Titles and Blurbs

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By Sheriff Frank Reynolds

I love my job! I mean it;
I really love going to work every day.

I hear other people talk about how they dont enjoy their job because it is the same old thing, day after day. Not this guy I love it. I love the people, the excitement, and the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than myself.

Dont get me wrong this is a tough business. There are many days that are long and difficult, but I could not imagine doing anything else. I suppose its in my blood. When I was a young deputy, I used to drive to work with a big grin on my face thinking, I cant believe they pay me money to do this job.

When I was a kid, I never really thought about being in law enforcement. When I was in high school, my older brother was a police officer in Kennesaw, but it never really occurred to me to follow in his footsteps.

One night, while living in Athens, an Athens-Clark County police officer showed up at my front door. He had been sent to investigate someone playing loud music. Turns out, there was a band that practiced in a garage behind our house. After telling the band to keep the music down, he returned to our house and thanked us for our time. We spoke for a few minutes, and I told him about my brother. He said his department had a ride-along program and invited me to join him one evening to see what it was like to be a police officer. Deal! I went riding with him the following evening, and we rode around going from 911 calls to making traffic stops for possible drunk drivers. I was hooked.

About a year later, I was back at home working a regular job. I soon met a guy at Reinhardt College who was working at the Cherokee Sheriffs Office. He would share his stories from the previous weekend with me, and I would listen with great enthusiasm. One day, he said they were hiring deputy sheriffs in the jail, and he thought I might be interested. Interested was an understatement. I couldnt get my application in fast enough.

Since that day, I have as much fun now as I did on my first ride-along. Only now, I also appreciate the fact that I will have a retirement check from Cherokee County and a 457-retirement plan. I never thought about those things 24 years ago when I was in my early twenties. It goes by fast.

Every day I come home from work I still think, I love my job. If you are looking for a new challenge, want to make a difference in your community, and want a career and not just a job then come see us. Ask for Deputy Foster with law enforcement and civilian career opportunities. We offer a full benefits package and retirement plan.

Designing Wearable Works of Art

By Tina Morris

As children, we all have a passion for something, but it isnt often that our childhood interests become our adulthood careers. For Sue Shefts, that is exactly what happened.

Sue Shefts grew up on Long Island, and was raised by parents who nurtured her creativity. Her mother took her to the ballet and encouraged art, culture, and an appreciation of high quality design. Her father was an artist who, along with his brothers, owned a nationally renowned carved glass business. Sue had a love for jewelry at an early age. She began to trade beads with her friends as a child. Not allowed to get her ears pierced until she turned sixteen, Sue designed and created her own clip-on earrings.

By the time she was in college at Tufts University in Boston, Sue was designing and selling jewelry to others. After graduating college, Sue returned to New York City and completed the management training program at Macys and eventually became an assistant jewelry buyer for them. This experience provided critical skills for her future.

After getting married, Sue and her husband, Andrew, decided to embark on a six-month, cross-country road trip. Along the way, Sue was able to make connections and began selling her jewelry to gift shops and boutiques. Upon their return, Sue began designing and selling her jewelry full time. In 1995, Andrew accepted a job in Georgia, and the couple now resides in Johns Creek.

Sue is a self-described treasure hunter. She collects interesting, beautiful beads from all over the world, with a few artisans that she buys from regularly. She loves sparkle, especially the precise cut of vintage Swarovski crystal and fine, vintage crystal settings.

Sues jewelry is unique and eye-catching, as she creates many one-of-a-kind, miniature works of art. Some pieces are full of texture and color; others show a simple elegance. Her favorite materials are eclectic: vintage Miriam Haskell glass pearls, vintage watch chain, and unique artisan lampwork beads.

When it comes to her creative process, Sue admits that her desk is always full of materials. She may be working on one piece, and a bead will catch her eye and inspire something new. She gets excited by color and likes to work with art dcor glass and high-quality crystals as well as detailed Victorian pieces. Sue is always open to inspiration from various sources including movies, certain time periods, and even a trip she took with her family to Russia.

She enjoys making long necklaces because there are more design possibilities, and they do not disappoint. But even her smaller pieces are full of color and charm. Her designs are one-of-a-kind pieces of wearable art.

Sues advice to other artists? Just keep working at it, even if youre not in the mood. Take classes. Talk to people. Go to museums. Be a sponge, and take in everything around you.

To view Sues work or her show schedule, visit SueShefts.com.

By Jessica Asbell

Every once in a while, a book comes along that grabs you and doesnt let go. Usually, it is a thriller or a mystery, but sometimes, it is the true story of someones life. Its not often that you end a book feeling like everyone should read it, but Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies Ive Loved is one of those books. A friend gave it the highest praise she could by saying that she gives a copy of it to everyone she meets. While you will read this book with tears in your eyes, it can be life changing for anyone who loves someone with cancer, for anyone who has cancer, and for anyone who has simply asked why things happen.

Everything happens for a reason. When something bad happens, we do our best to comfort ourselves and others with sayings like this. And sometimes, it works. And yes, good things can come out of tragedy. But sometimes, it feels hollow, makes us angry, or makes us wonder what that reason could possibly be. It is out of this feeling that Kate Bowler has written Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies Ive Loved.

A professor at Duke Divinity School, Kate specializes in prosperity gospel where prosperity is seen as a blessing from God, and misfortune is seen as punishment for sin. But at 35, married to her high school sweetheart and with a much-prayed-for baby, she received a death sentence: stage IV colon cancer. Everything Happens for a Reason is her story of grief, faith, and facing down the reality of death. What do you do when you realize that control is an illusion? What do you do when faced with the prospect of leaving your family behind?

Kates wit and humor will have you laughing unexpectedly, as she does her best to live her life. The kindness shown by strangers and family alike will have you crying tears of gratitude along with her. And her resolve to fight in the face of terrible odds will have you cheering her on. And perhaps, this little book will help you look at your own life differently. It may just help you appreciate the things you have and hug your family a little tighter. Get this book however you can, and spend a few hours with Kate. And through the laughter and the tears, you will be forever changed.

By Annell Gerson

Zoe Fishmans fourth novel, Inheriting Edith, is a poignant reminder of the power of memories that bring us joy, hope, and laughter as well as memories that lurk in the shadows of our minds.

Maggie Sheets is a thirty-something, college-educated, single mom who is struggling to support her two-year-old daughter, Lucy. When she learns she can make more money cleaning the homes of wealthy New York clients, she jumps at the chance and leaves her desk job.

Cleaning bathroom grout allows Maggie time to dream up plots for her own stories. One of her first clients is successful author Liza Brennan. In time, Liza begins reading Maggies stories, quickly recognizing potential. The two become friends until betrayal intercedes, and they never speak to each other again.

Four years later, a lawyer calls to tell Maggie that Liza has died. A sizable fortune, a home in Sag Harbor, and Ethel Lizas eighty-two-year-old mother with Alzheimers now belong to Maggie.

Ethel and Maggie tread clumsily in their new relationship, neither quite know what to do. Ethel is devastated by her daughters death, and though her moments of confusion are increasing, she remains cognizant enough to replay memories that fill her with guilt. There is one particular memory that she kept secret for over sixty years. No one knows anything about it, but Ethel must confess and find answers before she no longer can.

Meanwhile, Maggies memories are also directing her life. Liza has made her financially independent, but at what cost? Did Liza really expect the inheritance, including Ethel, would erase her betrayal?

Then, there is the situation with Lucys dad. He doesnt know he has a daughter. But when it comes to family, Maggies own childhood memories are far from blissful. What would it matter if she never told him?

After pulls and tugs, Maggie and Ethel find their footing. Ultimately, it is good memories that each pulls out of the other, there all along but hidden by shadows, which makes them friends.

Zoe Fishman will appear at the Milton Public Library on June 23, from 2:00-3:30pm. Please RSVP by calling Bookmiser at 770-993-1555.

Main Lobster with Carrots, Celery and Meyer Lemon Aioli

Ingredients

Meyer Lemon Aioli
-2 Cups Mayonnaise
- Cup Carrots, Finely Diced
- Cup Meyer Lemon Juice
-2 Dashes Hot Sauce (Cholula)
-1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- Cup Basil, Chopped

Chilled Lobster Roll
-4 Brioche Buns
-Butter for Toasting
-1 LB. Maine Lobster Meat
- Cup Carrots, Finely Diced
- Cup Celery, Finely Diced
-4 Ounces Meyer Lemon Aioli (approximate)

Procedure

-In a food processor, combine all ingredients of the Meyer lemon aioli and puree until smooth, reserve for later use.
-Next, cut an insert down the center of the buns, going about halfway through. Toast either side of the buns in a skillet with melted butter, and set aside.
-Then, in a mixing bowl, fold together the lobster, Meyer lemon aioli, carrots and celery until well blended.
-Finally, stuff the buns with the chilled lobster, and serve.

By Sheriff Frank Reynolds

America has enjoyed a rich tradition of law enforcement weaved into the fabric of its identity. Notable personalities come to mind when one thinks about the lawmen of our past: Wyatt Earp, Elliott Ness, Bufford Pusser, and even Andy Taylor. History extends a certain reverence for strong men with a desire to fight crime and corruption from the saloons of the old west to the big city of New York.

Growing up, I was taught to respect law enforcement, especially when I got my first drivers license. In those days, Georgia State Patrol Sergeant Joel Rogers was the post commander in Canton, and Bo Ballard was the sheriff of Cherokee County. These were men who a kid my age respected but also feared a little not in a bad way but I knew not to cross that line.

My dad also made it very clear, If you get in trouble with either Joel or Bo, whatever happens on the side of the road with them, it will be twice as bad when you get home. Point being, there was a healthy respect for law enforcement and people in positions of authority.

Unfortunately, todays law enforcement is under attack from many different directions. Attacks from the media, attacks from social media scholars, attacks from keyboard commandos, and real attacks in the street. The attacks are so prevalent that people are reluctant to enter this profession.

I recently attended the National Sheriffs Institute in Arora, CO with sheriffs from all over the country. Sheriffs in that class shared one common problem, hiring deputies. Police departments are no different in that regard. Law enforcement agencies are losing veteran officers to other professions; employees are seeking early retirement; and recruitment is at an all-time low.

In Georgia, the same trend is occurring. For example, the Georgia State Patrol indicates it is short nearly 100 troopers; the Cobb County Police Department and the Cobb Sheriffs Office are down nearly 200 personnel. The Cherokee Sheriffs Office is down 35 deputies. Despite an increase in competitive salaries, benefit packages, and education opportunities, recruitment is still difficult.

When you combine the moral decay of our nation, the absence of dignity and respect for others, and the total lack of personal accountability, we are on a very slippery slope. So, where does that leave us? As a nation, we need to do a better job at supporting our law enforcement professionals and stop vilifying them based on their uniform.

Fortunately, we still live in a community where we have a positive and meaningful relationship with our law enforcement professionals. We need to continue to enhance that partnership in Cherokee County. People like you make a positive difference in the lives of these brave men and women who wear the badge. Your kind words of encouragement often make their day.

I ask for your support to ensure our deputies and police officers continue to have competitive salaries, the most modern equipment, and more importantly, that they have a meaningful relationship with you.

By Jim Cheatham

Summer seems to be as much of an attitude as it is an actual time frame. June marks the official start of summer, and many of you were in full swing before this month arrived. Summer allows for an increase in outdoor activities. This increase brings an increase in outdoor-activity-related injuries.

The sun and heat can be a health concern for those who are not prepared. Using sunscreen, staying hydrated, and limiting your exposure are all things that can help prevent injury and illness due to this environment.

Wearing a properly fitted helmet when riding a bicycle is also wise. In fact, if you are under the age of sixteen, it is the law. If you are over sixteen, then it just makes sense. Each year, thousands are injured, and unfortunately, some are killed in bicycle crashes. Helmets decrease your risk of serious injury.

Bugs enjoy the summer as well. To keep mosquitoes away, keep your yard clear of standing water, and use insect repellant. Leave bee and wasp nests alone. Check for ticks when you are done playing outside. Do your best to make outdoor entertainment areas uninviting for bugs and other undesirable creatures.

Water fun is a summer time highlight. Everyone should respect the dangers that can be associated with activities in and around the water. Be aware of slippery surfaces; pay close attention to the little ones; avoid alcohol; and remember the buddy system. Take a first-aid and CPR class you never know when you might need to help someone in an emergency.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta, as well as the National Safety Council provide resources to help you make your summer a safe one:

-CDC.gov/family/kids/summer/index.htm
-CHOA.org/medical-services/wellness-and-preventive-care/summer-safety
-NSC.org/home-safety/tools-resources/seasonal-safety/summer

Summer can also mean an increased chance for severe weather. A pop-up thunderstorm can turn a bright summer day into a dangerous weather situation in a short time. The phrase weather aware means we should all be aware of the current and potential weather conditions. Arm yourself with information. The National Weather Service offers great information and can be accessed from any computer or mobile device. There are several weather apps that do a great job of alerting you to a change in conditions, watches, and warnings. Some even can tell you when lightening is in the area. Most are free with advertising and offer a paid version to remove the ads (Weather.gov/ctp/mobileappfeaturePage).

One of the best things about summer is that we see and meet more of the folks in our community. So get outside, and enjoy everything that this glorious season has to offer.

PD Gladiators

Combating Parkinson's Disease With Vigorous Exercise

By Hillary Groover

Growing up in the northern part of Cherokee County, I was fortunate to always be a short car ride away from the North Georgia Mountains. Every fall, my Pop and I would take a long scenic drive through Blairsville to see the leaves change and visit a few of our favorite spots. One place we always stopped was Mountain Crossing, a small outfitter next to Blood Mountain. On a clear day, you can see the city of Atlanta from a wide stone porch right next to the shop. Standing there each year, I always noticed the footpath that cascaded down the hill next to me, but I never could have imagined what that trail would mean to me one day.

In 2016, a young woman named Kimber Maxwell was hired at the restaurant I managed in Milton, Georgia. One day, I overheard some of my staff talking about how Kimber had hiked the entire Appalachian Trail by herself the previous year. I was impressed to say the least and immediately inquired about Kimbers trail travels the next time I saw her, and the next time, and the next time. I interrogated her for weeks, and every time she gave me an answer, it inspired me to ask another question. My curiosity for what was beyond where the path crossed the Outfitter at Blood Mountain grew stronger and stronger, but I still thought to myself, I could never do something like that.

Then, a few weeks after my initial interrogation, Kimber told me that before graduating from college and hiking the Appalachian Trail, she had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer at the age of nineteen. After beating the cancer and graduating college, she chose to hike the Trail because it signified to her that she could do the impossible and overcome anything. Kimbers inspiring story encouraged me to believe that I, too, could do anything I wanted, even the impossible.

On May 21, 2017, after a year of planning, researching, and saving funds, I took my first of what would be over five million steps on the Appalachian Trail. The Trail is a 2,189.8-mile footpath that starts at Springer Mountain in Georgia and ends at Mount Katahdin in Maine. Nearly two million people set foot on the Trail every year, but only a couple thousand register to hike it in its entirety. These hikers are known as thru-hikers, and only one in five of them will successfully finish the Trail. I am proud to be one of the minority who completed the entire journey.

The first three weeks of my five-month hike were brutal. I was physically fit and had done some training hikes, but nothing can prepare you for what your body goes through when you start hiking double digit mileage each day. It rained the entire first week I was on the Trail, and I was completely unprepared for the mental and emotional anguish wet weather brings to a hikers psyche. I also had never slept outside in a tent before starting my hike, so I was quite nave when it came to full-time outdoor living. I learned very quickly from a lot of mistakes. I was wet, sore, blistered, lonely, and completely unsure of myself, but every day I survived out there, a little bit of that trepidation slipped away and was replaced with resiliency.

The Trail is not just a trail. Ask anyone whose life has been touched by it in some way, and they will surely tell you the same. It is a playground, a sanctuary, a place of magic and wonder. Hiking the Trail is more than just an adventure of a lifetime. It is an opportunity to transcend, a place to learn, and a pathway to completely change your understanding of yourself and the world around you.

During my travels, I saw the sunset from Mount Washington in New Hampshire. I got to hear the eerie whistling winds of Mount Greylock in Massachusetts. I swam in waterfalls of the Housatonic, watched trains go by as I paced across the Hudson, and ferried across the Kennebec. I picked and ate wild blueberries on the ridgelines of New York and had the black bears of New Jersey dart in front of my path. I sat on the cliffs of the Shenandoah and gazed at peregrine falcons soaring across the valley for entire afternoons, and I experienced the most incredible sunrise I have ever seen from a shelter in the Great Smokey Mountains. These are just a few of the many wondrous moments that are now a part of my story.

More extraordinary than the scenery of the Trail were the people. I met all kinds of hikers and locals of the Appalachia who became my friends and family while I was out there. I heard hundreds of amazing life stories, and I received more acts of random kindness than I can count. Whether it was a free ride, or meal, or a place to sleep inside for a night, it was given to me in the spirit of genuine altruism, expecting nothing in return except the sheer joy of knowing they contributed to helping me complete the Trail. I could not have done it without them.

I learned a lot from my long walk in the woods, about myself and about others, but if I had to choose one big take away to share with you, it would be this: If you treasure this brief and precious life of yours enough to fully dedicate yourself to accomplishing goals you never thought you could reach, you will be amazed before you are half way through. You will inspire others, and that inspiration is one of the most valuable gifts you can give to another human being. Your impact on this world, while perhaps not vast, will be deep and substantial. So, take a moment this season to get outside, take a chance, and reach for the impossible. Then, share your story with others.

In addition to completing the trail, I wanted to use my time out there to advocate and raise money for the Center for Young Adult Addiction and Recovery at Kennesaw State University. I am a person in long term recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, and this program provided a support system to me while I pursued my undergraduate degree. I created a blog during my travels, in which I wrote about the parallels between my journey on the trail and my journey through recovery. I was able to raise over $5,000 during my hike, and giving back to a program from which I had received so much was beyond rewarding. It was also a great motivator to keep me going when the going got tough.

For more information about my hike or how to donate to the KSU Collegiate Recovery Program, please view my blog at http://hgroover88.wixsite.com/hillshike

A Senior Community Unlike any Other Now Open

By Cyndi Braun

The Arbors Mission

Were here to make deep connections with you to earn the right to be part of the next big decision in your life. Through these connections, we fulfill our promise to find and provide the perfect experience for every resident. We start by asking the right questions and taking the time to listen. Its all because we believe yours is a story
worth telling.

Amenities

-Resort-style living room and lounge areas where residents can gather
-Upscale restaurant-style dining
-Professionally landscaped courtyards, walking paths, and gardening beds
-A variety of social activities
-On-site salon and spa
-State-of-the-art fitness center
-Indoor and outdoor saltwater pool
-Transportation services
-24-hour access to staff and nurses

Just off Sixes Road in Canton sits a new senior living community with care and service unlike any other.

Open in late 2017, The Arbor at BridgeMill has the charm of a suburban neighborhood, the luxury of a five-star hotel, and accommodations that an independent senior craves. In addition, the fifteen-acre landscaped community provides exceptional care and service for individuals looking to transition into the next phase of senior living.

The community features independent living, assisted living, and memory care services, and the staff is committed to ensuring every residents needs are cared for in personable, engaging, and dignified ways. Whether its a sightseeing trip, laughter in the comfort of friends, or an expertly-prepared meal, The Arbor at BridgeMill includes it all and more.

We offer a state-of-the-art community with four different neighborhoods to meet the needs of each senior, said Jerry Rick, Executive Director of The Arbor at BridgeMill. We have a heated indoor/outdoor swimming pool, spacious game rooms, billiard rooms, an art room, theater, fitness center, 24-hour access to staff and nurses, emergency response system, two beauty salons, and much more. But, what makes us truly unique is what we call The Arbor Service Way, and thats our commitment to providing the best service possible.

Independent Living

Seniors who live independently but desire the social aspects of a community can choose from two options at The Arbor at BridgeMill:

Open concept, two-bedroom homes with front porches, walk-in closets, all appliances, and garages.
One- and two-bedroom apartments with open floor plans, eat-in kitchens, granite or quartz countertops, full-size appliances, and balconies.
Fireplaces available in a limited number of units.

Independent residents can be free from tedious chores while participating in an active social calendar. Residents also enjoy beautifully landscaped open courtyards, comfortable areas to catch up with friends and family, and amazing restaurant-style dining.

Assisted Living

Assisted living suites feature bright, airy, luxury accommodations for residents who require a little more assistance. Each suite has a wireless emergency call system, so residents can easily call for help. A highly trained staff supports residents 24 hours a day, which gives them peace of mind. Residents enjoy regular housekeeping and laundry services, delicious dining, a separate, secured courtyard with beautiful landscaping, and a full social calendar.

The Arbors four levels of assisted living care ensure residents receive assistance tailored to their individual needs. The Resident Care Director, who is a registered nurse, determines the appropriate level of care by completing a comprehensive assessment of each residents abilities and needs. These assessments are reviewed routinely, so resident needs and staff assistance are always aligned.

Memory Care

Memory care suites include the same comforts as assisted living. Memory care residents also have access to their own private, secured courtyard where they can enjoy the outdoors in a safe area.

Staff members receive unique, multilevel, cognitive-care training, so they have the skills to interact positively with people experiencing memory loss. They pair this training with individualized programs proven to improve quality of life.

Dining With Dignity

For residents who need dining assistance, The Arbor recommends its award-wining Dining with Dignity program. This program uses preparation methods to create food options that hold the same nutritional value as a regularly prepared meal, but in a form that allows residents to maintain independence and dignity.

Chefs complete special training that incorporates ingredients that allow for easier chewing and swallowing. Meals are prepared in bite-size pieces, eliminating the need to use utensils. All of this is offered in an elegant plate-and-table presentation.

The Arbor Company

The Arbor Company manages The Arbor at BridgeMill, which includes 26 stand-alone cottage homes, plus 110 independent living, 54 assisted living, and 16 memory care apartments. Founded thirty years ago in Atlanta, The Arbor Company has nearly forty communities in ten states.

Call today to schedule your tour.

The Arbor at bridgemill

700 Freedom Boulevard
Canton, GA
770-629-8894
ArborCompany.com
Facebook.com/arborbridgemill/

By Cyndi Braun

If its time for your child to get braces, chances are a friend, family member, or dentist has already mentioned the name, Dr. Jeff Kincaid. With offices in Roswell and Woodstock, Dr. Kincaid has long been known for his expertise and family friendly approach.

Im a country boy at heart. Im not very sophisticated, and I dont wear a tie, said Dr. Kincaid, laughing. I want patients to come in and feel like theyre part of the family. Were going to laugh, and were going to have fun. And, in the meantime, were going to provide a service thats at least as good, if not better, than anybody else.

Recently, Kincaid Orthodontics announced its partnership with Smile Doctors, which will enable the Kincaid team to provide an even higher level of care.

Why Smile Doctors?

The partnership story began a couple of years ago when Dr. Kincaid had to take some time off due to health problems. As a solo practitioner, he needed to find someone who would provide excellent care for his patients.

He called an old friend, Dr. Greg Goggans, who agreed to help. The two orthodontists had practically grown up together, attending the same colleges, dental school, and graduate orthodontic program. At one point, early in their careers, they even shared a practice.

Dr. Goggans, who serves as chief compliance officer for Smile Doctors, took some time away from his work to help Dr. Kincaid while he was undergoing treatment. Once he was healthy again, Dr. Kincaid stayed in touch with Dr. Goggans and asked about joining his colleague at Smile Doctors.

Now in partnership with Smile Doctors, Dr. Kincaid can focus solely on patient care while Smile Doctors takes care of everything else.

The Ultimate Patient Experience

From the patients first check-in to final check-out, the goal of Smile Doctors is to offer a fun, relaxing experience tailored to each patient. Delivering beautiful, healthy smiles is secondary to loving on people.

Our whole philosophy is you love on people first and straighten teeth second, said Dr. Goggans. Our goal is to deliver the ultimate patient experience, each time and every time. And that starts from the very first phone call until patients are completed with treatment.

Smile Doctors offers free consultations, quality treatments, and affordable braces, delivered in a clinic that uses the latest, cutting-edge technology. The practice treats children, teens, and adults and offers both traditional braces and Invisalign.

Treatment plans include diagnostic records (X-rays and digital photos), diagnosis and treatment planning, regularly scheduled appointments and comfort visits, one year of follow-up visits to retain and monitor, and retainers with a two-year warranty.

The cost of orthodontic treatment depends on each patients individual needs and treatment plan. The practice offers installment plans to make braces more affordable.

Still the Same, Only Better

While the name on the sign is different, the Kincaid team will continue delivering excellent care to patients in the Roswell and Woodstock offices.

Smile Doctors wants patients to experience care in a way theyve never experienced it before. They take care of the business side, so I can focus on the patients, said Dr. Kincaid. I dont have to have my hand in everything anymore. I can do what I love doing, which is spending time with my patients and straightening teeth.
Smile Doctors enables the orthodontist to focus on taking care of patients, and leaves the rest of the business, from scheduling to insurance to billing, to a qualified team of professionals.

Dr. Kincaid is a good fit for Smile Doctors because he loves people. Hes a great orthodontist, and hes a good teacher, said Dr. Goggans. Were here to help him continue to grow and enjoy what he enjoys doing, and thats being an orthodontist. But the ultimate winners are Dr. Kincaids patients.

To learn more, please visit

Smile Doctors Braces

Roswell
540 West Crossville Road
Roswell, Georgia 30075
770-518-5180
SmileDoctors.com/RoswellGA

Woodstock
355 Parkway 575
Woodstock, Georgia 30188
770-518-5180
SmileDoctors.com/WoodstockGA

Upon entering Jyl Craven Hair Design, you will notice a clean, modern atmosphere; a vast line of professional products; and fashionable, refined stylists who are diligently going about making their guests look amazing. Since 1999, the salon has provided an experience that most would expect to only receive inside the perimeter. As a member of Intercoiffure North America Canada, guests who visit Jyl Craven Hair Design can be confident they will receive the best in quality and professional expertise.

Jyl Craven Hair Design serves guests of all ages. Designing hairstyles that accentuate your personality, benefit your lifestyle, and compliment your natural features is something the professionals at the salon do every day.
There are many places for people to get haircuts and hair color services. We want to be the salon that creates an experience that transcends the idea of receiving something that seems so predictable, said Owner Jason Craven.

Color Services

If you want to cover your grays or desire something more unique, like balayage, ombre, or highlighting, Jyl Craven hairdressers have the training and tools to make your dream a reality.

Before getting started, the hairdresser meets with each guest for a color consultation. While the guest reviews color books with hair samples that show all the nuances of color shades, the hairdresser will assess details like hair texture, strand length, and density. Once the perfect hair color is chosen, the salon uses a technology provided by SureTint to help determine the exact color formulation based on the guests individual hair features. This app also guarantees that color services can easily be duplicated with each returning visit.

Fine & Thinning Hair Solutions

Since 2012, the salon has offered the Evolve Volumizer. The Evolve Volumizer is a nonsurgical, integrated hair replacement system for women experiencing up to 50% hair loss on the crown or top of their head. This hair system addresses all the needs and desires that a woman has for fuller, thicker, denser hair. It produces immediate results and requires no glue, no adhesives, and no chemicals.

Many women take pride in their hair, and it can be a strong source of self-confidence for them. As strands fall out, so does their sense of security about themselves, said Jyl Craven.

A ladys hair plays a huge role in self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-image. Her hair often defines who she is. The Evolve Volumizer doesnt change who you are; it changes how you feel about you.

Mens Hair Care

Gone are the days when only women went to a hair salon. Today, more and more men seek out experienced hairdressers who provide individualized attention and custom styles. From soft parts to hard parts and fades to undercuts, Jyl Craven hairdressers are continually creating specialized styles for men. The full line of Baxter of California grooming products is available to help men support their styling and grooming needs.

Hair Care Products

Have you ever left a hair salon looking beautiful and then failed to recreate that style in your home? That should never happen. Jyl Craven hairdressers will take the time to show you how to maintain your new style and how to take care of your hair. Part of that care means using the same salon hair-care products and appliances in your home.

Summer Smoothing Treatments

For some people, summertime means summer frizz. No matter what hair-care product they put on their tresses, once the humidity hits, the frizz starts. If youre one of these lucky people, keratin smoothing treatments may solve your problem. Jyl Craven offers three options:
Express Blow-Out Reduces frizz and curl on a more temporary basis. This service may last up to six weeks.
Natural Keratin Smoothing Treatment Reduces frizz and curl while repairing damage and blocking the frizzing effects of humidity. This service may last up
to five months.
Personalized Blowout Great for frizz control, while improving manageability and giving more shine.
This service can last up to three months.

Apprenticeship Program

Are you interested in a career in the beauty industry? If you love making people look and feel beautiful, the Jyl Craven Hair Design Apprentice Program may be the right place to start. Participating in an apprenticeship program enables future hairdressers to get real-world, on-the-job training. Experienced trainers work with apprentices to teach hair cutting, coloring, and styling. For more information, inquiries can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Inspiration

Check the salons Instagram and Facebook pages for the latest haircuts and styles created by Jyl Cravens talented hairdressers.

Jyl Craven Hair Design

Salon Hours

Sunday - Closed
Monday - 11:00am-8:00pm
Tuesday - 9:00am-9:00pm
Wednesday - 9:00am-9:00pm
Thursday - 9:00am-9:00pm
Friday - 9:00am-7:00pm
Saturday - 6:00am-5:00pm

7970 Knox Bridge Highway, Canton, GA 30114 JylCraven.com
Facebook.com/jylcravenhaircolourstudio Instagram.com/jylcravenhair/
770-345-9411

Balancing Art and Life

By Hannah Olson

Mary Booth Cabot was standing in her apartment in Tennessee forty-six years ago when she received her lifes calling to be an artist. She remembers hearing a voice ask her, What are you doing? For Cabot, that was all the prompting she needed to quit her job as a secretary and move home to Atlanta where she established Wren Hill Gallery and her now nationally recognized private garden.

Cabot has harbored an affinity for art and nature since childhood. She enjoyed helping her mother and grandmother care for their gardens and drawing pictures for her mother of the birds that often visited. It was not until college, however, that she began seriously cultivating her skills through formal classes in painting. She took evening and weekend classes in oil painting when she could spare the time. Cabot recalls one German teacher in particular who would call her up if she ever missed a painting class and convince her, no matter how tired, to come to class. Despite this strong encouragement and her own passion for the art, Cabot gave up painting for a while to focus on the demands of work and school.

The night her life changed forever, Cabot took a leap of faith to follow her passions for art and gardening. I didnt know how to be an artist, said Cabot. That was forty-six years ago. Cabot began painting race cars on commission and now works primarily with subjects from her garden birds and flowers. She has worked with a variety of mediums including oil and acrylic paints, clay, inks, pastels, and watercolor. Watercolor is by far the most challenging medium for Cabot, and its also her favorite. Even the smallest choice you make in watercolor can dramatically affect the overall painting. It is a mind game, like chess, Cabot stated. You have to make the moves further out.

Much of Cabots artistic inspiration comes from the luscious private garden she tends in her own backyard. From December blooming Camellia and variegated fatsia, to Hydrangeas that blossom June, Cabot enjoys an abundance of beauty year-round. Her garden received national recognition in 2011 when the American Hydrangea Society included it on their annual June tour. Today, Cabot offers private tours of her garden and encourages patrons to call for an appointment. She also teaches watercolor classes in her home and offers framing services at less than wholesale prices.

Living life as an artist has been anything but easy for Cabot. She has never regretted the choice she made to take up painting and gardening. Life with all its aspects is like a table with four legs, she said. Each of us has a spiritual leg, an emotional leg, a physical leg, and a mental leg. If one of those legs is shorter than the other or gets suddenly broken, we will not be able to live a balanced life. For Cabot, living a balanced life meant taking a risk to follow her passion for art and sharing that passion with the rest of the world.


For more information about Mary Booth Cabot and her art, visit MaryBoothCabot.com, read her blog at DancingInTheGarden.com,
or call 770-329-3380.

By Farris Yawn

Growing up in the south, particularly the rural south, one often has a deep appreciation for the simple things in life such as time spent with friends and family, neighbors who look out for each other and help when needed, or dogs and cats underfoot when sitting down to dinner with loved ones.

Songs like Lynyrd Skynyrds Simple Man and John Mellencamps Small Town extoll the virtues of a small-town way of life. The popularity of these songs also indicates that this feeling, or the desire for it, is actually quite universal.

Bensy and Me, by Kathi Harper Hill, is the story of a simple man living a sometimes not-so-simple life with love, humor, and a sincere thankfulness for his blessings.

Charles I hate being called Charlie and Bensy grew up playing in the creek that separated their grandmothers homes. They married right out of high school and soon had two children, a boy and girl. However, their lives were turned upside down when they found out they were having quadruplets!

Charles and Bensy adapt to their suddenly large family with the help of some colorful family members (Uncle Wend requires his own dictionary!), neighbors, and friends as well as the kindness of several strangers.

Written in Kathi Harper Hills signature southern Appalachian style, Charles character sounds authentically charming. While he is very much a good ol southern boy in the best sense, his story could easily take place anywhere on earth. Readers will enjoy spending a little time with these characters.

For more information about Bensy and Me, or any of Kathis six other books, please visit her blog at Kathi-Harper-Hill.blogspot.com.

By Annell Gerson

Even in their spare time, teachers never stop teaching. Cobb County elementary teacher Rosalind Bunn knew she was spending far too much of her day tying shoelaces. So, in her spare time, she co-wrote Sophie May and the Shoe Untying Fairy, a frolicking tale, complete with a catchy rhyme that teaches kids the steps to follow in order to tie their own shoes. The writing duo went on to write two additional books. Now, Rosalind and her daughter, Maggie have collaborated on what will be Bunns sixth book.

Once Upon a Zoo gently navigates an important message relevant to both children and adults. The heroine, a young Princess dressed in overalls and tennis shoes, loves animals. In fact, she has tons of stuffed animals but they are not the same as having a real pet. Her stuffed friends cant jump rope, play hop scotch, or dress up; they can only sit there and watch. So, the Princess asks the Queen for a real pet.

The Queen summons her subjects to bring animals of all types to the castle. Before long, the castle resembles a zoo. It becomes overrun with giraffes, monkeys, flamingos, pigs, geese, alligators, toucans its all too much. Thus, the Queen insists her daughter pick just one. The Princess has no idea how she will decide, but when she does, she reveals a nugget of wisdom worth remembering.

This magical story comes to life with Cartersville, GA native Keller Pyles richly hued illustrations. Once Upon a Zoo will delight kids (and their parents) after all, who can resist an animal story starring a Princess in overalls?

Rosalind and Maggie Bunn are crisscrossing the south, promoting their book. A list of appearances can be found at DeedsPublishing.com/bunn. Autographed copies of Once Upon a Zoo as well as all other titles by Rosalind Bunn are available at Bookmiser locations.

Benson Chambers for Superior Judge

With more than 35 years of legal experience, Canton native Benson Chambers is ready to serve as Superior Court Judge for Cherokee County.

His experience as both a prosecutor and a private attorney gives him unique insight on the legal process. His many years representing clients from a variety of backgrounds in all areas of the law will help him tackle any cases that end up in his court, and his lifelong history of living and working in Cherokee will make him the kind of judge who truly serves his constituents.

When I started practicing law in 1983, right out of law school, you were pretty well expected to take whatever came through the door in terms of a case. My experience covers almost everything you can imagine in terms of the legal practice, said Benson. I started working at my fathers store in downtown Canton in the eighth grade, and I have worked every day since. This kind of experience taught me to work hard, diligently and efficiently.

The Right Choice for Judge

A 1983 graduate of Woodrow Wilson College of Law, Benson has been a Canton municipal court prosecutor for eighteen years. In his private practice, he has represented clients from a variety of backgrounds as well as government, school systems, public authorities, businesses, and hundreds of people like you.

Areas of legal practice have included felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, arrest and search warrant issuance while serving as associate magistrate judge, medical malpractice, personal injury, business litigation, wrongful death, contract preparation, government and school system representation, banking law, estate planning, zoning and land use, bankruptcy litigation, and many more.

Im fortunate to have exposure and experience in so many areas of law. I believe that will be beneficial to the court itself, said Chambers. I also believe Cherokee County deserves a judge who shows respect for everyone, no matter their condition in life, inside and outside of the courtroom.

Saving Taxpayer Money

I have a strong work ethic, and it will be my priority to be aware of the taxpayer dollars the court costs and to make sure that we are efficient with time management in the courtroom. I will strive to eliminate the Hurry Up and Wait atmosphere of the court system, said Chambers.

By running a more efficient courtroom, Chambers believes he can save taxpayers money in the following ways:

Timeliness When the judge arrives late for court or takes an early lunch, the days schedule is extended. Sometimes, this means court staff, security staff, and bailiffs end up working overtime, which costs additional taxpayer dollars.

For 35 years, Ive practiced in courts from the Tennessee line all the way to south Georgia, and I can tell you that judges can do a better job of managing their cases, which would save taxpayers money. I can make an immediate difference in Cherokee County simply by starting court on time, said Chambers.

Managing Caseload Chambers would like criminal attorneys to enter their pleas the Friday before jury cases, so they can either resolve their case or be ready to go to trial on Monday.

If youve ever served on jury duty, you know that the first day you usually sit around and wait. Thats because on Monday, the judge is taking pleas, settling cases, and looking for the next case thats ready to go. Meanwhile, the jury sits and waits, said Chambers. It seems to me that if the defendant wants to plead guilty, he or she can do that when the jurors are not waiting.

Meet Benson Chambers

Chambers attended Canton Elementary and Cherokee High School. During his youth, he worked at the local Goodyear Tire Store, Western Auto, Sosebee Funeral Home, and Chamberhouse, which his sister still owns. He graduated from Reinhardt University and Brenau University before entering law school.

He is married to Lisa, has three sons, all of whom graduated from Cherokee County schools, and six grandchildren who call him Dooda.

Chambers has been a member of Rotary, Optimist, and Kiwanis, as well as the Chamber of Commerce, charter member of the Cherokee Chorale, and his church. He is proud to be an Eagle Scout and has been involved in the Boy Scouts for
many years.

Most of his life, he was a member of First Baptist Canton where he served as a deacon, sang in the choir, and played the trumpet. When his son became pastor of Sojourn Woodstock, he began attending that church.

Vote for Benson Chambers

I can make a difference for the taxpayers. I can create an environment in which attorneys and their clients can get quicker resolutions for their cases, and I can apply my 35 years of diverse legal experience to whatever may come before me in the courtroom with a temperament of tolerance and respect, said Chambers.

770-720-4600
BensonChambersForJudge.com

Facebook.com/benson.chambers
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

It's Easier Than Ever to Live Clean

Live Clean is excited to announce its new location, now open at 120 Rachel Drive in Canton. Overlooking a gorgeous view and Holly Springs Parkway, the 5,500-square-foot facility offers a high level of efficiency for this flourishing Cherokee-County-based cleaning service.

The buildings features were a dream come true for Tracey Satterfield, owner of Live Clean, Inc. The features, such as drive-through bays where crews can load and unload company cars for the day and evening shifts, are perfect for a sizable cleaning company. Other noteworthy features include a large meeting and training space for more than 35 Live Clean Ladies, plenty of restrooms for staff, and enough parking for everyone.

One of the most exciting areas is the time-saving laundry center. With the addition of large-capacity, commercial washer and dryers, Live Clean is now even more efficient. With their previous washer and dryer set-up at their former location, many hours were spent turning 10-12 loads of microfiber cloths and mop heads every day. Now, that has been reduced to four loads per day. Tracey, chuckles as she says, I am the chief rag washer, so no one is more excited than me with the new laundry set-up.

This is a great location! I couldnt be more proud. I looked for the right property for two years, and we finally landed here. I always said the good Lord will help me know the right thing when it comes along, and here we are, said Tracey. Ive had great guidance in making this happen including my realtor, personal business mentors, bank, and the contractor who did the renovation. Everyone has been so good to me.

The Live Clean Story

Tracey started her cleaning business 29 years ago as a young mother, working around her familys schedule to clean houses on her own, or as she explains, with a bucket in the back of the car.

As a one-person business, she set her sights high, resolving to care for her customers and serve them, not just clean their homes. This caring attitude was evident from the very beginning. As she demonstrated her commitment to quality, dependable, and trustworthy service, the business grew, and Tracey hired staff to help her.

My whole business was never a grand intention. In the beginning, it was based on my kids and my family. I wanted to do something that kept me local and at home as much as possible, and we just kept growing. Here we are, 29 years later, and I feel like the good Lord graced me with good health and a good, kindred spirit to be able to serve families and businesses. And thats really what its all about going out every day and taking care of people.

Today, eleven cleaning crews take care of hundreds and hundreds of homes and businesses all over Cherokee County. Each crew consists of three ladies. Full-time floaters fill in when the unexpected happens such as a family emergency or a sick child. If a member of the crew must leave unexpectedly, a floater joins the crew, so employees can leave to take care of their family. Meanwhile, the crews work and the customers care continues without interruption.

I want my employees to be able to put their families first, so I staff accordingly, said Tracey. But I also know the customers must come first as well. Its a challenge, but we always manage to make sure both customers and employees are taken care of.

Services Offered

Live Clean offers regular cleaning services for residences and businesses. Customers can choose from four frequency options such as weekly, every other week, monthly, and quarterly. Typically, an Initial Clean kicks off the regimen with a deep, top-to-bottom cleaning. Then, the desired frequency is started.

Tracey or another member of her staff meets all new customers to review what services they need and determine the frequency that suits their lifestyle. A quote is provided for all frequency options, so the customer can make the best decision for their family or business.

There are many types of services Live Clean provides for the residences of Cherokee County: Regular homes and offices with ongoing frequencies, one-time spring cleanings, move-in and move-out cleans for realtors or home owners, churches, and final cleans behind restoration companies and contractors, just to name a few.

Delivering What Customers Want

With many cleaning companies to choose from, why choose Live Clean? The reason is simple. They understand what customers want. According to Tracey, there are four basic principles every customer is desiring:

On-time arrival

Same day/time/crew, every time
Good, consistent service/quality
Trustworthy service providers

Trustworthiness is our backbone. I do not employ anybody that I dont trust. I tell my ladies, I can teach you to perform quality work, but I cant teach you honesty and integrity, says Tracey. Anybody can learn to mop a floor. Whats more important is how you treat people and how you leave customers feeling, each and every day.

In Closing

Daily, Tracey encourages and trains the ladies to be the Chick-fil-A of cleaning services. Anybody can clean a home (or fix a chicken sandwich). It takes great discipline and standards to love, respect, care, and serve families and businesses the way Live Clean does.

Thats why Tracey says, It is easier than ever to Live Clean. When you find you need help, Live Clean is just a phone call away.

Live Clean

770-345-8035
LiveCleanInc.com
Facebook.com/LiveCleanInc

When Fostering Becomes a Forever Home

By Carrie Patterson

When Fortis came into our lives in February of 2016, she was broken literally broken. She had been used as a breeding dog for several years. She was malnourished and afraid. It was surmised that she had been thrown from the window of a moving car and left for dead on the side of the road. The local road crew came by with a shovel to pick her up, and when they realized she was alive, they took her to the local shelter. My husband and I met Fortis through Angels Among Us Pet Rescue (AAUPR). We had been interested in fostering for several years, but we hadnt taken the leap because we were afraid of the unknown.

On Superbowl Sunday, I was on my computer when I came across a beautiful dog that needed a foster on the AAUPR Facebook page. The next morning, I received an urgent Facebook message plea from a woman Id never met who would later become a dear friend and mentor. Her message was a video of Fortis trying to walk in the shelter, but she was dragging her back legs. With a simple plea Please help me save her. That was all it took for me.

However, my husband Chris took a bit more convincing. He agreed to meet the AAUPR volunteer at the emergency hospital where Fortis would be treated for her broken back. He planned to walk in, take one look at her, and say, No way. We arent fostering. Instead, Fortis took her first look at him, and it was love complete, immediate, and total love. She dragged herself over to him, scooted behind his legs, licked his hand, and looked at him as if to say, Finally my person is here. Ive been waiting for you.

Everyone who saw Chris and Fortis together knew it was love at first sight. They knew we would foster fail this dog (an amusing, loving term for adopting your foster). But there was no way. We werent going to be one of those first-time fosters who foster failed. We had a responsibility! Our responsibility was to heal Fortis body and spirit, so she could trust again and be a perfect companion for someone. We even had the perfect type of adopter in mind. We were just waiting for Fortis to get better, so we could begin searching for that perfect person for her.

We saw Fortis through the treatment for her broken back. This treatment required us to help her walk, go to the bathroom, and take turns sleeping downstairs on an air mattress until we purchased an old sofa off Craigslist. The treatment also required us to help her through a spay surgery that almost killed her, followed by another surgery to remove masses from her spleen. Fortis had five tumors removed, and then she had a consultation with an oncology specialist, dermatologist, internal medicine specialist, and a neurologist all with the support of AAUPR, which was made possible by donations to the organization.

My husband realized that not only was it love at first sight for Fortis, it was also love at first sight for him. With more difficult treatment down the road, we realized that there was no way we could let Fortis go. She had unconditionally trusted us with her life and her care for almost a year. We were more than happy to accept the responsibility for Fortis for the rest of her days no matter how few or how many they might be.

We officially adopted Fortis in November of 2016. After nine months of caring for her, we realized what she had known all along that she was finally home.

The story of Fortis IS the story of rescue. AAUPR is the largest foster-based organization in the southeast. Without people willing to open their homes to shelter pets, there would be no way to save the lives of dogs like Fortis. Fortis would not be here today if it werent for AAUPR.

Since Fortis came home to us, we have fostered over thirty more dogs including litters of puppies, severe medical cases, and cases where criminal charges have been filed against the former owners.  We continue to support the organization and encourage others to foster whenever possible. The truth is simple fostering saves lives.

Standing Up for Cherokee's Quality of Life

By Cyndi Braun

Responsible. Reasonable. Ready.

These three words describe Harry Johnstons candidacy for Cherokee County Commission Chairman, a position he believes will make a big impact on Cherokee Countys future.

Cherokee County is the best place in the world to live, said Johnston. With careful management of our growth and development, and effective leadership to build quality infrastructure and maintain great County services, we can retain the small-town quality of life that makes us all want to live here, even as we grow.

The Qualified Candidate

With many years of financial training and experience, Johnston is the most qualified candidate on the ballot. He previously served fourteen years as District 1 Commissioner and four years as a member of the County Planning Commission.

He holds degrees in finance and accounting from Georgia State and is a certified public accountant. He retired recently after 42 years in accounting management with a Fortune 500 company.

Involved in many civic and community groups, Johnston grew up in Canton and graduated from Cherokee High School. He is the current chairman of the City of Canton Board of Zoning Appeals and a member of the Canton Historic Preservation Commission. Johnston has been a member of the Republican party his entire life. Hes also a deacon, Sunday school teacher, church treasurer, and choir member.

Why Vote for Harry?

Im well-qualified, and Ive got the financial training and experience. During my fourteen years on the Board of Commissioners, I functioned as the financial leader of the board. I know how to keep taxes low and services good. Ive got a proven track record as a fiscal conservative, said Johnston. I love Cherokee County. We have fully half of our growth and development left ahead of us. If we do it right, we can make Cherokee County the absolute shining jewel in the crown of metro Atlanta.

Key Issues

Responsible Growth Management

We are in the enviable position that more people want to move to Cherokee County than we can accommodate without adversely affecting our quality of life, said Johnston, a long-time leader in the responsible growth movement. We can afford to be selective about the growth we want.

Johnston supports the Countys restrained land use plan thats built around a 3% annual growth rate, versus an unrestrained rate of about 4.5%. Translating that into population numbers, a 3% growth rate will double the County population in 25 years, while a 4.5% rate will triple it.

Johnston believes residential development should be restrained by limiting high-density development to areas in and around cities, with gradual stepping down to semi-rural and rural areas. Inappropriate annexations often lead to high-density development in areas that are semi-rural. Johnstons goal is to reduce such annexations by improving City/County relationships and cooperation.

Another element of responsible growth management is building a strong business presence, which leads to more jobs in the County. Johnston will work aggressively to bring quality jobs by offering tax incentives and developing business parks to create more local employment opportunities for County citizens.

Infrastructure

We need to improve roads and other infrastructure as fast as possible to support the land use plan, said Johnston. Its very challenging to keep up, even at a restrained growth rate. Its nearly hopeless at an unrestrained rate.

The biggest challenges are State highways, which are not under County control. At this time, the State is improving I-575 and will start soon on Highway 20, but more is needed.

Johnston has experience working with State, Regional, and other local leaders to get projects moving. He believes in building relationships and developing creative solutions to challenges like these.

Conservative Fiscal Management

We need careful and capable financial management to allow services to keep up with the growth while keeping tax rates low, said Johnston.

The groundwork Johnston laid while previously serving as commissioner helped ensure low taxes in Cherokee County. In fact, Cherokee County enjoys the sixth lowest County-controlled tax rates out of all 159 counties in Georgia. Effectively managing the Countys finances will be critical as Cherokee continues to grow and expand services such as those provided by the Sheriffs Office and the Fire Department.

Through efficient management from a qualified financial leader, Cherokee County can continue to offer low taxes and excellent services.

Dignified, Cooperative Leadership

I will present a positive and professional image of Cherokee County to Regional and State leadership. After working with four Board of Commissioners chairmen over eighteen years, I understand that the role of the chairman is to be a consensus builder more than to promote a particular agenda. The chairman needs to reach out to all sides and seek solutions that work for everyone, said Johnston.

HarryJohnston.com/
404-408-6017
Facebook.com/electharryjohnston/

Sugar Detox for Better Health

By Jill Rowlands

There are many popular diets going around, and proponents of each diet will convincingly promote the one they are passionate about as a one-size-fits-all solution for everyone. However, the truth is that each person must figure out what works best for them through trial and error. While there is disagreement amongst nutrition professionals about dietary choices, especially extremes, most would likely agree that removing or greatly reducing your sugar intake will promote a healthier body and encourage weight loss.

Sugar is a main culprit of unhealthy weight gain as well as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, inflammation, and other dis-eases within the body. Sugar is Americas number one addiction. When its consumed, there is an increase in the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is similar to what happens with drug addiction, and the more you eat the more you want.

It has been noted that the average person consumes around 150 pounds of sugar per year! Three-fourths of the packaged foods on the market contain added sugar. A can of soda contains about forty grams of sugar, which is equivalent to ten teaspoons!

Due to the addictive nature of sugar, removing it from your diet can be very difficult for many people. Initially, cutting out fruit and all starches is often recommended, but this may be too restrictive for people to maintain. However, focusing on whole, unrefined foods and specific items within a category will usually offer enough variety to help you get through the initial stages of withdrawal and keep you on track.

Eliminate the following from your diet:

Sugar (in all forms) Honey, maple syrup, artificial and naturally derived sugar substitutes, etc. Though many practitioners approve of naturally derived stevia extracts (some are chemically extracted and grown with pesticides) or the whole herb, the goal is to get your taste buds accustomed to the natural sweetness of whole food.

Refined Flours Bread products are one of the most heavily consumed food categories, and they can substantially affect blood sugar, insulin levels, and weight gain. In addition, these foods can also exacerbate inflammation.

Dairy The sugar in milk is lactose. Lactose is broken down by lactase. Most humans stop producing significant amounts of lactase between the ages of two and five. Though dairy has a lower glycemic index (GI), many experts say it can stimulate insulin as though it has a high GI. Many dairy items also contain added hormones and are fed pesticide- and antibiotic-laden feed, neither of which are going to do the body good. For some, dairy consumption can cause digestive distress and more. Try removing it for ten days, and if you choose to add it back in, only consume organic, pasture-raised dairy products, and see if symptoms return.

Meat and Eggs Produced from Animals that are Fed Hormones, Antibiotics, or Beef-Fed Grains These items produce unhealthy fats in the animal. There is a lot of play on words with grass-fed, and free-range. Animal products can be labeled with these terms but still be given grains, antibiotics, etc. Make sure to do your research.

Packaged Foods These often contain added sweeteners, refined ingredients, and chemicals like artificial colors, flavors, or MSG.

Soda/Beverages with Sweeteners (including alcoholic beverages)

Unhealthy Fats This includes anything hydrogenated/vegetable oils.

What should I eat? (preferably organic versions of the following)

1. Non-starchy vegetables You may eat an unlimited amount of these, but strive for a minimum of five cups per day.

2. Proteins Have some healthy protein at each meal such as 100% grass-fed beef, bison, pasture-raised, antibiotic-free, non-GMO-fed eggs, and poultry or wild fish.

3. Raw Nuts and Seeds or Nut and Seed Butters Make sure they are not sweetened.

4. Low Glycemic Fruits Enjoy 2-3 servings per day. All berries, Granny Smith apples, grapefruit, lemons, limes, pears, and cherries are good choices. Avoid high glycemic choices like bananas, dates, and dried fruits.

5. Starches Avoiding these for at least ten days may be best for most people, but if it will help keep you on track, eat no more than two, half-cup servings, preferably not at dinner time. Be sure to select whole grains. No white potatoes.

6. Healthy Fats Enjoy nuts or seeds, avocados, cold-pressed olive oil, organic coconut oil, flax oil (do not cook with flax oil), and
omega 3s from fish.

7. Beverages Drink half your weight, in ounces, of filtered water per day. Try to drink one fresh vegetable juice each day. Do not drink fruit juice except fresh-squeezed lemon or lime. Herbal teas, green, or matcha tea are also good choices. Limit coffee to one cup per day.

As mentioned, cutting out sugar isnt always easy, but after a few days, cravings subside. You may notice better digestion, more energy, less pain, and clearer skin. The goal is to cultivate ongoing lifestyle and shopping habits filled with whole, unrefined foods. Limit natural sweeteners, focus on overall health, and the weight loss will follow.