Where Patient Care is #1

By Cyndi Braun

Whether your child is sick, due for a check-up, or in need of a flu shot, Woodstock Pediatric Medicine offers quality care in an independently owned practice established more than twenty years ago.

The practices six board-certified pediatricians and two nurse practitioners treat childhood illnesses while promoting good health, wellness, and disease prevention for children through age 21.

Services include ADHD management, asthma management, pre-natal visits, vaccinations, sports/school physicals, hearing/vision screening, development screenings, nutritional management, and ear piercing.

Since weve been here so long, were able to provide long-term continuity of care, said Dr. Jordana Heaven, who has been with the practice for sixteen years. We have many parents who were our patients during their adolescent years.

Compassionate Patient Care

Doctors, nurse practitioners, and medical assistants see patients regularly over many years. Longevity of care enables doctors to build relationships with entire families.

Its nice to be able to help patients feel better, fill out their forms so they are ready for school, and talk to parents, said Dr. Rzeznik. You get attached to your grandmas and your parents and your patients.

Seeing patients regularly helps providers offer effective treatment for conditions that might either be missed or not addressed in a timely manner.

A few months ago, Nurse Practitioner Milan Wade saw a patient who was obese. She talked to the boy and his mother about the risk of diabetes and other health problems, then she encouraged the mom to create a diet and exercise plan for the whole family.

The patient came back today for a follow-up, and his weight was down seven pounds. I was so excited. The mom listened to everything Milan said. I told the mom, You just made my day! said Dr. Chinenye Iheme.

For teenagers, longevity of care ensures a strong relationship with their pediatrician, who can help them through this transitional period. When Dr. Frini Shah meets with her teenage patients, she takes the time to talk to them about how they handle the daily stresses of high school and life.

I have taken some classes in mindfulness, so I offer some aspects of that when I talk with the teens. I give them tips to help when theyre feeling anxious or stressed, said Dr. Shah. I make sure they have somebody they can talk to when theyre upset, and I talk to them about what they do when they are upset or sad or angry, how they deal with their emotions.

Dr. Thanh Tam Le finds it rewarding to care for a child over many years, particularly when the child has a complex medical history.

When you have a family with a child who is sick, and you follow the child long-term and see how the child overcomes all these challenges, its incredibly gratifying, said Dr. Le. Its rewarding to see a baby who may have been told in NICU he might never be able to talk or walk, and then he beats all those odds and goes to school and is in regular classes.

What Makes This Practice Unique?

Woodstock Pediatric Medicine offers same-day appointments and even within-the-hour appointments. The office is also open on Saturdays for all appointments.

Since the practice is independently owned, providers are actively involved in the practice, which means they can update policies and make decisions quickly, without a board of directors or bureaucracy impacting patient care.

Providers are fluent in many languages, which include French, Gujarati, Romanian, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

We come from different backgrounds and bring different things to the table, said Dr. Iheme. We have a male doctor, Dr. Yates. Dr. Le is Asian and speaks Vietnamese. Im from Africa. Dr. Rzeznik is from eastern Europe. Dr. Shah is from India. Shannon Dobson, our nurse practitioner, is a hometown girl, born and raised in Woodstock."

The office takes nearly all insurance plans, including Medicaid.

We try to meet the needs of everyone in our community by providing a culturally diverse staff, multiple providers, and convenient office hours. We offer 24-hour/365-day provider phone access to address late night concerns. We stay involved in our community by stepping outside our practice walls and getting engaged in events and volunteering, said Practice Administrator Kelly Marulanda. Our number-one goal is to provide the best pediatric healthcare. We may not be the biggest, but we strive to be the best.

Providers
- Jordana Heaven, M.D.
- Chinenye Iheme, M.D.
- Thanh Tam Le, M.D.
- Adriana Rzeznik, M.D.
- Frini Shah, M.D.
- Ferdinand Yates, M.D.
- Shannon Dobson, C.P.N.P.
- Milan Wade, C.P.N.P.

Welcome New Providers

Milan Wade, C.P.N.P., grew up in Jonesboro and earned degrees at Kennesaw State University, Savannah State University, and the University of South Alabama.

As a former high school nurse, she feels especially connected to teenagers. She also has an interest in diet, nutritional issues, and obesity. When not helping patients, Milan enjoys spending time with her family, playing sports, and shopping.

I really like kids and enjoy pediatrics, said Milan, who moved to the area with her husband and two children. I am glad to be part of this practice. Everybody here has been really nice and welcoming.

Thanh Tam Le, M.D., grew up in Gwinnett County, then studied at Johns Hopkins University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Cincinnati medical school. She completed her pediatric residency at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Louisiana.

Her special interest is premature babies and newborns. She is fluent in Vietnamese and Spanish. She enjoys spending time with her family and traveling to new places.

I was always interested in maternal and child health. When I was at Cincinnati, they had a wonderful childrens hospital where I was able to explore a lot of different pediatric subspecialties, said Dr. Le. That experience really solidified my decision for me, and I knew I wanted to be a pediatrician.

Woodstock Pediatric Medicine
200 Professional Way
Woodstock, GA
770-517-0250
WoodstockPeds.com

Facebook.com/Woodstock-Pediatric-Medicine-346131266289/

Office Hours

Monday-Friday
8:00am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-5:00pm
Saturday
starting at 8:00am for all appointments

Serving Your Family

By Cyndi Braun

Known as the hardest working legislator in Georgia, Sen. John Albers is seeking reelection as senator for the 56th District, which includes north Fulton and southeast Cherokee County.

Since taking office in 2011, Albers has been working tirelessly to get results.

There may be smarter or more savvy people in this world, but nobody can outwork me, said Albers. I believe that whatever you do, you give it your time and attention, you do it with a sense of urgency, and you work hard at it.

Living a Life of Service

A fourth-generation firefighter, Albers was raised in a family that believed in serving others. His father, uncle, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather were all firefighters.

I have been serving for more than 25 years in the fire service. I am an active firefighter in Alpharetta, and I am honored to continue the legacy of rushing in when others rush out, said Albers, who has twice assisted in a fire on his way home from a legislative session.

Albers is an active member of his community. He participates in numerous boards of directors, Boy Scouts, Roswell United Methodist Church, Roswell Rotary, and many other organizations.

Results Matter

When Albers first took office eight years ago, residents were struggling because of the recession.

Today, Georgia is the No. 1 place to do business, and our job rates are at record levels. We cut the state income tax. We fully funded education and have raised the graduation rate exponentially. We maintain an AAA bond rating (only nine states have this designation) with a balanced budget and no deficit, said Albers.

As part of the Senate leadership,  Albers serves as the Chief Deputy Whip and chairman of the Atlanta-Fulton County Delegation. He is also chairman of the Public Safety Committee, and vice chairman of the Finance and Regulated Industry Committees. He is also a member of the powerful Rules and Appropriations Committees.

He has authored and sponsored legislation to benefit students, teachers, parents, business owners, veterans, firefighters, police officers, senior citizens, and specials needs children and adults.

Helping Constituents

Residents often call Albers asking for help with small business needs, veteran services, tax problems, insurance issues, and a variety of other issues.

When you can break a log jam and fix things, thats building treasures in heaven, said Albers. I enjoy serving others. If someone calls for assistance, we listen to their problem, find out where the solution is, then assure everyone is taken care of.

Albers considers it an honor to represent the people of his District, and he keeps that in mind when hes in the Capitol.

I dont look at it as my seat in the Senate. I look at it as the peoples seat. They chose me to sit in their place to represent them, said Albers. Serving in the Georgia Senate allows me to help people every day, which is a great joy.

Background

Albers earned his bachelors degree from the University of Louisville. He graduated from the Legislative Leadership Institute at the University of Georgia and the Cybersecurity Program at Harvard University.

Albers and his wife Kari have been married for 25 years and raised their sons in Roswell. Will graduated from Roswell High School and the University of North Georgia and now works at the GBI. Ryan is a junior at Roswell High School. Both boys are Eagle Scouts.

Why Vote for Senator Albers?

I feel led to serve and believe there is much more work to be done. Serving in office is a tremendous sacrifice, but it is also a great privilege and honor, said Albers. I will continue to work tirelessly.

Whether its fighting fires, assisting a citizen with a need, volunteering at a community event, or passing important legislation, Albers is likely to be there, getting results for you.

You can see what his constituents say here: SenatorAlbers.com/what-people-say

Don't forget to vote on November 6!

Vote YES!

A big issue arose last year when Fulton County home assessments increased by as much as 200%, which was especially hard for senior citizens and working families. Albers worked to stop the increases and restore the previous years values. He then got to work on fixing the problem long-term.

I worked with my colleagues to pass legislation solving this problem moving forward, and I need your help, said Albers. Please be sure to vote YES on the three ballot questions this November to cap property taxes starting in 2019. This will also reset your home value to the lowest amount of the values during 2016, 2017, and 2018.

If the three questions pass, home values will never increase more than 3% or the Consumer Price Index (inflation rate), whichever is lower. This helps to protect families and homeowners. The third question will help senior citizens ages 65 and older receive a homestead exemption up to $50,000.

SenatorAlbers.com
404-463-8055

The Unsung Folk Singer

By Atiya King

On a day in which the typical fickle Georgia weather cant decide what it wants to do, Woodstock-based singer-songwriter Jonathan Peyton opts to spend his afternoon in a cool, music-filled coffee shop in the heart of his hometown. Its just the type of place one would expect to find a musician. His seriously slept-on, 9-track project gives listeners a glimpse into his heart, soul, and past. Im learning to heal/When I lose your touch, I find my feel/But sometimes its hard to break a 25-year-old chain, he sings gently on the first track entitled Twenty-five, which is on his 2016 album, Waters Below.

Waters Below is an iced-tea-sippin, porch-sittin, chillin on a beautiful day type of album. The effortless harmonies, modest arrangements, and Peytons soothing, yet subtly gruff voice is relaxing. That is until one truly listens to the lyrics. The album is deep, heavy, and sometimes dark. Peyton says the songs are very personal. His past has come with a few ups and downs. And, like many artists, those who really make listeners think, feel, question, and confront their own emotions, songwriting became his outlet.

Writing Waters Below was cathartic. In Hey Mister, he sings, I hear what youre saying, but you cant come home/You burned that bridge so many years ago. In Bad Blood, he croons, Theres been bad blood under our skin/Dont know where it started/This is where it ends. These are easily two of the albums most gut-wrenching songs. Both are about confronting difficulties, shedding the anger and pain many people unknowingly wear like tattoos, and coming out on the other side a better man.

Peyton, who got his love of music from his dad, is a thirty-year-old father of three, who sings with his wife, Abigail. The song Love Me So was written about her. The addictive ditty reveals all the best parts of being in love. Its amazing how you see me/So different than I see me/Though my scars may show/Your patient heart still loves me so, they sing. The passion is resounding, indicative of real love, understanding, and the willingness to see past flaws and all.

Peytons newest EP, Where Do We Stand, was released in March. On the title track, Peyton sings, Ill wave my white flag/Only if you wave yours back. He reveals that this body of work, much like Waters Below, is about emotional growth, but this time around, hes tackled his past and is grateful for his present.

Peyton may not be known by many, but he should be. The self-taught guitar player is a truly gifted and impressive singer with something to say and a voice worth being heard. Check him out on Amazon, iTunes, Bandcamp.com, and JonathanPeytonMusic.com.

By Jessica Asbell

How far would you go if you were desperate to eat? Would you go so far as to sell your children? In Sold on a Monday, Kristina McMorris writes about the heartbreaking tragedy of families in the 1930s who sold their children, so they could eat.

Ellis Reed stumbles across two brothers playing in front of a sign that reads, children for sale. Stunned, Ellis takes a picture of them and develops it in the darkroom of the paper where he writes a society column. Lily, the chiefs secretary and wannabe reporter, stumbles across it and takes it to the chief. Suddenly, Ellis is given his big break: a chance to write a story that matters.

But when an accident ruins the original picture, Ellis must go back to take another. However, the family is gone. Desperate for the story and his big break, Ellis pays a mother to take a picture of her children with the sign instead. As the accolades and donations pour in, Ellis is uneasy about just what he sold on that Monday.

When he goes back to give the family money and discovers the children have been sold, Ellis and Lily work together to find out what happened to their mother and where the children have gone. As they discover that all is not as it seems, they race against the clock, risking their jobs, their freedom, and even their lives, in a desperate attempt to put a family back together.

Kristina McMorris paints a bleak picture of life in the 1930s, when mobsters ruled, Prohibition reigned, and families were desperate. Those who had jobs did what they could, however unethical it might be, to keep them. If youre looking for historical fiction based on what people faced in the Great Depression, look no further than Sold on a Monday.

McMorris will be at FoxTale Book Shoppe on November 7 at 6:30pm.

By Ryland Johnson

Southern writing has an affinity for the gothic.  Just as the blues has a tendency to explore the dark side of the human condition through murder ballads and tales of heartbreak and madness, Southern writing tends toward noir. Theres something in the humidity, in the dark, liquid atmosphere of the Southern imagination that fascinates on the horror lurking under the surface.

Roger Johns debut novel, Dark River Rising, and his new work, River of Secrets, both deliver fast-paced, gritty crime drama with a heavy note of place. Johns Baton Rouge oozes mystery, and his heroine, Police Detective Wallace Hartman, is an ideal guide for navigating the citys murky underbelly. In River of Secrets, Detective Hartman investigates the murder of a politician with problematic associations. The evidence leads Hartman in one direction, but her gut leads her in another. Shell have to use all her wits to solve the case and protect the ones she loves.

Roger Johns experience as a lawyer and professor deepens the world in which River of Secrets unfolds. Johns is a keen observer, and his attentiveness, along with his sense of tone, makes his Baton Rouge seem both dangerous and familiar. There is just enough real-world know-how in Johns prose to satisfy fans of police procedural fiction, and Johns rich cast of characters are varied and human, sympathetic and monstrous, and, most importantly, surprising in the crucial moments.

A native of Louisiana, Roger Johns now lives in Georgia with his wife. He was named Georgia Author of the Year in the Mystery category for his first novel, Dark River Rising. The Ocee Library is honored to welcome Roger Johns for a reading and book signing, free and open to the public, on Wednesday, October 10 at 6:00pm.


Ryland Johnson is a librarian at Ocee Library, 5090 Abbotts Bridge Road, Alpharetta. 770-360-8897. AFPLS.org/ocee-branch6

Herbert Mauldin's Legacy Lives on in His Daughter and Granddaughter

by Cindi Braun

Whenever theres a need for a heavy-duty wrecker to clear an accident scene, theres a good chance Mauldin Body Shop & Towing will be there. And if Mauldin is on the scene, you might catch a glimpse of a young woman in a pink safety vest driving the wrecker.

Meet Angela Reece, Reinhardt graduate, certified firefighter, softball player, former Mrs. Cherokee County, and WreckMaster Top Ten.

Angela breaks all kinds of stereotypes every day.

She handles a 75-ton rotator truck with skill and precision, pulling overturned tractor trailers upright, assisting emergency responders with life-saving extrications, and rescuing large farm animals in trouble all in a days work, and sometimes a nights work.

Angela inherited the familys penchant for towing and repairing vehicles. She learned from leaders in the industry: her grandfather Herbert Mauldin, mother Debbie Weaver, and father John Weaver.

We handle everything from small vehicles all the way up to moving tractor trailers and construction equipment. Weve also handled derailed trains and even airplane crashes, said Angela. After we tow a car, or if you bring it here, we work with the insurance companies. We can repair any make, model vehicle you have. We can do the body work, paint work, frame work, from start to finish.

Towing Services
Located on Butterworth Road since 1961, the company offers towing and recovery services, lockout service, relocation of vehicles, and large animal rescue (in coordination with Cherokee County Fire Department).

Mauldin has a fleet of vehicles, which includes a Peterbuilt semi with a Landoll trailer used for heavy equipment or oversized storage container relocation, three heavy-duty wreckers (a 30-ton Kenworth, 60-ton Peterbuilt, and a 75-ton Peterbuilt rotator), one medium-duty wrecker, and flatbed rollback wreckers for light-duty towing needs.

All wrecker drivers are WreckMaster certified, which means theyve learned the latest skills and techniques in the towing and recovery industry. Six drivers are also trained firefighters, including John and Angela. Four drivers are career firefighters in Cherokee County, including Brian Reece, Angelas husband.

Our drivers are trained to do towing and recovery, damage-free, said John Weaver. Were the only Cherokee County wrecker service with all its drivers WreckMaster trained and certified.

John has long supported WreckMaster training. He attended his first WreckMaster class in 1996 and continued through the training until he was named WreckMaster of the Year in 2005. Hes so influential in the field that he was inducted into the International Towing Museum Hall of Fame in 2016. He travels throughout the southeast to teach a heavy-duty cross-training course for towers and fire rescue. He also serves as chairman of the operations committee for the Traffic Incident Management Enhancement (TIME) Task Force.

Angela is following in her fathers footsteps and is the highest-trained female WreckMaster worldwide. She was named WreckMaster Top Ten in 2010. She is also a member of the Service League of Cherokee County, Safe Kids of Cherokee County, Ghost Out, and TIME Task Force of Atlanta.

Body Shop
Whatever the cause of those dings, dents, and scratches, Mauldins full-service body shop can transform your vehicle. Managed by Debbie Weaver, the shop warranties all work for the lifetime the customer owns the vehicle.

Prior to getting started, technicians meet with customers to learn the history of the car. Technicians then prepare a detailed estimate of what theyll do to restore the car to pre-accident condition.

We work with the insurance companies for customers. We help argue for what we think is needed, said Angela. We fix the vehicle the way we would want it to be if it was our personal vehicle. We treat it like we would be driving it every day.

The shop uses only best quality PPG paints to ensure optimum gloss and durability. Trained technicians mix colors by factory computer codes and then custom tint to match the vehicles specific color. The shop also offers paintless dent removal.

Using two Brewco frame and alignment racks, technicians can detect misalignments and restore vehicles to proper structural alignment. This ensures that the car not only looks good but is safe to drive.

The Fourth Generation
While the youngest of Herberts descendants is not quite ready to take over the shop, Angela and Brians ten-year-old daughter Sierra is already fascinated by the business. Shes been known to provide helpful suggestions for the wrecker drivers and has begged her mom to take her out on calls. In a few more years, Cherokee County may have a second woman in a pink safety vest driving heavy-duty wreckers.

Mauldin Body Shop and Towing
143 Butterworth Road, Canton, GA 30114
770-479-4851
MauldinBodyShop.com
Facebook.com/MauldinBodyShop

The Center for the Visually Impaired in Your Community

Every person with vision loss should be able to live with independence and dignity. This mission guides the activities at the Center for the Visually Impaired (CVI), a nonprofit vision resource and rehabilitation center located in the heart of metro Atlanta. CVI offers programming and rehabilitation services to support people all over Georgia who are visually impaired or blind. It is Georgias largest, comprehensive, fully accredited, private facility providing vision rehabilitation services.

CVI was started by a group of parents facing a collective challenge: how to help their visually impaired children reach their full potential. Interested in enhancing opportunities for their children, the devoted parents sought specialized training for them in orientation and mobility, advanced communication, and daily living skills. Led by George and Jean Henderson, the group established a new agency in 1962, Community Services for the Blind, which later changed its name to the Center for the Visually Impaired.

CVI provides a variety of training for the visually impaired, supporting individuals throughout their lives. For 55 years, CVI has offered vocational rehabilitation for working-age adults, social, therapeutic, academic, and recreational services for school-aged youth, and specialized classes and support for children under the age of five. CVI also offers a community-based program, providing training directly in the home.

Additionally, CVI provides training classes on topics such as Braille, white cane travel, diabetes management, assistive technology, cooking and meal preparation, health and fitness, financial management, self-defense, and emergency preparedness.

Special events are held throughout the year to support CVIs prgrams. The next event is Dining in the Dark a one-of-a-kind dining experience designed to raise awareness about vision loss. At this event, guests are served a three-course meal in complete darkness, amplifying their sense of smell, touch, taste, and sound. The featured menu remains a mystery and is delivered to guests tables by members of the Atlanta Police Department SWAT Team, using their night-vision equipment. Dinner is preceded by a training session that shows guests the dining techniques CVI teaches clients with low or no vision. The event will be held Sunday, Sept. 30, at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center.

When CVI was founded, rehabilitation services for people with vision loss were only just beginning to be developed. The growth of CVI over the years represents more than an expansion of services it also reflects the organizations leadership in finding new ways to help people live more independently. The organization is proud to serve more than 4,000 Georgians annually.

For more information about CVI or how you can help, please visit

CVIGA.org,
or call
404-875-9011.

While many folks already know about things like Atlantas Olympic Torch Tower, Mariettas Big Chicken, Alpharettas Cagle Castle, or Ball Grounds Burger Bus, there are many other interesting/peculiar Georgia attractions you may not know existed, which may be worthy of a short detour on your next road trip.
Here are a few you may want to check out:

57th Fighter Group Restaurant
3829 Clairmont Road
Atlanta
770-234-0057

This aviation-themed restaurant is decorated to look like a WWII active war zone, with vehicles and planes on the grounds outside, while the restaurant itself is made to look like a bomb-damaged French farmhouse. Inside, you can put on headsets to listen to nearby air traffic control tower chatter because the establishment is located on the runway of Peachtree Dekalb Airport, so you can also watch small planes take off and land while you eat. Additionally, the interior walls are covered with 1940s memorabilia and pictures.

Howard Finsters Paradise Garden
200 North Lewis Street
Summerville
706-808-0800

Known for designing album covers for rock groups such as R.E.M. and the Talking Heads, artist Howard Finster originally started out to build a roadside folk-art tribute to inventors out of junk and scraps. However, according to the Paradise Garden Foundation website (ParadiseGardenFoundation.org), Finster shifted his focus when he was using his fingers to apply paint to a refurbished bicycle, he noticed that the paint smudge on the tip of his finger had formed a human face. A voice spoke to him, saying, paint sacred art. Finster went on to create almost 47,000 pieces of art in his lifetime, many of which can be seen in Paradise Garden.

Tank Town USA
10408 Appalachian Highway Morganton
706-633-6072

Have you ever wanted to drive a tank, but you just dont think youre cut out to join the military, endure the rigors of boot camp, and then uproot yourself to go wherever Uncle Sam sends you for training and duty? If your answer is, Yes! then this place is for you. Well, you wont actually get to drive a tank because the U.S. will not sell operational armor to the public. Instead, you can operate a FV432, which is an armored personnel carrier that the British army used to drive. However, most people would label this vehicle a tank, as it is fifteen tons of armor-plated steel.

Youll be driving around in a dirt pit that gets especially muddy when it rains, so you probably dont want to wear expensive designer duds on this field trip. If you really want to get rid of some pent-up angst in a healthy way, for $599, you can drive the tank over a car and crush it!

Pasaquan
238 Eddie Martin Road
Buena Vista
706-507-8306

Eddie Owens Martin, the artist/creator of Pasaquan, had been sick with a fever when he was visited by three very tall humanoids from the future world of Pasaquan. They chose him, they said, to be their envoy, St. EOM, the only Pasaquoyan of the twentieth century. Eddies job was to make art and live his life in a way that would show people how wonderful the future would be. Eddie went on to spend thirty years adding rooms onto his deceased mothers farmhouse and filling them with paintings and sculptures of Pasaquoyans in their anti-gravity power suits. The seven-acre compound is covered with mystic symbols and zany structures that are a testament to this artists colorful past and eclectic personality.

Old Car City USA
3098 Highway 411, NE
White
770-382-6141

This place is a haven for photographers who love to scour its 32 acres for the perfect rusted-out old vehicle with the best mix of light and shadows dancing across its hood from just the right angle. Opened as a general store during the Great Depression, Old Car City gradually evolved into a large old automobile junkyard. In 2009, owner Dean Lewis realized he could turn it into a tourist attraction because lots of people seemed to share his love of decomposing automotive carcasses.

While in White, have lunch at Wes-Mans restaurant (3167 Highway 411, NE), where the old 1940s truck parked out front is repainted every single day and utilized as a welcome sign and message board.

Labyrinth of Rome
402 Civic Center Drive
Rome
706-295-5576

Need to get out of your car to stretch your legs and clear your head? In 2010, the 1930s Works Progress Administration amphitheater was transformed into a meditative labyrinth composed of 5,490 bricks. According to RomeGeorgia.org, A labyrinth has only one path, and the intention is not to confuse, but rather to help one focus. The path into the center is a search for your true self, as the stresses and concerns of the world slip away from your consciousness. This particular labyrinth is a bit more strenuous than most as it is on different levels, not unlike how we live our lives.

Wampus Box
2315 Georgia 17
Sautee Nacoochee
706-878-2281

This box/cage contraption is located outside the Old Sautee Store. It has delighted, intrigued, and frightened travelers for more than twenty years. One traveler recalled visiting the wampus box as a child: Inside, they say theres a rare and dangerous animal. You can peak inside, but you cant reach in. All you see is a wampus tail sticking out from an inner hole. Now, being kids, we wanted to see the whole wampus, so we did what they dared you not do and opened the box from the front latch. Well, needless to say, a wampus leaps out and nearly scares the bajeebees out of you!

Booger Hill
Bettis Tribble Gap Road
Cumming

A gravity hill, it is said that ghosts haunt the nearby slave burial ground because they dont want visitors, so they pull your car back up the road. And leave hand prints. At the bottom of the hill, when you put your car in neutral, it will defy gravity and roll up the hill. According to one person who tried it, this road is very busy in the daytime, so you may want to try it at night when it is less busy (and creepier!). The same person also claimed that the car picked up speed as it ascended.

Here's What's New at Riverfest Arts and Crafts Festival

Riverfest Arts and Crafts Festival, organized and hosted by the Service League of Cherokee County, is Cherokee Countys longest-running fall festival. More than thirty years ago, the Service League created Riverfest as a way to raise funds for the children in Cherokee County whose families were
facing hardships.

Riverfest hosts some of the Southeasts finest artists, crafters, and entertainment, which draws record-breaking crowds year after year. With a line-up of returning favorites and many new artists and crafters, the 34th Annual Riverfest Arts and Crafts Festival is sure to be the best yet!

New to Riverfest this year is Aralyns Boulangerie Cupcakes. Not only are the cupcakes and other baked goods amazing, but Aralyn is nothing short of amazing herself! Aralyn Russell is only eleven years old with three years of baking experience under her belt already. She says she has been baking with her mother since she was little. She was inspired to get serious about her baking talent after watching Kids Baking Championship on the Food Network. Her dream is to appear on Kids Baking Championship and to also open her own cupcake shop. No doubt this girl is going places. Be sure to check her out in the childrens area at Riverfest, and you may want to snag an autograph along with that cupcake!

Another exciting vendor new to Riverfest this year is Willow and Ash Designs. Willow and Ash Designs features custom, stamped, and beaded jewelry. The jewelry is unique, beautiful, and can be custom made just for you. Anyone looking for the perfect piece of jewelry will be sure to find it here. Check them out in the arts and crafts area at Riverfest this year.

Riverfest is also excited to host Deeloochia and Southern Pine Restorations, both great places to find stylish, one-of-a-kind home decor. Deeloochia specializes in custom-made gourd lamps. And Southern Pine Restorations is a husband-and-wife team that builds, paints, and refinishes furniture. Visit these vendors, and take home a unique lamp or beautiful piece of furniture to complete your living area.

Whether you are a regular at Riverfest or coming for the first time, there is something for everyone. From arts and crafts and jaw-dropping entertainment to pony rides, bounce houses, and delicious food trucks, youll find it all and much more at the 34th Annual Riverfest Arts and Crafts Festival.

The Service League of Cherokee County will present the Festival from 10:00am to 6:00pm Saturday, September 29, and 10:00am to 5:00pm Sunday, September 30 at Etowah River Park, located at 600 Brown Industrial Parkway in Canton. Admission for adults and children eleven and older is a requested $5 donation. The event will take place rain or shine. All areas will be handicap accessible. Free parking and shuttle service will also be available.

Living It Up in the Great Outdoors

At St. George Village, the fun is right in your own back yard! They encourage their residents to pursue a lifestyle of active engagement, and their outdoor amenities are second to none. Take a look at some of what they have to offer in the great outdoors:

Improving the Short Game
Marge Pizzolatto, who moved to St. George Village six years ago, says she found that the putting green is a great place to socialize and make new friends while practicing her short game.

Its a popular place, she said. And meeting on the green is a good way to welcome some of our newer residents. Weve started having a putting party on Sunday evenings, which is fun.

Lawn Bowling
Good friends Tom McDermott and Dick Peischl put their heads together and came up with an idea they thought would appeal to fellow residents who wanted to have some fun outdoors: bocce ball.

We were talking about starting some new activities, and bocce ball seemed like a fun idea. At first, we played on the lawn, setting up a regular Thursday evening game. When people started turning out for the weekly games, we realized we needed a court! So, we went to the local adult recreation center to see their courts and brought our information back to the executive director here. He agreed it was a good idea, and soon, we had a real court, said Mr. McDermott. It really caught on! Now we even have competitions between St. George Village and other local communities.

Going to the Dogs
Pets are an integral part of the St. George Village community. While some residents have indoor pets like cats and birds, many others have dogs that require outdoor time. Mary Beth and Jim Devers are especially pleased with the newest addition to the St. George Village grounds a new dog park.

We walk our dog, Willy, on the trails that wind their way through the property, but you have to always have your dog on a leash, said Mrs. Devers. The dog park is wonderful because it gives dogs a place to go free off-leash. We take Willy there almost every afternoon, so he can run and chase toys.

Green Thumbs Up
One of the most popular spots at St. George Village is the sunny, serene patch of land overlooking the lake that boasts a variety of beautiful vegetable and flower raised-bed gardens maintained by residents. One of our resident gardening experts, Hilda Daiber, recently called her green-thumbed friends efforts seasonal magic, describing them in detail:

Nancy Allvines pink Asian Lilies, fifty or more; Dick Pokornowskis bag of seeds, spread, with flowers now too numerous to count, looking like a traditional English garden; Dottie Heusleins sunflowers, ten feet tall and visible from all the southwest-facing apartments; Ginny Kauschs pickle vines (she has already picked four cucumbers over twelve inches long); Laureen Johnsons vines, which have already yielded a bag full of beans; Ken Rahejas gladiolus are yellow giants; and Fr. Tony Currans cherry tomato plants, which have yielded a bag full even though he had planted late.

Outdoor activities like these are but one of the many facets of life at St. George Village that make it a special place with a true sense of community and fellowship. See how a retirement lifestyle of active engagement with outdoor fun can be yours. Call Stacy Anthony at 678-987-0402 for more information. Find more details about the community, lifestyle, and residents online at StGeorgeVillage.org, and on Facebook and Pinterest.

Offering Treatment for Chronic Jaw Pain

By Cyndi Braun

The symptoms seem unrelated. You have a headache, your face feels tired in the morning, your ear aches a bit, and your neck is tight. You decide to consult a medical specialist: an ENT for the ear pain, a chiropractor for the neck, a neurologist for the headaches, and you have no idea who to call about the facial fatigue.

Turns out, these aches and pains are all symptoms of Temporal Mandibular Joint (TMJ), also known as Temporal Mandibular Dysfunction (TMD). The good news is you figured out the problem. Now its time to relieve that pain.

Dentistry for Woodstock treats the dysfunction of the joint that causes pain and a variety of other symptoms. Rather than multiple doctor appointments, you can simply call Dentistry for Woodstock and start your journey to pain-free living.

For more than two decades, I have helped patients with their dental needs. I find it especially rewarding to help people who are suffering from TMD because the results are life-changing, said W. Bruce Fink, D.D.S., who has extensive training in the treatment of TMD. My continuing education in oral surgery, sleep apnea, and full-mouth reconstruction enables me to provide the most effective treatments for patients.

One Patients Journey to Pain Free

Samantha Treadway suffered from chronic jaw pain for many years and recently sought treatment at Dentistry for Woodstock.

When Samantha came to the office, she mentioned she had tightness in her facial muscles upon waking, tension headaches multiple times each month, and crooked teeth. When staff members asked her for more information, they realized her vertigo and neck pain were also due to the displacement of the temporal joint.

Symptoms of TMD

• Facial fatigue upon waking
• Ear pain
• Jaw pain
• Vertigo
• Nausea with headache
• Tension headaches
• Neck pain and tightness
• Sore and sensitive spots in the head
• Migraine headaches
• Numbness and tingling in the fingertips
• Chest tightness
• Sleeplessness
• IBS

Treatment Steps

Education - The first step in treating patients is proper education on TMD symptoms and treatment as well as the financial options the practice offers. From the front desk to the dental hygienist, all staff members take time to ask questions and educate patients on what can be done to help them. Staff members asked Samantha to describe what she was experiencing, so they could determine the best treatment options for her.

Data Collection - The dental team conducts a twenty-minute data collection process to fully understand the extent of the TMD. For Samantha, the process was simple and painless. In addition to a CT scan of her head and neck, staff members took a series of photographs at different angles to see the position of her head to her spine. Then, Dr. Fink conducted a full exam of the facial muscles and reviewed her health history.

Financial Options - At the time of the consultation, the dental team presents treatment options and explains financial responsibilities. Medical plans have coverage for the treatment of TMD, and most health plans can contribute the financial cost of the treatment.

Orthotics - Many TMD patients benefit from orthotics as a treatment method. A special orthotic holds the jaw in position to keep the muscles and nerves in proper alignment and to decompress the area of pain. Since Samantha decided to move forward with treatment, the dental team took impressions for an orthotic, which was then sent to the lab for fabrication.

After Samantha received her orthotic, she embarked on a twelve-week process of upper and lower appliance therapy and laser treatment to heal the joint. Just as a knee brace keeps the knee aligned after a sprain, the orthotic stabilizes the jaw until it heals.

Results - Treatment results vary from patient to patient. Some see immediate results, while others take longer for the body to accept the position and the pain to subside. Some patients suffer for decades and, through this treatment, have relief for the first time from headaches and facial pain.

For Samantha, after a couple of weeks, the vertigo subsided. Now, yoga is a relaxing and enjoyable experience; days waking with a headache are far and few; and the neck pain is now all but related to her fabulous heavy handbag.

Whether you suffer from TMD or have other dental needs, Dentistry for Woodstock is ready to help. Call now to schedule your appointment. The practice offers a full range of general and cosmetic dental treatments including teeth whitening, crowns and bridges, orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, preventative care, family dentistry, veneers, endodontics, periodontal services, dental implants, and treatment for TMD and sleep issues.

Dentistry For Woodstock
1816 Eagle Drive, Building 200-A, Woodstock, GA
770-926-0000
DentistryForWoodstock.com

Consultations are FREE, and Dentistry for Woodstock is available to educate you on the path to pain FREE.

By Jim Cheatham

There are currently numerous vacancies in the police and 911 ranks. Fire, thankfully, is fully staffed as of July 30. Being understaffed seems to be a national trend, as many departments around the country are facing shortages, especially among their police ranks. The natural question is, Why?

Being in public safety, especially a police officer, is not for everyone. When the economy is good, we see fewer applicants, as we are not their first choice. The allure of financial opportunities, better work hours, and better workdays can all be reasons, though that is a matter of perspective. And lets face it, you dont have to watch the news long to get a feeling that its tough, even dangerous, to be a police officer right now.

When applicants do decide on the police profession, they compare agencies regarding salary, benefits, equipment, and training offered. The Alpharetta Department of Public Safety is competitive, and even though how it compares to others is in a constant state of change, the Department has a long history of keeping up with the change and staying competitive.

What the Department has, that not all other agencies have, is an incredibly supportive community. The Department strives to be open and transparent with the community; this relationship is a priority not just lip service. This relationship is incredibly important it can even be lifesaving. Other agencies may target recruiting efforts towards places where it is tough to be a police officer, places where there is a strained relationship with the community. The Alpharetta Department of Public Safety is never on that list.

Why is this so important? Community relations is a constant, all-hands-on-deck job. Families and individuals move to Alpharetta; and corporations and small businesses relocate or originate in Alpharetta because they feel an attraction, an identification, with the city. They became stakeholders in making Alpharetta a great place to live, work, and play. The 911 dispatchers, police officers, and firefighters are passionate about their role in the overall health and well-being of the community. The citizens of Alpharetta make it easy.

Public safety is a calling for those in the profession, but the community is right there with them. From the waves on the street, the conversations on the sidewalks, the visits to the police station or any of the
fire stations, to support from local churches and civic organizations, the community is always supportive.

Alpharetta Public Safety feels your support and is very thankful!

The Alpharetta Public Safety Department will continue to grow with the community and work on being the best we can be. Call, message, or stop by to discuss how the Department can enhance your quality of life.

Police officer and 911 dispatcher positions are currently open.

By Sheriff Frank Reynolds

Where were you on 9/11? I was in bed after having worked a night shift on patrol. My phone rang, and it was my mother, Are you watching the news?  

I could tell in her voice something was not right. Why, whats going on? I asked. She indicated two planes had struck the World Trade Center buildings. I told her I would call her back, and I went to the living room to turn on the television.

I remember trying to process what I was seeing and trying to make logical sense of what had just occurred. In disbelief, I watched as the tragedy unfolded. The following day, I was at a class at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth. At lunch, I went to a drive-through for some food and then picked up a newspaper. As I sat in my car reading the paper, I noticed there were absolutely no airplanes in the sky. I watched for several minutes as the cool air blew through the car and the clouds passed by, but no aircraft. It was a rather surreal moment.

Over the next few days and weeks, I remember the outpouring of support for all public safety. People dropped off food at the precincts, waved to us more than usual, and the American flag was displayed on homes, businesses, and vehicles. The level of American pride was tremendous.  

When I reflect on that day and the weeks that followed, I cant help but think of how different America is today. What has changed? I am sure we can all point a finger in any direction to find an answer. You can turn to most any news media outlet and see mostly negative images. Political views, false narratives, disrespect, and a laundry list of other things have caused our nation to appear fractured.

I wonder if we can find that same love and respect without a national tragedy to bring us together. Yet, when I look at our community, I think we have a lot of good things going on in Cherokee County. I am sure others feel the same way about their communities. So, maybe things arent so bad after all.

This anniversary, I am going to revisit that patriotism I felt on 9/11. I am going to go purchase a new American flag and hang it on my front porch. I am going to drop off something nice for our safety personnel and tell them how much I appreciate the job they do. Its the little things that often make their day.

I am going to spend more time letting people know how much I appreciate their friendship and tell my loved ones how much they mean to me. I challenge you to do the same. Maybe our collective goodwill will make a difference in the lives that touch us and so on. With that said, I appreciate you, and I am glad you are a member of our great community.

It is an honor to serve as your sheriff, and I consider it a blessing to serve our community.

by Jessica Asbell

New neighbors! Those words can either bring happiness or despair, depending on who moves in. So, imagine Abbys surprise when she goes next door to meet the new neighbors and finds herself face to face with the love of her life when they are both married to someone else.

After pushing Liam away following the death of her brother in an accident that was her fault, Abby slowly finds happiness again with Nate. They move away, build a life, and have a daughter, Sarah. But their picture-perfect marriage is put to the test when Liam, Nancy, and their son, Zac, move in. As Liam and Abby hide their past from their spouses and fight their feelings for each other, lies are told, spouses grow suspicious, and a rash act means the end of life as they know it.

In The Neighbors, author Hannah Mary McKinnon explores what happens when an ex-boyfriend moves next door. Abby is broken after the death of her brother. A tragic character, Abby never forgives herself and believes that she is not worthy of happiness. So, she builds a life, away from the one she loves the most, in hopes that by denying herself true love and happiness, she can pay penance for her brothers death. Told from the eyes of Abby, Nate (the husband who worships her), Sarah (their daughter), and Nancy, the not-so-nave wife of Liam, we see firsthand how lies can invade someones death and infect everything they touch and how there might be more going on in the neighborhood than meets the eye.

At times heartbreaking, and at other times witty, The Neighbors is a complex view of how well we know our neighbors, our families, our spouses, and ourselves. When nothing is as it seems, how can we know what the truth is? And when your world falls apart, where do you turn? If you are looking for drama and a dose of domestic suspense, pick up a copy of The Neighbors.

by Farris Yawn

As anyone who has spent time around children knows, you are subject to be bombarded with questions about anything and everything. It is easy to forget that just because we may understand the reason some things are done the way they are they dont. Childlike wonder and curiosity can be amusing or enlightening, but it can also be frustrating at times.

This is where we find Oscar in Ollie and the Wise Old Owl by Dan Carlton. Oscar has quite a time trying to get Ollie to join his fellow owls in their nightly routine. Ollie is not one to just accept the way things have always been done. He wants to really understand! Wise old Oscar comes to realize that instead of just causing trouble, Ollie is acquiring true wisdom by questioning everything.

This book, beautifully illustrated by Debbie Byrd, teaches children that it is okay to be curious and question things, as they try to understand their ever-changing world. It also reminds adults that it is important to answer those questions with patience. It is the path to wisdom for young and old.

Ollie and the Wise Old Owl was selected as the sole 2018 Childrens Finalist at the Georgia Writers Association Annual Georgia Writer of the Year awards. Available in hardcover and paperback, Ollie and the Wise old Owl can be found at WisdomCapBooks.com, YawnsPublishing.com, and
Amazon.com.

By Sheriff Frank Reynolds

The flight attendant walked down the aisle collecting our morning breakfast, as we made our final descent into Israeli airspace. It had been ten years since I flew to the Middle East, and I couldnt help but think of my first flight into Baghdad, which was a spiraling corkscrew descent from twenty thousand feet, and the mission was completely different.

I never knew if Id have the opportunity to return to this part of the world, but as our plane touched down in Israel, a content and peaceful smile spread across my face. I knew this experience was going to be extraordinary.

I was one of 21 law enforcement executives selected to attend the 26th Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange (GILEE) delegation to Israel.

GILEE is a research unit within Georgia States Andrew Young School of Policy Studies and was founded in 1992 by Dr. Robbie Friedmann. The program works continuously to improve public safety by enhancing inter-agency cooperation, partnerships, and professional educational training among the worlds top law enforcement communities, most recently Israel and Hungary. To date, it has offered more than 200 special briefings to more than 32,000 law enforcement officers, corporate security personnel, and community leaders. GILEE has carried out more than 450 programs and produced more than 1,500 students, (GILEE.GSU.edu).

Our delegation spent the next two weeks traveling throughout Israel to learn how our counterparts provide law enforcement services to their communities. Israel is internationally known for its innovative technology and its contemporary approach to law enforcement services.

Throughout our travels across Israel, I was particularly impressed with how Israeli law enforcement emphasized community policing. Dr. Friedmann accurately describes community policing as, Policy and strategy aimed at achieving more effective and efficient crime control, reduced fear of crime, improved quality of life, improved police services and police legitimacy through a proactive reliance on community resources that seek to change crime-causing conditions. It assumes a need for greater accountability of police, greater public share in decision making, and greater concern for civil rights and liberties.

During our stay, we were blessed with an opportunity to visit with a group of police academy students. We exchanged questions and answers about how our two nations view each other and current trends. It didnt take long to realize that we shared many of the same issues concerning our respective countries. Despite our cultural difference, we shared a common bond, our love for community, national pride, and our willingness to serve.

Similarly, our delegation had ample time to learn from one another. Our group was comprised of professional law enforcement and corporate executives from Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. We often found ourselves discussing current trends in public safety (e.g., hiring, agency policy, and public opinion).

In addition to our law enforcement activities, we visited a few of Israels historic sites. This gave us important insight into the historical connection between the past, present, and future policing doctrines. The entire experience gave us confidence in our own nations future, as we continue to deal with similar issues.

On our last evening in Israel, I looked across the sunset-filled room of our delegation. Lost in the reflection of our own experiences, we all shared the same content and fulfilled disposition of a brighter future.

The Glass Is Always Half Full

By Tina Morris

Arguably the best at what he does, Thomas Arvid didnt start in oil painting. Growing up in Michigan, Thomas always found an artistic way to complete his classwork, whether it was illustrating poetry for an English assignment or creating a mural for history class. He made airbrush T-shirts for friends and created stone sculptures for a landscape company. After graduating high school, Thomas went on to work in the printing and sign painting industry.

It wasnt until Thomas moved to Atlanta that he began to work with oil paints, a natural progression of his artistic pursuits. He slowly transitioned from his nine-to-five job, eventually spending more and more time painting. Early in his career, Thomas could often be found at Caf Tu Tu Tango in Atlanta, a restaurant that provided studio space for artists to work, where patrons could watch, make requests, and purchase artwork on demand.

Thomas started his oil painting journey with a focus on the color red. This series included Converse shoes, a Radio Flyer wagon, and red wine. The first red wine painting was bought off the easel. It seemed every time he started another one, someone would buy it, and people began recognizing him as the artist who painted wine.

Thomas style is cropped in such a way as to invite the viewer in. His paintings are void of people, so anyone can feel part of the vignette, reflecting a natural table scape, as if the viewer just joined the party. The craftmanship of his work is exquisite. His attention to detail makes his pieces intimate and well respected.

When asked about some of his favorite pieces, Thomas named that first oil painting of the red Converse shoe along with other examples of where he brought his work to another level. Other personal favorites include Reflections, Unplugged, and Best Case Scenario. Reflections has a level of detail people may not notice at first glance. It is close-cropped wine bottles, and the light that shines on them reflects the room. The viewer can see the refrigerator in the kitchen, full of magnets and childrens artwork or photographs. Its this level of verisimilitude that causes people to mistake his work for a photograph.

It is clear that Thomas is living his best life by pursuing his passion and sharing it with those around him. His positivity and zest are evident in his work. He wants to share his optimism with his audience, and that is why all the titles of his paintings have positive connotations. The glass is always half full for Thomas. His advice for other artists? Make a conscious decision to dedicate the time to your work.

All the paintings mentioned in this column (along with many others) can be found on ThomasArvid.com. Vinings Gallery hosts several pieces and a show a couple times a year if you desire to see his work in person.

Private Schedules

Blessed Trinity
8/17 at St. Pius X Catholic
8/24 South Forsyth
8/31 at Woodward Academy
9/07 Benedictine
9/21 West Hall
10/05 at Denmark
10/19 at Chestatee
10/26 Marist
11/02 White County

Fellowship Christian
8/17 at North Springs
8/24 at Pinecrest Academy
9/07 Walker
9/14 Stratford Academy
9/21 at Mt. Paran Christian
10/05 St. Francis
10/12 Kings Ridge Christian
10/19 Mt. Pisgah Christian
10/26 at Whitefield Academy
11/02 at Region Crossover

Kings Ridge Christian
8/24 at Riverside Military
8/31 Providence Christian
9/14 Mt. Paran Christian
9/21 at Mt. Pisgah Christian
9/28 Whitefield Academy
10/05 at Walker
10/12 at Fellowship Christian
10/19 Pinecrest Academy
10/26 at St. Francis

Mt. Pisgah Christian
8/17 Holy Innocents Episcopal
8/24 at Mt. Vernon Presbyterian
8/31 St. Francis
9/07 Whitefield Academy
9/21 Kings Ridge Christian
9/28 at Mt. Paran Christian
10/05 at Pinecrest Academy
10/19 at Fellowship Christian
10/26 Walker
11/02 at Region Crossover

St. Francis
8/24 North Cobb Christian
8/31 at Mt. Pisgah Christian
9/07 at Lakeview Academy
9/21 at Whitefield Academy
9/28 Walker
10/05 at Fellowship Christian
10/12 at Pinecrest Academy
10/19 at Mt. Paran Christian
10/26 Kings Ridge Christian

Public School Schedules