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FeBRuARy 2012
Cou n t y Li ne | Feb r u ar y 201 2
A Recipe for Success
The Culinary Arts Program
at South Forsyth High School
Dawn Martin, Brandon Martin, Hilmar Geiger, Matt Lins and Marin Wijma
1
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2 Co u nt yL in e | Fe br u a r y 2012 | www. Cou nt y L ineMagazine.net
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Cou n t y Li ne | Feb r u ar y 201 2
3
16
20 8
COVER STORY
16 A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
DEPARTMENTS
6 From the Publisher
22 Paparazzi
24 History Made Easy: New Echota State Historic Site
28 Day Trippin’: Chattanooga, Tennessee
4 Co u nt yL in e | Fe br u a r y 2012 | www. Cou nt y L ineMagazine.net
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24
28
FEATURES
8 The Bell Research Center
12 It Takes a Village
14 It’s All About Theater
20 The Journey to Northview:
Chris Kemp’s Path to Becoming a Titan
COUNTYLINE COMMUNITY
Cou n t y Li ne | Feb r u ar y 201 2
10 Forsyth Senior Expo
30 Calling All Poets
BUSINESS COMMUNITY
11 Johns Creek Insurance
26 Northside Hospital: Women, Be Heart Healthy at Any Age
5
From the Publisher
C
ountyLine is Calling All Poets! April is National Poetry Month, and selected
poems that are submitted by CountyLine readers of all ages (elementary
students through adults) will be published in this issue. Please read the
information on page 30, and submit your favorite poem by the February 15th
deadline to be considered for this very special opportunity.
The Culinary Arts program at South Forsyth High School was first featured on the
cover of the February 2008 issue. In the four years since, the program has con-
tinued to grow and the opportunities that are available to students are even more
incredible. Congratulations to Brandon Martin, Marin Wijma and Matt Lins, who
are featured on this cover for winning the advanced marketing class’ cake baking
contest! It is always a pleasure to work with Dawn Martin and the students in this
program. The cakes were delicious as was the apple strudel!
The Bell Research Center is a treasure-trove of the history of Forsyth County
and other Southern states. With more than 6,000 books and some incredible
artifacts, this best-kept secret is now told by W. Cliff Roberts, exclusively to
CountyLine readers. History buffs, get ready for endless research opportunities!
Executive Director John Haigler shares with us how Bald Ridge Lodge became a reality and what services
it provides. Thank you, John, for letting readers know about the incredibly valuable opportunities that Bald
Ridge Lodge is making possible for boys in our community.
I am always proud to feature editorials on teachers in our schools, who are so dedicated to educating their
students. In this issue, Northview junior Mathew Pattillo wrote a very impressive editorial about science
teacher Chris Kemp. You’ll also be impressed with the opportunities in theater arts that teacher, Eric Bragg,
is providing for his students at River Trail Middle School.
Look no further for a day trip destination. This issue’s Day Trippin’ highlights some of the many fabulous at-
tractions that are available for the entire family to enjoy in Chattanooga. Also a great day trip is this issue’s
History Made Easy subject: New Echota State Historic Site. You can read the history of New Echota and then
actually visit this site.
This issue’s business focus is on independent insurance agency Johns Creek Insurance. Owner, Russ Akin,
helps us out with some very informative information on making the best choices on insurance. February is
American Heart Month, and Northside Hospital has some very helpful advice for women of all ages.
Enjoy the reading, enjoy the photos and enjoy this issue of CountyLine!
Respectfully,
Calling All Poets
Judy Le Jeune
Publisher
In honor of “National Poetry Month,” CountyLine is call-
ing all poets to submit their poems to be published in
the April issue. Please see page 30 for further details.
6 Co u nt yL in e | Fe br u a r y 2012 | www. Cou nt y L ineMagazine.net
Are you sick
and tired of
Publisher
not hearing?
Judy Le Jeune
publisher@countylinemagazine.net
It may be time to see
678-787-3551 a hearing doctor.
editorial
editor@countylinemagazine.net
Advertising If you answer “yes” to any of the following questions,
advertising@countylinemagazine.net take the first step and schedule an appointment
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W. Cliff Roberts
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On the Cover:
Cou n t y Li ne | Feb r u ar y 201 2
The Culinary Arts Program Other locations include Emory University Hospital Midtown
at South Forsyth High School and The Emory Clinic on the Emory University campus.
CountyLine is published by Sugarcane Communications, LLC. No
advertising, editorial, or photographs in CountyLine may be reproduced
without the permission of Sugarcane Communications, LLC. 23,108
copies of this issue were delivered to all the homes and businesses in
the east half of Johns Creek and South Forsyth.
CountyLine
3651 Peachtree Parkway Suite 222
Suwanee, GA 30024 www.emoryhealthcare.org
678-787-3551
www.countylinemagazine.net
7
The Bell Research Center
By W. Cliff Roberts
F
amily historians living in this area have qui- newly restored building to hold their monthly meet-
etly learned that they have one of the best ings, the leaders of the camp had larger ambitions.
genealogy libraries in their own backyard. Lo- Local historian Ted O. Brooke and fellow members
cated in the red-brick 1929 Cumming Public School Clarke Rye and Frank Clark conceived of turning
building on School Street, just a few blocks from the the room into a top-flight genealogy and history li-
Cumming courthouse square, is the Bell Research brary. Even before they knew they would have a
Center. Researchers visiting the Center have access permanent place to house a library, these men be-
to some 6,000 books covering county records from gan acquiring older private and public collections of
Georgia and other Southern states, family histories, historic books. Today, members of the local Sons
and an extensive Civil War collection of biographies, of Confederate Veterans still sponsor and run the
regimental histories, and war accounts. The Cen- Center. Frank Clark has served as the curator of the
ter is named for Hiram Parks Bell, a Forsyth County Center since the doors first opened.
lawyer, statesman, and Civil War colonel. A statue
of Col. Bell stands on Main Street by the entrance to In recent years, grants from the Benjamin F. Brady
the Cumming City Hall. His 1907 autobiography Men Foundation of Cumming have allowed the Center to
and Things was republished by the Bell Center and purchase new collections and be open to research-
is available for purchase there. ers six days a week. In 2011, the Center purchased
the Robert Dennard Tucker collection of some 400
The old Cumming Public School was acquired by the books on North Carolina and Virginia records. Frank
City of Cumming in 1999. The building has been Clark believes the Bell Center is one of the few li-
handsomely restored by the city government, in- braries in the state that has both a quality collection
cluding the nearly century-old oak floor planks, and of rare books as well as the resources to add to the
it was named in 2000 to the National Register of collection with new titles each year. Mr. Clark notes,
Historic Places. Today, the old school house holds “We have two-thirds of the first editions of The War
the acclaimed Cumming Playhouse, Tam’s Back- of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Re-
stage Restaurant, the Historical Society of Forsyth cords of the Union and Confederate Armies.” First
County, and the Bell Research Center. published by the Federal Government beginning in
1897, there were 127 large volumes in all. “Many
There is an interesting story behind the creation of of the volumes were originally given to the Atlanta
the Bell Research Center. The local chapter of the Confederate Retirement Home by former Confeder-
Sons of Confederate Veterans, Camp 1642, created ate officers,” says Mr. Clark. “Their signatures are on
the library in 2004. Originally given a room in the the book plates inside the front covers.”
8 Co u nt yL in e | Fe br u a r y 2012 | www. Cou nt y L ineMagazine.net
In addition to learning about one’s Revolutionary or Civil War
ancestors, a visitor will find excellent resources on the places
along the traditional migration routes of Georgia’s pioneer set-
tlers. Mr. Clark points out that “Over a few generations, they
came down from Pennsylvania and Virginia, through the Caro-
linas, and on to Georgia. Some call it the Old Wagon Road. We
have a strong collection of county records from these areas.”
The Bell Center also has four display cases of museum-qual-
ity artifacts from the Creek Indian days through the Korean Confederate soldier’s
uniform used for reenactments
War. Weapons and clothing, some on loan from local citizens
and some donated, range across the spectrum of American his-
tory. One case holds five Medals of Honor earned by various
American servicemen. Mr. Clark says, “It is not a large collec-
tion of artifacts compared to most museums, but pound for
pound it’s darn impressive.”
So what brings a smile to Mr. Clark? He sighs and says, “So
many people don’t know where they came from, so it is hard
for them to know where they’re going in life. When somebody
in this room sees that they had an ancestor at Valley Forge, it Medals of Honor earned by
various American servicemen
really hits them hard. They are suddenly connected to Ameri-
can history.”
The Bell Research center is open Monday through Friday from 10 AM until 2 PM and Saturdays
from 10 AM to 4 PM. Their website is www.bellresearchcenter.com.
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9
Forsyth Senior Expo
Tenth annual event will showcase services
to help plan for the future
The tenth annual Forsyth Senior Expo will be held at the Central
Park Recreation Center on Saturday, February 18th from 10am
to 1 pm.
Forsyth County Senior Services is inviting senior citizens as well
as their families and friends to attend this free event and learn
about planning for the future.
The Forsyth Senior Expo will be providing information regarding
a variety of topics including health care, housing, finance, safety
and security, recreation, and travel.
Central Park Recreation Center is located at 2300 Keith Bridge Road in Cumming. For more
information regarding the Forsyth Senior Expo, contact Forsyth County Senior Services at
770.781.2178. For information about being a vendor at the Forsyth Senior Expo, contact Donna
Grizzle at 770.781.2178 ext. 5032 or djgrizzle@forsythco.com.
W hen we say inclusive, that
doesn’t include crowds.
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10 Co u nt yL in e | Fe br u a r y 2012 | www. Cou nt y L ineMagazine.net
An Independent Insurance Agency
Scott Lott,
Maureen Tucker
and Russ Akin
F
or most people, buying insurance is an after- age before the disaster struck and were able to re-
thought. It’s not until the claim occurs that peo- cover any financial loss they incurred.”
ple learn whether the coverage they purchased
is sufficient or not. “We try to change this pattern of It pays to compare. After all, different companies have
thinking,” explains Russ Akin, owner of Johns Creek different philosophies on the importance of insurance
Insurance. “We prefer to explain the importance of protection, and their policies and sales process, show
proper coverage up front and provide our clients with it. Some companies are more concerned with volume,
choices and options to ensure they make the most and coverage is more of an afterthought. Others con-
informed decisions.” Ensuring his clients have proper centrate on offering quality products designed to pro-
protection when buying an insurance policy is his top tect assets. We’ve all seen the commercials advertis-
priority. ing cheap prices with no mention of coverage. Since
when did cheap equate to high quality?
We feel proper insurance protection is an important
piece of one’s overall financial picture. With this coun- Below are a few tips to follow when buying insurance.
ty being one of the wealthiest in the US, many of its
❑ Compare price and coverage. Not all
citizens have assets worth protecting. When new cli-
policies are the same.
ents come to us and we compare what they have ver-
sus what is available, many are surprised at how little
❑ Understand the exclusions in the policy
coverage they actually had, and how much they were
in addition to the coverage.
paying for it. Many think all policies are the same until
we show them the comparisons. ❑ Shop among various carriers as price
and coverage can vary greatly.
Insurance can be a complex and frustrating business.
At the same time, it’s an important piece in protecting ❑ Work with a professional that knows
your assets. “When you buy an insurance policy, what they are doing. Doing it alone
you are transferring risk,” explains Russ. The policy can be costly if you choose the wrong
outlines what is, and what is not, covered. Too often, coverage.
people forget this fact and take the “cheapest price
wins” approach. This strategy can be dangerous as Johns Creek Insurance is an independent insurance
one loss can have catastrophic financial consequences. agency. They represent multiple insurance companies
for personal, commercial, life and health insurance.
“With an unprecedented amount of weather-related This diversity allows Johns Creek Insurance to com-
Cou n t y Li ne | Feb r u ar y 201 2
disasters, people and businesses should pay more pare price and coverage among many insurance com-
attention to their insurance policies,” explains Russ. panies for their clients.
Last year, insurance companies in Georgia paid an
industry-high for weather-related claims alone. Johns Russ graduated with a degree in Risk Management &
Creek Insurance had several clients that were im- Insurance from the University of Georgia and obtained
pacted. “Some of our policy holders had significant his Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and Associate
damage from the storms last year. We had one family in Risk Management (ARM) professional designations.
whose home was completely destroyed by a tornado.
We were able to help our clients navigate through the For more information or to contact
claims process during a very traumatic time,” says Johns Creek Insurance, call: 770-880-7656
Russ. “Fortunately, our clients had the proper cover- or visit: www.johnscreekinsurance.com.
11
It Takes a Village by John Haigler
T
he renowned American Cultural Anthropologist Margaret Mead said, “Never
doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the
world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” In a thousand years I would
never be able to write a more appropriate statement about the founding of Bald Ridge
Lodge.
Bald Ridge Lodge was conceived in the hearts and minds of two Forsyth County citi-
zens, The Honorable Judge Charlie Smith and Mr. Buddy Lang. During a meeting of
their Rotary Club it was brought to their attention that no agency existed in Forsyth
County to serve the needs of boys who are homeless, abused, neglected, or at-risk of
ending up in jail. Judge Smith and Buddy made a decision that this was unacceptable
and made it their mission to see that a home was made for these boys. They made
the community aware of the need and the community responded brilliantly. Bald Ridge
Lodge’s doors opened to its first resident in 2008. Through the amazing dedication and
generosity of Judge Smith, Buddy Lang, and countless others, their dream became a
reality.
Bald Ridge Lodge is a nonprofit, state licensed child-caring institution that serves up to
12 boys, ages 12 to 17. Residents of Bald Ridge Lodge have been removed from their
home by the Department of Family and Children Services or Forsyth County Juvenile
Court. The mission of Bald Ridge Lodge is to provide a safe-haven and counseling in a
therapeutic environment for boys who are in need of protection, direction and supervi-
sion, in a manner that nurtures the child, strengthens family relationships and allows
the community to care for their own. To fully understand what is required to operate
a facility such as Bald Ridge Lodge, one must ask a few fundamental questions. What
does it take to care for a child? How much does it costs? What needs must be met? On
any given day Bald Ridge Lodge serves between 9 and 12 boys requiring supervision
24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
It is my hope to help you, the reader, understand what is required to protect and enrich
the lives of the children that we serve. My name is John Haigler. I am the Executive Di-
rector of Bald Ridge Lodge. I began my career as a case manager with the Department
of Family and Children Services investigating allegations of abuse and neglect. I have
worked in residential care since 2006, first in crisis stabilization for adults, followed by
managing programs and group homes for adults with developmental disabilities. I was
hired to take over the operations of Bald Ridge Lodge in August of 2010.
To begin with, I want you to understand that these children are hurting. When they
reach our doors, they have been through more pain, fear, and sadness in a few short
John Haigler
Executive Director years than most of us will in a lifetime. These children need love and support in all
aspects of their lives to have any chance of a successful future. In order to serve our
residents properly we must address their needs holistically.
I am often asked by people that I meet if all we do is provide food and shelter to our
residents. This is a common misconception about licensed residential child-caring in-
stitutions. All children, upon admission to Bald Ridge Lodge, are seen by a physician
within 72 hours of arrival for a full physical, which includes dental, vision, hearing,
12 Co u nt yL in e | Fe br u a r y 2012 | www. Cou nt y L ineMagazine.net
and blood work. Within the first 30 days of admis- events, movies, bowling, hiking, community service
sion, all children are seen by a licensed professional events, shopping and many other normal teenage
counselor for a full psychological evaluation. Most activities designed to allow our residents to be kids.
of our children follow up with counseling several It is our sincere hope that the boys who are placed
times a week and with a psychiatrist, if necessary. in our facility learn how to trust others, respect
All residents are enrolled in school within 72 hours themselves, and strive to succeed in life.
of admission. Our staff ensures that each child has
a plan educationally to be successful. Tutors work Since 2008, Bald Ridge Lodge has served over 150
with the residents of Bald Ridge Lodge every day boys. These are not children from a city far away or
after school. All residents submit to random drug in a country that you have never heard of. These are
screens and, if necessary, attend weekly meetings children from your community. These are children
organized jointly between Forsyth County Juvenile who attend the same school or church as your chil-
Court and Bald Ridge Lodge. These meetings are dren. The dream of Judge Charlie Smith and Buddy
designed to educate our residents about substance Lang comes true every time we take in a new resi-
abuse and prevention. All residents receive 24-hour dent.
supervision. Our facility maintains a minimum of
two direct care staff members in the building at all To learn more about Bald Ridge Lodge and how you
times. We operate three shifts covering 24-hours a can help, visit us at www.baldridgelodge.org or call:
day, 365 days a year. In addition, the facility em- 770-887-1220.
ploys 20 direct care staff professionals on rotating
shifts, at all times, to provide adequate supervision.
All of the boys at Bald Ridge Lodge deserve to be
kids and have some normalcy in their lives. We have
weekly outings year-round that include sporting
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13
Eric Bragg works on a scene from Once on
This Island with cast members Maddie Cantie,
Taran Beasley, Darya Hosein and McKenzie Rivers.
Theater
IT’S ALL ABOUT
by Karen Duffy
T
he passion for the theater is felt at the first NBC News in 2005 for his devotion to drama at the
step into the drama classroom at River Trail elementary level.
Middle School (RTMS). One wall has posters
from school performances, and another has signs After four years at CVES, Eric transferred to RTMS
from Broadway productions. Drama teacher Eric to teach drama full time. The opportunity was “a
Bragg’s influence radiates throughout the space dream come true” for him. For the past five years,
where students experience a growing appreciation he has taught two drama classes at each grade level,
for all facets of theater arts. For Eric, his passion for educating students about various aspects of drama,
theater began when he was in elementary school. including the history of film and stage. “I feel very
privileged to work with these amazing students and
Eric grew up in Elkhart, Indiana, and was introduced am really proud of them,” says Eric. He expanded
to the theater when his third grade class was in- an existing after-school drama club, where students
vited to the high school’s production of Charlotte’s with an interest in acting can dig deeper into per-
Web. “From the moment the curtain opened, I was forming. In his first year as drama teacher, Eric was
mesmerized by the performance,” shares Eric. “The also busy completing his Master’s degree in Instruc-
ability to tell a story in front of a live audience was tional Design from Georgia State University.
something I had never witnessed before.” He vowed
that when he reached high school he would perform There are two drama productions each year at RT-
as an actor on the same stage. His enthusiasm for MS—a musical in the fall and the school talent show
theater was steadfast throughout high school and in the spring. Eric leads the drama instruction, and
continued on in college. He earned his undergradu- relies on his creative team to guide the students
ate degree from Ball State University, with a major in the musical portion of their performances. Or-
in Elementary Education and a minor in Theatrical chestra teacher, Matt Thomas, enjoys the combined
Studies. During his student teaching, Eric ran an effort of theatrical production. “Eric is good at dele-
after-school drama program. For many of the stu- gating and trusts that the creative team will do their
dents, it was their first exposure to theater arts. part. He has an expectation of excellence, and the
Moving to Georgia for his first teaching job, Eric students rise to the occasion every time.” Chorus
was a fifth grade teacher at Creek View Elemen- teacher, Lori Lahmann, shares Matt’s respect and
tary School (CVES) in Alpharetta. He expanded the admiration. “Eric is constantly enhancing the drama
after-school drama club, teaching them about the- program to make it the best it can be. The kids just
ater and putting on productions. His love for sharing love him.”
drama with students showed in his work, and his
productions earned the support and attention of the At the end of every school year, Eric offers the dra-
community. He received the Class Act Award from ma students a field trip to New York City. The four-
14 Co u nt yL in e | Fe br u a r y 2012 | www. Cou nt y L ineMagazine.net
day excursion includes Broadway shows, acting work-
shops, and behind the scenes encounters. It is an
amazing learning and life experience for the students.
Last year’s group also shared in a life-changing mo-
ment for Eric, when they filmed him proposing to his
girlfriend, Anna Galt, at the top of the Empire State
Building. Anna is a dance instructor and was also the
choreographer for RTMS’ production of the musical
Once on This Island, which took place last November.
In 2009, RTMS received their first invitation to the in-
ternationally acclaimed Junior Theater Festival. The
students performed in front of over 1,600 people at
this annual event, which attracts youth from all over
the United States. There were workshops for students
and teachers, guest speakers, and an opportunity to
perform. The weekend concluded with a visit to the
Fox Theater in Atlanta to watch a professional produc-
tion. They have attended each year and really enjoyed
the 2012 Festival that was held in January.
In addition to his commitments at RTMS, last year Eric
started his own theater company with partner Steph-
anie Wallace. The Red Phoenix Theatre Company is
a professional company that focuses on developing
young people in all aspects of theater arts. Students
gain a well-rounded view of how the theater works,
and also have the opportunity to hone in on specific
aspects of theater that interest them.
If you are interested in
Johns Creek real estate,
Spring semester will be a busy one for Eric, prepar-
Then you should be interested in us!
ing for the RTMS talent show, productions at the Red
Phoenix Theatre Company, his wedding to Anna, and
planning the annual New York trip. It’s a schedule he
thrives on, and certainly all pieces will fall into place in
remarkable fashion. This exceptional educator, direc-
tor and mentor beams with pride when asked about
his students, “The higher the bar is set, the more they
can achieve. The greatest compliment is when parents
watch a performance and tell me that they forgot they
were watching their own child.” He is grateful to the
RTMS administration and staff, and the support from
parents. “I could not do it without any of them.”
Cou n t y Li ne | Feb r u ar y 201 2
Sharing his love for drama is Eric’s life work, whether
he’s teaching drama in the classroom, directing the
drama club’s latest show, or working on a production
with the Red Phoenix Theatre Company. Eric’s enthusi-
asm for kids and all that is theater is beyond measure. The Cortjens-Ryan Team understands Johns Creek, lives
He is building a youth theatrical legacy at RTMS and in the community and can help you buy or sell a home
beyond. for the best value in this market.
Debbie Cortjens Liz Ryan
For more information about the Red Phoenix Theatre 770.331.6855 404.713.6023
Company visit www.redphoenix.org. dcortjens@comcast.net lizryan2@bellsouth.net
15
A Recipe f
16 Co u nt yL in e | Fe br u a r y 2012 | www. Cou nt y L ineMagazine.net
for Success
by Judy Le Jeune
photography by Mark Najjar
S
tudents at South Forsyth High
School (SFHS)—from those who
are considering a career in the
restaurant or hotel industry to those who
just love to cook—are benefiting from the
Culinary Arts program that is offered at
their school. The two year curriculum,
available to sophomore through senior
level students, has a waiting list of sev-
eral hundred students, who hope they
will have the opportunity to participate
in the program. Though the curriculum
is challenging, students sign up for the
program to have the opportunity to learn
from top-notch guest chefs, to cook in
the state-of-the-art professional kitchen,
to learn under the guidance of national
culinary organizations, to participate in
culinary competitions, to experience ca-
tering first-hand, to attend culinary ex-
pos, and to learn every facet of culinary
arts from the program’s instructor, Dawn
Martin, RD, LD.
Dawn, a registered dietician, is a Family
and Consumer Science teacher at SFHS,
and has been the instructor for the Culi-
nary Arts program since its inception in
2003. For several years, Dawn worked
as a certified diabetes educator at a local
hospital. She initiated a Diabetes Man-
agement Center at the hospital and a dia-
betes camp for children. Dawn shares her
expertise as a dietician with her students
Cou n t y Li ne | Feb r u ar y 201 2
17
and helps them to understand the relationship between eating the right foods and the
positive effect it has on good health. She is passionate about cooking and providing a
program for the students that is both educational and fun. Throughout the two-year pro-
gram, students learn everything about cooking—breaking down costs, measurements,
nutritional value, correct serving methods, food preparation, and experience cooking
recipes from appetizers to desserts. Though the core of the program is learning about
food preparation and service, for Dawn it is also about developing well-rounded stu-
dents, who are socially responsible and understand that giving back is an expected com-
ponent of the their experience in the program. “I graduated from Forsyth High School
and am so proud to be teaching at SFHS, giving back to the community that has given
me so much,” shared Dawn. “As the students are going through the program, I want
them to understand that they have a responsibility to bring the benefits of what they
have learned from this incredible opportunity that they were given, and to be prepared
to go out into the community and give back. My mission is to teach each student to be
a lifelong learner. My goal is to have them leave the program having confidence in their
cooking ability, know how to make healthy alternatives when cooking, have a strong
work ethic, relate well in a working environment with their peers and adults, and help
students pursue scholarship opportunities if they are interested in the culinary field.
Dawn makes these lessons in learning a part of every class, both in the classroom and
in the kitchen.
Always a favorite learning experience for the Advanced Culinary class, the students
recently completed the Baking & Pastry unit. This year, the final task for the unit—cre-
ating their best two layer, iced cake from scratch—was highlighted with a cake judging
contest that gave the first, second and third place winners the opportunity to have their
cake critiqued by a panel of expert pastry chefs, and to be featured on this issue’s cover
of CountyLine. The judges for the contest were: Hilmar Geiger, retired pastry chef and
instructor at Johnson & Wales; Chandra Roy, pastry chef at
the Ritz Carlton, Atlanta; and Laura Stieglitz, ProStart men-
Cake contest judges Hilmar Geiger,
Laura Stieglitz and Chandra Roy.
tor. “Learning all the elements involved in baking a cake is
a very useful skill in life,” said Dawn. “Most everyone has
occasions in their life to bake a cake.” The students learned
the purpose for each ingredient, how to balance flavors, the
time and costs involved, the right icing choice, and how to
ice correctly. The winners of the contest were: first place,
Brandon Martin; second place, Marin Wijma; and third place,
Matt Lins. The esteemed judges for this contest are just one
example of the guest chefs who participate in the program
by teaching skills and techniques through demonstrations
and sharing their expertise with the students.
“I am constantly overwhelmed at the number of chefs who
volunteer their time and talents to the students of the pro-
gram,” said Dawn. “We have had master chefs come to give
Photo by Judy Le Jeune demonstrations, which is an amazing experience for the stu-
dents. Chef Hilmar Geiger, who recently demonstrated his
recipe for apple strudel, has baked for presidents and celebrities. Gold Medal Olympic-
winning Chef Daryl Shular, CEC has also worked with our state winners to take them to
third place in the National ProStart Competition,” said Dawn.
The students also get first-hand experience working in local restaurants and catering for
events such as Concert in the Quarry, a white-table event serving over 800 guests. They
also cater for events at the Forsyth Conference Center, where the Culinary Arts program
is listed on the official list of caterers. They have many opportunities to cater for faculty
18 Co u nt yL in e | Fe br u a r y 2012 | www. Cou nt y L ineMagazine.net
and staff events in the Culinary Arts’ dining room. They took part in Flavors of Forsyth
the past two years and won “Best Dessert” at both events.
The Culinary Arts program works in conjunction with and under the leadership of ProS-
tart, a nationwide, two-year program sponsored by the National Restaurant Association
Education Foundation (NRAEF). ProStart has many opportunities that unite high school
students with the industry and develop students into tomorrow’s restaurant and food-
service leaders. At the state level, the program works with the
Hospitality Education Foundation of Georgia. These organizations
provide the students with numerous educational experiences, in- “I am constantly over-
cluding participation in competitions. Every year, students from the
Culinary Arts program participate in the National ProStart Invita- whelmed at the number
tional presented by the NRAEF. The Invitational is composed of two
competitions: culinary and management. In March 2011, students of chefs who volunteer
from the program entered the state level competition and took
part in both the culinary and management competitions. They won their time and talents to
first place in both divisions, which is the first time that any school
has won first place in both competitions. The task required for the the students of the
management competition entailed creating a business plan to start
a restaurant. The required components of the business plan were program,” said Dawn.
to create a concept for a restaurant, a floor plan of the interior, a
description of the décor, an organizational chart of the restaurant’s
staff, and to create a complete menu, including all recipes. The culinary competition is
divided into two parts—a 30-minute knife skills demonstration, making cuts that will be
used in the cooking, and preparing an entire meal, from appetizer to dessert, in only
60 minutes. The entire meal must be cooked using only two gas burners. The complete
three-course meal—appetizer, entrée with a starch and vegetable, and dessert—is pre-
pared by a 4-member team and an alternate, who must stand by and may not actively
participate unless needed to fill in for a team member. The team is observed and rated
by judges from leading colleges and universities on the following: safety and sanitation,
team work, flavor profile, presentation, professionalism, and the costing and recipe
book they prepare in advance. After winning first place at the state level competition,
the team representing SFHS went on to compete at the national level and placed third
among over 300 other students representing 41 states.
The ProStart competition at the state level is under the direction of Georgia’s ProStart
Executive Director Lee Gray. She is also an active participant in providing educational
opportunities and hands-on experience for the students of the Culinary Arts program. As
Dawn says, “Lee is the reason we are so successful. She has raised the bar for the entire
organization and, in doing so, she has elevated the opportunities that are provided for
our students and the teachers.”
“The program, with all its benefits for those students preparing for a career in the res-
taurant or hotel industry, is not just about the pathway to a career in culinary arts,”
Cou n t y Li ne | Feb r u ar y 201 2
said Dawn. “Whatever their future holds, each of these students will need to purchase
food, understand nutritional values for a healthy lifestyle, and most will prepare meals
for themselves and others. Graduates of the program have gone on to some of the best
culinary programs in the world, and many students now work at some of the finest res-
taurants and hotels in the country. I am very proud of them, but I am also proud of the
students who go in a different direction and use what they learned to enjoy cooking, eat
healthy and give of themselves to others.” The Culinary Arts program at South Forsyth
High School is a unique opportunity for the students to learn about every facet of culi-
nary arts from food preparation to serving to cleaning up and everything in between. It
is a recipe for success.
19
THE JOURNEY TO NORTHVIEW:
Chris Kemp’s Path
to Becoming a Titan
by Mathew Pattillo
CHRIS KEMP’S VOYAGE HAS BEEN LONG AND WIND- third party engineer on construction projects, in-
ING, BUT HIS ULTIMATE DESTINATION TURNED specting the job sites, and making sure construction
OUT TO BE EVERYTHING HE HOPED FOR. was going smoothly. However, he didn’t feel that
inspecting construction sites was his life’s calling.
Mr. Kemp grew up in Brunswick, Georgia, a city “I still wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do. It
rich with history and vibrant with life. He enjoyed a just wasn’t the kind of fulfilling work I was looking
childhood with a close proximity to the beach, which for,” said Mr. Kemp. Upon leaving United Consulting,
was walking distance from his home. Most of his Mr. Kemp utilized the other side of his multifaceted
young life was spent in Brunswick, until his family college education by working in a veterinarian clinic
moved to Washington, D.C. when he was fifteen. He for nearly a year. Several odd jobs followed until he
went to school for two years in D.C. until another returned to the engineering world working for the
family move brought him back to Georgia. Mr. Kemp firm Schnabel Engineering for three more years. His
finished his secondary schooling at Norcross High pleasant coworkers and steady job were satisfac-
School and graduated with the class of 1990. tory, but he found himself again plagued with the
feeling that it wasn’t his true calling.
Mr. Kemp’s education continued at Georgia Tech the
next fall. His future was still undecided, and after Then, after six years of college and six years in the
two and a half years, he transferred to North Geor- workforce, Mr. Kemp went back to school to earn his
gia College to pursue a degree in Biology. His ulti- Master’s in Education. From 2002 to 2003, Mr. Kemp
mate goal was to end up in medical school, but his worked at Georgia State University, and soon after
application was denied. He returned to Georgia Tech his quest to become a teacher began.
and earned a degree in Civil Engineering, finishing
off six years in college with two full degrees and After attending several job fairs and searching for a
a virtual ton of knowledge, ready to conquer the reasonable amount of time, he met Mrs. Bhardwaj,
working world. a Physics teacher at Northview and then Science
Department Chair. He interviewed, scored the job,
A company by the name of United Consulting hired and started teaching Physics in the fall of 2003. Nine
Mr. Kemp soon after he left Tech. He worked as a years later, and Chris Kemp is still teaching Physics,
20 Co u n t yL in e | Fe br u a r y 2012 | www. Cou nt y L ineMagazine.net
although he has expanded his teaching repertoire to It has been almost a decade since Chris Kemp
include AP Physics and Biology classes. started teaching, and his love for the classroom has
grown with his experience. Year after year, students
The indecision about his career vanished the second come and go, and leave Mr. Kemp’s classroom bet-
he stepped foot into the classroom. “Bell to bell, ter prepared for the world ahead of them. “Problem
class time is my favorite time of day. Each year I solving is an important skill, and physics teaches
get to interact with new students and try and instill kids how to problem solve,” said Mr. Kemp. “My
a passion for science in them,” said Mr. Kemp. “My goal is to instill in my students a curiosity about the
absolute favorite thing to hear is ‘Oh, I get it now!’ world, an appreciation of the world around them,
the moment when that light bulb goes off in a stu- whether they are interested specifically in physics
dent’s head.” or not.”
Although Mr. Kemp may have found his true call- As far as plans for the future, Mr. Kemp doesn’t see
ing in education, teaching is not the only activity in himself moving very far from the classroom. “Maybe
which he participates. He coaches the soccer and someday I’d be interested in a department chair po-
baseball teams which his daughter, who attends sition, but I don’t have very much interest in an ad-
Wilson Creek Elementary, plays on. He enjoys read- ministrative position. It’s the class time I enjoy the
ing a variety of subjects, from pop fiction to biogra- most,” said Mr. Kemp. After nine years, it seems like
phies, to further his own learning while he expands he found the kind of work he was looking for.
the minds of young adults. Scuba diving also holds a
special place in his heart, and is a favorite hobby of Mathew Pattillo wrote this editorial as an intern for
his. He is fully certified and has been diving all over CountyLine. Mathew is a junior at Northview High
the Caribbean, exploring the oceans in his free time. School. He is planning to major in English or Jour-
nalism in college.
Challenging, Lecture-based
Math and English Classes
— 1st-12th Grade Levels —
Classes held Tuesday-Friday 5-9:30pm Saturday & Sunday 9am-6:30pm
• Multimedia interactive teaching environment
• Strategies and tactics increase problem solving
skills, critical reading & writing skills
• Competition training-Our students have consistently
won Regional, State & National Competitions,
including AMC, Mathcounts, and Math Olympiad.
MATH INSTRUCTOR - ENGLISH INSTRUCTORS -
Cou n t y Li ne | Feb r u ar y 201 2
James Chen, Ph.D. (Math) Language Arts teachers are
has over 10 years of class- from local, high-ranking high
room teaching experience. schools.
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21
Paparazzi
HELEN ENG, DIANE PHILLIPS, JOYCE ROTH,
KAROLYN MCCORD, ALBERT ADESEYE LAURIE O’CONNELL, STACEY KOON
SCOTT KUGELMAN, FELICIA HOLDEN KATY & CLIFF ROBERTS
AMANDA MIERZEJEWSKI GUANGHUA, SITAN & JINGHONG YE CHEN
JUDY HENNING, MARY PETERSON RENEE BARTLEY, ALLISON & ANN HENLEY
22 Co u nt yL in e | Fe br u a r y 2012 | www. Cou nt y L ineMagazine.net
ZELDA & SERENA MCGANN IKE DURUIBE, WENDY COROSO
MARIA ARANZAZU HERRERA, MANUAL HERRERA, AVIS WINFIELD JOE HART, MARY ANN BUSH
AMANDA CHESTANG, RUSSELL KIRBY,
KAREN DUFFY NANCY SMITH, STACI BROWN
Cou n t y Li ne | Feb r u ar y 201 2
BENAE & KENDALL LAMBRIGHT, CHUCK GARDNER KEVIN GOSNELL, KIANA GANNAWAY, ARLENE PUSATERI
23
New Echota
Worcester House
New Echota
S TAT E H I S T O R I C S I T E
by Judy Le Jeune
photography by the Georgia
Department of Natural Resources
new echota Becomes the Cherokee nation’s Capital The Cherokee Phoenix,
elias Boudinot and Samuel Worcester
The early 19th century was a time of change and a new
era for the Cherokee. They discarded the traditional clan In 1821, a written form of the Cherokee language was
system of rule that they had been using and adopted a adopted. In 1828, this language was put to print in New
government system that was similar to that of the United Echota when a newspaper, the Cherokee Phoenix, went on
States. The Cherokee Nation was divided into eight dis- press in both Cherokee and English. The paper’s founding
tricts—Hickory Log, Chattoogee, Etowah, Aquohee, Chick- editor, Elias Boudinot, a Cherokee who was born near the
amaugee, Amoah, Tahquohee and Coosewatee. A legisla- New Echota site and formerly educated in Connecticut,
ture was established to make laws and approve treaties, returned to his homeland to start the paper in which he
and four delegates from each district were elected to serve expressed his view favoring removal of the Cherokees to
in the lower house that was called the National Council. a land west of the Mississippi. In 1939, after most of the
This body then chose the 12 members who would serve in Cherokee had been forced to Indian Territory (now Okla-
the upper house that was called the National Committee. homa), Boudinot was assassinated because of his stand
The National Committee then selected the top officers of favoring removal. Samuel Worcester, came to New Echota
principal chief, assistant principal chief and treasurer. In as a missionary to the Cherokee. He partnered with Elias
the fall of 1819, the Council began holding their annual Boudinot to establish the Cherokee Phoenix, securing
meetings in Newtown, a small community located at the funds to build the printing building and to purchase the
junction of the Coosawattee and Conasauga rivers in what printing press and ink. Worchester eventually moved to
is current-day Clark County. On November 12, 1825, the Indian Territory and continued his work as a missionary to
Council adopted a resolution to make this the Cherokee the Cherokees.
Nation’s capital and changed the name to New Echota.
The end of new echota
New Echota became the governmental seat headquarters as the Cherokee nation’s Capital
for the independent Indian nation. It was a planned com-
munity that was laid out by Cherokee surveyors. It had New Echota was the Cherokee capitol for approximate-
a two-acre town square and a main street that was 60- ly 10 years. In 1832, Georgia’s Sixth Land Lottery gave
feet wide. Most of the year, New Echota remained a small, Cherokee land to white settlers. The Georgia Guard moved
quiet town, but when Council meetings were held there, into New Echota and destroyed the printing press. Council
the town was filled with hundreds of Cherokees. meetings were moved to Red Clay, a town in what is now
24 Co u nt yL in e | Fe br u a r y 2012 | www. Cou nt y L ineMagazine.net
Tennessee, and only a few people remained
in New Echota. In 1835, a small group of
Cherokee signed the Treaty of New Echota
in the home of Elias Boudinot. They agreed
to removal in exchange for lands west of
the Mississippi River. The Treaty of New
Echota was used by the American govern-
ment to justify the removal of the Chero-
kee in what is known as the Trail of Tears.
New Echota Print Shop
The 50th Anniversary of
new echota State Historic Site
Following the removal of the Cherokee, New Echota was Visiting new echota State Historic Site
abandoned for over 100 years. In March 1954 archeolo-
gists from the Georgia Historical Commission began ex- The site, located in Calhoun, Georgia is approximately a
cavating this land and recovered and identified over 600 90-minute drive from Johns Creek. Remaining on the site
items that belonged to the Cherokee, including much of to visit are twelve original and reconstructed buildings,
the type that had been used to print the Cherokee Phoe- including the Court House, Print Shop, Samuel Worcester’s
nix. In 1957, the State of Georgia authorized the town of home, Vann Tavern and outbuildings such as smoke hous-
New Echota to be reconstructed as a State Park. The of- es, corn cribs and barns. The Visitor’s Center has books,
ficial dedication of New Echota State Historic Site was held music and souvenirs. The site is open Thursday through
on May, 12, 1962. A 50th anniversary celebration will be Saturday from 9am to 5pm. For more information, visit:
held on Saturday, May 12, 2012. GeorgiaStateParks.org/NewEchota or call 706-624-1321.
Embellish the
Beauty of Your Home
Inside and Out
Painting the exterior and interior walls of
your home is an easy, economical
way to maintain its value and
Cou n t y Li ne | Feb r u ar y 201 2
a quick and inexpensive way to
remodel rooms and exterior facades.
770-772-9677
or
678-230-3592
Visit our website: mendez-painting.com
5635 Preserve Circle • Johns Creek, GA 30005
Bonded & Insured • Complimentary Estimates • Local References
25
February is American Heart Month
Women, Be Heart Healthy at Any Age
Provided by: Northside Hospital
Y our risk for heart disease will change throughout your lifetime due to menopause, weight
changes, and the normal process of aging. Staying informed about your risk at every
age is essential to preventing heart and other vascular diseases such as stroke. Northside
Hospital, a leader in women’s health services, offers these tips to be heart healthy at any age.
Age 20-39: Age 40-49: Age 60+:
r Know your family history of r Talk with your doctor about r If you have heart or other
heart disease. If you have whether you should be vascular disease, make
a first degree relative with screened for diabetes sure your cholesterol, blood
premature heart disease (male pressure, blood sugar, weight,
r Keep a close eye on your
relative < 55 years; female and physical activity are all
cholesterol and blood pressure
relative < 65 years), then you at your heart-healthy goal in
as these can increase with
are at increased risk for heart order to prevent future events.
age.
disease.
r After the age of 65, low-dose
r Maintain a healthy weight and
r Have your cholesterol checked aspirin may be beneficial in
continue to exercise regularly
every five years and know preventing stroke and heart
(30 minutes at least five times
your ideal cholesterol level. attack. Talk to your doctor
a week).
about the risk of bleeding and
r Have your blood pressure
potential benefits of aspirin if
checked every two years.
Age 50-59: you are not already taking it
If your blood pressure is >
daily.
120/80, have your blood r Risk of heart attack and stroke
pressure checked every year. increases dramatically in your r Enroll in a cardiac
50s. Continue to monitor your rehabilitation program if you
r If you have any risk factors for
cholesterol and blood pressure have any cardiac event such as
the development of diabetes
levels. heart attack or heart surgery/
(i.e. history of gestational
procedure.
diabetes, overweight or obese, r Maintaining a healthy weight
family history of diabetes), becomes more difficult as
you may need a blood test estrogen levels decline during
to screen for the disease. menopause. Take extra care
Discuss this with your doctor. to eat healthy and exercise
r Do not smoke and stay away regularly.
from second-hand smoke. r If there is a family history
r Maintain a healthy weight. of aortic aneurysm, talk to
your doctor and consider an
r Get 30 minutes of exercise, at
ultrasound to screen for aortic
least five days a week.
aneurysm.
r Drink alcohol in moderation,
which is one drink per day.
26 Co u nt yL in e | Fe br u a r y 2012 | www. Cou nt y L ineMagazine.net
Create a Heart-Healthy Diet
Committing to a heart-healthy diet decreases your risk for cardiovascular disease
and strengthens your heart.
Why does food play a role in preventing heart disease?
Your arteries are like semi-flexible pipes that supply oxygen to the heart and allow
blood to flow throughout your body. When you are born, these pipes are clean
and clear, but over time, cholesterol and fat can harden and cause plaque buildup,
preventing oxygen from reaching the heart.
You can keep these pipes clean and prevent high blood pressure, stroke and heart
disease with these heart-healthy diet tips.
Learn more about
Think more plants, less animals. Fill your plate with veggies, fruits and heart health and
whole grains. Plant-based foods protect your heart without the negative effects cardiology services at
of fat. Look for alternative sources of protein such as beans instead of meat. Tip: www.northside.com.
Use frozen fruits and vegetables but avoid canned and processed products, which
tend to be higher in sodium.
• Watch videos from
Reduce sodium. Beware of hidden sodium found in packaged foods and
restaurant meals. Sodium can increase blood pressure. You can add flavor with
medical experts.
heart-healthy ingredients such as cinnamon, garlic, peppermint, berries and sage.
Tip: Talk to a dietician about lowering your sodium intake and chances for high • Read articles
blood pressure with the DASH eating plan. about prevention,
diagnosis and
Cook-in instead of dining out. Buy a cookbook with low-fat recipes and
learn how to make tasty meals without the added salt, fat or cholesterol. Look treatment.
for recipes that include heart-healthy ingredients such as salmon, soy, spinach,
berries, nuts, lentils, whole grains and avocados. Tip: Cook once, eat twice – • Find a doctor.
double the recipe and refrigerate or freeze the extra ingredients for future meals.
• Register for
Don’t skip meals. Starting your day off with breakfast helps prevent you
upcoming
Cou n t y Li ne | Feb r u ar y 201 2
from feeling famished at lunchtime, giving you more energy and helping you
make better food choices. Tip: Incorporate healthy snacks such as granola bars, screenings.
hummus, peanut butter and low-fat cheese to keep you from raiding the vending
machine in the afternoon.
Load up on Omega-3’s. Omega-3 fatty acids decrease risk of arrhythmias
(abnormal heartbeats), which can lead to sudden death, according to the
American Heart Association. In addition, these fatty acids found in fish, nuts and
leafy veggies, decrease triglyceride levels, decrease plaque buildup and can lower
blood pressure. Tip: To increase omega-3 consumption, consider taking a fish oil
supplement or add ground flax seeds to yogurt, oatmeal and baked goods.
27
Tennessee Aquarium
& Revitalized Riverfront
DayTrippin’
CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE
by Kathleen Kraynick
photography courtesy
of the Chattanooga
Area Convention
& Visitors Bureau
Just a two-hour drive from the Johns Creek area, Chat- the aquarium from behind the scenes and even touch
tanooga, Tennessee is a fun day or weekend destina- and feed the animals. An IMAX Movie Theater offers
tion, offering attractions and activities for adults and big-screen shows throughout the day and for outdoor
children. Chattanooga sits along the Tennessee River, fun, take a two-hour scenic cruise on the River Gorge
nestled in a valley among surrounding highlands. The Explorer, the aquarium’s new 70-passenger high-tech
vibrant downtown and riverfront areas offer a variety catamaran. Aquarium tickets are $24.95 for adults and
of dining and shopping options as well as open space $14.95 ages 3-12; children under 3 are free. Combo
to walk, relax or picnic. Park your car in one of the tickets offer a discount on added options.
garages around the city and walk to many downtown
destinations. The Downtown Electric Shuttle makes a CReATiVe DiSCOVeRy MuSeuM
loop from the Chattanooga Choo Choo to the Tennes-
see Aquarium, with stops every block in between. The Just a short walk from the Creative Discovery Museum
environmentally-friendly shuttle is free, wheelchair ac- Tennessee Aquarium, Cre-
cessible and runs about every five minutes, making it ative Discovery Museum of-
easy to see much of the city without driving once you fers a variety of fun, hands-on
arrive. Downtown Chattanooga must-see sites include: exhibits for kids – and the kid
in all of us. From clay sculpt-
TenneSSee AQuARiuM ing to digging for dinosaur
bones to creating a stage pro-
The Tennessee Aquarium, located on the banks of the duction to sailing boats, Cre-
Tennessee River, is the top-rated aquarium for guest ative Discovery Museum in-
satisfaction in the nation. Guests embarking on the spires learning through play.
River Journey (one of two aquarium buildings) will see The museum’s River Play
river otters, turtles, alligators, giant catfish and oth- structure provides 2 ½ stories
er freshwater creatures. The Ocean Journey delights of climbing adventures and
with penguins, sharks, stingrays and colorful reef fish. children age 4 and younger
The aquarium’s Butterfly Garden is a tropical paradise can explore the Little Yellow
filled with free-flying exotic butterflies from Central House garden. Special events
and South America. The Backstage Pass (additional and exhibits are featured
fee applies) gives visitors the chance to experience throughout the year.
28 Co u nt yL in e | Fe br u a r y 2012 | www. Cou nt y L ineMagazine.net
CHATTAnOOgA CHOO CHOO
One of the South’s most unique landmarks, the Chatta-
nooga Choo Choo is part history, part hotel and all fun!
Chattanooga’s former Terminal Station, built in 1908,
has been converted into a vacation destination offering
accommodations in one of 48 lavishly-furnished Victo-
rian-style train cars, as well as standard hotel rooms
and suites. Restaurants, shopping, pools and a conven-
tion center complete the complex. The Model Railroad
Rock City - Lover’s Leap
exhibit, at over 174 feet long with more than 3,000
feet of track and 120 locomotives, is one of the largest
in the world open to the public. ROCk CiTy
Rock City, located at the top of Lookout Mountain,
features giant ancient rock formations, gardens with
over 400 native plant species, and extraordinary pan-
oramic views. Kids in particular will enjoy the wooded
Enchanted Trail, Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose
Village.
Walnut Street Bridge
CHATTAnOOgA nORTH SHORe AnD
THe WALnuT STReeT PeDeSTRiAn BRiDge
Erected in 1890, the Walnut St. Bridge is the world’s
longest pedestrian bridge, connecting downtown Chat-
tanooga to the North Shore, a business district fea-
turing one-of-a-kind and locally-owned boutiques, res-
taurants, coffeehouses, galleries, salons and day spas.
Two parks share the shoreline as well. Coolidge Park
features a beautifully restored 100 year old carousel,
a pavilion, an interactive play fountain, the Outdoor
Chattanooga Center, and lots of open space. Through-
out the year the park is home to concerts, movies, festi-
vals, and special events. Renaissance Park is a 23-acre Ruby Falls
urban wetlands park, featuring nature trails with na-
tive trees, wildflowers, and river eco systems, outdoor
pavilion, a picnic area and public art. The North Shore RuBy FALLS
can also be reached using the free North Shore Shuttle,
which runs about every 15 minutes from downtown. Moving from the top of Lookout Mountain to deep in-
side, visitors will find Ruby Falls. This 145-foot waterfall
LOOkOuT MOunTAin inCLine RAiLWAy is located more than 1,100 feet below the mountain’s
Cou n t y Li ne | Feb r u ar y 201 2
surface and is reached by guided tour through Ruby
Called America’s Most Amazing Mile, Lookout Moun- Falls Cave. Along the way, enjoy cave formations in-
tain’s incline railway has been “wowing” tourists since cluding stalactites, stalagmites, columns, drapery and
1895. Climbing at a 72.7% grade, it’s the world’s flowstone.
steepest passenger railway, offering views of the sur-
rounding mountains and valleys from the train and the With so much to see and do, you’ll want to visit more
observation tower at the railway’s station atop Lookout than once, or plan a longer stay at one of the city’s
Mountain. The Incline Centennial Exhibits share the many hotels, to catch all the fun. Visit the Chattanooga
long history of this unique landmark. Note: the Incline Convention & Visitors Bureau at www.chattanoogafun.
Railway closed for maintenance in November 2011 and com for information, attractions and events, coupons,
is scheduled to re-open in early March. accommodations, and dining.
29
Calling All Poets
In honor of “National Poetry Month,” CountyLine is calling all poets
to submit their poems to be published in the April issue.
Poems will be selected for publication in two categories:
Students (elementary through high school) and Adults.
Please submit your poem by emailing it to: editor@countylinemagazine.net
Please include the following information:
Your name
Category: Adult or Student (include grade level)
Put “Calling All Poets” in the Subject line
Telephone Number
The deadline for submissions is February 15, 2012.
Poets chosen for publication in the April 2012 issue
will be notified by March 1, 2012.
Why Pay Too Much for Auto Insurance?
Johns Creek InsuranCe...
Your LoCaL Independent JOHNS CREEK www.johnscreekinsurance.com
InsuranCe agent
I N S U R A N C E
770-880-7656
When you work with an independent
insurance agent, you put the power of Forsyth County Annual Rate Comparison Chart
choice to work for you. Independent
Driver & Auto Allstate GEICO Nationwide State Farm
agents know a variety of insurance Profile
companies and their coverages,
$1078
• Wife, 35, Drives 2010
Honda Accord EX Sedan
which means more options for you.
• Husband, 37, Drives 2008 $1621 $1815 $1316 $1522
Chevy Trailblazer LS
Johns Creek Insurance
Fulton County Annual Rate Comparison Chart
3245 Peachtree Pkwy,
$1363
• Wife, 47, Drives 2009
Ste D 154 Dodge Grand Caravan SE
Suwanee, GA 30024 • Husband, 50, Drives 2010 $1560 $1597 $1470 $1507
Ford Taurus SEL
The Comparison Chart assumes coverage for Bodily Injury of $100,000/$300,000, Property Damage $50,000, Medical Payments $5,000, Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist BI
$100,000/$300,000, Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist PD $50,000. Deductibles of $100 on Comprehensive claims, $250 on Collision claims apply. Some rates may vary due to ZIP code. All
cars are driven to work less than 15 miles each way, with annual mileage of 12,000 miles. All cars are equipped with 4-wheel anti-lock brakes, dual airbags and passive anti-theft devices.
Account Credit, Loss Free/Safe Driver, and Multi-car or similar discounts are applied to all comparisons. Additional eligibility criteria varies by company. Chart based on the most recent rates
available by Quadrant Top Rate Comparative Rating Software as of 11/29/2011. Rates apply to new policies and may not include all ZIP codes in a given territory. This comparison uses our
Southern Insurance Company of Virginia Superior XL Auto Product.
Plus, you can save up to 10% on your homeowners insurance when we insure your car as well as your home.
30 Co u nt yL in e | Fe br u a r y 2012 | www. Cou nt y L ineMagazine.net
Do It Yourself
or Have Us Deliver and Install
Now is the Time to Fill in Thin,
Washed Out or Worn Areas in Your Lawn!
We install and sell Bermuda & Zoysia sod by the piece or the pallet.
— We have Shade-Tolerant Bermuda Sod —
BROWN MULCH RIVER ROCK BERMUda & ZOySIa SOd REd MULCH
Hardwood Mulch • Colored Mulch • Boulders • Top Soil • River Sand • Pea Gravel • Egg Rock
Pine Straw • Stepping Stones • Cut-Stone Steps • Flagstone • River Rock • Cross Ties
Small or Large…We Have What You Need to Conquer Your Yard!
770-844-1937
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1732 Peachtree Parkway • www.agls.us
Scott Allen & Roy Robersion Monday-Friday 7am-4pm Saturday 8am-2pm
Owners
Turn Your Ordinary Backyard into a Landscaped Paradise.
The experts at Robersion’s will help you design,
plant and build your dream landscape.
Landscape architect on staff for master plans
NOW IS THE TIME TO PL ANT TREES AND SHRUBS!
We fill and repair sinkholes
Fire Pits F Patios & Walks F Stacked Stone Walls
ROBERSION’S LANDSCAPING
Landscape Design F Consultation F Installation
770.886.0402
Serving Forsyth & Fulton Counties since 1991 • Locally Owned and Operated
1732 Peachtree Parkway www.robersionslandscape.com
The faster the recovery,
the faster you’re back
Emory Johns Creek Hospital offers the latest in minimally invasive surgery
through its da Vinci robot, helping you get better faster and back on the road.
Robotic surgery offers:
• Minimally invasive procedures, • Lower infection risks
including bariatric surgery, routine • Faster recovery times
and advanced gynecologic surgeries • Shorter hospital stays
• Reduced blood loss • Reduced pain and scarring
For more information, call 678-474-8200
or visit www.emoryjohnscreek.com.
32 Co u nt yL in e | Fe br u a r y 2012 | www. Cou nt y L ineMagazine.net
