Woodstock Family Life 4-18

Looking Deeper Inside

Growing up, I was fortunate to learn to swim shortly after learning to walk. Being a member of a family that enjoyed the outdoors and respected nature, water became my second home. My mother, Bonnie, taught swimming lessons for many years at our home on Toonigh Road. Watching her help others learn to enjoy water and build confidence was a big part of my early years.

Developing confidence was one of the largest underlying factors in overcoming the fear of water. It didn’t matter if the student was a toddler, teen, or senior — fear was always due to the unknown. It takes courage to get over fear, and it takes knowledge to gain confidence. Mom was one of the best at helping others learn about water, overcome their misconceptions, and cope with the fear to build that confidence. Once the fear was respected and addressed, it could be processed, understood, and overcome.

Each one of us has a bubble, and inside that personal space, we have the tools we need to reach beyond our fear, and move from (or often straight into) our unknowns. We can then propel ourselves towards newly discovered horizons. Some of us may fly higher, others may explore deeper, or venturing farther may prove to be the course for many. Whichever direction you find yourself moving in, keep going. One of the greatest blessings we can receive is the ability to harvest wisdom from our life. “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams,” said Thoreau. Challenge yourself. Discover. Define, and conquer your fear. Depths, heights, and long distances are only limited by your definition of space. There is always a bigger bubble waiting for you; be confident in your journey and blessed along your way.

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

George Anderson, Steven Anderson, Jessica Asbell, Atlanta Hand Specialist, Cyndi Braun, Paul Bodrogi, Mary Kay Buquoi, Nereida Claudio, Cobb EMC, Jyl Craven, Jennifer Dattolo, James B. Depew, Joshua Fuder, Corey Harkins, Lisa-Marie Haygood, James E. Leake, Tim Morris, Tina Morris, Vishant Nath, Brittany Page, Michael Petrosky, Frank Reynolds, Mike Reynolds, Sen. Bruce Thompson, Ferdinand Yates

Family Life Publishing Group, Inc.

630 East Main Street Canton, GA 30114

770-213-7095

FamilyLifePublications.com

Family Life publications have the largest monthly circulation of direct-mailed community magazines in our area. Woodstock Family Life is a monthly community magazine with a total print count of over 26,000, direct mailing over 24,000 copies to Towne Lake, downtown Woodstock up to Hickory Flat and toward the Roswell border.

The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists and submissions are not necessarily those of the editor/publisher, and the publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. The cover and its accompanying magazine content are a paid advertisement. Woodstock Family Life magazine is not responsible for errors and 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.

© 2018 All rights reserved.

Calendar

Poetry Month — Poetry Month has a variety of aims including raising awareness of poetry in the media and schools, encouraging people to read, and highlighting the achievements of poets. People wanting to participate in Poetry Month can read poetry, write their own poetry, buy poetry books, or make a donation to the Academy of American Poets.

1 Million Cups — Every first and third Wednesday of the month, attend this FREE, nationwide program designed to educate, engage, and accelerate early-stage startups. The notion is that entrepreneurs can discover solutions and thrive when they collaborate over a million cups of coffee. Drop in on this community of innovators to connect with and support local startups. 9:00-10:00am, the first Wednesday is at The Circuit, 1 Innovation Way, Woodstock; check the online schedule for the location of the third Wednesday, which changes monthly. 1MillionCups.com/cherokee

Tuesday Night Trivia — Every Tuesday evening, enjoy trivia for a chance to win gift cards, plus nightly giveaways, and food sampling. 6:30pm, The Outlet Shoppes

ONGOING APRIL

of Atlanta (food court), 915 Ridgewalk Parkway, Woodstock. 678-540-7040. TheOutletShoppesAtAtlanta.com

YPOW A.M. Coffee — Each Thursday morning, join Young Professionals of Woodstock for coffee and networking. 7:00am, Copper Coin Coffee, 400 Chambers Street, Woodstock. 770-5926056. MainStreetWoodstock.org

GROW Monthly Meeting — On the third Thursday of each month, join the volunteers in this group to help plan Woodstock’s seasonal plantings, annual Scarecrow Invasion, and downtown holiday décor. There will be no meeting in December. 6:00pm, Chattahoochee Tech Woodstock Conference Room, 8371 Main Street, Woodstock. Design@mainstreetwoodstock. org. MainStreetWoodstock.org/ community/#beauty

Pay It Fur-ward — CRPA collects donations to be delivered to the Cherokee County Animal Shelter. Items needed include paper towels, equine pine bedding pellets, lavender essential oil, Windex® glass cleaner, dry dog food, dry cat food, Kong® or other indestructible chew toys, hard or interactive cat toys, and 60-gallon heavy/contractor trash bags. Donations may be dropped off at the Recreation Center, 7545 Main Street, Building 200, Woodstock. 770-924-7768. LCollett@ cherokeega.com. CRPA.net

Holly Springs Young Professional Experience (HYPE) — On the first Tuesday of each month, young in age, young in your profession, or young at heart — doesn’t matter. Meet at Holly Springs’ newest coffee shop for a cup of coffee and some laid-back networking with local professionals.

7:00-8:00am, The Coffee Vineyard, 2800 Holly Springs Parkway, Suite 100, Holly Springs. 770345-5536. Facebook.com/ events/556923864658166/ 6

Detachment 1311 — Every third Saturday of the month, veterans share their firsthand war experiences, which are then used as editorial research data to assist others. The Woodstock Detachment #1311 is chartered as a subsidiary organization of the Marine Corps League. 9:00am, Semper Fi Bar and Grille, 9770 Main Street, Woodstock. 770-672-0026.

Good Morning Cherokee Breakfast —

These meetings offer both current and future Chamber of Commerce members the opportunity to conduct business and network with more than 200 fellow business leaders on the first Thursday of each month except for the months of January and July. Chamber members sponsor the meetings, and programs of interest are presented. RSVPs are due by 3:00pm on the Tuesday before each breakfast. 7:00am, Northside Hospital - Cherokee Conference Center, 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton. 770-345-0400. CherokeeChamber.com

Friday Night Live Renaissance Fair — Experience the age of the Renaissance for this fun night in downtown Woodstock. Elm Street’s cast from Monty Python’s Spamalot will be joining the fun! Thanks to the extended hours during this fun event, everyone has a chance to explore the variety of shops downtown. 6:00-9:00pm, downtown Woodstock. 770-592-6056. VisitWoodstockGa.com

7

Ghost Army Fest — There’s a ghost army on the streets of America. For over 3000 veterans in Georgia, the streets have become their home. Rock out to some incredible bands to help raise funds for the men and women who have protected our freedom. Bands include Misty Eyed, Roadside Silhouettes, and Abide By Lies. 4:00-8:00pm, Northside Hospital - Cherokee Amphitheater, 101 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. VEOHero.org

7 Cutting Gardens 101 Seminar —

Learn what to grow in order to have a steady supply of blooms for multiple seasons. This event is presented by UGA Master Gardener Extension Volunteers of Cherokee County. Registration is required. 10:00am, Hickory Flat Library, 2740 East Cherokee Drive, Canton. 770-721-7803. UGE1057@uga.edu

10

13, 27, & 5/4

Parent’s Night Out — Drop the kids off at the pool, so you can enjoy adult time! Kids will play in the pool, enjoy a pizza dinner, do crafts, play games, and end the night with a movie! 5:30-10:00pm, Cherokee Aquatic Center, 1200 Gresham Mill Parkway, Canton. 678-880-4760. CRPA.net

14

Gardening in Cherokee Seminar

sweater or blanket because it cools off after sundown. FREE! Reser ved seating available. 6:00-10:00pm, Chukkar Farm Polo Club, 1140 Liberty Grove Road. 770314-3735. ChukkarFarmPoloClub.com

17

Business After Hours — This is a great networking opportunity! 4:30-6:00pm, BB&T, 936 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock. 770-345-0400. CherokeeChamber.com

11 Adult Improv Class — Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced improv artist, this class is for you! After eight weeks of learning, growing, building new relationships, and having fun, bring all of your family and friends together to see you star in your very own graduation show! 7:30-9:30pm, Elm Street Cultural Arts Village, 8534 Main Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. ElmStreetArts.org

12 Power Hour — This is a fastpaced networking event with fellow business leaders as well as Chamber Chairman of the Board Julianne Rivera, and Chamber President and CEO Pam Carnes. Before the hour ends, you’ll have a chance to share about your business or organization for all to hear. 10:00-11:00am, Chamber of Commerce, 3605 Marietta Highway, Canton. 770-3450400. CherokeeChamber.com

— New to gardening in Cherokee County? Get started the right way by learning how to save time and money by making the right selections. This event is presented by UGA Master Gardener Extension Volunteers of Cherokee County. Registration is required. 10:00am, Hickory Flat Library, 2740 East Cherokee Drive, Canton. 770-721-7803. UGE1057@uga.edu

14

Dancing for the Children — The Service League of Cherokee County is pleased to present the 52nd Annual Ball and popular “Dancing for the Children” celebrity dance challenge fundraiser. This year’s blacktie-optional fundraiser will feature a Casino Royale theme. In addition to the dance competition, guests will enjoy dinner, dancing, and fun. 6:00pm, Northside Hospital-Cherokee Conference Center, 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton. ServiceLeague.net

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2018-19 Season Reveal Party, A Season of Journey — Not only will the exciting upcoming season be unveiled, but Elm Street will also be announcing other major news! RSVP now; you don’t want to miss this night! 7:00-9:00pm, Elm Street Cultural Arts Village, 8534 Main Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. ElmStreetArts.org

15

Polo Under the Lights — Eat, sip, and mingle while watching an exhibition polo match under the lights. Enjoy music, a bonfire, and an after party with the players. Bring chairs/ blankets for lawn seating, BYOB, and a

Meet & Eat — This networking opportunity will get you out in the community to visit a Chamber Member restaurant while enjoying the company of fellow Chamber Members! 11:30am12:30pm. For more information, call 770345-0400. CherokeeChamber.com

18 A Novel Idea — Five local authors will gather to read excerpts from their bestselling novels like The Weight of Sound and The Lemon Jell-O® Syndrome. The theme is cross genre – a handy catchall for books that can’t be pigeonholed as a particular genre. Door prizes will be given away. This event is FREE and open to the public. 7:009:00pm, East Main Cafe (inside Audio Intersection), 210 E. Main Street, Canton. 770-670-9333. Marsha.Cornelius@ hotmail.com

20 Cherokee Chamber Earth Day Recycling Event —

Collections during this rain or shine event will include aluminum drink cans, used gardening pots/containers, car seats, and electronics. Document and file destruction will also be available (limited to six archive-size boxes). All recycling is FREE except for a nominal charge for televisions and computer monitors. Flat screen televisions and flat screen monitors will be recycled at no charge. 9:30am-2:00pm, Cherokee Chamber, 3605 Marietta Highway, Canton. 770-345-0400. CherokeeChamber.com

20 Volunteer Aging Council (VAC) Fundraising Luncheon — Support VAC programs, and get a wonderful lunch for only $5! Bring a friend, coworker, family member, or yourself and enjoy a tasty

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LIBRARY EVENTS

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SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

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

ROSE CREEK 4476 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock, 770-591-1491

WOODSTOCK 7735 Main Street, Woodstock, 770-926-5859

To celebrate NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK (April 8-14), the Sequoyah Regional Library System will offer a fine forgiveness program (up to $15 per library card). Call 770-479-3090 or ask library staff for details.

TUESDAY NIGHT TUTORS

Tuesdays, 6:00pm, Woodstock

Join teachers and volunteers from Woodstock Elementary School as they help children struggling with homework, projects, and school assignments. Non-native English speaking parents with children participating in Tuesday Night Tutors may take part in an ESL class provided by teachers and volunteers from Woodstock Elementary School.

INTRODUCTION TO ACRYLIC PAINTING

April 8, 3:00pm, Woodstock

This program introduces painting with acrylics for anyone interested in starting a new hobby. All materials are provided. This is for ages 16+. Registration is required.

TODDLER STEAM — COLORS

April 9, 10:30am, Woodstock

Toddlers can experiment with color by making colors “appear” in a pan and hopping from color to color in a fun game. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult.

MUSIC AND MOVES

April 11, 10:30am, Hickory Flat

Get moving and grooving with friends from Go Noodle! It’ll be a dance party to remember! Children 9 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

PARANORMAL GEORGIA PRESENTS

FRIDAY THE 13TH FUN

April 13, 6:30pm, Woodstock

Spend an evening at the library learning about cryptids. What are they? Are they real? You won’t want to miss this Paranormal Georgia experience! This is for all ages; children 9 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

LEGO® CLUB

April 14, 3:00pm, Rose Creek

April 15, 3:00pm, Woodstock

Children may work alone or in teams to build LEGO® masterpieces, which will be displayed in the library until next month’s meeting. LEGO® and DUPLO® are provided. Children 9 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

MAKER MONDAY

April 16, 3:30pm, Rose Creek

Get creative in the pop-up maker space with self-directed making, tinkering, and STEAM activities. This is for ages 7-12; children 9 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

MANGA CLUB

April 17, 5:00pm, Hickory Flat

Teens are encouraged to read and discuss different manga series and related topics. This program will encourage reading and group discussion in a fun and innovative way. Refreshments are provided.

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

April 17, 12:00pm, Woodstock

Enjoy coffee, conversation, and a book discussion with new friends. This month’s selection is Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. All ages are welcome; new members are encouraged.

MARVEL® MANIA

April 19, 4:00pm, Woodstock

Teens can enjoy an overview of the Marvel® franchise and create a comic book craft with superhero games. Teens are encouraged to wear their favorite Marvel® superhero swag! Snacks are provided.

CRAFTERNOON!

April 20, 4:30pm, Woodstock

Learn beading, and make some fun woven bracelets that are great to wear or give as gifts! Children must be accompanied by a participating adult.

DIY BRACELETS

April 21, 10:30am, Hickory Flat

Lynne Mock will show you how to make stretch-cord bracelets. Materials are provided; you may bring your own design if preferred. Registration is required.

TEEN STAR WARS TRIVIA NIGHT

April 24, 4:30pm, Rose Creek

Compete against other Star Wars fans for a fandom prize. Snacks will be provided.

lunch while supporting the seniors and veterans of Cherokee County. Stay and eat, or pick up and go. RSVP the location, so all the amazing chefs can be prepared for all who come to support. 11:30am1:00pm, Camellia Place, 294 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock. 678-230-4067. VACCherokeeGa.org

21 Greenstock Day Electronic Recycling — Celebrate Earth Day by recycling old electronics. 9:00am1:00pm, Woodstock Elementary School, 230 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-5926000 x1952. WoodstockGa.gov

22 Ticket to Heaven — Bring your whole family to enjoy this FREE children’s musical. 6:00pm, First Baptist Woodstock Worship Center, 11905 Highway 92, Woodstock. 770-926-4428. FBCW.org

22 Taste & Sound of Woodstock — Dozens of Woodstock area restaurants will serve delicious tastes of their best dishes and compete in a variety of categories. The event benefits the Woodstock High School Band program, and there will be live music throughout the day. Don’t miss the mini food truck park and beer garden. The family friendly event will feature a kids’ zone, too! 11:00am-6:00pm, Northside Hospital - Cherokee Amphitheater, 101 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-592-6056. MainStreetWoodstock.org

24 Administrative Professionals

Appreciation Luncheon — Do you express your gratitude enough? Why not treat your administrative professional to lunch to reinforce how grateful you are? 11:30am-1:00pm, Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, 3605 Marietta Highway, Canton. 770-345-0400. CherokeeChamber.com

26 & 27

C.O.P. Shop - CPR/ AED & First Aid Training — In the event of an emergency, this training can help stabilize someone that is injured or ailing until help arrives. A

the class. You must be 14 years of age to receive certification. Thursday 9:00am3:00pm and Friday 9:00am-12:30pm, Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, 3605 Marietta Highway, Canton. 770-3450400. CherokeeChamber.com

27 Night Hike — Enjoy this half-hour evening hike sponsored by the Cherokee Recreation & Parks Agency. The hike will be followed by refreshments and is $5 per person. Please bring your own flashlight or headlamp. 7:30pm, Riverside Athletic Complex, 610 Druw Cameron Drive, Woodstock. 770-924-7768. CRPA.net

27

Cherokee March of Dimes Walk — Help raise money for March of Dimes while getting in your daily steps! Registration begins at 5:30am; the Walk begins at 7:00am. Elm Street Green, 113 Elm Street, Woodstock. MarchForBabies.org

27

Downtown Buzz — This event is open to Main Street members and invited guests. There will be networking and a brief topical program. FREE! 8:00am, the Chambers at City Center, 8534 Main Street, Woodstock. 770-5926056. MainStreetWoodstock.org

28 UGA Master Gardener Extension Volunteers of Cherokee County Plant Sale — Plants will include sun/ shade plants, succulents, herbs, [continued on page 10]

28

Bog Gardening — Learn which plants will thrive in this unique garden type while adding character and beauty to your landscape. This event is presented by UGA Master Gardener Extension Volunteers of Cherokee County. Registration is required. 10:00am, Senior Services Center, 1001 Univeter Road, Canton. 770721-7803. UGE1057@uga.edu

continued from page 9

vegetables, bee homes, garden art, and more. 10:00am-1:00pm, Senior Services Center, 1001 Univeter Road, Canton. 770721-7803. UGE1057@uga.edu

28 Once Upon a Dive-in Movie —

Visit 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. Movie TBD. 6:00pm, Cherokee Aquatic Center, 1200 Gresham Mill Parkway, Canton. 678880-4760. CRPA.net

28 3rd Annual Car Show Fundraiser — Proceeds from this car show will benefit the River Ridge HS Marching Band. There will be awards, food trucks, craft vendors, and face painting. 11:00am2:00pm, River Ridge High School, 400 N. Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. CruiseTheRidgeBandBoosters@gmail.com. RiverRidgeBand.org

30 Music Mondays “At the Hop!” —

To give the citizens of Woodstock a fun musical alternative to the Monday “blues,” Woodstock Parks and Recreation has created this leisure activity. On this date, a DJ will be playing fun music from the 1950s. 11:00am, Northside HospitalCherokee Amphitheater, 101 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock. 770-517-6788. WoodstockGa.gov

MAY

1

Georgia Farm Bureau Candidate Forum and Meet and Greet — Candidates will have the opportunity to speak; candidates with no opposition will be introduced. Questions from the audience will follow. Homemade ice cream will be served by Boy Scout Troop #465. Soft drinks, water, and peanuts will be provided by Cherokee County Farm Bureau. Please RSVP by April 27. 6:00pm, Cagle’s Family Farm, 5267 Conns Creek Road, Ball Ground. 770-479-1481, ext. 0, or email SFPahl@gfb.org

2

Job Fair — The City of Holly Springs is pleased to host a job fair each year. Go with plenty of resumes ready to meet your next employer, and network with fellow job-seekers. FREE! Looking for employees? Contact us! 10:00am-2:00pm, historic Train Depot, downtown Holly Springs. HollySpringsGa.us/events

4

Friday Night Live London Calling — Downtown Woodstock will be transformed into London for this magical night. Thanks to the extended hours during this fun event, everyone has a chance to explore the variety of shops Downtown. 6:00-9:00pm, downtown Woodstock. 770-592-6056. DowntownWoodstock.org

5 Kentucky Derby Day at the Rock Barn — The Cherokee County Historical Society hosts this entertaining fundraiser event, which features gourmet food, open bar, silent auction, pony pull betting, bourbon tasting, and a competitive hat parade and contest. The event concludes with the crowd watching the Run for the Roses on big screen televisions. 3:30pm, The Rock Barn, 658 Marietta Highway, Canton. 770-345-3288. RockBarn.org

4

May the Fourth Be With You —

Wear your costume, and celebrate this fun day with food trucks, a bounce house, photo booth, and a movie at dusk! 7:00pm, Cherokee Parks and Recreation Department, 7545 Main Street, Woodstock. 770-924-7768. CRPA.net

4 & 5 Home By Dark Concert — Michael Logen and JP Williams tell the stories behind their songs in this songwriters-in-the-round concert event that often proves how just one song can change your life. 6:00pm, Chukkar Farm Polo Club, 1140 Liberty Grove Road. 770-314-3735. ChukkarFarmPoloClub.com

4-20

6 Galloping Against Violence — This fundraising event benefits victims of domestic violence. Tickets are $50, and sponsorships from $500 to $5,000 are also available. Tickets include the polo match, unlimited food buffet and beverages, and there also will be a silent auction. 1:00-5:00pm, Chukkar Farm Polo Club, 1140 Liberty Grove Road. 770-704-7464. CVFC.org/get-involved/ fundraisers/gallopingagainst-violence/

Monty Python’s Spamalot — Lovingly ripped off from the classic film Monty Python and The Holy Grail, this outrageous parody tells the tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Fridays & Saturdays 7:30pm (except Saturday, May 12 is at 2:00pm), Sundays 2:00pm, Elm Street Cultural Arts Village, 8534 Main Street, Woodstock. 678-494-4251. ElmStreetArts.org

5 Great American Cleanup — The City of Holly Springs staff and local volunteers team up to participate in the country’s largest community beautification program — Keep America Beautiful — which kicks off each spring and engages more than four million volunteers in more than 20,000 communities nationwide. This is a great opportunity for Scouts and civic groups looking to engage with and serve their community. 9:00am-12:00pm, Station 8 Fire Station, 100 Hickory Road, Canton. 770-345-5536. HollySpringsGa.us/events

To give the citizens of Woodstock a fun, musical alternative to the Monday “blues,” Woodstock Parks and Recreation Department has created a leisure activity at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater.

Music Mondays in May will build on the established and successful Woodstock Summer Concert Series (occurring May through September) and the Brown Bag Concert Series (occurring every Thursday in September).

“Woodstock has demonstrated its love for music any time of day or year,” said Director of Parks and Recreation Preston Pooser. “We already have a beautiful venue, and we felt like a spring picnic with great music would be just the thing for Woodstock.”

Every Monday, 11:00am-1:00pm, the tunes at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater will be cranked up, and all are encouraged to bring their picnic lunch and join in on the fun. Each Monday will feature a D.J. providing music from a different decade.

Mmm…Music Mondays in May!

By Brittany Page

Every Monday, 11:00am-1:00pm

Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater

For more information on Music Mondays in May, please contact Jamey Snyder at JSnyder@woodstockga.gov.

Active Shooter Training Principles The Latest CRASE

By Frank Reynolds

When I was about fifteen years old, my dad bought me my first rifle from Sparks Hardware in downtown Canton. My buddies and I would go camping every weekend during the summer, rifles in hand. When we ran out of ammo, we went back to Sparks and got what we needed. Back then, John Sparks’ philosophy was, “If you could see over the counter, you could buy your own .22 ammunition.”

Times have certainly changed.

My goal here is not to debate gun legislation, the mental health crisis, or drug addiction. My intent is to offer you some simple tools to reflect on should you find yourself in a critical incident like an “active shooter.”

First, let me state that I am pro-2nd Amendment, and as your sheriff, I don’t believe having more gun laws will contribute to making our communities safer. I do believe in training and education when it comes to responsible gun ownership. Later this year, we will offer a series of basic handgun familiarization courses to a select group of citizens.

My focus, here, is to talk about what to do in the event of being involved in an “active shooter” situation

or other critical incident. The following three principles are taken from the CRASE (Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events) Training program offered by the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office and some police departments.

Avoid

One of your best defenses is being situationally aware of your surroundings. Take note of people and their behaviors. If something or someone makes you uncomfortable, there is probably a reason — even if you can’t articulate it at the moment. Create distance, or leave the immediate area. Often, victims of crimes report that “something” did not seem right prior to the incident taking place.

Deny

If leaving the immediate area prior to an incident developing (or when a crisis is ongoing), deny the attacker the access to your location. Locking doors, turning off lights, and silencing cellular devices may cause the attacker to move to another location. If you cannot lock a door, try barricading it with furniture and heavy items. Try not to use your body. If the door opens to the outside, use a belt or strap to pull the door closed.

Defend

If leaving the immediate area — or sheltering in place is not an option — defend yourself and others. Use whatever items are available in the room as improvised weapons. This can be books, chairs, or anything that can aid in your defense.

Firearms

Having a firearm readily available may be a viable option for some. There are many factors to consider when employing a firearm during an active shooter incident. I recommend seeking advanced training from a reputable instructor. Topics to be discussed should include threat identification, collateral damage, legal issues, and being mistaken for the attacker.

I hope you will take some time to reflect on what you can do to better protect yourself and minimize your risk of being a victim during a critical incident. Create a plan with your friends, family, and coworkers about what to do during an attack. Incorporate that plan into your everyday life, and prepare for the unexpected. May you never need to employ these safety principles.

Woodstock Special Events Coordinator Earns Notable Certification

The City of Woodstock is proud to announce that Special Events Coordinator Marybeth Stockdale is now a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP), which puts her amongst just 5,000 other Certified Park and Recreation Professionals in the field today.

As a leading professional certification, the CPRP certification process is through the National Recreation and Park Association — a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of public parks, recreation, and conversation. The requirements and examinations to become a CPRP are approved by a

committee of subject matter experts who also assess the core knowledge of jobrelated tasks of the individual.

“The CPRP certification is the national standard for all parks and recreation professionals who want to be at the forefront of their industry. Attaining the CPRP designation shows that Marybeth has met education and experience qualifications and illustrates her commitment to the profession as well as her knowledge and understanding of key concepts within the field of parks and recreation,” said Preston Pooser, Woodstock’s Parks and Recreation Director who is also a CPRP Executive.

“I am extremely proud of Marybeth for attaining her CPRP certification. She is

an invaluable asset to the Woodstock Parks and Recreation Department and the City of Woodstock,” he added.

The City of Woodstock Parks and Recreation Department hosts a variety of special events year-round. From concerts in Northside Hospital - Cherokee Amphitheater, to ceremonies in the Park at City Center, to holiday parades and festivals, there is always something fun for the entire family to attend.

For more information about upcoming events, visit WoodstockParksAndRec.com

Arbor Day Foundation Names Woodstock Tree City USA

For the eighteenth year, Woodstock was named a 2017 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management.

Woodstock achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

“Tree City USA communities see the impact an urban forest has in a community first hand,” said Dan Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Additionally, recognition brings residents together and creates a sense of community pride, whether it’s through volunteer engagement or public education.”

Trees provide multiple benefits to a community when properly planted and maintained. They help to improve the visual appeal of a neighborhood, increase property values, reduce home cooling costs, remove air pollutants, and provide wildlife habitats, among many other benefits.

More information on the program is available at ArborDay.org/ TreeCityUSA.

Bascomb ES Students SkypeTM with Henry “The

Fonz” Winkler

Bascomb Elementary School students enjoyed a special SkypeTM video-conference session with actor and children’s book author Henry Winkler. Henry Winkler is known by many for his years as the TV character “The Fonz” on the show Happy Days

The third- through fifth-grade students were part of an international audience talking with Mr. Winkler and his coauthor. Bascomb ES received special attention from him when he noticed one of the students - Kennedy Morris-Gibbs, a fourth-grader in Suzy Gebhart’s class - had brought a “The Fonz” doll to school.

Elm Street Promotes Siobhan Brumbelow to Associate Artistic Director

Elm Street Cultural Arts Village (ESCAV) recently announced the promotion of Siobhan Brumbelow to associate artistic director. With this new position, Siobhan will have the opportunity to focus on the quality of productions at ESCAV and helping the organization grow artistically.

“Siobhan has transformed the education department at Elm Street. She made a commitment early to ensure that each student has an opportunity to grow,” said Christopher Brazelton, the executive director of ESCAV. “What has happened since has been marvelous to watch. I’m excited to see her take that same enthusiasm to the entire theatre and be able to impact the community at large.”

Siobhan first began working with the organization on and off from 2002 until 2015. Her involvement began with what was originally the Towne Lake Arts Center. There, she contributed in a variety of ways, dedicating her time to managing education, organizing the improv comedy group, choreographing different shows, and many other tasks. In 2015, Siobhan came back in full power mode as Elm Street’s education manager, helping them to grow their organization.

However, as the organization began to expand, the demand for a consistent focus on the artistic side of things began to increase as well. This is a responsibility that, until Siobhan’s recent promotion, had been tackled amongst various job titles. The new title of associate artistic

director aims to bring the productions at Elm Street to the next level – hopefully acquiring a nearly professional level of performance within the community, ultimately contributing to their overall artistic growth.

“It’s going to challenge me, as we are heading in a new, yet better direction. However, my artistic background makes me confident in handling the creative side of things,” says Siobhan.

Elm Street Cultural Arts Village was established in 2010 when the Towne Lake Arts Center relocated from their location off of Bells Ferry Road to downtown Woodstock after acquiring a four-acre lot. This lot is the current home of the historic Reeves House. The City of Woodstock bought the former site of Woodstock First Baptist Church and asked ESCAV to continue their role as a performing arts center within the space. Since then, ESCAV has been growing and developing themselves to encompass not only performing arts, but a plethora of different types of art. ESCAV strives to create an arts village within the community, incorporating culinary arts, visual arts, and accommodating other local performance groups and special events with their expanding facilities.

Niche, which is a website that is dedicated to providing information to homebuyers about schools and neighborhoods to help them discover the best city for their needs, recently released its new ranking of best places to live Georgia. The top 100 communities in Georgia received grades of either A+ or A with 74 communities getting an A+ grade, and 26 communities receiving an A grade. Woodstock received and A+ rating, and Holly Springs received an A rating.

Woodstock ES Earns National Certification for Digital Citizenship

Common Sense, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to “helping kids and families thrive in a world of digital media and technology,” has recognized Woodstock ES as a Common Sense Certified School for Digital Citizenship.

The school was certified for its work in preparing students to use digital media safely including how to avoid dangers such as loss of privacy, cyberbullying, and plagiarism. Principal Kim Montalbano praised Media Specialist Amy VanFossen for coordinating the school’s successful certification process.

“We applaud the faculty and staff of Woodstock Elementary School for embracing digital citizenship as an important part of their students’ education,” said Liz Kline, vice president of education programs for Common Sense Education, adding the school’s staff “deserves high praise” for teaching students the digital citizenship skills necessary for their future success.

Woodstock & Holly Springs Ranked in Top 100 Best Places to Live in Georgia

To calculate the rankings and assign grades to communities, Niche looks at factors like the quality of local schools, crime rates, housing trends, employment statistics, and access to amenities. Niche gets its data from government sources like the Department of Education, the FBI, and the U.S. Census. For more information, visit Niche.com.

Community

CCSD Recognizes Superintendent’s Key Scholars

Students recently recognized as Key Scholars are juniors who rank in the top ten percent of students nationwide who took the PSAT exam last October. Each student received an embroidered “Key Scholar” letter-jacket patch and will be recognized again at their school’s year-end awards ceremony.

The final step in the program is National Merit Scholars. National Merit Scholars are selected during students’ senior year. These academically outstanding students lead their classes, as they march across the graduation stage wearing a National Merit Scholar gold medallion.

CCSD Students Win Seats in All-State Band, Chorus, and Orchestra

Middle and high school students must audition for these selective performance opportunities. This year’s events were held at The Classic Center in Athens.

The Cherokee County School Board and Superintendent of Schools recently recognized these talented students:

All-State Band

Etowah HS

Lizy Hoepfinger

Director - Stephen Long

Mill Creek MS

Georgiana Christofil

Jonathan Shin

Director - Erick Stallings

River Ridge HS

Lauren Brack

Savannah Smith

Director - Ross Amend and Christin Lawhorne

Woodstock HS

Marissa Chudy

Director - Bob Loehr

All-State Chorus

E.T. Booth MS

Brooke Belsito

Morgan Busbee

Bryanna Cali

Kelsey Cleveland

Brady Winters

Director - Laura Martin

All-State Chorus (cont’d.)

Etowah HS

Keirra Dodd

Eli Hughes

Gigi Leno

Danielle Ruzeko

Emily Sweat

Kathleen Tafoya

Director - William Hall

River Ridge HS

Averi Moore

Director - Allison Baccala

Woodstock HS

Kyle Buie

Malachi Norton

Director - Ryan McKendrick

All-State Orchestra

Mill Creek MS

Ava Henager

Rachel Kim

Madison Park

Director - Ben Rice

River Ridge HS

Jeremy Jefferson

Director - Christin Lawhorne

Etowah HS Student Accepted Into Disney© Dreamers Academy

Sarah Oburu, a freshman at Etowah High School, has been selected for the Disney© Dreamers Academy Class of 2018. Only 100 high school students from across the country are selected annually for the program, which includes a four-day conference at Walt Disney World®.

The conference includes interactive career sessions focusing on fields including animation, culinary arts, entertainment, entrepreneurship, journalism, medicine, and zoology, and the opportunity to develop networking and interviewing skills.

Community

Cherokee Christian School Raises Money for Ongoing Hurricane Relief

Cherokee Christian School students and faculty recently raised $2,532.15 on Gulf States Night to assist with ongoing hurricane relief. Their time and efforts will enable relief efforts to assist two churches in Texas where Hurricane Harvey was particularly destructive.

Both churches that will be assisted will continue to provide a “home base” for ongoing relief efforts, which has been organized by Samaritan’s Purse. Samaritan’s Purse’s primary goal is to facilitate the rebuilding process for families who were victims of the destruction.

Chamber Sponsors Resume Assistance Event

Recently, the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce sponsored its seventh annual resume assistance event. Passport to Employment, held annually, is a free service whereby a team of experts assist candidates with creating and critiquing resumes, polishing their interview skills, and enhancing their job search strategies.

Each attendee received personalized, professional advice, assistance, and tools from Chamber member volunteers. “Passport to Employment enables those seeking employment to be one step ahead of their competition by having a professional resume in hand when they apply for a job,” remarked Chamber Board Chair Julianne Rivera.

Passport to Employment is coordinated by the Chamber’s Workforce Development Council in partnership with the Atlanta Regional Commission Workforce Board, Chattahoochee Technical College, Georgia Department of Labor, Goodwill of North Georgia, Kennesaw State University Coles College of Business, MUST Ministries, and Reinhardt University.

The mission of the Cherokee County Chamber, a Georgia Certified Chamber of Commerce, is to promote business and the community while expanding the economy and enhancing quality of life in Cherokee. For further information on programs offered by the Chamber, visit CherokeeChamber.com, or call 770-345-0400.

Northwest Corridor Express Lanes Opening This Summer

The Northwest Corridor Express Lanes will improve travel in the I-75/I-575 corridor by adding 29.7 miles of express lanes along I-75 from Akers Mill Road to Hickory Grove Road, and along I-575 from I-75 to Sixes Road. Two Express Lanes will be built to the west of the existing lanes along I-75 between I-285 and I-575. From that interchange, one express lane will be added along I-75N to Hickory Grove Road, and one express lane will be added along I-575 to Sixes Road. The Express Lanes are expected to save drivers up to 43 minutes on their daily commute.

To use the Express Lanes, drivers must have a registered Peach Pass, which can be purchased at PeachPass.com. For more questions, or to stay updated on the project, visit DOT.GA.gov/northwestcorridor, or call 678-486-3767.

Farm Bureau Encourages Farm Owners to Apply for Centennial Farm Awards

The Cherokee County Farm Bureau encourages owners of farms continuously operating for 100 years or more to apply to be recognized by the Georgia Centennial Farm Program. “Since farmers make up only about one percent of our country’s population, a farm that has been in operation for at least 100 years deserves the recognition the Georgia Centennial Farm Program offers,” said William Grizzle Cherokee County Farm Bureau President.

Applications for the 2018 awards must be postmarked by May 1. If you are interested in applying for recognition in 2018, visit GeorgiaSHPO.org/centennialfarms to download an application, or contact Sara Love at 770-389-7856 or Sara.Love@dnr.ga.gov for more information.

CCEF Celebration of Education Gala

The Cherokee County Educational Foundation (CCEF) recently held its fourth annual Celebration of Education Gala, which was presented by Children’s Health Care of Atlanta. It had the largest attendance yet, and it successfully raised more than $80,000 for Impact grants to be given to teachers, assistance with coaches/guidance staff for special needs students, and course unit recovery to continue improvement on graduation rates throughout the school district.

Co-Chairs Amanda Arnold of Credit Union of Georgia and Debbie Rabjohn, a school district parent, along with Kevin Williams, vice-chair of the Foundation recognized William Hasty, Jr. (Billy) and Dr. Susan Buice as the Alumni and Alumnae of the Year, which was a culmination of their many years of service to the public schools of Cherokee County. Because Dr. Buice has also served as a teacher in the District, she was inducted into the Educator Hall of Fame.

Attendees enjoyed a cocktail hour while Sequoyah High School Orchestra students played, as the guests perused silent auction items including vacation homes, Porsche® Driving Experiences, and dinner parties with Superintendent Dr. Brian Hightower (the honorary Gala chair) and School Board Chair Kyla Cromer. The dinner was catered by Carrabba’s®.

The entertainment for the evening was a top talent act from each of the District’s high schools vying for a $1,000.00 prize awarded to the school judged to be the best performance of the evening in a CCSD’s Got Talent competition. The winning act was Cherokee High School’s Elizabeth Meeks’ and Branden Blackwell’s performance of “When I Was Your Man.”

Woodstock HS Presented With Official State STEM Certification Banner

State School Superintendent Richard Woods recently visited Woodstock High School to present the school’s official State STEM Certification banner, recognizing it as the twelfth high school in all of Georgia to earn the prestigious honor.

Woodstock HS is Cherokee County School District’s first high school to earn State STEM Certification, and it joins Clark Creek Elementary School STEM Academy on the elite list of 59 approved schools statewide.

“We are so proud of their success in this endeavor,” Cherokee County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said, noting teachers, leaders, students, parents, and partners all played an important role. “We look forward to seeing more of our students become scientists, engineers, doctors, teachers, researchers, programmers, or any of the many other careers STEM knowledge offers them the opportunity to pursue.”

The path to State STEM Certification is a complex, multi-year process that requires strong evidence of meeting and exceeding standards in areas such as math and science instruction, technology integration, teacher collaboration, STEM competitions, and business partnerships. Woodstock HS officially earned the designation last November following a State STEM team visit.

The school held a brief program in the media center for the banner presentation and remarks from Superintendent Woods as well as CCSD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Hightower and Woodstock HS Principal Mark Smith.

CCSD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Hightower; School Board Members Clark Menard and Kelly Poole; State School Superintendent Richard Woods; School Board Chair Kyla Cromer; Woodstock HS Principal Mark Smith; and State School Board Member Scott Johnson pose with WHS’s new STEM banner.

Dr. Hightower commended Principal Smith and his team of administrators and teachers for their commitment to the arduous STEM process. “This is validation of a lot of hard work that is ultimately for the kids,” he said.

Superintendent Woods acknowledged the efforts of the School District in making STEM a priority. “This does not happen without leadership support. That’s clear,” he said, and then turned his attention to the Woodstock HS administrators and teachers, “And without your buy in, I honestly say this does not happen at all.”

Principal Smith thanked his teachers and administrators, especially Assistant Principal Todd Sharrock, and spoke of the importance of STEM in career readiness.

“Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics — those four words drive our nation’s innovations and competitiveness by generating new ideas, new companies, and new industries,” Principal Smith said. “STEM occupations are projected to grow by 17% into 2018, compared to 9.8% growth of non-STEM jobs. Three out of five jobs in the future will be STEM related.”

A complete list of STEM certified schools can be found at STEM.WPGaDOE.org/wpcontent/uploads/2017/11/Georgia-STEM-STEAM-Certified-Schools.pdf.

Senator Speaks

Prioritizing Georgia’s Public Servants

By Senator Bruce Thompson

It is interesting how many times I’m asked the question, “Why can’t you guys in D.C. balance the federal budget like our state does?” This question is the symptom of a much bigger challenge. Since teaching civics is no longer a priority in many schools and homes, the average person simply doesn’t understand the election process or the environment in which their laws are made. For instance, let’s take the Georgia General Assembly, which consists of 56 senators and 180 representatives. By statute, the session must convene by the second Monday in January and must not exceed forty legislative days. However, if you chair a committee, your responsibilities extend far beyond a forty-day session. Effective and engaged legislators do not stop working at midnight on Sine Die, but continue throughout the year meeting with constituents, attending committee meetings, and educating themselves on governmental challenges.

With legislators in many other states earning sizeable salaries, most citizens are surprised to learn that the annual salary of a Georgia legislator is only $17,500. Please don’t misconstrue this column as a plea for the State to allocate heaps of tax-payer resources for my colleagues and me, but instead, see this as a small part of a larger systemic issue involving compensation for those in the public service sector.

The Georgia State Capital is comprised of more than just 236 eager legislators. A network of interns, volunteers, and fulltime legislative assistants work in concert

1 4 23

to help keep things operating as smoothly as possible. Unfortunately, this support structure is incredibly underpaid. The average hourly wage equates to slightly more than $10 an hour for many of these positions, and a starting annual salary of $34,000 for legislative assistants. Many of these individuals spend over two hours in traffic each day, traveling forty or more miles from the suburbs, and then they must pay to park once they arrive to work. These are not entry level positions performing menial tasks — they serve as liaisons to the community. Many times, these individuals spend much of their day helping constituents navigate the bureaucracy of agencies such as the Veterans Administration, DFCS, and the EPA.

This disparity is not limited to just those working at the State Capitol. A recent report stated that the average wage of first responders in Georgia hovers around $32,000 annually, and police officers average a wage slightly higher at $39,000. These professions make incredible sacrifices each day to keep our communities safe. This work is dangerous and very stressful, but the stress doesn’t end at the conclusion of their shift. The financial stress requires most of these public servants to work second and third jobs to support their families.

While I’m not a proponent of increasing the state minimum wage as some other states have done, I do believe we must

value the efforts of those who risk their lives for us every day. When society places little or no value on something, then the quality cannot be sustained. A law enforcement officer or first responder should be able to support his or her family without having to get an additional job.

The average salary in Atlanta was recently calculated at $59,000 a year, and I don’t believe there are any more dangerous, stressful, or professional positions than public service positions. The normal argument I often hear is, “How are we going to fund this proposal?” Well, since the State of Georgia doesn’t make money, it takes money from its citizens in the form of taxes, and then redistributes it where it deems appropriate. Maybe we should re-evaluate and prioritize what is truly important to our communities.

[Home Life] Setting the thermostat correctly can save you a lot of money throughout the year. The average U.S. homeowner spends $2,500 a year on home energy, with 56%, or $1,400, going toward heating and cooling costs. Put those dollars to better use by setting your thermostat to energy-efficient temperatures:

summer

No matter what the season, a programmable thermostat can help you save even more. Once properly programmed, the thermostat automatically regulates the temperature inside your house to coincide with when you’re there and when you’re not.

Consider setting your thermostat two degrees higher in summer and two degrees lower in the winter for additional energy savings.

Thermostat Settings to Save Energy

By Cobb EMC Staff

Find other ways to save energy at CobbEMC.com/save.

Taste of

BY PAUL BODROGI

with Cream Cheese Filling and Strawberry Sauce

Cream Cheese Filling Ingredients

• 1 lb. cream cheese (room temperature)

• ½ oz. vanilla extract

• 1 oz. powdered sugar

Cream Cheese Filling Procedure

- In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients with a rubber spatula until well combined.

- Refrigerate until needed.

Crepe Ingredients

• 8 oz. flour

• ½ oz. sugar

• Pinch of salt

• 8 eggs

• 8 oz. milk

• 1 oz. butter

Crepe Procedure

- Put the milk and eggs in a blender for 15 seconds.

- Add the remaining ingredients to the blender, and mix for 20 seconds or until smooth.

- Let the mixture rest for 30 minutes.

- Heat a 6-inch crepe pan until warm

- Spread ½ oz. of butter around the pan until almost browned.

- Remove the pan from the heat, and wipe out the excess butter.

- Return the pan to the heat, and add about 3 oz. of crepe batter, swirling until the entire pan is thinly coated.

- When the crepe sets, flip and cook on the second side for about 30 seconds.

Strawberry Sauce Ingredients

• 1 oz. butter

• 3 oz. sugar

• 1 lb. fresh strawberries cleaned, hulled, and cut into fourths

• ½ oz. fresh lemon juice

• 1 oz. orange liqueur

Strawberry Sauce Procedure

- Melt the butter and sugar in a large sauté pan until the sugar dissolves.

- Add the strawberries and lemon juice, and cook until the fruit is glossy and glazed.

- Remove half of the strawberries, and set aside.

- Return the remaining strawberry mixture back to the stove, and cook on low heat for about 5 minutes.

- Remove the strawberries from the heat, and add the orange liqueur.

- Let the mixture cool until just warm.

- When cool, puree the mixture in a blender.

- Remove the mixture from the blender, and add the strawberries that were set aside earlier.

Assembly

- Put a spoonful of the cream cheese filling onto a crepe, and fold it into fourths.

- Place the filled crepes on a plate, and add the warm sauce and strawberry mixture.

- Garnish with lemon zest (optional).

*Note - Making homemade crepes can be difficult. If you are not familiar with the techniques involved, store-bought crepes can be used to simplify this recipe.

Jesus is Dead — April Fool

[InGoodFaith]

Easter is observed on the first day in April this year — April Fool’s Day! That hasn’t happened since 1956. Some people will find that appropriate. “The resurrection of Christ is the biggest April Fool’s prank ever foisted on humanity!”

Others will think the date is a cruel twist of fate. “What a shame that the most celebrated event in Christian history will fall on that day!”

I had a friend (now in heaven) named Johnny Poole. Johnny was mentally handicapped. He would call me every year on the first day of April. “George, there’s a tiger in your yard… April Fool!” “Pat Dye’s got the flu… April Fool!” How I miss those calls!

But, I started thinking about it — maybe it’s fitting that Easter falls on April Fool’s Day. After all, God did prank a lot of people that day. The religious leaders conspired, “Finally, that troublemaker is

By Pastor George Anderson

dead!” Then came Easter — April Fool!

Herod, that bloodthirsty despot, welcomed the report; “Good, He’s dead!” But three days later, the stone rolled away to reveal that Christ was alive! April Fool!

The crowd, having traded Him for a convicted killer, cried, “We’ve succeeded — He’s dead!” But in three days, all creation would sing, “He’s alive!” April Fool!

And imagine the scene with Satan and his demons throwing a three-day party. “He’s gone! I’ve won! What? Where did You come from?!” April Fool!

It reminds me of another day yet to come. Christ will return on a day when no one expects Him. Suddenly, the sky will split open, and He will appear. The skeptics who said, “Where is the promise of His coming?” will melt with fear.

What day will it be? No one knows.

But, you know, why not April 1?

“I’m back! April Fool!”

Extensor Tendon Injury Treatment

What Are Extensor Tendons?

By Atlanta Hand Specialist Staff

[Healthy Life]

Located on the back of the hand and fingers, the extensor tendons allow you to straighten your fingers and thumb. These tendons are attached to muscles in your forearm, and they become flat and thin as they continue into your fingers, which is where they are then joined by smaller tendons from the muscles in your hand. It is these small-muscle tendons that allow delicate finger motions and coordination.

Extensor Tendon Injuries

The extensor tendons lie just below the skin, directly on the bone, on the back of the hands and fingers. Due to their location, they are easily injured, even by a minor cut. Jamming a finger may tear these thin tendons away from the bone. After this type of injury, you may have trouble straightening one or more joints. Treatment is necessary to return use to the tendon.

Common Types of Extensor Tendon

Injuries

• Mallet finger, or the drop of the end of the joint where an extensor tendon has been cut or separated from the bone

• Boutonniere deformity, or the bent-down (flexed) position of the middle joint of the finger from a cut or tear of the extensor tendon

• Lacerations or cuts on the back of the hand

A cut that splits the tendon may require stitches, but tears caused by jamming injuries are usually treated with splints. The splint prevents the healing ends of the tendon from pulling apart, and it should be worn at all times until the tendon has fully healed.

A hand specialist will apply the splint in the correct place and give you directions on how long you should wear it. The specialist may also place a pin through the bone across the joint as an internal splint.

Book Review

BY JESSICA ASBELL

CAROLINE:

Little House, Revisited

If you were a fan of the Little House on the Prairie series when you were growing up, you’ll be delighted to discover Sarah Miller’s Caroline: Little House, Revisited. And despite the author occasionally waffling between first and third person, Caroline feels like coming home. If you’ve read Laura Ingalls Wilder’s view of life on the prairie, you’ll appreciate the depth of Caroline’s view as an adult.

Everything is there: the emotions of leaving home and family, truly, for the first time; the desire to be selfish warring with the desire to be strong for her daughters, Mary and Laura; and the harrowing aspect of crossing the country in a wagon, camping along the side of the road, crossing a frozen lake as it was thawing, and crossing swollen creeks where the horses had to swim.

In a time when all you had to do to claim land in the mid west was to settle it, build a house, and plow the land, Charles Ingalls sees adventure. He sees land just waiting to be claimed. Caroline, though, is more apprehensive. Charles sees adventure, and she sees uncertainty. But at the sight of Charles’ enthusiasm, Caroline says yes. So, they pack the wagon to the brim and say goodbye to their kin in what is perhaps the last time they will ever see them.

Sarah Miller’s Caroline is much more of a threedimensional character than Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Caroline was. From Laura’s perspective, Caroline is just Ma. But Miller gives us a rare gift: the ability to see inside Caroline, to hear her thoughts and her feelings, and she is by no means perfect. As she is forced to separate herself from the family she leaned on, she begins to discover who she is.

Caroline Ingalls was a real person, one who made mistakes, loved fiercely, and battled the elements to make a life for her family. In Caroline, Sarah Miller gives her story space to thrive.

Community Partners

Keeping Girls Safe and Free

In a defining moment that quite literally changed the course of her future, Michele Rickett discovered her life’s purpose while working in East Africa as a young woman. “Global slavery” was still a distant phrase when she began witnessing unthinkable injustices against African women and girls.

In 2002, with her studies behind her and her children grown, Michele founded She Is Safe, which is a nonprofit organization that is headquartered in Roswell. She then began her life-saving work of prevention, rescue, and restoration of exploited women and girls.

Sixteen years later, Michele has leveraged her years of international development to equip oppressed women and girls with the ability to break the cycles of abuse and slavery, while also providing leadership to other ministries that are resolved to end human trafficking.

Revealing the story behind her life’s work, Michele thoughtfully shares that she is not just a survivor but a “thriver.” There was a time when she wondered aloud to God how she could help set vulnerable girls free. “There are so many exploited and abused girls,” Michele prayed; “how can I possibly make a difference? Where do I even start?”

Now, with more than three decades of advocating, working, and leading the effective counter-trafficking nonprofit she started, Michele has answers to those early questions. She Is Safe’s team of twenty country directors, sector specialists, and corporate staff members manage holistic, grassroots initiatives in seven countries: Indonesia, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Mali, South Sudan, and Lebanon. She Is Safe also provided direct ministry to more than 17,000 women and girls last year. Additionally, the nonprofit equipped more than 50,000 at-risk Indonesian school children with abuse prevention training and established a hotline for help through its Pantaloons, Protection, and Pencil Pouches project.

To help others truly understand what the world of human trafficking is like, Michele drew upon her own heart-rending rescue and transformation and then, along with co-author Kay Strom, she also travelled the continents to procure first-hand interviews with girls who share what it is really like to grow up female in the world’s most dangerous places. These accounts are compiled in their book entitled Forgotten Girls: Stories of Hope and Courage. This book explains why 98% of the world’s sex slaves are female and what each one of us can do to help protect these girls from a lifetime of exploitation and enslavement.

For more information about She Is Safe, or to learn how you can help, visit SheIsSafe.org, email Info@SheIsSafe.org, or call 770-552-1400.

She Is Safe is located at 11095 Houze Road, Suite 100 in Roswell.

WellStar Kennestone Breaks Ground on Emergency Department Expansion

[Healthy Life]

Hospital emergency rooms are busier and busier these days. That’s why WellStar Kennestone Hospital is expanding its emergency department (ED). Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and hospital executives recently attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a $126 million expansion.

Last year alone, WellStar Kennestone physicians, nurses, and staff cared for more than 145,000 patients, all with different symptoms, conditions, and complicating factors. With concerns like Ebola, the flu, the Zika virus, and more, emergency departments have to be prepared for a variety of situations.

WellStar Kennestone has a level II trauma center and is an accredited chest pain and comprehensive stroke center. It even has a dedicated pediatric emergency department, improving access to emergency care for the youngest patients.

With these specialized services and so many patients – it’s the busiest emergency department in the state and the fifth busiest in the nation –the WellStar Kennestone Emergency Department has outgrown its facility.

The new emergency department will eventually have the capacity to treat approximately 185,000 patients each year. The four-story, 162,000-squarefoot building will feature 130 treatment rooms, and it will include dedicated areas for pediatric patients as well as for those with behavioral health needs. The additional space will allow greater efficiencies and improved processes. For example, state-ofthe-art technology including four CT scan machines, MRI, ultrasound, and X-ray will be used by the department exclusively – reducing the need to take patients to a different part of the hospital for certain tests.

Additionally, the new department has added capacity to expand out into the parking lot, if needed, for treatment of mass casualties or large-scale emergencies. It will also feature additional capacity for both cars and ambulances, allowing patients to get into the emergency room more quickly.

As a not-for-profit health system, WellStar is committed to meeting the healthcare needs of its community, and the emergency department project is a testament to how the organization reinvests in the communities it serves.

WellStar Kennestone’s team members save lives every day through world-class emergency care. The new emergency department will allow even more people to get the care they need.

By Cyndi Braun

Few people are as committed to lawncare as Josh Wise and his team at GrassRoots Tree & Turf Care.

Fifteen years ago, Wise went into business for himself, establishing what would become one of Atlanta’s premier lawncare companies. Back then, Josh’s goal was to offer a different type of lawncare business, one based on quality service and treating customers like people, not numbers.

That business model has helped this family business grow to over twenty employees, more than 4,000 customers, and a service area that encompasses much of north metro Atlanta.

GrassRoots now offers weed control, mosquito control, and shrub care. Technicians address each property’s unique needs based on grass type, topographical conditions, and season. The company’s all-inclusive lawncare service ensures that lawns receive the most effective treatments, using the best products and techniques.

T The GrassRoots Team

Josh leads his company like he’s part of a team, not the CEO. Many of the employees are family members, including Josh’s brother, mother, and father; those who aren’t family are treated like they are.

Technicians are highly trained and make customer service a priority. They participate in regular training opportunities to stay up-to-date on the latest technology and practices in the industry.

“We have a really good group of employees, and they treat the customers well. That’s the main focus of everything we do,” said Wise. “It’s important to keep the same technicians going to the same properties, so customers get to know their techs, and techs get to know their customers. It makes for the best service all the way around.”

In fact, the company’s goal is to be “The BEST Service Company EVER!”

T A Company Unlike Others

By focusing on service, GrassRoots takes care of customers’ lawns in a way no other company does. At the core of this service is the understanding that each lawn should be approached as if it were the technician’s own property.

Technicians move children’s and dogs’ toys prior to treatments, remove debris and leaves if they are hindering the application of lawn treatment, and double check that gates are closed before leaving. If the customer is home, the technician takes the time to talk to the homeowner and answer questions.

“On the driver’s side door of every truck, we have ‘GR-360,’ which reminds our technicians to make sure the property is locked up with gates closed, and to walk around the truck to check that it is secure and safe,” said Wise.

Through all-inclusive lawncare services, the company offers sixteen different services (called “The GrassRoots Difference”). Most lawn care companies charge extra for these services.

If a technician notices a concern on the property, he doesn’t wait for the homeowner to inform him. He takes the initiative to take care of it at the time of service then schedules a follow-up to ensure the problem has been resolved.

“If we get out to a property and a technician sees a fire ant mound, he’s going to take care of that and treat it while he’s there. He shows up with what he needs to get the job done for that time of the year, but the truck is also equipped with any other products he might need,” said Wise.

Since GrassRoots technicians are not paid by commission, they can make sure they treat lawns thoroughly and provide excellent service without the pressure to rush through as many lawns as they can in a day.

“Our technicians show up at a property to do a service, whether it’s a regular service call, a two-week follow-up, it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t change their pay whatsoever. It doesn’t matter if they do thirty stops a day or fifteen a day. This gives them the ability to focus on doing the right job the first time,” said Wise.

If customers notice an issue between treatments, they can schedule another treatment at no charge. No questions asked.

Through the company’s website, customers can communicate 24 hours a day with a live-chat feature. If they’d rather talk by phone, they can call the office during regular hours or even call the CEO.

“I like being in touch with my customers and being available to them,” said Wise. “Every month, I send out emails to all my customers with my cell phone number. I’m readily available to take a call from a customer at any time.”

T The GrassRoots Difference

The lawn is where friends gather, where children and pets play, and where first impressions are made. A healthy, beautiful lawn is a source of pride. Through its services, GrassRoots ensures lawns are healthy and beautiful, allowing homeowners to have more free time for the important things in their lives.

Spring Forward With a New Hairstyle

By Jyl Craven

[Lifestyle] The sun is shining; the flowers are blooming; the bees are buzzing — but, how’s your hair? Spring is a time of renewal and new beginnings, not only for Mother Nature but also for us. Here are our best tips for refreshing your look as the weather warms up.

Spring Refresh Tips for Blondes

Natural tones of blonde like golden, caramel, and dirty blonde were practically made for the spring and summer seasons. If you are looking to keep more of your natural highlights but also want some depth and contrast, try balayage, a French hair coloring technique that is an excellent way to achieve a soft graduation of color. The gradual contrast from darker to lighter shades creates a perfectly sun-kissed

look. If you want to make a bit of a bolder statement without high drama, ask your stylist about subtle strawberry highlights.

Revitalizing Tips for Brunettes

If your hair is considered a rich, dark chocolate color, consider softening it with some milk chocolate highlights. If your hair is already a milk chocolate color, then add some auburn lowlights for a flattering contrast.

If you’re tired of drab winter hair, try highlights to add a whole new season of dimension. Carefully placed highlighting can make any shade of brown hair appear thicker and fuller. Subtle ombré is another nice option for anyone looking to achieve some elegant color contrast without any

harsh color line. This coloring technique allows for a soft, flattering color transition from dark to light. One slightly more daring option is reverse ombré, where hair graduates from light at the crown to dark at the tips.

Springtime Fun for Redheads

Skin tone and eye color are important considerations when choosing the ideal hair color, especially for natural redheads. First, keep in mind that the cooler your skin tone, the cooler your red should be. Likewise, the warmer your skin tone, the warmer your hair color should be.

If your hair is a naturally soft red, consider kicking it up a notch by adding some golden color throughout. This especially works well if you have a light-to-medium complexion. If your hair is a deeper red, consider adding a drop of violet for depth and richness. The result will be a striking rosewood color that will make your already vibrant locks stand out even more.

Have you heard? Being “ginger” is a headturning look for spring. To achieve this color, consider adding a hint of brown mixed in with copper warm highlights.

A Season of Daring

Spring is all about new beginnings, so now is also the perfect time to experiment! To really jump into spring, why not consider going pastel? Hues like candy pink, lovely violet, or purple punk can give your overall look a fun, theatrical effect. And don’t worry — temporary looks will wash out by the time the flowers start drooping.

We hope these tips have given you a few ideas about how you can turn heads this spring!

Jyl Craven is owner of Jyl Craven Hair Design of Canton.  770-345-9411. JylCraven.com

Cherokee Law Firm

The Burns Law Group, P.C., located at 181 East Main Street in historic downtown Canton, has been representing citizens of Cherokee County and northern Georgia for over 25 years. Their staff has over 170 years of combined legal experience. They have successfully represented thousands of clients over the years and have built a highly respected practice.

Most people never expect to need an attorney; however, when or if the need arises, you need a firm you can count on. You need a firm that inspires confidence and provides quality representation. The Burns Law Group, P.C. is extremely knowledgeable and experienced with the

local legal system. They are constantly in the courthouse representing clients and are well versed within the legal community.

The Burns Law Group, P.C. handles two types of cases. They represent clients in domestic court by handling divorces, child support cases, modifications, contempt, DFCS matters, and other various family law matters. They have a team within the firm that concentrates only on domestic matters. They understand that each case presents different facts and circumstances. Attorneys begin each case by assessing the needs and desires of each client. They develop a unique strategy for every case. Burns Law Group recognizes that many of these cases can be resolved amicably and

quickly. Other cases may need investigation and litigation. The team can assist in making this decision and represent you regardless of which approach is needed.

The Burns Law Group, P.C. also handles criminal cases. They have a team that concentrates only on criminal matters. Their founding member, J. Daran Burns, has successfully tried numerous murder cases with “not guilty” verdicts. The team also includes a thirteen-year former prosecutor. The firm has successfully represented thousands of accused individuals with criminal charges ranging from DUI cases to misdemeanors. They have also tried and/or resolved some of the biggest, most complex cases in Cherokee County. The Burns Law Group, P.C. provides clients with a vast knowledge and understanding of the criminal prosecution process.

If you have an important legal matter in Cherokee County, you need to make the right choice. For more information, call the Burns Law Group, P.C. at 770-956-1400, or visit BASLG.com, and let them put their experience to work for you.

Quotables

“The world is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.” -Bertrand Russell

“A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.” -Unknown

“Don’t compare your life to others. There’s no comparison between the sun and the moon. They shine when it’s their time.” -Unknown

“When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.”

-Dalai Lama

“In a society that profits from your selfdoubt, liking yourself is a rebellious act.” -Rachel Brathen

Q“You can’t change the people around you, but you can change the people around you.” -Joshua Fields Milburn

“One day, somebody you sacrificed so much for will turn around and say they never asked for it, and it will hurt because they will be right.” -Unknown

“Everyone must choose one of two pains — the pain of discipline or the pain of regret.” -Jim Rohn

“In the end, there doesn’t have to be someone who understands you. There just has to be someone who wants to.”

-Robert Brault

“If you are persistent, you will get it. If you are consistent, you will keep it.”

-Harvey MacKay

“Some believe that it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I’ve found. I found it is small things, every day deeds by ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay.” -Gandalf

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” -Agatha Christie

Five Reasons Why Learning “the 4 Cs” is Important

By Mary Kay Buquoi, Ed.S.

[Academic Life] To prepare children for the modern world, STEAM learning (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) has become an essential part of childhood education. Besides introducing children to STEAM concepts, it also helps teach children how to communicate, collaborate, and think critically and creatively. These skills, otherwise known as “the 4 Cs,” are essential to success in school and in life. Here are five reasons why:

1. Critical thinking skills increase motivation. Children with strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills are more likely to be motivated to be academically successful and less likely to be negatively influenced.

Creativity provides a healthy emotional outlet. Children who express themselves creatively show less frustration, develop a joy for learning, and acquire an appreciation for other perspectives.

Communication and collaboration promote confidence. Developing communication skills through fun and collaborative methods fosters a sense of self-esteem, enables healthy emotional development, and encourages teamwork.

The 4 Cs help build executive function skills such as planning, organizing, and strategizing. These skills help children develop self-regulation, working memory, and cognitive flexibility, which will encourage them to learn new ideas and develop their social-emotional capabilities.

Employers highly value the 4 Cs. Hiring managers pay close attention to a job candidate’s ability to communicate, collaborate, and think critically and creatively. Encouraging young children to build these skills can help set them up for success later in life.

By Joshua Fuder

Herbs are some of the easiest plants to grow because they often tolerate a wide range of soil conditions and have few insect and disease issues. Because herbs are relatively carefree, they have an obvious fit in a food garden, but they also work just as well incorporated into your landscape or in containers.

Herb Culture

Herbs prefer a well-drained soil with a pH between 6 to 7.5. If planting in our native soil, plan to incorporate at least two to three inches of compost or well-rotted manure to a depth of 8-12 inches. A soil test will tell how much lime needs to be added to change the pH to the optimal range.

Summer Annuals

Plants like basil, Calendula, and papalo do best once soils have warmed a bit in the spring. Basil should be managed to prevent flowering because leaf quality diminishes once the plant reaches this stage. To delay the flowering stage of basil, simply pinch or cut the tips of stems every so often to keep the plant in a vegetative stage. Papalo is an interesting herb from Central and South America. It has an upright growing habit, and its taste is described as a mix of cilantro and arugula.

Like most vegetables and flowers, herbs do best in a location that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight. Mulching will also help discourage weeds and maintain soil moisture levels.

Classification of Herbs

Botanically, herbs are classified as annuals, biennials, or perennials. Because of our long growing season and growth characteristics, they can be broken down the following way:

Spring/Fall Annuals

These are plants that do not seem to thrive during our hot, humid summers: chives, dill, parsley, borage, arugula, and cilantro. You can still get fresh dill and cilantro for those summer pickles and salsa recipes by planting in an area that is sheltered from the afternoon sun.

Tender Perennials

These plants are not quite perennial, but with a little bit of effort, you can keep them going year after year. Plants like lemongrass and stevia thrive in the summer but will die to the ground with a frost. Dig up a few shoots or half a clump of lemongrass each year, and keep it in the basement. When re-planting, it just takes a few sprigs in a pot or planting area to have more lemongrass than one needs.

Container Plants

Even if you have space, these herbs belong in a container due to their aggressive spreading nature. Any of the mints, catnip, anise hyssop, bee and lemon balm are herbaceous perennials, meaning they will die back to the roots during winter. These are excellent plants for fragrance, teas, and a nectar source for pollinators.

However, they are ruthless in their quest for world domination. Many gardeners will plant them in halfburied containers to prevent the spread of roots to unwanted areas.

Perennials

Perennial herbs are favorites because they incorporate well into the broader landscape. Plants like rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, lavender, Stachys or lambs ear, and winter savory have excellent characteristics that help them fit into ornamental settings. All are evergreen and provide blooms that help encourage beneficial insect habitats. Thyme, oregano, and winter savory have spreading

success. Perennial herbs such as lavender and rosemary are best propagated by cuttings in spring and summer. Take a 3- to 5-inch cutting of new growth, remove the leaves from the lower two-thirds, and dip the end in a rooting hormone. Insert the cutting so almost the entire bare stem is in the potting medium. Keep moist, and in three to six weeks, the plant should have a root system.

A number of herbs, particularly the annuals, can be grown from seed. Direct seeding can be done but beginning plants indoors 4-6 weeks prior to setting out can increase

Fuder is an agriculture and natural resources agent at the UGA Cooperative Extension Cherokee County. Contact the UGA Extension office for any gardening assistance, 770-721-7830 or CAES.UGA.Edu/ extension/cherokee

All About Dental Implants

By Vishant Nath, D.M.D.

[Healthy Life] Archaeologists have discovered that the use of dental implants were present in many cultures thousands of years ago. From 4000 years ago in ancient China to 3000 years ago in Egypt, dental implants have been used to replace teeth both before and after death. Back then, implants were made from anything from bamboo to copper, and were put in place by hammering the implant into the jawbone. There are many modernday options for replacing a missing tooth depending on the needs of the patient.

Today’s implant patient may be missing one, several, or all their permanent teeth. If you are missing permanent teeth, implants can be a great solution to restoring the comfort and functionality of your bite as well as improving the look of your smile.

Implants are titanium posts, which are surgically placed in the bone under your gums. The bone grows around the implant to provide support, acting like the root of a healthy tooth, giving it stability. A crown or a bridge is then attached to the implant to replace the missing tooth or teeth.

Implants can also be used in conjunction with dentures if many teeth are missing. Implants provide more stability than removable dentures. They will not slip or shift, so they are more like permanent teeth. They are comfortable while eating, drinking, and speaking. Implants will also help to preserve the integrity and strength of the bone beneath the missing tooth or teeth.

With proper care, implants can last a lifetime. This is an important consideration when looking at the cost of implants. They are well worth the money when you consider their longevity.

Consistent, good oral hygiene is vitally important in preserving and caring for the dental implant. Your dentist can suggest the best way to care for your implant(s) and indicate how often you need a dentist appointment to ensure your implants stay healthy and strong.

If you are missing permanent teeth, talk to your dental professional about implants. It may be the perfect solution to restoring your smile!

Acquired Brain Injury

By Jennifer A. Dattolo, O.D., F.C.O.V.D.

[Healthy Life]

Acquired brain injuries (ABIs) affect more than 3.5 million children and adults each year. ABIs result from strokes, concussions, brain tumors, falls, car accidents, and more. The brain damage is sudden, non-progressing, and leads to neurological processing abnormalities, affecting speech, behavior, mobility, and vision.

There is an array of visual issues that can arise from an ABIs. These include blurry vision, refractive error changes, double vision, visual field loss, poor eye tracking, headaches, diminished binocularity (how the eyes work together) and focusing ability, light sensitivity, and dizziness. Management of these symptoms may involve new prescription glasses, tints (to help reduce light sensitivity), and prisms. Prisms are helpful in eliminating double vision, relieving balance issues, and expanding visual fields.

Another remedy is vision therapy and rehabilitation. Vision therapy is like physical therapy for the eyes, and it can be useful in improving binocular vision, focusing and eye tracking abilities, and visual information processing deficits. The goal of all these treatments is to improve the life of the person affected by allowing them to get back to their normal daily activities.

Children are being diagnosed with head

injuries more frequently than ever before. This is mainly due to sports-related concussions, mostly from football and soccer. Young girls seem to be affected slightly more than boys. The resulting visual sequelae can make it extremely difficult for them to make it through a full day of school, and most are absent from school all together for 2-3 weeks to heal properly. Children (and adults) should be monitored closely before being allowed to return to play, as multiple concussions can cause longer lasting deficits.

Vision is the part of ABIs that is most often overlooked. If you or anyone you know has suffered an ABI, a thorough visual examination is warranted.

After

Thomas Wolfe told us,

“You can’t go home again.” It has been quoted so often that many people likely accept it as fact. But homeowner Dan Homiller and David Bray of Landford Thompson Interiors are proving you can go home again — with fantastic results.

DBefore

an Homiller and his wife Annette are the owners of the StriplingLovelady-Homiller house in Ball Ground. Dan and his six siblings grew up in the house. Carrying on a family tradition, he enrolled in Georgia Tech where he met Annette whom he married in 1987. Annette and Dan have two children, Sam and James. Dan later earned a master’s degree from Virginia Tech and a M.B.A and J.D. from Duke University. After many years in northern Virginia, Dan and his family relocated to Cary, NC, which has been their primary residence

for twenty years. Cary is also home to Dan’s law firm, Murphy, Bilak, and Homiller, PLLC. Dan doesn’t just think of his childhood in the historic home, “My fondest memories regarding the house are more recent such as assembling my family for Thanksgiving and Christmas,” he said.

The classical revival home stands majestically atop a hill overlooking downtown Ball Ground. Built in 1916 by D.C. Stripling, it occupies twenty wooded acres. Although originally visible from town, today, it is largely hidden from public view. Many recent residents are unaware of its existence.

Little is known about Stripling. In 1915, his name appeared on government records as treasurer of the Bank of Ball Ground, but by 1916, he had been replaced. Either the officers made an unwise loan to Stripling or used the pretense of a loan to cover an embarrassing situation. Local lore holds that Stripling built the house with money embezzled from the bank. If true, the house literally “broke the bank,” as this misadventure led to the bank’s dissolution. Later, the newly formed Ball Ground Bank transferred the property to A.J. Lovelady in 1920. It remained with the Lovelady family until 1952 when the estate was sold to Frank C. Homiller. The property has since remained in the Homiller family.

In 2016, an extensive exterior restoration was completed by MGM Custom Homes and Remodeling. The unstable porches were reconstructed, and the

soaring, two-story columns were removed, repaired, and reinstalled. The porches are simply stunning. They include circular corner sections, typical of the period, and are uncommonly deep. This is where Dan likes to enjoy his view while drinking one of his homebrewed beers. He is currently exploring the concept of a brewery and tap room in a historic building downtown. Mark McDonald, president of the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation said, “Historic preservation in small cities is absolutely critical for their future economic growth. Pride and a sense of place establish a quality environment that sets the stage for business development.”

With mechanicals and stabilization complete, it was time to take a breath and focus on the unique interior. Notable features are the English crystal gasoliers in the library, drawing, and dining rooms and the oak parquet flooring laid in an unusual geometric pattern. The circa 1870s fixtures were purchased by Dan’s grandfather in 1959 upon the demolition of Atlanta’s New Kimball House Hotel for the construction of a parking deck.

A complete interior restoration and preservation is currently underway. David Bray serves as project manager and designer. David is also from this area; he grew up in Hickory Flat. After spending the last twenty-five years in Savannah, he relocated to Atlanta in 2015. “If you told me five years ago that I would be working in Canton,” David remarked, “I wouldn’t have believed it. This has been like coming home.” A group of craftsmen led by Brent Edmonson of Edmonson Brothers, LLC are painstakingly transforming the house.

When asked about overall interior design goals for the house, David said, “I believe curated interiors that evolve over time are best.” Fortunately, the attic was filled with three generations of furniture from period antiques predating the house to classic revival pieces from between the World Wars. The restoration and preservation are more involved. Vintage houses are both a different set of problems and a different set of solutions versus new construction. For example, the oak, parquet floors have been screened versus sanded to keep their patina. In many cases, blemishes were embraced rather than repaired. The finished rooms have the appearance of being maintained over generations rather than restored to a specific period. There is not a housemuseum feel. Rather, it feels like a comfortably large family home that has been well cared for.

While one may never be able to truly go home again in exactly the same way, the collaboration between Dan and David have proved you can come pretty close by making a home beautiful again.

Radon An Invisible, Odorless Risk

By Ferdinand Yates, Jr., M.D., MA

[Healthy Life] It is truly incredible how much we depend on our senses — touch, taste, sight, smell, and hear. We get invaluable information about the world we live in through these sensations. Think how much we can tell by the texture of what we touch: soft, hard, hot, sharp, etc. If we cannot see or smell something, then we, and our children, are at a distinct disadvantage.

Take, for example, carbon monoxide. We typically hear more about this in the wintertime due to the start of heating season. However, we also associate this gas with car exhaust fumes. There’s no time like the present to think about

preparation, so be sure that your car’s catalytic exhaust system is in good repair, and consider getting your furnace checked in the fall.

Another hazard that frequently goes undetected is radon because it also cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted. Each year, about 20,000 Americans die from radon-related lung cancer, and about 12% of lung cancers are due to radon, which makes radon exposure the second leading cause of lung cancer. In addition, it is estimated that about one in fifteen U.S. homes have an elevated radon level.

Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in the soil, which can get into ground water as well as the air we breathe. It seeps through the ground and enters our homes through cracks and holes in the foundation. Because many of our homes are so well insulated, radon may get trapped inside the house, unable to escape. Any type of home is at risk to elevated radon levels.

Things to Know

• Elevated radon levels have been identified in Georgia.

• Inexpensive home-testing kits are easily available at local hardware stores.

• Radon levels can be reduced.

• You can access accurate, professional information by reading EPA Bulletin 402-R-3-003 or by calling the Radon Hotline (operated by the National Safety Council) at 1-800-767-7236.

Please take time to educate yourself about the risks of radon exposure, so you can take any necessary preventative precautions.

References - American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Pediatricians, EPA.gov

By Mike Reynolds

Ahigh performance, energyefficient home may include features like geothermal heating, wind power, and solar panels, but these are not the defining features of green living. They come in second, and some you can even do without. A green home starts with being well designed, well insulated, and if possible, it will have glazing oriented to the south for passive heat gain.

Energy Efficiency, Insulation, and Orientation

An efficient and resilient home is one that uses minimal energy to heat, cool, light, and run appliances. The biggest draw is almost always climate control, so reducing heating and cooling requirements is the best way to reduce operational costs.

Depending upon whether you desire the climate in your home to be warmer

or cooler will play a big role in window placement when designing your home, as careful window placement can reduce heating or cooling requirements by as much as 25% for virtually no cost.

A well-insulated, well-sealed, building envelope is imperative to the performance of your home. Windows and walls that leak heat, air, and moisture can quickly negate the positive effects and financial savings of the green, sustainable upgrades you make in your home’s design.

A Reasonably Sized House

A smaller house is a more efficient house — it’s that simple. A smaller house means less land to excavate, less materials to manufacture and ship, less space to heat, less space to cool, less taxes to pay, less to clean, and less money to buy or build.

A green home starts with being well designed.

According to Mark J. Perry’s article on AEI.org, “The average new house in the U.S. is getting larger in size at the same time that American households are getting smaller, the square footage of living space per person in a new U.S. house has increased from 507 to 971 square feet using the median size house, and from 551 to 1,058 square feet using the average size house. In percentage terms, that’s a 92% increase for both the median or average house size per person.” This square foot average per person can easily be reduced and still allow you to live quite comfortably.

A Flexible House

Your family size will change throughout your life, and a flexible house is one that has been designed to accommodate that change with as little cost and disruption as possible. You can reduce both the financial and environmental costs of a big renovation by anticipating and designing for these changes.

Think about potential layout changes, such as where a future granny suite would be, and during your build, you can run the necessary plumbing and wiring along with framing future door openings. So, when the time comes, rather than a major disruptive renovation, you already have the infrastructure in place to create a new bathroom and kitchen.

Using Reclaimed and Local Materials

By re-using existing building materials and buying locally, you just became part of the green building trend. Knowing what materials you will use ahead of time can save you some headaches, since you can make any necessary adjustments right away. For example, if you have plans to use old doors or a specific flooring material, you many need to adjust framing or floor heights. Old doors don’t always meet the standard openings, and its best to know the exact sizes before you start building.

Mechanical Systems

Sadly, a typical sacrifice in home construction is quality mechanical systems. Purchase and installation usually come towards the end of construction, and if you're over budget, there is a strong temptation to look towards downgrades when you really shouldn't. Your heating and cooling equipment is your comfort delivery system, this is not the place to try and save a dollar, and doing so will also probably cost you more in the long run by being less efficient, and your family being less comfortable.

Appliances and Electrical

Don't underestimate the amount of energy that will be consumed by appliances, electronics, and lighting. Read the tags on appliances to see what they consume, and look for those that are ENERGY STAR certified. LED lights will save electricity and money, and they will also help keep your house cooler in the summer. Incandescent bulbs convert 80% of their energy to heat, so turning on eight 100-watt bulbs is like turning on an 800-watt heater.

Who Will Draw Your Plans?

Architects

An architect will provide you with full professional services, meaning design, contract bidding, taking care of all contract documents, and getting

all permits and approvals. However, they aren’t cheap, so plan on spending approximately 10-12% of your total construction cost. Before signing on with someone, make sure you have either a good understanding of what you are looking for, or that there is a good working relationship where you are involved in the process.

Architectural Technologists or Designers

This route can be a lot more affordable than hiring an architect. You will probably pay $5,000-$10,000 depending on size and complexity, and the plans will still comply with municipal regulations. This can be a nice option for smaller projects or renovations. A technologist or designer may approach a project more mechanically than an architect. Once the plans are drawn, they will often relinquish responsibility, and the ball is then in your court.

Purchasing Pre-Drawn Plans

This can be useful if you are looking for a standard house. It's a much quicker process, and it is certainly an affordable option. On the downside, you likely

won’t find plans that match your vision perfectly, and any changes to the existing plan means the price will be higher than you originally thought.

Drawing Your Own Plans

This can be quite fun and rewarding, and if you do your research, you can get a great product that suits your lifestyle and needs quite well. Keep in mind — it will be quite time consuming, and there might be a hefty learning curve if you’re new to it.

Some municipalities aren’t too keen on plans drawn by owners, so check what their requirements are before getting too deep into it. In addition, you may forget some key points, so it can cost you a lot in the long run if you aren’t really careful in your planning.

Whatever options you choose, take time to do your research to ensure a final product you can be really satisfied with.

Mike Reynolds is the operations director for LEED AP Homes. 613-366 3702. EcoHome.net

Let Them Fall

By Lisa-Marie Haygood

[Academic Life] Have you ever gotten a call or a text from your child that he/ she forgot to bring something to school (homework, gym clothes, projects, etc.)? And then you excused yourself from a work meeting to go retrieve the item and take it to your child at school? Perhaps your child forgot to submit the necessary information for college financial aid by the necessary deadline, which can be a super costly mishap. Have you thought to

yourself, “I don’t know how that kid is going to survive college. He’d forget his head without me around!” If so, you’re not alone.

As a generation, many of us have been intervening in our children’s mistakes for quite some time. When we were smaller, playground arguments happened all the time. Now, if someone isn’t being nice to our children, we call teachers and other parents, and jump in to correct the behavior right away. We intervene so much and so quickly that our children aren’t learning how to problem solve, nor are they learning from their mistakes. We have overprotected them to a fault, and as a result, many children in this generation lack the ability to cope with

problems and frustrating circumstances when life doesn’t go as planned.

When we teach children to walk, ride a bike, or even roller skate, we expect them to have falls. A generation ago, children incurred lots of scrapes, bumps, and bruises. Now, kids have helmets, knee pads, elbow pads — they are fully armored for any accident that might occur.

When we rescue our children from failure, we are taking away an opportunity for a life lesson, which would give them the chance to learn and grow. It is in failure that our greatest growth happens. Before we complain about kids not taking responsibility for their actions, we need to ask ourselves if we, as parents, have given them the chance to do so.

in the

limelight

Bug You No More is a veteran-owned pest control company in Marietta, Georgia. Owner Tom McGaugh is a former Marine Sergeant, and he established Bug You No More to expand the already established and growing lawn care company, Maple Leaf Landscaping. Combining a pest control and lawn care company seemed like a natural fit. With over twenty years of pest prevention and termite colony

elimination experience, the extensive knowledge of Bug You No More’s Mike Jinks and Mike Zuniga have given the company all it needs to succeed, well, almost — Bug You No More needs you!

Bug You No More is built on quality, customer service, and family values. Tom suggests, “When you sit down at the dinner table, let Bug You No More join your family, not the unwanted insects. We will take the time needed to keep the ants off the cheesecake, ward off the mosquitoes, and knock down the spider webs. When you have an issue between services, call in the Marines!” Tom ensures that technicians will come back at no charge. So, light up the grill, marinate the steaks, and enjoy your family on the back patio.

“The most important thing is that the encroachment is stopped, and the family is protected from the diseases that roaches and other insects can spread,” says Tom. “We are the first line of defense

against what we call ‘the nasties,’ and we care about making sure you are in the driver’s seat, not the critters.”

Bug You No More believes that keeping our local community beautiful and pest free is important. Customers help them continue to do their part to ensure our community is a place where friends and family can enjoy time together in a pest-free environment. Call Bug You No More to schedule your free inspection and evaluation. Mention this story, and receive $20 off your initial service.

That Has Got to Hurt

Sports Dental Injuries

By Dr. Steven Anderson, D.M.D.

[Healthy Life] At a recent high school women’s basketball tournament, a player hit her head violently on the floor, was knocked unconscious, and experienced convulsions. She was not wearing a sports mouth guard. As traumatic as these injuries are, using a professional, custom-made mouth guard can help reduce the overall injuries that occur to your head and mouth. Custom mouth guards are a necessary and affordable piece of sports equipment.

Concussions, brain injuries, soft tissue lip or cheek trauma, and/or complete tooth loss often occur in sports activities. Dental injuries are the most common type of face injury sustained during sports, and most of these injuries are preventable. An athlete is sixty times more likely to sustain damage to the teeth when not wearing a protective mouth guard. Furthermore, the cost of fixing or replacing a fractured or lost tooth is much higher than the cost of a dentist-designed, custom-made mouth guard.

A mouth guard should be considered for all contact sports, especially when the athlete is at a higher risk for head injuries. Professional, custom-made mouth guards are not bulky and do not interfere with play. Mouth guards are fabricated to custom fit the upper, lower, or all teeth. They fit snug and stay in place during play. Custom mouth guards

can even be made to fit over braces. But finding a dentist experienced in fabricating mouth guards for players with braces can be tricky.

The store-bought “bite and boil” mouth guards fall out during impact play, disintegrate prematurely, obstruct breathing and speaking, and often require a strap attachment, and athletes also find them uncomfortable. For about $50, custom-made mouth guards are a great value for the comfort and protection they offer. A trip to the dentist to treat facial trauma and/or to replace a tooth can cost 10-100 times the cost of the custom mouth guard.

The most important function of the mouth guard is to protect against concussions and brain injuries. For less than the cost of athletic shoes, a custommade mouth guard can be designed and fabricated by your dentist to help protect your face and teeth. Everyone sees your teeth, and we all need them to eat. Protect what you get one chance to keep. After all, great dentistry is all about you and keeping your teeth!

What do you do if an adult tooth is knocked out?

• Do your best to find the tooth.

• Do not wash or rinse the tooth.

• Store the tooth in saliva (carefully in the cheek) or in milk. Water is not ideal, but better than transporting the tooth dry.

• If you are comfortable orienting the tooth correctly back in the mouth and the tooth does not have foreign debris on it, you can reposition the tooth back in the mouth.

• If there are no urgent/life threatening conditions, call your dentist immediately. Repositioning the tooth back in the mouth is most successful within the first hour after trauma.

Artist Profile

BY TINA MORRIS

ATennessee native, Brian White has been performing all his life, beginning in church choir and progressing to high school plays and musicals. Brian moved to Georgia after earning a role in a live musical show at Six Flags. While there, he auditioned for the Atlanta Jazz Theatre and was cast in their professional dance company. On scholarship with the company, Brian took thirteen dance classes a week to further develop his talents. During this time, he landed a role in The Music Man at the Alliance Theatre. Originally cast in the chorus, three days before opening, the director asked him to take over the role of Tommy Djilas, the younger male lead, because the original actor became ill and was unable to perform.

While performing at the Alliance, Disney posted an audition notice back stage, and Brian seized the opportunity. After earning a role with Disney, he went on to perform with them for eleven years on eight different stages. Brian participated in a U.S. and European tour with Disney. On the European leg of the tour, he learned and performed the show in German and French. He was also part of some beloved shows including the Hoop De Doo Dinner Review and, his personal favorite, The Diamond Horseshoe Review, which was a lively can-can show.

In 1986 while recovering from torn ligaments in his ankle, Brian obtained his real estate license and began flipping houses in downtown Orlando. Ten years later, he returned to Georgia to pursue real estate full time. However, when the housing market slowed in 2008, Brian had time to return to the stage, performing a couple of shows a year.

Since his return to the stage, Brian has performed in many shows including The Great American Trailer Park, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and The Lion in Winter. His favorite genre to perform is musical theater. When he is acting, he immerses himself in the role. Brian states that the most difficult role he’s ever undertaken was King Henry because it was emotionally, physically, and mentally draining. However, Brian’s most recent role was in the fun, comedic First Date – The Musical with the Marietta Theatre Company.

In addition to theatre, Brian discovered a new creative outlet in quilting. He has quickly found success in this timeless folk art, as a pattern of his was recently published, and he was commissioned by a major company to create a quilt for a billboard advertisement.

Brian plans to continue acting, as he is offered roles that he feels would be a good fit for him. He truly is multi-talented — acting, singing, dancing, and quilting! Brian’s advice to aspiring artists is, “Don’t give up. Push through challenges, and keep doing the work.” That’s actually pretty great advice for any of life’s pursuits.

Morris is a student in the MFA creative writing program at Reinhardt University. 770-720-5582. Reinhardt.edu/ Graduate/MFACW/

[Lifestyle] I have owned a lot of dogs in my life, and each one was special. Since my wife and I have been together, we have picked up abandoned dogs from the side of the road that people dropped off because they did not want them. Every dog we took in, we named for the county in which we found them. One that really stands out is DC from Dawson County. She was the sweetest dog we ever had in our family.

My love for dogs started as a child when I saved some puppies from our neighbor’s house. I was outside one evening and could hear puppies crying. I followed the sound to my neighbor’s house. What I saw broke my heart. The puppies were trapped under the house. I went to my dad’s shed to get a hammer and chisel to

try and knock a hole wide enough to stick my head and shoulders in to rescue these puppies. It took me an hour to accomplish this rescue plan, and I proceeded to fit my way in this hole. Once inside, I started whistling for the puppies to come to me. I heard nothing, but all the way on the other side of the house, I could see a huge opening for the puppies to get out. What made things worse is that the puppies came around the house to start chewing my feet. I knew I was going to be in a lot of trouble when the neighbor came home to find this hole at the base of his house.

Pets often make great therapeutic companions for willing seniors who

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

are in a position to properly care for them. Cherokee County Senior Services is next door to the Cherokee Animal Shelter. They have senior/retiree volunteers who come daily to walk the dogs, and I’m not sure who benefits more — the handler or the dog. Susan Garcia and her staff do a remarkable job with their program in their beautifully updated facility. L

Man’s Best Friend

By Tim Morris

Come GROW With Woodstock

By Nereida Claudio

GROW is an organization of volunteers that has a vested interest in the beautification of downtown Woodstock. The organization functions as an arm of the Main Street Woodstock board, and it is responsible for a few programs that are cherished family traditions and functions in Woodstock.

Although, there are a few other projects that GROW lends its efforts to, it is responsible for three main projects each year. They are items related to the beautification of

downtown Woodstock such as seasonal plantings or beloved traditions such as the Scarecrow Invasion and the Holiday Décor that you see during the winter. This amazing group of volunteers can often be found with their hands full of dirt, changing the plants each season, and they have been known to climb trees to incorporate colorful holiday ornaments.

If you have ever been to Woodstock’s Visitors Store around October and November, you have

seen GROW’s volunteers helping the community sign up for the Scarecrow Invasion. The annual Scarecrow Invasion is one of their most popular events, and it has been duplicated throughout other cities due to the tradition created whereby businesses and the community are invited to design and build the most creative scarecrow around town! The team is already in the planning phases for this year’s Scarecrow Invasion as well as downtown Woodstock’s holiday décor. If you enjoy being a dirt-slinging volunteer, or if you are interested in collaborating with this group of volunteers, please consider joining them!

The GROW volunteers meet on the third Thursday of every month, and they also plan social events to local nurseries and downtown areas to learn from the best practices of other surrounding cities and counties. Please plan to join GROW for its next monthly meeting on April 19 at 6:00pm. The group meets at Chattahoochee Tech in the Woodstock Conference Room, 8371 Main Street, Woodstock.

For more information about GROW, find them on Facebook by entering “GROW downtown Woodstock” in the site’s search bar, email them at Design@MainStreetWoodstock. org, or visit MainStreetWoodstock. org/community/#beauty. It’s our community that keeps us connected, so the volunteers at GROW look forward to meeting you!

Breast Implants — Staying in Proportion

By Drs. Petrosky, Harkins, Leake and Depew

[Healthy Life]

When it comes to breast augmentation, choosing the implant size is probably your most important decision. Consider the following factors before your appointment:

Amount of Breast Tissue

Your existing breast tissue provides coverage for your implant. If you start out with little breast tissue and choose large implants, the results could end up looking unnatural.

Quality of Skin

This can be dependent on age, past pregnancies, and weight fluctuations. Minor skin laxity can be okay because often a large enough implant can fill out the sagging skin. Moderate to severe laxity may require your breast augmentation to be coupled with a breast lift.

Your Height/Weight/Frame

Beautiful and natural-looking results require you to select implants that look proportional to the rest of your body. Petite women cannot support as big of an implant as taller women.

A broad chest or fuller hips may warrant the choice of larger implants. Additionally, your implants should not make you physically uncomfortable.

Plans for Growing a Family

Though having children may seem far off for some patients, it is something to consider when scheduling breast augmentation. Pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause major changes in your breasts. If you are planning on having children soon, it may make more sense to wait until after you are done nursing.

Lifestyle

Individuals who lead active lifestyles may want to consider smaller implants. You don’t want your new breasts to interfere with your favorite activities.

Don’t let all these decisions and considerations scare you off — Your surgeon should assist you by answering your questions or by educating you on your breast implant options. With any surgery you are considering, make sure your consultation is with a specialty-trained plastic surgeon.

are board-certified plastic surgeons, and

is a board-eligible plastic surgeon at Plastic Surgery Center of the South. 770-421-1242. PlasticSurgeryCenterOfTheSouth.net

Campbell & Brannon 8744 Main Street, Suite 101

Woodstock 404-939-9250

Attorneys/Real Estate Law

Cherokee County Tax Commissioner – Tag Kiosk Inside Kroger Store #463

2295 Towne Lake Parkway, Suite 132

Woodstock 678-493-6400

Government – County

A Dandelion Girl Children’s Books ADandelionGirl.com 404-435-9710

Retail

Resurgens Orthopaedics

1495 Hickory Flat Highway, Suite 200 Canton 678-505-4455

Medical Clinic

Walmart Stores, Inc., #5275 E-Commerce Launch 6435 Bells Ferry Road Woodstock 770-926-2606

Retail Department Stores

Fairfield Inn & Suites Woodstock 455 Parkway 575 Woodstock 770-926-4669

Hotels/Motels

Woodstock Visitors Center at Dean’s Store 8588 Main Street Woodstock 770-924-0406

Visitors Center

Chamber Award

Congratulations to Chamber Volunteer of the Quarter Josh Wise, owner of GrassRoots Tree and Turf Care. Josh received his award from Chamber Board Chair Julianne Rivera.