Chad Atkinson Joins Henssler Financial Chad Atkinson, FIC, has joined Henssler Financial as an Insurance Specialist. Atkinson has nearly three years' experience in helping families with security needs through insurance products. A U.S. Navy veteran, Atkinson earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance degree from Kennesaw State University. As a Cherokee County resident, he is active with the Cherokee Chamber, serving on the chairman's council and education committee, and also on the board of directors for Cherokee FOCUS and Give A Kid A Chance organizations. In addition, Atkinson assists numerous other organizations with fundraising and special projects, such as Healing Hands Youth Ranch, Next Step Ministries, North Georgia Angel House, and the Junior Service League of Woodstock. Henssler Financial has provided comprehensive financial solutions to clients for more than 25 years. The company's services include financial planning, tax preparation and consulting, risk management and estate planning, as well as CFO services for businesses. 3735 Cherokee St., Kennesaw. 770-429-9166, Henssler.com
Main Street Woodstock Hosts Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Village Market & Cafe Main Street Woodstock held a special ribbon cutting ceremony recently to celebrate the grand opening of Village Market & Caf in Downtown Woodstock. The Village Market & Caf is a deli, bakery and gourmet market featuring imported cheeses and meats; infused olive oils and truffle oils; imported pastas; tapenades, pestos, and sauces; fresh produce; fresh-cut flowers; custom gift baskets; wines; and much more. 490 Chambers St., Woodstock. 678-831-2707, Facebook.com/VillageMarketCafe
Dance & Music Academy Wins at Recent Competition Dance & Music Academy of Woodstock brought home several awards from the recent Kids Artistic Revue competition. Performers at Dance & Music Academy of Woodstock won the highest award in every category entered, as well as the Judges' Choice Award and invitations to "The New York City Dance Experience." Dance & Music Academy of Woodstock offers ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, acrobatics and contemporary dance instruction for children, beginning at age 2, through adult, as well as guitar, piano, violin, drums and voice music lessons. 6238 Old Hwy. 5, Woodstock. 770-924-1661, WoodstockDance.com
Woodstock, Waleska Win Mayor's Recycling Challenge Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce "Going Green" committee challenged cities in Cherokee County to encourage residents to recycle as part of the third annual "Mayor's Recycling Challenge." For the third consecutive year, the City of Waleska collected the most recycling per capita, with 138.4 pounds per resident, as determined based on 2013 U.S. Census population estimates. Additional per capita totals included City of Ball Ground, 73.5 pounds/resident; City of Woodstock, 13.9 pounds/resident; City of Nelson, 8.2 pounds/resident; City of Canton, 6.6 pounds/resident; and City of Holly Springs, 6.3 pounds/resident. The City of Woodstock collected the most recycling, totaling 374,322 pounds; City of Canton, 158,622 pounds; Ball Ground, 109,000 pounds; Waleska, 96,760 pounds; Holly Springs, 61,660 pounds; and Nelson, 10,820 pounds. The combined total collected by all the cities was 811,184 pounds a 3-percent increase over last year. The winners were announced during the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce's "Good Morning Cherokee" breakfast meeting in September. North Metro Waste and Waste Management partnered with the Chamber on this event.
MSW Welcomes New Additions to Downtown Woodstock Main Street Woodstock hosted special ribbon cutting ceremonies to celebrate two recent additions to Downtown Woodstock. Spirited women's boutique opened recently at 8670 Main St. (678-214-5304, SpiritedWoodstock.com). The store specializes in "boho chic" clothing, jewelry and accessories. In addition, the new stage at the Event Green (111 Elm St.) was officially dedicated as Resurgens Orthopaedics Community Stage. The stage is used for a variety of outdoor community concerts, performances and other events.
Dreamweaver Consignment Boutique Opens in Woodstock Dreamweaver Consignment Boutique recently opened at 9334 Main Street in Woodstock, near C&T Auto. The boutique carries high-end women's fashion, including Ann Taylor, Ralph Lauren, Jones of New York, White House/Black Market, Michael Kors, and Coach, at realistic prices. The boutique also features "curvy" selections and locally sourced jewelry, and provides alteration services. Follow them on Facebook.com/DWCBoutique or Twitter.com/DreamweaverCB for their latest selections. Open 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Tuesday-Friday, and 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Saturday. 678-403-8514
Stars and Strikes Coming to Woodstock Stars and Strikes has announced plans to open a new family entertainment center in Woodstock. The new 50,000-square-foot entertainment center is expected to open in the spring of 2015 at 10010 Hwy. 92 in Woodstock, near I-575. It will house eight VIP bowling lanes in Stars and Strikes' signature Blue Room; 20 state-of-the-art bowling lanes; a two-story laser tag arena; laser maze; bumper cars; a game room and prize store; private birthday party rooms and private event spaces; a bar area; and big-screen TVs. In addition, the new Woodstock location will feature Stars and Strikes' classic American grill dining concept, offering fresh, seasonally inspired cuisine that includes appetizers, salads, sandwiches, specialty pizzas and other house-made items. Stars and Strikes makes it a priority to offer food and beverage options that are healthy, delicious and an enhancement to the entire entertainment experience. 678-965-5707, StarsAndStrikes.com
Wildtree Offers Healthy Meal Solutions Adam and Jen Lowry Wildtree Tasting Parties and Freezer Meal Workshops are helping local families get organic, healthy, simple gourmet meals on the table fast. Their Wildtree herbs, spices and dips are certified organic; contain no genetically modified organisms, MSG, additives, preservatives, high fructose corn syrup or food dyes; and are made in the United States. All products which include a selection of gluten-free bread; pizza; dessert, soup and drink mixes, along with herbs, sauces, spices, oils and dips are produced in a peanut-free facility. In addition to the in-home Tasting Events and Freezer Meal Workshops, the products can be purchased directly from their website. Adam and Jen Lowry serve customers locally and nationally from their home-based business in Woodstock. Tastings and Freezer Meal Workshops are hosted weekly. 770-675-3484, JenLowryWildtree.com
MedPost Urgent Care Now Open in Woodstock MedPost Urgent Care has expanded its network in metro Atlanta with three new facilities in Woodstock, Stockbridge and Stone Mountain, along with five existing centers in Atlanta, Alpharetta and Marietta. The area centers are part of a growing national network staffed by physician specialists in primary care, internal medicine and emergency medicine, as well as nurse practitioners and other health professionals. The Woodstock facility is a partner of North Fulton Hospital, while the Stockbridge and Stone Mountain facilities are partners with Atlanta Medical Center. The partnerships offer patients more options and a simplified referral process should specialty care be needed. "We are proud to be a partner with MedPost Urgent Care," said Debbie Keel, CEO of North Fulton Hospital. "It enables us to provide high-quality, convenient urgent care to our communities and participate in a strong, trusted network of urgent care centers around the country." MedPost Urgent Care centers also provide follow-up care and specialty referrals when needed. Facilities are typically equipped with X-ray and provide a comprehensive array of services ranging from flu shots and other immunizations to treatment for such things as upper respiratory infections, sinus problems, allergic reactions, fever, ear aches and orthopedic injuries. The walk-in centers are open seven days a week and treat patients of all ages. The Woodstock center is located at 12201 Hwy. 92. 770-517-4621, MedPost.com
MSW Celebrates New Store Openings in Downtown Woodstock Main Street Woodstock Inc. held ribbon cutting events recently for Mountain Lakes Insurance in celebration of the company's five-year anniversary, and for Dive Georgia in celebration of the store's grand opening earlier this year. Both businesses are located in Downtown Woodstock and are members of Main Street Woodstock. Mountain Lakes Insurance is an independent insurance agency operated by licensed insurance professionals, offering choices for personal, business, life and health insurance needs. 8744 Main St., Suite 301, Woodstock. 770- 926-9444, MountainLakesInsurance.com Dive Georgia retail store carries scuba diving and snorkeling gear from Scuba Pro, Sub Gear, Sherwood, Akona, Sola, GoBe, Go Pro, UK, Lavacore, Innovative, and many more. Repairs and lessons are offered by certified dive instructors. 8720 Main St., Suite 130, Woodstock. 404-285-8600, DiveGeorgia.com