LAKE ARROWHEAD

Transcription

LAKE ARROWHEAD

LAKE ARROWHEAD
February 2012
www.lapoaenvirons.com
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FEBRUARY 2012
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
4 LAPOA News & Information
Five Things I Love About February
Infrastructure Update
Lake Arrowhead Survey Recap
Abstract of Proposed Bylaw Changes
Beat the Freeze
8 Lake Arrowhead Sports
Skiing Anyone?
Sports As We Know Them…Or Do We?
Valentines “Couples” Scramble
12 Community Organizations & Clubs
A Meeting Point to Cultivate the Mind
Adopt a Valentine
Women’s Activities Club Annual Game Day
Plans Underway for Spring Fest 2012
Birthday Celebration to Share
Emergency Radios For Lake Arrowhead
A Year of Hell or Hope?
Glory to God in the Highest
Preventing Chimney Fires
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!
20 Nature
Protecting the Value of Our Lakes
Night Creatures
Christmas Fern
26 Travel
Getaway to Humberland Guest Ranch in Waleska
28 Community Interests
Keeping Kids Safe
Beat Out Cancer
The Love of Delores!
Cherokee Chorale Presents Spring Concert
SpringFest 2012
An Apple for the Teacher
Real Estate Update
Think Mardi Gras!
32 Your Health
Working Out Together
Inflammation
What is Your Word?
PAGE 20
PAGE 26
Articles for the Environs Magazine should be
sent to [email protected]
Environs is published FOR FREE by KDA Communications for the Lake Arrowhead
Property Owners Association. Please support the businesses that advertise to make
publishing your newsletter possible.
Environs is a publication of KDA Communications. Subject matter published is the opinion of the
author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher of this newsletter. Professional
advice should be obtained before making any decision in which a professional is readily available. Advertisers assume responsibility for the content of the ads placed in this publication. Material published
may not be reproduced without the written permission of KDA Communications.
The information and advertisements contained in this Newsletter are provided for the members of the
Lake Arrowhead Property Owners Association as a courtesy only. No representations are made as
to information presented, the quality of the goods or services advertised, or the veracity of the statements relating to the goods and services. The printing of opinions, information or advertisements does
not constitute an endorsement by the Neighborhood of such opinions, information, goods or services.
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FEBRUARY 2012 | ENVIRONS | PAGE 3
NEWS & INFORMATION
LAKE ARROWHEAD
Five Things I Love
About February
Lorrie Bryan, editor-in-chief
Published Monthly By:
The Board of Directors of the Lake Arrowhead
Property Owners Association (LAPOA)
486 Arrowridge • Waleska, GA 30183
Editorial Staff:
LAPOA-Managing Editor..............Larry Paz .............................678-493-2112
Editor-In-Chief........................................Lorrie Bryan..................... 404-226-6268
Sports Editor ............................................Rusty McCauley............678-234-3549
Graphics Editor ......................................Roger Dimsdale .............678-493-2475
Lake Arrowhead Property Owners Association:
President .....................................................Tony Rogowski..............404-580-3935
Executive Vice President ..............Tina Marie Mayr ............ 770-272-5388
Secretary/Treasurer ..........................Pitt Watts .............................770-721-7147
VP, Activities .............................................Robin Roberts..................770-720-2242
VP, Environment ....................................Tiffany Messier .............. 770-241-6321
VP, Information & Planning .........Larry Paz .............................678-493-2112
VP, Operations ........................................Curtis Ranum ..................770-853-9492
Community Organizations:
Crafters and Artisans .......................Tommy Simmons ..........678-880-6543
Chapel ...........................................................Debbie Johnston...........770-479-6090
Fire Department....................................Don Woodward...............404-274-4075
Sports:
Men’s Golf ..................................................James Hatcher ..............770-881-7549
.................................................................Sandy Reynolds .............770-704-7326
Women’s Golf..........................................Mervyn Paz ........................678-493-2112
Tennis .............................................................Alexander Mayr .............239-213-8322
Pickle Ball...................................................Don Wehe .......................... 770-345-9343
Boating..........................................................Capt. Rob James ..........770-887-7966
Features:
Carolyn’s Corner ...................................Carolyn Burkholder .....770-479-8336
Fitness ...........................................................Katrina Smith.................... 770-479-3791
Gardening...................................................Tom Walston......................770-479-5689
Medical..........................................................Dr. Craig Hoffman....... 770-345-4432
Health & Wellness ..............................Linda Hoffman...............941-228-4087
On the February Cover
This pen and ink drawing titled
Peaceful Waters is the work of
Lake Arrowhead artist Jim Bennett.
For more information, visit
www.jimbennettfineart.com
The Board of Directors of the Lake Arrowhead Property Owners Association (LAPOA)
is responsible for publishing the Lake Arrowhead Environs to provide information and
general knowledge concerning the affairs and activities of the community. The Board of
Directors shall have the right to select the editor who shall serve at the pleasure of the
Board. The Board reserves the right to establish policies concerning the content (news,
stories, articles, etc.) and the right to reject any advertising deemed inappropriate.
PAGE 4 | ENVIRONS | FEBRUARY 2012
1. Those intermittent warm sunny days - Just
when I think it’s never going to stop raining and
my feet will never thaw out, we get one of those
amazing clear-sky, 60 degree days—a prelude
to the beautiful spring to come. Naturally, we
all want to head outdoors, and we are fortunate
to have an abundance of opportunities to enjoy
the outdoors here. Boats get cranking, golf carts
start buzzing, and the trails and playgrounds are
busy places. Makes me smile…and everyone else
seems to be smiling, too.
2. Expansive views - When spring comes, the hardwood trees around my home will leaf out and obscure my lake view considerably. But for now, I
can see lots of brilliant sparkling water from my
porch. And in the woods, it’s hard to see the lay
of the land the rest of the year when the trees are
full, but in the winter you can note the hills and
dales, and catch a spectacular view of the Pine
Log mountains on the horizon. (Thank you, Jim
Bennett for the winter scene on the cover!)
3. Cozy evenings by the fireplace - There’s something inherently comforting about sitting by a
fire and enjoying all the flickering, crackling and
swirling scent of burning hickory. It’s also satisfying to start a fire and keep it going—seems to satisfy some primordial warrior woman urge. In no
time at all, it will be too warm to justify a roaring
fire—it’s just not right burning a fire with the airconditioning running. But in February, you can
count on some nasty days that are perfect for huddling and hovering around the fire. (Read fireplace
safety tips on page 18).
4. Food - One of life’s simple pleasures as well as
a necessity, warm food is especially wonderful to
prepare and consume on cold days. I enjoy making a soup or stew, letting it simmer for hours and
then serving up steaming bowls of hearty fare to
my friends and family members who are so cold
and hungry they scarf up my mediocre cooking.
You might not catch me in the kitchen at all during
the dog days of August, but in February, the kitchen is center stage and I am a Food Network star.
5. Holidays - We get to celebrate Groundhog Day,
Valentine’s Day, President’s Day and Mardi Gras.
OK, Groundhog Day and President’s Day don’t
get me too fired up. But Valentine’s Day is a
wonderful opportunity to spread some love (see
page 13) …I like to think of it as a random-act-ofkindness day. And Mardi Gras is a time to let the
good times roll. (For a taste of Mardi Gras, try the
recipe on page 32.)
Happy February!
NEWS & INFORMATION
Infrastructure Update
Curtis Ranum
• The residential street/road project remains unfunded.
• The 2012 paving priority is Jack Rabbit Drive.
• The 911 address marker project is still ongoing. This community service project will help “First Responders”
quickly find your home during an emergency. Please continue to place your orders (see the short notice at the bottom
of this page).
• LAYCC has issued requests for proposals for striping roads throughout the community. We will keep you apprised
of progress.
• Progress is being made on developing a new community map. We believe we have determined how it should be
printed. In the meantime, please check out Cherokee County’s website (http://gis.cherokeega.com) which includes
access to all county maps, including Lake Arrowhead. This site has geographical information about Lake Arrowhead,
including streets, lot numbers, etc.
• LAYCC is evaluating automatic security gate proposals for the north entrance. We will provide additional information
as it is available.
• LAYCC is holding discussions with Cherokee County Schools, Cherokee County Roads on installing a street light at
the north gate bus stop. We will keep you apprised of progress.
• All automobiles should have new 2012 decals. They are available at both gates.
Lake Arrowhead Survey Recap
Thank you all for your participation
in the Lake Arrowhead Survey.
Input and feedback are vital to our
community growth and we look
forward to the transformation and
changes in 2012.
Each question of the survey averaged
106 responses. The graph to the right
identifies the five questions with the
highest response rate. It also shows
the top three answers for each of the
questions.
The written comments to the survey
were most helpful and appreciated.
The Board is aware of the need to
refine or expand some of the survey
questions and seek further guidance
from the community.
Is your property properly marked in the event
Emergency Vehicles need to find your home at night?
LAPOA is offering reflective property markers for only $15 each.
To submit your order, go to www.lapoanews.org/911.html
You may order online or by mail.
NEWS & INFORMATION
Abstract of Proposed Bylaw Changes
Article
Section
Name
Content
I
1-3
Various
Take out word “Initially”. Change two classes to
“one” and remove “Class B”.
II
1
Place of Meeting
No Change
II
21
Annual Meetings
Delete: Annual . Meetings of the membership
shall be held quarterly etc. Add: The October
meeting will be designated as the Annual
meeting.
II
3
Special Meetings
No Change
II
4
Notice of Meetings
No Change
II
5
Voting List
No Change
II
6
Order of business
No Change
II
7
Quorum
No Change
II
8
Voting
No Change
II
9
Proxy
No Change
III
1-2
Number
No Change
III
2
Powers
No Change
III
3
Compensation
No Change
III
4
Management
No Change
III
5
Election
Delete: The member nominees must be in good
standing. Delete: and have been residents of
Lake Arrowhead for a minimum of two years.
III
6
Vacancies
No Change
III
7
Removal of Directors
Remove Class B
III
8
Organizational Meeting
No Change
III
9
Regular Meetings
Change telegraph to email
III
10-15
Various
No Change
IV
1
Generally
No Change
IV
2-5
Various
No Change
IV
6
Secretary
No Change
IV
7
Treasurer
No Change
IV
8
Assistant Officers
No Change
IV
9
Compensation
No Change
VI
6
Amendment
No Change
A complete copy of the current Bylaws may be viewed at www.lapoanews.org
Lake Arrowhead Property Owners Special Meeting
Saturday, February 18, 2012 • 10:30 a.m • Lake Arrowhead Chapel
Vote on Proposed LAPOA Bylaw Changes
NEWS & INFORMATION
Plans Underway for Spring Fest 2012
Save the Date — April 21st
Tina Marie Mayr
The winter has been mild so far with many sunny, soft-breeze days during the holidays and mild temperatures.
Spring is just around the corner. After my election to the board, I was assigned the task of planning activities for
Lake Arrowhead. So I approached LAYCC about conducting semi-annual festivals including a Spring Fest in
Lake Arrowhead to add some fun and interest for community residents, their friends and family as well as new
visitors. Survey results also confirmed community support for these types of events. So, for Spring Fest 2012 we
are proposing hosting 40-plus artisan exhibitors, food vendors, and an entertainment venue and children’s section
filled with a bounce house, games and activities.
LAYCC has approved and scheduled
Spring Fest for Saturday, April 21, 2012
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Great
Festival Park. Local businesses have
been contacted for sponsorship
and about 50 exhibitors have
been invited to participate
to date. The timeline to
receive applications back for
review is February 15. Lake
Arrowhead artisans are invited to
join public artisans on this “open to
the public” day.
A call for volunteers is now in process! We would
love to have a clown, juggler, some face painters or story
tellers in the kid’s section. We invite our Lake Arrowhead
teens and other talented community volunteers to sign up
for a two to four hour spot at various stations. If you have
a volunteer spirit and would like to join us to help with the
kid’s section, ticket counters, raffle booths, or as entertainment
organizer, please contact me at the email address below. There are
also sign-up sheets for these various open volunteer positions in the
lobbies of the chapel and inside the LAYCC’s administration office.
Sponsorship levels are available to promote your business. Donation
of a service/product/craft/art item to be raffled or placed into silent auction
at the LAPOA booth is a way to benefit your community if you don’t have
time for booth presence during the event. For sponsorship and exhibitor details
and application, contact me at [email protected], and I will be happy
to forward an application and answer questions.
As plans are firmed up,
details will be included here in Environs.
LAKE ARROWHEAD SPORTS
Skiing Anyone?
Rusty McCauley, Sports Editor
Its that time of year again! Bundle up and grab your best snow jacket, long johns and winter gloves—we’re going
skiing! I can personally attest to the fact that I love snow and enjoy barreling down the side of a perfectly good mountain.
Who doesn’t?
The biggest question is where. Where could a family go to find an affordable skiing location fairly close? For those
of you who are new to the area or new to the idea of skiing, check out these locations:
Cataloochee Ski Area (Three hours) Number of runs: 14 / Longest run: 3,500 feet /
Number of lifts: Three chair lifts, two conveyer lifts / Night skiing: Yes
(http://cataloochee.com/index-home.php)
Cloudmont Ski Resort (Two hours) Number of runs: 2 / Longest run: 1,000 feet /
Number of lifts: Two tow lifts / Night skiing: Yes
(http://www.cloudmont.com)
Sapphire Valley (Three hours) Number of runs: 2 / Longest run: 1,600 feet /
Number of lifts: One chairlift, one tow rope / Night skiing: Yes
(http://www.skisapphire.com)
So pack your bags and head for the slopes this weekend. Have fun and be safe!
(All are less than three hours from Lake Arrowhead. Please call your destination in advance.)
Sports As We Know Them…Or Do We?
Rusty McCauley, Sports Editor
How much do we really know about the sports we play or watch on television? Every
sport has its beginning in history, but it’s what we don’t know that makes them fascinating.
Every month I will give a brief history on a different sport. Get ready for some interesting,
intriguing and just straight-up weird facts about your favorite sports.
Soccer
Lets go back, way back…
The game now known as soccer can be traced
back to the second and third centuries. Evidence
supports that the Chinese, Romans and Greeks
played the first games.
The objective of the game hasn’t changed
much; move the ball down the field into a
designated area or net. Sounds a lot like our
modern version of soccer, except for a few minor
changes.
It was documented that the first ball used was
the head of a Danish brigand. That’s right, they
used someone’s head as a soccer ball! Besides the
fact that they used a human head for a ball, there
were many other uncommon practices. During
medieval times, soccer used to allow painful
practices like kicking, punching, biting and
gouging. Because of this, many games became
very violent and grew out of control.
King Edward III banned soccer in 1365
because of the continuing violence in the game.
King James I of Scotland also banned soccer in
1424.
Soccer as we know it today is drastically
different than its brutal past, primarily because
representatives of London’s soccer clubs and
schools met in 1863 to discuss fundamental rule
changes to control matches. This meeting resulted
in the formation of the Football Association.
However, within a few months, many supporters
of a more physical version of soccer left the
Association and formed the Rugby Football
Association.
Years of change have turned this sport into
one of the most popular sports today. Millions of
people watch every year, but only few know the
true history behind it.
(Find out more at www.all-soccer-info.com/)
History, the best remedy for the
modern day sports question. Without
it, no sport has meaning! Next Month
- Basketball
Valentines
“Couples” Scramble
at
THE HIGHLANDS COURSE
Date: Saturday, February 11, 2012
Time: 3:00 p.m. (Shotgun Start)
Special Rules:
• Nine-hole, two person scramble (couples only)
• Everyone plays from the Red Tees
• On all holes except the par 3’s, one person tees off with a driver (#1-wood) and the other with a
4-iron. Combine the two numbers for a “14”, which is Valentine’s Day of course.
• After the tee shot, use any club until the hole is finished.
• Each couple can use up to 3 mulligans. However, before using a mulligan, one person must first
receive a “kiss” from his/her partner.
Cost: $35 per couple (Golf club members)
$50 per couple (non-members)
Cost includes 9 holes of golf plus prizes.
For more information and to sign-up,
call or visit the Pro-shop: (770) 721-7900.
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COMMUNITY ORGANIzATIONS & CLUBS
A Meeting Point to Cultivate the Mind
Ridge Runner Reader Book Club
Article by Gina Sacasa-Ross • Photos by Dan Ross
Basically, a book club is a group of persons that read
the same title and author during a specific period of time.
Each one does it individually at his/her house and then
meet on a pre-set day and time to comment on what they
read. A book club is a good formula to better benefit from
reading because it makes the experience totally different
from when done in solitude.
The members of the Ridge Runner Readers have
been doing that since the club’s inception in May of
2008. An article posted by Al and Irene Reimer made a
plea in the Lake Arrowhead newspaper for readers, both
men and women, to come together and form a new book
club. The Lake Arrowhead Chapel was the designated
gathering place and it is there that the group continues to
meet the third Thursday of the month at 2 p.m.
It is a friendly group, and their smiles show that they
are happy to be there. They come to this meeting point to
cultivate their minds and to enjoy good company when
exploring the broad and marvelous avenues of that infinite
and fascinating world of literature. Their main purpose is
to share their opinions so the title read in common can
be thoroughly analyzed from different points of view.
Debates, visions, metaphors and messages discovered
in the book read give way to a new dimension of the
appreciation of the author’s work. It is enriching to learn
the thoughts of others in respect to a same text.
The Razor’s Edge by W. Somerset Maugham was the
last book read. Nell Miller led this discussion and even
provided a TV set so the members could watch excerpts
of the same scenes in two film versions: the 1946 version
featuring Tyrone Power and Gene Tierney and the 1986
remake starring Bill Murray and Theresa Russell. It
was interesting to compare the literary perspective with
its own style and resources with the cinematographic
peculiarities of two directors using audiovisual language
and techniques.
As a good finale to the meeting, since the novel was
set primarily in Paris, refreshments were served with a
very European flair, courtesy of Gina-Sacasa Ross. The
afternoon had quickly gone by, leaving the participants
with a sensation of having spent the time in the
worthwhile fashion of meeting with people who share
cultural concerns; hence, giving leisure a different flavor.
Members of the Ridge Runner Readers present at the meeting: Frances LePore, Wanda & Bill Daugherty, Maggie
Paul, Gil & Nell Miller, Irene & Al Reimer, Sara & Jerry Forthun and Gina Sacasa-Ross.
Adopt a Valentine
Rebecca Strobl
February is the season for celebrating Valentine’s
Day. Many will remember their spouses, significant
others, family members and friends in their expression
of love. The stores will be bursting with chocolates, heart
balloons, stuffed animals and a vast sea of cards. There will
be a portion of our community here in Lake Arrowhead
that will never receive any of these items, tender thoughts
or kind words. I think of those that have lost their spouse,
individuals with no children to care for them and those
caring for their very ill family members. Our community
is full of both young and mature individuals who often feel
so alone in their life’s journey.
A kind word, quick note, thoughtful card or brief visit
can make all the difference in their quality of life. Please
join me this month in looking for these precious people
and sending them some Valentine’s Day kindness. Let’s
do our part to adopt them as valentines and spread some
kind cheer throughout our community.
Women’s Activities Club
Annual Game Day
Highlands Club House
February 8, 2012
10:30 am - 2:30 pm
A buffet with two kinds of
soup, salad fixings and garlic biscuits
$12.50 per person
Coffee, tea and water will be offered and soft drinks
may be purchased. The day will begin at 10:30 a.m.,
and lunch will be served at noon.
Please send your check for lunch and
your game preference to Janik Leman, 117 Pinebrook
by Wednesday, February 1, 2012.
If your game preference is bridge, call Maggie Paul 678 493 0077.
Hosted by Sarah Castor and Maggie Paul.
Beat the Freeze
Rebecca Strobl
If you haven’t done so already, there is no time like
the present to prepare for the freezing temperatures. This
type of cold weather has hit our community fast and
furious over the last several winters. Your home, is the
most important place to prepare for the frosty weather. It
is helpful to take a quick inventory to see what items you
have in preparation for the freeze. Key winter items for
your home:
• Drinking water
• Multiple blankets
• Non-Perishable food items (freeze dried foods,
energy bars)
• Light source (wind up flashlights, head lamps,
flashlights, extra batteries to power them), *Heat
source (extra gas or wood for fireplaces, instant heat
packs and always REMEMBER FIRE SAFETY)
• Communication sources (internet, cell phone,
TV, wind up radio to hear news when no power
is available). Ensure that all these items are in a
central place in your home where everyone in the
family knows their location and they are easy to
access.
The next place to prepare is your vehicle. Most of us
commute often out of Lake Arrowhead for shopping, work
or a variety of other reasons. We can easily find ourselves
caught on the road away from home in severe conditions.
Key winter safety items for your cars:
• Blankets, knit hat, gloves
• Flashlight, whistle,
• First aid kit, instant heat pack
• Bottles of water, non-perishable food
• Charged cell phone
It is also helpful to always let a loved one know when
you are leaving and what your final destination is when
traveling by car. This can assist Fire, EMS and Police
personnel in locating you in the event your vehicle goes
missing.
It is important to realize that when the roads are icy
or snowy here in Lake Arrowhead, often the safest place
for us all is in our homes. Please keep travel to an absolute
minimum during these winter storms so that you do not
become injured or injure someone else on the treacherous
roads. Keep an eye on weather reports and be proactive in
your shopping and traveling. This way when the weather
strikes, your cabinets are fully stocked and your family is
safely waiting in your home for the ice to melt.
Thank you for taking time to consider your level of
readiness for severe winter weather. Let’s all work together
to make Winter 2012 the safest one in Lake Arrowhead
history.
Birthday Celebration to Share
Article and Photo by Ellen Reagan
A birthday celebrated with cakes and friends AND gifts make for a very special day!
Laura Snyder celebrated her birthday but with a difference. Laura made the cakes and
coffee and invited the WAC membership to help her celebrate.
The BIG difference is that the gifts were brought for the Cherokee County Violence
Center. What a pleasure to see gifts of furniture, kitchen appliances, tools, bath linens,
bedding items, and decorative items to assist those in hoping to start anew with some
gifts of others.. Many husbands and wives were all delighted to share in the opportunity
to help furnish up to 20 apartments for battered women.
If an opportunity presents to help again, we want to be there.
Success is never final... Failure is never fatal...
It is the courage to continue that counts
What’s All This About Emergency Radios
For Lake Arrowhead?
Bob Johnston
When an emergency or disaster hits, clear and effective communications between the responding groups
is key to saving lives, dealing with the disaster recovery,
protecting property, and minimizing impact to the environment. One of the biggest challenges facing a community during the disaster is the ability to communicate between key groups involved in responding to the disaster.
Some responder groups can communicate within
themselves but not with other groups:
• Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services
and Lake Arrowhead Volunteer Fire Department.
• The LAYCC property management (maintenance and security),
• The Water Utility Department
• CERT (via cell phone only)
If the CERT Team notices there is a tree blocking
a road that an emergency vehicle needs to travel on to
get to a fire or personal emergency, the CERT Volunteers cannot communicate with the fire department or
security or Lake Arrowhead Property Management to
let them know about damage within their neighborhood.
The issue is “interoperability” or the ability of all organizations responsible for working together in a disaster
to communicate effectively and reliably with one another. It’s a serious and complex issue in all disasters. It’s a
major problem for Lake Arrowhead as identified during
recent disaster planning discussions between the various
groups within the community including LAPOA, LAYCC,
CCFES/LAVFD, LA Utilities, Security, Cherokee County
Emergency Management, and Lake Arrowhead CERT.
The solution is for representatives of the groups to have
the ability to communicate with each other on the same system and radio frequency. We can’t always count on landline
phones to be available after a disaster and cell phones don’t
give the ability for all responders to hear what’s going on
with the “big picture”.
The key responders need the ability to immediately
communicate with one another and know what’s going on
across all of Lake Arrowhead - whether it’s a disaster event,
a Santa Parade, the 4th of July Celebration, a hazardous
materials spill, fallen trees or abandoned cars on icy roads
blocking key emergency routes, or some other event than
requires responding groups to work together for the benefit
of the Lake Arrowhead Community.
If we’re all trying to respond to multiple incidents
across Lake Arrowhead and outside resources can’t get
into the community because of blocked or icy roads, the
challenge becomes greater. While we’re waiting for outside resources to get here, we need the ability to work the
situation with existing resources inside the gates. Having
the communications capability between all the groups is not
just convenient - it’s essential.
The purpose of the Lake Arrowhead Emergency Radio Fund is to solve the interoperability problem through
the purchase of 20-25 commercial grade UHF hand held
radios and a “repeater” station that would blanket Lake
Arrowhead with reliable radio coverage. The handhelds
would always be in the possession of Lake Arrowhead Security, Lake Arrowhead Property Management,
LAVFD, Lake Arrowhead Utilities, Lake Arrowhead CERT teams, and a reserve of radios
would be issued at the time of a specific disaster to the acting Incident Command. The
system can be expanded further as the need
arises.
The intent is, if possible, for the system
to be set up so it can also be used to communicate with County Emergency Services and
CERT resources from outside Lake Arrowhead when needed.
If you contribute $10, $50, or $100 or
more, LAPOA will match your contributions
and those of other community members up to
a maximum of $2,000. We’ve collected a little over $1000
so far so we’re on our way to funding the handheld radios
which will get us started but we’ll need to add in the “repeater” to increase the reliability and reach of the communications “blanket”.
The cost of the initial package of 20 radios and the
repeater along with all the supporting equipment is about
$6,000. If the community and groups can raise a total of
$4,000 and LAPOA provides the matching $2000 in funding, we can accomplish our plan. Our desire is to raise the
funding as quickly as possible so even over the next month
or two, the community can be ready to respond to winter
storms (remember last year?) and be well prepared for any
tornado or severe weather impact in the Spring as the new
season begins.
Please send your check in any amount to “LAPOACERT Radios” - 486 Arrowridge, Waleska, GA 30183.
Thank you for your support and for helping our community,
little by little, become better prepared to deal with emergencies.
If you’d like to know more about our plan, details
about the radios, who would use them, how they would
work, etc. - please call me. Bob Johnston - 770-479-6090 or
[email protected].
Our thanks to Mike Bentley who is a Lake Arrowhead homeowner and owner
of RF Services, Inc. - one of the largest commercial radio communications distributors in the Southeast for their assistance in preparing our plan, offering the
radio system to us at substantial discount, and providing all the set up services
as his contribution to our community emergency preparedness effort.
A Year of Hell or Hope?
Article and Photo by Pastor Lee C Powell, LA Chapel
We are enveloped completely in the new year
at this point, however, it seems the ‘jury is still out’
concerning what type of year this will be. While we
all hope that 2012 will be better, many believe it will
be worse. Consider this: Gerald Celente, president of
Trend Research Institute, predicts, “This year is going
to get worse because conditions are deteriorating much
more.” Both the Mayan calendar and the book I Ching,
one of China’s oldest books, declare 2012 as the end of
civilization. Listening to the news, watching politicians,
and bemoaning the latest stock market hiccup are enough
to make us all become depressed and despondent. What
can we expect?
and the number 12 is no exception. The Bible tells of
12 tribes of Israel, 12 disciples, 12 fruits of the Spirit,
12 gates and the list goes on and on. The significance
of this number in scripture is that of ‘God’s rule and
God’s perfect order’. Revelation 21 in describing God’s
kingdom uses the number 12 no less than 9 times in a
few short verses. If you believe that there is a God that
is in control of all things, then maybe we ought to take
encouragement that we are entering into the year 2012.
Don’t Trade What You Know…
Sometimes in life there are things that seem to have
no plausible answer. Like Charlie Daniels’ song, “The
Legend of Wooly Swamp,” there are “some things in this
world you just can’t explain.” Insanity would surely
overtake us if we tried to answer the entire ‘why’s’ that
life throws at us. It is at times like this that we should
take the wise man’s advice: “Don’t trade what you know
for what you do not know!” I do not know what the
market will do or what the future holds, but we do know
who holds the future. Regardless of how 2012 plays out
in the coming days and months let us hold on to what we
do know:
• God is in control. (Psalm 103)
• God is good. (Psalm 34)
• He has a plan for your life to give you hope.
(Jeremiah 29:11)
2012
Could it be significant that we are in the year 2012?
In the Bible many of the numbers have special meaning
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Scratched on the wall of a cave in Cologne, Germany
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believe in God, even when there is silence.” Again, I do
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hold on to what I do know about God and that gives me
great courage, hope and peace.
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Glory to God in the Highest
Remembering Christmas
Article and Photos by Pastor Lee C Powell, LA Chapel
The chapel was electric with energy, and camera
flashes danced across the walls as Lake Arrowhead
Chapel’s J.O.Y. Kids assembled on stage. The singers
dressed in holiday colors, enhanced by a wonderful
Christmas set complete with stable, animals, wise men,
angels and a few shepherds, set the stage for a spectacular
anthem of praise celebrating Messiah’s birth.
Directed and choreographed by Debbie Johnston
and Missy Labato the J.O.Y. Kids delighted the standingroom-only crowd with the musical “Glory to God in the
Highest.” Both old and new Christmas carols and hymns
reminded all of Christ miraculous birth. Following the
program, a reception was held for both the performers
and the audience.
It was such a well done production that all left the
chapel thinking, “Glory to God in the Highest”!
Debbie Johnston directs “Glory to God in the Highest”
Lake Arrowhead Chapel’s J.O.Y Kids excite the crowd
singing “Joy to the World”.
Angel Madison Elbe sings along with shepherds Max Tyler and Asa
Powell of the Savior’s birth.
Preventing Chimney Fires
Lawrence Gruszecki, LAVFD Chief
First of all, if you suspect your chimney is on fire, exit the house with your family and pets. Assemble at your
rally location while you call 911. Chimney fires have occurred here in Lake Arrowhead, and residents who use their
fireplaces to burn wood are encouraged to verify that their chimneys are in good working order.
The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) defines a chimney fire as a fire within the venting system of
fireplace. The vent system is typically called the flue and can be of masonry or metal construction. The CSIA certifies
chimney sweeps. The certification program is dedicated to the safety of chimney and venting systems, and to the
elimination of residential chimney fires as well as carbon monoxide intrusion, and other chimney and vent-related
safety hazards.
Our CCFES offers the following fireplace safety tips:
Proper Maintenance of your chimney and fireplace:
Use a certified chimney sweep to inspect, clean, and repair your solid fuel venting system annually. There are
seven CSIA certified chimney sweeps within 20 miles of Lake Arrowhead. Contact information for the sweeps
is found on the CISA website. Your sweep may have other maintenance recommendations depending on how
you use your fireplace or stove.
Pointers for a safe fire: Here are some ways to avoid a chimney fire.
1. Use seasoned woods only (dryness is more important than hard wood versus soft wood considerations).
2. Build smaller, hotter fires that burn more completely and produce less smoke.
3. Never burn cardboard boxes, wrapping paper, trash or Christmas trees; these can spark a chimney fire.
4. Install a stovepipe thermometer to monitor flue temperatures so you can adjust the amount of wood.
5. On a regular schedule, inspect and clean catalytic combustors if they are a part of your fireplace. Never
leave a fire unattended.
What to do if you have a chimney fire:
1. Call 911 so our fire personnel and engines are in route.
2. Send your family and pets outside to the family rally location.
3. If it appears that you have time, carefully place a commercial chemical extinguishment agent into the
fireplace or wood stove.
4. Also, starve the fire of oxygen by closing the glass doors on the fireplace or closing the inlets on a wood
stove.
5. If this does not control the fire, exit your house and join your family.
What will our fire fighters do to control the fire?
The techniques used depend on the type, size, and location of the fire. Often, a chimney fire is extinguished by
removing the burning wood from the fireplace. Our fire fighters will check for “hot spots” with the LAVFD’s
Thermal Imaging Camera to ensure the fire has not extended into the spaces between walls or in attics.
Thanks are extended to Tim Cavender, editor of the CCFES’s Fire Wire, for information in this article. You can find
additional information on the CSIA website at www.csia.org. It is a recommended resource of our Cherokee County
Fire and Emergency Services (CCFES).
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NATURE
Protecting the Value of Our Lakes
Article by Tiffany Messier • Photo by Lorrie Bryan
All of us enjoy the intangible benefits of living in a pristine wilderness lake community. The views are breathtaking
and there is an increased quality of life inherent with living in a beautiful natural environment. Lakeshore property is
in high demand based on the amenities and benefits it provides the community as a whole. The value of lake property
is directly tied to the quality of the lake, and as homeowners we need to know what we can do to protect and maintain
the value of our lakes.
The importance of the lake lies with the homeowners as much as it does with the future development at Lake
Arrowhead. Lake ecosystems support complex and important food web interactions and provide habitat needed to
support numerous species. The lakes and streams are also the cornerstone of our community and provide countless
recreational opportunities—like hiking, boating and golfing. Lakeshore habitat is the key to understanding the
NATURE
Protecting the Value of Our Lakes - continued
importance of the overall condition of the lake. This habitat includes the trees, shrubs, and tall grasses that grow along
the shore of the lake and overhang the water. This shoreline vegetation protects the lake from the effects of polluted
runoff, stabilizes the soil along the lakes edge, and provides habitat shelter, food and cooling shade for fish.
Exposure from copious amounts of rain and wind carry soil from our streams to our lakes. The soil carries with
it pollutants such as oil and gas, chemicals, fertilizers, animal waste, and bacteria, which threaten our water quality.
Nature slowly wears away land; however, human activities increase the rate of erosion 200, even 2,000 times more.
For example, a construction site that is not properly maintained and exposed to nature’s elements creates a risk of major
surface runoff—materials are carried into our culverts, food channels and streams. This can cause damage to habitat
and diminish the recreational value of our lake. So, a natural lakeshore does more than help the water quality of the lake
and the quality of its habitat; it helps maintain the community’s property values. Lakefront property generates millions
of dollars of revenue. There are many studies that indicate that when water clarity decreases, so does the lake property
value.
Many homeowners are unknowingly harming the lakes by replacing
natural lakeshore vegetation with lawns, clearing out submerged logs and
branches at the water’s edge, cutting down trees to create a better view, and
armoring the shoreline with concrete or wooden bulkheads. Vegetative and
bioengineering solutions stabilize the shoreline, provide sufficient aquatic
life and create beautiful landscapes of varied textures, colors and flowers.
These types of shorelines can prevent lawn runoff and uptake nutrients prior
to entering the lake. As a bonus this uptake of nutrients reduces algae growth
from occurring during the summer months. As homeowners we should
take pride in our investment. Whether you live on the lake or just use it for
recreational use, here are some tips for protecting our lakes and streams.
1. Educate yourself about clean lakes and environmentally-friendly
landscaping techniques that reduce the need for chemicals.
2. Learn about the health and water quality of our lakes.
3. Research nurseries or landscapers who sell native trees, shrubs and
flowers.
4. Minimize the size of your lawns and nurture trees and natural shoreline
vegetation.
5. Use “landscaping techniques’’ that will reduce runoff and improve the
health of the lakes such as rain gardens.
6. Use environmentally-friendly building techniques.
7. Share information with your neighbors about lake clean-up and
protection programs.
8. And do your part as a homeowner to protect and increase the value of
your property and the lake.
The bottom line is the quality of our lakes affects each of us financially.
I encourage everyone to get involved—we need to protect our investment
and the future of Lake Arrowhead. This is a very important issue and should
not be taken lightly. So let’s move forward as a community and fight for the
beautification of Lake Arrowhead.
Tiffany is a LAPOA Board Member and heads up the Environmental committee.
NATURE
Night Creatures
Article by Vic Ritter • Photos by Primos Game Camera
Have you ever wondered what creatures visit your
yard after dark? Nocturnal creatures that my 24/7 game
camera has revealed include whitetail deer, raccoons,
opossums, domestic cats, and a gray fox. Additional
nocturnal animals in this area include brown bears,
coyotes, and wild pigs. Some of these night creatures are
pictured below.
Also of interest is the buck with non-matching horns.
This deer has been visiting my back yard since he was
a fawn three years ago. Last year he had a single horn
with no points on the left side of his head. This year the
horn on the left side has grown three points, and a second
single horn has appeared on the right side. This deer
appears to be healthy judging by his fur and weight.
Of particular interest are the buck with velvet on his
horns and the spike buck with velvet horns. The horns
grow naturally with velvet on them. The bucks then rub
the velvet off of their horns by rubbing them against
trees. Attached is a picture of a tree in my back yard that
a buck used to rub the velvet off of his horns. Do you
have any trees like this in your back yard?
These pictures were taken with a Primos game
camera that I purchased at BassPro.com for $79.97. The
pictures are each stamped with the date and time that the
animals appeared. I will share other pictures with you in
future copies of Environs. Anyone in Lake Arrowhead
who is interested in this low cost and interesting hobby
is invited to submit their back yard pictures to Environs
also.
Big Buck with Velvet Horns
Tree Rubbed by Buck
Spike with Velvet Horns
Buck with Non-Matching Horns
Buck with Non-Matching Horns
Two Bucks
Buck
Buck
Racoon
NATURE
Lake Arrowhead’s Native Plants
Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides)
Article by Lorrie Bryan • Photos by Tommy C. Simmons
You can’t help but notice the Christmas Ferns when
you take a walk through the woods these days. They are
one of the few green plants growing on the forest floor
during the winter. Traditionally used by florist for wreath
making (thus the name), it is an evergreen fern and is
native to eastern North America from Nova Scotia west
to Minnesota and south to Florida and eastern Texas.
It is one of the most common ferns in eastern North
America, and can be found in a wide variety of habitats
and locations. The fronds are pinnately compound,
meaning there is a central axis with the individual leaflets
(pinnae in fern lingo), produced at right angles down its
length. The pinnae can be up to 2 inches long, but get
proportionally smaller as you move down the midrib.
Typical pinnae have a thumb-like lobe at the top, giving
it a mitten-like or L-shaped appearance.
Paula Powers
REALTOR®
Cell 404-580-1462
Georgia Realty
1431 Riverstone Pkwy., Ste. 110
Canton, GA 30114
Cell
404-580-1462
FPA
770-720-7587
Bus
770-720-1400
Direct Fax 678-387-6259
[email protected]
An indepentently owned and operated member of Prudential Estate Affiliates, Inc.
TRAVEL
Getaway to Humberland Guest
Ranch in Waleska
Article and Photos by Michael Rogers
I enjoyed reading John Chastain’s article on the Grand Canyon trip
with the Heppels in the January travel section. It got me thinking about our
own local North Rim. As background, you have to know Vickie, she loves
the outdoors and all the activities you can imagine: horse-back riding, golf,
fishing, tennis and water-skiing. Her biggest complaint is our vacations are
never vacations for her because I keep her in the kitchen, I love her cooking!
I remembered reading an article in a local magazine about Humberland
Guest Ranch in Waleska where you can enjoy multiple vacation packages
tailored to your own desires. I booked their romantic vacation package for a
surprise pre-New Years Eve vacation for Vickie…and yes me. We had no idea
what to expect.
Upon arrival, we meet one of the owners, Brigitte Humber coming down
the driveway on her four-wheeler to lead us to our secluded cabin. We went
inside and were enjoying the views when in walks her husband, Dr. Ken
Humber, to get the woodstove started for us. Still unsure about what exactly
we are in for or who these people are, he told us to be down at the barn in a
few minutes for our guided ride into the mountains. There we were met by
our guide, Raeanne Fleming, who it turns out is a young woman who went to
Cherokee High School with our oldest daughter. She was very helpful and
promised there would be no running—which is always a problem for me. (It’s
a guy thing!) Our ride started at the barn, went around the lake then up into
the mountains—not just any mountains, but our own Pine Log range.
Raeanne explained how each time she takes us out she will take a different
path giving us a unique experience each time. We stop on the top of one ridge
and get a picturesque view of Lake Arrowhead that is breathtaking. To the
right is Pine Log mountain top and to the left is the lake. Vickie continued to
get all the particulars of Raeanne and the Humbers. As we continued on our
journey, Vickie and Raeanne talked about how we were the only customers
that will be here during our stay. ( Ken and Brigitte feel it is important to make
everyone feel as though they are having an exclusive and unique vacation.)
When we returned to the ranch, Bigitte was cooking our dinner in Dutch
ovens over hot coals in a beautiful outdoor kitchen overlooking the lake. We
talked and socialized with her and Ken while she continued to cook our meal,
and by the end of the evening we had made two new friends who are truly
wonderful entertainers. By night’s end, Ken and Brigitte sang, played guitars
and keyboards by the open fire—it made for one of the greatest evenings of
our lives. We spent the following day skeet shooting, target shooting and
fishing as we continued to get to know our new friends.
We started our vacation looking forward to the many amenities
Humberland Guest Ranch offers, but in the end the best part of our vacation
came down to the people we met and became friends with. I guess that’s what
life with Vickie is like—we always find interesting and fun places to visit, but
with the Humber family it took on that extra special twist, friendship!
If you are looking for a great adventure close to home, you
have got to give them a call. You can reach the ranch at
770-479-7895 or www.humberland.com.
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COMMUNITY INTERESTS
Keeping Kids Safe
Kidz ‘n Power
Tina Marie Mayr
Lake Arrowhead parents and
their kids, age 3 to pre-teen, joined
together on December 29 at the Club
to focus on our kid’s and their safety
in today’s challenging surroundings.
Scott Murphy from Canton ATA
Martial Arts directed the program with
his wife Brandy assisting, and both
were dynamic in presentation. Scott
and Brandy are deeply committed and
philosophically motivated to share their
education, time and energy at no cost to
Canton and surrounding communities
after the recent Canton incident. The
program is called Kids ‘n Power, and
it was developed by the FBI and ATA
together to combine both stranger
danger with self defense techniques for
optimal effectiveness.
A Glimpse at Kids ‘n Power
1. Code Words: Code words are established between parent and child to be a security system word
that another adult needs to know so the child can be secure in going home with that adult. If the code word is
not revealed, then the child knows that they were not sent to them by their parent and they should seek help
immediately.
The code word can be supplied to another parent to pick a child up from sports practice, friend’s house,
etc. if the adult cannot be present for some emergency reason.
2. Use your voice, hands, and feet in emergency: When a stranger approaches and is aggressive after a
child has refused to go with them or they approach the car using various tempting tactics, then a child should
yell for help. The child can cry out at top vocal ability, “You’re not my mom, help, you’re not my dad, go
away,” as well as scream to create enough noise to alert neighbors, teachers and friends, to the emergency.
The child can use ATA self-defense techniques to stop or deter a stranger via carefully learned approaches
like direct force to the nose (which also often disrupts vision by causing tears in the eyes) a dual hand slap to
the ears, direct force to the stranger’s eyes, feet, groin, knees, neck or head as some target zone regions that
Scott Murphy teaches the children.
Kids in the Safety Program at the club watched video instruction and practiced both vocal and ATA selfdefense techniques. Scott and Brandy strongly emphasized the difference between using forceful techniques
on strangers rather than brothers and sisters at home! They also reminded children that strangers can be
someone you see everyday but do not know well. They advised the kids not to play alone outside, but instead
with a friend or group of friends and best with parent supervision. Parents were reminded that it is our job to
know where our kids are to the very best of our ability and to not be too careful in this time we live in.
Special thanks to Scott and Brandy for their devoted time to present this vital information to our community.
If you missed this program, you can attend one of their upcoming free public presentations on Child Safety: Kidz
‘n Power at another location by calling them to register or discuss further details at 678-880-7033 or visiting
www.CantonATA.com.
As a follow up to their program, I will be holding a child safety awareness get together on February 25 at 1
p.m. with take-home finger printing kits. For those interested in attending, please contact me at tinamariemayr@
yahoo.com.
COMMUNITY INTERESTS
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
COMMUNITY INTERESTS
The Love of Delores!
Another Happy “Tail”
Vivian and Bill Matheson (submitted by Ann Keizer)
Gracie, aka Delores, poses
regally on her plush pillow.
Just call us a couple of softies when it comes to
abandoned or lost dogs. There have been so many
wonderful rescue dogs in our lives, and we loved them
all. But, when our last dog, Biezi, died, we decided there
would be no more dogs for us. It was just too hard to let
them go when the time came. Besides, facing retirement
meant time to travel and do whatever we wanted. A dog
might hamper our new adventures—that thought didn’t
last long.
Once we settled into our new home here in Lake
Arrowhead, we knew that the Matheson family just
wouldn’t be complete without a dog. So off we went to
several shelters looking for our forever dog. And, we
found her at the Cherokee County Animal Shelter in
Canton. We looked over a number of dogs there. We were
allowed to take each one outside into a fenced-in area for
playtime. Then we were shown into a living room area
where we sat on a couch and played with each dog so we
could see their different personalities.
Eric, a CCAS employee, told us there was a newly
admitted dog, a 15-month-old Basenji mix they named
Delores (What a strange name for a dog!), a 45-pound
bundle of pure doggie love. She immediately licked our
fingers as we stuck them through the wired cubicle. She
looked at us intently with her gorgeous big brown eyes.
Her coloring and her sweet demeanor reminded us so
much of our Biezi that we were immediately hooked.
After the appropriate waiting period, we completed
the adoption paperwork, put her new leash on her neck
and walked her out to the car. She jumped into the back
seat as if she knew it was hers. I climbed in next to her
for the ride home. She quickly dropped down beside me
and snuggled up very close with her head in my lap. Once
home she sniffed around a bit and then headed straight
for the newly purchased large pillow bed we had put in
the living room for her and took possession. Delores,
now Gracie, was home and our family was complete.
The CCAS really loves their animals. The staff is
so encouraging and helpful and did their best to get us
together with the right dog. They have volunteers who
come in regularly to help care and socialize the many
dogs and cats awaiting their forever home.
I would love to hear about your Happy Tails. Please contact me at [email protected], subject “Happy
Tails” or 770-720-8854. Check out the CCAS adoptable pets at http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/GA460.
html.PetSmart in Canton is offering a FREE New Dog Orientation class at each weekend day in February. Call
PetSmart for details and to reserve your spot at 770-704-7400.
COMMUNITY INTERESTS
Cherokee Chorale Presents
Spring Concert
March 18 at 3 p.m.
The Cherokee Chorale will present its Spring Concert on Sunday, March 18, at 3 p.m., at the Canton First United Methodist Church,
930 Lower Scott Mill Road. The Chorale, conducted by Dr. Donald Stafford, will sing A German Requiem by Johannes Brahms, a
work for chorus, two soloists and orchestra, and will be accompanied by members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Although
the Requiem was written in German, the Chorale will sing the English version. Special guest performers for this concert will be the
Sequoyah Singers from Sequoyah High School, directed by Josh Markham. Tickets for the concert are $10 for adults and $5 for students
and may be purchased at the door before the concert. Tickets may be purchased in advance from any Chorale member, the Arts Center
and Chamberhouse in Canton, Three Sisters Gifts in Hickory Flat, Jasper Drug in Jasper, and FoxTale Book Shoppe in Woodstock. For
information call 678-439-8625. The web site is www.cherokeechorale.org.
TE!
A
D
E
H
T
SAVE
SpringFest 2012
Saturday, April 21 • 10am - 4pm
Arts & Craft Exhibits, Children’s Games, Bounce House,
Food, Fun, Raffle, Silent Auction and more!
Want to be part of the fun? Volunteer?
Be on a committee? Promote your product(s)
or service through sponsorship opportunities?
Sponsorship Silver, Gold, Platinum
and Elite Levels available.
VOLU
NTE
Call Tina Marie Mayr for details
or e-mail her today!
E R!
770-272-5388
[email protected]
COMMUNITY INTERESTS
An Apple for the Teacher
Part III - Merit Pay
Bruce Kelly
In this segment of my observations on public
education, I’d like to examine with you, what seems
to be an obvious solution to getting good teachers and
eliminating the inferior ones, Merit Pay. The idea that
we pay well for superior performance and not so well for
diminishing performance is certainly not new, and one
that has become popular as we try to improve the quality
of education for our youth. It’s simple economics. The
resources that are more productive are far more valuable
than those that fail to produce to acceptable standards. To
continue to use inferior resources costs us, not only in the
salaries of non-performing teachers, but more importantly
in the lost opportunity costs of an inferior education.
Think about the lost products and services that our society
will not enjoy because we allowed our children to receive
a second rate education while they were in public schools.
In Finland we read that they pay top dollar for the
top 10% of college graduating classes so that they can
attract the best qualified teachers for their public schools.
But in America, can we afford the salaries it would take to
match the lucrative salaries offered in the private sector to
the top college graduates? History has shown us that just
throwing more money at a problem, often creates more
problems than before. So how do we evaluate teacher
performance? We give the students a standardized test.
Let’s see how this might work.
Now you can see that as a teacher, your ability to
provide for your family, to have a prosperous future, to
enjoy a simple retirement, and maybe be able to take a trip
to Disney World next summer, rests on the test outcomes
of the mass of tattooed and body-pierced children resting
their heads somewhere in your classroom. One might
think that if you were doing a good job as a teacher then
the student performance would also be good. A good
teacher must also be a good classroom manager. But even
the best managers have little influence over the myriad
of variables that have a significant influence over student
performance.
Preparing students for a standardized test when
so much is riding on the results can cause teachers to
zero in on teaching endless facts, test-taking skills, and
rote memory and drills. Sadly, this may overshadow
any creative thinking processes, or analytical teaching
techniques that might benefit the student in their future
ability to solve problems. The most successful students
generally love what they’re doing. They feel an intrinsic
reward from doing well. We don’t want to bore them to
death with endless trivia drills in preparation for a single
test. Recently, an east coast school district determined
that teacher merit pay should be based on the scores from
a certification test taken by the teacher. Similar questions
arise when teachers take a standardized test. Does this
test alone accurately measure this teacher’s ability to
teach? It looks good on paper and it makes a lot of people
happy when someone suggests it.
How about merit pay for doctors, policemen, or
firefighters? Teacher accountability is an on-going process
and not a one-time measure. Public education is a team
effort involving teachers, school administration, students
and families. It just doesn’t seem right to award or deny
teachers merit pay when so many other factors affect a
student’s performance. In the next segment I’d like to
present some thoughts on how we as a nation can make
significant improvements in the quality of our public
education.
Lake Arrowhead Real Estate Update by Becky Babcock
Active Listings
Under Contract
Sold in 2012
Homes
48
7
1
Lots
49
0
0
Information obtained from FMLS by Becky Babcock, ERA Sunrise Realty and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
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COMMUNITY INTERESTS
Think Mardi Gras!
Grits and Grillades
Tommy C. Simmons (an enthusiastic cook)
Don’t think cold, gray winter day. Picture
instead being at a colorful Mardi Gras parade,
jumping up and down and shouting to the
masked krewe members atop the floats to toss
you a doubloon or handful of beads. Isn’t that
an appealing image to bring to mind on those
February days when the sun won’t shine and the
temperature fails to move above freezing?
Besides imagining a day in the sun at a festive
Mardi Gras parade you can also banish the winter
blahs by fixing the New Orleans Creole classic,
Grits and Grillades (pronounced gree odds). Grits
and Grillades is served as a brunch dish during
carnival season in Louisiana and should be the
official “beat the winter blahs recipe” of North
Georgia, as well.
It’s a labor-intensive recipe to prepare – lots
of chopping and simmering for long hours. You
can trim some of the time in prepping by asking
a butcher to trim and chop the beef for you.
Michael’s and Hobby Lobby stores carry Mardi
Gras beads and favors if you want to decorate
your table when serving Grits and Grillades. Also,
Publix supermarkets offer king cake, a colorful
Mardi Gras-themed yeast coffee cake decorated
with colored sugars, to complete a Mardi Gras
brunch menu.
There are hundreds of Grits and Grillades
versions. Try this one from the new cookbook,
“Extra! Extra! Read MORE About It!” by
Corinne Cook, a popular food columnist with The
Advocate newspaper in Baton Rouge, La., and a
vivacious Cajun from Church Point, La.
COMMUNITY INTERESTS
Grits and Grillades
Serves 12 to 14. The recipe can be halved to make a smaller amount; however, if you make the full recipe, you
can also freeze the leftover meat sauce to serve at a later date.
Ingredients
4 pounds beef round steak (cut ½-inch thick,
trimmed of fat and cut into bite-size pieces)
½ cup bacon drippings or vegetable oil
3 tablespoons prepared dark roux
1 cup hot water
1 ½ cups chopped onion
1 ½ cups chopped green onions
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped bell pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups chopped tomatoes
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
½ teaspoon dried crumbled thyme leaves
1 cup water
1 cup red wine (can substitute beef broth, if
preferred)
3 teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
dash of cayenne pepper
2 bay leaves
½ teaspoon Tabasco sauce
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Directions
1. Have all meat trimmed and cut into bite-size
pieces. In Dutch oven, brown meat (in small batches) in
the bacon drippings or oil. As the meat browns, place it
on a separate platter.
2. To the pan drippings, add roux and 1 cup hot
water. Stir until smooth.
3. Add onions, green onions, celery, bell peppers
and garlic. Saute over low heat until vegetables are
tender. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce and thyme. Cook
until tomatoes are softened, about 3 minutes.
4. Add remaining 1 cup water and red wine. Stir until
well blended.
5. Add meat back to Dutch oven. Season with salt,
black pepper, cayenne pepper, bay leaves, Tabasco
sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Heat until mixture
begins to boil, then lower heat, cover and continue
cooking for about 2 hours or until meat is fork tender.
Allow to cool then refrigerate, preferably overnight.
6. When ready to serve, heat meat and gravy. If
mixture is too thick, gradually add more water. Taste
for seasoning. Make sure meat is very tender. Add the
chopped fresh parsley and serve over Cheese Grits.
Cheese Grits
Serves 12.
Ingredients
2 cups grits (I like using yellow grits for color.)
2 quarts Water
1 ½ to 2 teaspoons salt
1 stick butter
6 ounces cheddar cheese, grated
3 eggs beaten
2 cups milk
Dash cayenne pepper
Directions
1. Cook grits in 2 quarts of boiling, salted water for
amount of time specified on package, or until grits are
thickened.
2. Remove from heat and stir in butter, cheese,
beaten eggs, milk and dash of cayenne.
3. Pour into large casserole dish that has been
sprayed with nonstick coating. Bake at 325 degrees for
45 to 55 minutes or until “set.”
4. Serve Grillades over hot grits.
YOUR HEALTH
Working Out Together
Making Fitness a Joint Endeavor
Article by Katrina Smith • Photo by Loui Padgett
Hearts, flowers, chocolates and cupids…
February may inspire our romantic sides, but
how do we incorporate that into our fitness
plans? Why not include the people we love
in our healthy lifestyle. One of the best ways
to make your fitness resolutions (discussed in
the January column) a long-term change is to
develop a good support system.
There are some unique challenges to
including your spouse, children or friends in
your fitness plan. The most obvious challenge
may be finding an activity. One strategy is
take turns in choosing. It is important that
each person consider both what he or she
enjoys, but also their partner(s) preferences
and abilities. The ‘big picture’ goal is to
encourage more physical activity for everyone. A little compromise and a willingness to embrace something new could
lead to stronger bodies and relationships.
Maybe you want to try something altogether new. Here in Lake Arrowhead, we are lucky to be surrounded by
many options when it comes to being active. We have easy access to golf, tennis, pickleball, paddling around the lake
and walking the trails. We have a basketball court, horseshoe pits, sand volleyball and 2 swimming pools. You may
also want to try indoor activities such as the group fitness classes offered 4 days a week. The classes are held at the
fellowship hall of the Sardis Baptist Church. The classes include yoga, aerobic conditioning and strength training.
Another challenge is finding the time to be more active. It is not uncommon for couples and families to have
schedules that send everyone running in opposite directions. It is important to make spending time together a priority.
Sharing a new challenge or engaging in an enjoyable activity is a great way to reconnect and grow together. Inspire your
spouse, be a role model for your kids, support a friend: the most important thing is to get moving!
Katrina Smith is a 15-year Lake Arrowhead resident. She is an ACE certified group fitness instructor and personal trainer.
YOUR HEALTH
Inflammation
The Smoldering Fire from Within
Craig Hoffman, MD, FAAFPs
The next series of discussions on health and wellness will be about inflammation. The immune system is the great
overseer of everything that happens within our bodies. It protects us from foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses,
and chemicals that don’t belong in our bodies. It occasionally can malfunction and create auto-immune disorders, and
if it fails to function will allow foreign invaders to destroy our lives.
Immunology is the study of the immune system. When I was training to be a physician, immunology was largely a
study of allergies, vaccines, and the body’s reaction to chemical agents. Vaccines were developed to stimulate the body
to create antibodies that would destroy invading antigens (viruses or bacteria).
Antibodies are protein products occurring on lymphocytes (white blood cells) that are circulating in our body
fluids. Specific antibodies will circulate in these lymphocytes and seek out invading antigens. Like a key in a lock, they
will bind and neutralize the antigen thus making it inactive and harmless.
Immunologists are dedicated researchers who work with their chemicals and microscopes hidden in the back
hallways of the universities of the world. Many have made great and historic discoveries that have resulted in vaccines
and treatments that saved thousands…no…millions of lives. But most have never received the public recognition that
they deserve.
Fortunately, the 2011 Nobel Prize in medicine was awarded to three immunologists for their
work in the field of cancer research for the treatment of advanced melanoma (cancer of the skin).
Immunology will play a major role in the treatment and cure of many cancers in the coming years.
I salute the memory of Dr. Ralph Steinum and his two colleagues for the decades of work in
their area. I should mention that Dr. Steinum passed away two weeks before being awarded
the Nobel Prize from his own battle with melanoma. He survived more than seven years
with this advanced cancer, far longer than he would have
had he not become his own clinical subject.
Future articles will explain the role of the
immune system on our own metabolism
and the effect of our diet, environment
and lifestyle on inflammation
inside of our bodies.
If you have any ideas, comments,
or questions for future articles for
our health and wellness column, feel
free to contact Dr. Craig Hoffman or
Linda Hoffman at: LindaH1708@
gmail.com or [email protected]
or call 770-345-4432 or 941-792-4077.
Get noticed. Advertise.
Contact Kimberly Bacon!
404-643-9728 • [email protected]
3300 Highlands Pkwy • Ste 100 | Smyrna, GA 30082
678.905.4842 | www.kda-communications.com
YOUR HEALTH
What is Your Word?
Carolyn Burkholder, M.Ed., NAPW
In the January issue of Guideposts magazine, I read an article about a practice
which Debbie McComber, well known author, has done for several years. On New
Year’s Day she chooses a word to focus on and live by for the next year. Sometimes she
feels the w ord chooses her. However it happens, it has changed her life, sometimes
challenging her, sometimes comforting her, sometimes taking her into a brand new
realization or territory.
I was so taken and intrigued by this idea that I challenged our Lake Arrowhead
Writer’s Group to each choose a word (their word) for 2012. We will each explain
how we happened to choose that word and what it means to us, hopefully keeping a
journal about the developments and expansion of our lives related to that word.
Going deeper with the idea, I challenged my family to do the same. We will each
choose a word and share it with the rest of the family. Then we can share periodically
what happens in our lives related to that word via email or the postal service. Next
Christmas we will each share what happened throughout the year, if our understanding
or concept of that word changed and grew thereby impacting our lives in some way.
Debbie gives suggestions on how to choose your word. Take a journal and begin
to gather the words that appear over and over again in your life, watching for patterns.
Notice words that keep appearing in different ways to you. They can be positive
words such us hope, peace, love, prayer; or they can also be challenging words, such
as grief, depression, loss, brokenness. It can be any word that you choose. God is
not limited. He can use absolutely any word that comes in your mind. After all, the
Word became flesh.
Helping Communities
hope?
peace?
love?
prayer?
charity?
brokeness?
loss?
freedom?
grief?
become Neighborhoods.
9
D
ways to eat better now
portions, prompting many men and women to 6. Experiment with herbs, not salt. A lot of
eat more than is necessary. Using a smaller
sodium in a diet may not be good for blood
dish can give the impression of eating from
pressure and it can lead to water retention.
an overflowing dish.
Instead, reach for herbs to add flavor to
foods. Keep a fresh selection of parsley,
The country is growing larger, and that has nothing 2. Make vegetables a priority, not an
chives, cilantro, basil, and other herbs at the
afterthought. Fill up on vegetables and make
to do with the population. Individuals are heavier
ready and chances are you won’t even miss
meat and other higher-calorie foods the
than ever before. About one-third of Americans
the salt.
afterthought, instead of vice-versa. In fact,
are considered obese. No state in the U.S. has
two-thirds of your dish should be consumed 7. Go sparingly on dressings and sauces. You
an obesity level less than 20%. The Centers for
by vegetables, with the remaining portion for
Disease Control and Prevention states that 36
can quickly turn a healthy salad into an
a protein or starch.
states had a prevalence of 25% or more; 12
unhealthy meal if you drizzle on too much
of these states (Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, 3. Avoid family style meals. That means placing
creamy salad dressing. Studies show that
Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri,
some fast food salads have more fat than
large serving dishes full of food directly on
Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and
other fast food fare, including hamburgers.
the table. It encourages going in for seconds
West Virginia) had a prevalence of 30% or more.
Opt for the dressing on the side, or select
when you really may not be hungry. It takes
among fat-free alternatives. Use only about 1
the brain at least 20 minutes to register
The obesity story is much the same in Canada,
to 2 teaspoons for flavor.
feeling full. So serve yourself from the stove
although residents of that country are slightly
octors, fitness professionals and nutritionists
all have ideas on what men and women
should and should not eat. Choosing the
right foods can help save waistlines and lives.
and wait to see if you’re still hungry before 8. Indulge once in a while. Depriving yourself
less obese than Americans. Statistics Canada
going back for more.
states that from 2007 to 2009, 24.1% of adults in
of everything that is tasty can lead to binge
Canada were obese. Women have higher levels of 4. Switch to skim products. It is widely known
eating or overeating. Just remember to keep
obesity than men in both countries.
the portions of sweets or fattening foods
that dairy products are an important
modest and try not to over-do it the rest of
component of healthy living. However, wholeAlthough it is widely known that eating a healthy
the day.
milk varieties tend to be heavy on calories
diet and exercising frequently are the key ways
and saturated fat. Opt for skim milk whenever 9. Don’t forget the exercise. The American
to maintain a healthy weight, it’s easy to fall into
possible. Today, there are ultra-pasteurized
bad habits. Some men and women find it difficult
College of Sports Medicine offers benefits of
varieties of skim milk that are creamy and
to avoid temptation and stay on track with diet.
exercise beyond simply helping you to lose
filling.
But balance and portion control are great ways to
weight:
enjoy food without gaining weight. Here are some 5. Rely on seafood protein. Eating fish once
• Lowers risk of heart disease by 40%.
tips to live by.
or twice a week is an excellent way to cut
• Lowers risk of breast cancer by 20%.
calories and enjoy a food that is rich in
1. Use a smaller plate. This will trick the eye
• Lowers risk of depression by 30%.
essential fatty acids.
and brain into thinking you are eating a lot.
• Lowers risk of hypertension by 40%.
A large plate seems empty with smaller
• Lowers risk of type 2 diabetes by 58%.
Simple Saving Tips
for Families
Though the economy is on the mend, many families forced to make sacrifices during the downturn
will continue to look for ways to maintain more control of their finances in the event another period
of economic struggle surfaces down the road. It’s safe to assume no family wants to find itself in
the position millions of families did during the downturn, dealing with unemployment, a nonexistent
job market and the specter of foreclosure on the family home. While there’s no telling what the
economic future holds, there are steps families can take to gain greater control of their finances and
put themselves in a better position to handle whatever the economy throws at them down the road.
Start saving receipts.
Nowadays, more and more people use debit cards for daily purchases,
including smaller purchases like cups of coffee. While this is more
convenient, it also makes it easier to lose track of spending. Families
should start saving receipts for all purchases, not just big-ticket
items. At the end of the month, examine the receipts to see how
much frivolous spending is going on. A close examination of
receipts can help reign in spending on items that aren’t generally
large, but can add up over time.
Make a grocery shopping list.
Another tradition of yesteryear that has seemingly fallen by the
wayside, the grocery list can help families save substantial amounts
of money over time. Men and women who grocery shop without a list
are more likely to spend more money than they had intended, buying
extra food they don’t need and making impulse buys as well. If you
have a list of what you need when you go to the store, you’ll not only
save money but you’re likely to spend far less time at the store as
a result.
Re-examine your commute.
Men and women might prefer driving themselves to work. Driving
to work alone is more convenient, but it’s almost never more costeffective. Consider public transportation where it’s available. Public
transportation can remove the stress from traffic jams, as men and
women can bury their noses in books or watch a movie on their iPads
rather than stare at the vehicle in front of them. If no public transportation
is available, propose a carpool to co-workers. Both of these alternatives
can save individuals money on gas (the cost of which is once again on the
rise) while adding years to their vehicle’s life expectancy, helping them get
more out of their vehicle dollars.
Reconsider your cable provider.
Whereas cable television was once a novelty, nowadays cable television or satellite service has become
the norm in households across the country. Though it might be hard to imagine a household without cable
or satellite television, Web programming and DVD subscription services have made it much easier for men
and women to continue to follow their favorite shows without committing to a costly monthly cable or satellite service.

LAKE ARROWHEAD

Transcription

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