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AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

Contents January 2020

28 & 29 On the Cover Lake Pointe Wellness Center, Dr. Deb Shreibman Photo by Beth Fornuto

In Every Issue

Features 15 A Focus on Wellness

These simple and great ideas will motivate you to get moving and stay healthy all year.

20 For Your Fridge

You’ll want to keep this Year at a Glance, a comprehensive calendar that takes you through the highlights of 2020.

26 Making Good CHOICES

See how one local nonprofit helps kids, and parents, fight childhood obesity through fun and interactive educational programs.

44 SANTA, I Know Him!

Take a look at some of your neighbors’ favorite photo-album-worthy visits with the big guy this holiday season.

4 Around Acworth 8 Local News 14 Celebrations 32 Rob’s Rescues 38 Library Events 42 Community Calendar 46

Ribbon Cuttings

47 School News 50

Senior Activities

51 Dining Guide 52 Cobb Photographic Society 54

Directory of Advertisers

Contributors 12 48 22 34 24 35 18 36 17 32 16 30 26 19 23

Tommy Allegood Nolan Alexander Ryan Blythe Jennifer Bonn Wayne Dennard Malinda Howe Jan Leary J.R. Lee Jackie Loudin Rob Macmillan Cindy Miller Josh Nelson Susan Schulz Marcus Shanahan Shannon Stahl

Advertising Patty Ponder, ALM President 770-615-3322 Patty@AroundaboutMagazines.com www.AroundAcworthMagazine.com Around Acworth Magazine 2

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

@AroundAcworth

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AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

Around Acworth Letter From the Editor

What’s New

It’s 2020 y’all! For some reason, all I can think about is how the world was supposed to end when I was in eighth grade with Y2K, but somehow I blinked, or took a ride in a DeLorean Back to the Future style, and now we’re here. But first, I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe holiday season. For me, watching my 2-year-old enjoy the magic of the season, never got old. We attempted to make sugar cookies while wearing matching Christmas aprons, and I was reminded why my mom stopped that tradition so early. Using cookie cutters sounds like a great idea, but something happens in the oven and the expertly cut cookies come out looking like blobs. So, we resorted to break and bake chocolate chip cookies for our Pinterest-inspired Christmas card shoot. As you can see, it was a success and Parker Grace approved! As predicted, Parker was not a fan of sitting in Santa’s lap again this year. Once I handed her off, she immediately jumped down and ran, with arms outstretched, back into my arms. You can see this gem, along with other photos of visits with the jolly ole fella, on Pages 44-45. At least she was polite enough to wave and say “bye-bye Santa” as we walked away. Parenting win! Enough holiday recapping, it’s time to look forward to the new year. If you’re looking to shed that holiday weight and get healthy this year, we’ve compiled some helpful tips in our wellness section on Pages 15-19. If other New Year’s resolutions are on your mind, J.R. Lee (Page 36) and Jennifer Bonn (Page 34) can help inspire personal changes to make 2020 your best year yet. As I write this, I am currently 28 weeks pregnant and can’t help, but think of all my goals for 2020. This year, I want to be a better mom than I was last year. I want to stop being so hard on myself as a mom. I don’t feel motherhood came naturally to me like it does others, but maybe that’s just because anything worthwhile doesn’t come easy. I resolve to find joy in the little things, even the messes, oh so many messes! Cheers to a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Doro’s Italian Restaurant is moving into the old Parkside Kitchen building, located at 3979 S. Main St., Suite 250. The restaurant will be temporarily closed during the move. Management hopes to be open in the new location by the middle of January.

K atie Beall Katie Beall is editor of Around Acworth. Send your comments or questions to Katie@AroundaboutMagazines.com.

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

What’s Coming 1885 Grill held a groundbreaking Dec. 17 at 4438 Cherokee St. Although the restaurant had already broken ground, the owners held a ceremony before beginning the foundation work. 1885 Grill will offer locally sourced, fresh, southern cuisine served in a comfortable, family-friendly environment.

Noteworthy The Acworth Police Department wrapped up a busy holiday season with its annual Christmas Tree Shoppe and Miracle Tree family. Because of the donations from the community, the department was able to help more than 50 families and more than 100 children through these holiday initiatives. The Acworth PD is thankful for the support from community members like Helping One Guy (HOG), which gave a monetary donation, while the Cobblestone Men’s Golf Association donated toys and American Disposal Services donated 25 bikes and gift cards for helmets.

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COMMUNITY BOARD The Around Acworth community board consists of well-respected community leaders from different walks of life. Our board members assist us in many ways that range from serving as contributing writers to providing valuable feedback.

Tia Amlett, the principal of Barber Middle School, has

been an educator for the past 19 years. Prior to becoming a principal, Tia served as an assistant principal at Garrett Middle School and North Cobb High School. She is a native of South Carolina who earned her bachelor’s degree at Clemson University and master’s and education specialist’s degrees from Nova Southeastern University. Tia is married to Jonah, and they have two children, Nia and Jordan, who attend Cobb County schools.

Ellen Kennerly has lived in Acworth since 1992. She

has worked as a journalist for more than three decades, most of it with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution holding positions as Olympics News Editor, Design Director, A1 Editor and Director of Content Development and Operations for ajc.com, among others. More recently, she worked as Professional in Residence at Louisiana State University and as Director of Asset Intelligence for WebMD. Her business, Kennerly Digital Directions, provides consulting and hands-on deliverables in communications, design and web development, largely for Acworth business people.

Bob Weatherford has been a Cobb County resident for

two decades. Bob was a reserve police officer for more than 20 years, eight of those with Acworth PD including time as Captain. He is active in local charities, numerous civic organizations, and co-founded Shop with a Hero. He served as Cobb County District 1 Commissioner since 2014, and recently left that post to work for AquaGuard as the government businesses development director.

Danielle Hilderbrand is a Cobb County native. She has

been a business owner on Main Street in Acworth for more than six years. Danielle is the proprietor of Pearl’s Spa and Boutique, a partner in Rustic Ruby gift shop and an active volunteer in Acworth. She has been a member of the Acworth Downtown Development Authority for several years and is the 2017 president of the Acworth Business Association. She is a graduate from McEachern High School and Acworth’s North Metro Technical College (now Chattahoochee Tech).

Malinda Howe has lived in Acworth since 1996. She is owner and broker of Anchor Realty Partners and vice chairman of Acworth Tourism Board. She has been a member of the board for nine years. Malinda is originally from Alexandria, Va., and attended George Mason University. She always loved real estate and began her career in commercial real estate working with Savage/ Fogarty, which acquired and managed Class A office buildings on behalf of Dutch pension funds. She moved to Georgia with TMW Management, assisting in acquisitions and leases from 1997-2003, and then pursued her career in residential real estate. Malinda and her husband, Rick, have one daughter, Kara. Malinda lives, plays and works in Historic Downtown Acworth. 6

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

Publisher Aroundabout Local Media, Inc. ALM President Patty Ponder 770-615-3322 Patty@AroundaboutMagazines.com Title Editor Katie Beall 770-852-8481 Katie@AroundaboutMagazines.com Executive Editor Candi Hannigan 770-615-3309 Candi@AroundaboutMagazines.com Art Director Michelle McCulloch 770-615-3307 Michelle@AroundaboutMagazines.com Page Designer Laura Latchford Laura@AroundaboutMagazines.com Controller Denise Griffin 770-615-3315 Denise@AroundaboutMagazines.com Market & Advertising Specialist Michelle Smith Michelle.Smith@AroundaboutMagazines.com

Around Acworth, a publication of Aroundabout Local Media, Inc., is a monthly community magazine. The magazine’s goal is to build a sense of community and pride in Acworth and surrounding area by providing residents with positive stories and timely information. It distributes a total of 16,500 free copies. Approximately 15,400 are direct mailed to homes and businesses and an additional 1,100 are placed in racks around the community. See page 56 for a distribution map. Around Acworth also has many digital viewers of the magazine online each month. Around Acworth welcomes your comments, stories, and advertisements. The deadline is the 10th of the previous month. Subscriptions are available for $24 per year. Send check or money order to the address below. The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists and submissions are not necessarily those of the editor/publisher and the publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. Around Acworth is not responsible for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved. © Copyright 2020 Around Acworth

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AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

Local News

American Legion Post Collects Record Number of Toys Last month, the Ron Asby North Cobb American Legion Post 304 collected 15 boxes of new, unopened toys for the annual Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots drive, becoming one of the highest collection points for the Cobb County area. This was a record number of donation boxes for Post 304, which collected six boxes in 2018. According to the Toys for Tots representatives who picked up the boxes, Post 304 had the largest collection of toys for pickup in the area this season.

Little Helpers Ring in the Holidays Families from Acworth, Roswell, Johns Creek and Milton — part of a service group called Little Helpers — recently volunteered with the Metro Atlanta Salvation Army's Ring for a Change red kettle campaign. They wore festive attire, made signs and greeted Walmart shoppers in Alpharetta. Every dollar collected in red kettles helped support the Metro Atlanta Salvation Army’s homelessness services, youth enrichment efforts and anti-trafficking programs. For more information, check out www.salvationarmyatlanta.org.

The Holbrook Acworth donated the leftovers from its Thanksgiving Day feast to local families in need at a nearby apartment complex.

Holbrook Shares Thanksgiving With Community After the Holbrook Acworth senior living community held its Thanksgiving Day feast for family and friends, Executive Chef Tzvi Weinreich and his staff realized how much food they had left over while cleaning up. Not wanting to throw away the food, the staff called a local church and was put in contact with a pastor. The pastor and one of his colleagues picked up the leftovers and took it to local families that did not have a meal of their own. The pastor told Holbrook he is available to take leftovers any time, because he keeps a running list of people who are without, in case the opportunity to help arises. “I am especially thankful that we were able to provide such a great meal for our residents and also make an impact on the community,” Weinreich said. “I feel as though this is the real driving force behind Holbrook Life — to create and inspire life and to spread it out among the community.” 8

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

Geoff and Ashlee Wagner of Acworth with their children, Evie and Quinn, volunteer with Little Helpers, ringing bells at a Salvation Army red kettle.

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AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

Local News Local Family Surprised With a Home for the Holidays When Elicia Robinson and her son Jediah climbed into a limo at Baker Elementary School last month, they had no idea of the surprise waiting for them at the end of their short trip. The mother of six thought her fourthgrade son had won a school contest. Neither mom nor son knew that about 20 Baker staff members secretly had hopped on a school bus to beat them to their destination, and that there would be a sea of people waiting to welcome them to their new home. After living in a motel, they didn’t know that they would have a home for the holidays. Atlanta radio station Star 94.1’s Jenn Hobby revealed the surprise as the mother and son listened to the radio in their chauffeured ride. By the time Robinson stepped out of the limo parked in front of her new home, she was already in tears. The Cobb family lost their home last year after suffering financial struggles when Robinson lost her job. Although she now works two jobs and spends hours in commuting time to try to support her family, it hasn’t been enough. That is, until the Baker Elementary community and residents around metro Atlanta volunteered to help. After learning of their struggles, the Baker school community found ways to help the family in need, including seizing on the opportunity to nominate them for A Christmas Miracle, sponsored by NorthStar Church and Star 94.1.

Elicia Robinson and her son, Jediah, inside their new family home. 10

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

Elicia Robinson, left, with her son, Jediah, Baker social worker Petrina Fowler, Baker Assistant Principal Tiffany Hourigan and Baker Principal Alison Broughton inside the family’s new home.

Principal Alison Broughton and volunteers spent weeks coordinating the surprise, which includes more for the family than just a place to call home. Through NorthStar’s BeBold Campaign and the generosity of Star 94.1 listeners, they paid the family’s bills, paid off the mom’s car, and checked off their wish list with a stack of presents under the tree. For the next year, the family will not have to worry about rent, lawn care, pest control, or how to pay the power bills. The community took care of that, too. Robinson’s car insurance also is covered for the next six months. The pantry was full, along with the hearts of the family and the volunteers who had worked so long to give them the keys to a happy new year. Broughton was thrilled to see how the community had rallied to support the family. “It will probably always be the biggest highlight of my career,” Broughton said. “NorthStar Church and Star 94 provided, not only a place to call home, but restored joy and hope for this sweet Baker family. Seeing the Acworth and Atlanta communities come together was so heartwarming, and really solidified the true

meaning of giving during this Christmas season.” Besides the framed art and letters from the children that hung on the walls, there was another reason the new house already felt like home. Part of the surprise was securing the family members’ belongings that they thought were lost after failing to pay the monthly rental fee for their storage facility. There was also a framed photo of Robinson and her family — his mother’s Christmas wish, according to Jediah. To top off the family’s new home for the holidays, volunteers also moved in new furnishings, including festive decorations in each room. “This is a great family and so deserving. She is a hardworking mom,” said Baker social worker Petrina Fowler, who had encouraged Robinson not to give up hope during the past year, including the night before the big surprise, when the mom was really struggling and needed to talk. “As a social worker, I hear a lot of really tough stories, but working with her has been amazing,” Fowler said. “I’m so excited and happy for her. This is truly a Christmas miracle. This makes it worth being a social worker. It makes my job amazing.”

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A Message from the

appy New Year! I hope everyone had a happy and safe holiday season. 2020 brings new beginnings for Acworth as we will start to see the fruits of our public investment in the Parkside redevelopment. Last month, the 1885 Grill held a groundbreaking for the new restaurant that will be located adjacent to Logan Farm Park. Taptown is not far behind with its construction plans, while Red Top Brewhouse continues to make great progress in the Downtown District. These exciting new ventures demonstrate the enthusiasm private developers hold for our city. With all this growth, it is only fitting that 2020 is the 10-year anniversary of Acworth’s All American City Award. Speaking of designations, last month the Georgia Main Street Program recognized the City of Acworth as a Georgia Exceptional Main Street (GEMS) community. Georgia's Exceptional Main Street communities represent some of the best Main Street programs the state has to offer. These programs have gone above and beyond expectations by making a strong and positive impact in communities. Currently, there are only 17 other cities that hold this distinction. This GEMS recognition would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the Acworth Downtown Development Authority (DDA), Acworth Parks, Recreation, and Community Resource assistant director of operations and DDA director Jeff Chase, and all of the other boards and commissions for their contributions. I would like to congratulate our DDA volunteers and Jeff on a job well done! The Acworth Business Association (ABA) ended the year by recognizing outstanding citizens and businesses, and transitioning to the ABA’s new 2020 leadership. Congratulations to Center Street Tavern and Kelly Averill for being named Business of the Year, and Randy Bachman for being awarded ABA Ambassador of the Year. I had the honor and privilege to present the Member of the Year Award to Steve Salyers, community events director at NorthStar Church, for his dedication. Steve has touched so many lives through

his work, positivity and ability to get things done. He serves as an inspiration to us all. I would also like to thank our Acworth Business Association 2019 president, Jim Hilber, for an awesome year, and congratulate 2020 president, Shannon Stahl, and her board of directors. I am sure you all will do an outstanding job. Acworth is home to so many dedicated public servants and volunteers. We are truly blessed to live in such a community. One way to celebrate these special individuals is to honor the memory of Martin Luther King Jr. The Acworth Parks, Recreation, and Community Resource Department will host the seventh annual MLK Day Celebration and ninth annual Day of Service on Jan. 20. This is one of my favorite events of this year. Festivities will begin at 9:30 a.m. with a unity walk from the Roberts School Community and Education Center to the Acworth Community Center. There, a ceremony will follow featuring speaker Kit Cummings of the Power of Peace Project. After the ceremony, the Acworth Achievers Mentoring and After School Program invites everyone to join for a service project back at the Roberts School. I hope to see you there! The Board of Alderman and I invite you to attend this year’s State of the City address. This year’s presentation will be Feb. 6 during the ABA luncheon at the Acworth Community Center. Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m., but I encourage everyone to arrive early to get a seat and meet some fine folks. Lunch is $15 for ABA members and $20 for nonmembers. RSVP at www.acworthbusiness.org. The Acworth State of the City is an opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of the past year and share the vision of what’s to come in 2020. As always, for more information on any of these projects and events, visit www.acworth.org, sign up for our e-news blasts on our home page, “like” Visit Acworth on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram at @VisitAcworth. God bless, Tommy

Tommy Allegood was elected to Acworth’s city council in 2000 and has served as mayor since 2002. He is a community builder who is purposed to make it count!

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AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

Celebrations!

Dominick James Bruley

Our sweet boy turned 4 years old on Dec. 25. We love you! Love, Mama and Daddy, and Nana and Papa.

Satoshi Kobayashi

Born on Dec. 5 Welcome to the world. Be a brave boy! Love, Mom, Dad and big sister.

Kayla Webb

Age 22 on Jan. 2 We love you! Happy birthday! Love, Lauren, Kristi and Courtney

Anthony, Aaron and Aden Godwin Age 17 on Jan. 1 Happy 17th birthday to Anthony, Aaron and Aden!

Kevin Benson

Age 44 on Jan. 14 Happy birthday! We love you more than words can ever say! Love, Tanya, KJ, Ki'ki' and Ki'Trell!

Richard and Doretta Haspel

Richard on Jan. 12, Doretta on Jan. 24 Happy birthday Mimi and Papaw! We love you very much! Love, Blaine, Liam, Anslee and Kate.

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

Michael Gaston

Age 6 on Jan. 6 Happy Birthday to our "Super Star" grandson. Love, Papa and Nonna.

ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE FREE!

E-mail to: Katie@AroundaboutMagazines.com. February deadline is Jan. 14.

A Fresh Start to a

Healthy New Year! E

ach of us has good intentions, no doubt, when we declare our resolution to get fit in the new year. It’s easy to imagine ourselves going to the gym five days a week, eating salads and broiled chicken, or dropping to the floor to do push-ups right after we climb out of bed each morning. But, as time goes by, so do our best-laid plans. You are not alone - we are with you on this journey. Ultimately we need to realize the goal is not to fit into a certain clothing size, or to set a new record in bench presses. The numbers that should matter are our blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and others that our doctors monitor to keep us our healthiest. We’ve put together a collection of ideas and inspirations that we hope will help you on your journey! Let us know how you’re doing … we care! Email katie@aroundaboutmagazines.com with your story so we can rejoice with you. AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

Work It! This Desk Was Made for Walking BY CINDY MILLER

Cindy Miller Communications (CMC) has been a proud owner of a walking desk for nearly seven years. True, it gets more use in the first quarter of each year, when we’re all extra motivated by the start of a new year. But, we honestly can say it gets good use year-round by our team members. Joe Gorley is known to drink coffee while stepping. Kimberly Petty jumps on it to warm up (our office is cold!). Erin Ellingwood often is trying to win a challenge. And, Edward Miller generously shares it with the rest of us — it was a gift to him in the first place. We incorporated the walking desk into our office design after hearing the phrase, “Sitting is the new smoking.” Like many, we discovered we sat way too much during an ordinary workday. This desk helps keep us moving.

The desk top is an original design by Mike Lawson.

Here’s why the CMC team members love the walking desk. • We can rock a weekly challenge.

We are almost always in a step challenge, especially now that we’re part of FitnessBank, a lifestyle bank that rewards high-steppers with a higher saving account interest rate. Several of us have an AppleWatch, and that buzz you get at 10 minutes before the hour reminds us to get up and get moving. Sometimes we walk outside, sometimes we jump on the walking desk.

• It’s a good brain break.

We’re busy, and always working on multiple projects. The walking desk gives us the chance to give our brains a break from one project before moving on to another.

• Conference calls take on added meaning.

Let’s admit it, some conference calls are just plain boring, especially the ones where you just listen in and there are dozens of people on the call. So, we multitask and get some steps in.

• Our walking desk looks good.

It’s topped by a custom-made desk, designed and created by Mike Lawson, owner of Stains and Splinters.

• The walking desk isn’t our only option.

We all have traditional desks, too. That’s an important factor to keep in mind if you’re considering adding one to your office. Sometimes, you still need to sit down.

Cindy Miller is a Woodstock resident and CEO of Cindy Miller Communications.

Cindy Miller is a regular user of the walking desk. 16

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

How Technology Works for You Digital trends and tools to help meet your wellness goals. BY JACKIE LOUDIN

While not everyone has access to a walking desk or treadmill at work, there are ways to tap into technology to keep our bodies moving throughout the day.

Smart Phones

Everybody’s got one (except that one person we all know who is still holding on tight to their flip phone), and our phones can usually be found in our pockets. If that’s the case, let your phone’s built in step counter keep you on track and motivated to reach your daily steps goal. I use my iPhone’s Health app to track steps, but often, my phone gets left on my desk, and if my steps aren’t counted, did they really happen? That’s why I’ve started doing some consumer research into wearable fitness trackers.

Fitness Trackers

These wearable trackers come in a variety of brands, styles and price points. There also is a wide selection of features to choose from depending on what activity you’re looking track: walking, running, biking, etc. Some have built-in heart monitors and will even give feedback on your sleeping habits when worn to bed. I have several friends who love their Apple watches, and I’ve heard good things about FitBit and Garmin. I’m still on the fence about which tracker to purchase, but I hope to get one soon, so my steps will have meaning.

Apps

In addition to being more active, I’m also focusing on incorporating better nutrition into my routine. According to research conducted at Duke University, when trying to lose weight, people who track their daily food consumption lose more than those who don’t (sciencedaily.com). There are many apps, free and paid, that can help make food tracking and calorie counting an effective habit. Popular free apps include: Fitness Pal, Lose It!, iTrackBites, etc. Many free apps also offer upgraded features for an additional fee. I’m currently using the WW (formerly Weight Watchers) app to track food. It assigns a point value to foods to help me make nutritional decisions, and even has a handy built-in bar scanning feature, which helps when I’m grocery shopping.

Social Media

While social media sometimes gets a bad rap for its negative impact on society, I’ve found encouragement and help through it on my personal wellness journey. You can find a support group on Facebook for just about anything under the sun. I’m a member of several groups, where we swap recipes, encourage each other, give advice or just a comment saying, “Yeah, I understand what you’re going through.” These types of communities can help when we get discouraged or simply need a word or two of motivation. Trying searching for a group that fits your health needs and find your tribe for the journey.

Watch and Listen

I don’t know about you, but I tend to get bored the minute I step on the treadmill or try to complete a workout routine in silence. That’s where my Spotify, Amazon Prime Video and Netflix accounts come to the rescue. Lately, I’ve been catching up on classic TV shows like “The Brady Bunch.” (Don’t judge!) At 25 minutes long, they are the perfect length for a quick midday walk on the treadmill during my lunch hour. Also, a quick search on Spotify comes up with a curated playlist of music to get my heart pumping. I’ve shared about some of the tools of technology I’m using on my health journey; now I want to hear from you. Send me your favorite fitness trackers, apps, Netflix shows, workout songs, etc. Let’s support and encourage each other every step of the way!

Jackie is the managing editor at Aroundabout Local Media, and is on a journey to get healthier in 2020. Reach out to her at jackie@aroundaboutmagazines.com.

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

Stretch It! Work your way into a more flexible new year. BY JAN LEARY

Does anyone else feel like 2020 will be an important year? Maybe because it’s 20/20, indicating a new vision for the world, for the country, for life. I have expectations, but I’m not sure what for, exactly. What I do know is that for the past two to three years, I have had healthy eating, good food choices, cardio, walking and exercise as a priority, simply because I want to be a healthy person. The bulk of the 57 pounds I lost two years ago has remained gone, but honestly, in 2019, I got tired of focusing on it all. I’m tired of the same foods I’ve been eating for the past three years. I’m tired of wanting pasta and not eating it. I’m tired of the aches and pains associated with too many bad exercise moves. I’m tired of thinking about fat, vegetables, exercise and all things associated with trying to look good and feel good. However, as I get older, I want my body to stay in a healthy place; we all know, you are either moving forward or regressing when it comes to exercise. At the beginning of 2019, I realized that much of the weight I had lost was muscle. I was smaller but weaker. I started walking the major hills in my area. After a month, my knees were out of whack and I developed sciatic nerve pain that kept me awake most nights. It was a bittersweet decision to stop walking the hills. I don’t like walking, but I did like the cardio activity and being outside. I had to find something I could do consistently and enjoyed enough to keep doing it. I wanted to be strong and feel good, so I focused on exercises that would make my muscles stronger, flexible and healthier. I’m not into yoga and Pilates specifically, but I thought I should focus on stretching my muscles, using my own body weight, and being able to get up and down off the floor with ease. I figured if I can move into my 50s, 60s, 70s, and maybe 80s and 90s and maintain as much strength, stamina, and flexibility in my body as possible, that would be good enough for me. About two months ago, I started stretching regularly. In the beginning, just getting on the floor and getting up was nearly impossible. At first, my goal was getting down on the floor and up again. I did that over and over for days until it was easy. Now, I do it effortlessly. I’m in my 50s, so this is an important move.

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

Over the weeks, I added all kinds of stretches – bodyweight leg lifts, planks, butterfly stretches, cat-stretches, toetouches, anything that stretched muscles. These moves have all progressed to where I am pretty flexible now. I plan to do this forever, or as long as I can. I actually enjoy it, which is maybe the first time I can remember looking forward to exercising. I force my body to stretch a little bit more every few days and I feel so much stronger than I did a couple months ago. It’s amazing to me how little you have to do each day to make such significant changes. My entire routine takes about 20 minutes each morning. I feel so good and stretched afterward. There is one move that I started doing each night before bed and it makes such a difference for me. It’s called Legs Up a Wall pose. It makes my back feel great, especially after sitting for long periods of time. Now, I am by no means over here doing splits and gymnastics, but I can move a lot better and am much stronger. All the stretching must be working. As we start this new year, give stretching a try. No equipment other than a mat is needed; if you are on a carpeted area, maybe all you need is a towel. Make it a decision to stretch all year long and see how much more flexible you are in 12 months. Let’s do it!

Jan Leary is an Acworth resident and blogs about food, health and life at vesselsandvittles.com.

Move It!

The keys to a healthier you are to move more, eat better.

BY MARCUS SHANAHAN

Let's do a quick recap of 2019. Did you gain weight last year? Were you able to lose weight? Did you make a committed effort to change your eating habits? Often, these are the questions we ask ourselves at the end of each year, while making New Year’s resolutions geared toward getting healthier. As we approach the new year, let’s increase our health awareness and look at some helpful tips.

Important Facts to Consider

• Sedentary lifestyles increase all causes of mortality, double the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity, and increase the risks of colon cancer, high blood pressure, osteoporosis and lipid disorders. • One study, with 10,381 participants, associated a sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity with a higher risk of developing a mental health disorder. • A recent review, including data from 110,152 participants, found a link between sedentary behavior and an increased risk of depression.

As technology becomes more advanced, and those advances reduce physical effort and activity, we move less. This may be helpful for some people, but for others it can lead to obesity, and an unhealthy, unhappy and unfulfilled lifestyle. Medical advancements allow us to live longer, but at what quality of life? Food is highly processed, more easily accessible (think fast food), and significantly lacking in nutrients. Getting healthy is not easy. Our brains are wired to seek the easy path; the easier and more comfortable, the better. Keep in mind, our bodies were designed to move. For thousands of years, we were an agricultural and hunting society. Up until the end of World War II, we had to farm our own food for the most part. Grocery stores and fast food chains were created in the late 1940s to early ’50s, and so began our journey into convenience. Today, the answer isn't always simple, but there are two main components to weight management.

1. Move more; at least 30 minutes a day. 2. Eat higher quality foods with fewer calories. (Women should consume about 1,200-1,500 calories per day, and men about 1,500-2,000 per day.)

How to Move More

• Stand instead of sitting on public transport. • Walk, ride or run to work. • Take walks or work out during lunch breaks. • Set a reminder on your phone to stand up every 30 minutes and move when working at a desk. • Invest in a standing desk or ask your workplace to provide one. • Take walks during breaks. • Spend more time doing chores around the house, especially DIY projects or gardening. • Take phone calls outside and walk around while talking. • Spend your free time being active rather than watching TV. • Take the stairs instead of using the elevator.

Key Nutrition Tips

• Base meals on high fiber carbohydrates. • Eat lots of fruits and veggies. • Choose foods higher in protein over fat and carbs. You should have approximately 25-35 grams of protein per meal. • Cut down on saturated animal fat. • Reduce consumption of refined sugar and flour. • Eat less salt. • Stay hydrated by drinking 5-8 glasses of water per day. • Replace junk food with real food.

Consuming just an additional 100 calories per day can cause a weight gain of 8-10 pounds of fat per year. The reverse is also true. If you reduce your calories by 100 per day, you should lose 8-10 pounds. The weight didn’t go on overnight. That means it won’t come off overnight. It takes daily activity, effort and commitment to meet any goal. We simply have to view our health, wellness and fitness as a priority. Think of it as preventive medicine.

Marcus J Shanahan is co-owner of R2 Total Fitness. He has more than 30 years of experience in personal training, nutrition and meal prep expertise.

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

MAY

At a Glance

If getting organized is one of your New Year’s resolutions, this comprehensive calendar should help. For more details on city and county events, check www.acworth.org.

JANUARY Jan. 7: School resumes after winter break Jan. 20: MLK Day Celebration and Day of Service

FEBRUARY Feb. 2: Groundhog Day, Super Bowl Feb. 8: ACT at North Cobb High School Feb. 14: Valentine’s Day Feb. 17: President’s Day Feb. 17-21: Winter Break Feb. 22: Polar Plunge

May 22: Allatoona High School graduation May 23: Acworth Memorial Day Ceremony North Cobb High School graduation May 25: Memorial Day May 30: Spring Classic Car Cruise

JUNE 5-7: Dixie Highway Yard Sale 6: SAT at North Cobb High School 13: ACT at North Cobb High School 20: First Day of Summer 21: Father’s Day

June June June June June

JULY July 4: 4th of July Concert and Fireworks

AUGUST Aug. 3: First Day of School Aug. 29: Summer Classic Car Cruise

MARCH 1: Readers’ Choice voting begins 2: Read Across America Day 8: Daylight Saving Time begins 14: SAT at North Cobb High School and North Cobb Christian School Acworth Daddy Daughter Dance March 17: St. Patrick’s Day March 19: First Day of Spring March March March March

APRIL April April April April April April April

3: Acworth Egg Hunt 4-5: Acworth Art Fest 4: ACT at North Cobb High School 6-10: Spring Break 10: Readers’ Choice voting ends 12: Easter Sunday 15: Tax Day

MAY May 2: Acworth Dragon Boat Festival SAT at North Cobb High School May 7: Acworth City Hall National Day of Prayer event May 8-9: Smoke on the Lake BBQ Festival May 10: Mother’s Day May 20: Last Day of School, early release Kennesaw Mountain High School graduation Acworth End of School Extravaganza 20

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

SEPTEMBER Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept.

7: Labor Day, School Holiday 12: Pizza, Pints & Pigskins 19-20: Acworth Mother Son Camp Out 22: First Day of Fall 28-Oct. 2: Fall Break

OCTOBER Oct. Oct. Oct. Oct. Oct. Oct.

1: Scarecrow Parade begins 10: Taste of Acworth 12: Columbus Day 20-28: World Series 24: Halloween JamBOOree 31: Halloween

NOVEMBER Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov.

1: Daylight Saving Time ends 3: Election Day. No school. 11: Acworth Veterans Day Ceremony 21: Turkey Chase 5K Fun Run and 2K Walk 23-27: Thanksgiving break 26: Thanksgiving

DECEMBER Dec. Dec. Dec. Dec.

4: Santa’s Arrival 11-18: Hanukkah 21-Jan. 5: Christmas break 25: Christmas

Christ-Centered Innovative Learning at Mount Paran

ount Paran Christian School (MPCS) is a pre-K3 through 12th grade private Christian, nondenominational, college-preparatory school committed to excellence in academics, arts and athletics. Founded in 1976, MPCS is fully accredited, and is located in the shadow of Kennesaw Mountain on a 68-acre collegiate-like campus. The school’s mission is to “unite with home and church to prepare servantleaders to honor God, love others, and walk in Truth.” Mount Paran Christian School strives to provide a stellar academic experience in a Christian environment. Teachers believe it’s crucial to guarantee a moral and faith foundation through everything a child learns at school. Through curricular Bible classes, weekly chapel, discipleship groups, and service, faith becomes integrated into students’ everyday lives.

Future Growth

The overall enrollment at MPCS is approximately 1,100, with plans to grow slightly along with the opening of the new high school expansion, the Murray Innovation Center. The facility will double the size of the high school building and will support cutting-edge educational space, advanced technology, maker space, art studios, fabrication labs for robotics, greenspace, and a coffee shop. The building, named for Stuart and Eulene Murray, also will include spaces for additional STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and

Math) classrooms for Project Lead the Way curriculum, digital theater environments, and student collaboration areas with chat and share rooms. MPCS plans to break ground on the Murray Innovation Center this spring, and hopes to open it for the 2021-22 academic year. To experience the difference an MPCS education can make, attend an open house or take a personal tour by visiting www.mtparanschool.com/experience.

Mount Paran at a Glance

• 100% teacher certification and/or advanced degrees. • 12-to-1 student-teacher ratio enables small classes where teachers know each student. • 57 AP/Honors courses, with an average pass rate that is 15% higher than the state average.

• $8 million in college scholarships offered and 100% college acceptances. • 1-to-1 connected learning device program in grades 6-12. • STEAM and Spanish education beginning in preschool and carried through high school. • 22% diversity among student body, with 150 churches represented. • 15 state championships in athletics recently, with an average of 13% of student-athletes signing to play in college. • More than 50 performing arts nominations for the Shuler Hensley Awards, the statewide high school musical theater awards.

A rendering of the Murray Innovation Center interior.

What Parents Are Saying... “The best decision we’ve made for our family! This school truly has a heart for their students and families. I am thankful for the amazing teachers who love my girls and seek their hearts daily!” — Stephanie D. “My children attend this school and, though not perfect, it’s as close as it comes. They all are thriving academically and participating in so many creative and athletics endeavors.” — Shelly R. “This is the place to be for a private Christian school in the Cobb County area, including parts of Cherokee, Bartow, and east Paulding!” — Len E. Sponsored Content

1275 Stanley Road NW Kennesaw, GA 30152 770-578-0182 www.mtparanschool.com MountParanChristianSchool @mtparanschool AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

Welding is a Woman’s Job: Part 1 BY RYAN BLYTHE

To launch 2020, I have decided to do a three-part series on women in the welding industry, culminating in time for International Women’s Day on March 8, with a feature on the Moore House in Biloxi, Mississippi, where more than 400 women have been trained in construction. But, first, here’s a look at one of Georgia Trade School’s top female graduates, Natalie Ford. Ford grew up in Fort Lauderdale and lived there through high school before moving to Woodstock to attend Gwinnett Technical College. She intended to major in veterinary technology, a career path that’s 55% female, some 50 points higher than welding. Like many students, Natalie found her original plan wasn’t what she really wanted, so she changed majors and earned a Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate for early childhood development. The next 10 years, Ford worked a variety of jobs, from child care to photography, never finding career satisfaction. Unfortunately for Ford, she had been directed to a four-year college, and jobs that are perceived to be traditionally for women. She came across welding soon after graduating high school, and even discussed going to a welding school as an alternative to college, but was discouraged by dated notions of gender roles. Finally, on her 27th birthday, Ford took matters into her own hands and stopped worrying about what others thought. She enrolled in school to study welding. Six months later, Ford received multiple certifications in arc welding, flux core welding and mig welding. Immediately after earning her industry credentials, she was hired at Absolute Welding and Consulting in Douglasville. Ford has been working there for nearly two years and, despite receiving offers from larger companies, including a major publicly traded manufacturer, she is very happy working for a smaller company, and loves what she does. Ford plans to continue her education and become a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI). She would like to teach, and has experienced the joy of helping coworkers with various techniques and positions to improve their welds. With an average salary of

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

GTS graduate Natalie Ford works on a project.

$80,000 per year, becoming a CWI in Georgia is an excellent career plan. While Ford’s story has a happy ending, she lost a decade professionally and, as a result, has strong opinions about closing the gender gap in the skilled trades. She thinks middle and high schools need to resume offering shop classes, with a focus on welding, plumbing, mechanical and electrical training, to expose girls to these careers. Gender stereotypes need to be erased, because women can fill these positions and do them just as well, if not better, than their male counterparts. Employers need to send their female employees to schools and share their stories. Ford, like many successful female welders, is patient and pays attention to the details of her welds. She excels at multitasking and understands the importance of setting up her machine correctly and following the correct speed. Like many other trailblazers before her, Ford pushes herself to “keep up with the boys” in an industry where they outnumber girls, 95 to 5.

Ryan Blythe is the founder of Georgia Trade School, which, for the fourth consecutive year, was named one of the Cobb Chamber Top 25 Small Businesses of the Year.

2020 Vision Focused on the Community BY SHANNON STAHL

5:30-7:30 p.m. Pizza by Fuscos 4815 S. Main St., Acworth

Happy New Year! In 2019, under Jim Hilber’s leadership, the Acworth Business Association (ABA) members were guided by his theme, “Your Bridge to Success.” We did enjoy success. Year after year, our community continues to grow. Our membership allowed us to give back to so many at our December luncheon with gifts of love to our local schools, teachers and nonprofits. We also were able to celebrate some outstanding members of our community.

Jan. 14

ABA Ambassador of the Year: Randy Bachman, Embroidery Central

UPCOMING ABA EVENTS Jan. 9

ABA Luncheon

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Acworth Community Center 4361 Cherokee St., Acworth

Alive After Five

Morning Jolt

7:45-9 a.m. The Holbrook 4491 S. Main St., Acworth Networking event that focuses on exchanging referrals with one another. Coffee and breakfast provided.

Jan. 16

Women’s Network 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Location TBD

Jan. 28

Morning Jolt

7:45-9 a.m. The Holbrook 4491 S. Main St., Acworth Networking event that focuses on exchanging referrals with one another. Coffee and breakfast provided.

Business of the Year:

Center Street Tavern Person of the Year: Steve Salyers, NorthStar Church Thank you to all who attended our December luncheon to celebrate another successful year. We are very lucky to have a community made up of so many wonderful people and businesses. The Acworth Business Association is a platform for our members to network and expand their businesses, and give back to their community. Our association is strong because of our members. The ABA offers five events each month through ABA luncheons, Alive After Fives, women’s luncheons and Morning Jolts. Now is the time to renew your membership. How involved do you

want to be? We have several levels of membership for every business. You can renew or join now at www.acworthbusiness.org. I am very excited to serve as your 2020 Acworth Business Association president! I have been a business owner in Acworth for 21 years, which has allowed me to see the city grow and prosper. We have no intentions of slowing down this year. There are so many more residents and businesses coming to our great city, and this is, in part, because of the great leadership we have in Acworth. The city government, our great residents, our current businesses and our beautiful community make Acworth the city to be in! Our community is where we go to eat and shop (which we just did a lot of), where our children go to school, and where we do business. It is true that, “people do business with people they know.” We are THE city YOU want to know! We are THE association YOU want to know! I am blessed to be part of this city and this association. Our success continues to be in focus. Our vision continues to be on our members, our business, our schools and everyone in public service. The Acworth Business Association theme this year is “2020 Vision: Focused on Our Community.” Shannon Stahl President 2020 Acworth Business Association

Feb. 6

ABA Luncheon

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Acworth Community Center 4361 Cherokee St., Acworth

Shannon Stahl has served on the ABA board for four years. She is the co-owner of KAMS Auto Service Center and is raising three children with husband Ken.

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

ACWORTH POLICE DEPARTMENT

Two Programs Highlight Activities in New Year BY WAYNE DENNARD

Each year, the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas seems to speed by. After the rush of holiday activities is behind us, we enter the new year reflecting on the blessings of the past and making plans for the future. We will have many exciting community outreach activities this year, and I especially am excited about two of them: our 20th annual Citizens’ Police Academy (CPA) A strong turnout for past Citizens’ Police Academy. and our inaugural Police Ambassador Camp. For the past 20 years, our department’s CPA has offered Our new Police Ambassador Program is a weeklong the public an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding day camp in the summer at the police department. Some of the job knowledge, skills and abilities required of those exciting elements of our program will include: police in law enforcement. Our students have learned from our officers as camp counselors; a chance to test our Usedispatchers, members of the Acworth Police Department, of-Force Simulator; a high ropes course experience; the district attorney’s office and the office of the medical and learning about evidence collection, fingerprinting, examiner. One of the highlights of the 12-week course narcotics, cybercrimes and more. Along the way, campers always is the firing range experience. Students have the will develop leadership and teamwork by using the skills opportunity to learn from a police firearms instructor and they have learned throughout the week and working participate in exercises on the firing range. together to solve a crime. Tuition is $75 for the week, At the conclusion of the academy, we have a graduation and space is very limited. Rising sixth through ninthceremony and celebration that family members are grade students are encouraged to apply. Applications are welcome to attend. It is at this point that students are available at www.acworthpolice.org. welcomed as part of our Acworth Police Department We hope that you will be able to share in our community family. After successfully completing the course, outreach activities this year, and we wish you all an participants get a chance to schedule a ride along with an amazing 2020! Acworth Police officer. Academy registration forms will be available at www.acworthpolice.org this month. Classes will begin the first week in March. Classes are free of charge and will Wayne Dennard has served as chief since 2012 and meet 6-9 p.m. on Mondays. Seating is limited, so be sure has lived in this community for more than 40 years. to register early. 24

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

CHOICES

for a Healthier Life BY SUSAN BROWNING SCHULZ

“As a teenager and as a child, I struggled with my weight, so my mom started a club for girls to come and talk about their issues and to be a support group for parents,” said Ashley Keyes, CHOICES executive chef. Ashley’s mom, Vanetta Keyes, researched options on healthy eating for her teenage daughter who struggled with weight, but never found the help she needed. Vanetta Keyes’ girls club morphed into the nonprofit Center Helping Obesity In Children End Successfully (CHOICES). The organization, headquartered in Kennesaw, now focuses on the entire family. In 2002, Ashley was just 14 years old when it launched. Today, she is a Le Cordon Bleu trained executive chef who leads the nonprofit’s cooking programs. The mission of the center is to be a valuable resource for parents of children clinically diagnosed with and at-risk of obesity. The last 17 years, CHOICES has delivered its message of healthy living and delicious eating to more than 85,000 children and adults in the Atlanta area through cooking classes, workshops, summer camps, and health expos. “We’re showing families how to make a healthy meal for $15 for a family of four, Ashley said. “When we get kids involved, it also brings back communication. When we’re cooking together, issues like bullying and peer pressure may come out.”

Chef Ashley Keyes and junior chef Apprentice Marcus Richardson, age 17. 26

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

Cooking with CHOICES students reaching for veggies!

From the beginning the goal has been to tackle childhood obesity in a fun and delicious way and help kids lead healthier lives. The staff members continually strive to increase their footprint and help even more Atlanta communities thrive. They accomplish this through three main programs:

• Cooking with CHOICES Classes are free for

low-income families that have food insecurities and often live in food deserts.

Veggie pizza night during one of the cooking classes.

• Camp Divas is a week-long culinary and wellness

summer camp for girls age 10-15 with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 26. They are inspired to greatness and learn how to live a healthy lifestyle. • Let’s Move! Dekalb is a successful back-to-school expo based on the initiative launched by former First Lady Michelle Obama to eradicate obesity. It includes a mobile food pantry (in collaboration with the Atlanta Community Food Bank), and over 1,000 backpacks with school supplies are given away. The heart of CHOICES is the Community Training Kitchen (CTK). It is not only utilized for the free cooking classes, but also serves as an educational outlet for the organization. The CTK offers healthy cooking classes to the general public at an affordable cost. The proceeds from the paid classes will further the mission of CHOICES. This unique project approaches children’s education, adult health, and food sustainability in an innovative way by including trainthe-trainer health education workshops, nutrient based cooking classes, chronic disease workshops, and seminars on alternative food systems. To sign up for classes, volunteer, or learn more about CHOICES, visit www.choicesforkids.org, or call 678-8193663. Administrative offices are located at 1275 Shiloh Road NW, Suite 2660, Kennesaw.

Susan Schulz is a wife, mom, writer and mentor who lives and plays along the Etowah River in Canton. She loves serving at Woodstock City Church. Connect with her at www.susanbrowningschulz.com.

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

Lake Pointe Wellness Center

Dr. Deb continues her global wellness missio

r. Deb Schreibman recalls leaving Carnegie Hall, the last stop on a whirlwind media tour, feeling more affected than usual. The chiropractor-turned-functional-medicine practitioner said she never tires of talking to people about turning their lives around, but continues to be amazed at who she meets along the way. “I had the most amazing conversation with Jesse Jackson,” shared Dr. Deb. “Ice-T and Coco are the sweetest people.” She talks about Suzanne Somers, an outspoken functional medicine advocate with whom she has shared a Harvard stage — and the folks in Cambridge keep asking her back. Why? Because, after 20 years and thousands of patients, Dr. Deb wants to educate and empower people to reclaim their health. And, when she talks, people listen. A frequent guest on NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox TV morning shows, Dr. Deb is an award-winning public speaker. During her appearances, she encourages people to pay attention to their bodies and seek help when they feel they need it. She’s an advocate for individuals taking charge of their health.

Acworth is Home Base Dr. Deb speaking at the Harvard Club of Boston.

Dr. Deb with Ice-T and Coco.

Dr. Deb with Jesse Jackson.

Dr. Deb is the founder of Lake Pointe Wellness Center, a facility she opened 16 years ago because she saw the need for compassionate functional health care. Functional medicine is an approach and treatment that focuses on optimal functioning of the body and its organs. It deals with primary prevention and underlying causes of chronic disease, rather than removing or masking symptoms once they arise. The real key to preventative care is gathering all the information you can upfront — regardless of medical specialty or body part — and look at all factors to find the root cause of symptoms. Sometimes, that means spending an hour with a patient, uninterrupted. This center is structured to do that. “We look at all five pillars of health — hormone balance, exercise, central nervous system, nutrition and detoxification,” Dr. Deb said. “It’s funny. Some of my best friends are traditional doctors, and they are envious of my practice,” she said. “They are so often unable to help, because of the insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies that drive them. If I could only spend seven minutes with a patient, I would be frustrated, too.”

Podcast Debuts in March

Dr. Deb with Martha Stewart. 28

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

Dr. Deb runs Facebook live events, webinars and her new podcast “Lifelong w/Dr.Deb,” which will be available on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify and more in March. “My podcast will be a great place to learn, become motivated and share experiences. Like the time Martha Stewart hugged me in my dressing room and said, ‘I juice every morning.’ If someone is following my wellness program Sponsored Content

What Patients Are Saying …

on with a new podcast. and complaining about taking the time to make their own juice … it’s hard to argue with Martha Stewart,” Dr. Deb said. “I speak all the time in my community, trying to educate people on how to take back their lives. The only way to do it is to be able to run the right tests and understand what they mean. If you don’t ask the right questions, how can you get the right answers?” Technology makes it possible for Dr. Deb to see patients around the world and across town. Video conferencing allows her to keep up with patients who travel, or live abroad.

More Space for Expanded Services

Dr. Deb recently moved her practice and built a free-standing 5,000-square-foot integrative wellness center in the back of Cobblestone Centre. Within the new facility, patients have access to a nurse practitioner, chiropractors, an acupuncturist, aesthetician, phlebotomist, and massage therapists. Services have expanded to include digital X-rays, blood tests and medical provider visits. Patients don’t need insurance or doctors’ orders to have lab work completed. Other offerings include: • Custom functional medicine programs • B12 and Botox injections • Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy • A full phlebotomy lab with competitive pricing • Annual physicals and checkups • I.V. vitamin and hydration therapy • Chiropractic services • Organic aesthetician services • Medical weight loss • Digital X-ray with a life-size screen • Acupuncture treatments • Massage therapy

“I’ve lost over 90 pounds and 65 inches. I feel incredible and am no longer on any (prescription) medication. My life has been changed forever! I am so grateful for Dr. Deb.” – Karen from Marietta “I love Dr. Deb and her staff. The staff is always welcoming and helpful. Dr. Deb has corrected my lower back and neck issues and kept me pain-free without medication. I highly recommend Dr. Deb and Lake Pointe Wellness Center!” – Dick from Acworth “Since going to Dr. Deb, I feel so much better. I have stopped taking Metformin and cholesterol medications. My blood pressure meds have been cut in half so far. I have lost 30 pounds and my hormones are in check. She is truly an amazing person. Thank you.” – Jerri from Dallas “Dr. Deb’s programs have been life-changing for us. I’ve lost 60 pounds. I no longer struggle with sinus infections. My wife’s blood sugar is normal. The list goes on.” – Ben from Cartersville “Dr. Deb is a kind and intelligent doctor who feels deeply for those under her care. Those that have her in their lives are truly blessed.” – Scott from Acworth “Increased energy and sleeping like a rock. Body fat is down, and muscle mass is up. Waist size down from 38 to 34 and lost 15 pounds. No more turkey chin!” – Rich from Kennesaw

LAKE POINTE WELLNESS CENTER 3450 Acworth Due West Road Building 500 Kennesaw, GA 30144

770-343-2430

www.FeelBetterHere.com @lakepointewellnesscenter

PHOTO BY BETH FORNUTO AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

Make Sure Your Estate Plan is Complete BY JOSHUA NELSON

One of the great things about my job as an elder law attorney is I get to hear so many amazing family stories. Many families come in because they already have a plan in place, but want a second look, since it has been a while since they created the plan. For others, some things have changed within their family and they want to verify the plan they have still accomplishes what they think it does. I sit down with them and get to know them and their plans for their future and the future of their loved ones. Everyone has a story and it’s worth sharing. The great news is that some of those families never become clients because they are covered with their current plan and don’t need to spend anything since they are already protected. Lately, I have noticed a growing issue. People have incomplete plans, often trusts, and either they don’t know why they have them or didn’t realize there were steps that weren’t completed after they got their legal binder. Often these people bought their estate plan from someone who never took the time to ask them about their family, their personal story, or what things were important to hand down to their loved ones. Their plan wasn’t created in a way that embraced their legacy. These are often cookie-cutter plans that give the illusion of protection, yet these families have been thinking that they were protected from probate, being a burden to their families as they age, or protecting their assets. In reality, they will still have to go through a long legal process called probate since a will doesn’t skip probate in Georgia and the trust didn’t have the assets funded, retitled into the name of the trust, or designated as such on the account beneficiary designation.

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

Here are a few quick things to make sure your plan does what you think it does.

• Is it signed? I had a family in November that had paid

an attorney to draft a will-based plan for them. When we looked it over, we realized it was never signed. The lawyer had included a note, that no one ever read until that day, explaining how they still needed to “execute” the will, which means get it signed. Luckily they found this before it was too late.

• Is it recorded? Does the deed to your house list your

trust and have a county stamp on it that says the book and page number of its recording? Often as a way of keeping the initial price down, law firms will offer reduced services, such as leaving your home’s deed transfer up to you. The problem with this is that you probably cannot complete the change on your deed without an attorney assisting. If it’s not transferred and recorded with the county, the house may end up unprotected and could go to the state or unintended family members.

• Is it funded? Do your statements for financial and

banking accounts list your name or the name of the trust? Your statements for assets in trust will often have the word trustee (or the letters TTEE) in the address line if they are funded in your trust. If they don’t, they may still be funded, but it’s worth a call to verify.

Joshua Nelson is an elder care law attorney with Nelson Elder Care Law, LLC, 2230 Towne Lake Parkway, Bldg. 900, Suite 200, Woodstock, GA, 30189. www.NelsonElderCareLaw.com.

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

Rob’s Rescues Community Support

This dog’s name is Harley and her tag number is 619597. She is a short, 8-year-old dog. She is a perfect dog who walks well, is potty trained and enjoys being outside. She enjoys walking in the rain. She is light, fluffy, has a great personality and a cute face. She is a Shiba Inu. She was a stray, which is good because no one in their right mind would surrender this dog.

This cat’s name is Kayla. Her tag number is 618895. She is 5 years old and is a large tabby cat. She was a stray and came to the shelter in August. If you had a New Year’s resolution to make a great friend, then this is your friend. Come and adopt this amazing cat. These animals are available at the Cobb County Animal Shelter, 1060 Al Bishop Drive SW, Marietta. 32

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

Jay Patouillet is an organizer of the Golf Fore Charity tournament. He invited me to speak at the lunch for the tournament. The Golf Fore Charity always raises a lot of money for local charities. I also was invited to the Bridgemill Sixes Service League meeting, and they did a food drive for me, which I gave to MUST Ministries. They do a lot of good work in the community. Every year, Debi Fife holds a Chicksgiving party, which collects a bunch of food, toys, blankets and money for Rob’s Rescues and MUST Ministries. It was held at the Terrace at Bridgemill, and all the supplies went to Cobb County Animal Shelter, Cherokee County Animal Shelter, the Grey Project, Fridas Companion Animal Foundation and Meals on Wheels Atlanta.

Jay Patouillet and Rob.

Rob’s Rescues benefitted from Chicksgiving 2019. Front row, from left: Paula Jameson, Christine Fleming, Terri Zahorodny, Meredith Germain and Kristie Buckner. Middle row: Jen Letsinger, Lyn Wagner, Rebekah Sanford, Patti Sunde and Carly Bandy. Back row: Cyndi Smith, Gina Surratt, Jenn Hanna, Nina Hutcherson, Debi Fife and Wendy Marovich.

Rob Macmillan is on a mission to help shelter dogs and cats. www.robsrescues.com. On Facebook @robsrescues.

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AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

Three Areas to Consider in the New Year BY JENNIFER BONN

I love this time of year because it is full of possibilities. It is a time to reflect on what is working well in your life, and what could be improved and eliminated. What will you keep? What needs to be improved? Are there things you should eliminate? Here are some ideas to focus on in each category.

What should stay the same?

Think about the elements in your life that make you happy, the ones you want to keep in the coming year, and years to come. Many of mine are not material things. I want to maintain the level of communication I have with my daughters. I treasure the moments when my youngest curls up next to me and starts sharing what is happening in her life, or when the oldest calls and asks if I have a few minutes because she needs my advice. I hope even when they are both on their own, we will still have these quiet moments together. Everyone needs at least one friend who always has your best interests in mind, who understands you, and makes you laugh like no one else. My two besties are my running buddies, Raleigh and Sally. I know they will be there whenever I need them. I am blessed to have a husband who loves me more than I deserve. Sometimes the way he shows me his love leaves me speechless. It is always something he knows matters to me, like decorating our house for Christmas while I was out of town with my oldest, or going with me to Barnes and Noble once a week even though he does not like to read. Continue to cultivate the relationships in your life that fulfill you. My house brings me joy. It is never perfectly clean or ultra-modern. It is cozy and full of people and things that I love. I want to maintain my health. I enjoy being active and I will do what I need to do to stay that way. I want my relationship with God to continue to sustain me. Make your list of blessings. Seeing the things you are thankful for makes any problem seem smaller. 34

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

What should be improved?

There are always aspects of our lives that we can try to make better. Would you like to take classes or learn a new skill? I have started taking guitar lessons and I am loving it although I do not think you will see me in concert anytime soon. Enter the experience with a growth mindset, telling yourself that while you may not have mastered a certain skill yet, you will. Do not let frustration creep in and destroy your efforts. Could you be better at your job? If you have an area in your profession that you would like to learn, find a mentor and start asking questions. What do you need to do to improve personally? Could you adjust your attitude? Are you too hard on yourself, expecting perfection? I constantly have to work on two things. Although I do not like it when someone is quick to judge someone else, I find myself doing it, too. We all have our baggage and struggles, and I am always reminding myself to judge less and understand more. The second thing is to let things go without being so emotionally attached to what people say and do. I would love to be less sensitive or to care a little less what people think, but it is a daily struggle.

What should be eliminated? This might be the most important reflection because eliminating certain things can change your life. The most obvious move is to eliminate anything that is holding you back from being completely happy: addictions, stressful relationships, a job you do not enjoy. You are not doomed to stay in an unpleasant situation. Name the problem and then make a plan to change things for the better. Evaluate relationships that cause you heartache and stress. Some can be strengthened, yet others require that you stop trying to take control, leaving them in Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hands. Then, sometimes you have to walk away. Staying stagnant and never trying to improve and renew will not allow you to live the life you deserve. Good luck as you start a new year. I hope it is the best one yet for you. Jennifer Bonn is a French teacher at Mount Paran Christian School, and is working on a book about lessons she learned in the classroom.

Acworth Real Estate Market Year in Review BY MALINDA HOWE

The Acworth tourism slogan “You’re welcome in Acworth” took on a different meaning in 2019, with more than 1,711 homes sold as of Dec. 19. Welcome to those calling Acworth home sweet home for the first time. And, to those who either upsized or right-sized last year, we’re glad you decided to stay in one of the safest, fastest-growing cities in the state. In 2019, the city shone with the opening of the new community center, pedestrian bridge overpass, and the new Depot, improving Main Street’s landscape. Acworth’s improvements will continue in 2020 with the opening of new restaurants, breweries, new mixed-use developments and additional new infill construction. It will be an exciting time for all! The city’s unique historic downtown remains in high demand to live, work and play.

Acworth Housing Market 2019 Review Cobb County

• The median home sale price was $261,250, a 7.51% increase from 2018. • The average amount of time on the market was 14 days. • Of the 962 homes sold, 31 were new construction, a 55% increase in sales from 2018, with a median sale price of $480,000.

Paulding County

• The median home price was $316,600, a 3.84% increase from 2018. • The average amount of time on the market was 33 days. • Of the 266 homes sold, 19 were new construction, a 53.66% decrease in new construction sales from 2018, with a median sale price of $370,214.

Cherokee County

• The median home price was $254,990, a 4.24% increase from 2018. • The average amount of time on the market was 15 days. • Of the 413 homes sold, 71 were new construction, a 39.22% increase in new construction sales from 2018, with a median sale price of $270,990.

Bartow County

• The median home price was $156,750, a 3.99% decrease from 2018. • The average amount of time on the market was 14 days, with a total of 70 homes sold. • There were no new construction homes sold. (Data from FMLS; this does not reflect homes sold under the radar and represents detached homes only. Data used is through Dec. 19, 2019.)

Malinda Howe lives, works and plays in Historic Downtown Acworth and is a broker and owner of Anchor Realty Partners. Howe is also vice chairwoman of the Acworth Tourism Board. AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

What Will You Do Differently? BY J.R. LEE

New Year’s feels different to me this year. It’s not just the dawn of a new year. It’s the dawn of a new decade, which makes it seem more important. I love fresh starts and new beginnings, so this time of year is one of my favorites. Whether you are the type to make New Year’s resolutions or not, I bet there is at least one thing you want to be different in 2020. Maybe you want to lose a few of the holiday pounds, get in shape, establish an emergency fund, or spend more time with friends and family. All those are great but there is one thing we have to remember. If you want something different, you are going to have to do something different. They say the definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over again while expecting different results. With that in mind, what will you do differently this year? • Want your relationships to grow, deepen and thrive? What’s one change you can make beginning today? • Want to lose a few pounds? What’s one food you can give up and one step you can take for the sake of your health?

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

• Want to get to know or grow in your relationship with God? What needs to happen so that going to church on Sundays becomes more of a priority than an option? • Want to live a more fulfilling and positive life? What’s one relationship that you need to begin and one relationship that needs to end in order to make that happen? Whatever step you want to take, take it. You’ve got this! This is the year that you stop making excuses and start making it happen. This year, don’t wait until it’s convenient to make changes. Just remember, if you want something different, you have to do something different. Do something different this year. You will be glad you did!

J.R. Lee is the lead pastor of Freedom Church, with locations in Acworth and Kennesaw. To connect with him, visit www.JRLee.tv or visit www.FreedomChurch.tv. 770-529-6006.

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AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

@ the Library Jan. 13

Jan. 15, 22, 29, Feb. 5

2-4 p.m. Sign up for a 15-minute session of reading to the library’s certified therapy dog, Hope. Adult doglovers who also love to read can experience the joy and relaxation of reading aloud to an appreciative audience. Registration required.

4-5 p.m. Elementary school-age students are invited for stories and a fun activity. A movie or craft may be included. Parents/caregivers are expected to remain in the building during the program.

Read to a Dog for Adults

Jan. 13, 20, 27, Feb. 3 TABASCOS

5-6 p.m. TABASCOS (Tween Activities But Also Some Cool Other Stuff) is a weekly program for students ages 8-12. Join for STEM challenges, art projects, games and other fun stuff. Parents/caregivers are expected to remain in the building during the program.

Jan. 14, 21, 28, Feb. 4 Toddler Storytime

10:30-11 a.m. Children ages 1-2 are invited for fun and age-appropriate songs, stories and rhymes that enhance your child’s early literacy and social skills. Requires a participating adult.

Preschool Storytime

11:30 a.m.-noon. Children ages 3-5 are invited for fun and age-appropriate songs, stories, and activities that enhance your child’s early literacy and social skills. May include a craft or short film. Requires a participating adult.

Jan. 14

Sherlock Holmes Story Discussions

6:30-8 p.m. Join the North Cobb Irregulars. Meets monthly on the second Tuesday of each month. Presented by Helen Cauley, writer and president emerita of the Sherlock Holmes Society of Georgia. This month’s stories are “The Final Problem” from “The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes” and “The Empty House” from “The Return of Sherlock Holmes.”

Jan. 15

Acworth Book Club

1-2:30 p.m. Group meets every third Wednesday of each month. January’s book is “The Death of Mrs. Westaway” by Ruth Ware. For more information, call Nichole at 770-801-5320.

Jan. 15, 22, 29, Feb. 5 Baby Lapsit Storytime

10:30-10:50 a.m. Pre-walking babies, ages 0-18 months, parents and caregivers are invited for fun and ageappropriate songs, rhymes, and stories that enhance your child’s early literacy and social skills. 38

North Cobb Regional Library • 3535 Old 41 Highway, Kennesaw 770-801-5320 • www.cobbcat.org/venue/north-cobb-regional-library

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

School Age Adventures

Teen “Whatever” Wednesdays

4-5 p.m. Ages 13-18 are invited every Wednesday for a craft, game or movie time. No registration required.

Jan. 16, 23, 30, Feb. 6

Meetup for Adults With Special Needs

10:30-11:30 a.m. Adults with special needs and their caregivers are invited to join every Thursday morning for a fun group activity and meeting new friends. Activities may include storytime, art projects, Lego building, music and other fun things. No registration is required.

Jan. 16

Wellness Series Begins

2-3 p.m. Take care of yourself inside and out with a series of free wellness programs on Thursdays in January and February. Events designed to promote mental, physical and social well-being. For adults ages 18 and older. No experience needed. No registration required. Comfortable clothing and a mat or towel recommended for yoga classes, but not required. The Jan. 16 class is Total, Mind, Body and Soul with Terri Carter from the Family and Consumer Science Department of the UGA Extension Service. The Jan. 23 class is Yoga Nidra; relax, release and let go with certified instructor Karin Thomas. The Jan. 30 class is Declutter Your Life with Carter. The Feb. 6 class is Chair Yoga with certified instructor Mary Munroe.

Lego Mania!

4-5 p.m. Bring your imagination as Legos are provided for a whole hour of building on the third Thursday of each month. No registration required.

Jan. 23

CAREing Paws: Read to a Dog

3:30-4:30 p.m. Independent readers can sign up for a 15-minute session of reading to a certified CAREing Paws therapy dog, Lexi. For first- through fifth-graders. Registration required.

Jan. 25

Read to a Dog

1-3 p.m. Independent readers can sign up for a 15-minute session of reading to the library’s certified therapy dog, Hope. Registration required.

Coming Soon!

Our local business owners bring so much value to our community. They offer restaurants where we can grab a delicious meal, service centers to keep our cars in tune, individuals who help educate our children and care for our pets, and medical facilities with physicians we trust to treat our families.

Here is your chance to thank them.

POLLS OPEN MARCH 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; APRIL 10 at www.aroundacworthmagazine.com Follow the prompts on our website, and cast your vote for your favorite SMALL businesses.

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

PHOTOS BY BROOKE VANDE ZANDE

Spin the Dreidel Acworthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual Menorah Lighting Ceremony was Dec. 23, the second night of Hanukkah, at the corner of Cowan Road and Main Street. Rabbi Zalman Charytan from the Chabad Jewish Center officiated the lighting alongside Mayor Tommy Allegood. Despite the rainy conditions outside, a good time was had by all at the reception afterward hosted by the Holbrook Acworth, an active senior living community.

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

Around & About JANUARY Series, 14 Speaker sponsored by the Save

Acworth History and Kennesaw Historical Society, continues as Tom Long shares his story at 7 p.m. at the Acworth City Council Chambers, 4415 Senator Russell Ave. With more than 40 years in the music business, Long, a Georgia native, co-founded the Atlanta Tom Long Songwriters Association in the late 1970s while employed by the Lowery Music Organization. After working in Nashville for many years, Long now lives in Kennesaw.

19 Complimentary Community Concert Acworth Cultural Arts presents a

as the Lopez Tabor Duo performs “From 17th Century Europe to 21st Century Latin America.” The free concert begins at 4 p.m. at the Acworth United Methodist Church, 4340 Collins Circle. In lieu of admission, a love offering will be collected to fund scholarships awarded to local high school students majoring in the arts. For more information, visit www.acworthculturalarts.org/events.

Seventh annual MLK Day Celebration and ninth annual Day of Service hosted by the Acworth Parks, Recreation and Community Resource Department. Festivities begin at 9:30 a.m. with a unity walk from the Roberts School Community and Education Center to the Acworth Community Center, followed by a 10 a.m. ceremony. Kit Cummings with the Power of Peace Project will be the featured speaker. After the ceremony, the Acworth Achievers Mentoring and After School Program will host a community service project at the Roberts School.

Participants enjoying the Unity Walk from the Rosenwald School to Zion Hill Baptist Church at last year's MLK Day Celebration. Photo by Brittany Weir. 42

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

FEBRUARY

Registration opens for the annual Daddy Daughter Dance on Feb. 3 for residents, hosted by the Acworth Parks, Recreation and Community Resource Department. The dance will be 7 p.m. March 14 at the Acworth Community Center. This year’s theme will be a Masquerade Dance. Cost is $30 per couple for Acworth residents. Registration opens Feb. 10 for nonresidents and the cost is $40 per couple. Additional daughters are $10 each. Register online at www.acworthparksandrecreation.org. All girls ages 13 and younger are invited to attend with their dads or adult male chaperones.

State of the City Address will take place during 6 Annual the February Acworth Business Association Luncheon at

the Acworth Community Center. The luncheon starts at 11:30 a.m. Lunch is $15 for ABA members and $20 for nonmembers. The address is an opportunity to celebrate the past year’s accomplishments and learn about the vision for Acworth in 2020. Register for this event at www.acworthbusiness.org.

The Special Olympics Polar Plunge, hosted by the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Georgia, will be at Acworth Beach at Cauble Park with gates opening at 11 a.m. The Plunge begins at 1 p.m. Participants collect pledges from friends and family in exchange for the opportunity to jump into icy waters in the middle of winter. All proceeds collected by plungers benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Georgia. Prizes will be awarded in several categories, including best costume, highest individual fundraiser, highest team fundraiser, and more. For more information on Special Olympics Georgia, visit www.specialolympicsga.org.

REGISTRATIONS

Parks and Recreation / Community Center 770-917-1234 • www.acworthparksandrecreation.org

Youth Registrations

Art Explosion Winter Break Camp. Each day of camp will focus on a different art medium such as fabrics and dyes, paper, paint, clay and more. Campers should dress in clothing that can get painted, stained and splattered. For ages 5-12 during Cobb County winter break (Feb. 17-21) from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Drop off starting at 7:30 a.m. and late pick up ends at 6 p.m. $115 for residents, $140 for nonresidents. Register online. Youth Party Line Dancing. Dancing increases confidence, balance, flexibility, social skills and happiness. Class meets Mondays at the Roberts School Community and Education Center from 6-7 p.m. $35 for residents and $40 for nonresidents. Discounts offered for multiple family members. Register online. Magic Carpet Music and Movement. Parents and caregivers

will enjoy dancing and moving along with their miniature partners to fun, themed music while flying on an exciting magic carpet ride. This five-week class meets Tuesdays at the Roberts School Community and Education Center, from 10-10:45 a.m. Jan. 14-Feb. 11 $50 for residents and $55 for nonresidents. Register online.

Horizon League Programs

Horizon Baseball League. Registration opens on Feb. 3. The

Horizon League is a non-competitive baseball league for athletes ages 5 years and older with physical and/or cognitive disabilities. Games will be played on the Horizon Field at the Acworth Sports Complex. $15 per player. Register online. The deadline without a late fee is March 27. Games for the youth and teen league begin April 13. Adult games will be Thursday nights, beginning April 11. Super Bowl Bingo. Celebrate the Super Bowl early and wear your favorite football team gear at 6 p.m. on Jan. 30. Program is designed for participants with developmental and/or physical disabilities ages 13 and older. $5 and registration is required. This program is limited to 20 participants. Register online. For more information contact Lauren Ham at lham@acworth.org. Horizon Yoga. The class focuses on teaching modified yoga postures and breathing techniques for individuals with disabilities. Classes will be from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, Jan. 29-Feb. 26. $8.00 and registration is required. Register online. For more information contact Lauren Ham at lham@acworth.org.

I’M PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE

I ranked in the

TOP 300 PRODUCERS OF 2019!

Athletic Registration

Acworth Youth Baseball. Acworth Baseball registration for

Looking to Purchase or Refinance?

the Spring 2020 season is now underway! The association provides a safe, challenging, fun instructional and competitive baseball experience for boys and girls, ages 4-19. Register at www.acworthbaseball.org.

JAY WHITE • Area Sales Manager

Acworth Adult Winter Basketball League. The league will

770.870.0644 • JayClosesLoans.com

offer two divisions: Competitive and Recreational. Both divisions will run simultaneously with start times beginning at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. Games will be Sundays, starting Feb. 9, with a single-elimination tournament March 15. $375 per team for both residents and nonresidents. Players without a team can participate in Free Agent Day on Jan. 12 at 2 p.m. Free Agent registration is $40. Register online.

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AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

Lincoln, 1, and Olivia, 4, Payne.

SANTA, I know him! Parker Beall, 2. Photo by Kyle Hess.

Nolan, 4, with Miles, 20 months, and six-year-old Anna Ramsey. 44

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

Photos taken during annual Santa visits seem to be a rite of passage for most kiddos, whether they like it or not. See how some of your neighborsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; photos with ole Saint Nick went this year.

Caroline Scott, 6 weeks. Photo by Brittany Weir.

Finley, 3, and Lacy, 5, Boyer. Photo by Brittany Weir.

Palmer Blythe, 7.

Anslee, 6, Kate, 3, Melissa and Ryan Voyles.

Michael Gaston, 6. AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

City of Acworth Ribbon Cuttings 1. Generations Pizza 3969 S. Main St., Acworth 678-653-8383 Facebook: @SouthMainStAcworth 2. Star Stuff 4549 Lemon St., Suite 100, Acworth www.starstuffga.com

Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings Creed Clothing Company Jan. 21, 11:30 a.m. 3801 Old 41 Highway, Suite B, Acworth Crazy Naeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jeep Wave Jan. 30, 11:30 a.m. 3235 Odeon Way, Suite 130, Acworth

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

School News Shane Queen Named 2019 Acworth Citizen of the Year

Shane Queen, center, with Acworth Mayor Tommy Allegood and Cobb Chamber representatives.

The Cobb Chamber’s Northwest Cobb Area Council named Shane Queen, head football coach at North Cobb High School, the 2019 Acworth Citizen of the Year for his leadership at his school and within the community. As head coach for 14 years, Queen has led his team to regional wins and was named the Cobb County Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2013. Queen is not only a coach, but also a role model in the lives of the students in the Acworth community. He goes the extra mile with his players, investing in both their academic and athletic lives. He often addresses his "5 P’s" for students to think about as they navigate their years at North Cobb: purpose, passion, perseverance, pride and people. The coach has worked with community members and partners to improve school facilities, so that all North Cobb students can be trained with the best equipment possible. Queen recently took students on a trip to serve with the Power of Peace Project in Selma, Alabama. They helped feed more than 200 people who are foodinsecure during the visit. Queen always is focused on how he can grow young men into future husbands, fathers and contributing members of the Acworth community.

Allatoona Athletic Teams Close Fall Season Strong to be left out, and went on a state championship run of its Allatoona High School athletics posted impressive fall own. The Bucs put together an impressive season, finishing seasons, with two teams making state championship runs to runner up in the GHSA 6A State Championship after falling close out 2019. to Harrison High School 20-7 Dec. 13. Asante Das, Nick After finishing runner-up to Pope High School in the Lundeberg and Jude Kelley were named to Recruit Georgia’s 2018 Georgia High School Association (GHSA) 6A state 6A All-State teams. championships, the Allatoona volleyball team had unfinished business to start the 2019 campaign. In November, the Buccaneers found themselves in familiar territory, facing Sequoyah High School. This time, Allatoona beat the Lady Chiefs in five sets (21-25, 25-21, 29-27, 17-25, 15-2) to win the 2019 GHSA 6A State Championship. Head coach Joseph Soley was named Coach of the Year by the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association and by the Georgia Volleyball Coaches Association (GVCA). Chamblee Russell was named GVCA Player of the Year, while Annie Smith and Callie Miller were all-state selections. Seeing volleyball’s success, the Allatoona football team didn’t want The Allatoona volleyball team after winning the GHSA 6A State Championship. AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

KSU Recap Owl Football Season BY NOLAN ALEXANDER

There is much to be said about what the Kennesaw State Owls accomplished in 2019. One could argue that 2017 brought the Owls to prominence, 2018 solidified the program as a threat to the rest of the Football Championship Series (FCS), and 2019 affirmed coach Brian Bohannon's mantra of effort, attitude, and toughness (E.A.T.), while cementing KSU's culture ahead of what looks to be a very bright future. Here are a few moments that made this season one to remember as the Owls posted an 11-3 record, going 5-1 in Big South Conference play. • The Owls quickly established themselves as a team high on talent and execution in a 59-0 win over Point University on Aug. 31. It also was the first win in a season opener at Fifth Third Bank Stadium as a record 2,621 students packed in the end zone. • KSU did almost everything right in a 26-23 overtime loss Sept. 7 at Kent State, an eventual bowl-bound Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) program. This game increased KSU's visibility to the FBS ranks, established confidence, but also gave the team something to be hungry about in the upcoming tests.

The Owls celebrate a big win over Wofford in the first round of the FCS Playoffs.

• KSU rolled Alabama State 42-7 on Sept. 14. It was a total team effort with 26 first downs and 202 yards allowed of total offense. • In a 35-24 win Sept. 21 at Missouri State, Bronson Rechsteiner ran for 221 yards and set a Big South yards-per-carry record, and Isaac Foster rushed for 183 yards. KSU trailed 16-7 at the half, but outscored the Bears 21-0 and rushed for 223 yards in just the third quarter. • KSU pleased the homecoming crowd with a 45-23 victory over Charleston Southern on Oct. 12. Rechsteiner recorded 138 rushing yards and two touchdowns, and quarterback Daniel David ran for three touchdowns.

Senior running back Bronson Rechsteiner, a second team all-conference selection, during the Weber State game. 48

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

• Backup quarterback Tommy Bryant passed for three touchdowns and ran for two more in the Owls’ 55-10 win at Presbyterian on Oct. 19.

• The Owls rolled to a season-high 492 rushing yards in a 41-17 rout of North Alabama on Oct. 26. • A 12-game Big South win streak was broken as the Owls recorded their first regular-season home loss in three years to Monmouth, dropping a 45-21 decision Nov. 2. • The Owls forced a season-high five turnovers in a 50-7 win at Hampton on Nov. 16. • The Owls became the first Big South program to post three-straight 10-win seasons with a 42-14 victory against Gardner-Webb on Nov. 23. • Backup quarterback Jonathan Murphy smashed records with 206 rushing yards and three scores in just over two quarters to lead KSU to a 28-21 win at Wofford in the first round of the

in Review

ALL-BIG SOUTH Defensive Player of the Year Bryson Armstrong All-Academic S Cole Loden

First Team

Offense OL Chris Dye, OL Jake Lassiter Defense LB Bryson Armstrong, DL Desmond Johnson Jr.*

Second Team

Offense RB Bronson Rechsteiner* Defense LB Kareem Taylor, DB Leâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Vonte Larry Special Teams PR Isaac Foster

NATIONAL HONORS Buck Buchanan Award Bryson Armstrong (Finished 13th) *Seniors Desmond Johnson Jr., and Bronson Rechsteiner, an Acworth native, have declared for the 2020 NFL Draft, which is April 23-25.

FCS playoffs Nov. 30. The Owl defense defeated the Southern Conference's top offense and KSU affirmed itself as the most successful start-up program in modern college football with its 48th victory in five seasons. â&#x20AC;˘ Weber State earned the No. 3 seed in the playoffs, but for the majority of the game it looked like KSU was worthy of the high billing as the Owls dropped a 26-20 decision on the road in the second round of the FCS playoffs Dec. 7 to end the 2019 season. In its final game, KSU started just two seniors on offense and four on defense, so the 2020 season looks promising.

Nolan Alexander is in his first season as assistant director of athletic communications at Kennesaw State University.

Coach Brian Bohannon sings the KSU fight song during the post-game locker room celebration after the Owls defeated Wofford in the playoffs. AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

Senior Activities CITY OF ACWORTH Parks and Recreation Department • 770-917-1234 www.acworthparksandrecreation.org

Jan. 15

Active Adult Luncheon includes lunch, bingo and

other special activities at Tanyard Creek Overlook at the Acworth Community Center, 4361 Cherokee St. Lunch is served at noon. Bingo with prizes after lunch. Free.

Mondays and Wednesdays

Pickleball League. Games will be on Mondays

and Wednesdays Feb. 24-March 18 at the Acworth Community Center. Participants will receive an Acworth pickleball shirt. Register online.

March 27

March Day Trip to Gibbs Garden. Tour Gibbs Garden’s unique blend of natural and man-made features. The group will have lunch after the garden tour. Lunch is not included in the cost. Bus departs from Acworth Community Center at 9 a.m. $20 for residents, $25 for nonresidents. Register online or in person at the Acworth Community Center.

ALOHA TO AGING 4608 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta 770-722-7641• info@alohatoaging.org

Jan. 21

Dementia Caregiver Support Group. 10:30-11:30 a.m., meets at Burnt Hickory Baptist Church, 5145 Due West Road, Powder Springs. Open to family members who are assisting an aging loved one, in or out of the home. Free respite care is provided for loved ones during the meeting; call 770-722-7641 to reserve a spot. For additional evening support groups, visit www. alohatoseniors.com/events.

Feb. 4

Parkinson’s Disease Support Group. 11:15 a.m.-12:15

COBB COUNTY North Cobb Senior Center 4100 S. Main St., Acworth • 770-975-7740

Jan. 14

Friends of North Cobb. 1-2 p.m. Have fun using your creativity throughout the year to raise funds for North Cobb Senior Center. Funds will contribute to maintaining and enhancing center programs and projects.

Jan. 15

Stop the Bleeding: First Aid. 10-11:30 a.m. Free, but registration is

required. Learn first aid basics and how to handle a bleeding emergency until professional help arrives. Presented by Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services.

Jan. 16

Paint ’n Party. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. $3, registration required. Learn basic techniques such as shading, controlling tones, composition and drawing methods. Warm and Cozy Soup Party. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. $4, registration

required. Enjoy a family-style luncheon served with a variety of soups.

Jan. 22

Culinary Creations: Hearty Party Soups. 1-2 p.m. $3, registration required. Wear a cozy sweater and learn how to make hearty winter soups, including a cream bisque and a surprise soup.

Jan. 23

How to Use Uber. 9:30-11 a.m. Free, but registration is required. Learn how to use the ride-share program Uber. Learn how to create an account, how to check prices for rides, how to request a ride and Uber safety tips.

Jan. 27-March 9

Intro to Computers. 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free, but registration is required. Course will cover the fundamentals of using a personal computer with Microsoft Windows. It will provide hands-on training in the use of a mouse and the skills necessary to use Windows. No experience required. Laptops provided during the class.

Jan. 30

Chinese New Year Party. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $4, registration required. It’s the year of the rat. Red is the lucky color of this festival that starts in January. Enjoy a tasty Chinese-American meal and learn your Chinese horoscope.

Jan. 31

p.m. Group discussion, for the person with Parkinson’s and their care partner, on helpful tips and resources that provide comfort and encouragement. For more info, call 770-722-7641 or email info@alohatoaging.org.

Cool Kitchen Gadgets and Hacks: Juicer. 1:15-2:15 p.m. Free, but registration required. Keep weight loss resolutions by adding a juicer to your regimen. Save time and money by juicing organic produce at home.

Tuesdays

Feb. 6

Aloha Day Club meets 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Open to adults

age 55 and older who no longer are driving and need engaging activities outside of their homes. Participants range from 55 to 96 years young. The 3.5-hour program includes a morning snack, art, games, music, trivia, lunch and 50 minutes of seated exercise. 50

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

AARP Smart Driver. 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. $15 for AARP members, $20 for AARP nonmembers. Registration required. Bring lunch. Check with your insurance agent about a possible discount for taking this class. Facts & Snacks: Housing Laws. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free, but registration required. Learn about housing law, including tenant rights, home ownership issues, and the Fair Housing Act.

Downtown Acworth Dining Bert & Boo's Bake Shop

Fish Thyme Restaurant and Bar

Nibbles Grill

Seafood 5657, 3979 S. Main St. 770-974-2323 www.newsite.fishthymerestaurant.com

Grill/Diner-Breakfast Burgers 4628 S. Main St. 404-312-7597 www.nibblesgrillacworth.com

BRIX on Main

Fusco's via Roma Italian Trattoria

Tapas 4843 N. Main St. 770-693-0077 www.brixonmain.com

Italian 4815A S. Main St. 770-974-1110 fuscosviaroma.com Facebook: @fuscosviaroma

Pizza By Fuscos

Center Street Tavern

J.D.’s Bar-B-Que

Rico’s Mex Mex Grill

Bakery 3900 Old McEver Rd. 470-582-6717 www.bertandboos.com Facebook: @bertboos

American/ Traditional 4381 Senator Russell Ave. 770-917-0004 www.centerstreettavern.com

Dogwood Terrace

American/ Traditional 4975 N. Main St. 770-627-4069 www.dogwoodterraceacworth.com

Doro’s Italian Restaurant Italian 4417 S. Main St. 678-903-2607 www.dorositalian.com

Barbeque

4424 S. Main St. 770-974-8434 www.jdsbbq.com

Henry’s Louisiana Grill

Pizza 4815B S. Main St. 678-426-7503 www.pizzabyfuscos.com

Mexican 3770 Southside Dr. 770-917-9791 Facebook: @Ricos-Mex-Mex-Grill

Cajun 4835 N. Main St. 770-966-1515 www.chefhenrys.com

Miss L’s Sandwich Shop Sandwiches

4817 S. Main St. 770-966-9709 Facebook: @Miss-Ls-Sandwich-Shop

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

Cobb Photographic Society Black & White Prints

Phyllis Westland - 1st Place (Alone in the Mist)

Color Prints

Jeff Westland - 1st Place (Stories of the Hills)

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

DeeDee Bonesteel - 2nd Place (Cape Disappointmen

nt)

Congratulations to each of you who entered the Cobb Photographic Society Competition. The topic for the November contest was â&#x20AC;&#x153;Landscape.â&#x20AC;? The guest judge was Xavier Russell. The Cobb Photographic Society is a photography club open to photographers of all skill levels. The club meets the first and third Monday of each month. For information, visit www.cobbphotosociety.com.

Novice

Chris Pietrzykowski - 2nd Place (Connecting with Nature)

Chris Pietrzykowski - 1st Place (It's a Brand New Day)

Rob Herman - 3rd Place (Fishing Boats on Curacao)

Paul Shimek - 3rd Place (Cape Salia)

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

Advertisers

FOR ADVERTISING RATES AND INFORMATION Patty Ponder 770-615-3322 Patty@AroundaboutMagazines.com

JANUARY 2020

ATTORNEYS/LEGAL SERVICES Williams | Elleby 833-LEGALGA www.gatrialattorney.com

Nelson Elder Care Law, LLC 678-250-9355 www.nelsoneldercarelaw.com

Tidwell Strimban Injury Lawyers 678-999-8500 www.tidwellstrimban.com

CLEANING SERVICES Carpet Dry Tech 678-368-5991 www.gracecounselingga.com

CREDIT UNIONS Credit Union of Georgia 678-486-1111 www.cuofga.org

DENTAL Daniel Lee DMD, PC 770-974-4146 www.acworthdental.com

EDUCATION/TUTORING Brookwood Christian 678-401-5855 www.brookwoodchristian.com

Chattahoochee Technical College 770-528-4545 www.chattahoocheetech.edu

Georgia Trade School www.georgiatradeschool.com

Mt. Paran Christian School 770-578-0182 www.mtparanschool.com

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

Back cover

Bay Equity Home Loans Jay White, Area Sales Manager 770-870-0644 www.jayclosesloans.com

FUNERAL SERVICES Georgia Funeral Care & Cremation Services 678-574-3016 www.georgiafuneralcare.com

Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home, Cemetery & Crematory 35 770-422-7299 www.winkenhoferpineridgefuneralhome.com HEALTH & WELLNESS Cover, 28, 29

Your CBD Store-Acworth 678-909-5230 www.acworth459.cbdrx4u.com Your CBD Store-Towne Lake 770-627-3512 www.cbdrx4u.com Carpet Dye Tech 678-368-5992 www.carpetdyetech.com

Dr. Fixit, Ph.D. 770-974-2390 www.drfixitphd.com

Legacy Custom Blinds 404-430-5288 www.legacycustomblinds.com

Mr. Junk 678-Mr-Junk1 www.mrjunk1.com

Pineapple Park 3 678-494-8494 www.pineapplepark.com Tom Kris & Sons Plumbing 770-529-0799 www.tkandsonsplumbing.com

PEST CONTROL One Dead Bug 404-704-4685 www.onedeadbug.com

PHOTOGRAPHY

HOME & GARDEN

Gentle Dental Care/Georgia Dental Implants Inside back 770-926-2784 www.georgiadic.com

Cherokee Film Summit 2020 www.cherokeega.org

Lake Pointe Wellness Center 770-343-2430 www.FeelBetterHere.com

OPTOMETRIST TrueVision Eye Care 770-529-7789 www.truevisioneyecare.com

FINANCIAL SERVICES

CHIROPRACTIC Joint Chiropractic, The Acworth: 678-574-5959 Woodstock: 678-214-4449 www.thejoint.com

ENTERTAINMENT

St Joseph Catholic School 770-428-3328 www.stjosephschool.org

Beth Fornuto Photography 770-846-3848 www.bethfornuto.com

Brittany Weir Photography 678-514-9267

Brooke Vande Zande 37 920-602-0923 www.brookevandezandephotography.com REAL ESTATE Anchor Realty Partners Malinda Howe, Broker Direct: 404-444-0225 Office: 770-917-0322 www.anchorrealtypartners.net

Debi Smith Properties Direct: 404-660-6652 Office: 770-240-2004 www.debismithproperties.com

Holbook of Acworth, The 404-445-7777 www.holbrooklife.com

Keller Williams Atlanta North Austin Scott, Realtor Cell: 404-808-8913 Office: 770-509-0700 www.buynsellatl.com

Atlanta Communities The Lindsey Haas Team Direct line: 678-933-1962 Office: 770-240-2005 www.thehaasteam.net

SENIOR LIVING/SERVICES Celebration Village 678-594-3570 www.cvillage.com

SOCCER Southern Soccer Assoc. www.ssaelite.com

AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

Since 1996, we have brought relevant, uplifting and readerdriven content to readers. We publish Around Acworth, Around Canton, Around Woodstock and TowneLaker. We look forward to serving you, our readers and advertisers, every month. Thank you for your continued support and participation in making this truly your community magazine. At Aroundabout Local Media, we believe the world functions at the community level: diverse groups of people living in close proximity, sharing commonality of culture, values and local pride, developing safety nets for those in need, and helping each other to live richer lives. It is our heartfelt desire to contribute to the fabric that helps make a community happen. Through our magazines, we aim to provide everyone in the communities we serve with uplifting, interesting information about the community they are proud to call home. We encourage you to send us your photos, ideas, stories or anything else you think the community would like to know about. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your community. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your magazine. Look on page 6 for our contact information.

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AROUND ACWORTH | January 2020

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