Skilled attorneys who are dedicated to helping injury victims maximize their recovery.
Joel Williams
Chase Elleby
833-LEGALGA
Your Acworth Car Accident Claim Deserves Us 3450 Acworth Due West Road | Building 600 | Suite 610 | Kennesaw, GA 30144 3900 Frey Road | Suite 104 | Kennesaw, GA 30144 gatrialattorney.com
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
1
Contents
Contributors
October 2020
32 Judy Abbott
14 Tommy Allegood
Mary Catherine Soulsby
40 Ryan Blythe
20 Jennifer Bonn
24 Wayne Dennard
On the Cover
20 Greg Fonzeno
Photographer Jerry King snaps a picture while Acworth REALTOR® connects with clients through social media and her podcast.
46 Bryant Harris
17 Jackie Loudin
47 Rob Macmillan
Pages 28 & 29
Cover photo by J. King Images
46 Edward Miller 36 Abbie Parks
26 Susan Schulz
22 Shannon Stahl 18 Jaime Stone
30 Elisabeth Stubbs
43 Dr. Mary Swantek 44 Jay White
43 Joel Williams
42 Pacita Wilson
In Every Issue
4 Around Acworth
16
8 Local News
Everything Autumn
We’re ready for fall, from spooky walking tours and seasonal recipes to simple outdoor activities.
34
Hooked on Books?
If you love to read, you’re not alone. Join a nearby book club, or learn how to start your own.
36
A Family Tradition
Meet the man, and family, behind Collins Avenue and other significant Acworth landmarks and businesses. 2
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
23 Celebrations
32 Growing Gardeners 33 Ribbon Cuttings
36 Acworth History
38 Community Calendar 47 Rob’s Rescues
48 Library Events 49 School News
50 Cobb Photographic Society 52 Dining Guide
53 Clubs & Organizations
54 Directory of Advertisers
Get Hands-On Training Horticulture
Environmental Technology
Horticulture and Environmental Technology Programs are offered at the North Metro Campus in Acworth.
ChattahoocheeTech.edu I 770-528-4545 A Unit of the Technical College System of Georgia. Equal Opportunity Institution.
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
3
Around Acworth
Letter From the Editor
Fall is finally here! In case you didn’t know, Sept. 22 was the official first day of fall. There’s something scientific about the sun’s placement over the equator or something, but all that really matters is that it’s fall. It seems as though overnight, the temperature dropped from a balmy 89 degrees to the mid-50s. Even for my liking that was a bit drastic. However, it’s Georgia, so I’m sure, by the time this issue is in your hands, the thermometer will have returned to the 80s for at least a few more days, or weeks. The change in season, and weather, does mean I’ll be spending the next few days shopping online to make sure my kiddos have seasonally appropriate outfits. Ice cream cone sandals go with fleece pants and a flannel shirt, right? Once I’m done updating their wardrobes, I’ll turn my attention to Pinterest in search of coordinating Halloween costumes for a 7-month old and soon-to-be 3 year old. Speaking of Halloween, we know it won’t be quite the same this year, but we’re not ready to give up. Don’t miss anything October has to offer, as we have you covered with pumpkin spice recipes (Pages 17-19) and ideas for fall family fun (Page 20). We’ve even assembled a list of area ghost tours (Page 16) for those looking for a spooky adventure. If you’re still in need of more seasonal fun, stroll through downtown Acworth for the annual Scarecrow Parade, and visit the Logan Farm Park Pumpkin Patch Art Contest. Pick out your favorite scarecrow and decorated wooden pumpkin, and don’t forget to say hi to our Around Acworth ’80s rocker girl scarecrow; we think she’s totally rad! This year’s Scarecrow Parade The Aroundabout Local Media staff work on theme is Totally ’80s. As a blast from its entry for the Acworth scarecrow parade. the past, I learned this week that American Girl’s new historical doll is Courtney, a girl growing up in 1986. I instantly felt old when I realized I personally owned all of this historical doll’s accessories, including Courtney’s very own Molly doll. Since everything old is new again, turn to Page 36 to see what Abbie Parks highlighted in “This Month in Acworth History.” This issue is full of so many interesting things happening in our community. On Page 26, Susan Schulz shares about the services liveSAFE Resources provides, while the Local News section (Pages 8-12) has uplifting stories, important reminders, and ways to help our neighbors in need. Our friends at the North Cobb Library inform fellow bookworms how to join or start a book club (Page 34). Happy fall, y’all! Oh, and if you have any toddler/infant costume ideas, send them my way – all ideas are welcome.
K atie B eall Katie Beall is editor of Around Acworth. Send your comments or questions to Katie@AroundaboutMagazines.com.
4
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
Your Help Needed
MUST Ministries is experiencing its greatest food need in 49 years because of the pandemic. With the closure of schools, churches, business and other organizations that normally provide food to those in need, the Cobb-based nonprofit has had no other choice but to purchase most of the food needed, and at retail prices. “Never has the scripture ‘I was hungry and you fed me’ meant so much to so many,” said MUST President and CEO Ike Reighard. “Right now, we are praying that the community will come to the rescue of their neighbors in need. If people will shop this week and bring us food, it will save the day.” Learn more about what items are needed on Page 12.
What’s Happening
After a delayed opening this summer, the Acworth Farmers Market, which annually runs until the end of the month, has been extended this year. Shop for local produce and other items every Friday from 8 a.m.-noon through Nov. 20. The market, sponsored by the Acworth Downtown Development Authority, is located in Logan Farm Park Expansion at 4405 Cherokee St. For more information, call 770-917-1234.
During this season of social distancing, the Acworth Police Department started a pen pal program. Officers have enjoyed connecting with the community and are opening up the program to other children. To join the Acworth Police Pen Pal Project, children can send the department a handwritten letter, and they will be matched with an officer who will respond with a postcard or letter in return. Acworth Police Department Pen Pal Program 4440 Acworth Industrial Drive Acworth, GA 30101
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
5
Publisher
Around Acworth | Around Canton Around Woodstock | TowneLaker www.AroundaboutLocalMedia.com
Our Mission
Helping local businesses grow and prosper by offering affordable advertising opportunities in a quality publication that provides positive, relevant information to our readers.
Results With Us
“We have always had a great return on investment with Around Acworth and decided to test the waters in the other Aroundabout Local Media publications — TowneLaker, Around Woodstock and Around Canton — with continued success." — Dr. Heath Trowell Governors MedSpa & Concierge Medicine
Aroundabout Local Media, Inc. ALM President Patty Ponder 770-615-3322 Patty@AroundaboutMagazines.com Market Manager Jennifer Coleman 678-279-5502 Jennifer@AroundaboutMagazines.com Title Editor Katie Beall 770-852-8481 Katie@AroundaboutMagazines.com Executive Editor Candi Hannigan 770-615-3309 Candi@AroundaboutMagazines.com Managing Editor/Social Media Strategist Jackie Loudin 770-615-3318 Jackie@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
Community Board Tia Amlett, Ellen Kennerly, Bob Weatherford, Danielle Hilderbrand, Malinda Howe
Advertise With Us
Jennifer Coleman, Market Manager 678-279-5502 Jennifer@AroundaboutMagazines.com
Get Social With Us! @aroundacworthmagazine @aroundacworth @around_acworth
6
www.AroundAcworthMagazine.com AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
Around Acworth, a publication of Aroundabout Local Media, Inc., is a monthly community magazine. The magazine’s mission is helping local businesses grow and prosper by offering affordable advertising opportunities in a quality publication that provides positive, relevant information to our readers. 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
1025 Rose Creek Dr., PMB 380, Ste. 620 Woodstock, GA 30189
www.AroundAcworthMagazine.com
Volume 5, Issue 3
America’s Community Magazine
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
7
Local News
4-H members filled make-up bags with toiletries for women enrolled in CCCSB’s Mothers Making A Change program.
4H Teens Serve Local Mothers Teens in the Cobb County Cooperative Extension 4-H Program spent part of their summer collecting toiletries and other items to create make-up gift bags for participants in the Cobb County Community Services Board's (CCCSB) Mothers Making A Change (MMAC) program. The bags were a special treat for the moms, who are in substance use recovery. MMAC, also known as Women’s Treatment & Recovery Support (WTRS), is a highly structured, traumaresponsive, gender-specific program for women with substance use disorders who are pregnant and/or have children. The residential program is typically six Venja Gunjal collected toiletries to donate. months in length — offering counseling and childcare, as well as employment and housing placement services. "It means a lot that these kids did something special for these women," says MMAC program supervisor Kamryn Rock. "We’re talking about women who often feel hopeless, alone, defeated and have been broken down and abused in every way possible. For this group of kids to intentionally do something for them shows the women the world still cares about them and that they are not alone. I think it says even more coming from a group of kids because that’s pure innocence and kindness." For more information about the MMAC program and other services, visit www.cobbcsb.com. 8
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
Voting Dates to Remember Cobb Elections and Voter Registration reminds citizens of important updates concerning the November general election. • The state vendor is doing the absentee ballot mailing, and the first ballots went out Sept. 18. • Absentee ballot drop boxes around the country opened Sept. 19, and will be available 24/7 until 7 p.m. on Nov. 3, to return your ballot. • There are currently 10 drop boxes in Cobb County, with six more coming soon. • Registered voters can request an absentee ballot at ballotrequest.sos.ga.gov. • The deadline to register to vote in the general election was Oct. 5. Check registration status at mvp.sos.ga.gov. • Personalized sample ballots are available by logging into mvp.sos.ga.gov. For more information, visit CobbElections.org.
Upcoming Public Meetings CobbTV makes it easy to stay up-to-date on all of the happenings of Cobb County government. Many public meetings and hearings are broadcast live and are available on YouTube and Video On Demand. To learn more, visit cobbcounty.org/cobbtv.
• Board of Commissioners zoning hearing, 9 a.m., Oct. 13 • Board of Zoning Appeals variance hearing, 1 p.m., Oct. 14 • Board of Commissioners zoning hearing, 9 a.m., Oct. 20 • Board of Commissioners regular meeting, 7 p.m., Oct. 27
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
9
Local News
Jiles Road Construction Update
A pipeline installation project has been underway on Jiles Place and Jiles Road since late June, but construction crews are now forced to narrow traffic to one lane in each direction. Crews have been working to minimize the impact on drivers and expect to be there into the fall to complete this portion of the pipeline installation, depending on weather or other delays. Allow extra time as needed for traveling through these areas to help ensure the safety of other drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and pipeline workers. Pipeline installation is expected to continue in the area of Jiles Road between the vicinity of Old Highway 41 and Cobb Parkway through mid-November. Paving crews will be on Jiles Road once all pipeline installation is complete to restore the affected lanes of the roadway. To minimize traffic delays, extra traffic control staff is on hand to help guide drivers out of neighborhood entrances and driveways directly off the road. Metal plates and temporary asphalt are used in the roadway to protect the active installation area during non-work hours and to ensure a smooth transition for drivers between the active work area and the undisturbed roadway. The work area is also swept daily to remove all dirt, dust and debris. Atlanta Gas Light staff is installing this pipeline to ensure service is available during the coldest days in the winter. Work hours are generally 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. For questions contact wadegreen@southernco.com or 404-584-3129.
10
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
CCF president and CEO, Shari Martin, receives a leadership award from Nancy Yarnell, founder and CEO of Food Security for America.
Nonprofit CEO Recognized for Leadership Cobb Community Foundation (CCF) President and CEO, Shari Martin, was recently recognized by Food Security for America for her leadership uniting Cobb during the pandemic. “In March of this year, our entire world was turned upside-down by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Rev. Nancy Yarnell, founder and CEO of Food Security for America. “Everywhere I looked, there was Shari Martin and the Cobb Community Foundation. She was on the front lines, bringing our community together and facilitating communication so we could picture what was needed to make a difference,” Yarnell said. “This award is a small token of our appreciation to recognize these efforts.” Since the beginning of the pandemic, CCF, in partnership with local nonprofit organizations, such as Food Security for America, businesses and community leaders, has been supporting a variety of initiatives to provide much-needed resources to Cobb families, including access to food, rental assistance, childcare and other basic needs. CCF is primarily funded by the revenue generated through its charitable fund services, as well as the organization’s Corporate Community Champion program and other direct contributions. For more information visit, www.cobbfoundation. org or www.foodsecurityforamerica.org.
!
GET A JUMP ON THE HOLIDAYS
check out our
special Buy a $1200 gift card for $600. Limit one per client.
The #1 nonsurgical fat reduction treatment. Strengthen, tone, and firm the muscles of the abdomen, buttocks, and thighs.
Look fabulous this Holiday Season. COVID-19 COMPLIANT
ABOVE & BEYOND to keep you safe
Judith McKernan, BSN, RN 37+ years of nursing experience 20+ years of industry expertise Masters level training in Botox® and fillers
A NEW YOU CLINIC . COM
678-739-0040 145 TOWNE LAKE PARKWAY Between I-575 & Main Street toward Downtown Woodstock
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
11
Local News
On a Screen Near You
Child actor Cruz Abelita, an Acworth resident and student at Cornerstone Prep, is heading into the fall season with multiple film and television projects currently showing and upcoming. Abelita plays Danny in “Words on Bathroom Walls,” which is in theaters now. Cruz Abelita The film is receiving strong reviews from critics and viewers alike. He also plays Justin in the latest installation of “Step Up: High Water.” Based on the Step Up franchise, the series tells the story of the students and teachers at High Water Performing Arts School in Atlanta. Season three of the Starz Network series will begin filming soon. In the series, Abelita is joined by hip-hop sensation Ne-Yo, Ashley Greene from the Twilight franchise and, in previous seasons, the late Naya Rivera. The Acworth native wraps up the year starring in Dolly Parton's “Christmas on the Square,” which will be on Netflix this holiday season.
Cobb-based MUST Ministries has been delivering food to its 39 MUST Neighborhood Pantry programs embedded in public schools, a source of providing 384,419 pounds of food since the pandemic began in March.
MUST Ministries’ Urgent Food Need “No words can express the desperation we’ve seen in the past few months. No food, no jobs, no place to live…..and no hope,” said MUST Ministries President and CEO Dr. Ike Reighard. “For 49 years, MUST Ministries has been called to offer help and hope, but we have never seen such an insurmountable need. During the pandemic, we have done everything we can to serve those in poverty and those plunging into poverty for the first time,” Reighard said. “Families are trusting us in one of the most trying times of their lives, and as a result, we must have more help to meet the overwhelming need.” According to MUST Ministries, food sources are scarce. The food banks are struggling to help because their inventories are virtually depleted. The grocery stores have a limit on quantities, and the aluminum shortage has reduced the availability of canned goods. Because of these difficult situations, MUST is calling on community help during this unprecedented crisis. The nonprofit is requesting people to consider helping in two ways.
1. Host a food drive for items most needed: canned vegetables, beef stew, canned meats, chunky or condensed soups, canned fruit or fruit cups, pasta, mac and cheese boxes, canned pasta, chilli, and spaghetti sauce with meat. 2. Give financially or raise money to give. Limited food supply means less food donated.
Cruz Abelita on the set of “Words on Bathroom Walls.” 12
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
MUST has distributed more than 1.2 million pounds of food since March 16. MUST has 39 school food pantries and three client services pantries, sends food boxes to senior citizens in two counties and has just finished the annual Summer Lunch program, where a record 379,471 meals were provided to at-risk children in five counties. Food donations can be dropped off at the MUST Donation Center drive-thru at 1280 Field Parkway off Highway 41 in Marietta, open Tuesdays - Saturdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Financial donations can be made at mustministries.org.
3 450 Cobb Pk wy NW #230 (678) 909-5230 facebook.com/YourCBDStoreAcworthGA
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
13
A Message from the
Y
ou don’t have to spend much time in Acworth to realize it is a city with a heart, and that is best represented through the actions of many members of our city team. In August, a crew from Acworth Power, including power foreman David Ross, lineman Randall Womack and lineman Zach Lindsay, traveled to Louisiana ahead of Hurricane Laura to provide mutual aid assistance for storm damage. The crew stayed through early September and was able to help restore power to the towns of Abbeville and Welsh. This type of service shows that our city team not only believes in serving our own community, but others as well. Cobb County Chamber of Commerce celebrated the county’s Public Safety Appreciation Week with a virtual live stream event earlier this month. During this event, the Acworth Police Department recognized Detective Evan Wallace as Officer of the Year. Wallace has served the City of Acworth since 2014 and has shown a passion for helping others. Last year, when a local gentleman named Tony had his scooter stolen, Wallace drove Tony to Cartersville to recover his main source of transportation. Once there, they discovered the scooter was damaged beyond repair. Wallace knew he had to do something to make it right. With help from the Criminal Investigations Division and Chief Wayne Dennard, the Acworth Police Department was able to provide Tony with a new scooter. Stories like this give me faith that our local law enforcement does more than just protect us. They care for us. Congratulations to Detective Evan Wallace for this well-deserved recognition. Our team at the Acworth Parks, Recreation and Community Resource Department has been working hard to adapt and modify programming to allow children to participate in programs as safely as possible. Many of our athletic programs are returning with new guidelines. The Horizon League started its fall baseball season last month, and girls volleyball begins soon. We are excited to welcome back Acworth Baseball and Acworth Football players, and, this winter, the Acworth Youth Basketball League returns for games.
The Acworth Downtown Development Authority’s Scarecrow Parade is back for its 10th year. The scarecrows will be on display along Main Street in our historic downtown throughout October. In addition to the Scarecrow Parade, we now have a new fall art event to celebrate. The Logan Farm Pumpkin Patch Art Contest is on exhibit this month throughout Logan Farm Park. Local families, businesses and other organizations decorated wooden pumpkins to join in some Halloween fun and decorate one of our most popular parks. As you explore the pumpkin patch, the kids can participate in a scavenger hunt to win spooky prizes and treats. Scavenger hunt forms are available at the Acworth Community Center or for digital download at www.acworthparksandrecreation.org. To bring our community closer together, the City of Acworth continues to hold a series of Community Conversations where we discuss current affairs that include race, prejudice, social injustices and how to move forward. Representatives from our Board of Alderman, city department heads, Cobb County District Commissioner Keli Gambrill and other local leaders have held meaningful conversations with the community at these events and provided the opportunity to learn more about our local government. Our next Community Conversation will be 8-10 a.m. Nov. 12. We have partnered with the Acworth Business Association, the Georgia Small Business Development Center and Earnest Davis from E3 Consulting to provide a minority, women and veteran-owned business seminar. This event will have limited in-person availability, and will feature a digital option. For registration information on this seminar and other city programs, visit www.acworth.org, sign up for our e-news blasts on our home page, or “like” Visit Acworth on Facebook. 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!
14
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
15
M
and History Acworth Ghost Tours
www.acworthghosttours.com Enjoy a 1.2 mile walking tour through historic downtown Acworth. Tour guides tell stories based on a mix of documented sightings, first hand experience, research and local history, as documented in the book “Acworth Heritage, History, Hauntings.” Guests are welcome to bring ghost hunting equipment if desired. Tours last between 90 minutes and two hours.
Canton Historic Haunts www.cantonhaunts.com
Take a trip back into Canton’s past 200 years, and learn about some of the strangest, most fascinating, and downright unexplainable accounts of the spirits that have chosen to make their presence known within the town’s square. This 2-hour-guided walking tour winds through the Downtown Canton Historic District and is family- friendly.
Dahlonega Haunts Self-Guided Tour www.dahlonega.org/historic-downtown-4/ ghost-tours
Dahlonega is rich with ghost lore and is known for two famous photographs of ghosts, so get your camera ready. Be prepared to hear all the local ghost stories that accompany this city’s history, such as “The Woman Who Waits By the Window,” and “The Chessboard Ghost.” The Dahlonega Haunts Self-Guided Tour is a group project of the 2012 Class of Leadership Lumpkin County. 16
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
ost towns, no matter what size, have stories to tell. Some are scary, others odd and mysterious. Regardless of how much truth there is to the tales, ghost tours can be an entertaining way to spend the evening, especially as Halloween approaches. We’ve put together this list of nearby tours to help you get started. Wear comfortable shoes, and bring a flashlight and your camera. You never know who or what you might bump into. And, for those unfamiliar with the term “haints,” it is a word with deep Southern roots that has been attributed to many cultures, and is used to refer to ghosts and haunts.
Historic Oakland Cemetery
www.oaklandcemetery.com
As Atlanta’s oldest cultural site, Historic Oakland Cemetery offers a window into the city’s rich and fascinating history. Oakland is the final resting place for more than 70,000 souls, including many Atlanta founders, and noted citizens of Georgia. A visit to this Victorian garden cemetery provides opportunities to start a dialogue about the historic past.
Ghosts of Marietta
www.ghostsofmarietta.com Tour the historic streets of Marietta, a city with a past that is deep in tradition. In fact, it’s rumored that some residents chose never to leave. Whether it is the tale of the spirit of a departed Civil War soldier, or a mysterious resident of one of Marietta's stately homes, you will hear the stories behind these mysteries and, maybe, if you're lucky, experience them as well. Tour guides tell stories based on a mix of documented sightings, firsthand experiences and history.
Roswell Ghost Tours
www.roswellghosttour.com Experience the charm and mystery of the South through Roswell’s many ghost stories. Your guide will lead you on a 2.5-hour tour through the city’s historic district. One of the highlights of the tour is a visit to Founders Cemetery, the burial site of the founder of Roswell, Roswell King. You may be surprised by how many spirits reside behind the walls of the antebellum mansions.
HAINT HUNTING!
Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice BY JACKIE LOUDIN
While 2020 has proven to be more than a difficult year, and there seems to be little most folks agree on these days, I think − I hope − we all can agree that we love fall. For me, fall came early this year. My calendar said the first day of autumn was Sept. 22, but Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts had other ideas. They both debuted their seasonal menus, overflowing with pumpkin spice goodness, in late August. In fact, with an Aug. 27 release date, this is the earliest Starbucks has ever made available their famous Pumpkin Spice Latte (or PSL as we perennial pumpkin lovers call it). I’ve even been treating myself almost daily to a homemade version by sprinkling a little pumpkin spice into my morning coffee. If you’re not a fan of pumpkin spice, that’s OK. We can still be friends, as long as you don’t mind if I bring my PSL to our coffee talk! And speaking of pumpkin spice goodness, here’s a delicious recipe from our friend Amanda Marie, a wife, mom, Georgia native and blogger. You can find more recipes, and follow along as she and her husband renovate a colonial home in Canton, at www.sincerelymariedesigns.com.
Amanda Marie's
Pumpkin Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Glaze
Pumpkin Spice Cake
• 4 large eggs • 1 cup oil • 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour • 2 tsp. cinnamon • 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. baking soda • 1 tsp. baking powder • 2 cups pureed pumpkin
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat the eggs, oil, and sugar together until combined and fluffy. In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, cinnamon, salt, baking soda and baking powder. Add 1/2 cup at a time into the egg mixture mixing well after each addition. Add in the pumpkin and mix until combined. Pour into a greased bundt pan and bake for 50-60 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes and then turn out the cake onto a cooling rack to finish cooling.
Brown Sugar Glaze
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar • 1 Tbsp. amber agave nectar (firmly packed) • 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar • 3 Tbsp. water • 1/2 cup chopped pecans • 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter (optional garnish) Once the cake has cooled bring the brown sugar, water, butter and agave to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Stirring well, boil for one minute over medium-low heat. Remove from heat and whisk in the powdered sugar until well combined. Pour over the cooled cake and top with roasted, chopped pecans if desired. AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
17
Happy Fall, Y ’all
It’s Time to Bake BY JAIME STONE
Fall officially began with the recent autumn equinox when our days and nights became equal in length, accompanied by cooling temps. In the South, however, we typically recognize the arrival of fall by the presence of two things – football and comfort food. Personally, I enjoy the changing of the leaves and turning my iced coffee back into a pumpkin spice-infused hot mug of joe. It seems like every coffee shop carries pumpkin spice flavoring this time of year, but have you ever considered making it yourself? It will certainly save you money, but, more importantly, tastes far superior and lacks those everpresent preservatives and artificial colors. Pumpkin pie spice is a fall pantry staple and is a great base for all of your fall baking recipes. Bake along with me and experience the fall season through your taste buds! Jaime Stone is a New England native, but feels blessed to call Georgia home since 2015. You can find her in the kitchen or garden with a cup of coffee.
18
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
Apple Cider Coffee Cake Muffins Muff in Batter • ½ cup apple cider • 1 stick unsalted butter • ½ cup packed brown sugar • ¼ cup sugar • 2 eggs • 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour • 2 teaspoons baking powder • ¼ teaspoon baking soda • ½ teaspoon salt • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (below) • 1 tablespoon lemon juice • 1 teaspoon vanilla
Crumble Topping • ⅓ cup brown sugar • ⅓ cup sugar • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (below) • ½ stick of butter, melted • 1 cup flour
Start by making the crumble topping. Whisk melted butter into both sugars and spice. Add flour, break up the mixture with a fork and place in the fridge to cool. For the muffins, preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Bring 1 cup of apple cider to a boil on the stovetop, then reduce to a simmer until reduced to ½ cup. Place a wooden spoon over the pot to keep from boiling over. While that’s cooling, beat the stick of butter until creamy and light, then add both sugars and beat for an additional three minutes. Add in the eggs one at a time until incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as you go. In a separate bowl, sift or whisk together all dry ingredients (flour, baking powder and soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice). Add the lemon juice and vanilla to cooled, reduced apple cider. Alternate adding the dry and wet ingredients into the mixing bowl with butter and sugar until everything is incorporated and moistened. Do not overmix. Spray your muffin pan well with cooking spray, or use liners, then scoop the mixture in evenly. Sprinkle the crumble on top of the muffins, pressing it lightly into the batter as you go. Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Enjoy the muffin dunked into your pumpkin spice coffee, and don’t forget to share!
Pumpkin Pie Spice • 3 tablespoons cinnamon • ½ teaspoon ginger • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon allspice • ½ teaspoon cloves
Blend together all ingredients in a spice grinder or with a whisk and store in a tightly sealed jar. This blend is delicious in coffee, ice cream, banana bread, baked goods, pumpkin or apple pie, and more!
Pumpkin Spice Syrup
• ¼ cup plain canned pumpkin • 2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice (above)
• 1 cup water • 1 cup brown sugar
To make a delicious cup of coffee in your own kitchen, simmer all ingredients in a pot on the stove until it is slightly reduced and will coat the back of a spoon. Allow it to cool before putting in a jar and refrigerating. I love a teaspoon-full of this in my cup of coffee or espresso to replace sweetener. AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
19
Autumn Boating Safety Reminders
Always wear your life jacket. The colder night temperatures mean
BY GREG FONZENO
When thinking of boating, we usually visualize swimming, waterskiing and relaxing on the water during warm summer days. However, many boaters like to extend the boating season into autumn. Boating in the fall can provide some opportunities the summer doesn’t offer. Since many prefer boating in the spring or summer, boating in the fall can be less crowded, and more relaxing. Popular areas on the lake or boat ramps will be quieter and less busy, including your favorite fishing spots. Fall boating also provides a different visual perspective on the lake. You can see and appreciate the autumn colors in the trees, and in their reflection on the water. Likewise, you can see and hear migratory birds, depending on where you are on the lake, and bird watching can be a family adventure. With cooler weather, fall boating allows you to boat without the sometimes oppressive heat of summer. You might need to dress in layers to be comfortable, particularly as the shorter days bring earlier evenings. Boating in this season can be a very pleasant experience, with its own unique challenges. By managing these challenges, such as shorter days and colder water, you can enjoy boating, even as the summer season ends and autumn begins.
colder water as well. If you fall in, your life jacket will help keep you afloat as you experience initial cold-water shock.
Check your lights. Navigation lights need to be on 30 minutes before sunset and until 30 minutes after sunrise. Turn your lights on anytime visibility is low due to clouds or weather changes.
Watch the weather. Wind and rain can come up fast, so keep an eye on the forecast.
Dress appropriately. Dress in layers, so that you’ll be prepared for changes in temperature.
Leave a float plan. Be sure you let someone know where you’ll be, and when you plan to return. If something happens to you on the water, time can be of the essence this time of the year as water temperatures drop.
Stay in the center of the channel. As the lake-level lowers through the fall and winter months, danger of running aground increases. The black and white stripe obstruction markers indicate obstructions between the channel and shore. This is where the water level is low.
Greg Fonzeno is the public education officer and vice commander of the local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Unit (Flotilla 22) at Allatoona Lake.
Fall in Love With Fall
BY JENNIFER BONN
Although I hate to see summer slip away, there are so many wonderful things about fall, such as the cooler weather. The skies are a deep blue and the morning temperatures are crisp and fresh. Even with our current need for social distancing, I hope you get outside and enjoy October and make some memories with all the activities and culinary delights this month offers.
Hiking. The weather is perfect for a hike and you can decide how
challenging the trail. The scenery will be beautiful, you can socially distance and you are doing something positive for your health.
Apple-themed activities. Visit a nearby orchard,
pick some apples and then bake an apple pie, or make caramel apples. Another option is to fill a large pan with water, throw in some apples and go bobbing for apples. Using your hands is not allowed!
Pick out a pumpkin. Go to one of the many pumpkin patches and pick out pumpkins for decorations or carving. Once you have carved the pumpkin, scoop out the seeds and bake them later.
Collect leaves. Go for a walk in the woods and collect all the different colored leaves. Make a book with the pressed leaves or make some decorations for the house.
20
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
Enjoy the drinks of October. Make hot apple cider and drop a cinnamon stick or two in the drink, have a steaming cup of hot cocoa with massive marshmallows, or grab a pumpkinspiced latte. My husband came home last month and told me in a blissful tone that pumpkin-spiced coffee drinks were back in stores a month early!
Fire pit fun. Invite friends over to sit around a fire and chat.
You can space your chairs to 6 feet to practice social distancing and still enjoy a little community. Also, I love an excuse to roast marshmallows and make s’mores.
Celebrate Halloween. I heard someone yesterday say, “Well, I guess we can’t have Halloween this year.” Of course, we can as long as we do a few things to ensure safety. Put individually wrapped candy in a bowl, and, if you do not feel comfortable interacting, leave the bowl on the porch. If you are going out with your children, make your mask be part of your costume.
Jennifer Bonn is a French teacher at Mount Paran Christian School, and is working on a book about lessons she learned in the classroom.
st joseph catholic school
a bright future ahead
Tw ic
to 8th • Pre-K4 classes • Religion Mass every week • Student-led Affordable tuition Financial aid available • Each student has a/computer IPad • Two classes per grade /Averageorclass size: 22 • Before and After-care • e l l enc
e-re
c of Ex cogniz ed Blue Ribbon School
e
ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS! TOURS AVAILABLE Call or reserve online stjosephschool.org 81 Lacy Street, Marietta | 770-428-3328
I’M PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE
I RANKED IN THE
TOP 300 PRODUCERS OF 2019! with lightning speed! This team came highly recommended and I know why! The best of the best right here!
“
-MICHAEL, July 2020
“ Jay was very friendly and had an
answer for all of my questions. I will highly recommend all of my friends and family to use Bay Equity for future purchases.
“
“ Every question I had was answered
- SPENCER, August 2020
Looking to Purchase or Refinance? CALL TODAY!
JAY WHITE • Area Sales Manager
NMLS# 167243 • GA-MLO# 32976 • jwhite@bayeq.com 4366 Senator Russell Ave, Suite 200, Acworth, GA 30101
770.870.0644 • JayClosesLoans.com
Equal Housing Lender. This is not a commitment to lend or extend credit. Restrictions may apply. Rates may not be available at time of application. Information and/or data are subject to change without notice. All loans are subject to credit approval. Not all loans or products are available in all states. Bay Equity LLC, 770 Tamalpais Drive Suite 207, Corte Madera, CA 94925; NMLS ID#76988. Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee #39887. NMLS consumer access: www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org BECH-200908-1.0
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
21
Fall in With the ABA This Season BY SHANNON STAHL
UPCOMING EVENTS Oct. 8
Alive After Five 5:30-7:30 p.m. Location TBD
Oct. 13, 27
Morning Jolt
7:45-9 a.m. The Cowan Historic Mill 4271 Southside Drive Networking event that focuses on exchanging referrals with one another. Coffee and breakfast provided.
Oct. 15
Women’s Network 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Location TBD
Nov. 5
ABA Luncheon
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Acworth Community Center 4361 Cherokee St.
Nov. 10
Morning Jolt
7:45-9 a.m. The Cowan Historic Mill 4271 Southside Drive Networking event that focuses on exchanging referrals with one another. Coffee and breakfast provided.
22
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
It’s October? How did that happen? It’s so hard to believe fall is already here – pumpkin spice everything, leaves changing colors and the beginning of the holiday season. There’s no better way to start the fall season than with the Acworth Business Association’s annual golf tournament on Oct. 19 at Brookstone Golf and Country Club. The fun begins with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. The event will feature a twist on regular tournament games with help from Charity Golf Guns. The organization helps elevate charity golf tournaments with fun and safe tournament games such as having participants launch tee shots more than 400 yards with an AR-15. Yes, that’s right, participants shoot golf balls out of guns. The last few months we have enjoyed beautiful weather at the Tanyard Creek area of Logan Farm Park for our monthly ABA breakfasts with truly inspirational speakers. In September, we were joined by Dr. Ken Harmon who taught us how to be happier. We would like to thank Chickfil-A of Acworth for providing breakfast for this event. Our breakfast event Oct. 1 was our last gathering at this location, and we will be returning to our normal luncheon time and location of 11:30 a.m. at the Acworth Community Center.
Our city has held many ribbon cuttings the past several months to welcome new businesses to the Acworth community. One of the recent ribbon cuttings was held at the Cowan Historic Mill followed by its amazing open house event! We have held numerous meetings at the Cowan Historic Mill, including our monthly Morning Jolts and September Women’s Luncheon. We will keep holding our Morning Jolts at the Cowan, so let’s continue the outstanding turnout. We also welcomed the Redtop Brewhouse to our town with a ribbon cutting followed by the ABA’s Alive After 5 event. I encourage you to check out all the amazing new businesses that have opened and are coming soon to Acworth, while remaining safe and healthy. As we move into this new season, our events continue to change according to what the city and these times allow. Unfortunately, the annual Taste of Acworth has been canceled this year, because it wasn’t possible to safely hold the event given the current circumstances. Instead, the ABA is focusing on making our golf tournament the event of the year! Please help us make this event epic, so we can continue to donate more than $30,000 to local schools and nonprofits this year. This has been a difficult year for many, so let’s continue to support and lean on our amazing community!
Shannon Stahl, an ABA board member for four years, is the current president. She is the co-owner of KAMS Auto Service Center and is raising three children with husband Ken.
Celebrations!
ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE FREE! Email to: Edit@AroundaboutMagazines.com November deadline is Oct. 14. Please specify Around Acworth.
Cayla Kalinowski
Age 17 on Oct. 22 Happy Birthday to an amazing daughter, sister and teammate. We love ya Boo!
Happy birthday Sammy!
Age 6 on Oct. 13 God bless you. Mom, Dad, Sahid and Mayra.
Bryson Oesterle
Happy 16th Birthday to our soccer lovin’ boy! We love you and love to watch you play! Mom, Dad and Skylar
Maritza and Roberto Carrillo
Celebrating 7 years of marriage thanks to our God and Savior Jesus.
David Beall
Age 35 on Oct. 6 Happy birthday to the absolute best #GirlDad! You serve our family so well. We love you! Katie, Parker and Maddie Beth
Amayah Anderson
Age 10 on Oct. 29 Happy birthday Amayah!
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
23
ACWORTH
POLICE DEPARTMENT
6
Ways to
Protect Yourself Against Scammers BY WAYNE DENNARD
Each year, thousands of people fall victim to scams. In most cases, the scammers attempt to target people who are the most vulnerable in our community – those who are facing financial hardship. Scammers lure people in with promises of easy money, and they count on the victim giving them the benefit of the doubt because of their financial need. There are a number of techniques criminals use to talk people out of their money or information, and they can be very convincing. Even though the scams and techniques change often, there are simple things you can do to protect yourself.
1.
If you are selling something with an online app or website and a potential buyer offers you more than your asking price and wants you to wire them the difference, it is a scam. Never accept more money than you are asking for and then agree to wire the buyer the difference. This is a common scam, and it comes in many forms.
2.
When buying or renting a home, do not work with Realtors or property management companies that are not local. It is a scam if the landlord, or their representative, is unable to meet you in person to show you the home, or they claim the key has been lost or stolen, and you will have to make your own. Scammers attempt to rent or sell vacant homes, will take money and have the victims sign fake leases via fax or email. They create a reason that they cannot be there to show the home or sign paperwork.
3.
It is a scam if someone calls you and claims you have won a prize or have qualified for a lower interest rate on your credit card, and they ask for your personal information. In these cases, hang up and call the credit card company directly. 24
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
4.
If someone calls you and claims that if you do not send them money, you will be arrested, it is a scam. The police or IRS will never call and threaten to arrest you. This is a scare tactic. If you are in doubt, hang up and call the police.
5.
Anyone who contacts you and asks you to buy prepaid gift cards, Green Dot cards, or Google Play cards in order to pay them is attempting a scam. Reputable companies do not require payment in the form of gift cards.
6.
If someone contacts you and claims that a family member has been arrested overseas and they want you to wire them money for bail, it is a scam. Never wire money or purchase prepaid cards to pay an unknown person overseas. Legitimate detention centers do not operate in this manner. These criminals have a lot of practice attempting to steal money from unsuspecting consumers. They know most people do not want to seem rude by questioning the caller’s credentials. They may even say you can confirm their identity by going to a website they have created to prove their identity. Never be afraid to tell these people that you want to verify their identity by calling the company directly, and, when you do call, use the number on the back of your credit card. Do not use a number the caller gives you, because if it is a scam, the number they provide will be part of the scam. Our Criminal Investigations Division receives calls about scam phone calls and wire transfer schemes several times a week, and has some simple advice: if it seems too good to be true, it is. Anytime you are in doubt, or you think you may be the victim of a scam, please call the police department (770-974-1232). We are here to help.
Wayne Dennard has served as chief since 2012 and has lived in this community for more than 40 years.
“Let Our Family go to work for Your Family”
“Customer Satisfaction is our #1 Goal” Tom Kris and Sons Plumbing is your full-service, neighborhood plumber, fully licensed and insured, specializing in: • Water Heater Service & Replacement (Tank/Tankless) • Remodeling • Water Line Replacement • Toilets & Faucets • Camera Inspections • Garbage Disposals • Sump Pumps *Tom Kris and Sons Plumbing proudly offers 10% off all services to our military, first responders, educators and senior citizens* **maximum discount $100**
w w w. t k a n d s o n s p l u m b i n g . c o m
770-529-0799
Helping You Stay Healthy!
Now accepting new patients and medical insurance. We Have Immune
Boosting Therapies.
COVID-19 Rapid Active and Antibody Testing Now Available!
Now Offering
#NEWTOX $9/unit! Drs. Heath & Ashley Trowell
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
25
The YWCA building in 1976, before it was transformed to liveSAFE Resources. Among the changes is that apartments were built over the drained pool for transitional housing clients.
liveSAFE Resources
The vision of dedicated women lives on, from 1917 origins as the YWCA. BY SUSAN BROWNING SCHULZ
In 1917, the year the United States entered World War I, a small group of women joined resources to begin YWCA of Northwest Georgia. The women sent packages to soldiers overseas during the war, while keeping their focus on making a difference in the community. Over the years, the dedicated woman of the YWCA (Young Women’s
26
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
Christian Association) built a rich history serving our area. The organization is now called liveSAFE Resources. For more than 100 years, the women have been using their collective voice to speak out for equality and justice for those with no voice. The name change was prompted by a laserfocused vision on a community free of domestic violence and sexual assault. The board’s decision to close the YWCA pool, a part of the community since 1962, was difficult but necessary to change the community’s perception of the Y as a gym, day care and community pool. In 1978, with the help of their husbands, fathers, sons, and community partners, the women of liveSAFE built Georgia’s first shelter for battered women. Since, the staff and volunteers have expanded services to assist thousands of men, women, and children by providing sexual assault and abuse counseling, emergency shelter, legal advocacy, temporary housing, job training, child care and more. A $7.2 million capital campaign helped make critical improvements to the building at 48 Henderson St., Marietta, and the emergency shelter (at an undisclosed location) which underwent major renovations completed in 2015.
LiveSAFE’s Resources
Domestic Violence Emergency Shelter. A no cost 40 bed shelter along with experienced social workers who help victims move forward. • Domestic Violence Housing. Moving clients toward independence and self-sufficiency. There are 12 apartments onsite and three houses located within minutes of the administration offices. • Sexual Assault Program. Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) provide medical, forensic examinations 24/7 for victims of sexual assault, ages 13 years and older. Free of charge, these services may not require the victim to report the crime. • Elder Abuse Program. Anyone over age 50 who has experienced abuse by a partner, spouse, adult child, grandchild or caretaker has access to advocates who provide case management. • Counseling. Free professional counseling services to victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and their family members, regardless of whether the event(s) took place recently or in the past (also available in Spanish). • Temporary Protective Orders. The legal advocacy program provides clients with information concerning victims’ right, filing a Temporary Protective Order (TPO) and accompaniment to TPO court proceedings. “LiveSAFE Resources empowered me to make the move, and move out of my abusive situation,” said one survivor. Another said, “They are here in our community. They provide a service that is so needed and their staff genuinely cares.” Physical abuse exists in all communities, regardless of age, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or nationality. “Violence has escalated because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Tracey Atwater, executive director. “Loss of jobs, funds and schooling at home has made it even harder for victims and children to escape, but the shelter is still completely operational with social distancing guidelines in place.” Atwater beams when she speaks about all the programs liveSAFE offers. “Our vision at liveSAFE is for our communities to be free from domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse,” she said. For more information about liveSAFE programs or to support these important services visit: livesaferesources. org (which has a safe exit button on every page) or call 770-427-2902. For those who need help, call the 24 Hour Hotline: 770-427-3390.
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.
A Financial Partner
Worth Falling For…
Rake in the rewards of banking with Credit Union of Georgia! We’re a partner you can trust to provide all the products and services you need.
Plus, we offer great rates on loans and deposits – so you can enjoy a little financial re-leaf. Learn more today at www.CUofGA.org!
Social icon
Circle Only use blue and/or white. For more details check out our Brand Guidelines.
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
27
REALTOR
28
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
®
DRIVEN BY 3 PRINCIPLES
M
ary Catherine Soulsby considers herself more of a real estate consultant than a traditional REALTOR®. It’s her passion, level of attention and focus on marketing that sets her apart, she said. And, her attention to details, such as light switches, helps, too. “I replaced every single light switch and electrical outlet in one of my listings because I didn’t want to list it without them all being white,” Mary Catherine said. “I like to make life as easy as possible for my clients, so whatever needs to be done, I get it done. I am not afraid to get dirty, even if I am wearing heels and a suit.” Focusing on clients and their needs, she has a unique ability to find their perfect home by learning who they are, how they work and how they like to see things. She previews most properties by herself and sends her clients only to properties that are right for them. “It’s my job to learn my buyer and truly bring my A-game to find ‘the one’ with a seamless process,” Mary Catherine said. “My sellers get a very different agent. I will crawl on the floor, in attics and fix things myself to get my listings looking amazing. I take my job very seriously and want my clients’ needs to be met in every way.”
PHOTO BY J. KING IMAGES
Passion
After one conversation, or home visit, Mary Catherine promises clients will see how passionate she is about meeting their needs. She leans on her upbeat, positive personality to make what is often a stressful experience fun. Clients have joked that she’s always happy, which she says means she must
be doing something right. “I want to see the light in my sellers’ eyes when they move on to bigger and better things,” she said. “I want to see the light in my buyers’ eyes when we find ‘the one.’ There is nothing better than being just a small part of finding someone a place to call home.” Even in the middle of a pandemic, Mary Catherine fought for a client to keep a deal from falling apart in New York City, where her client needed to sell his property in order to purchase his dream home in Georgia. Despite ruffling feathers and hearing “things just aren’t done like that up here” multiple times, the Acworth agent’s persistent emails and calls to the president of the New York credit union paid off. The bank’s vice president returned her calls and they were able to close a week later on the property her client was contingent on selling. “Without my emails, calls and not being scared to break the norm, the deal would have collapsed and my buyer, who had found his dream home here, would have lost out,” Mary Catherine said. “I pride myself on doing things differently.”
Level of Attention
The goal is to make each client feel like her only client, getting the same level of personal attention down to the smallest details. REALTORS® are in the business of having personal relationships with clients, and Mary Catherine enjoys learning everyone’s stories. She views clients as friends and they know she’s fiercely loyal and will go the extra mile. Mary Catherine is taking home inspector classes so she can better
protect buyers. She is constantly learning new things to become a better agent for her clients.
Marketing Resources
Social media and marketing is highly important to Mary Catherine as she believes branding herself and serving her clients go hand-in-hand. Her social media pages are a valuable resource for buyers and sellers, including her “CHATS with MCAT” Facebook live series, which led to a podcast by the same name. Through these channels, she discusses how much buyers should offer below asking price, while sellers can learn what home renovations will give them the greatest return on investment, or easy one-day projects to increase curb appeal. “I have spent a long time really finding who I want to be and always being authentic to who I am,” she said. “I am excited to continue providing the community with resources all the while being the fun, strong woman that I am.” After expanding across the metro Atlanta area, Mary Catherine isn’t done yet. She has sellers and buyers all over the country and has built a network with other REALTORS® to allow her to grow, all while giving clients the personal attention they have come to expect. When it comes to the future of “CHATS with MCAT,” the sky’s the limit. “I want to grow my podcast to be one of the best real estate podcasts in the country, so that I can bring on big guests in the field,” Mary Catherine said. “I love sharing what I do with people – my passion with people.”
Mar y Catherine Soulsby; Atlanta Communities 3405 Dallas Hw y. #720, Marietta, GA 30064 470-556-5845 | mar ycatherinesoulsby.com Instagram: @mar ycatherinesoulsby | Facebook: Mar y Catherine Soulsby - Real Estate | Twitter: @mcatsoulsby Sponsored Content AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
29
New flooring was voted the second most popular home improvement project in a poll conducted by Enhance Floors and More.
The Results
Where Would You Spend $10K on Home Projects? BY ELISABETH STUBBS
It’s been a really strange year so far. Everything keeps changing, and the only constants are four basic rules: wash your hands a lot, keep a social distance of 6 feet, wear a mask, and, if you’re sick, stay home. Another constant is the changing of the seasons. Fall is here, and, as the days get shorter and the weather cooler, we will spend even more time inside our homes. We recently conducted a short, unscientific poll, with interesting
30
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
results. We asked, “If you were given $10,000 to spend on one category for the interior of your home, what would you spend it on?”
The Choices • • • • • • • • • •
Furniture Painting Flooring Countertops Electronics Bedding, mattresses Bathroom redo Appliances Kitchen reno Windows, window treatments
A bathroom redo was first, with 78 votes. Flooring was next, with 60. Those two categories won by a landslide. Then, painting followed, with 24; kitchen redo, with 19; and furniture, with 18. There also were votes for countertops and appliances, which are part of a kitchen redo. (Note: Keeping a full kitchen and/or bathroom gutting and renovation to a budget of $10,000 is probably not possible in anything other than the smallest of kitchens and baths.) This simple survey revealed that updated flooring is on many to-do lists. But, it’s not going to be as easy as in years past. Many vendors are reporting price increases for a variety of reasons: tariffs on Chinese imports, supply and demand, and manufacturers facing higher raw material, labor and freight costs. Back orders are common, because imported products have been delayed, and many shipping departments are short-staffed, so it takes longer to get products delivered. Most manufacturing plants are not working at full capacity. If new floors are on your to-do list, be aware of current circumstances and remain understanding as you work through your project, knowing that some things may be extremely hard to get right now, and may delay the start or completion of your project.
Elisabeth Stubbs is one of the owners of Enhance Floors and More, one of Atlanta’s top-rated flooring dealers, located in Marietta.
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
31
Growing Virtually
Pruning Your Shrubs and Trees
This fall horticultural education series is free and available via Zoom, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Oct. 13 – Fall is the Best Time to Plant Nov. 10 – Composting Visit www.cobbmastergardeners.com to register.
BY MASTER GARDENER EXTENSION VOLUNTEER JUDY ABBOTT
Ornamental plants need to be pruned for many reasons: to maintain a desired size or shape; to promote flowering or fruiting; to cut back overgrown shrubs; or to help plants damaged by insects, diseases or freezing injury. Proper pruning ensures healthy vigorous plants, with lasting landscape beauty. While anyone can prune, not everyone does it properly. Improper pruning can result in plants that are misshapen or more likely to be damaged by insects or disease. Pruning at the wrong time of year can result in reduced flowering, or winter cold damage.
Three Basics of Pruning
Tools. Pruning tools consist of hand pruners for small branches up to half an inch in diameter, loppers for larger branches, pruning saws and hedge shears. There are two types of pruners and loppers — scissor-action and anvil action. Scissor-action pruners usually cost more than anvil-action and generally make closer, smoother cuts. Anvil-action pruners can make larger cuts easier than scissor-action. Techniques. It’s important to learn a basic botanical principle to prune correctly. The terminal bud (the bud at the end of a branch or twig) produces a hormone called auxin that directs the growth of lateral buds, along the side of the branch or twig. When the terminal bud is intact, the growth of lateral buds and shoots below the terminal is suppressed. Removing the terminal bud encourages buds and shoots below the cut to grow vigorously (within 6-8 inches of the pruning cut). When shrubs are sheared routinely, removing the terminal buds, a lot of dense, new growth is produced near the outer portions of the shrub. This allows less light to reach the interior of the plant which becomes sparse, stemmy or hollow. Thinning (cutting selected branches back), usually is preferred over shearing. Thinning encourages new growth within interior portions of a shrub, reduces size, and produces a fuller, more attractive plant. When you cut a branch back to the main trunk, a lateral branch or a lateral bud, a higher concentration of hormones in these areas causes the wound to heal rapidly. However, when you leave a stub, the wound heals more slowly, if at all. Insects and diseases may enter the cut portion of a stub and cause it to die back. Regardless of whether you are pruning a small twig or a large branch, you can avoid leaving a stub by always cutting back to a bud, a lateral branch or the branch collar on the main trunk. 32
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
Prune bushes back to a lateral branch to avoid leaving a stump.
Timing. Flowering ornamentals form their flower buds at different times of year, so pruning times must be adjusted accordingly. As a rule, plants that flower before May should be pruned after they bloom. Spring-flowering plants, such as azalea, dogwood, forsythia, redbud and rhododendron, set flower buds in the fall, so pruning during the fall or winter months will eliminate or decrease their spring flower display. Plants that flower after May are considered summerflowering, and can be pruned during the winter, or just prior to spring growth. An exception is the oakleaf hydrangea and late-flowering azalea cultivars, which bloom during May, June or July. Prune them after they bloom. Ornamental plants that are not grown for their showy flowers can be pruned during the late winter, spring or summer months. Avoid pruning during the fall or early winter because it may encourage tender new growth that can’t withstand the winter cold. The Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County supports the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service and strives to improve the quality of life in our community by delivering research-based horticultural information, educational programs and projects.
Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County is a part of the University of Georgia Extension in Marietta.
City of Acworth Ribbon Cuttings
1
1. Red Top Brewhouse 4637 S. Main St. 470-893-0425 www.redtopbrewhouse.com
2. Woo’s Sports Bar & Grill
3365 Acworth Oaks Drive Suite A 678-402-1429 https://woosportsbargrill.business.site/
2
3. American Engineers, Inc. 5160 Acworth Landing Drive 770-421-8422 www.aei.cc
3
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
33
HOOKED
on Books
October is National Reading Club month, designated to promote the value of books and reading. To help celebrate the joy of reading, we reached out to our friends at the North Cobb Regional Library for information on joining, or starting, a book club. Book clubs are a good way to meet your neighbors, expand your knowledge about the world, and enjoy some of your favorite literature in a social setting.
Starting a Book Club?
• Decide on a genre. You may want
• •
•
to read a specific author, subject or historical time period. Successful book clubs sometimes will change genres seasonally, to add variety to book selections. Establish a consistent date, time and location for your group. Include group members in the book selection process, and make sure all members have an opportunity to express their opinions of the book in a respectful and positive environment. Select books with diverse characters, intriguing plotlines and/ or controversial topics, which will lead to more in-depth discussions.
If you’re looking to join an existing reading group, but don’t know where to start, the Cobb County Library System sponsors numerous local book clubs that are open to new members. Due to the pandemic, most groups are meeting virtually. Information is available on the calendar of events at www.cobbcat.org. 34
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
African American Authors Book Club
Group meets the second Monday of each month. The club reads and discusses books by African American authors and/ or significant books about the life and culture of African Americans and the Black diaspora. The discussions are led by several librarians and various club members.
Fourth Monday Book Group
Group meets on the fourth Monday of each month (holidays permitting), 6:30-7:30 p.m. This group reads fiction and nonfiction books. Participants receive a discussion guide for each book, typically from Lit Lovers or ReadingGroupGuides.com. The group is very informal, and anyone is welcome to sit in.
Cover to Cover
This North Cobb Regional Library group has met monthly on the fourth Tuesday afternoon and evening for several years, to engage in a lively book discussion. The group reads and discusses a variety of works, including fiction and nonfiction classics, a variety of genres, and a mix of cultures and time periods. Newcomers are welcome.
North Cobb Irregulars
Group meets monthly on the second Tuesday of each month. Admirers of the Great Detective and lovers of classic detective fiction are welcome, as the group discusses the canon of Sherlock Holmes, written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Led by Helen Cauley, writer and president emerita of the Sherlock Holmes Society of Georgia, the meetings are informative and fun.
East Cobb Library Men's Book Club
This group was created in an effort to get men to visit the library and get involved in a book club. After speaking with various men in the library, librarian Andrew Tuttle discovered that the biggest obstacle for them joining book clubs was the type of books read and discussed. Many men felt as though these titles were “beach reads,” historical fiction, or, as one patron described, “those sappy books.” While called the Men's Book Club, women are welcome. Many women inquire about the different genres, explaining that they enjoy fantasy, military thrillers and even horror novels — all of which often are genres explored in this book club. The group will resume when the library returns to in-person programming.
Teen Book Club
This group at the North Cobb Regional Library is a collaboration between the library system and the city of Acworth, and meets biweekly. Teens, ages 13-18, enjoy snacks provided by the city while they discuss the current book selection. The teens also enjoy crafts related to their chosen novels. This group is on hiatus until in-person programming resumes.
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
35
This Month in
Acworth History
October
Brings Memories BY ABBIE PARKS
O
ctober, when the weather cools and the fall season begins, must have been a time for reminiscing for Acworth pioneer John Collins. He would have had vivid memories of the American Revolutionary War in the fall. See, it was October of 1780 when Collins, a true patriot, fought with the colonists in the Battle of Kings Mountain in South Carolina. Kings Mountain was a pivotal moment in the Southern campaign for the colonies’ independence. The surprising victory of the patriot militias over the loyalists came after a string of rebel defeats at the hands of Britain’s Lord Cornwallis, and greatly raised the patriots' morale.
J.F. Collins’ eight sons at the family homeplace in the 1930s. 36
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
Collins Funeral Home.
But, Kings Mountain was not Collins’ only memory of the Revolution. With an impressive record, Collins served three tours during the war. His first service, at only 15 years old, was with the South Carolina Militia in 1775 during a Native American conflict at Seneca River. As his service continued, he was taken prisoner during the fall of Charleston. Released, he re-enlisted with the North Carolina Militia, serving in the Battle of Briar Creek, near Augusta, but was again captured by the Tories. Sentenced to be hanged, 20-year-old Collins escaped, re-enlisted for the third time and served at Kings Mountain (October, 1780), Cowpens ( January, 1781) and Yorktown (September, 1781) before the war ended. Capt. John Collins (1760-1852), his wife Phebe Sailors and son Daniel (1813-1890) settled in Acworth during the 1830s. Collins built a central hallway-style farmhouse atop a small rise, where it still stands today. The farm, on which the home sat, was more than 200 acres, and probably extended to present day Lake Allatoona. The home on Collins Avenue has been modified over time to accommodate family growth, and, uniquely, is still the home of John Collins’ seventh and eighth generations of descendants. John, Phebe and Daniel were all founders of Liberty Hill Baptist Church in 1840. In 1846, Daniel married
CANNED MEATS PASTA SAUCE · BEANS CORN · GREEN BEANS CONDENSED SOUP CHUNKY SOUP · CHILI CANNED PASTA · MAC & CHEESE · BEEF STEW Our urgent food supply is disappearing quickly! Can you donate today?
MARIETTA · 1280 Field Pkwy CANTON · 111 Brown Ind. Pkwy
www.mustministries.org
Isabella Lemon, a sister of Smith and James Lile. By the 1920s, the family had grown considerably. Daniel’s son, J.F. Collins, had eight sons — Jack, Dee “Judge Daniel,” Cliff, Ernest, Jim, John, Norman and Roy. J.F. started a furniture store in 1886 on Main Street. From chair and furniture manufacture to specialorder casket construction, the business evolved into embalming and funerals by 1898. In 1900, son Ernest followed J.F. into the business as a licensed embalmer. With its start in 1886 as a furniture store, the Collins Funeral Home has the distinction of being the oldest continuous business in Acworth. Two residential buildings, built in the city’s prosperous 1880s, were joined in the 1920s to house the funeral home; the furniture store remained in the business district. Prior to J.F. Collins’ expansion into funerals, caskets were made special-order by chair and cabinet makers. The funeral home remained in the family for more than a century.
Abbie Parks, an Acworth resident, co-authored pictorial essays on regional history and collaborated on a book celebrating Acworth’s 150th birthday that featured anecdotal history and family photographs.
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
37
Around & About
Editor’s Note: Because events can change after our magazine goes to press, please check each website for the most up-to-date information.
OCTOBER Throughout October
The Acworth Scarecrow Parade is back for its 10th year! Schools, businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations create scarecrows to decorate downtown Acworth for the fall season. Scarecrows will be on display until Nov. 6. The theme for this year’s Scarecrow Parade is Totally ’80s! Families, nonprofits, churches, organizations and businesses were invited to participate in Acworth’s first Logan Farm Pumpkin Patch Art Contest. Celebrate the fall season by visiting Logan Farm Park to see all the wooden pumpkins decorated and on display until Nov. 1. Children are invited to participate in the Logan Farm Pumpkin Patch Scavenger Hunt to win fun prizes. Scavenger hunt cards will be available at the Acworth Community Center or for digital download at acworthparksandrecreation.org. Two LiRu Antiques and Decor won second place overall in last year’s Scarecrow Parade competition, with a Sanford and Son display. Photo by Beth Fornuto.
REGISTRATIONS Parks and Recreation // Community Center 770-917-1234, acworthparksandrecreation.org
Community Classes BUILD Strength Yoga
7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Join Marlo from Backbends and Brews at Logan Farm Park for BUILD strength yoga. All skill levels welcome. In case of rain, sessions will be held in the group exercise classroom at the Acworth Community Center. Bring a yoga mat. Marlo donates 20% of class fees to charity.
Pound
5:30 p.m.- 6:15 p.m. Mondays at the Acworth Community Center. Instead of listening to music, you become the music in this fullbody workout that combines cardio, conditioning, and strength training, with yoga and Pilates-inspired movements.
Barre Above
6:30-7:15 p.m. Mondays at the Acworth Community Center. Barre Above is a full-body conditioning class. The low impact workout incorporates lower, upper and core exercises, with a focus on flexibility, balance, stability and strength. 38
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
The Acworth Art House’s Juried Exhibit opened Sept. 5 and will run through Oct. 31. The People’s Choice winner was announced at the reception Oct. 3. Visitors of the Art House are asked to wear masks or face shields.
BollyX LIT
11-11:30 a.m. Saturdays at the Acworth Community Center. BollyX LIT (Low Impact Training) is a new program designed to have the same energy as an original BollyX class, without the impact. A Bollywood-inspired dance fitness class. Bring water and sneakers. Modifications will be shown for high and low impact.
LeanUp Bootcamp
6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Logan Farm Park piazza. This class is a medium to high-intensity workout that is set up in stations for functional movements to build muscle and shed fat. Burn up to, but not limited to, 700 calories.
Special Warriors Tae Kwon Do
10-10:30 a.m. Saturdays at the Acworth Community Center, Oct. 10-24. This class is for the youth with special needs. The traditional skills of Taekwon-Do have been adapted to teach focus, balance, hand-eye coordination and effective selfdefense skills to those with special concerns. $15 for residents and $20 for nonresidents.
Pickleball Lessons
Thursday and Friday mornings at the Acworth Community Center. All experience levels welcome. Additional information available online.
13 Grow Virtually,
The Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County present a fall horticultural education series available on Zoom, 7:30-8:30 p.m. on the second Tuesdays through Nov. 10. Topics include troubled turf, fall is the best time to plant, and composting. Registration required at www.cobbmastergardeners.com.
16
Kennesaw Parks and Recreation’s Art in the Park series continues with Clay Under the Stars from 7-9 p.m. at the Ben Robertson Community Center in Kennesaw. Ceramic’s instructor Kristen Smith will lead a fun and safe social-distanced class, where participants will make a bowl to use at home or as a holiday gift. Supplies are included and participants can bring their own food and beverages. Alcohol is permitted. Masks encouraged. Registration and online payment required. www. kennesawparksandrec.com.
17
Kennesaw Parks & Recreation invites area ghouls, ninjas, superheroes and princesses to Spook-Central Park for its annual Fall-O-Ween Fest at Swift-Cantrell Park in Kennesaw 5-9 p.m. The event features free carnival games, trick or treating and costumed family-fun. Show off your moves during a Monster Mash Dance Party. Prizes for best costume will be awarded throughout the event. www.kennesawparksandrec.com.
Acworth Business Association Golf Tournament 19 will be held at Brookstone Golf and Country Club, 5705
Brookstone Drive NW. The annual event begins at 7:30 a.m., with registration, driving range, a silent auction and breakfast. The shotgun start is 9 a.m. To register a team, play as an individual, or for sponsorship information, visit www.acworthbusiness.org.
KidZ Bootcamp with VRoK Fitness
One-week sessions 5-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays at Logan Farm Park, or the Acworth Community Center in case of rain. For kids ages 6-10. The class incorporates a mixture of Pound fitness and VRoK Bootcamp with high-intensity, upbeat movements to kid-friendly music. It is a fun and creative workout set up in stations for each child.
Senior Warriors Gentle Movements
10-10:30 a.m. Mondays at the Logan Farm Park piazza. This class is for active adults (55-plus). Omar Welch teaches traditional Korean movements to increase balance, mental focus, and movement. $20 residents and $25 for nonresidents.
Athletic Registration
Acworth Youth Basketball
Registration is open for boys and girls ages 5-12. The 5-6 year old co-ed league is $110 for residents and $130 for nonresidents. All other age groups are $160 for residents and $180 for nonresidents. Participants must sign up for health assessment timeslots before play begins. Registration and additional information regarding schedules and guidelines are available online. AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
39
Adam Dobson working on the Coors Light Chophouse project at Truist Park.
One Welder's Unlikely Journey to Teaching BY RYAN BLYTHE
At 25 years old, Waleska native Adam Dobson recently became a welding instructor, joining Will Kennemore, a Kennesaw Mountain High School graduate, as the second Georgia Trade School alumnus to teach at Smyrna’s Fortis College. The son of a firefighter, Dobson has worked on some impressive projects during his seven-year welding career. Growing up in a small town, with only a flashing red light at the four-way stop, Dobson graduated from Cherokee High School in 2013. He was not interested in attending college, but knew his high school jobs at Subway and Bojangles were not going to lead to a career. With a great grandfather who was a welder, Dobson tried welding, and found himself to be a fast learner. He studied welding and fabrication at Chattahoochee Technical College and worked at a local manufacturer before enrolling at Georgia Trade School (GTS). Although admittedly skeptical about formal education, Dobson entered GTS in 2014, and graduated in 2015 with 40
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
certifications in gas metal arc welding, flux core arc welding and shielded metal arc welding. He found, for the first time, that print reading classes can be fun and interactive. The school’s model of 83% hands-on learning was also very attractive to Dobson. While the classroom enhances skills and marketability, he learned that it was the laboratory experience of welding daily for six hours that was critical to learning this ancient trade. He was one of about two dozen GTS graduates who worked on Mercedes Benz Stadium. He was assigned to work on the personal suite of Arthur Blank, Atlanta Falcons owner and Home Depot co-founder, which included a handrail coated with 24-karat gold. Dobson’s field experience also has taken him to Nashville, Tennessee, one of the top cities for millennials and Generation Z. Working for a Carvana dealership, he helped build a car vending machine, alongside German engineers. His next assignment sent him to downtown San Antonio, Texas, for a three-month ironwork contract, which included walking beams over the famous River Walk.
However, Dobson has left his most indelible mark here in Cobb County, with his work at Truist Park, specifically the Coors Light Chophouse overlooking the field. This popular section at the ballpark was modeled after the original chophouse at Turner Field. Brilliantly, the Braves built in table seating and barheight chairs with can coolers to keep your adult beverage cold in the Georgia heat. Dobson helped build the prototypes for the can coolers, and Braves fans from all over the Southeast remain grateful. During the pandemic, he was called on again to work at Truist Park, because of his previous experience at the facility. The ballpark uses aluminum, so Dobson’s familiarity was important to fix the handrails in the outfield safely. His work in Cobb County also has included time with Mills Specialty Metals, which the Cobb Chamber has named a Top 25 Small Business of the Year multiple times. For someone who once disliked school, Dobson is thriving in his new position as a teacher. He credits his success to learning from the veteran welders in the field, and taking those tips and tricks seriously. He wants to share his experiences, and support students who are just as passionate about the profession. Those are the students who push him to teach at a high level, so that they become what those in the industry call “a jam up welder,” the equivalent of honors students in the academic world. At the end of the day, Dobson believes you must learn how to have fun in your job, realizing it will be hot, and often stressful, especially when you are working long days facing deadlines. Listen to those with more experience, accept that you are new, and that you do not know how to do everything. Be sure to laugh and smile, but, most importantly, be safe. Sage advice from a guy who in five years went from a sandwich artist to working on multibillion-dollar construction projects.
Ryan Blythe is the founder of Georgia Trade School, which, for the fifth consecutive year, was named one of the Cobb Chamber Top 25 Small Businesses of the Year.
Bank smarter. Anywhere you go.
With LGE’s Mobile Banking and Snap Deposit, you can bank virtually anywhere and everywhere. But while you’re banking, you’re putting more in your pocket. Because at LGE, you earn more on checking and pay less on loans. And you earn cash rewards the more you bank with us! So switch from your bank and discover smarter, better, more convenient banking. Only at LGE.
A smarter way to bank®.
LGEccu.org | 770-424-0060
This credit union is federally insured by NCUA. AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020 41
Bring Fall Into Your Living Space BY PACITA WILSON
As the leaves begin to change and I feel that first cool fall breeze, I know my favorite time of the year has arrived. When it comes to transitioning your home décor to fall, pick one space and begin by adding texture to create a warm cozy, fall feeling. Let’s begin by focusing on the living room. My living room is an important space in my home for me and my family. It’s where we relax and enjoy time with one another. When wanting to achieve the ultimate fall look, I first start by bringing textures and warmth into a room. An easy way to bring in color and texture is by restyling your throw pillows. Mixing textures and patterns creates a great contrast to your sofa. Examples of pillow fabrics that have great fall texture are fur, leather and velvet. There’s no better way to create a cozy atmosphere than snuggling up with the perfect blanket or throw.
42
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
Place a knit throw over your sofa to add a comfortable, soft feel to the room. Another easy way to include fall textures in your living room is by accessorizing your coffee table. When decorating a coffee table, always remember that less is more. My go-to feature is a simple planter filled with greenery. I also love decorating my table with a metal tray then adding small accessories such as ceramic vases and a candle. I hope these tips help you spruce up your decor this fall season!
Pacita Wilson is the owner of Pineapple Park Home. www.pineapplepark.com
Notify Your Insurance Company of Accidents BY JOEL WILLIAMS
When you enter into a contract for automobile insurance, the policy affords you many protections, including providing representation if you face a claim or lawsuit, and paying a judgement up to the limits of your coverage. However, you also have some obligations under this policy. For example, the insurance company has a right to be notified of any accidents or potential claims. Should you fail to notify the insurance company about an accident after an unreasonable delay, the insurer could deny your claim, especially if it is your insurance company. In the recent case Geico General Insurance Co. v. Breffle, Breffle was injured in a car wreck on April 28, 2016. At the time, Breffle held a policy with Geico that provided up to $250,000 in uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) coverage. According to the policy, Breffle had to notify Geico about the details of the wreck soon after it occurred. The insurance policy went on to say that a lawsuit may not proceed against Geico if the insured fails to fully comply with all policy terms. Soon after the wreck, Breffle visited his doctor complaining of lower back pain. Three months later, Breffle received steroid injections and ultimately ended up needing two surgeries. After the surgeries, Breffle realized that his total medical bills would likely eclipse the $250,000 policy limits offered by the other driver’s liability policy. Up to this point, Breffle had not informed Geico of the accident. Breffle finally notified Geico of the wreck 13 months after it occurred. Almost two years after the wreck, Breffle filed a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver and served Geico as an unnamed defendant in an attempt to collect on the UM policy. During the lawsuit, Geico filed a motion for summary judgment in an effort to cut Breffle’s claim against them off entirely. Geico argued that Breffle violated the terms of the policy by waiting too long to notify the insurance company of the accident. The trial court disagreed, but the Court of Appeals found that waiting 13 months to notify Geico was unreasonable, and Geico was not obligated to honor the UM claim. As you can see, timely notice of a claim is extremely important. Always notify your insurance company about an automobile wreck as soon as possible, even if the wreck was not your fault.
Joel Williams is a partner at Williams|Elleby, a Kennesaw based personal injury law firm. www.gatrialattorney.com.
Tips for Keeping Hearing Aids Clean BY DR. MARY SWANTEK
If you are using your hearing aid, but still cannot hear, chances are your hearing aid is overdue for a thorough cleaning. Your ear canals produce wax, which is an important substance that protects and lubricates your ears. However, ear wax build-up is the most common cause of hearing aid issues. Hearing aids are an investment, and it is important to keep them clean. When handling and cleaning hearing aids, make sure you wear gloves, to prevent the spread of germs, and hold them over a soft surface to avoid damage if they are dropped.
Five Cleaning Tips
1.
Wipe hearing aids down each week. This is a simple way to prevent the accumulation of dry skin and ear wax from clogging the openings on the hearing aids. It is recommended to use a wet wipe that does not contain any type of alcohol, since alcohol can cause a hearing aid to break down. Avoid using any type of water, because hearing aids are not waterproof.
2.
Replace the filter. Most hearing aids contain a filter, or some other type of cover, that prevents wax from getting inside the microphone of the device. A clogged filter can result in weak, distorted sounds, or no sound. The recommendation is to change filters every one to two months.
3.
Change your device’s dome. If your device is a behind-the-ear style, you may have a silicone tip on the part that is inserted into your ear canal. This piece is called a dome. The dome should be changed along with the filter every one to two months. If you do not have extra domes, they can be washed in warm, soapy liquid, dried completely, and placed back on the hearing aid.
4.
Brush your hearing aids. A tool that is helpful in cleaning hearing aids is a brush. If you do not have a brush from your hearing healthcare provider, a children’s toothbrush will do the trick. Brush off the ports on the hearing aid to remove any dry skin. Also, brush off the battery door compartment to prevent battery corrosion.
5.
Use a hearing aid dryer each night. This will remove moisture from your hearing aids. Many modern dryers also are electronic, and feature a UV light that can sanitize the hearing aids. Using a dryer will greatly extend the life of your devices.
Dr. Mary Swantek joined North Georgia Audiology in 2019. She earned her doctorate degree from the University of Florida and her bachelor’s degree from Valdosta State University.
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
43
IN THE SPOTLIGHT • The Business.
As a seasoned real estate professional, Justin Koeniger understands buying or selling a home is more than just a transaction; it's a life-changing experience. That's why the REALTOR® is dedicated to providing exceptional, personalized service for his clients. Koeniger takes pride in building relationships and always works on his clients’ behalf to help them achieve their real estate goals. His business success is based almost exclusively on positive referrals from satisfied clients. By providing excellent service, working tirelessly for buyers and sellers, and giving clients candid advice, Koeniger earns clients’ trust, gains referrals and repeat business.
Justin Koeniger – REALTOR® with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties 3775 Roswell Road Suite 200 Marietta, GA 30062
• The Difference.
Koeniger’s philosophy is simple: clients come first, and he must understand their needs. He promises to be in constant communication with clients, keeping them fully informed throughout the buying or selling process. Koeniger believes that if you're not left with an amazing experience, he hasn’t done his job. The REALTOR® doesn’t measure success through achievements or awards, but through the satisfaction of clients. Koeniger understands building relationships with people is key to business success, so he never underestimates the power of people.
• Customers are saying.
470-451-2134 @JustinSellsATL JustinKoeniger.BHHSGeorgia.com
“We sold during this time of uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 for top dollar. Justin never left my side, guiding and assuring me every step of the way. From the cute yard sign, staging the house, inspections, walk through, closing – you name it, he was fully engaged until the very end. I completely recommend anyone who is looking to buy or sell to choose Justin as your agent; you'll be glad you did. Thank you so much, Justin, for listing and selling our home in two days – incredible!” – Maria L.
Home Loan Tips for the Self-Employed BY JAY WHITE
With all the changes that were thrown our way in April, thanks to COVID-19 and margin calls being made to mortgage companies, many investors got spooked and pulled in the reins, making financing difficult for some, especially business owners. However, these pullbacks are no longer in place with certain lenders. I have seen way too many business owners not given the opportunity to take advantage of this market, but not anymore. Self-employed clients looking to buy a home, and self-employed homeowners looking to refinance, have options, no matter what you are being told. I believe that a business owner should be one of the top three types of clients for mortgage brokers. Business owners typically have great credit and plenty of assets, but the challenge becomes showing how much income they earn, for loan purposes only. 44
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
This is when it’s an advantage to work with a lender that is experienced and has a track record of getting things done. There are many ways to extract income from a business owner’s tax returns, so don’t think the bottom line is what is looked at; that’s not the case. You can buy, you can refinance, and you do not need, necessarily, to have been in business for two years. If you are looking to buy or refinance, and you own a business, please reach out to a reliable mortgage broker, and they will be happy to guide you through the weeds and get you on the right track to buy or refinance.
Jay White, top 1% in the nation in mortgage originators according to Mortgage Executive magazine, has 19 years of experience and is a multimillion dollar producer for Bay Equity Home Loans.
Our Covers Get Results! “
We have advertised on the front cover of the TowneLaker four times in the 21 years we have been in business here in Towne Lake. Every time we do, we have a higher number of new patients or reactivations for the month. I think the reason it is so successful is the cover draws attention and, if people are curious, they can read the business story and learn more about them and what makes the business special and stand out among the rest of their industry. The process of advertising the cover is also really easy which is ideal for a business owner. The TowneLaker does all the work! They write the story after an interview with the business, they hire the photographer and offer suggestions and ideas along the way. Super simple!” Kristin Ribley, Ribley Chiropractic
“
We’ve received a great response to our cover story and were very pleased with how it turned out. Thank you so much!"
Elizabeth Cossick, North Cobb Christian School
“
We are in love with our (cover) article and appreciate the shout out on Facebook too! Advertising with Around Canton has been the easiest and most effective way to communicate directly to my client base and attract new customers. Thank you, Around Canton, for helping me grow my business.”
Jana Rice, Your CBD Store-Canton
“
We received a substantial amount of new business as a result of being on the front cover of the magazine. I wholeheartedly recommend the Around Woodstock’s platform as an opportunity for businesses small and large to build your local reputation and to get the attention of new and existing customers!"
“
We have always had a great return on investment with Around Acworth and decided to test the waters in the other Aroundabout Local Media publications — TowneLaker, Around Woodstock and Around Canton — with continued success.”
Dr. Heath Trowell, Governors MedSpa & Concierge Medicine
Tim McWhirter, Canton Termite
& Pest Control, Inc.
“
Contact Jennifer to inquire about 2021 cover availability.
Jennifer Coleman Jennifer@AroundaboutMagazines.com
678-279-5502
We advertised on the front cover of Around Woodstock in July 2020. We were unprepared for the amazing and positive response we received. Our business picked up greatly and we got some amazing new customers from this awesome community. When we do it again, I will be better prepared for our increase in business."
Lori Kennedy, Alpha & Omega Automotive
WWW.AROUNDABOUTLOCALMEDIA.COM AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
45
A Local Woman’s COVID-19 Experience BY EDWARD MILLER
“It was March 19. I was out with friends and ordered a gin and tonic. I was puzzled because I couldn’t taste it.” For Tracey Viars, a real estate broker and member of Kennesaw’s City Council, that was the first clue something was wrong. Months later, she’s still dealing with the aftermath of COVID-19. Her symptoms came in waves. “The loss of taste and smell was not prominent in the news yet, so I didn’t think much about it. Then, I got a headache, followed by the worst body aches of my life. That was followed by shortness of breath, which I couldn’t understand, because I never had lung problems like asthma or bronchitis.” By this time, she was fully aware of the spread of the novel coronavirus. It was difficult to get a test if you weren’t a front-line worker, so she self-isolated for 14 days, self-medicating with Advil, baby aspirin and vitamins. She even tried Vicks VapoRub to relieve the chest pains. “It was 14 days of hell,” Viars said. “You don’t rule COVID; it rules you.” Her advice to the rest of us? “Wear the mask. If everyone would participate in preventative behaviors for two months, maybe we could get back to whatever normal is.”
Edward Miller is managing partner at Cindy Miller Communications, a strategic communications company specializing in storytelling, crisis communications and corporate communications. He lives in Woodstock.
Loss of taste was the first symptom of COVID-19 for Tracey Viars.
Hold on to the Good News BY PASTOR BRYANT HARRIS
This year has been a blur. It seems like yesterday COVID-19 news was just beginning to break and we would be “sheltering in place” for a few weeks, then, hopefully, back to some semblance of normal. I’m not sure about you but, during these last few months, I have experienced a roller coaster of emotions. Most of the plans that I had at the beginning of the year were put on hold or canceled. From weddings to graduations, funerals to summer vacations, this has been a season of delays, cancellations and rescheduling for us all. There are still many people who I care for that I haven’t seen in person since March. If someone tried to tell me what we would face this year, I would have laughed (or maybe cried). I don’t know how you have navigated this year until now, but I do hope you and your family are doing well, considering what we have been going through. While our new, but, hopefully, temporary normal still includes masks, social distancing and continued 46
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
uncertainty, I’m enjoying the cooler weather, changing color of leaves and the little puppy I bought to keep me company when I’m at church during the week. With all the changes of this year, I hope you have continued to find the faithfulness of God’s love and encouragement from friends and family. While there has been little good news to lift our spirits in recent months, I want to encourage you to hold on to the good news that comes to us in Christ Jesus. As the Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 8:38 — “Nothing can separate us from the love of God,” and that includes COVID-19, political turmoil and economic uncertainty.
Bryant Harris is senior pastor at Mars Hill Presbyterian Church. He began his ministry at the church in 1995.
Rob’s Rescues This dog and cat are both at Cobb County Animal Services. The dog’s name is Peppy. He is a Welsh Corgi, 7 years old and is the perfect dog. He is a good size, a cool color and walks really well on a leash. He was a stray. He will love everybody and will just be a great dog to have around. This cat’s name is Mel. She is 3 years old and likes to be held. She is a large cat. She doesn’t need a lot from you, just some attention. She will be an easy cat to have.
Georgia Sea Turtle Center www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org
This is Part 1 of my interview with Michelle Kaylor, who is the rehabilitation manager at Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Part 2 will be in the November publication.
Who brings injured turtles to you?
The public sometimes brings in injured terrapins and turtles. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources also sends animals to us as well as the Florida Department of Fish and Wildlife.
What is a story you love to tell about your job?
Rob and Michelle Kaylor of Georgia Sea Turtle Center
What do you do at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center? I oversee the hospital and rehabilitation pavilion. I also oversee the staff, including the veterinary students and Americorp members working in rehab.
What did you study for this job?
I have a general biology background. I worked previously in husbandry at the Tennessee Aquarium.
What made you want to start helping turtles?
I have always wanted to help turtles and wildlife. This is my dream job.
Some time back, we received a phone call from a family member of a child dying of cancer. The child, Silas, had a passion for turtles and had done a lot of advocacy about turtles and fundraising for them from his hospital bed. We typically don’t do this, but we named a turtle after Silas, and got him into the center so he could meet the turtle we would name after him. When Silas the Loggerhead turtle was going to be released back into the ocean, Silas came out and helped with the release. He lost his battle with cancer, but he impacted us profoundly.
What is the best part about rehabbing turtles?
Seeing them go back to the wild after we have rehabbed them through injury or disease. Turtles’ healing capacities amaze me every day. Releasing them back into the ocean is a very cool experience.
What can the community do to help turtles?
It really can be just making small changes, like using reusable bags at the grocery store and not using one-use plastic products.
How many turtles come into the center?
We have been open for 12 years and have seen about 1,500 turtles – 26 different species. But we don’t just rehabilitate sea turtles. We have a lot of native Georgia turtles dropped in too, as well as raptors and shore birds. We don’t rehab mammals and song-birds.
Rob Macmillan is on a mission to help shelter dogs and cats. www.robsrescues.com. On Facebook @robsrescues.
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
47
@ the Library
North Cobb Regional Library is open with limited hours and services to align with safety and health guidelines of Cobb County and public health authorities. Library patrons are asked to limit visits to browsing, completing library account transactions such as checking out items, picking up available reserved materials, and renewing or signing up for a library card. Patrons entering the library will be screened with a temperature check and required to wear masks. A limited number of computers are available by reservation. Study and community meeting rooms will remain closed. The outdoor book drop is open. Online digital resources are available for all ages. All library programs are being held virtually with individual links available at www.cobbcat.org.
Oct. 7, 21, Nov. 4
Virtual Writers Group
4:30-5:15 p.m. For ages 18 and older to learn writing techniques, give supportive feedback and provide motivation to write. This creative writing group meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each month via Google Meet. Registration is required to receive the virtual meeting info. For more info, contact Frances LaPlante or Neely Simpson at 770-801-5322.
Oct. 12, 19, 26, Nov. 2 Monday Mystery Madlibs
All day. Participants get the chance to rewrite a classic story using their creativity. The story changes monthly. There are two forms of the program, one for all ages and one for 8 and older. Select appropriate form online. For questions or to request a print version, email Amanda.Sanders@ cobbcounty.org.
Oct. 12, 19, 26, Nov. 2 Storytime @ Home
Library staff has created a special kit to help facilitate the storytime experience in your home. Each themed kit will be featured around a new or popular picture book and include questions and rhymes to facilitate learning as well as the supplies for a simple themed craft. The book will not be included in the kit, but these and similar books are available for checkout. Kits can be picked up from either South Cobb or Vinings.
Trapped Under the Waves: Virtual Escape Room
8 a.m.-5 p.m. This sci-fi and suspense virtual escape room is for teens, tweens and adults. In this adventure, participants will solve puzzles and make choices that influence the story and change your path to the end. Play the adventure multiple times to see all the different paths and endings. 48
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
North Cobb Regional Library • 3535 Old 41 Highway, Kennesaw 770-801-5320 • www.cobbcat.org/venue/north-cobb-regional-library 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays • 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays
Oct. 12, 19, 26, Nov. 2 Girls Who Code
6:30-7:30 p.m. Less than a quarter of computing jobs are held by women, and that number is declining. Join the @GirlsWhoCode movement at the North Cobb Regional Library to close the gender gap in tech. Club meets every Monday for grades 6-12. Registration required. For information, email vidhya.jagannathan@cobbcounty.org.
Oct. 12, 19, 26 Teen Zine Kits
During October, pick up a mini Zine kit from the Teen Room at Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center to take home and complete. Zine kits include instructions and supplies (paper, stickers, washi tape) for creating your very own mini Zine, short for magazine or fanzine. Kits are available on a firstcome, first-serve basis. No reservations required.
Oct. 12, 26
Family Art Time
8 a.m.-5 p.m. For families with children ages 4-8. Every other week, families are invited to pick up packets with art supplies for that week’s craft at the East Cobb branch (4880 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta). The craft will be related to a book. Supplies are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Oct. 13
Explorations in Flavor - Cooking for Tween and Teens
4-5 p.m. For ages 10-18. Take the burn out of cooking by becoming more confident in the kitchen. Explore ingredients, learn recipes and techniques to create memorable food. A list of shopping items will be sent prior to the session. This month’s session will feature Halloween treats. For more information, call the Mountain View Regional Library at 770-509-4964.
Oct. 14
Gardeners Anonymous
10:30-11:30 a.m. Join this group of backyard and patio gardeners. Swap tips and tricks for growing plants in the metro area. Group meets virtually the second Wednesday of every month via Google Meets.
Oct. 15, 29
Role Playing Game Club
4-5:30 p.m. For ages 10-17. Uncover the secrets of the forgotten realms world using the Pathfinder Second Edition gaming system. Role-playing is fun and is also a great way to pick up visual-spatial learning, cooperation, improvisation, creativity, reading and math skills. Space is limited to eight players. Registration is required.
School News
Free Meal Kits for All Children Cobb County Schools are offering free meal kits to all children up to 18 years old. Parents can pick up the meal kits for the entire week, and children do not need to be enrolled in Cobb County School District. The change means parents no longer need to preorder kits for children. School pickup days and times are provided on the Cobb Food and Nutrition webpage. Adult-only meal kits still can be ordered through mypaymentsplus.com. The to-go meal kits include items that can be reheated at home. Reheating instructions and a menu are provided in meal kits. For more information, email meals@cobbk12.org.
Phased Reopening Plan Details Announced Chattahoochee Tech students Ericka Heggi and Octavius Jackson are U.S. military veterans, working at the Jim Cunningham Veteran Services Center.
Chatt Tech Designated as Military Friendly School For the third year in a row, Chattahoochee Technical College was named to the national 2020-2021 Military Friendly Schools list. Chattahoochee Tech achieved a silver-level status, exceeding all six of the standards set forth by Military Friendly Schools. The college received especially high marks in several categories: culture and commitment; admissions and orientation; and financial aid and assistance. “Chattahoochee Tech remains military-focused, as well as military friendly, even during a pandemic,” said Chattahoochee Tech Veteran Services Coordinator Barry Munday. There are 360 U.S. military veterans, as well as 350 military family members, enrolled this semester at Chattahoochee Tech. The Jim Cunningham Veteran Services Center, which is located on the college’s Marietta campus, serves as a gathering place for these students to receive support services as well as external veteran services. Working at the center this semester through the college’s VA work study program, while they attend school full time, are Chattahoochee Tech students Octavius Jackson, who served in the U.S. Army for 20 years, and Ericka Heggi, who served in the U.S. Air Force for six years. The Military Friendly Schools list is based on research using public data sources for more than 8,800 schools nationwide and responses to the proprietary, data-driven Military Friendly Schools survey. Criteria for this evaluation were set forth by Viqtory, a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business that connects the military community to civilian employment, as well as educational and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Last month, Cobb County School District announced its three-phased plan to return to in-person learning. Phase 1, which was set to begin Oct. 5, provided families with the options to continue in a remote learning environment or return to a face-to-face environment. There was a Sept. 20 deadline for parents to submit their choice. Face-to-face and remote students in the same class will receive the same instruction from the same teacher to prevent disruptions.
• Phase 1, Oct. 5: All pre-k through fifth-grade students
and pre-k through 12th-grade special education lowincidence students have the option to return for full-day instruction. ASP also will resume for students in face-to-face classrooms on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. • Phase 2, Oct. 19: All sixth- through eighth-grade students have the option to return for full-day instruction. • Phase 3, Nov. 5: All ninth- through 12th-grade students have the option to return for full-day instruction. This is a Thursday start date, because of the election.
Wednesdays will continue to be reserved for individual and small-group support in the remote environment, and will provide an additional opportunity for necessary cleaning and disinfecting midweek. Health and safety protocols will be present to keep students and staff as safe as possible.
• Social distancing will be practiced whenever possible. • Masks will be required on buses and in school buildings for students and staff, and whenever possible when teachers are teaching. • Hand sanitizer will be provided at multiple locations throughout schools. • Schools will follow rigorous daily cleaning guidance.
Cobb schools are committed to making decisions based on public health guidance with student and staff safety being top priority. Dates are subject to change, based on public health data and guidance for Cobb County. AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
49
Cobb Photographic Society Congratulations to each of you who entered the Cobb Photographic Society competition. The topic for the August contest was “shadows.� The guest judge was Stacey Bode. 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
Laura Prescott - 1st Place (Make A Wish)
Laura Prescott - 2nd Place (Hi-Ho Silver)
Black & White
Sally Hale - 1st Place (Benched) 50
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
Chris Pietrzykowski - 2nd Place (Heartache)
Color
Phyllis Westland - 1st Place (Walking in our own Sunshine)
Chris Pietrzykowski - 2nd Place (Fading Dream)
Paul Shimek - 3rd Place (Blue Lagoon) AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
51
Downtown Acworth Dining Bert & Boo's Bake Shop
Fish Thyme Restaurant and Bar
Nibbles Grill
Seafood 3979 S. Main St., Suite 5657 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
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
Tapas 4843 N. Main St. 770-693-0077 www.brixonmain.com
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 3979 S. Main St.,Suite 250 678-903-2607 www.dorositalian.com
52
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
Italian 4815A S. Main St. 770-974-1110 fuscosviaroma.com Facebook: @fuscosviaroma Barbeque
4424 S. Main St. 770-974-8434 www.jdsbbq.com
Henry’s Louisiana 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
Pizza 4815B S. Main St. 678-426-7503 www.pizzabyfuscos.com
Mexican 3770 Southside Dr. 770-917-9791 Facebook: @Ricos-Mex-Mex-Grill
Acworth Area Clubs & Organizations
BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS Acworth Business Association 770-423-1330 www.acworthbusiness.org Cherokee Chamber of Commerce 770-345-0400 www.cherokeechamber.com Cobb Chamber of Commerce 770-980-2000 www.cobbchamber.org
KSU Small Business Development Center 470-578-6450 https://coles.kennesaw.edu/sbdc/ West Cobb Business Association 770-943-1511 www.westcobbbusiness.com CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS Cherokee Child Advocacy Council 770-345-8100 www.cherokeechildadvocates.org Cherokee County Habitat for Humanity 770-345-1879 www.cherokeehabitat.net
Pet Buddies Food Pantry 678-310-9858 www.petbuddiesfoodpantry.org
Cobb County Republican Party 770-421-1833 https://cobbcountyrepublicanparty.wildapricot.org/
Southern Hope Humane Society 770-445-7294 www.hopehumane.org
Cobb County Republican Women’s Club 770-785-2522 https://ccrwc.org/
The Hope Box 770-765-6301 www.thehopebox.org
Republican Women of Cherokee County 404-747-3353 www.rwccga.com
Trinity Rescue 877-71-HORSE (46773) www.trinityrescueinc.org Yellow Rose-Strong Oak Society 770-425-3161 yellowrosestrongoaksociety.com CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS Acworth Optimist Club Contact: Debbie Ward 770-974-0670 Acworth Masonic Lodge 4497 McLain Circle 770-974-3577 Air Force Aviation Heritage Foundation 770-529-9003 Ext. 40 www.afahf.org
RECREATION & HOBBIES Atlanta Yacht Club www.atlantayachtclub.org Atlanta Water Ski Club 770-425-3679 https://awsc.net/ Children’s PEACE Center 770-917-8815 www.childrenspeacecenter.org Cobb County Radio Control Modelers Club www.ccrc.info Cobb Photographic Society www.cobbphotosociety.com
Atlanta Area Council Boy Scouts of America 770-989-8820
North Cobb Photo Club Meets 9:30 a.m.-noon first Thursday at Celebration Village theater, 4460 Celebration Blvd., Acworth. Contact Jim at 770-842-3114. www.NorthCobbPhotoClub.com.
Girl Scout Council of North Georgia 770-974-4278
Northwest YMCA (Brookstone Area) 770-423-9622
Cobb County Storytellers 770-425-3161 www.cobbcountystorytellers.com
Junior League of Cobb — Marietta 770-422-5266 www.jlcm.org
West Cobb Lacrosse Club 770-641-2222 http://eteamz.active.com/westcobblacrosse
Forgotten Paws Animal Rescue 404-993-7958 www.forgottenpaws.com
Kiwanis Club of Kennworth Golden K Contact: Ken Leone 470-422-0382
Happy Caps 770-653-9448 contact@happycaps.us www.happycaps.us
Liberty Hill Chapter DAR Contact: libertyhilldar@gmail.com http://libertyhill.georgiastatedar.org/
Cherokee County Humane Society 770-928-5115 www.cchumanesociety.org Cobb County Habitat for Humanity 770-432-7954 www.cobbhabitat.org
Here Am I Ministries, Inc. 770-529-4644 Contact: Rev. DeAnna Fountain https://www.hereiamministries.com/ Homeward Bound Pet Rescue 706-698-HOME www.homeward.petfinder.com
North Cobb Lions Club www.facebook.com/NorthCobbLions https://northcobblionsclub.com/ Ron Asby North Cobb American Legion 678-217-5738 www.post304.org Rotary Club of North Cobb www.northcobbrotary.org
Humane Society of Cobb County 770-428-9882 www.humanecobb.org
VFW Post 5408 (Acworth & Kennesaw Post) 770-974-0958 www.vfwpost5408.org
LiveSafe Resources 770-427-2902 www.livesaferesources.org
POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS Acworth Business and Professional Chapter of the John Birch Society Contact: Boyd Parks 770-975-3303
Lung Cancer Alliance Georgia Contact: Edward J. Levitt 770-590-7898 MUST Ministries 770-427-9862 www.mustministries.org Mostly Mutts Animal Rescue & Adoption 770-325-PETS www.mostlymutts.org Papa’s Pantry 770-591-4730 www.papaspantry.org Paws for Disabilities www.pawsfordisabilities.org
SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS Active Adults Living with Arthritis (AALA) Contact: Marcia 770-605-7960 Celebrate Life International www.CelebrateLife.org Erin’s Hope for Friends 678-390-4812 www.erinshopeforfriends.org Loving Through Dementia dementiaministry@duewest.org www.lovingthroughdementia.org MOMS Club of Acworth-West www.acworthwestmomsclub.weebly.com MOMS Club of Acworth-East www.momsclubacwortheast.clubspaces.com Moms in Ministry @ Summit Baptist Church Every other Tuesday morning 770-794-0442 mnm@summitchurch.org
Cherokee County Democratic Party 770-345-3489
Newcomers of Cobb County Meets 3rd Tuesday 770-234-5068 www.newcomersofcobbcounty.com
Cherokee County Republican Party 770-592-0575
Rooted Moms www.rootedmoms.com
Cobb County Democracy For America www.dfalink.com/cobbcounty
Sisters of Support (Breast Cancer Support) Contact: Sandy, 770-926-3488
Cobb County Democratic Party 770-420-7133 https://www.cobbdemocrats.org/
Widows / Widowers Grief Support Recovery 770-590-0334 www.burnthickory.com
Cobb County Libertarian Party 770-425-2856 http://cobblp.org/
West Cobb Mothers and More www.westcobbmothersandmore.weebly.com 770-314-1211 AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
53
Advertisers
For advertising rates and information Jennifer Coleman 678-279-5502 Jennifer@AroundaboutMagazines.com
October 2020
ATTORNEYS/LEGAL SERVICES Williams | Elleby 833-LEGALGA www.gatrialattorney.com
FINANCIAL SERVICES 1
AUTOMOTIVE 39
KAMS Auto Service Center 770-956-4060 www.kamsauto.com
7
Georgia Funeral Care & Cremation Services 678-574-3016 www.georgiafuneralcare.com
A New You Skin & Body Clinic 678-739-0400 www.anewyouclinic.com
11
OPTOMETRIST
11
CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS MUST Ministries www.mustministries.org
37
CREDIT UNIONS
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Credit Union of Georgia 678-486-1111 www.cuofga.org
27
LGE Community Credit Union 770-424-0060 www.lgeccu.org
41
13
35
HOME & GARDEN
DENTAL Daniel Lee DMD, PC 770-974-4146 www.acworthdental.com
37
Gentle Dental Care/Georgia Dental Implants Inside back 770-926-2784 www.georgiadic.com EDUCATION/TUTORING Chattahoochee Technical College 770-528-4545 www.chattahoocheetech.edu
3
Georgia Trade School www.georgiatradeschool.com
13
KennedyMathews Education Consultants 5 765-721-1212 www.kennedymathewsconsulting.com Back cover
St. John the Baptist Hybrid School 770-710-8226 www.stjohnthebaptisthybrid.org St. Joseph Catholic School 770-428-3328 www.stjosephschool.org AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
1 21
Best Friends Flooring 678-814-9426 www.bestfriendsflooring.com
5
Dayco Systems Heating & Cooling 770-336-7888 www.daycosystems.com
23
Dr. Fix-it Ph.D. 770-974-2390
39
DWF Flooring Cabinets & More Adairsville: 770-773-2681 Jasper: 706-299-5800 www.daltonwholesalefloors.com
9
Enhance Floors & More 770-565-3808 www.enhancefloors.com
31
Home Efficiency Solutions 678-665-3626 www.homeefficiency.solutions
11
Legacy Custom Blinds 404-430-5288 www.legacycustomblinds.com
9
Mr. Junk 678-Mr-Junk1 www.mrjunk1.com Myst Power Washing 770-546-6028 www.mystpowerwashing.com
PHOTOGRAPHY 7
PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL SERVICES Governors MedSpa and Concierge Medicine 678-888-5181 www.governorsmedicine.com
3, 25
PEST CONTROL One Dead Bug 404-704-4685 www.onedeadbug.com
HEARING RELATED SERVICES North Georgia Audiology & Hearing Aid Center 770-726-8948 www.yourhearinglink.com
1
J. King Images 404-384-2794 www.jkingimages.com
GOLD PURCHASING
Your CBD Store-Acworth 678-909-5230 www.acworth459.cbdrx4u.com
25
TrueVision Eye Care 770-529-7789 www.truevisioneyecare.com
Gold and Coin Exchange, The Inside front 770-419-0292 www.goldandcoinexchange.com
BEAUTY
54
21
FUNERAL SERVICES
Japanese Automotive Professional Service Kennesaw: 770-203-1111 Alpharetta: 770-740-0114 www.japaneseautomotive.com
North Cobb Christian School 770-975-0252 www.ncchristian.org
Bay Equity Home Loans Jay White, Area Sales Manager 770-870-0644 www.jayclosesloans.com
Tom Kris & Sons Plumbing 770-529-0799 www.tkandsonsplumbing.com
25 7
Pineapple Park 15 678-494-8494 www.pineapplepark.com
21
REAL ESTATE Anchor Realty Partners Malinda Howe, Broker Direct: 404-444-0225 Office: 770-917-0322 www.anchorrealtypartners.net
21
Atlanta Communities, Mary Catherine Soulsby Cover, 28-29 470-556-5845 www.marycatherinesoulsby.com Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Justin Koeniger 3, 44 Cell: 470-451-2134 Office: 770-973-8822 www.JustinKoeniger.BHHSGeorgia.com Debi Smith Properties Direct: 404-660-6652 Office: 770-240-2004 www.debismithproperties.com
13
RESTAURANTS Doro's Italian Restaurant 678-903-2607 www.dorositalian.com
9
SENIOR LIVING/SERVICES Celebration Village 678-594-3570 www.cvillage.com
Inside front
VEHICLE SALES Honda Minibikes 770-617-0244
35
www.aroundaboutlocalmedia.com AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
55
Since 1996, we have brought relevant, uplifting and reader-driven 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. It’s your community. It’s your magazine. Look on page 6 for our contact information.
56
AROUND ACWORTH | October 2020
Around Acworth Distribution Map Circulation: 16,500
These years matter ...
for a lifetime.
A child’s worldview -- including how they see God, themselves and others -- solidifies between preschool and age 13. At NCCS, we leverage these critical years to build firm y foundations of faith and identity, grounded in biblical truth.
Preview Day | K3 - 12th | 11.14.20 | 9:30 - 11:30
info@ncchristian.org | 770-975-0252 ncchristian.org