendations for commercial businesses you would like to see stake their claim here. The office

stays in constant contact with leasing agents, brokers, developers and corporate representatives to keep local development and redevelopment opportunities on their minds.

Taking nothing from the many great establishments we already enjoy here, but economics and preferences are always changing. It is better that we stay on top of trends and remain vibrant by welcoming new businesses into our existing commercial mix.

An outcome of our recruitment efforts and growth has been an increase in tax revenues associated with commercial development. The realized revenues allow the City to fund the local services on which we all depend.

Additionally, our commercial tax base increase is healthy for our economy, as it creates jobs, local and touristic

spending as well as an enhancement of quality of life. These results stem from simply making contact with businesses and developers that are willing to invest here, and the better we know what citizens want to see, the more assurance we have of community support and excitement if the location decision becomes a “yes.” So your input on the types of establishments you desire to see in Canton is most welcomed.

Suggestions become leads, and leads can become wins.

At the end of the day, commercial establishments rely on community support of their businesses. If that support can be expressed on the front-end of a location decision, it helps all the more substantiate support if or when the business chooses to locate here.

Can you think of a retailer or restaurant that you would like to see come to Canton? Send us an email or give us a call. A simple conversation could become a wonderful, city-changing opportunity. Do not hesitate to send leads our way.

Flu Season Again What’s Old, What’s New?

By Vicki Knight-Mathis, M.D.

Although Influenza, or flu for short, can be seen at any time in the U.S., it typically increases substantially starting in October and peaks somewhere between December and March. At the least the flu is a major inconvenience, often associated with 102-105 degree fevers, which last about 3-5 days, runny nose, cough and body aches. But flu can also be sinister, resulting in severe illness that requires hospitalization, due to secondary bacterial infections, or even death. Every year, nearly 50,000 adults and at least 100 children die from flu or flu-related complications. Many of these adults and children were previously healthy.

So what is one to do? Yearly vaccination is used to decrease your chances of getting the flu and is usually around 60% effective. If you still happen to get the flu, your illness is likely to be less severe,

and your chances of having complications resulting in hospitalization or death are reduced substantially.

The flu vaccine got more and less complicated this year. Inactivated flu vaccine (injection) is available, as usual, this year. But the intranasal flu mist is not recommended this year. The CDC monitors the ability of the flu vaccine to prevent disease every year, and the nasal flu mist has been significantly less effective than the shot for the last three years. Per CDC studies, 2015-2016’s flu mist was only 3% effective compared

with 50% for the shot. When flu mist was introduced in 2004, initial studies showed better effectiveness than the injection. Studies from other countries suggest that flu mist is effective. So the jury is still out, but this year, the recommendation is that all children over the age of six months be vaccinated by injection. If it’s your child’s first year to get the flu vaccine, and they’re less than nine years old, they’ll need two doses, separated by a month, to be fully protected.

While the experts sort out why the flu mist failed, roll up your sleeve, and get vaccinated to protect yourself against the flu.

Amphitheatre at City Center

Woodstock’s Amphitheater at City Center will be open for a public preview event on Tuesday, October 25th, from 6:30-8:30 pm. This sneak peek will allow visitors to tour the grounds and facility, and ask questions of staff, officials, architects and builders.

The first event in the new space will be the Woodstock’s Halloween KidsFest on October 31st, from 3:00-7:00 pm. The Grand Opening Celebration and first concert (Mark Wills with opening act, the Thomas Fountain Band) will be on November 12th, at 7:30 pm.

This 2.7-acre expansion to the Park at City Center includes grassy-tiered seating. The Woodstock Summer Concert Series resumes in May of 2017. With an estimated seating capacity of 6,000-7,000, music lovers should have plenty of room to enjoy all events. A new amphitheater website will be unveiled soon!

Youth Enters Canton’s 2016 Farmers Market Pie Contest

Each of the contestants of the Canton Farmers Market Pie Contest were asked to provide any special information about their entry. Jack Bishop Ford’s recipe was not the special part of his entry; it was the fact that he’s only 4 years old. When his family asked if he wanted to enter the pie contest, Jack was so excited to enter! He researched recipes on YouTube with his grandmother and settled on a delicious, fresh strawberry and blueberry pie.

Teen Leadership Applicants Sought

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that they will be accepting applications for the Teen Leadership Cherokee Class of 2017 until Wednesday, October 19, 2016. Students must be in 10th grade to apply. Teen Leadership Cherokee will offer a series of class sessions, exploring topics such as community involvement, personal development, team building and educational and economic responsibility.

The young men and women selected to participate in Teen Leadership Cherokee must attend school in Cherokee County and/or live in Cherokee County, demonstrate outstanding qualities as potential leaders and possess the desire to affect change in their community. Each class will be representative of the diversity within Cherokee County, including students from the Cherokee County School District along with private or home-schooled students. Participants’ academic achievements, active participation in school functions, membership in other organizations and responsibilities, such as working after school, will be reviewed during the selection process. The class is limited to twenty participants.

To obtain additional information or request an application, please contact the Cherokee County Chamber at 770345-0400. Applications are also available online at CherokeeChamber.com.

Sequoyah HS Speech and Debate Team Succeeds

at Meet

Usiatynski, Elexus Lane, Andrew Gollner, Zach Rogers, Caleb Pope, Jacob Wright, Alyssa Kirby, Karissa Anderson, Kirk Dyer, Allyson Mason, Natasha Ambriz, Valerie Ambriz, Bailey Eison and Cailyn Hooper. Lincoln Douglas participants were Aaron Brown and Nic Fricia. Speech participants were Katie Brown and Kaitlyn Pulse.

The team is coached by Sequoyah HS teachers Matt Bartula and Katie Maher.

Sequoyah’s Speech and Debate Team recently participated in the Wake Forest Speech and Debate Tournament, with two students making it to finals!

Twenty-four Sequoyah students competed at Wake Forest University, in WinstonSalem, N.C., against teams from 85 other schools from 18 different states.

Senior Mary Beth Dicks and junior Caleb Crayton made it to final rounds, with 30 other students from across the nation, after competing against some of the best in the contest.

Ralph Bunche Center Playground Dedicated to Late Student

School and community recently gathered at the Ralph Bunche Center in Canton to dedicate the “Playground for Smiles” in memory of a young student who passed away last year. Christian Egner attended the preschool center for two years before he succumbed to complications from asthma.

“Christian enjoyed life to the fullest,” Principal Donna Adams said during the ceremony. “We were blessed to have Christian dance through these halls and leap on this playground.”

Christian’s parents, Keith and Trish Egner, participated in the dedication. The news of the dedication, Mr. Egner said, “brought joy to my heart and to my family. His name will go on, and he’ll be remembered for years to come.” The Soleil community in Laurel Canyon was instrumental in raising funds for the new playground equipment.

The Egner family has established a foundation in Christian’s name, and a 5K Smile Run is scheduled for October 8 to benefit the Ralph Bunche Center. For more information, visit TheSmileRun.com/.

Seven CCSD High School Seniors Named National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalists

Seven Cherokee County School District high school seniors were named 2017 National Merit Scholarship semi-finalists!

They are: Creekview HS’s Jack Pace, River Ridge HS’s Anabelle Paulino, Sequoyah HS’s Katie Bates and Alex Morrison and Woodstock HS’s Alex Andon, A.J. Cox and Evan Vines.

The National Merit Scholarship

Corporation has named 16,000 semifinalists, who were selected based on outstanding 2015 PSAT scores. Less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors are named semi-finalists.

To be considered as a finalist, the students next will submit a detailed application, noting their academic achievements, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated

leadership abilities, employment and honors. An endorsement and recommendation from a high school official and an essay are also required, and students must earn SAT scores that confirm their PSAT performance.

The anticipated 15,000 finalists will compete for 7,500 scholarships worth about $33 million, which will be awarded in the spring.

Giving Credit

Where Credit is Due

By Tim Morris

Cherokee County Senior Services has several wonderful programs to provide to seniors in need. The employees at the center provide so many services and lots of help for our seniors. One of the many groups that doesn’t get enough credit for the job they do is the homemaker staff, which is made up of three wonderful ladies: Helen, Gail and Leslie. They are supervised by Stacy Jones, our homemaker coordinator.

They provide house cleaning duties and other tasks for clients throughout Cherokee County.

The homemaker service is important because it provides help that often allows seniors to stay in their home because of the assistance they provide. The work doesn’t come without some difficulty. Homemaker clients have physical limitations as well as some memory problems. At times, the memory problems become a challenge for our homemakers. They’ve had clients that have accused them of things that aren’t even possible. One client chased them around the house with a tooth brush because the client didn’t think they cleaned something well enough. There have been many other incidents that can’t be mentioned. But each one of our ladies keeps a positive attitude and tries to keep the client’s best interest at heart. Their supervisor works doubly hard to make all situations better for her staff

as well as the client.

Many people also don’t know that these staff members go the extra mile to provide things for their clients. We receive donated items like paper products, soap, Depends, toothpaste and fans. Some staff members take food to their clients when they need it. I am very proud of our homemaker staff, and I thank them for their dedication.

Please feel free to visit CherokeeGa. com/Senior-Services to see all the wonderful services we provide. If you would like to donate some of the items mentioned, please call us at 770-479-7438.

How Efficient is Your Home’s HVAC System?

By Robbie Matiak

Whether you’re shopping for a new HVAC system or unexpectedly replacing a failed system, understanding the energy ratings of the system is important. The AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) rating is the MPG (miles per gallon) rating for furnaces; the higher the AFUE rating, the more efficient the furnace and the greater potential for savings. The SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) takes into consideration the seasonal fluctuations on residential usage equipment patterns and an average cost of operating that residential equipment. Actual system performance will vary depending on your home, comfort preferences and more.

According to the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and AirConditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) the average home sees the need for 100% heating or cooling capacity less than 5% of the year, and sees the need for part-load capacity (approximately 75%) for 60-80% of the year. This reduced need for capacity for the majority of the year is where a higher efficiency unit earns its keep. The unit can determine what capacity the home needs and adjust itself accordingly.

Furnaces work by blowing heated air through ducts that deliver warm air throughout the house. Inside the gasfired furnace, fuel is mixed with air and burned. Older furnace models vented combustion by-products directly out into the atmosphere, wasting about 30% of the fuel energy just to keep the exhaust hot enough to rise out through the flue. Current minimum-efficiency furnaces, such as Trane XR80, reduce this waste by using an inducer fan to pull exhaust gases through the heat exchanger and induce draft in the flue pipe. Higher-efficiency condensing furnaces, such as Trane XR95, are designed to reclaim much of the heat that escapes by cooling exhaust gases well below 140°F.

Furnace models, such as Trane’s XV80 and XV95, along with air conditioning or heat pump models XR17 and XL18i, are able to operate in increments of their full capacity. These variable speed furnaces and twostage cooling air conditioners or heat pumps are able to meet any outdoor climate conditions and prevent indoor temperature swings. While the higherefficiency-rated systems do initially have a marginally higher investment

cost, the energy cost savings will begin to offset that initial cost within a few years and even more so throughout the extended life of the system. In an effort to encourage the replacement of existing systems with higher-efficiencyrated systems, many power providers offer rebates on the installation of these systems. Check with your local power provider for availability.

Pairing your new, high-efficiency Trane system with Honeywell’s RedLINK™ wireless technology and their full suite of wireless-enabled comfort systems provides even greater efficiency by putting the control of your home’s temperature in the palm of your hand, even when you’re away, via the web portal or mobile app. As your system operates, every RedLINK™-enabled component is communicating, allowing your system to learn as it operates, optimizing itself for comfort and efficiency based on your family’s needs.

There’s a lot of talk right now about the ballot next month. Please — don’t flip the page! This article is about neither Trump nor Hillary! Rather, it’s about something that might not be getting the same attention in the media — one of the four Constitutional amendments on the ballot. That’s right; there are four. Some of you may have heard about one or the other, but you likely haven’t heard about all of them. Here is a very brief introduction to one of the amendments:

*Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow additional penalties for criminal cases in which a person is adjudged guilty of certain crimes and to allow assessments on adult entertainment establishments to fund the Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children Fund to pay for care, rehabilitative and social services for individuals in Georgia who have been, or may be, sexually exploited?

Essentially, this bill provides for an additional assessment for those convicted of certain crimes and allows assessments on adult entertainment establishments

Constitutional Constitutional Amendments Amendments

on November’s Ballot

By Representative Mandi L. Ballinger

to be specifically allocated to the Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children Fund. According to accompanying legislation, this fund is separate in the Georgia State Treasury and its primary purpose is, “to disburse money to provide care and rehabilitative and social services for sexually exploited children.” This Constitutional Amendment is needed because the Legislature cannot specifically dedicate state funds going forward unless authorized to do so by a Constitutional Amendment.

Supporters of the measure estimate the revenue greeted by the imposition of additional fines and fees will generate an estimated $2 million a year. Those funds will be allocated to provide services for the children being victimized and exploited. The services provided will include safe housing, trauma counseling and medical treatment. Victims are often suffering from physical abuse and malnutrition, in addition to extraordinary psychological trauma. Supporters state the fund will, “ensure that innocent young victims receive the help they need to rebuild their lives and reduce

their chance of being victimized again.”

While there are no organized groups advocating against the measure, there are those who have voiced opposition. Detractors of the measure are critical in dedicating funds in perpetuity, stating that what may sound like a good idea now, may not be in few years. Others state that the additional tax on the adult entertainment industry will hurt business.

It would be wise to research the issue, and make your own decision.

*Please note — for my voting constituents, I have redacted the actual offenses listed on this measure in an effort for it to be appropriate for readers who might not be able to vote yet. The exact language may be found online.

Ballinger serves District 23 in the Georgia House of Representatives. 770-479-1011. Mandi.Ballinger@ House.Ga.gov

Why Choose an Independent, Community Pharmacy?

By Pamela S. Marquess, Pharm. D.

The National Community Pharmacists Association identified the #1 reason people choose a local, independent pharmacy is the due to the customer service they offer. The pharmacy is not just interested in you, they are interested in the wellness of your entire family, including your 4-legged family member.

Local, community pharmacies are independent, but they don’t stand alone. Many independent pharmacies belong to one or more buying groups that give them access to great prices for prescription and non-prescription medications, including nutritional supplements.

All pharmacies use the same electronic platform to submit your insurance claim. Co-pays should be the same, but sometimes, the independent pharmacy can be less. The pharmacy buying groups

work with insurance networks to provide the best prices. For example, the Health Mart brand of pharmacy has over 5,000 independent pharmacies in their network throughout the U.S. They are partnered with the largest pharmacy distributor in the world. Collectively, these pharmacies are recognized as the 4th largest pharmacy “brand.”

Free delivery is the second reason customers choose an independent pharmacy. You can receive your prescriptions at your home along with other wellness products.

The third reason a person chooses an independent pharmacy is because they can have medications packaged as individual doses to avoid dosage confusion. Medications in solid, oral doses can be placed in a special card with a “bubble” for each day’s dose. Other

individual doses can be packed not just by day, but by the time of day — morning, afternoon, evening.

“Bubble packages” are not just for seniors in assisted living facilities. They’re for travelers, moms who shuttle children around, older students who don’t want to carry the whole bottle, younger students who have afterschool care in a different location from the school and children in day care.

Your local, independent pharmacy serves your specific community. However, independent pharmacies are connected with each other in order to provide the best service and prices to you.

Community Partners

Imagine the excitement surrounding the birth of a new child only to discover that that child is going to need heart surgery at 4 weeks of age, work through kidney reflux from a poorly formed kidney, have surgery to correct acid reflux issues and endure many other illnesses, and you have no idea why all of these things are happening. This is what happened to the Phillippe family after the birth of their daughter, Ferrial. They were bewildered as to why all of these things were happening. After demanding genetic testing, Ferrial was diagnosed with Turner Syndrome (TS). “Turner Syndrome?!” They had never heard of it. The unknown is often a scary thing, so the Phillippes began educating themselves, so they could provide Ferrial with the care and resources she needed. This newly acquired knowledge, coupled with an idea from a local high school senior, inspired them to want to raise awareness about TS in order to help others learn more about a syndrome that, like them, many people had never heard of. Thus, the Walk for Ferrial Foundation (WFF) was born in 2008.

TS is a non-inherited, chromosomal

condition that happens at conception. It’s diagnosed when there’s a complete absence of or an abnormality in the second “X” chromosome, which determines the baby’s gender. TS affects 1 in 2,000 females, with only 2% of those babies making it to a live birth. There are around 60,000 documented cases of TS across the U.S. as of 2014. The two types of TS are classic and mosaic. Classic TS results due to the complete absence of the second “X” chromosome. Mosaic TS is where the “X” chromosome is present, but it’s somehow broken.

TS causes many health complications such as: cardiovascular concerns, short stature, webbed neck, infertility, droopy eyes, scoliosis, flat feet, edema, thyroid conditions, horseshoe kidney, mild to moderate hearing loss, spiatal-temprol processing and non-verbal learning disorder.

Ferrial suffered from two cardiac-induced strokes, leaving her with neurological brain damage to her frontal lobe. She was in the ER 39 times in 18 months. During this time, Ferrial coded twice at her home. Her parents were told she may never

walk, talk or function as a typical child. She’s now seven years old and recently ran the anchor leg in a relay in the Special Olympics. She’s still not able to verbally communicate, but she uses a talking app on her iPad; she signs, and she uses cue cards to communicate. The reason for all of this wonderful progress is due to the knowledge her parents have acquired and hope to share with others through the WFF.

Though the WFF started as just a local, annual walk in Cherokee County to raise awareness, it has since grown into so much more than that. They make bracelets and encourage friends and celebrities to wear them in order to get people to inquire about TS. They’ve also built several award-winning parade floats that have been entered into Woodstock’s annual Christmas Parade. Additionally, Mark Phillippe, Ferrial’s dad and the president and founder of WFF, recently sat down with Governor Nathan Deal to educate him on TS, which resulted in legislation being passed declaring February as TS Awareness Month. WFF has also established a toll-free line where anyone with TS can call to speak with a licensed therapist who specializes in TSrelated issues. WFF is currently working to create a documentary about TS in order to further educate newly diagnosed families and the general public.

To learn more about Turner Syndrome and WFF, visit at TSWalk.org or visit their Facebook page at Walk for Ferrial.

North Georgia Tax Solutions was founded in the mid-80s, in Ball Ground, GA, and has operated continuously in Cherokee County, providing quality accounting and tax services. With more than thirty years of experience filing taxes for everyone from their grandmothers to Fortune 500 companies, they know this stuff!

Today, North Georgia Tax Solutions (NGTS) has offices in Canton, Jasper and Atlanta. Located at 157 Reinhardt College Pkwy., NGTS is open year-round to provide accounting, bookkeeping and tax solutions.

We all know and loathe that every year, we have to do our taxes. Fortunately, NGTS is here and can help you get a jump start on your taxes, or they can help you get it done during crunch time. It may

be hard to believe, but they really love doing taxes.

They start with the premise that tax minimization is every taxpayer’s right. The Supreme Court ruled in 1918 that, “The legal right of an individual to decrease the amount of what would otherwise be his taxes or altogether avoid them, by means which the law permits, cannot be doubted.”

North Georgia Tax Solutions is honored by their returning client base, and they welcome new individual and business clients as well. They give the same attention to all clients, large or small. The services they provide are tailored to the unique needs of each client, ensuring the best possible results.

NGTS remains on the cutting edge of tax law and financial trends. They are well-informed and continually adapt to the ever-changing world of tax law and financial planning.

NGTS is offering a comprehensive tax school from October to November for individuals interested in becoming and/or brushing up on their tax knowledge as a professional tax preparer.

Taste of

by CHef Paul bodrogI

Almond Cream Caramel Sauce

1 oz. butter

1 oz. sugar

1 oz. sliced almonds

1 whole egg

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1 tablespoon milk

Apple Tart

Procedure

Combine all of the ingredients, and mix until well combined.

3 apples, peeled, cored and sliced in half

6 puff pastry squares

Sugar to taste

½ gallon of the ice cream of your choice

Procedure

1. Place a spoonful of the almond cream in the center of each puff pastry square.

2. Place an apple half on top of the almond cream, and sprinkle with sugar.

3. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.

4. Serve warm with your favorite ice cream, and drizzle with the caramel sauce.

1 cup sugar

½ stick of butter

6 oz. heavy cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Procedure

1. Combine the heavy cream and sugar in a pot with a heavy bottom on low-medium heat, and stir until it boils.

2. Add the butter and vanilla extract. Keep stirring, and bring the mixture back to a boil. Continue to cook and stir until it browns and thickens.

First World Problems

By Michael Buckner

We should appreciate that we are living in the first world, and that we have the ability to solve most of our first-world problems. We may be filled with guilt about all of the world’s issues because here in America, we have it pretty good. In the middle of the political insanity that is our current, 24hour news cycle, take a break and listen to a few of the first-world problems that occur in our town to understand how lucky we are.

Client 1: “Every morning, I wake up and walk out to the veranda for a cup of coffee, listen to my favorite music, and read the paper. It never fails that while having the music turned up, UPS is ringing my doorbell, so I can sign for a

next-day-air package. I inevitably miss the package. Can you help?”

After hearing such a horrible story of a man and his music, a wireless sensor was installed on the doorbell that tripped the music system to pause. To make sure he didn’t confuse the music’s pause with internet trouble, his veranda sconce lights were also triggered to flash. Now, he never misses his morning air.

Client 2: “I have Italian globe lights hanging in my great room. I’m having a movie filmed at the house and wanted them to twinkle.”

Three dimmers were installed, and a loop was programmed, so when the switch was pressed, the lights would continuously raise and lower to make them appear to twinkle. As first-world

as it may have been, it was pretty sweet. It should be emphasized that we, as a society, are lucky that people among us have these issues. It simply affirms that there’s a cure for nearly every ailment and, more importantly, that these issues only arise when we have surpassed certain levels of societal development. We can say with confidence that we are far removed from our hunter-gatherer roots.

Phase II: Masterpiece Dean Woodall Communities’

Latest

Wilshire Estates, the newest subdivision by local real estate developer and home builder Dean Woodall, is located in Cherokee County and offers custom, craftsman-style homes on acre-plus wooded lots. Many of the plans that you will see are exclusive designs created by Woodall Construction Company, inc.

As a leader in the real estate industry for the past 32 years, Dean is hands-on in every aspect of his projects, he uses his vast knowledge of engineering, architecture and construction techniques to create some of the most sought-after subdivisions and homes in Cherokee County.

By RaJayne Cordery

Wilshire Estates is conveniently located in Cherokee County, off White Road, near the intersection of Highways 108 and 20, between Canton and Cartersville, at a distance of only 7 miles from both interstates 575 and 75. it uniquely provides both privacy and easy access to local restaurants and shops. The local schools, Knox Elementary, Teasley Middle and Cherokee High School, are all well respected for academic excellence.

At Wilshire Estates, the lots, ranging from 1 to 2.5 acres, are heavily wooded with stately trees, providing a mature, natural setting. “We take a minimal number of trees out in order to preserve the natural beauty of the land,” Dean says. “The setting is back in the woods and is very quiet.” He adds, “The gently

sloping typography is excellent for ranch homes with full basements.” As each lot is unique, Dean is able to create the homes to compliment the natural features of each lot. Dean’s genuine desire is to not only build fine homes, but to also establish a close relationship with future homeowners. David and Nancy Brannen, recent buyers, stated, “We are so thankful for the opportunity to have worked with Dean. The experience has been amazing! Dean’s ease, guidance, professionalism and quality of work are unsurpassed.”

ashley Donnelly Realtor

Other developments by Dean Woodall Communities include: Chestnut Hill, Sweetbriar, Pebble Brooke, Brookwood, Amberleigh, Brookfield and Willow Ridge. Asked about his latest venture at Wilshire Estates, Dean proudly states that, “Wilshire Estates may be my most beautiful development yet.”

Dean Woodall, recently recognized by the Atlanta Journal Constitution as builder of the week, has built over 300 homes in Cherokee and Pickens Counties. Over his career, beginning with the founding of his first subcontracting business at age 19, he has closed over 475 real estate transactions, buying and selling over 1650 acres of land. Additionally, Dean lives in one of his own neighborhoods amongst those whose homes he has built and whose dreams he has helped to fulfill.

and the builder are not able to come to an agreement that is pleasing to both sides, the deposit will be refunded in full.

in Phase i of Wilshire Estates, consisting of 12 lots, there were 9 presales, and “the one spec house that was started sold before the foundation was poured” remarks Dean. The property is marketed by Dean’s daughter, Ashley Donnelly of Woodall Family Realty, a family-owned-andoperated, full-service real estate company.

Dean Woodall Developer/Builder

Wilshire Estates Phase ii, which consists of 32 heavily wooded lots, is expected to open in January 2017. Homes will range in price from the low 300’s to the mid-400’s. Reservations are being offered, for a limited time, for only a $1000 refundable deposit. These reservations allow prospective buyers to choose the lot for their new home on a first-come, firstserve basis. in the event that the buyers

Dean Woodall is a licensed builder in the State of Georgia, an iiCRC (institute of inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) certified water restoration technician and a certified EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) lead safe renovator. Named “Agent of the Month” by Metro Brokers GMAC realty, he holds memberships in the Cherokee County Board of Realtors and the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce.

Why does Dean do what he does? Dean answers,

When I develop a subdivision, I take a piece of property, and I have a vision of what it will look like with the streets, houses, trees and landscaping are complete. Then, I get to go through the process of buying the land, getting it engineered, putting in the streets and building the homes. I get to put all the pieces together to turn it into the vision I had in the beginning.

Dean designs fabulous custom homes according to the wishes of his customers, helping them to realize their own vision of their dream home and create their own individual painting on a carefully chosen canvas. A Wilshire Estate lot is a magnificent canvas, waiting for sketches and brush strokes, promising a personalized masterpiece.

4 Hair Myths

Our Mothers Believed

By Jyl Craven

We mothers sometimes find ourselves saying some interesting things to persuade our children to behave. Whether it’s “sitting too close to the TV will make you go blind,” or “cracking your knuckles will give you arthritis,” mothers have been known to tell some whoppers! There are even myths about caring for your hair! Today, it’s time to put the following four hair-care myths to rest.

Cutting hair makes it grow faster.

Mom’s Myth: If you want your hair to grow faster, quit letting it get so long. Trim the hair back a little, and it will “tell” your scalp to grow more hair.

The Truth: The only thing trimming your hair will do is make it appear that it’s growing faster. Why? Cutting off split ends and other damage means your hair looks healthier overall, so it appears to be growing faster than it is.

However, hair only grows at about a half-inch per month. Make sure you’re visiting your favorite salon every six to eight weeks to maintain hair health, and you won’t have to

worry about forcing your locks to hurry up and grow.

Your hair gets “tired” of the same shampoo.

Mom’s Myth: You need to switch shampoo brands every few months because your hair gets “tired” of the same shampoo and it stops working.

The Truth: Your hair doesn’t get any more “tired” of your favorite shampoo than you get tired of sneaking Girl Scout cookies every year! When it comes to product, it either works or it doesn’t. Of course, your hair needs may change along with a color treatment, a move to a new climate or the weather. Be sure to consult with your stylist when a change occurs.

Shampooing frequently contributes to an oily scalp. Mom’s Myth: Shampoo creates oil on your scalp and gives an oily appearance to your hair.

The Truth: Genetics and hormones, not shampoo, determine how much oil your scalp produces. The only way to prevent an overly oily scalp is to keep your hair free of dirt and oil that can accumulate in hair follicles and even irritate your head. Of course, nobody wants hair that is too

dry either, so use a moisturizer when necessary.

Conditioner makes your hair oily.

Mom’s Myth: Conditioner causes your hair to look dirty and greasy.

The Truth: Just like frequent shampooing doesn’t cause an oily scalp, neither does conditioning. Greasiness comes from overproduction of sebum, which is a waxy, oily substance that comes from your scalp, not conditioner. Skipping any product altogether won’t do the trick, unfortunately.

What will? One tip is to shampoo the roots with a clarifying shampoo and the ends with a moisturizing shampoo. Then, apply conditioner to the middle and ends only. Another great idea is to clean your brush. Sebum can build up on dirty hairbrushes, putting it right back on your hair.

I hope this article has put these old hair-care myths to rest once and for all!

Choosing the Right Type of Dental Practice for You

By Vishant Nath, D.M.D.

There are many options out there when it comes to choosing a dental office. Sometimes, it can be difficult to decide what is the best choice. Knowing the different types of dental offices from a business standpoint can help.

Within dentistry, you can still find many options for single-owner practices, where there is a single dentist who owns and operates one or several offices. In many medical fields, this type of office is becoming a thing of the past. An advantage to this type of practice is that you will normally see the same dentist (or one of their associates) and staff at each and every appointment. The offices are locally owned and operated. They are basically small, personally owned businesses. Even if a single dentist offers more than one location, the goal is to provide a consistent patient experience and practice philosophy at all locations. From a practice-management standpoint, the dentist who owns the local office would be directly overseeing all aspects of the business.

Almost every type of business offers some sort of chain option. This is true in dentistry as well. Dental chains are often managed by what are known as Dental Management Organizations (DMOs). As

in many fields of business, dental chains can offer lower prices and locations to patients. Most often, these are not locally owned and operated. They can be either regional or national chains. From a practice management standpoint, there is usually a corporate structure that oversees the offices.

The bottom line is that there are good options for you in each of these categories. When deciding on a dental office for you or your children, it may be helpful to know that these different types of offices exist. However, you need to understand that your experience can be affected by how the dental office is managed.

KidsHappyTeeth.com

By Julie Senger

Looking for an opportunity to test out your seasoned or newly acquired wine-tasting skills? Georgia has many vineyards that are near enough for a “girls’ day out” or a romantic couple’s day-date. Two of its newer, family-owned-and-operated vineyards, Fainting Goat Vineyards and Winery and Chateau Meichtry Family Vineyard and Winery, are definitely something to “wine” about.

Located in the picturesque foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Fainting Goat Vineyards and Winery is owned and operated by Robin and Dave Higginbotham and their daughter, McKenzie. This family goes the extra mile to ensure that your visit is lovely and laid back. At Fainting Goat, they encourage you to “Enjoy Earth. Enjoy life. Enjoy People.” As the whimsical name might imply, there’s nothing pretentious about Fainting Goat. As you sip your wine of choice while

overlooking the amazing view, from which you can see midtown Atlanta and Stone Mountain after the trees have shed their leaves in the fall, and as you listen to the mellow, acoustic, live music that compliments rather than detracts from the ambiance of this vineyard, you are likely to feel a sense of calm, relaxed bliss. If you happen to have your children with you, which they welcome at Fainting Goat, they can love on Teddy and Rosie, the Higginbotham’s vineyard dogs, (which they hope will help keep the black bears away from their grapes!) or they can play a casual game of cornhole or other outdoor lawn game. Though the

Higginbothams are originally from Ohio, they have mastered everything you might associate with the phrase “southern hospitality.” You will definitely want to “sit a spell” in their loft, on their veranda, in their back yard or in their tasting room.

The Wines…

Fainting Goat only produces Bordeaux wines, grown only from French vinifera vines because they are less susceptible to insect infestation. Since they are so new, they have yet to produce a wine that is made solely from the grapes they’ve grown in their vineyard. Currently 80% of the wine

they produce comes from Georgia-grown grapes. Since the Higginbothams are proud Americans, most of their wines have patriotic names such as 1812, Old Glory, Constitution, Revere, Patriot, Liberty and Valor. 1812, a red, cabernet sauvignon-blend, has won a silver medal, while Old Glory, a white, sauvignon blanc, has won a bronze medal as well as “best in show.”

Fun Fact…

While there are no actual “fainting goats” on the 10-acre property, the Higginbothams jokingly refer to themselves as “fainting goats” because rather than purchasing goats to help them clear the steep, hillside land on which they planted their vineyard, they cleared the land themselves. After many trips up and down the hillside to clear the land and plant their vines in Georgia’s notorious heat and humidity, the Higginbothams often thought they might faint! Thus, the name Fainting Goat Vineyards and Winery was born.

Upcoming Events…

In addition to hosting weddings and corporate events, Fainting Goat also knows how to throw a party all its own. Their Square Dancing Under the Stars is on October 14, from 7:00-9:00 pm; join them for an evening of dancing, wine drinking and classic, southern, comfort food! They encourage you to “dress the part,” so don your cowboy boots, petticoats, cowboy hats and any other western wear you can find! Another of their most popular annual events is “Winestock,” which is a 70s-themed event held on the fourth weekend in July each year. They also have live music most weekends, so check their website for further details!

201 Vineyard Way, Jasper, GA 30143. 706-692-WINE. FaintingGoatVineyardsAndWinery.com

After driving down a long, peaceful country road, Chateau Meichtry (pronounced “my tree”) seemingly pops up in the middle of nowhere, like a dream, amidst mountainous, rural surroundings. Chateau Meichtry is a proud, family vineyard. Almost everyone who works there is related to Stephan Meichtry, the vineyard’s namesake, by birth or marriage. According to Chateau Meichtry’s website, “Stephan Meichtry traveled to America from the canton of Valais, Switzerland. It is believed that when he came to America, he brought his own root stock from Switzerland and grew the vines he used for his lifelong wine-making.” Though Stephan is now deceased, a stock from his vines was exhumed from his home in NY and planted at Chateau Meichtry Vineyard.

In Chateau Meichtry’s tasting room, owners Bobby and Karin McNeill (Karin is Stephan’s granddaughter) can usually be found behind the bar, educating guests on all of the wines they are enjoying. Their son, Justin, is also usually on-hand

1

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Attention aspiring oenophiles! Here’s the proper way to “taste” wine:

Once poured into your glass, observe the wine’s color. Wine should not be cloudy or murky. White wine gets darker with age but shouldn’t be brown. Red wine loses color with age and may also develop a brownish tint. Red wine may also have a bit of sediment in the bottom of the bottle or glass. This is normal and harmless.

Carefully swirl the wine and tilt your glass. Swirling allows the wine to breathe and assists in the release of all of its aromas and flavors. Be sure to hold the glass by the stem, as the heat from your hand on the glass may affect its true flavor. Carefully tilting the glass allows you to check for its viscosity, or “legs.” “Legs” are the trails of wine that slide down the insides of the glass when it is upright again. The thicker the legs, the more full-bodied the wine tends to be. This isn’t necessarily an indication of quality, but a matter of personal taste.

3 4

Put your nose in the glass, and inhale the wine’s aroma. After some practice, you may be able to detect notes of fruits, florals, herbs, spices and earthy scents like soils, minerals and wood. If it smells musty, it may have been improperly bottled and should be discarded. A heavy vinegar scent may indicate that the wine is very acidic. Brettanomyces (“Bretts”) cause a yeasty smell, which is natural in red wine but shouldn’t be overpowering.

Sip and savor the flavor of the wine. Swish the wine through your mouth, tasting the presence of its acidity, alcohol and the other aforementioned aromas you detected when smelling the wine. Note the wine’s texture and how it feels in your mouth. Decide if you like it. To each their own; there’s no right or wrong choice when it comes to wine; it’s about determining what YOU like. Spittoons will usually be provided for you to dispose of the wine rather than swallowing it. If you’re planning to taste many different wines, becoming intoxicated will make it more difficult to note and appreciate a wine’s complexity.

*Source: WikiHow.com/Taste-Wine

to answer questions. Justin, trained by Maria Peterson, is the vineyard’s primary winemaker.

And if the information that you learned about their wines during your tasting has made you thirst for more knowledge, tours of the vineyard and the winemaking process are also offered. They’ll explain everything from harvesting and fermenting, to cold pressing and how long each of their wines are left in their specific type of barrel in order to age properly and be infused by the barrel’s unique flavors.

Outside of its inviting tasting room, Chateau Meichtry has quaint tables set up for guests to enjoy live music while sipping wine and mingling amidst the breathtaking, surrounding nature.

The Wines…

In addition to sampling Chateau Meichtry’s wines from a typical wine glass, guests can also enjoy wine from elegantly edible chocolate cups! They are excited to introduce guests to the

first wine produced solely from grapes grown in their own vineyard, Seyval Blanc. Currently, their most popular wine is their Stephan Reserve, of which only 110 cases were produced. Other wines include a vidal blanc, pinot grigio, chardonnay, meritage, merlot, rosé, suben roote, cabernet sauvignon, and an ecelectic blend called 46° North. They also have an Artist Series of wines that is forthcoming, of which a portion of the sale of each bottle

information about this and their other fun events!

Chateau Meichtry

1862 Orchard Lane, Talking Rock, GA 30175. 706-502-1608. ChateauMeichtry.com

will benefit the Gilmer Arts Heritage Association.

Fun Fact…

Chateau Meichtry has a hidden, “secret” room behind a book case, much like what you might remember seeing in Scooby Doo cartoons as a child. In addition to storing one case of each of the wines they produce in this room, they also host small events, meetings and dinners in this intimate space.

Bonus fun fact: Chateau Meichtry donates 100% of the gratuities they receive at the vineyard to St. Jude’s Hospital.

Upcoming Events…

Chateau Meichtry offers a variety of live music artists on weekends as well as themed parties once a month, everything from singer-songwriter evenings, to 60s and 70s nights. They’re hosting their popular Halloween Costume Party on October 21st. Call or visit their website for more

Other Nearby Vineyards to Check Out:

Feather’s Edge Vineyards

10061 Ball Ground Highway Ball Ground, GA 30107

770-735-6923

FeathersEdgeVineyards.com

Cartecay Vineyards

5704 Clear Creek Road Ellijay, GA 30536

706-698-9463

CartecayVineyards.com

Engelheim Vineyards 127 Lakeview Road Ellijay, GA 30540 06-635-9463

Engelheim.com

Sharp Mountain Vineyards 110 Rathgeb Trail Jasper, GA 30143 770-735-1210

SharpMountainVineyards.com

Low Voltage

Electrical

By Rick Cheney

Most homes and commercial buildings in the U.S. will have some type of low-voltage wiring inside of them. Low-voltage systems include phone wiring, television wiring, satellite wiring, burglar alarm systems, home theater systems, whole-house audio-video systems, intercom systems,

central vacuum systems, CCTV (camera systems) and many more.

Low-voltage systems are commonly prewired in new homes to give the new homeowner options to finish the systems at a later date. One example of a low-voltage prewire would be the phone and television wiring installed throughout your home when it was being built. Wires can be installed once the home is completed, but it is best to have the wiring installed during the construction process, if possible, to minimize any wall damage. With so much new technology available by the phone, TV and internet service providers, it is sometimes overwhelming to try to decide where you may need certain types of wiring in the future. It would be a good idea to speak to a technician from your phone, TV and internet provider before wiring the home, or consult a low-voltage technician who is experienced with these systems and wiring schemes.

Another low-voltage system in many homes is a security alarm system. Alarm systems help to protect your home from unwanted intruders as well as fire, water, etc. Alarm systems can also be pre-wired during construction, or customers may choose a wireless system. Alarm systems utilize a siren to notify you of a potential security threat, and they are monitored by a 24-hour monitoring station, which notifies the authorities, if necessary.

Check with your local electrical company, and ask to speak with a qualified, low-voltage technician who can help you find the best system for your home.

Drawing from his own inner reflection and personal experience, local Georgia artist J. Doyle Rogers uses his artistic eye and keen skills with a welder to create unique metal sculptures.

“I draw inspiration from a desire for art to be mesmerizing, whimsical and nostalgic,” Rogers explains.

Artist Profile

by natalIe del Valle

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, J. Doyle Rogers grew up with his artistic passion. “I took a bunch of art classes as a kid, from age 5 to age 12,” Rogers says. But it wasn’t until age 15 that Rogers started working with metal. “I started working in my father’s mechanical contracting company as a teen,” Rogers states. Playing around with scraps of metal in his father’s shop, he discovered his enjoyment of working with metal as a sculpting medium. From there, Rogers decided to follow his passion for art and study for a degree in art history at the University of Georgia. Only a year before graduating in 1997, Rogers narrowed his focus down to sculpting with steel. “Now, I work with stainless steel 100% of the time. All my sculptures are made from it.”

For the past 20 years now, Rogers has

been creating his photorealistic sculptures using welders, water jets and a CNC (computer numerical control) machine that cuts, grinds or drills into material with mechanical precision. “I must have officially started back in the 1990s time frame,” he says; “Since then, I’ve been networking with galleries and entering into competitions to get my work out there for the public to enjoy.” Much of the art that he enters into competitions eventually gets sold to collectors or ends up on display at an art museum or gallery. “I’ve received several types of awards for my art including Best in Show, People’s Choice and Merit Awards. Winning an award on a piece makes that piece more valuable to the collectors, which then makes it easy to sell.”

Although Rogers takes pride in all of his different art pieces, he holds a special admiration for a piece titled No. 13 at Sawgrass Canyon, which has been put on display at Booth Western Art Museum. The train depicted traveling over a canyon in Roger’s sculpture shows his meticulous attention to details and his skill with metal. It can take anywhere from months to years for J. Doyle Rogers to complete a single

piece of art. “No. 13 at Sawgrass Canyon took 9 months to make. It took over 3000 hours of work to complete it because of its size. It ended up being 9 feet long, 3 feet wide and 4 feet tall,” Rogers says.

No. 13 at Sawgrass Canyon is not the first, nor will it be the last piece of J. Doyle Rogers’ art to impress the art community and the public.

“I’m currently working on getting a sculpture of mine into another Georgia museum,” Rogers says. His sculpture, entitled Aftermath, was installed for the grand opening of Cashin’s Sculpture Garden in Alpharetta in 2015, and it was awarded the People’s Choice Award. He also has a sculpture in the Elm Street Cultural Arts Village Sculpture Garden in Woodstock entitled Homage. To learn more about J. Doyle Rogers, or to see more of his sculptures, visit:

Studio 5 is a family-oriented salon, in which three sets of mothers and daughters, cousins and close friends have been working alongside each other to provide the Canton community with excellent service and fashionable styles since 2001. Jennifer, the salon’s proprietor and an expert stylist, says they are dedicated to education, innovative hair and therapeutic spa treatments, so they can be on the cutting edge of fashion. In order to stay on top of their game, Studio 5 stylists regularly attend hair shows and classes to provide their clients with the latest trends and styles.

Studio 5 is excited to offer an array of services including massage, facials,

pedicures and much more in their spacious location in historic downtown Canton. It is part of the Aveda family, and there are ten stylists who are each capable of meeting the varying needs of clients of all ages.

Proprietor/Expert Stylist Jennifer is a graduate of Cherokee’s 2015 Leadership class and is a member of the development board for downtown Canton. Studio 5 was also a runner-up for Cherokee County’s Small Business of the Year award this year and was awarded Best Spa 2015 by Cherokee Life Magazine.

Studio 5 loves to welcome new clients and looks forward to

assisting with all of their beauty and self-care needs. For more information, visit Studio5Salon.org, or call 770-3455000. They’re located at 200 North Street, Canton. Their hours are Monday-Friday, 10:00 am-7:00 pm and Saturday 9:00 am4:00 pm.

Myths About Mouth Guards

By Dr. L. Michael Cox, D.M.D.

The recent article that was published in Canton Family Life about the different types of mouth guards that are available, their advantages and disadvantages as well as the important things parents and student-athletes should consider when determining how best to protect their teeth generated additional questions from readers. Here are three common myths about mouth guards:

Myth 1 — Mouth guards are unnecessary for non-contact sports. It’s easy to understand why protective mouth gear is critical in sports such as

football, hockey and lacrosse because collisions between players are part of the actual game. However, there are sports where the need for a mouth guard is less obvious, for example — volleyball or basketball. While running into players is not part of the competition, there are still a number of risks to a player’s mouth during games and practice. Players also commonly leave the immediate court area to keep plays alive, which can result in collisions with net poles, equipment and spectators. Whether it’s an elbow, shoulder, floor or ball, any of these and more can cause serious injury.

Myth 2 — Mouth guards prevent concussions. Obviously, mouth guards do not help prevent concussions caused by the brain being pushed against the skull during a collision. However, the cushioning they provide can absorb impact energy on the jaw, thereby reducing

the transmitted force that results in a concussion. There’s certain to be additional research in this area in the future, but mouth guards shouldn’t be expected to prevent concussions.

Myth 3 — Athletes with braces can’t use mouth guards. This isn’t true. In fact, mouth guards are now available in the market with unique design features that help accommodate athletes with orthodontic devices. The key to effectively utilizing mouth guards while in braces is to ensure that the mouth guard is altered to properly fit as treatment changes the alignment of teeth, bite, etc.

Mouth guards are not the answer to preventing all oralrelated sports injuries, but they’re incredibly effective at reducing both the frequency and severity of them.

by jessICa asbell

No Shred of e vide N ce Book Review

On a warm autumn day in 1920 on the north coast of Cornwall, four women, Victoria Grenville, Elaine St. Ives, Kate Gordon and Sara Langley went out boating on the River Camel. As they were rowing back to their dock, they saw Harry Saunders, the banker’s son, frantically waving in the distance. His dinghy was sinking, so they began to row towards him. They got to him just as his dinghy sunk. Victoria tried to reach him with the oar, but only succeeded in striking him in the head. Suddenly, a farmer named Trevose jumped into the river and helped pull Harry into the boat. By this time, Harry is unconscious due to the head wound. As they get closer to the dock, Trevose asks the girls why they just tried to kill Harry. This begins Charles Todd’s newest Ian Rutledge novel, No Shred of Evidence.

Inspector Ian Rutledge, of Scotland Yard, is a hero of World War I. And yet, he has come back haunted by a Scottish soldier that he cannot forget, for Rutledge had to shoot him for failure to follow orders. As Rutledge works to keep his demons at bay and his shell shock hidden from everyone else, he is sent to Cornwall to take on a difficult case involving four well-to-do women, a banker’s son who is now in a coma, and a farmer who insists that the girls tried to murder him. After Harry dies, it becomes a race to figure out what happened before he is forced to take these young women to prison.

This can be a standalone read, although you may have a better understanding of the character of Ian Rutledge if you read the books in order. No Shred of Evidence is compelling. You’ll find yourself hoping that these four young women are not guilty, and that Rutledge will find that one piece of evidence that clears them.

Serves 3-4

Ingredients:

• 4 long rosemary stems

• 1 lb. (16/20 large) shrimp, peeled and deveined

• 1/2 cup hemp seed

• 3 cups acorn squash, cubed and roasted

• 4 cups Tuscan kale, cleaned and washed

• 2 tablespoons fresh-picked thyme

• 1 oz. apple cider vinegar

• 1 oz. extra virgin olive oil

• 2 tablespoons butter

• Salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:

- Strip half of the rosemary off the stem.

- Skewer about 6-8 shrimp on each stem.

- Sprinkle the shrimp with salt, pepper and the hemp seed.

- On medium heat, sear the shrimp in a pan with half of the olive oil until done.

- In another sauté pan, melt butter in the rest of the oil until butter starts to brown.

- Once the butter is brown, add the kale and roasted acorn squash.

- Sauté for about 2 minutes before adding the apple cider vinegar and fresh-picked thyme.

October means new changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and if you haven’t had the chance to experience the joy of completing this application, brace yourself, it’s coming. If your child will graduate this spring and plans to attend either a traditional college or technical school, it’s a good idea to complete this application now. Even if you don’t think your student will need aid due to personal savings or other scholarships they’ve attained, most

Doesn’t Have to Be Filling Out FAFSA

universities will want you to complete the FAFSA even for the merit-based monies that are awarded.

In years past, the application opened up on January 1st, and you had to do estimates for your upcoming tax year, and return to update the application after filing your taxes. President Obama signed reforms into law that have backed up the application date to October 1st and allow you to use the prior year’s tax information. In fact, if you’ve already completed your taxes, the application will now allow you to use the IRS data retrieval tool to automatically import the information, which will save a lot of time and effort.

The FAFSA may actually surprise you with grants (which don’t have to be paid back) depending on your family income; it can be especially beneficial for families that have multiple children in college.

By Lisa-Marie Haygood Scary

While saving money for your children to attend college is an admirable thing, it might count against you in the FAFSA process. This is because the application compiles a great deal of personal data, which includes an “expected family contribution” number for your student based on income, assets and the balance of their college savings plan. You might consider opening a Roth IRA instead, which allows for tax-free savings as well as the ability to choose to use that money for school to avoid having to specifically list it as “college savings” or “expected family contribution” on the FAFSA application.

Lisa-Marie Haygood is the president of Georgia PTA. 404-659-0214. LMHaygood@GeorgiaPTA.org

Making Parent-Teacher Conferences Work

By Mary Kay Buquoi, Ed.S.

The home-to-school connection is crucial for a successful educational and developmental experience. “When parents and schools trust and collaborate with each other, children do better academically, behaviorally and socially,” says Kyle Pruett, M.D., child psychiatrist and advisor to The Goddard School. That connection includes ongoing communication with your child’s teachers and regularly scheduled parentteacher conferences. Use the following guidelines to get the most from the conferences and build a connection with the teachers.

important information.

Share information with the teacher.

You know your child and family better than anyone else. Be willing to share what is happening at home, what your child’s interests are and what observations you have made.

Prepare for the meeting. Write down your questions before the meeting to ensure you cover the most

Focus on your child. Stay focused on what your child is learning and on developmental growth. Don’t discuss other children, unless you want to mention that your child plays with another child outside of school. Keep an open mind about any behavioral issues. Work out solutions together, so your child has a consistent set of expectations at home and at school.

Ask about the program and what to expect.

Learn about the curriculum and what is coming up in the next few months. Find out how you can participate. Ask the teacher about activities you can do at home to nurture and encourage learning. Share information about activities you do with your child at home.

Seek out opportunities to stay involved.

Before you leave the conference, ask the teacher how you can work together and what kind of opportunities the school has for parent involvement. Thank the teacher for her time.

Numbness Tingling and

Although carpal tunnel syndrome is common, it is not always the cause of hand tingling and numbness. Compression neuropathy (local pressure on a nerve) can cause numbness in distinct patterns that follow the area supplied by the nerve. Additionally, the muscles controlled by the compression nerve may be weak, wasting or twitching. The pressure may result from:

• Thickened muscles

• Bands of connective tissue

• Enlarged blood vessels

• Ganglion cysts

• Arthritic spurs

Ulnar nerve compression at the wrist results in numbness and tingling of the little finger, part of the ring finger and the little finger (ulnar side) of the palm. When ulnar nerve pressure is at the elbow, it causes numbness in the fingers and on the back of the ulnar side of the hand.

Pressure on the radial nerve in the forearm or above the wrist can result in numbness over the back of the thumb, index finger and the web between these two digits. When the media nerve is compressed at or below the elbow, numbness occurs not only in the same areas as in CTS but also over the palm at the base of the thumb. Compression neuropathies may require surgery to relieve pressure on the nerves.

By Atlanta Hand Specialist Staff

Causes of Hand Numbness Tingling (other than carpal tunnel)

Nerves in the hand and forearm originate in the neck. Arthritis may cause bone spurs or narrowing of the spinal canal, which puts pressure on the nerves. Degenerating discs may press directly on the nerves at the spinal column, or as they leave the spinal column, and pass to the upper limbs.

Other Causes of Pressure on the Spinal Cord Include:

• Diseases of the central nervous system, like multiple sclerosis or stroke

• Infections

• Blood vessel abnormalities

• Other conditions of the spinal cord itself

Any of these conditions can result in numbness, tingling or aching in the arm, forearm or hand. You may also experience weakness and/or wasting of muscles or decreased reflexes in the arm and forearm.

Peripheral Neuropathy

If symptoms are more diffused, meaning they occur in the hands and forearms (and in the legs and feet), they may be caused

by peripheral neuropathy. The pattern of numbness is usually generalized like the pattern of a glove. You may or may not experience pain, but the numbness may be constant. Causes of peripheral neuropathy include:

• Diabetes

• Alcoholism

• Old age

• Poisoning from metal and industrial compounds

Other Causes of Hand Numbness and Tingling

Certain medications, such as cancer drug treatments, can cause numbness and tingling, which often resolves after completion of chemotherapy treatment. Other medications may cause permanent numbness.

Diagnosing Hand Numbness and Tingling

Further testing such as an X-ray, MRI, nerve tests (such as EMG) or blood tests may be necessary to confirm a diagnosis before treatment recommendations are made.

The

Green

Rabbit

By Pastor Jim McRae

The children’s moments are always special in my church. We ask all the kids down, and they have a moment with the pastor and the children’s minister. I used to hand out a bag and ask the kids to put something in the bag, and then I would talk about it and relate it to

God. The things they bring are out of this world.

But one Sunday, I got a bag with a green rabbit. I was thinking to myself, what in the world am I going to do with this? Then it hit me. I remembered seeing a rabbit in my own yard. But it was brown with white spots. Then I started to think about color. What is so special about color? Most rabbits are brown or white. They blend in with their surroundings. There are NO green rabbits.

So I asked the kids, “What if we got all the rabbits in the world together, and this green rabbit was invited, too? Would all the other rabbits notice it was different? If so, would they point their finger at the differences? Maybe they would even exclude that rabbit from what they might be doing because it’s different!”

We’ve all been left out, and it really

does hurt. Kids are notorious for it; so are adults. But God never leaves you out! He includes you in His plans of salvation and forgiveness. He includes you in His plans of rebirth, mercy and reconciliation. God includes the lost, the least, the forgotten, the weak and all the rest. You might’ve been excluded by the world, but not by your God.

Remember that God has gone to great lengths to find you and love you. We all have a little “green” in us. We’re all so beautifully different, made by God to do some pretty special things. Let’s not leave anyone out. Be a light today. Be a place of love and strength. When you do, the kingdom of heaven rejoices!

Fa C es Faces

of Canton

By Micah Fowler

We all know the jingle from the commercials, “Nationwide is on your side.” Did you know that downtown Canton has a Nationwide Insurance agency? Tom Elder, owner of Elder Financial Services, Inc. (a Nationwide Insurance agency) was born in Gainesville, GA. He moved to Canton in 1999, the same year he opened his own business. Tom started out in the auto sales business, but in 1992, he went to work at Cotton States Insurance agency as an associate agent.

At age 34, Tom enrolled at Georgia Tech. After graduating, he decided to go to work for himself. Tom originally opened his Nationwide location in Kennesaw. “I’ve

always wanted to locate my business in a small town. Downtown Canton was always the goal,” Tom says. In 2014, he found the space at 151 W. Main Street. “I enjoy being downtown, and it has been a pleasure meeting all of the other business owners and everyone associated with the city. Hopefully, we can play a role in Canton’s continued growth and development.” When he’s not working, Tom is an avid lover of motorcycle riding, playing golf and taking in live, local music. His family and friends know him as spontaneous and fun-loving. He cares about people. He cares about Canton. And he’s just the type of agent you need “on your side.”

Over on E. Main is MOJO Productions. MOJO is a creative, one-stop-shop marketing and graphic design studio. As the president/creative director, Owner Alan Thompson dives into the creative process, developing focused, resultsoriented advertising with consistency and client growth in mind. MOJO helps small-to-medium-sized businesses create, develop and maintain their brand through creatively designed marketing materials. The difference between Alan and a large corporation is that rather than the hassle of dealing with a long chain of individuals within a company, Alan deals directly with the business owners, marketing managers, etc.

After graduating from college, Alan worked in the creative department of an advertising agency in Atlanta. With the help of professional mentors, he rose quickly through the ranks, becoming the

company’s art director in only four years. But after 22 years of working for someone else, Alan opened MOJO in downtown Canton in December 2001.

When asked why he brought his business to downtown Canton, he replied, “I love the creative process and creating the work, but was enjoying the big agency lifestyle less and less. I knew I could provide a level of service equal to the work I was doing in the agency world, just on a simpler, less costly and more personal basis. And I love being able to walk to see clients, to lunch, to get my hair cut, enjoy downtown functions, etc.”

Outside of the office, Alan stays active. He loves the outdoors! Boating, fishing, hunting…you name it! “That is, of course, if my wife, Brenda, does not have a more pressing chore, gathering or trip we do together,” he said.

First Friday 10/7 Oktoberfest/dancing in the streets Farmers market * saturdays in October, 9 am-1 pm

ThermiTight™ is a nonsurgical, minimally invasive alternative for skin tightening. It uses radio frequency to stimulate collagen production beneath the skin, which improves sagging and smooths out texture. ThermiTight™ is a safe procedure for both light and dark complexions, and it’s used to treat a range of skin conditions on patients. If you’re concerned with loose skin, especially in trouble spots such as the face, neck, tummy or upper arms, ThermiTight™ can tighten those areas without surgery and no downtime.

Your surgeon makes a small incision and inserts a special probe that heats tissue, causing fat cells to shrink and the skin to contract and tighten. In most cases, only one treatment is needed. The procedure

Not Ready for a Facelift?

There’s a Minimally Invasive Way to Tighten the Skin on Your Face and Neck

By Drs. Petrosky, Musarra, Harkins and Leake

only lasts a couple of hours. There’s often immediate, visible tightening, but maximum improvement will continue over the next few months. You should be able to resume normal activities as early as the next day.

ThermiSmooth® also uses heat from radiofrequency energy, but it’s completely noninvasive, meaning only the surface of the skin is treated. ThermiSmooth® is a facial skin rejuvenation treatment that smooths wrinkles and droopy skin. It’s an excellent option for “smile lines” around the mouth and wrinkles or skin laxity under the eyes. In a series of treatments scheduled weeks apart, the ThermiSmooth® procedure triggers the production of new collagen. Each session

is comfortable and takes just a few minutes depending on the area you want to target.

Before embarking on any process, it’s critical to find an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who has the skill and aesthetic eye to turn your goals into reality.

Schedule consultations to ensure you select a qualified specialist to get the best possible results.

Drs.

and

are board-certified plastic surgeons at Plastic Surgery Center of the South. 770-421-1242. PlasticSurgery CenterOfTheSouth.net

The Difference Between

LASIK PRK

(Photorefractive Keratectomy)

By Cameron Johnson, M.D.

Most people are familiar with LASIK surgery. It’s the most common surgery performed to help people gain independence from their glasses. In LASIK, a femtosecond laser, using infrared light, is used to make a thin flap on the eye. The flap is lifted, and an excimer laser, which uses UV light, is used to reshape the cornea, so that objects are focused precisely on the back of the eye to form a clear image. The flap is then put back into place, and the eye begins to heal. With LASIK, the vision is typically very clear by the next day, and the eye is usually very comfortable.

An alternative to LASIK is PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy. During this procedure, no flap is made on the eye. The eye is numbed, and the epithelium is removed to expose the stroma. The UV laser then reshapes the cornea directly on its surface. For nearsighted patients, it will flatten the cornea, and for farsighted patients, it will steepen the cornea. A contact lens is then placed on the eye as a bandage to help it heal and to make the

eye more comfortable. The healing takes place over the course of about five days. Many patients experience discomfort, so pain medication will be prescribed. Once the surface of the cornea is healed, the contact lens is removed. Patients usually have adequate vision for daily activities soon after surgery, but it typically takes about a month for the vision to be equivalent to LASIK.

So if LASIK provides good vision the next day, with minimal discomfort, why would anyone choose to have PRK? There are certain situations when PRK can be a better choice. One of these situations occurs when a patient has a thin cornea. When refractive surgery is performed, a surgeon typically doesn’t want to alter more than about 40% of the cornea, so that it still has enough strength to function well. This includes both the percentage of the cornea that contributes to the flap as well as the tissue removed by the excimer laser. If a patient’s cornea is thin, PRK can be performed in some patients that would not have enough

untouched cornea remaining if LASIK was performed.

Other situations when PRK might be a good choice include when a cornea has borderline signs of preexisting weakness. Some surgeons also believe that PRK may be a better choice for patients with a history of dry eye, although this is controversial. Finally, there are patients with occupations that involve a high risk of eye injury who may prefer a flapless surgery, even though the risk of dislodging a laser-created flap, once fully healed, is low.

If you have a refractive surgery evaluation, your surgeon will evaluate all these factors to recommend the best procedure for you.

My Ex-Spouse Refuses to

By J. Daran Burns, Esq.

Pay Child Support on Time

What can be done when your ex-spouse doesn’t make timely child support payments? Can your ex be made to incur the costs associated with any actions taken?

The answer? You can file an action for contempt for late child support payments or any other item that has been ordered by the court with which your ex-spouse refuses to comply. Courts don’t appreciate trivial complaints and prefer the parties to resolve these matters without litigation. However, there’s always someone who will not follow court orders, whether out of a disregard for the court or for sport. In either case, there’s usually a family that is suffering as a result. So what should you do?

• Communicate with your exspouse only through email or text (preferably email), so that you have proof of your efforts.

• Write a letter that states your complaint with your ex’s actions or non-actions. Try to offer a resolution that’s fair/reasonable, but be firm.

• If your ex insists on calling to discuss (yell about) the order, consider recording the conversation. In Georgia, you can record a conversation if you’re party to it.

If these efforts fail, you’ll have plenty of evidence for your attorney. Your attorney will likely send communication seeking resolution. If this fails, it’s time to file for contempt.

If you file a contempt action and bring the evidence before the court that you’ve made

reasonable efforts to resolve matters short of filing a legal proceeding, your chances of the judge ordering your ex to reimburse you for reasonable attorneys’ fees/costs increases significantly. The court doesn’t expect you to pay money to have your ex comply with what they’ve already been ordered to do. You should always consult with an attorney on your legal matter, as each set of facts and circumstances are different. An experienced attorney can provide you the guidance necessary to ensure that you’re getting the benefit of your court order without being taken advantage of or bullied.

Grow Great Garlic

By Joshua Fuder

Garlic is easy to grow, and it’s a great way to keep your garden productive throughout the year. In Georgia, garlic needs to be planted in the fall to achieve maximum bulb development. Here are a few key things to remember about growing garlic at home:

Site and Soil Requirements

Garlic grows best in full sun and light, well-drained soil. Heavy clay soils will result in small or misshapen bulbs. Regular watering (1” per week) from planting to harvest is required; small bulbs will result from dry soil conditions. Garlic is a heavy feeder, so plan to incorporate a pound of 10-10-10 fertilizer per 100 square feet prior to planting. An additional two pounds of fertilizer should be applied when shoots are 4-6 inches tall. In early March, side-dress the garlic with about a pound of ammonium nitrate 34-0-0 fertilizer per 100 square feet. Avoid fertilizing after the first week of April to prevent delaying the bulbs.

Planting

Start garlic by selecting the larger, outer cloves; smaller cloves equal smaller bulbs upon harvest. Purchase garlic from a

reputable source, and do not attempt to plant grocery store garlic. Leave the papery coverings on the cloves, and plant them two inches deep, with a 4-6-inch space between plants. Make sure that the pointed end is facing up.

Harvesting

Garlic will begin to bulb as the days get longer in May and June. Leaves will begin to brown from June to early July, indicating bulb maturity. Stop irrigation during this time to prevent discoloration and rot.