Titles and Blurbs

Feel Better, Look Better and Be Healthier

By Ellen Samsell Salas

Now welcoming patients in Canton as well as in their Cumming clinic, North Georgia Vein & Wellness aims to improve the overall health of its patients. Using state-of-the-art technology and treatments, the clinic treats vein problems and hormonal imbalances and also provides aesthetic services.

Get Your Legs Back
While many sufferers tolerate heavy/achy legs, varicose veins, and spider veins, believing that the problem is only cosmetic, such conditions often cause discomfort and sometimes serious health concerns. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Peter Wrobel specializes in diagnosing and treating vein disorders and their associated problems.

Dr. Wrobels goal is for his patients to enjoy optimum vein health and the cosmetic benefits of vein procedures and to feel better. While healthy veins have one-way valves that help return blood back to the heart, he explains, with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), dilated or leaky valves allow blood to flow backwards and pool, causing not only the visible signs of vein conditions such as bulging veins and spider veins, but also swelling, tired, or achy legs, and night cramps.

A more serious concern is the risk of inflammation of the veins (phlebitis) and potentially life-threatening blood clots and pulmonary embolisms. With treatment, not only will the patients legs look better, they will be healthier.

Our goal is to make your legs feel much better, more youthful, and less uncomfortable as well as helping the overall appearance of the legs, said Dr. Wrobel.

Often, CVI sufferers accept their condition, assuming it is merely cosmetic, part of the aging process, an inherited trait, or a result of being pregnant or overweight. Others are deterred from seeking treatment because they fear it will require hospitalization and a lengthy recovery. But Dr. Wrobel, who has performed over 10,000 vein procedures, assures patients that they do not need to accept their condition.

Employing the latest techniques and technology, Dr. Wrobel specializes in procedures that are less invasive than past treatments. Patients no longer need to be hospitalized, undergo general anesthesia, or embark on lengthy recovery regimens.

The first step to getting help is to visit the clinic, where a venous ultrasound technician will map the patients veins. Based on the ultrasound findings, in addition to the patients history and symptoms, Dr. Wrobel will outline a customized treatment plan.    

Every patient is different, and every vein is unique, Dr. Wrobel explained. Our plan of treatment changes with every individual patient based on the pathology of their veins, the degree of symptoms, and the overall appearance of the legs.

While no referral is needed to visit the clinic, Dr. Wrobel apprises each patients primary care physician of his treatment recommendations. Most vein procedures are covered by medical insurance and Medicare, and clinic staff work with insurance companies to determine coverage.

All procedures are completed in the clinic. Typically, a patient is in the office for a brief period of time and resumes normal activities immediately.

Feel Better Through BioTE Hormone Therapy
The clinic also addresses hormonal imbalance through BioTE pellet therapy. Many patients attribute lack of energy and mental focus, difficulty sleeping, mood swings, and weight gain to the stress of everyday life. But, as Physician Assistant Dan Ayers explains, hormonal imbalances can be the root of symptoms, and often treatments only address symptoms.

Ayers stresses that while relieving symptoms is one positive result of hormone treatment, it is not the only goal.

Yes, as their hormonal deficiencies are repleted, patients do feel better, Ayers said. They sleep better, possess more energy, have mood stability, and experience weight loss while increasing some muscle mass. But along with some symptom improvement within the first week of pellet placement, they are also receiving additional preventative benefits.

Diagnosis is done through comprehensive blood work, and the prescribed pellet therapy is designed to restore that patients hormones to his/her optimum level. Studies have shown that because BioTEs hormones are bioidentical to each patients hormones, they do not carry the risks associated with synthetic hormones.

While Dr. Wrobel provides vein treatment 100% of the time, in addition to hormone replacement therapy, Ayers also offers aesthetic procedures. Sclerotherapy is a treatment of spider veins, which are the small blue veins that affect the appearance of the legs. To help make this treatment affordable, the clinic has a Groupon for sclerotherapy sessions.

For patients seeking Botox treatments, the clinic offers those as well as Juvederm. Both of these solutions aim to add volume, reduce annoying lines and wrinkles, and/or enhance lips by making them appear fuller.

The journey to being healthier, looking better, and feeling great can start today. Call 678-513-1600 or visit NorthGeorgiaVein.com.

North Georgia Vein & Wellness
100 Liberty Boulevard, Suite 110 | Canton, GA
1230 Bald Ridge Marina Road, Suite 500 | Cumming, GA

A Wise Retirement Choice Preserves Independence

In 2005, three seniors made a thoughtful choice that resulted in their ability to live actively and independently 14 years later. Charter residents Jewel Lamica, Joyce Nunn, and Maurice Turcotte now with an average age of 96 made the decision to move to St. George Village while they were in their early 80s.

Today, they are reaping the benefits of that conscious decision to plan for their retirement futures by moving to a community that supports active engagement at every stage of life.

Jewel Lamica, 95, moved to St. George Village from nearby Alpharetta in early 2006. Id heard that St. George Village was going to be built and knew the location was perfect for me, she said. In fact, the Publix where I shop now is the same store where I shopped before!

Lamica quickly acclimated to life at St. George Village, and says she has had opportunities to learn new things, such as technology, that she never expected at this stage of life. She enrolled in one of the basic technology classes sponsored by St. George Village, which teaches residents how to use and make the most of their iPads, and she enjoyed it so much that she went on to buy an iPhone and take additional classes in how to use her devices.

The technology classes have been such a gift to me! said Lamica. I love to read, and I always thought I would have to be holding an actual book. But now I even download Kindle books to my iPad. Its easy!

Joyce Nunn, who turned 98 years young in December, says she has never regretted her decision to move to St. George Village. 

One night, I was at home eating dinner on a TV tray and suddenly realized I was tired of living alone. I wanted to be doing things with other people, but I also wanted to maintain my independence, Nunn said. At the time, I lived just a couple of miles from St. George Village and watched it being built. I called my son that night and told him thats where I wanted to move. Believe it or not, Im still living in the same residence I moved into in 2006! 

Although shes had to give up driving and playing bridge due to vision problems, Nunn continues to do many other things she loves such as baking. She especially loves to make cakes and other sweet treats, which she delivers to her friends and neighbors throughout St. George Village, including those in assisted living and memory care. Nunn rejoiced when her oven was recently replaced with a newer model. Im back in business! she said.

Dr. Maurice Turcotte moved to St. George Village in late 2005.
I put my money down before they dug the first hole, he laughed.

A career anesthesiologist, Turcotte moved from Connecticut to Atlanta, where he first worked at South Fulton Hospital and then at the Veterans Administration Hospital before retiring. He moved with his first wife to St. George when caring for their large home became too much.

The continuum of care and skilled staff at St. George Village was a blessing during Turcottes wifes illness and subsequent death. Later, after he married again, that same care became an even bigger blessing during his second wifes illness.

Having outlived two wives, Turcotte is still agile at 96. He credits his health to regular walks around St. George Villages outdoor trails, and he especially enjoys strolling around the lake. Ive had a little setback in my physical health that requires me to use a walker these days, but Im still walking! he said.

Lamica, Nunn, and Turcotte are perfect examples of the impact that making a wise choice can have over time. Their decision to move to St. George Village, a Life Plan community where every aspect is designed to help residents experience an active lifestyle, has provided them a confident and independent retirement.

For more information about St. George Village, please call 770-645-2340 or visit StGeorgeVillage.org.

St. George Village
11350 Woodstock Road
Roswell, GA 30075

"We're Cherokee's Firm"

By Ellen Samsell Salas

I try to remember that the most important thing to our clients is knowing someone with experience is working to resolve their issue.
Daran Burns, founder of Burns Law Group

As the lead attorney of the firm he established in 1993 in downtown Canton, Burns is passionate about taking care of clients and achieving the best possible outcomes for them.

Whats essential is not just understanding our clients legal needs but also learning their personal ones, Burns said. Our clients come to us in times of crisis. They need to know someone is fighting for them, and theyre not in it alone.

Crises in family and criminal law can be the most devastating events people will ever face. Assisting Burns in serving clients is an experienced team of three other attorneys: Laura Hoskins is the lead for most of the family law issues, while Susan Zereini focuses on criminal cases, and Wally Rogers handles juvenile and criminal matters.

Their efforts are complemented by three paralegals: Traci Lingefelt, Madeline Kite, and Lorinda Green. Firm manager, Sheree Ramsey, and administrative assistant, Elizabeth MacMaster, ensure that clients needs are addressed promptly.

Teamwork Works for Clients

Together, our team brings over 100 years of legal expertise to each of the cases we are retained to handle. Teamwork is a key facet of our firms effectiveness, Burns said.

According to Zereini, In the criminal defense arena, teamwork is especially important in making the process as easy and effective as possible for the client. One attorney cant do it alone.

I love when a client walks in, and there is a cohesive group reaching toward the same goal: to provide excellent legal service, but also to help people in distress, Burns reiterated. Because were a team, someone is always available, Burns assured. Our clients can always reach a person who knows about them and their case.

Clients work schedules can sometimes limit their ability to meet during the day. Therefore, I make time available for night and weekend appointments, Hoskins explained. Meeting my clients needs is a small part of the service that I am thrilled to provide. Often, an emergency requires me to work weekends, and I am happy to do that.

Listening Is Key

Whether the focus is family or criminal law, the firm associates agree that listening to each client is essential, hearing their goals, fears, and hopes.

Its all about developing a relationship with each client and understanding their needs, which builds trust. Its our job to help them walk through this process, Burns said. We use our knowledge and experience to prepare our clients for the road ahead.

Were especially good at addressing peoples personal issues and goals versus taking a cookie-cutter approach, Zereini added, listening to their needs then developing an action plan.

Experience Matters

Invaluable to clients is the experience and know-how the attorneys bring to their cases.

The secret is to know what the case needs legally, to stand up for someone, and to protect their rights, Burns explained. Clients need someone who understands that there are many avenues to get to the same result, but we must customize our approach.

We dont force clients into one way of moving forward, Hoskins noted. We give the client options on how to proceed, explaining the pros and cons of each approach. Often, I listen to a clients case facts, offering numerous options on how to proceed.

With 13 years of experience as a prosecutor and six years as a defense attorney, Zereini said she has the advantage of seeing cases from both sides of the aisle.

I can educate my clients as to the strengths and weaknesses of their case; I can anticipate the arguments against them, said Zereini.

Being local and having tried cases against other local attorneys often benefits the firms clients. We know their tactics, we know what to anticipate, so we can know how to move forward, Burns assured.

Having their office steps from the courthouse in the heart of the Cherokee County legal world means that sometimes difficult problems can be settled through one-on-one contact without having to litigate.

When I need something from an attorney, I often go talk to them personally. You cant do that in downtown Atlanta or even in Woodstock, said Burns.

We Are Cherokees Firm

When he tried a case in Canton in the early 1990s, Burns fell in love with the city and Cherokee County. Immediately, he knew that he wanted to make Canton his home and the site of his law practice.

We feel very connected to this county, and our excellent working relationship with the District Attorneys Office, the Solicitor-Generals Office, judges, and local law enforcement benefits our clients, Burns said. Its about trust. I need to be able to trust what they say and vice versa.

Were Cherokees firm, said Burns. If you have a problem in Cherokee, were here for you. Whatever the best outcome can be, we wont stop till we get it. Youll be glad you hired Burns Law Group to fight your battle.

Burns Law Group
181 East Main Street
Canton, GA 30114
770-956-1400
BurnsLawGroup.com

By Farris Yawn

Bullying has always been an issue in our schools, but it seems to have gotten much worse in recent years. While there has been much debate about the causes and consequences, veterinarian Michael Good has come up with a solution that may solve several problems at once for some children and animals.

According to Dr. Good, Through positive interaction with animals, we can help children as young as 4 years to develop a sense of empathy and appreciation for the people around them such as their siblings, relatives, teachers, and classmates. Then, from elementary through high school ages, schools can play a major part to stop bullying by offering students the opportunity to participate in Homeless Pet Clubs.

Author Laura Payne illustrates this concept by sharing Bobbys story. His teachers and parents got him involved with the Homeless Pet Club at his school, and it totally changed his life. Helping the animals, particularly a one-eyed dog named Lucky, gave Bobby a sense of purpose and allowed him to make friends while becoming more engaged at school. When he changed schools, Bobby was able to start a club at the new location to help even more animals while continuing to help himself.

Participation in these clubs will help the youth of America build character while saving the lives of homeless pets. Additionally, participation in Homeless Pet Club has resulted in the following:

Increased enthusiasm for learning
Stronger social skills
Increased compassion
Heightened sense of achievement
Improved self-worth
Decreased bullying behaviors
Expanded awareness of networking for good
Increased responsibility
Increased creativity and cooperation

It is Dr. Goods and the authors hope that this book will help your children get involved with a Homeless Pet Club at their school or start a Homeless Pet Club if one doesnt yet exist. It is definitely a win-win situation.

By Julia Padgett

Author Celeste Ngs Little Fires Everywhere follows two families and the brief, but significant, intermingling of their lives. On the surface, it seems to be a book that is about and for women. Do not be fooled; this is a book about life, the decisions we make, our passions, and what defines family.

There are moral issues that are worth exploration and contemplation. Ng does a wonderful job of refraining from judgement and presenting a picture of mothers, husbands, sons, daughters, and the various issues that arise in life. She pulls readers into a character-driven world and makes them care about, relate to, and cheer them on. Indeed, it would be a challenge for anyone to not be able to see a reflection of him/herself or a dear friend in at least one of the characters.

The two mothers on whom the book focuses are brilliant combinations of similarities and contrasts. Little Fires Everywhere starts with an act of destruction and tells the story of where that flicker of wild recklessness stems from, and how it can happen in the town of Shaker Heights. It is set in the glory days before cell phones, and some readers may feel a longing for the simplicity of the 90s.

Shaker Heights is a backdrop of normalcy and planning, and a lovely counterpoint to how sometimes life is messy. Ngs writing, her ability to let the story and characters speak for themselves, and her insight into some of the more complicated aspects of human nature make this an exceptional read for anyone.

By Jessica Asbell

Cassandra King Conroys book, Tell Me a Story: My Life with Pat Conroy, is like sitting down after a big southern meal with the author and listening to her talk about growing up in Alabama and the journey that eventually led to Pat Conroy. A failed southern belle (as she describes herself), Cassandra faced a difficult road that eventually led to personal acceptance and rejection of the mold others tried to force her into.

After a bitter divorce and coming into her own as a sassy writer and teacher, Cassandra met Pat Conroy at a party. Pat was a larger than life, jovial man with a wicked sense of humor. Cassandra couldnt believe it when he first called her and then continued to call her on and off for a few years, as they developed a friendship.

Pat and Cassandra eventually got married in May 1998. In Tell Me a Story, Cassandra shares her stories of Pat, the good and the bad, the humorous and the tragic. We also learn more about the difficult childhood that shaped Pat and about his relationship with his daughters. We see how chaos followed him, and how his relationship with Cassandra quieted much of that chaos. Through the eyes of his wife, we not only see Pat Conroy as a legendary writer, we also see a loving husband, a devoted friend, a father who sometimes failed more than he succeeded (but continued to try), and a man with a magnetic personality, who loved to hear the stories of others.

Tell Me a Story is not only the love story of Pat and Cassandra, it is also a story of two writers and their love for the people around them. It is a story about stories and the power they hold.

Cassandra King Conroy will be at Foxtale Book Shoppe on December 6. For more information, visit FoxTaleBooks.com.

By Marcia Divack

In Nicolai Houms compact novel, The Gradual Disappearance of Jane Ashland, Jane, an American author and professor, awakes in a tent in the Norwegian wilderness with no food, no water, and an uncharged cell phone. How she ended up in this predicament is the crux of the novel.

After suffering an unnamed loss, Jane abandons her career and buries herself in online genealogical research and connects with a distant relative in Norway. After a brief but intense correspondence with her relative, she decides to visit him and his family. On her flight from Wisconsin to Oslo, Jane meets Ulf, a zoologist who offers to serve as her friend in Norway. So, Jane takes his phone number before parting ways with him in the airport.

Jane then makes the trek to her relatives house and after a few awkward days spent with him and his family, she abruptly leaves and ends up with Ulf in the wilderness, tracking musk oxen. She ultimately ends up abandoned by Ulf, and the novel proceeds from there in a nonlinear story of tragedy, grief, and perhaps even hope.

The Gradual Disappearance of Jane Ashland is beautifully written and flows so perfectly, it is hard to believe it is an English translation of the original Norwegian text. Despite the brevity of the novel, it manages to be achingly descriptive of places and people, and there are many passages that readers will want to read multiple times, not from a lack of understanding but rather from a desire to experience them again, including this one: The girl had no idea how much she mattered. Even if one told her repeatedly just how precious she was, the awareness would never truly reach someone so young. Her parents had to carry that burden. This novel could easily be devoured in one sitting, as readers get absorbed in the story.

Celebrating Life Through Pottery

By Ellen Samsell Salas

Local potter Micki Soresi exudes energy, putting her positive spirit to work creating pottery, helping others, and dreaming big. She is especially dedicated to supporting Save the Horses in Cumming, where she volunteers and to whom she donates a percentage of her Horsehair Raku sales. As a child, she was drawn to many forms of artistic expression, but found her calling in making pottery, specifically raku pottery.

Theres something about throwing on a wheel and feeling the clay move through your fingers, Soresi says. It has been a form of therapy of sorts.

She credits her high school teacher, Taylor St. Clair, for introducing her to the art and for giving her the freedom to explore its possibilities. For graduation, her mother set her on her way, giving her a wheel and a kiln.

Now, Soresi focuses on alternative firing techniques, using ancient methods that involve rapidly heating a piece to between 950 degrees and 1,750 degrees, removing it from the kiln when it is still glowing hot, then utilizing different finishing techniques.

Raku connects all my passions animals, nature, pottery, and doing good for others, Soresi says. I like to work with fire and hot stuff. But more importantly, I can see the result immediately.

While she also makes Baltic (Obvara) and glazed raku, Soresi has found her niche with horsehair raku. This technique involves removing the piece at 950 degrees then quickly applying horsehair to it. The hair burns into the piece, leaving black lines (carbon imprints of the hair) in beautifully unique patterns.

With raku firing, Soresi says, I handle each piece one by one; each piece becomes an extension of me. She embellishes some works with crystals, feathers, or seashells.

While she uses hair from rescue horses at Save the Horses, Soresi also takes custom orders, using hair provided by the client to honor or memorialize a pet.

I try to connect with the people Im working for, she says. Nothing I make is ever the same, just as each animal was unique.

Each piece includes the animals name, and if desired, comes with a video of the creation of the piece. Twenty-five percent of all horsehair raku purchases helps Save the Horses, a nonprofit rescue organization where Soresi volunteers her time. She also makes memorial urns for people and pets.

When she isnt creating, Soresi enjoys being with friends and family, attending workshops, teaching private wheel lessons, and offering heart burning parties where guests make their own raku hearts out of pet hair or feathers.

Pottery was a positive outlet for me as a teen and continues to be, Soresi says. I enjoy sharing the sense of calm and order it can facilitate to others.

To view her work, visit SoresiCeramics.com, or find her on Facebook and Instagram. Her pieces will also soon be available at the Cotton Mill Exchange at The Mill on Etowah.

Makes Dreams Come True for Young Dancers

By Gregory Flail

For little ones with big dreams of becoming a prima donna in the ballet or a princess at the royal ball, opportunities may seem a bit slim at first. But those who delve a little deeper into north Georgia will find a haven for such dreams at the Dance Imagination school.

Dance Imagination has offered dance classes for children for nearly a decade in downtown Woodstock, and a second location was recently opened in the Hickory Flat community. The school schedules 55 classes a year, offers two summer camp sessions (June and July), and hosts birthday parties for princesses, divas, and their entourages throughout the year.

Amanda Donovan and Lori Younts are the creative entrepreneurs behind Dance Imagination. They partnered in 2018 to expand the school when they saw a growing demand for dance classes that are appropriate for younger children. The schools innovative curriculum is designed for students from prekindergarten through the fifth grade.

Were not a competitive, formal ballet school, and the majority of our dancers are under the age of six, Donovan explained. We want our students to develop a love for dance, and as they get older, we encourage them to pursue competitive dance at a more
traditional dance studio.

Few dance schools offer instruction to children under three, but Dance Imaginations Fairy Tale Ballet classes are designed especially for students ages 18 months to 3 years old. In these classes, youngsters explore the basics of ballet, tap, and tumble through the themes of their favorite fairy tales. They can take the class independently or mommy & me style, so that mother and child can explore the basics of creative movement and spend precious quality time together.

Dance Imagination classes are typically smaller than most, so that younger students can focus on learning without feeling overwhelmed by a large group.

We want to make sure every student is getting the attention she needs, so we keep our class sizes quite small, between six and eight students, Younts said. At the end of our classes, every dancer gets a chance to step forward, see herself in the mirror, and express herself through movements shes learned. When the girls curtsey and hear that applause, you can really see how good they feel about themselves. It builds confidence, and everyone, especially parents, can see that happening.

Small class sizes and personal attention to dancers have earned the school the praise of parents and former students who feel that the benefits of attending Dance Imagination extend far beyond the studio.

The coordination exercises we do and the experience of performing on a stage prepares students for the future, even if its not in dance, Donovan said. Parents whose kids attended our classes years ago still stop by to let us know that our dance lessons helped their children go on to pursue sports, music, and theater.

Over the past five years, enrollment at Dance Imagination has grown by 50%. The schools steady success is due in part to community building. Donovan and Younts attribute the popularity of their school almost entirely to word-of-mouth. The classes have proven to be an opportunity for new mothers to make friends, socialize, and support one another. Word gets around fast in the dance mom community.

As mothers themselves, Donovan and Younts understand the need for a place where parents can unwind and commiserate.

Its definitely a family atmosphere here, Donovan said. A lot of our instructors are former students or their mothers. We get to know each other very well. My story is a lot like theirs. I was teaching dance to earn tuition while I was getting my masters degree, and I sort of danced my way into the opportunity to run a business doing what I love.

For both of us, it has been a great way to be involved in our work, our community, and still have a close family life, Younts added with a smile. All I ever wanted to be was a dance teacher. I had been working in the corporate world when I had my fourth child, and I finally decided to become a dance mom instead. My dream literally came true.

Enrollment for classes is open year-round, and the gift of dance is a holiday present that will be cherished forever. Dance Imagination invites young dancers and their parents to visit the dance studios at either of their two locations. For more information about classes, enrollment, birthday parties, and summer camp, please call 678-445-2731 or visit DanceImagination.com.

9105 Hickory Flat Highway | Woodstock, GA 30188
(convenient to east Cherokee and north Fulton)

119 Mill Street | Woodstock, GA 30188
(in the heart of downtown Woodstock)

By Erika Neldner

They are there when you need them. It may be a holiday spent away from family or the day someones child hits his/her first home run or has a dance recital, but when duty calls, the men and women of the Cherokee Sheriffs Office answer.

CSO is the largest county government employer, with 378 sworn and 77 civilian positions. It also is one of less than 100 sheriffs offices nationwide with the triple crown: the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), Adult Detention Center (ADC) accreditation from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, and ADC accreditation by the American Correctional Association.

When Inv. Dakota Lyvers came to Cherokee, he already had some experience in law enforcement in North Carolina. What he found at CSO was a well-structured department with a strong support system.

The agency is structured on the core values of S.E.R.V.I.C.E. (Strength, Education, Respect, Valor, Integrity, Compassion, and Excellence), said Lyvers, who is also on the SWAT Team. Everyone comes from different backgrounds and varying levels of experience, and everyone here works as a team, not as individuals.

Deputy Yee Re Lee, a newer CSO employee assigned to the Adult Detention Center, quickly found a place full of support and people willing to help each other while serving their community. Lee emigrated to the U.S. from South Korea with his little sister for whom he is the primary caregiver. His parents live in South Korea.

My grandfather served his life as a law enforcement officer in South Korea, and as a child, I always looked up to him and had the utmost respect, Lee said. He was my biggest influencer to becoming a law enforcement officer.

Deputy Aiste Pasekovskyte also followed in family footsteps her father was in law enforcement, and it was something she had wanted to do since she was a little girl. Assigned to the Adult Detention Center, Pasekovskyte interned with CSO while earning her degree in criminal justice. She saw a supportive environment and applied for a job one month after graduating.

Everyone is willing to help out in any way they can, and they want the new hires to do well. That is very helpful for someone who is just starting out, she said.

Deputy Ahmad Foster joined CSO three years ago after working in retail management for five years. He found the skills he learned in his previous career were easily transferable to law enforcement.

For me, its a calling, Foster said. I want to help people as much as I can and give them something to smile about.

He added, If youre looking for a career in law enforcement and want to better yourself, join us. The skills you learn from the sheriffs office will give you a huge investment in your life.

From veteran peace officers to rookies just starting their career, the CSO leadership sets standards for all to meet. With the focus on S.E.R.V.I.C.E., the agency prides itself on providing opportunities for all levels of service and rank.

CSO has two educational partnerships with Reinhardt University and Columbus State University allowing dedicated employees the opportunity to earn associate, bachelors and/or masters degrees.

Education is an important part of what we do internally as an organization, said Capt. Jay Baker. In addition to educational partnerships, we have a division that provides in-service training, keeping our employees educated and trained for the different scenarios they may face in the field.

Longtime CSO employee Lt. David Barone said his experience has shown him that CSO is hands-down one of the most supportive organizations around.

What sets the CSO apart from other law enforcement agencies is the team-first mentality, and that every person from civilians to the command staff are treated like family, and when a life incident takes place, we rally around that person just like a family member would, said Barone, who has been in law enforcement for 20 years. Also, we have the best training afforded to law enforcement in the Southeast.

CSO leaders follow the mentality of supporting their employees, and their employees will take care of their customers the customers being the residents and business owners of Cherokee County. Part of that includes planning for the future.

Cherokee voters approved the jail expansion project with the 2017 Special Purpose Local Options Sales Tax (SPLOST) referendum. Now under construction, the expansion will add 500 beds to the existing facility. With a larger facility comes the need for more ADC deputies. CSO will hire 30 more employees over the next two years. Hiring for the Adult Detention Center and other positions within the agency is underway. Apply by visiting CherokeeGa-Sheriff.org and click on Recruitment under the Employment tab. Those interested can also call 470-533-9552.

 Inv. Dakota Lyvers
Criminal Investigations Division
Six Years in Law Enforcement
Career Goal: Earn a masters degree and become a lieutenant of a precinct or specialized division
Hobbies: hunting, fishing, Georgia football

Deputy Aiste Pasekovskyte
Adult Detention Center
Four Months in Law Enforcement
Originally from Lithuania
Career Goal: K-9 Unit
Hobbies: music and painting

Deputy Yee Re Lee
Adult Detention Center
Eleven Months in Law Enforcement
Army Reservist
Career Goal: Uniform Patrol and Criminal Investigations
Hobbies: traveling, running, and swimming

Deputy Ahmad Foster
Uniform Patrol
Three Years in Law Enforcement
Career Goal: Traffic Unit and SWAT Team
Hobbies: writing
(currently writing a book)


Lt. David Barone
Office of Professional Standards
(Internal Affairs)
20 Years in Law Enforcement
Career Goal: Continue advancing in leadership at CSO
Hobbies: woodworking and sports memorabilia collecting

By District Attorney Shannon Wallace

According to recent studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 28% of all traffic-related deaths involved drivers impaired by alcohol, and 16% of all crashes involved drivers impaired by legal and illegal drugs. In Cherokee County, the number of traffic-related deaths or serious injuries increased by 150% in the past two years, with 80% of serious injury and vehicular homicide cases closed thus far in 2019 involving alcohol, illegal drugs, and prescription medications.

We have so much to celebrate this time of year, and I personally look forward to holiday gatherings with friends and family. If you have consumed alcohol at a holiday party, remember to make safe decisions before operating a motor vehicle.

Many people are unaware of how legally prescribed medications combined with alcohol can seriously affect their driving. Did you know that having a glass of wine while taking cough syrup can increase your impairment level? Also, did you know that ADHD medications can compound the effects of alcohol?

Some medications are known to impair motor functions, cause drowsiness, and/or increase the effects of alcohol, including allergy medications (such as Benadryl and Claritin), antidepressants, ADHD medications, anxiety medications, cough syrups, mood stabilizers, muscle relaxers, opioid pain killers, and sleep aids. For this reason, always talk to your doctor before combining alcohol with any prescription or over-the-counter medication.

Besides legal medications, many drivers involved in fatal or serious injury crashes test positive for drugs like marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, and opioids. Not only are these drugs illegal to possess, they also cause serious impairment with respect to operating a motor vehicle.

Whenever there is a serious injury crash or vehicular homicide in Cherokee County, the District Attorneys Office collaborates with the Cherokee Sheriffs Office and all police departments throughout the investigation and prosecution.

The legal consequences for committing these crimes are very serious. For example, first-degree vehicular homicide carries a minimum of three years and a maximum of 15 years of imprisonment, and first-degree serious injury by vehicle carries a minimum of one year and a maximum of 15 years of imprisonment. One bad decision can destroy your life and the lives of others.

During this joyous time of year, please stop and think before driving a motor vehicle. Have you consumed alcohol? Taken illegal drugs? Taken a prescription that might cause impairment or increase the effects of alcohol consumption? If so, dont get behind the wheel and drive.

Lets keep our community safe. Instead of driving impaired (or riding with someone who is impaired), ride home with a sober friend, ride share program, or taxi service. Some local police departments offer another option. If you live within the city limits of Canton, you can call 678-493-4080 and ask a Canton police officer for a ride home. Likewise, Woodstock Police Departments Operation Safe Ride offers rides on New Years Eve by calling 404-740-4502.

The District Attorneys Office wishes you safe travels and a joyous holiday!

When the staff of Family Life Publications was tasked with recalling a favorite childhood gift theyd received during the holidays, the responses were as unique as the personality of each individual. But a common thread did reveal itself among all the responses. Regardless of the gift, it was the loved one who bestowed it and the memories surrounding it that seemed to make it so special. Here are a few of our favorite things:

Janet Ponichtera 
Sales and Marketing Director

My parents always amazed me with how they filled our huge Florida room with toys at Christmas. They bought three of everything or three of something similar. When I was just under 3 years old and my older sisters were around 5, we received plastic guitars from Santa. I really enjoyed that guitar, and my wonderful dad had to tape it up several times from overuse. Years later, I continued to play rock star with the one surviving guitar.

Mandy Marger
Graphic Artist

In Jewish families that celebrate Hanukkah, which is traditionally a minor holiday, children are given a small trinket on each of the holiday nights to symbolize the miracle of one days oil lasting for eight. But commercialism and assimilation eventually turned Hanukkah into a major winter holiday filled with gifts and treats, and in 1985, who was I, a 7-year-old little girl, to argue?

My parents would line up my and my brothers gifts on the fireplace hearth, and we could choose which gift to open that evening. We would poke, prod, and shake the gifts all day to make our nightly choice. Several days in, I chose a relatively large, heavy box. My wildest dreams came true when I opened a Teddy Ruxpin the hottest, most technologically advanced toy of the year.

However, in the days leading up to opening my new best friend, I must have been a little too aggressive in my investigation. Teddy Ruxpin didnt work. I remember the disappointment of not being able to play with him that evening, followed by driving around with my mom and not being able to find a replacement anywhere. Im sure it was resolved, and I probably loved him very much. But ironically, its the folly of the situation that I fondly remember, which brings a smile to my face.

Laurie Litke
Graphic Artist

When trying to recall a favorite Christmas gift, I honestly couldnt remember one. I jumped on the phone with my sister to see if she could jog my memory. She remembers when I got an electric organ, with a bench to sit on while playing. She said she was so jealous that she thought I must be my parents favorite.

That same year, Mom got a microwave, and we thought that was cool. But I mostly remember little things like sneaking into the attic to spy on gifts. I always knew this is where my parents hid them they werent very imaginative.

I also remember lying under our Christmas tree, just staring up at the multicolored lights. Each year when we put our artificial tree together, one branch at a time, we were envious of other families with real trees.

My mother used to have a beautiful porcelain angel that played Silent Night. One year, my brother dropped it and broke a wing off. Boy, was he in big trouble! As it turns out, these memories are the best gifts I ever received.

Jack Tuszynski
Publisher/Photographer

The earliest really cool Christmas present I recall receiving was a shared gift for my brother Victor and me. Its odd to admit that I once was a gamer before that was even a word, and I spent hours wearing out joysticks and blowing game cartridges on a 1979 Atari system, which I still have to this day.

I put gaming behind me when I received my first SLR camera, a Minolta X700, from my mother early in December 1984. There was some concern that this gift might be a passing fad, something I would enjoy for a short period in my youth. Over 35 years later, my love for the camera has been exposed, and it has developed into a stage I may never outgrow.

Julie Senger
Editor

Over the years, my older siblings, twin brother, and I received many wonderful gifts from my parents on Christmas morning. A few favorites were a typewriter (which nurtured the future writer in me), a stereo system (which cultivated my passion for music and singing), and a tent with a Wonder Woman sleeping bag (which inspired my love for the outdoors and traveling).

But now that both of my parents have passed, what I miss most are the huge Christmas Eve family gatherings at Mom and Daddys house with all my siblings and our children under the same roof (my parents had 6 children and 26 grandchildren). Having only 4 people in my home for Christmas last year was very quiet and hard in ways I wasnt emotionally prepared for. So, even though large family gatherings can seem overwhelming when youre taking part in them, youll probably miss them when they are no longer an option. Time with my family is by far the most precious gift Ive ever received.

The co-founders of Hopedealers Worldwide, Pete and Nadine Psareas, are no strangers to the heartache of addiction. Their son previously struggled with substance abuse that began when he was 15 years old, which eventually led to job loss, jail time, and alienation from his family. Over the years, he also lost several close friends due to heroin overdose. Today, their son has been clean and sober for several years, but hes always conscious of how vital his lifestyle is to his recovery.

What started as a familys desperate search for ways to support their son and the thousands of other young people struggling with addiction proved to be the springboard for a new and innovative approach to reducing the risk of relapse that goes beyond traditional medications and counseling.

The goal of Hopedealers Worldwide is to create life-changing experiences and a sense of belonging by reconnecting damaged relationships, planning eye-opening travel adventures, and providing volunteer opportunities to replace the high/euphoria that addicts seek through substance abuse. With the help of a network of caring adults willing to do whatever it takes to assist others on the road to a successful recovery, those in the program can enjoy the feelings of self-worth and empowerment that come with being part of something impactful, which allows them to function successfully once again.

It is the mission of Hopedealers Worldwide to foster confidence, joy, and a purpose in life; to offer assistance to support consistent recovery success for individuals facing addiction as well as their family and friends; and to facilitate repair, rehabilitation, and rejuvenation of relationships that have been negatively affected by this disease.

Hopedealers initially began by providing a therapeutic travel project to those committed to recovery (such as building ecofriendly bottle schools in underprivileged communities in Guatemala). Friends and family were also invited to attend. As funds become available, the organization plans to continue this project.

Currently, Hopedealers Worldwide provides the following:
-Donation-based support services including counseling for substance abuse, anger management, and domestic violence
-Drug and alcohol evaluations
-Regular certification training to the community, offering educational scholarships for recovering addicts to obtain their Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor certificate, providing a pathway for a fulfilling career
-Navigation assistance with marketplace health insurance applications
-Integrative Health and Amen Clinic Brain Health coaching to clients and the community

Clients are seen by appointment only. Training class dates are listed on their website under the Calendar tab.

1558 Marietta Highway, Suite 200
Canton, GA 30114
770-224-6825
Facebook.com/HopedealersWW

By Harry Johnston

Before I reflect upon my first year serving as chairman, I must mention that it has been great to work with fellow members of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners. We havent always initially agreed, but weve been able to compromise enough that, so far, all votes have been unanimous. Buzz Ahrens built that cooperative atmosphere during his 12 years as chairman, and I hope to continue it.

Here are my top long-term growth goals:
-Manage residential growth, so it doesnt overwhelm citizens and destroy the quality of life that makes Cherokee a great place to live.
-Provide necessary infrastructure and services while keeping tax rates among the lowest in the state.
-Attract good jobs and nonresidential tax base.

2019 Highlights
-We decided not to sell county property by the Aquatic Center for apartment development and in southwest Cherokee for a trucking warehouse. Both were opposed by surrounding neighbors, and the apartment project was also opposed by the City of Holly Springs. The two parcels are still for sale, but for uses more compatible with the adjacent neighborhoods.
-We enacted a detailed development plan for the Highway 92 corridor (west of Bells Ferry Road) to allow important economic development to continue while protecting homeowners and promoting retail development residents want.
We resolved a noise dispute between a sporting clay shooting range and neighbors in northwest Cherokee.
-We passed a new Farm Winery Ordinance to address issues stemming from the commercial bar aspects of a winery adjacent to a neighborhood. That process is ongoing, with a public hearing expected this month on a Special Use Permit to determine limits for that winerys bar and entertainment operations.
-We discussed but decided not to pass a stronger noise ordinance that would have addressed gunfire and fireworks, among other noises.
-We fully rolled back the General Maintenance & Operations and Parks Bond millage rates, so the average taxpayer saw no increase in those taxes. We held the Fire Tax rate constant to provide for a small dollar increase to continue improving fire service.
-We drafted a revision and held a public hearing on the controversial Conservation Subdivision (CONSUB) Ordinance, which allows smaller lot sizes in return for leaving undisturbed green space. At this writing, we havent voted on it, and we might make adjustments before we do. I believe we will approve it this year. Significantly, use of CONSUB standards will be subject to approval by the Board of Commissioners versus the developers choice.
-We fostered an era of cooperation between the county and the City of Holly Springs regarding residential growth management. Weve mostly synchronized our land use plans, and the City has been more conservative about annexations.

Lights, Sound, and Action

by Cassie Langford

Believing lighting and sound should enhance what is happening on stage, not distract from it, Brian Gamel hopes that what he does as a light and sound designer is for the sake of creating an immersive experience for the audience, not for the sake of highlighting his skills.

Sometimes, his style is simple. For a recent production of Puffs at Elm Street Arts Theatre, he mocked the floating candlesticks that light the Great Hall in a Certain School of Magic & Magic by placing brown paper sacks the kind lunch ladies pack for school field trips over drop lighting. Other times, his style is more dramatic. For more emotionally riveting scenes, like the ones in Of Mice and Men, he says he wants beams of light to reflect off an actors face in such a way that it embodies the emotion and intensity the actor is seeking to portray.

Gamel began his theater career in 2004 when he starred as Jack in Towne Lake Arts Centers Jack and the Beanstalk, which led to his involvement in numerous other school and community performances, his favorites being musicals. After high school, he decided to pull away from musical theatre and pursue a bachelors degree in theater with a focus in production management from Florida State University. After graduating, Gamel accepted the position as production manager for Elm Street Arts Village, formerly Towne Lake Arts Center.

Gamel helps Elm Street fulfill their mission to engage the community with relevant art experiences every day by coordinating theater productions, scheduling world-class performers for the Lantern Series, and casting vision for the future development of an art complex, which will offer classes in visual arts, cooking, and pottery.  

Beyond the time he commits to managing productions, Gamel volunteers to direct and design stage productions. He also occasionally auditions for parts because he wants to experience the production from the perspective of the cast and crew, who are all unpaid volunteers. Gamel seeks to ensure that Elm Street is creating an atmosphere where people want to be an atmosphere where ordinary people are inspired to create extraordinary art.
Gamels work with Elm Street has received recognition from the Metropolitan Atlanta Theater Awards. He and Cassidy Hill won a Board Award for Lighting Design for Spamalot in 2018, and he received five nominations for the 2019 season: Sound Design for Bright Star, Minor Supporting Actor for his role as Daryl in Bright Star, and Lighting, Sound, and Set Design for Of Mice and Men.

Because a community should have a way to celebrate Christmas past, present, and future together, Elm Street Arts Village invites you to enjoy its annual production of A Christmas Carol, which will run from December 13-24.  

If you are interested in learning more about upcoming productions, classes, and concerts, visit ElmStreetArts.org.

by Farris Yawn

Autism is something that impacts many lives. Most of us have friends or family members who are struggling with the challenges that come with having an autistic child or young adult.

In Pascal: A Journey With Autism, Dr. Barbe Biloa-Many shares one young mans trials with autism, as he and his family work to understand his diagnosis and treatment.

Often told in Pascals and his mothers own words, we learn the symptoms that led to his diagnosis as well as many of the therapies, treatments, and strategies that were utilized by his doctors and therapists. The book also contains references to many resources for anyone who may need help.

Dr. Biloa-Many takes us through the diagnostic process and explains what to expect at each step. An autism diagnosis can sometimes cause many contradictory feelings and reactions in a family such as relief at having some answers, fear for what it means for the child and the family moving forward, and even anger at God or each other that this is happening. Readers can follow along, as Pascal and his family come to terms with his diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.

Now an adult, Pascal is a very high functioning, productive member of his community. He works on his familys farm/wedding venue and is planning to get married soon.

Pascals journey shows that autism, while challenging and sometimes difficult, does not have to prevent a child from progressing. With the proper therapies and treatment plan, an autistic child can learn the skills to live a full and happy life, just like Pascal.

By Gabriel Morley

Right on the heels of the 50th anniversary of Woodstock comes a rock and roll novel that supercharges the life-altering music of the 70s.

Author Taylor Jenkins Reids Daisy Jones and The Six tells the story of the burgeoning rock scene in Los Angeles in the 1970s through the eyes of Daisy Jones, a young woman infatuated with singing and living the rock and roll lifestyle. When Jones gets mixed up with The Six, one of the hottest bands of the time, the chemistry is remarkable.

Although the book is fiction, it is written as though it were the memoir of an aging rock star looking back over a raucous career. The blended narrative makes for an intimate read similar to a documentary.

Daisy Jones and The Six go on to become one of the biggest bands of the 70s, but thats not necessarily the story that drives this book. Its the characters. The characters come to life and really make the novel standout. They are fragile, broken, and triumphant. Jones is particularly interesting as the female lead, who is unabashed and never allows anyone to overshadow her.

To no ones surprise, the novel is suffused with many of the hallmarks of the 70s and serves to create an authentic atmosphere for the story to unfold. The author has said she wanted readers to feel immersed in the story as if they were there.

This is a perfect book to make the transition into fall before some of the new big books of the year hit the shelves.

The Webs Large and Creepy Spider

By Sheriff Frank Reynolds

For those of us who grew up in Cherokee County without the internet or smartphones, our form of social media was cruising the McDonalds parking lot on Friday and Saturday nights to see and be seen.

Internet technology and cellular phone apps can be wonderful tools, but there is a very large and creepy spider on the web: child exploitation.

The Cherokee Sheriffs Office has a team of detectives who work tirelessly to identify these predators and bring them to justice. Recently, CSO detectives joined forces with other metropolitan and federal law enforcement agencies in Operation Just Cause.

The goal of Operation Just Cause was to arrest persons who communicated with children online and then traveled to meet them for the purpose of having sex. Additionally, the operation targeted those who are willing to exploit children by purchasing sex with a minor. Online child predators visit chat rooms and websites on the internet, find children, begin conversations with them, introduce sexual content, and arrange a meeting with the children for the purpose of having sex. Over the course of the operation, 24 people were arrested for intent to meet a child for sex, according to the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office.

This is just one example of the many cases that exist in the metro Atlanta area.

Detective Claude L. Dobbs is CSOs chief detective responsible for investigating internet crimes against children (ICAC).

Detective Dobbs explains:
Snapchat is and has always been a problem. The number of children victimizing themselves through Snapchat, thinking that the images they send to someone will just disappear, is staggering. There is no reason, ever, for any child under age 18 to have a Snapchat account.
Instagram has replaced Facebook among children. With the ability to send private messages within the app, which one or both parties can delete at will, has been a recipe for disaster.
FaceTime and Google Hangout videos have also allowed children to be victimized. Parents wont be able to see what their children see in real time video streams, or streams that predators have recorded in the past without the childs knowledge.
Tumblr is another app that children and teens have used to acquire pornography and expose themselves to unsavory information. Tumblr houses blogs that cover everything from adult pornography, to child pornography (until it is discovered and removed), to self-harm material, bondage, and drugs.
A good rule of thumb if the platform allows users to transmit live video, of which there is no record that parents can see, its a recipe for exploitation. If an application allows images and videos to be sent that disappear (or they think it disappears) moments after being sent, its a recipe for exploitation.

Protecting our children is of the highest priority. If you would like more information concerning child exploitation, please call CSOs criminal investigation office at 770-928-0239.