Perfect Your Recipe for an Upcoming Chili Cook-Off Fundraiser! Woodstock Chiropractic and Chilis Grill and Bar, Towne Lake are sponsoring a chili cook-off on November 7th, at 1:00 pm, at the main park in the Eagle Watch subdivision. The proceeds will benefit Serenade Heights and Woodstock Police and Fire Department. There will be a silent auction, football game coverage, raffles, cash prizes for those who place in the chili cook-off, bounce houses and other childrens entertainment. Anyone is welcome to register to compete in the cook-off; the deadline to register is October 20th. You may contact Kristina Valente at 484-614-1681 to register.
Local Student, Zelma A. Estrada, Receives National Honor The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) announced student, Zelma Angelique Estrada, from Woodstock, GA, has been selected to become a member of the esteemed organization. The Society recognizes top scholars who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, scholarship and community commitment. The announcement was made by NSHSS Founder and Chairman, Claes Nobel. On behalf of NSHSS, I am honored to recognize the hard work, sacrifice and commitment that Zelma has demonstrated to achieve this exceptional level of academic excellence said Mr. Nobel. Zelma is now a member of a unique community of scholars that represents our very best hope for the future. Her goal is to become a Physical Therapy doctor. I am willing to work hard to maintain my grades and comply with all the prerequisites that this program requires, while staying committed to help the community in every way I can. said Zelma, a senior at Woodstock High School.
First Lady of Georgia Advocates Immunization Awareness at Northside Hospital-Cherokee Georgia First Lady, Sandra Deal, and Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), visited Northside Hospital-Cherokee on Wednesday, July 22, as part of a statewide tour of Georgia hospitals to discuss the importance of childhood immunizations with new parents. Mrs. Deal and Dr. Fitzgerald made personal visits to two families, who had just delivered at Northside, offering each a free Hallmark immunization card to aid them in keeping their new babys immunization records organized. The pocket-sized card allows parents to keep their childs immunization records in their wallet, where they are easily accessible during school or athletics registration, and doctors appointments. If you have this piece in your wallet, the nurse or you can write that down, Deal said. We want the child to be immunized properly and this little piece of paper helps with that.
Champion Cherokees film We have all heard the saying It takes a village to raise a child, a concept that also speaks true to the making of the movie Champion, the village being Cherokee County. The Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED) had the opportunity to spend some time on set with Champion, a faith-based film focusing on three main themes: fatherhood, foster care and forgiveness. In the short time spent behind the scenes, it became abundantly clear that Cherokee County, as a community, had a huge role in bringing this project to fruition. This is truly a Cherokee County production, said Steve Hyland, Producer. Since this movie was in the idea stages, our community has come together to make it happen. In fact, Hyland could not have been more complimentary of the Cherokee individuals, businesses and churches that helped bring Champion to life. He explained that along with the sponsors that provided meals and snacks, the majority of investors in the film live in Cherokee. He also credits Dixie Speedway, Capital Race Cars and First Baptist Church of Woodstock for going above and beyond in order to make this film. We couldnt have afforded to tell the Champion story without the generosity of these local partners, said Hyland. Even the fire department stepped in to provide some on-demand rain for a scene shot in Downtown Woodstock.
WellStar Kennestone Hospital Opens Inpatient Pediatric Unit WellStar Kennestone Hospital opened a new inpatient pediatric unit. Previously, WellStar did not have an inpatient pediatric unit, forcing families to leave their community to receive hospital-based care. The new unit will keep pediatric patients and their families close to home. The 4,700 sq. ft. unit is staffed 24/7, exclusively by pediatric-trained caregivers, including a team of pediatric hospitalists who remain on duty around the clock, pediatric nurses, pediatric respiratory therapists and a dedicated pediatric pharmacist. The brightly colored, child-friendly space features 12 private patient rooms for overnight hospital stays, complete with artwork created by local elementary and middle school students. Parents are able to take time out in a dedicated family lounge, which offers refreshments, comfortable seating, computer areas for checking emails and a playroom for young visitors. Additionally, patients will benefit from a central monitoring system in each exam room, enhanced security, ultraviolet filters for infection control, and all pediatric-specific and pediatric friendly equipment.
Sarah Cannon Receives CCSNAs Judy Johnson Memorial Scholarship The Cherokee County School Nutrition Association (CCSNA) recently awarded the 2015 Judy Johnson Memorial Scholarship to Sarah Cannon, a 2014 graduate of River Ridge High School. A Chattahoochee Technical College student, Sarah plans to use the $1,000 scholarship to continue her studies toward earning a business degree. She plans to use this knowledge, along with her hands-on experience working at Camp Bow Wow and volunteering at the Atlanta Zoo, to open her own animal rescue shelter. While at River Ridge HS, Sarah was a four-year member of the marching band and first-chair clarinet. In addition to the zoo, she also volunteers for the MUST Summer Lunch Program and for the Bethlehem Walk Ministry at Mountain View United Methodist Church. The Judy Johnson Memorial Scholarship began in 2010 in memory of Judy Johnson, CCSD School Nutrition department secretary. The Association works during the year to raise the $500 for the scholarship. Additional contributions to the Scholarship fund have raised the amount of the award this year to $1,000. The scholarship is awarded to the child or grandchild of a CCSNA member who has shown strong academic performance and a record of community service. Sarah is the daughter of Mountain Road Elementary School Cafeteria Manager, Tonya Cannon. We take great pride in offering this scholarship each year as a means to assist students with financial support while attending college, CCSD School Nutrition Supervisor, Susan Turner said.
Chattahoochee Gold Swimmer Excels in International Competition Chattahoochee Golds Alarii Levreault-Lopez has his sights set on the Olympics after his success in two, recent international competitions. Alarii Levreault-Lopez took part in Mexicos National Long Course Swimming Championships from June 29th through July 4th, in Guadalajara. He captured the 18 & under National Championship in 100 Butterfly (56.50) and the 18 & under and overall championships in 200 Butterfly (205.12). He also recently competed in the Irish National Meet in Dublin, where he finished 4th in 200 Butterfly, 4th in 400 IM, 5th in 100 Butterfly, 2nd in 400 Medley Relay and 3rd in 800 Freestyle Relay. Levreault-Lopez has dual citizenship, his mother is American and his father Mexican, so he can compete for a place on the American or Mexican Olympic teams. He will soon say goodbye to Chattahoochee Gold. This fall hell head for Baton Rouge to swim for the LSU Tigers and continue his training, aiming for an Olympic berth.
Woodstock AARP Frank and Frances Giove spoke at the July 14th meeting of the Woodstock Chapter of AARP. They presented a talk about their recent Viking cruise to the wine country of France. They talked about the ins-and-outs of river cruising; and narrated a great trip to the wineries. Do you know why they plant rose bushes at wineries? Rose bushes are an early warning signal to the growers that a fungus has occurred; so they can take action before it reaches the vineyard. Frank and Frances also talked about their other river cruises to Germany and China. Also, the Woodstock Chapter collected school supplies to be donated for needy children.
CMTA Winners Receive Awards The Cherokee Music Teachers Association recently held its annual Awards Ceremony at Reinhardt University. Twenty-six students received trophies for points accumulated by participating in CMTAs yearly Auditions and Solo Festival. CMTA Summer Scholarship winner, Joshua Anderson, and guest artist Alexander Wasserman performed for attendees.
Fire & Emergency Services Awards Presented Thomas M. Brady Post #45 of the American Legion, located in Canton, Georgia, honored several firefighters and staff members with Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services during their annual Community Service Awards Banquet held at the local legion hall. Those recognized included: Battalion 1 Firefighter Award, James Laughlin; Battalion 2 Firefighter Award, Capt. Kevin Lanier; Battalion 3 Firefighter Award, Chris Ginn, Volunteer Firefighter Award, Michelle Ice; EMS Employee of the Year Award, Scott Coppola; Fire Administration Award, Michael Priest; Special Operations Award, Todd Weidman, and Explorer of the Year Award, Josiah Gnanamuttu.