Titles and Blurbs

Creating Spiritual Richness Through Shapes, Lines, and Colors

By Ellen Samsell Salas

Painter Kristie Brooks-Paige has always had an artists eye. On family road trips, Brooks-Paige eagerly soaked up the passing rural and urban landscapes.

My father would drive us to New York, she said. I was fascinated with buildings, with brownstones. I just love the shapes.

Today, her childhood fascination with shapes and colors finds expression in Brooks-Paiges paintings. In a style she calls urban folklore, she conveys an uplifting, childlike innocence and optimism. Through the whimsical interplay of active shapes and lines and muted as well as vibrant colors, the scenes come alive even the buildings seem to be moving.

The viewer is treated to a snapshot of city streets and suburban avenues and their inhabitants. Brooks-Paiges first expression of this subject grew from a trip to Cleveland where, sitting with a friend, she could see children on a playground.

They were stick-like silhouettes, and I thought it was just beautiful, said Brooks-Paige.

Returning to her home in Staunton, Virginia, Brooks-Paige couldnt wait to capture those figures, and although she exhibited the painting of the children on the playground, she wouldnt sell it.

While her urban folklore style paintings are her most frequently requested, Brooks-Paiges studies of people also evoke human connection and emotion. Set against boldly colored backgrounds amid simply rendered settings, the figures, which mirror her silhouette figures but are larger and fill the foreground, communicate mood and feeling.

Im not doing straight realism. Im doing something that came out of me in a divine moment, Brooks-Paige explained. Sometimes, when I wake up, Ill see thats how Im going to paint. It will come to me.

Deep connection to her subjects and her art is apparent.
At the start of the day, I know I want to do something uplifting, and thats the feeling I get when I paint, Brooks-Paige said.

Painting daily is essential, often in the solitude of early morning and late at night.

I find energy for my art. Its automatic. When its time to paint, its time to paint. I feel relaxed and free when I paint, said Brooks-Paige.

Brooks-Paige has painted for as long as she can remember.
From the time I was a small child, my father would paint, and I would paint whenever he did. I watched him and asked questions, she said.

It was her high school art teacher, Dorothy Dunnings, who planted the idea that she could make art her career. Heartened by Dunnings encouragement, Brooks-Paige enrolled at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh where she majored in fashion illustration/graphic design. The chance to design apparel graphics brought her to Georgia and led to a successful 13 years in that field. 

Brooks-Paige has exhibited her work extensively, including at the Shenandoah Valley Art Center, the 2011 Art is King exhibit in Atlanta, and the 2018 Douglasville Vine Cafe and Market Exhibit. Currently, she is preparing for a juried exhibit to be presented in the metro Atlanta area. She is also painting for an exhibit at the Artisans Loft in Staunton and volunteers as a docent at MOCA Georgia.

Brooks-Paiges work can be seen at KristiesArt.com.

Simply "The Best Service Company Ever!"

By Ellen Samsell Salas

Putting Customers and Employees First
Josh Wise, founder and owner of GrassRoots Turf, says, Its easy to live up to our companys motto, The Best Service Company Ever! The key is to care care about your customers and care about your employees. We consistently receive five-star ratings from our customers because our relationship with them is all about giving the best service.

When homeowners choose GrassRoots, they are receiving a full-service turf management program that is all inclusive.

Our customers are spared the pain and frustration of unexpected extra costs, Wise assures. 

A family owned and operated business, GrassRoots includes Wises mother, father, brother, and cousin. GrassRoots employees are highly valued, and they are trusted to value customers in the same manner. In an industry known for seasonal layoffs, GrassRoots keeps technicians year-round and provides them with a two-week paid leave at Christmas. Each employee also receives his/her birthday off.

Technicians service the same lawns, get to know their customers, and are always on the lookout for ways to make their clients day better, whether it be assisting with unloading groceries or bringing up the trash cans.

Were more than just a lawn care company; our sole focus is the happiness of our customers as well as our employees, Wise says. We dont work Saturdays. Our customers want to enjoy their yards on the weekend, and our employees want to spend their weekends with their families.

Growing, but Keeping Service the No. 1 Priority
The GrassRoots commitment to top-notch service was cultivated from Wises extensive experience in the industry. Launching his own lawn care business at 14, he taught himself the business from the roots up. In 2002, Wise opened GrassRoots. Prompted by the companys growth, GrassRoots began offering franchise opportunities in 2019.

GrassRoots currently has five locations in the works, including one in Charlotte, North Carolina. While the companys territory expands, delivering the best service remains top priority. To guarantee consistency, Wise assists in the hiring and training of all franchise technicians.

We will be hands-on with our franchises, says Wise, You must have the right people to ensure that customer service stays top notch.

Leading the Way in Lawn Service
Always aware of industry trends, Wise performs in-depth research before making any operational changes. New this year, the company is leading the industry offering state-of-the-art service by outfitting all GrassRoots technicians with body cameras to record each application.

Im a firm believer in staying ahead of industry trends, Wise insists.

Having a video record of how applications were performed will ensure that all areas of each yard are covered.

We want our customers to have peace of mind that our technicians have done a thorough job, Wise says.

Giving Back to the Community
While Wise is a member of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, GrassRoots also gives back to the community by donating to 48 schools in Cherokee, Cobb, and Paulding Counties. Working with PTAs, the company donates 5% of all revenue earned from clients who say they learned of GrassRoots through the publicity campaign at their childs school.

Its really simple, Wise assures. Before we make any changes or decisions, we ask What will benefit our customer, and what will benefit our employees? We
want only a win-win situation. We aim for mutually beneficial policies.

GrassRoots Turf
100 Holt Drive, Acworth
833-66-GRASS (833-664-7277)
GrassRootsTurf.com

Offering the Same 5-Star Service That Defines GrassRoots Turf

By Ellen Samsell Salas

Opening their doors on February 1, GrassRoots Turf of Alpharetta might have new faces in the office, but they have the drive to provide the same 5-star service that is the hallmark of their parent company, GrassRoots Turf.

We are not changing anything. GrassRoots has been perfectly designed over almost 20 years; theres no reason to change anything, says David Palmer, who with his daughter, Megan, and son, Nick, is the owner of this new GrassRoots franchise.

Megans husband, Mark, has also joined the team as one of GrassRoots highly trained technicians. With a territory that covers north Fulton County, all of Forsyth County, and parts of Hall County, their goal is to live up to the GrassRoots motto, The BEST service company EVER.

Homeowners who choose GrassRoots Turf of Alpharetta will receive the same all-inclusive turf management program that is the heart of their parent company. Customers may either pay an annual amount with a 5% discount or register for monthly installments with autopay, and they never have to worry about unexpected additional charges because the lawn program includes everything that could possibly be needed to keep the lawn healthy and WEED FREE !

After each technicians visit, homeowners will receive an email outlining the treatments that were applied. Customers also have unlimited service calls if there is ever a concern between scheduled services.

As a member of the GrassRoots family, the company videotapes every trip to service a lawn. This video record of how applications were performed ensures that customers always have peace of mind by knowing exactly what the technicians have done.

Looking for a franchise opportunity that could be family-owned and run, Palmer said the family knew they had found a great business opportunity as soon as they spoke to Josh Wise, who founded GrassRoots Turf in 2002.

Joshs story and business are compelling. Josh runs a very unique company, Palmer says. From its business model to its top-notch service, its concern for employees, and its being family owned and run, we were sold when we saw that Joshs model focuses on doing whatever it takes to make the customer happy.

Building on years of business experience, Palmer will manage the business side of the franchise while Nick, who with his father has owned and operated his own lawncare company for several years, will work with Mark and the companys technicians. Megan will be assisting in the office.

All our employees will be part of our GrassRoots family, Palmer assured.

Like the GrassRoots proven model, technicians are trained to bring a service first attitude to each of their assigned properties. Because they dont work on commission, technicians focus on providing the best service, getting to know the lawn type, topographical features, sun and shade components of each property, and doing whatever is needed to maintain a beautiful and healthy lawn.

Spotting areas that might need attention, technicians will proceed with treatments without needing the go-ahead from the office. If a client has a concern, that issue is immediately addressed. Technicians are committed to the company philosophy that providing 5-star service is their No.1 priority.

Our technicians are determined to do what needs to be done for a yard and do it right the first time, said Palmer.

Clients can be assured that their assigned technician knows their yard and is always ready to offer assistance, from making certain all gates are secured and all pets are safe to bringing in trash receptacles if a family is out of town.

In between services, customers can reach GrassRoots Turf of Alpharetta through the company website, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Palmer also encourages his clients to call or send him an email if they have any concern.

For more information about GrassRoots of Alpharetta, visit their website or give them a call.

GrassRoots Turf of Alpharetta
5720 Commerce Blvd., Suite 104
Alpharetta, GA 30004
833-66-GRASS (833-664-7277)
GrassRootsTurf.com

Puts a Brand New Coat on a Weather-Beaten Profession

By Gregory Flail

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We strive to give our customers exactly what they want, Dan explains. One of the ways we do that is to assign a professional Project Manager to each client. All our estimates are conducted on-site, so we can accurately assess the cost. Our estimates dont change either, unless clients request additional services.

While Five Stars success has exceeded even the McMillans own expectations, Dan and Meredith couldnt be happier with the additional benefits of running a local business. They have found an opportunity to contribute to the beautification of the surrounding community as well as the welfare of their fellow Georgians.

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

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

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

Five Star Painting
404-969-4602
FiveStarPainting.com

By Jessica Oravec

Have you ever dreamt about someone and then experienced dj vu when you met them in real life? Do you believe that your dreams mean something? What would you do if your dreams seemed to be pulling you in a different direction from your current circumstances? Colleen Oakleys new book, You Were There Too, explores how our dreams can impact our lives.

Mia, a young artist, has just moved to Hope Springs with her husband, a surgeon named Harrison. They made a fresh start after the tragic death of one of Harrisons patients. Seemingly the perfect couple at first, readers quickly discover the cracks in their marriage. Mia has been dreaming about someone for most of her life. And when that someone, whose name turns out to be Oliver, shows up in her life, the cracks in her marriage grow larger.

As Mia and Oliver explore their connection and attempt to figure out why they both have been dreaming of each other, it seems as if fate is pushing Mia closer to Oliver and further from Harrison. Mia must make a choice. Should she stay on the path she has chosen with the man that she loves? Or should she follow the dreams that are leading her down a different road? As Mia searches her heart to determine the answer, something happens that comes with consequences that affect everyone she knows and loves.

Oakley weaves a story filled with three dimensional characters who have quirks, charms, and faults. She does not shy away from grief and pain, but instead allows it to help her characters grow. In the end, you will see the many ways we love others, and you may find yourself asking, What if?

By Ryland Johnson

As a child, you probably read a story about kids solving crimes (Nancy Drew, Encyclopedia Brown, the Boxcar Children, the Hardy Boys, etc.). Childrens mystery has been a foundational genre of youth literature for more than a hundred years, informing our pop-cultural sensibilities from Harry Potter to Scooby-Doo. A bunch of curious kids work together (perhaps alongside a lovable dog) to unmask the villain. Its a story weve enjoyed since Oliver Twist.

Edgar Canteros Meddling Kids trades on the legacy of childrens mystery by imagining the adult lives of former child detectives. Spoiler alert its dark. Some messed up things happened in the haunted mansion, things that people dont talk about. For years. Meddling Kids picks up the story of the Blyton Summer Detective Club in recovery, with scars both physical and mental, as they return to Blyton Hills for one last case: to find out what really happened back then.

This author is not the first to take up the exercise of adultifying a beloved childrens tale. But Cantero manages to both reward and challenge expectations. He delivers the beats and tropes like a pro, but with enough sass and creativity in language to keep it fresh and satisfying. Saccharine moments are countered with cold, punch-in-the-gut realism. Under it all, there is a nuanced, often bittersweet meditation on the nature of storytelling. What do we do when we start telling the stories we were told when we were kids? Theres something true about the horror of it all, discovering that fairy tale kids are usually eaten by wolves, that the little mermaid was turned into seafoam. Meddling Kids is poignant because it realizes the horror of the adult perspective.

Cantero clearly loves the source material as well. Meddling Kids is as much a love letter to Where the Red Fern Grows as it is to Scooby-Doo. His enthusiasm for adventure is infectious, filling the book with plenty of campy, spooky fun, but he has also captured the feeling of summer camp, the melodrama of teenage yearning, and the razor-sharp danger of innocent youthful recklessness.

Myths, Realities, and How You Can Help

By District Attorney Shannon Wallace

Its hard to imagine the horrors of human trafficking. Worldwide, people are forced into modern day slavery, subjected to threats and violence at the hands of traffickers, and obligated to have sex simply to survive. But its important to understand the myths and realities that surround this crime as well as ways you can help.

Myths

Myth #1 Human trafficking doesnt happen here.
Many people mistakenly believe this crime doesnt happen in Cherokee. Truth is, there have been federal and state prosecutions stemming from human trafficking investigations in our county. According to the GRACE Commission, an organization established by Georgias First Lady Marty Kemp, metro Atlanta is ranked abnormally high in this crime.

Myth #2 Victims are always snatched off the street by strangers.
Most of us have read stories about strangers in white vans snatching children while they walk down the street. While this might occur sometimes, human traffickers typically use more discrete methods to lure their victims, such as social media.

Myth #3 Victims always know they will be selling their bodies.
Traffickers sometimes lure victims into the life by false promises. They promise victims careers in modeling or acting, and once victims are in, its difficult to escape.

Realities

Human trafficking is a highly underreported crime. Many victims are afraid to call the police, feel trapped, and think they have no other options.

Traffickers target vulnerable people who lack a strong support system, especially runaway teens, child abuse survivors, people with substance abuse addictions, and people with mental or physical disabilities. Once predators find potential victims, they groom or manipulate them for a period before luring them away.

With the ease and enormity of the internet, these criminals can reach victims without leaving their home. Through online ads and job opportunities that sound too good to be true, traffickers initiate contact in a manner that seems innocent.

Predators also friend or follow young people on social media and watch for posts about difficulties at school or home, which can signal vulnerability. Predators take advantage of this vulnerability to earn trust, then alienate victims from friends and family.

Ways You Can Help

Anyone can be susceptible to the ploys of human traffickers, even kids who think they know better. The biggest single piece of advice for parents is to monitor and pay attention to what children are doing on their devices.

Another way to help is by supporting organizations, such as Wellspring Living and Noonday Association of Churches, which help survivors by providing safe housing, education and therapy, and gradual assimilation back into society.

If you or someone you know is a victim and needs help, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 (HumanTraffickingHotline.org) or Statewide Georgia Hotline for Domestic Minor Trafficking at 1-844-842-3678.

Human Trafficking Facts

Georgia is ranked 7th in the nation in reported human trafficking, with 375 cases in 2018, versus 98 in 2012 (National Human Trafficking Hotline).
The average age of entry into the commercial sex market is 12 to 14 years old (Shared Hope International).
1 in 6 reported endangered runaways is believed to be a human trafficking victim (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children).
63% of human trafficking victims report being sold online (THORN).
7,200 men purchase sex from a minor every month in Georgia, accounting for 8,700 sex acts (The Schapiro Group).

What Parents Need To Know

By Sean Thompson

Parents are hardwired to protect their children from the dangers of the world. If your child wants to go to a friends house, it is natural for you to ask questions to determine if it is a safe environment, but are you also questioning his/her internet or cell phone habits? If not, now is the time to start, so your son or daughter doesnt fall prey to a child predator.

Members of the Roswell Police Department frequently provide training about the dangers of the internet and social media to parents and students. It can be an uncomfortable topic for families to discuss, but we cannot stress enough the importance of finding out who your children speak to online, what activities they are engaging in, and what apps they are using. There are over 1 billion websites and over 2 million mobile apps, each with unique features and guidelines.

One of the primary safety tips for parents to know is to never allow their children to communicate with an unknown entity. Parents should physically meet the people with whom their children communicate. Never allow your child to meet with or send photographs to any unknown individuals.

Sexting is the practice of creating, sending, and/or posting sexually suggestive language, images, or video via mobile phone, email, or internet proxy. Parents should stress to children that anything that is captured, passed through, or viewed on an electronic device does not completely disappear. Even when deleted, a digital trail remains, which can easily be picked up by those with harmful intent.

The Canadian Centre for Child Protection conducted a study of 152,000 reports of child sexual abuse and found that children under 12 years of age were depicted in 78.30% of the child exploitation images and videos assessed by their team, and 63.40% of those children were under 8 years old. We, as a society, need to do better to protect our children.

When it comes to Facebook or other social media platforms, look at the type of access that your childs profile provides. Profiles can be open to the public, accessible to friends of friends, or open only to accepted friends. Do not allow children to geotag or check-in everywhere they go or to announce travel plans. Announcements and check-ins provide the opportunity for strangers to know your childs patterns of behavior and whereabouts.

Further information on internet and social media safety can be obtained through training with your local police department, or by visiting the National Center for Missing and Exploited Childrens website at MissingKids.org/netsmartz/topics/sexting. The best way to protect your children is to educate yourself, set a good example of safe internet communications, and be aware of your childs internet activity.

Things To Consider When Planning a Marriage Proposal or Promposal

By Julie Senger

Love and romance are in the air! With Valentines Day coming up this month and prom season right around the corner, many are trying to come up with a unique way to ask someone they care about a very exciting question: Will you marry me? or Will you go to prom with me? While the answer to the second question is not a lifelong commitment like the response to the first question, those who want to be creative when asking someone to prom will still benefit from the following considerations (but perhaps on a smaller scale). So, before devising the perfect way to ask your big question, here are some questions to ask yourself:

What interests/passions/talents can I use for this plan?

Are you a writer? A musician? An athlete? Whatever your talent or interest is, you will be much more relaxed about asking your question if you employ a method that puts you in your comfort zone. Constructing a poem, writing a song, or wearing a T-shirt with a special message as you cross the finish line of your marathon then run over to surprise your biggest fan would be sweet ways to play to your strengths.

What are my partners personal interests/passions/talents?

Does he/she adore animals? Volunteer work? Cooking? Art? Regardless of the interest or passion, coming up with a creative way to incorporate something your partner loves shows that you pay attention to the things that are important to him/her.

Is there a location that is special to one or both of us?

When considering where youd like to ask your question, think about places that mean something to one or both of you. You might return to the location where you met or had your first date, or you may consider surprising your partner by going to a place the two of you have always wanted to check out but havent had the chance to do so yet.

What is my partner's personality?

Is your special someone shy or private, preferring small, quiet settings? Or is he/she a social butterfly who has never met a stranger and is not bothered by being the center of attention?

The answers to these questions should help dictate whether you decide to ask your question when its just the two of you (or at most a few close family members and/or friends) or if it should be a very public setting that puts your partner in the spotlight in front of lots of family, friends, and possibly strangers.

Introverted individuals might enjoy being asked while the two of you are hiking up Kennesaw Mountain, canoeing around Lake Allatoona or Lake Lanier, or walking through a beautiful backyard garden. A private dinner or picnic made up of his/her favorite foods are also great ways to set the scene for your query.

Extravagant examples for extraverts might include choreographed flash mobs, renting a jumbotron or billboard, or hiring a skywriter. A less extravagant yet equally charming example might include asking a bunch of classmates, coworkers, or friends to be involved in an extended spectacle/task, such as handing your partner several notes or clues throughout the day, which culminates with you asking your question.

If planning something adventurous, is the idea safe?

Most of us have read or heard awful stories about someone getting injured (or even killed) during a proposal or promposal. So, make sure your plan isnt dangerous.

If an engagement ring is involved, be careful not to present it in a way that might cause this pricey piece of jewelry to be lost. For example, its probably not a good idea to hand over the ring while in or near an ocean, lake, or river, or while dangling from a mountainside/cliff or freefalling during a tandem skydive.

Hiding the ring in food or beverage items has also resulted in the ring being accidentally swallowed, which may lead to a serious medical emergency, and it could also lead to undesirable bathroom excavation projects, which (while it might make for a funny story years later) would certainly take all the romance out of the present event.

When high school ends, students often wonder about their next step. Many young adults with special needs from Cherokee and surrounding counties find their answer at Next Step Ministries. This organization provides therapeutic daycare for people with developmental and acquired disabilities.

Our goal is to meet families at their point of need, caring for their special needs family members in a therapeutic, Christian environment, says Lori Baker, founder of Next Step Ministries. We help special needs individuals improve their quality of life by providing safe, appropriate, and interactive programs.

Next Step Ministries currently serves more than 75 clients annually, and about 45 clients daily. On any given day, youll find young people involved in activities like cooking, music therapy, riding the Next Step van to community outings, creating art, or making Hope Bones dog biscuits (which are distributed to local retailers). Many clients also learn valuable life and socialization skills.

Engaged volunteers play a big part in helping and serving clients. In addition, interns from Kennesaw State University, Chattahoochee Tech, and Adler University learn from the clients, as they hone their skills in their respective areas of study.

Each summer and during school holidays, Next Step offers popular day camps for school-aged young people. In addition, the ministry offers respite care on Saturdays and after school care on weekdays. These programs are designed for those who might not otherwise be able to participate in similar programs because of the extra care needed.

Even though many clients are nonverbal, they still express their joy in attending. Peters mom reports that he loves his day at Next Step and often (even on weekends) is waiting by the door in the morning ready to go! A trip to the center reveals lots of smiling faces and friendships.

So, whats next for Next Step? Growth has been a challenge. Twice in the last two years, additional space has been acquired to provide room for more clients. Next Step now has two campuses where services are provided.

At this point, a capital campaign has been launched for a new building that would allow for growth over the next 10 years at the main facility in Woodstock. This is a critical step to continue to serve the growing number of clients who are moderately to severely developmentally delayed as well as those who are medically fragile.

Because Next Step is a nonprofit organization, the need for donations and volunteers is great. In addition to the capital campaign, funds are always needed to support ongoing programs. Volunteers can serve in several ways including helping with clients, participating in Saturday respite programs, sharing a special talent, and maintaining the garden area.

Please visit the website for more information and ways to get involved.

7709 Turner Road
Woodstock, GA 30188
770-592-1227
NextStepMinistries.net

In the U.S., you are more likely to die by an overdose or alcohol-related death than by a car crash or gun violence, and despite all efforts to prevent addiction, 23.5 million Americans need treatment for illicit drug or alcohol abuse. How does one help millions of people recover from their addiction and return to their families and communities rather than adding to this pervasive crisis that now grips every level of society?

There is hope. Following treatment, the chances for lasting recovery increase from 15% to 68% for individuals who maintain a sober living environment during their first year of recovery. This transition is critically important, yet there is a void in society for this type of environment. Even if available, the costs can be expensive and unsustainable for most people.

As a nonprofit, faith-based ministry for men, Vision Warriors believes recovery should not bankrupt an individual or his family. The ministry provides the highest level of care for the lowest cost in the market and provides scholarships for those unable to afford the member dues. Men join Vision Warriors by their own choice and are prescreened for their dedication to living in a supportive, Christ-centered community.

After the first 30 days, the new individuals ability to stay is voted on by current members. This process is designed to maintain the culture and community the ministry strives to be. Vision Warrior members are hardworking, caring people of various ages and ethnicities from all walks of life, who are dedicated to living out three core values: community, transparency, and accountability.

In addition to providing a sober living environment for this season in each members life, Vision Warriors has developed relationships with employers across north Fulton county to maintain 100% employment. Job placement provides a level of self-respect and accountability, as well as the opportunity to develop vocational skills for meaningful careers. 

Recovery journeys are unique to each individual. As long as Vision Warrior men are working through their personal means for recovery, they have the ability to pursue what works best for them. However, as a Christ-centered ministry, men in early stages of recovery attend a Bible study Tuesday night, a house meeting Thursday night, and a group pastoral counseling session Saturday morning. Guests are also welcome to attend.

How can you help? Vision Warriors believes lasting recovery should be available to anyone willing to fight for it, regardless of his ability to pay. Your donation ensures that Vision Warriors can provide scholarships for the courageous men seeking to reclaim their lives. Also, the ministry needs monthly household items, volunteer groups to tackle basic projects, and companies willing to provide job placement options. To find out more, please visit the Vision Warriors website or give them a call. Your generosity will create lasting change in the lives of Vision Warrior men and their families.

Vision Warriors
5665 Atlanta Highway, Suite 102-309
Alpharetta, GA 30004
833-VW4-HELP (833-894-4357)
WarOn.org

It's All About Your Smile

By Patti Richter

For some people, a health career can be just that a career. For others, the ones we hope will provide our medical care, its a calling.

Dr. Michelle Ireland, as a pre-med student at Judson College in her home state of Alabama, had been determined to study medicine. Thats why she paid little attention to a professor who urged her to consider dentistry. She explained that her experiences in a dental chair while growing up had not been positive. But a summer mission trip to South Africa provided her with a more compelling reason to change direction.

The medical doctor I was supposed to work with that summer ended up being a dentist, she said, and I enrolled in dental school after returning home.

Dr. Ireland found her calling when she realized that dentistry can be life changing. She also discovered that she loves helping people. Eating and smiling are important things, she said.

ADVANCED EDUCATION AND EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE

Dr. Irelands education continued at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, and she focused on pediatric dentistry for two years. But, during her senior year, her direction became more specific after she was selected as an honors student for prosthodontics. UAB is clinically oriented with an extensive patient base and a high demand for prosthodontic services.

My selection afforded me the opportunity to undertake more advanced, full mouth reconstruction, Dr. Ireland said. I had always enjoyed math and puzzles, and I fell in love with the complex challenges of restorative dentistry.

After earning her Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree, Dr. Irelands extra years of education included training to restore the optimum function and aesthetics of a smile. Prosthodontic dentistry includes diagnosing, restoring, and replacing missing teeth in multiple, diverse, and complex dental conditions.

Dr. Ireland now has more than 20 years of private practice experience that began in Chattanooga, Tennessee. During nine of her 16 years of prosthodontic practice in that city, she made a weekly two-hour commute back to Birmingham, where she served as an adjunct professor in the dental schools Department of Prosthodontics.

I always enjoyed teaching helping students realize their potential, she explained.

Her faculty appointment included teaching prosthodontics at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, providing lectures, and speaking at local and district dental societies and meetings.

COMPREHENSIVE DENTAL SERVICES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

After relocating to north Georgia with her family in 2012, Dr. Ireland joined a general dental practice in Buford before establishing her own practice near Canton in January 2019. She purchased the former Free Home Dental office now renamed Ireland Restorative Dentistry.

With a team of caring professionals and state-of-the-art dental technology, Ireland Restorative Dentistry provides both prosthodontic and general services such as dental hygiene, teeth cleaning, digital dental X-rays, fillings, and much more. The staff can care for the entire family ages three and older.

This dental practice is set apart by Dr. Irelands skill level and specialized training in prosthodontics including implants, crowns, bridges, and dentures. She is capable of transforming a smile through restorative procedures, which incorporate dental and facial conditions and underlying jaw structures and function.

Dr. Irelands advanced training also includes cosmetic dentistry. This growing field of elective dental services improves the appearance of a patients teeth and smile. In addition to teeth whitening, cosmetic dentistry addresses the issues of missing or damaged teeth and spaces between teeth.

Composite bonding replaces broken or chipped teeth; dental veneers cover spaces, cracks, and chips in teeth, and improve color; and inlays and onlays provide a longer lasting filling. Beyond the aesthetic benefits, these elective treatments can help to preserve teeth and eliminate the need for more invasive procedures.

Ireland Restorative Dentistry is located 8 miles east of I-575 in Canton. It serves the communities of Woodstock, Holly Springs, Ellijay, Ball Ground, Jasper, Blue Ridge, Rydal, Free Home, Lathemtown, Macedonia, Milton, Alpharetta, Roswell, and Cumming.

Please call for an appointment or visit the website for more information about treatment procedures.

Ireland Restorative Dentistry
General - Cosmetic - Implants
12875 Cumming Highway, Suite 101
Canton, GA 30115
678-845-0366
IrelandDentistry.com

Making Athletes at All Ages and Levels Better Athletes

By Ellen Samsell Salas

Its a culture of helping people, said Aldo Romano, managing director of Roswells new Athletic Republic (AR) sports performance center. We offer a better way to train and a better way to help every one of our clients to be a better athlete. It doesnt really matter where youre coming from well get you there.

This commitment means that AR trains athletes as young as elementary age as well as competitive high school, college and pro athletes, active adults at any age, in addition to those recovering from injury or surgery. A family friendly gym, AR even offers training for parents while their children are taking classes.

Aldo explained that Athletic Republics success focuses on four key principles speed, power, agility, and stamina which are the building blocks of athleticism as well as ARs proven programs to help competitive athletes excel and adult fitness clients move better, become healthier, and remain injury free.

Now a worldwide presence with over 120 sites, AR launched its revolutionary approach to training in the 1990s. Over the course of almost 30 years, AR has developed its own proprietary training equipment and technology and has effectively worked with over a million athletes. Athletic Republic of Roswell is the companys first site in the metro
Atlanta area.

Meet the Staff

A former collegiate soccer player, Aldo now competes as a USTA and ALTA tennis player. His team of experts includes Jamal Baptiste, a certified NASM Master Trainer and sports massage therapist as well as sports performance trainers Elisea Jones, a former collegiate track and field athlete with a degree in kinesiology; Dawn Sirras, a former D1 NCAA track and cross-country athlete with USATF Level 1 certification; and Gabor Attilla Pilissy-Sipos who has a bachelors degree in exercise science, is a certified professional trainer, and has vast athletic training experience in Europe and Australia. Judy Romano, a lifelong skier and tennis player, oversees client outreach.

To ensure effectiveness, the Acceleration program for competitive athletes includes testing, teaching, then training in small groups of five to eight participants.

No one just walks in, works out, and leaves, Aldo said.
Were here to understand what clients need, so we can help them get better.

Only after the AR trainers have assessed each athletes overall health, current performance level, and goals is a program designed specifically for that client. Its important to understand that every workout can be modified to meet any fitness level.

The biomechanics stay the same, but we adapt our trainings intensity and progress rate to the age and capability of each person, said Aldo.

Team and private training are also available.

Working on ARs ProMulti Hip machine as well as the PlyoFloor and PlyoPress machines, athletes can develop functional strength and movement skills that translate to greater speed, power, agility, and stability. On the Super Running Treadmill with video feedback, athletes can see themselves in action, adjust their body mechanics, then view their progress.

Believe it or not, speed is a skill that can be taught, said AR trainer Kyle Balew. Through evaluation of stride length and frequency, arm swing, and other elements of the gait cycle, we can improve your running biomechanics in 15 minutes.

Because all trainers are AR certified and most have degrees in kinesiology, exercise science, or a related field, they understand how the body responds to training and can safely take athletes beyond their previous physiological limits.

For the older competitive athlete, or anyone who just wants to stay fit, Athletic Republics AR-FIT training program applies the companys proven approach to help clients move more efficiently, build balance and stamina, and avoid injury.

For the athlete recovering from lower extremity injury or surgery, AR offers a Return2Play program that bridges the gap between physical therapy and the return to full competitive activity through one-on-one coaching. In addition to restoring functionality and confidence, the program is key to reducing the risk of recurring injuries.

ARs commitment to overall athletic development means the staff complements the work of sport-specific coaches.

We are not replacing a coach. We give coaches more tools to work with, so they can use their time more effectively, Aldo assured.

AR collaborates with sports medicine physicians at Northside Hospital to offer AR clients extended services in sports nutrition or physical therapy when needed.

ARs program is the result of scientific research applied to sports, evidence-based methods and processes, and a commitment to find a better way to train, achieve athletic goals, stay healthy and avoid injury for everyone.

Were here to help all of our clients be the best athletic version of themselves, said Aldo.

Athletic Republic offers a range of services to athletes of all ages and abilities:
ACCELERATION TRAINING targets scholastic competitive athletes who want to build speed, power, agility, and stamina.
ENDURANCE TRAINING offers speed, strength, and stability training for cyclists, runners, swimmers, and triathletes who are eager to reach their personal best.
AR-FIT includes circuit training for active adults who want to get stronger, move better, and become healthier.
RETURN2PLAY bridges the gap between ACL physical therapy and returning to a sport.

Athletic Republic of Roswell
880 Holcomb Bridge Road
Roswell, GA 30076
404-989-2791
Roswell.AthleticRepublic.com

Serving Students and the Cherokee Community

Chattahoochee Technical College is successfully serving the Cherokee County community as well as hundreds of Chattahoochee Tech students in many innovative ways at the colleges campus in downtown Woodstock. Located on the site of the former Woodstock Elementary School, which was built in the 1930s, the Chattahoochee Tech Woodstock campus underwent extensive renovations in 2013 to become a state-of-the-art college educational facility. This property had been leased from the Cherokee County Board of Education in 2004 and then was deeded by the school board to the state in 2013 for use by the college.

Renovations at the campus led to Chattahoochee Tech being honored with an historic preservation award, presented by the Cherokee County Historical Society in 2017. In addition to offering general college core classes such as English and math, the Woodstock campus is home to Chattahoochee Techs popular Interiors program. The colleges Cybersecurity and Computer Information Technology programs also are available.

An area on campus known as The Circuit functions as both a student center and a valuable coworking space for local entrepreneurs. Created three years ago in the renovated gym of the former Woodstock Elementary School, The Circuit represents an innovative collaboration among Chattahoochee Tech, the Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED), and the Woodstock Office of Economic Development.

The Circuit fosters entrepreneurship and business development within Cherokee County and is available for use by business owners, business startups, and students. By providing these community groups with a place to work, host meetings, or tap into training resources, The Circuit serves as a catalyst for local economic growth. Similar to a business development center, tenants are offered training resources for preparing business plans, marketing strategies, and increasing cash flow. Centralized office resources are also available.

Chatt Tech is very proud of the partnership with COED and the Woodstock Office of Economic Development, said Jennifer Nelson, the colleges vice president of advancement.

Also, Alma Coffee, which was welcomed onto the Woodstock campus last summer, now offers a delicious, farm-to-cup coffee break for students and the public at a cafe located in The Circuit. Customers can grab a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a bag of locally roasted beans Monday through Friday, from 7:30am to 3:30pm.

Alma Coffee is owned by Al Lopez, a retired corporate executive and military veteran, along with his daughter, Leticia Hutchins, and her husband, Harry. Their family has been involved in coffee farming for five generations, and they source directly from their own coffee farms in the Honduras as well as from other farmers located there who are committed to producing high quality beans through ethical farming practices. According to Leticia, Alma, which means soul in Spanish, captures the heart behind their vision for the brand. The company stores and roasts its coffee at their roastery located in Holly Springs.

Bringing in Alma Coffee to the partnership has only enhanced The Circuits atmosphere for collaboration and community. I hope more people will stop by to check out The Circuit and grab a cup of coffee, said Nelson.

The Chattahoochee Tech Woodstock campus also offers opportunities to bring the community together for unique and educational events. For the past three years, Chattahoochee Tech has celebrated literature and the arts by hosting a popular literary festival known as CTC Writes! This event features award-winning authors along with a book fair and an assortment of creative and professional workshops. Included among the participants at the most recent event were nearly 100 students from River Ridge High School.

A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, Chattahoochee Tech is the largest technical college in the state with more than 14,000 students enrolled in the past academic year. Chattahoochee Tech has eight campus locations, serving the counties of Bartow, Cherokee, Cobb, Gilmer, Paulding, and Pickens, and its staff provides students with a high quality, easily accessible college education at a fraction of the cost of other area colleges and universities.

Students at Chattahoochee Tech can transition easily from local high schools into the college, and if desired, on to four-year colleges. Chattahoochee Tech offers over 50 programs of study for students to become skilled professionals in some of the nations fastest growing, high-demand career fields.

Chattahoochee Tech Woodstock Campus
8371 Main Street
Woodstock, GA 30188
770-528-4545
ChattahoocheeTech.edu

Sharing Songs of Positivity

By Ellen Samsell Salas

At only 22, singer-songwriter Amanda Roark is slowly but steadily making her dreams come true.

I work very hard, she said. But I know if I keep doing that, Ill get to where I need to be.

Roark also knows she wouldnt be happy if she wasnt writing music and performing.

Its my entire being. When youre not doing what you love, it takes a part of you away, said Roark.

Inspired by artists including John Mayer, Norah Jones, Amy Winehouse, Alan Stone, Stevie Nicks, Queen, and David Bowie, Roark writes and performs songs that she describes as indie-soul or neo soul with a splash of R&B. More important to her than classifying her work is the connection she forges with her audience, and the message she conveys.

Its all positive. I want to help the world be a better place. I like to share that message, she said.

Rather than aspiring to instant fame, Roark sets smaller goals. And with the recent release of her first EP, Sunflowers, she achieved one of those goals. As a child, she was drawn to music by listening to her mother play piano and her father play drums, which inspired her love of classic 1970s rock.

We heard a broad selection  of music in our house, said Roark.

In high school, she sang in the school choir and entered the talent show every year.

I was constantly learning and playing, she said.

That learning included two years at Reinhardt University, studying vocal performance and musical theater.

It definitely taught me a lot about singing and taking care of my voice, but it really wasnt my style, she said.

Both her recent win at the MadLife Undiscovered Artist Showcase and her steady stream of local gigs have taught her more about music and boosted her confidence as a performer.

Another 2019 goal that Roark attained was to start a band. Today, with Roark on acoustic guitar, a bass player, a lead guitarist, and a drummer, the band is already booking shows.

While Roark is performing regularly in bars and restaurants in Atlanta, Woodstock, Canton, Ball Ground, and other cities, she also shares her talent at charity events such as her recent appearances at Sunshine on a Ranney Day and Papayago Rescue House events.

I dont think it matters where I play as much as who Im singing to and whos listening, said Roark.

So dedicated is she to her music, this north Georgia musician doesnt feel burdened by the pressure to write new music, manage her band, or book gigs.

I write every single day, she said. Even if its just a line or a phrase that I scribble on a piece of paper or the back of a napkin.

The plus side to her hard work is that Roark knows music is what she was meant to do.

Follow Amanda on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @TheAmandaRourk, and at TheAmandaRourk.com. Roarks new EP can be found on all music streaming platforms @TheAmandaRourk.

Reflecting the Light

By Ellen Samsell Salas

Stained glass creator Tristan Tuttle has always been an artist of some sort. When she was a child, she sang and played bluegrass-gospel music in her fathers prayer meetings. At 15, she started teaching guitar, mandolin, and dog-house bass. After earning a degree in English, Tuttle became a freelance writer. Now, from her home studio in Ball Ground, she shares her vibrant spirit as the artist and owner of Reflecting Light Stained Glass.

Four years ago, Tuttle discovered that making stained glass is yet another way to reflect the love she believes God has blessed her with.

Drawn to the medium by its beauty, she said, I always loved glass and how the light looks through it.

Under the tutelage of her mentor, Jasper artist Tony Raxter, she learned how to enhance that light and reveal hidden beauty of glass. You think glass wouldnt be flexible, but it is, she said.

Working primarily in the copper foil method that allows more detail than using lead strips, Tuttle creates almost anything her clients request, from small butterflies and birds, to chandeliers, windows, and skylights.

But it is her house portraits that have a special meaning to her.

So much life happens in those walls. You build your life there. I love to commemorate that and to give that to people, Tuttle said.

Her first home portrait was a gift for her mother-in-law, a portrait of the cabin that has been in the family for generations.

I didnt know how it would turn out, she said. But everyone loved it, and then people started asking if I would do their homes.

When clients commission home portraits, Tuttle asks them to share significant details about their houses, so she can capture them. In her cabin portrait, she included the carved yard sign of the cabins name, and using confetti glass, she conveyed the fall leaves her mother-in-law loved so much.

She even mimics a homes textures by making her windows three-dimensional, layering textured glass on top of clear glass. If the client requests it, her husband, Jared, will make a plaque for the portrait.

While she finds creating stained glass to be relaxing as long as the glass is breaking right, Tuttle is often impatient to see the beauty she will capture.

I love that once I solder it, I can finally pick it up and see the light shine through it, said Tuttle.

Whether she is making a home portrait or a window commissioned as a special gift, Tuttle feels truly blessed to share the beauty of light and glass with her clients.

For more information about Tuttle and her work, visit ReflectingLightStainedGlass.com or call 770-557-8228

After exiting I-575 in Ball Ground, you travel along a road that cascades slowly through a canopy of trees to open fields. As you descend the curving road, you admire the rolling landscape before making a turn into the driveway of the Art of Living Ministries Art Barn and Retreat House.

Once inside the warmth of the two-story Retreat House, located on 40 acres at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, you find that the spacious Art Barn offers a welcoming atmosphere that inspires creativity.

In 1994, the Art of Living Ministries was born to provide the arts as a form of therapeutic medicine for groups such as nursing homes, senior centers, veterans, special needs, drug and alcohol rehab communities, and local charities.

Since 2000, the organizations artisans and volunteers have been offering overall wellness salvations for people throughout the region. They nurture the spirit of individuals, supplying refreshment and a pathway for restoration through art, music, recreation, and nature programs. Artisans and volunteers impart tools in the art of living to create a community of hope.

Beyond the walls of the Art Barn, the Art of Living Ministries offers a mobile art studio called VAN-GO! that allows local artists to bring classes directly to facilities. Yes, art does heal.

Founder and Therapeutic Arts Specialist Patricia Reeves knows firsthand how art heals, and that is why she is so committed to sharing art with others.

We are passionate about bringing soul food through the arts to those who might normally have no outlet for creativity in their daily lives, said Reeves.

The Art of Living Ministries also hosts fundraisers, such as last months Artwork & Pickleball Open House, during which attendees took selfies with Santa, purchased original paintings and artwork from local artisans, and enjoyed a free pickleball workshop at the picturesque tennis court and pavilion. Former Association of Tennis Professionals and Georgia Tennis Hall of Fame inductee Ryan Blake volunteered his services for the event while promoting the tennis/pickleball court.

This has been an unbelievable experience helping put together this program while Signature Tennis volunteered their resources to renovate the tennis court as well as line the two pickleball courts, said Blake.

The public can rent the courts hourly or for the day. Having access to your own private court(s) with these views is incredible, added Blake.

Furthermore, the Art Barn/Retreat House is open for booking retreats, camping, and hiking with access to over 300 acres of trails.

The Art of Living Ministries believes in using the arts to restore the spirit.

We feel we are the perfect venue for charitable organizations in ministries for restoration and refreshment, Reeves said.

Art of Living Ministries Art Barn and Retreat House
Patricia Reeves
1600 Howell Bridge Road
Ball Ground, GA
770-479-6961
ArtOfLivingMinistries.org

The Inexact Science of Predicting the Future

By Mandy Marger

The year 2020 sounds like a futuristic fantasy, and many in the past have imagined what this year would hold. Lots of unbelievable predictions, such as automation and wearable technology, have become commonplace realities. Other predictions have been less accurate.

Thankfully, as a new decade begins, failed forecasts can only be enjoyed in our imagination or in science fiction stories. Here is a random collection of futuristic visions you may
find amusing.

1900: Ixnay on the C, X, Q

In 1900, Ladies Home Journal published a vision of the 21st century written by John Elfreth Watkins Jr., an engineer. In the article, Watkins predicted, There will be no C, X, or Q in our everyday alphabet. They will be abandoned because they are unnecessary.

While those three letters are still very much a part of our alphabet, Watkins prediction of communication with condensed words expressing condensed ideas could be argued to have come true with modern day abbreviated text language, emojis, and gifs. 

1911: A One-Toed Baby in a Steel Cradle

According to a Miami Metropolis article published in 1911, Thomas Edison envisioned the house of the 21st century would be furnished from basement to attic with steel, at a sixth of its present cost, including steel furniture in formal dining rooms, sitting rooms, and even the nursery.

That same year, a surgeon by the name of Richard Clement Lucas delivered a lecture to the Royal College of Surgeons, in which he predicted the demise of eight of mankinds toes. He speculated that since humans had been using their toes less and less, their outer toes would gradually disappear, and mankind would likely become a one-toed race in about 100 years.

1943: Does not Compute

Would this be 2020 if everyone didnt carry computers in their back pockets? Surprisingly, techies of the past did not predict the rise in home computers and personal devices.

I think there is a world market for maybe five computers, surmised Thomas Watson, president of IBM, in 1943. Of course, back in the 1940s, computers were about the size of a house and would not have fit on our desk, let alone in our pockets.

In 1977, Ken Olsen, the founder of Digital Equipment Corp, said, There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home. Ironically, within four years of his prediction, IBM proved him wrong.

1947: Chomp Shop

A 1947 Modern Mechanix article describes the possibility of tooth banks, which would operate much like blood banks. Instead of going to the dentist for artificial dentures, bridges, plates, and partial plates, patients could have real human teeth imbedded in their gums.

This vision of a tooth bank for dental repair has, thankfully, yet to come to fruition.

1950: Easy Cleanup

Popular Mechanics predicted that the housewife of 2000 would clean the interior of her home by hosing it down. Furniture, curtains, rugs, and floors would be made with synthetic fabric and waterproof materials. After the hose had done its job, the water would run down a concealed drain, and the housewife would dry everything with a blast of hot air.

Another interesting cleaning idea was suggested in 1955, when Alex Lewyt, president of Lewyt Vacuum Company, predicted that in 10 years we would be using nuclear-powered vacuum cleaners to clean up everyday dust.

1957: Take the Long Tube Home

Another article in Popular Mechanics touted the benefits of the 21st centurys tube road system. With asphalt streets replaced by a network of pneumatic tubes, Americans would only need to drive from their home to the nearest tube to beat rush hour traffic and be transported to their destination.

1959: Youve Got Rocket Mail

In 1959, a Navy submarine used a modified rocket to send 3,000 letters to political figures including President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The letters were placed in the payload of an unarmed cruise missile. Postmaster General Arthur E. Summerfield was so excited by the successful delivery that he predicted missile mail would become commonplace.

Mail will be delivered within hours from New York to California, to Britain, to India or Australia by guided missiles, the postmaster said. We stand on the threshold of rocket mail. Thankfully, he was proved wrong when email was developed only 12 years later.

1967: Home Jeeves Your Ape Chauffeur

In 1967, The Futurist magazine ran an exclusive report from the RAND Corp. that suggested the future would hold new opportunities for apes.

RAND Corp. speculated that by the year 2020 humans might be capable of breeding intelligent animals like apes that could clean, garden, and perhaps even drive the family car. In fact, the study said, The use of well-trained apes as family chauffeurs might decrease the number of automobile accidents.

While these predictions failed to become facts, the true promise of 2020 lies ahead, and the brightest future has yet to be imagined. Happy New Year!

Sources:
The 7 Worst Tech Predictions of All Time by Robert Strohmeyer, PCWorld.com/article/155984/worst_tech_predictions, December 31, 2008.
20 Hilarious Predictions About the Year 2020 Made Long Ago by Bob Larkin, MSN.com/en-nz/lifestyle/lifestylegeneral/20-hilarious-predictions-about-the-year-2020-made-long-ago/ss-AAIbmlR?li=BBqdb1S#image=1, June 10, 2019.
The Future That Never Was by Gregory Benford and the editors of Popular Mechanics. PopularMechanics.com/flight/g462/future-that-never-was-next-gen-tech-concept, January 27, 2011.
Mail Delivery by Rocket by Kat Eschner, Smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mail-delivery-rocket-never-took, June 8, 2017.
Things Will Come to Pass of Which Man Little Dreams, Miami Metropolis, June 20, 1911.

By Sheriff Frank Reynolds

As a law enforcement officer, I get to work with amazing people while serving our community. Id like to take time now to recognize our brothers and sisters in Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services, and the magnificent job they do every day.

If you have ever been around a group of law enforcement officers and fire/EMS personnel, you will note the friendly rivalry between the groups. In law enforcement, we often kid our brothers and sisters of eating until theyre tired and sleeping until theyre hungry. In return, they say we eat crayons and doughnuts while watching episodes of Live PD and Cops. Hurling witty insults back and forth is all well intended because we actually care deeply about one another.

Cherokee County Fire Chief Tim Prather and his team are some of the best and bravest first responders. They work hard every day to ensure Cherokee citizens are safe and receive emergency care in their time of need.

Since I live close to one of the fire stations, each morning I hear sirens at precisely the same time, as firefighters inspect the emergency equipment on each apparatus. By the time I drive past, the station is a flurry of activity with firefighters moving trucks out of the bay, stowing gear, inspecting vehicles, and preparing themselves to meet the challenges of the day.

When not responding to calls for service, firefighters are busy staying in top physical shape. They can be seen flipping tractor tires to build strength, carrying heavy bags and ladders up steep hills for endurance, or lifting weights and running, all while wearing their turnout gear.

When they are not strengthening their bodies, they are exercising their minds, learning the latest medical procedures and techniques. Although I might joke that they are just getting ready for the next firemans calendar, they are really preparing themselves for the fight the fight to save a life.

Whether its securing a line down the street in 101-degree heat, holding on to the Jaws of Life to free a trapped victim, or carrying a patient down a flight of stairs on a cold and windy night, it takes a special person with courage and determination to make that kind of a difference.

The job of a paramedic/firefighter/EMT also takes compassion and empathy. When I had a medical emergency a few years ago, the firemen and paramedics from Waleska were simply awesome. The level of care and understanding they gave me and my family reassured us that everything was going to be fine. The fact that they poked fun at me at the same time was part of my reassurance. Once they had me in their care, I was never worried. By the way, Thanks, guys!

These fine people are away from their friends and families, often for days. Most work extra jobs to make ends meet. They miss holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and their childrens extracurricular activities. It is their calling, and they sacrifice those things for you and me.

You may not know their names or where they are from, but know you are in good hands with these heroes. So, the next time you see our firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs, please give them a word of encouragement and a heartfelt, Thanks for your service.

To Chief Prather and all my firefighter and EMT/paramedic friends, thanks for what you do. We appreciate you very much. Stay safe out there.

By John Robison

Protect and serve and service above all are two of the most well-known missions or mantras associated with public safety services. The Alpharetta Department of Public Safety (ADPS), which includes police, fire, and 911, also strives to keep Alpharetta citizens safe through service.

However, ADPS goes beyond ensuring the safety of those living in, working in, and visiting Alpharetta. Specifically, the organizations mission states:

The Alpharetta Department of Public Safety exists to enhance the quality of life of those that live, work, and play in the City of Alpharetta.

The three key words in the ADPS mission statement are quality of life. All aspects of the work done by police officers, firefighters, 911 communication officers, and administrative staff are done with the goal of enhancing the quality of life of the Alpharetta community.

ADPS personnel understand and appreciate the high level of support provided by wonderful citizens, business owners, employees, and people visiting Alpharetta. Therefore, Public Safety staff members consider it an honor to meet this mission and serve such a wonderful community.

The organization strives to uphold these three simple yet vitally important values:

1. Courageous Spirit
The risks of the job are real: persevere in the face of adversity.

Courage is a necessity in public safety. ADPS employees fully understand the risks that are involved in this type of profession. However, they are expected to demonstrate courage in all scenarios, especially through adversity. This can mean persevering while facing extremely dangerous and difficult situations, but it can also encompass having the courage to do what is right regardless of the circumstances.

2. Selfless Service
Put the welfare of the public and the team above all. Add value to others.

The goal is to strive to have an outward mindset, which entails considering the challenges, needs, stresses, and struggles of others. This way of thinking applies to those being served as well as to fellow ADPS employees within the organization.

3. Excellence With Integrity
Do what is right and do it well.

Every task performed by ADPS employees must be executed upon a foundation of integrity. Anything less is unacceptable. The goal is always to be the best. ADPS wants to set the standard for effective and innovative police, fire, and 911 services.

The Department of Public Safety will continually look for opportunities to enhance the quality of life of people in Alpharetta and provide the best service possible for the greatest city in America.