October 2022
Volunteers from local businesses will clean the homes of cancer patients for free during the 21 working days in October.
From sampling fare from area restaurants to stocking up on apples to dressing up for Halloween, there are plenty of autumn activities this year.
Four years after switching careers, pipefitter Joshua Carroll, third from right, found found himself competing in the International Apprentice Contest.
4 Around Acworth
10 Celebrations
14 Q&A — Alex Almodovar
24 Photo Spread — Pizza, Pints & Pigskins
Erin and Dave LaBelle knew they found that perfect small-town setting for their family and business when they discovered this 100-year-old building on Main Street.
Pages 28 & 29
Cover photos by Red Baryl Portraits
26 National Chili Month Recipes
36 Rob’s Rescues
37 Library Events
38 Growing Gardeners
40 Photo Page — First Day of School
44 Senior Events
46 Shop Local Map
48 Community Calendar
50 Cobb Photographic Society
54 Directory of Advertisers
56 Dining Guide
8 Tommy Allegood
42 Cobb S chools
35 S teve Coleman
17 Rober to De Jesus
12 Wayne Dennard
52 Greg Fonzeno
34 Donna Harris
16 Dale Hoeflinger
36 Rob Macmillan
32 K amran Padilla
20 S usan Schulz
18 Nicole Smith
30 Elisabeth S tubbs
38 Rober t Trawick
33 Joel W illiams
17 Amanda Yingling
Ah, we’ve entered my favorite season of the year — Labor Day through New Year’s Day. Technically, this span of time isn’t an official season since it includes a little bit of summer, all of autumn and a touch of winter, but I’ve made it my personal Season of Holidays. Seriously, we get through one holiday, and we’re already bumping into another one. I love it!
The cooler weather is a welcome relief for someone as hot-natured as I am. I never will understand how people can wear hoodies in August, but they do. I barely wear them in the winter. I love the brilliant fall colors and enjoy driving to the north Georgia mountains to see the majesty of God’s handiwork on full display. I don’t like pumpkin spice anything, but every year, I look forward to one of our Acworth advertisers, KAMS Auto Service Center, putting up my alltime favorite business sign: What time is it? Pumpkin spice oil change time.
This four-month span is a great time of year in my sports world. The past few years, the Braves have been in the playoffs, and there’s nothing more exciting for diehard fans. Last year’s World Series championship and the ensuing victory parade were almost more than this five-decade fan could take. So overwhelming. Hoping I get to experience it again in a few weeks. And it’s college football season. It’s not popular, but I unapologetically support the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Everything in life is cyclical, and we will have our day in the sun again. I also became an Ohio State fan when Harrison High alum Justin Fields was the quarterback. That kid is amazing. I love some of the bowl game names — Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, Cheez-It Bowl, Famous Idaho Potato Bowl — but all my life, I’ve wanted to see the Toilet Bowl and the Tidy Bowl. Maybe someday.
For those who, like me, enjoy spending the day at a fall festival, turn to Pages 22-23 for a list of local events and some of the bigger celebrations in north Georgia. Stock up on apples, shop for Christmas or sample food from local restaurants. We also have a photo spread on Pages 24-25 of Acworth’s Pizza, Pints & Pigskins last month and some recipes on Pages 26-27 to help you observe National Chili Month.
And we haven’t forgotten about October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Check out Nicole Smith’s feature on Page 18 about a local business rounding up volunteers to clean cancer patients’ homes this month and Susan Schulz’s article on Pages 20-21 about Pink Pearl Hero, a nonprofit focused on increasing breast cancer awareness.
Happy reading!
Do you want to take part in an online poll to find the best wedding service providers in northwest Georgia? Get ready to say, I do! Our poll is ready for you to vote through Nov. 15 at www.aroundaboutlocalmedia.com. Results will be posted Jan. 1 and will be included in the January issue of Around Acworth.
Marchio Nail Spa will be opening soon next to the Butler Creek Kroger at 3330 N. Cobb Parkway in Acworth. The nail salon will occupy Suite 304, the former location of Celestial Jewelers.
Rome-based Big Dan’s Car Wash is planning to open two locations in Cobb County in the first quarter of 2023: at 6148 Highway 92 at the intersection of Wade Green Road in Acworth and at 3150 Blue Springs Road at the intersection of Cobb Parkway in Kennesaw.
The first season produced hundreds of pounds of vegetables for food-insecure Acworth seniors. 4757 School St., Acworth
On Sept. 15, the Save Acworth History Foundation and the city of Acworth dedicated the historic marker erected on Main Street across from Acworth Bookstore to commemorate Acworth Ice & Coal.
Join the Save Acworth History Foundation and the city of Acworth on Main Street, across from Henry’s Louisiana Grill, at 11 a.m. Oct. 13 for the dedication of a historic marker commemorating Eaton’s Department Store.
Donna Harris is the managing editor of Aroundabout Local Media. She’s a veteran journalist with newspaper and magazine experience and is excited to bring her expertise to ALM. Email her at donna@ aroundaboutmagazines.com. Donna Harris Acworth Community Garden Members of Acworth Ice & Coal owner Homer Ragsdale’s family.
2487 Cedarcrest Rd Ste 911 Acworth, GA 30101 678-574-5166
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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 17,000 free copies. Approximately 16,600 are directly mailed to homes and businesses, and an additional 400 are placed in racks around the community. Around Acworth also has many digital viewers of the magazine online each month.
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October has arrived, bringing endless opportunities for fall fun in Acworth! Our blessings continue to grow as each season passes, and we look forward to comfortable weather in our beautiful city by the lakes.
Last month, the city celebrated the Acworth Community Garden with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony. We can’t get over how much hard work the volunteer team, led by Acworth resident Lori Perkins, has put into this garden. Lori and her team of community volunteers, supported by a number of generous local sponsors, have made this garden an educational experience for Acworth youth while growing fruits and vegetables to give to those in need. Everything in the garden, except the fence, was constructed by the team. The hard work has paid off — as of September, the garden has harvested more than 800 pounds of produce to donate to Acworth seniors facing food insecurity. We are so proud of the efforts that have been made, and the city looks forward to watching this garden grow season after season. Thank you to the Acworth Community Garden team! For information on how to get involved, check out www.acworthcommunitygarden.com.
October launches event season in Acworth, and we’re looking forward to all sorts of fun this month. The Horizon League has started its fall baseball season at Acworth Sports Complex. Stop by to cheer on the athletes on Thursday evenings and Saturdays this
month. This league gives children and young adults with developmental and physical disabilities the opportunity to develop lasting relationships with their peers, coaches and parents while participating in athletic events.
Don’t forget, the Acworth Halloween JamBOOree returns to Logan Farm Park 3-7 p.m. Oct. 22. You and your family won’t want to miss this fun event. With carnival games, crafts, bouncy castles and a costume contest, we certainly are looking forward to its return. This year, there will even be a dunk tank. For a small fee, participants can try to dunk city officials to raise money for the Acworth Police Foundation’s annual Christmas shop and the Special Olympics Polar Plunge.
Then, on Oct. 29, the Downtown Classic Car Cruise will make its way back to Logan Farm Park. Bring the kids for some trick-or-treating while you check out all the different classic and exotic cars and bikes. We love this annual tradition, and we’re excited for its October debut in Logan Farm Park.
As always, for the latest information on any of our events and projects, you can visit www.acworth.org, sign up for our e-news blasts on our home page, “like” Visit Acworth on Facebook or follow us on Instagram at @visitacworth.
May God bless you and your families, — Tommy
Tommy Allegood was elected to Acworth’s city council in 2000 and has served as mayor since 2002. He is a community builder who is purposed to make it count!
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Happy 16th trip around the sun! You are such an amazing young lady. We are so proud of you.
Happy birthday, Emily! Love, Mom and Mr. Mike
Liv Delgado Oct. 29
Happy eighth birthday to our dancing queen! We love you so much! Mom, Dad, Eva, Mia, King and Teddy
Alex Arroyo
Happy ninth birthday to our son! We love you and are proud of you!
Love, Mom, Leah and Dad
Age 4 on Oct. 11
Happy birthday to our beautiful granddaughter! We love you so, so much! MeMe and Chip
Birthday on Sept. 20 We love you and are so grateful for you! From Honey, Kobe and Z
Maitê Ramos
Oct. 22
Daughter, still remember when your brother prayed for a sister. God is perfect and sent you the way we dreamed. Happy life, my princess No. 2.
Tuli Godwin Turned 5 on Sept. 26
Happy birthday to my beautiful granddaughter! I love you very much! Papa Tony
Charlotte and Bill Sharp
Happy October birthdays to you both! Your family loves you very much and is so happy to celebrate another year with you.
Woods Coggins Born Aug. 20, 2022
Welcome to the world, baby boy!
Erskine Asiedu
We’ve all heard the proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child,” and the same sentiment is true for serving the community. One of our department’s primary missions is to provide comprehensive community policing services. To do this, our officers and staff participate in numerous outreach activities, many times on weekends and off days. As a result, many of our family members — our village — routinely join us and assist with events. They are the unsung heroes of our department, and while they rarely are recognized publicly for their hard work, we know we could not do our jobs without their support.
This month, we’d like to highlight Cpl. Eric Mistretta’s amazing wife, Emily, a dispatcher for the Cobb County Department of Public Safety who has worked behind the scenes supporting our police cadets program the past few years. The cadets meet every Tuesday evening and participate in competitions during the year, and Emily is a constant fixture. To support the cadets’ mission to set records with their fundraising for the Special Olympics of Georgia, Emily plunged into the frigid waters of Lake Acworth in February for the Polar Plunge event. The success of our program is due, in large part, to the contributions of Emily Mistretta. This year alone, she has logged nearly 100 volunteer hours with our department.
In addition to her volunteer work with the Acworth Police Department, she also is an award-winning dispatcher. Last month, she was recognized by the Cobb County Fire Department and Cobb County 911 for helping to save the life of a 13-year-old boy who needed CPR. The child had a seizure and was unconscious and not breathing. Emily talked the caller through the process of administering life-saving care and, as a result, the boy was able to make a full recovery.
Like many members of our families, Emily Mistretta works behind the scenes to support our efforts in the community. We are blessed to be surrounded by family members who are patient, understanding and willing to help out and know the hours we spend on weekends, off days and holidays are dedicated to making this community better. It takes a village, and we are grateful we’re all in this together.
If you are looking for ways to get involved, we have some great options. One of the best ways to get acquainted with our department is to participate in our annual Citizens’ Police Academy (CPA) classes. The academy is a 12-week program designed to give the public a working knowledge of the day-to-day operations of the Acworth Police Department. It enables participants to gain a better understanding of procedures, guidelines, responsibilities, demands, equipment, policies and laws that guide the police department’s decision-making process. CPA alumni become ambassadors to our department and often volunteer to help with our outreach activities.
Besides the CPA, we also have the Acworth Police Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization that provides support to the community as well as to those within our law enforcement community who need assistance.
For information, visit acworthpolicecommunityfoundation.org.
Wayne Dennard has served as chief since 2012 and has lived in this community for more than 40 years.
Eric and Emily Mistretta
I am responsible for planning, coordinating, recommending and implementing the strategies, activities and operations of the city’s development department. This includes overseeing every development project from conception to completion, from when a project has the initial vision, all the way to celebrating by way of a ribbon cutting. The development department consists of five divisions: economic development (business recruitment, retention, expansion and redevelopment efforts), planning and zoning, geographic information systems, building inspection services and code compliance.
I was hired in March 2019 as the assistant to the city manager. Since then, I’ve grown in my role with the city, transitioning to the economic development manager and now to the development director. Prior to Acworth, I served as the special projects coordinator for planning and development for the city of Powder Springs for two years. I hold a Master of Public Administration degree and a Bachelor of Science in sport management from Kennesaw State University. I am also a GSWCC Level II certified plan reviewer, and I am currently participating in the Leadership Cobb program Class of 2023.
What has been the biggest surprise?
The biggest surprise to me since joining the city team is the amazing culture we have here, led by our mayor, city council and city manager. We have an extraordinary team in place that loves serving our community while continuing to strive for excellence in leading our individual teams and serving our citizens, businesses and visitors. Additionally, our partnerships with our businesses and faith-based community are particularly strong, which augments our city’s vision to provide a high quality of life and a live, work and play environment.
What is the most unusual request you’ve had?
The most typical unusual request (or complaint) my team receives is how much livestock (horses, roosters, chickens, goats, etc.) can a resident have on their property. We typically advise them on our ordinance requirements for livestock and resolve any uncertainties they may have.
What do you like most about your job?
I love the opportunity to serve the community and my team. The city of Acworth has a culture of servant leadership and is very team-oriented. Acworth is a very special place, with a very tight-knit community that really cares about how it grows together and maintains its high quality of life. I look forward to continuing to work toward building the quality of life in the city of Acworth.
The project I’m most excited about is the Logan redevelopment project off Exit 278 on Interstate 75. If approved by the mayor and council, this will be the largest scale and most transformative project the city has ever undertaken, consisting of two 100,000-square-foot medical office facilities, a 180-room hotel, 500 apartment units, 11,312 square feet of retail businesses and a 15,188-square-foot restaurant. This project would change the dynamic of the community and serve as a major catalyst/ gateway into the downtown area.
My main goal is to continue to develop my leadership abilities and in my current role as the development director. I also strive to mentor and serve my team members as they continue to grow in their respective roles. Moreover, I desire to enhance our department and take it to the next level to better serve our residents, businesses and visitors while providing quality, uninterrupted services.
I have a beautiful wife, Natalia, who works for the Georgia Department of Public Health in the northern district. I am blessed enough to still have both of my parents, Lilly and Angel, whom I admire very much and enjoy spending time with. My hobbies include traveling the world with my wife, playing sports with my friends and spending time with my family.
Acworth, this year has flown by! Businesses are open and making up for the time lost over the past couple of years. Connections have been established, relationships developed, new accounts added to the books and clients brought on board, and by this time of year, we should be on track to meet our year-end targets. They say hindsight is always 20/20, so before our calendar year is over, I would like to share something that’s very important to my business — the pulse check.
We’ve all been to the doctor’s office and had our pulse checked before we even speak with the doctor. This vital piece of information is a leading indicator of our overall health. Many of us pulse-check our fantasy football teams, our friends, our budgets, even our diets, but when was the last time we pulse-checked our business model? We gain new clients by offering reviews or second opinions, but when have we reviewed ourselves? Is our process working, or do we need to improve something? How are my current clients enjoying their experience? What are our peers focusing on this year? What are we focusing on?
A major part of my yearly pulse check is the Pareto principle, or the 80/20 rule. This rule really made me pause and reevaluate. The basic idea is 80% of your business comes from 20% of your clients. If you can figure out where this 80% comes from, you can spend less time on 20% of your business. That doesn’t mean 20% of your business is less important. It means we should spend less time servicing these accounts or create a better process for dealing with them. What is the process for determining the 80% and the 20%? Have we asked our customers to pulse-check how they feel about our business?
In my firm, I have developed a series of portfolios and plans for the 80% that generates most of my business and a different series for the other 20%. Each is just as important; however, my clients in the 20% space most likely don’t need to wrap up their assets inside a trust or make tax-harvesting investments to keep them below the highest tax brackets. My yearly pulse check requires me to meet with each client and see what is working for them and what might need to be changed. Not many of us could sustain a 20% pay cut if those customers started going elsewhere for the same service you provide.
Acworth, you might not think this is a million-dollar idea, but it kinda is. Finding the right balance with the 80/20 rule is very important, and a yearly pulse check can help us achieve that. Lean on your peers in the Acworth Business Association. I know many of us would be honored to help someone in our community succeed. Go forth and maximize your momentum!
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Oct. 6
ABA Luncheon
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Acworth Community Center 4361 Cherokee St. Oct. 8
Taste of Acworth
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Main Street, downtown Oct. 11, 25
Morning Jolt
8-9 a.m. The Cowan Historic Mill 4271 Southside Drive
Oct. 13
Alive After 5 5:30-7:30 p.m. Center Street Tavern 4381 Center St.
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Oct. 20
Women’s Networking Lunch
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Logan Farm House 4756 Logan Road Oct. 24
ABA Golf Tournament
8 a.m.-6 p.m. Governors Towne Club 4545 Champions Walk Drive
Nov. 3
ABA Luncheon
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Acworth Community Center 4361 Cherokee St.
Join the ABA by visiting www.acworthbusiness.org.
Dale Hoeflinger is a financial adviser with Wells Fargo Advisors and the president of the Acworth Business Association. He grew up in Michigan but is happy to call Acworth home.
As you go through life, you likely will have long- and shortterm financial goals, but you might need different strategies to meet these different goals.
If you’re like most people, your biggest long-term goal is achieving a comfortable retirement. A common strategy for this is putting away money in tax-advantaged retirement vehicles, such as your 401(k) and IRA. So how should you prepare for shorter-term goals, like vacations, home renovations, weddings or major purchases?
For starters, determine what your goal is, how much you can spend on it and when you’ll need the money. The sooner you start this process, the better off you’ll be because you’ll have more time to save.
Your next decision involves how to save for your short-term goal. Specifically, what savings or investment vehicles should you use? The answer is different for everyone, but you need to make sure your investments align with your risk tolerance and time horizon.
To help make up your mind, you’ll first want to consider the most common borrowing options: credit cards, home equity loans, personal loans and margin loans. How might each of these fit into your overall financial strategy? Will the repayment schedule work with your cash flow and budget? You’ll then want to compare the costs and benefits of borrowing, in whatever
form, against selling investments.
If you aren’t able to save enough to meet your goals, you could sell some of your investments. In making this choice, you’ll need to weigh several factors. Is the interest rate on a loan going to be higher than what you could earn on your investments? Or if you sell investments, could you incur taxes and other expenses?
Finally, keep in mind that you might have built an investment mix designed to align with your goals and risk tolerance. If you were to sell any of these investments to meet short-term needs, you would want to consider the need to balance your portfolio in order to maintain your desired asset allocation.
As you can see, there’s a lot to think about when it comes to paying for short-term goals. But by carefully evaluating your options, you can make the choices that are right for your needs.
This content was provided by Edward Jones for use by Roberto De Jesus and Amanda Yingling, your Edward Jones financial advisers in Acworth. Member SIPC.
Roberto De Jesus and Amanda Yingling are financial advisers for the Edward Jones branch on Cedarcrest Road in Acworth.
For many of us, cleaning our homes is a chore we complete without even thinking about it. But what if you weren’t able to clean your home due to illness? What would it mean to you to have community volunteers take that weight off your shoulders? PCT Clean is partnering with Kennesaw businesses to make this a reality for local cancer patients.
Owned by R.J. and Asha Patel, PCT Clean has been in business since 2003. R.J. has had several successful business ventures since moving to Kennesaw in 1978, one of which was hotel owner.
As hotelkeepers, the Patels were known for their excellent care for customers, cleanliness and relaxing environment. R.J. said he even received referrals from overbooked national franchise hotels, asking if they could send over their executive clients because they knew those clients would be cared for like family.
Since cleaning was an obvious part of owning a hotel for 27 years, opening PCT was the next logical business step for the Patels.
As PCT approaches its 20th year, the owners are taking on a big project for a bigger cause. Their motto is “We Clean. You Enjoy Life,” and they’re standing behind it by taking part in Cleaning for a Reason, a Texas-based 501(c)(3) organization that offers free home cleaning to cancer patients in the United States and Canada. The nonprofit’s goal is to take away the burden of cleaning so patients can focus on getting healthy and spending time with loved ones. RJ met founder Debbie Sardone in 2008 when she was promoting the organization at a national convention, and once he heard the mission, he said, “Sign me up,” right on the spot.
Cleaning for a Reason (cleaningforareason.org) qualifies patients for cleaning services and is matching PCT with patients based on the company’s service zip codes. R.J. said he had the capacity for three or four cleans per month before the COVID-19 pandemic, but due to
declines in the labor market, he’s had to scale back.
Since PCT is committed to adding value to the community, company officials found themselves asking how they could do more in 2022. R.J. is on the board of directors for the Kennesaw Business Association (KBA) and was inspired by this year’s theme, “Bigger, Better, Brighter.” In February, he pitched a collaborative idea to KBA President Dana Dorris and business members at the organization’s monthly luncheon. His idea was to secure up to 21 KBA businesses to provide 21 free cleans during the 21 working days in October. He said within a minute of presenting the idea, he had 21 businesses enthusiastically say yes. This initiative is, first, about the patients who are going to be served and, second, about the Kennesaw businesses that are
volunteering, with PCT’s recognition coming in third, R.J. said.
This impactful story hits home for PCT Sales and Marketing Director Angela Bockman. Angela said she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, but as of Aug. 18, 2022, she’s a four-year survivor and is cancerfree. “I do know, when I was going through my treatment, how hard it was to even open my eyes to look at a text message,” she said. So she can understand from a patient and business view how removing the barrier of cleaning can impact lives.
Nicole Smith is a public health professional living in Kennesaw with her epic houseplant collection and two senior dogs, Jax and Lily Grace.
PCT Clean is partnering with Kennesaw Business Association members to clean the homes of 21 cancer patients in October.
Tammy Lewis, above, waves during her first walk as a "thriver." Right, she recuperates from her double mastectomy and reconstruction surgery in October 2018.
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, meet Tammy Lewis, founder of Pink Pearl Hero, a Woodstock-based nonprofit with a focus on increasing breast cancer awareness and the importance of screenings. As a health educator, corporate manager, entrepreneur and now breast cancer “thriver,” Lewis launched the organization, which provides Hero Boxes to women fighting breast cancer.
“The nonprofit started after my diagnosis, and right before my first surgical procedure on Oct. 30, 2018,” Lewis said. “I did not know where the path would lead after that six-hour double mastectomy and reconstruction surgery. Two more operations and 28 radiation treatments later, the Pink Pearl Hero brand has evolved.”
Launching the nonprofit came with telling her story, a part of which inspired its name. Lewis, a runner, had left her pearls on during one of her races, and another runner commented, “Now, that’s classy.” Pink is the official breast cancer color, and pearl came from that brief encounter.
“What took a moment to figure out was how to support and give back. This caused me to take a long look at the things that made me happy during the whole process, and find something that would bring the same joy to other survivors. The one thing I always looked forward to was when a thoughtful friend put together a box of gifts and sent them to me. Bingo! That is how the Hero Box was born,” Lewis said.
“Who doesn’t like receiving good surprises in the mail, especially when you’re in need of good news?” said Pink Pearl Hero board member Melanie Jones-Muhammad.
“Devastated, angry and hopeless were just a few of the emotions I felt when I was diagnosed with cancer,” said Tiana Russell, a Pink Pearl Hero thriver and box recipient. “When I received the Pink Pearl Hero Box, I felt hopeful, grateful and loved to be able to receive
this box full of essential items, while going through treatment, to help my mental and physical journey.”
The goal for the Hero Box moving forward is to have at least one spotlight item that comes from a woman-owned business. The brands that Lewis personally used during her breast cancer journey were DemiBlue nail polish, free of 21 toxic chemicals and vegan-friendly, and Becalia Botanicals, a natural skin care line.
“We are working toward a subscription feature and more partnerships to come from amazing womenowned businesses. So far, I have identified three local cancer centers where boxes will be offered, including the one I went to at Kennestone Hospital,” Lewis said.
“Pink Pearl Hero is the epitome of helping supporters stand in the gap for breast cancer awareness,” said Vice President Rhonda Lewis. “They have helped me realize the number of women not screened regularly and, ultimately, the importance of bringing more awareness to women for early detection. As Pink Pearl Hero grows, I anticipate we will work even harder to ensure more individuals have access to screening, specifically those in underserved communities.”
Future plans include a manual, called “Being Your Own Hero,” and a workshop. “There were a lot of strategies I did mentally and physically that helped me through my process that I want to share with all women, not only breast cancer survivors,” Lewis said. “There is data that shows a multitude of health issues that affect women in greater proportions, because we don’t take care of ourselves first. Hence, the word hero in the nonprofit’s name. I just want to bring a little joy and encouragement to (each) woman who is going through her battle, and to let her know she is my hero ... keep thriving ... and you got this, sis!”
Tammy strikes a “hero” pose, one of the positions for monthly self-breast exams.
If you know of a woman who has breast cancer, you can sponsor a Hero Box. To learn more, visit pinkpearlhero.com. Or, if you own or know of a woman-owned business that has a product or service for the boxes, please send a direct message to @pinkpearlhero on Instagram and Facebook, or use the Contact Info tab on the website.
Susan Schulz is a Bible teacher and mentor who lives and plays on the Etowah River in Canton. Connect with her on social media or at susanbrowningschulz.com.
Autumn is the perfect time to get outside in the cool, crisp air and enjoy some of the fall festivals and Halloween activities in Acworth and Kennesaw as well as in neighboring towns in north Georgia. Make time to celebrate the season of pumpkins and colorful leaves by supporting local fall events or taking a road trip a little farther north in October and November.
Oct. 15, 3-8:30 p.m., Swift-Cantrell Park
Kennesaw Parks and Recreation beckons local ghouls, ninjas, superheroes and princesses to Spook-Central Park for its annual fall celebration. Activities at the free event include a candy trail, a scavenger hunt, a craft, field games, music and a showing of “Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island” (PG) on a giant
Oct. 8, noon-5 p.m., the Marietta Square West Park Square
Enjoy an afternoon of watching professional chalk artists transform the streets, listening to live music from local entertainers, sampling craft beers and an assortment of wines and eating great food at this annual event. All proceeds benefit the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art. www.chalktoberfest.com.
Oct. 15, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Glover Park at Marietta Square
inflatable screen after sundown. Costume contests for all ages also will take place every 30 minutes from 3:30-6:30 p.m., and prizes will be awarded to three winners in each time frame. Concessions will be available for purchase beginning at 3 p.m. www.kennesaw-ga.gov/parksand-recreation; 770-422-9714.
Nov. 5, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Main Street downtown
The event, which benefits five local charities, will feature samples from more
Trick-or-treating will be one of the highlights of the Jacket Jam-BOO-Ree.
The annual festival includes the HarvestFest Arts and Crafts Show; a pie-eating contest for ages 6 and older, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Touch-ATruck, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Scarecrows in the Square, all day; costume contest for all ages as well as pets, 2-3 p.m.; and Halloween Happenings kids’ festival, 1-5 p.m. www.mariettaga.gov/1258/ Harvest-Fest.
feature trick-or-treating, lots of candy, festival food, a kids’ zone with inflatables, spooky exhibits, local entertainment provided by school choruses and costume contests. Admission is free; kids’ zone is $10 for unlimited rides. laura@ jrmmanagement.com; 770-423-1330.
Oct. 29-30, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Village Green downtown Smyrna
The Smyrna Crafts and Drafts Festival — formerly the Fall Jonquil Festival — will feature more than 150 arts and crafts booths, a variety of food booths, an entertainment stage, a children's section, a puppet show, big-screen TVs for all the big games and a beer garden featuring a variety of craft beers. 770-423-1330.
Celebrate Fall-O-Ween at Swift-Cantrell Park
Oct. 8, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Main Street downtown
This event benefits numerous schools and charities in the community. There will be more than 150 booths from local restaurants and businesses, plus two live entertainment stages and a kids’ zone. Admission is free. Restaurants will be offering food samples, ranging from $1-$5. 770-423-1330; www. acworthbusiness.org.
Oct. 22, 3-7 p.m., Logan Farm Park, 4405
There will be games, rides, food, music and a costume contest for the kids on the large field in front of the playground. https://bit.ly/3AjccED; 770-917-1234.
Oct. 7-15, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily 1311 Music Hall Road, Hiawassee
The annual fall festival at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds is home to live entertainment, arts and crafts, food, educational demonstrations, carnival rides, games and more. https://bit. ly/3TzESAE.
Oct. 8-9 and 15-16, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays, Ellijay Lions Club 1729 S. Main St., Ellijay
The 51st annual festival will feature more than 250 arts and crafts vendors offering a variety of handcrafted items and more than 35 food vendors selling everything from fried apple pies to fresh-made pizza. www. georgiaapplefestival.org.
Oct. 8-9 and 15-16, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. each day Meeks Park, 490 Meeks Park Road
Visit this annual two-weekend festival to find sorghum syrup, arts and crafts, demonstrations, games, activities and live music. https:// blairsvillesorghumfestival.com.
Oct. 15-16, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. each day Dahlonega Public Square and Historic District
Join the thousands of visitors who flock to this annual festival to see fall colors peaking and to celebrate Dahlonega’s discovery of gold in the 1820s. More than 200 arts and crafts exhibitors and food vendors will be on hand for the event, which also includes the Gold Rush Days Parade at 3 p.m. and a concert on the main stage at 4:30 p.m Saturday. https://goldrushdaysfestival. com.
Oct. 20-30, 5-10 p.m. weekdays, 1-11 p.m. Saturdays, 1-10 p.m. first Sunday, 1-9 p.m. second Sunday; North Georgia Ag Fairgrounds, 500 Legion Drive, Dalton
Enjoy rides, food and entertainment at this 74th annual fall fair. www. northgafair.com.
Oct. 22, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Georgia Mountain Fair, 1311 Music Hall Road, Hiawassee
The 2022 Appalachian Brew, Stew & Que Festival brings together great craft breweries from Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Alabama. There also will be delicious food from area restaurants, regional arts and crafts and lots of Appalachian and Americana music. https://bit.ly/3eP8zhn; 706-8964191.
Through Oct. 30, 6-10:30 p.m. weekdays, 6 p.m.-midnight Fridays, 1 p.m.-midnight Saturdays, 1-7 p.m. Sundays
Helen Festhalle, 1074 Edelweiss Strasse
Take part in one of the longest-running Oktoberfests in the country and enjoy German beer, bratwurst, German-style bands and polka dances during the 51st annual celebration. www.helenchamber. com/oktoberfest.
Nov. 12, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Habersham County Fairgrounds, 4235 Toccoa Highway, Clarkesville
Visit the first-ever Old Clarkesville Market to find antiques, home décor and handmade crafts as well as food vendors. The event will be inside an enclosed pavilion, so weather will not be an issue. https://bit.ly/3COauN5.
Sample foods from local restaurants at Taste of Acworth. Gold Rush Days in downtown Dahlonega commemorates the beginning of the gold rush in Georgia in the 1820s. Visit Helen’s Oktoberfest for a celebration of all things German.Pizza, Pints & Pigskins brought scores of people to Logan Farm Park last month to celebrate fall with pizza from restaurants across Cobb County, a beer garden and football games on the big screen. Winning the favorite pizza titles were The Mule House, People’s Choice; Rosario’s Italian Kitchen, Best Overall Taste; and Luciano’s Pizza, Best Presentation. The event also featured a kids’ zone and music from The Return — The Ultimate Beatles Tribute Band and Scott Thompson.
The annual event drew a large crowd of hungry pizza lovers.
Josh and his son, Emerson, have a great time in the Fun-Fare play area.
PHOTOS BY RED BARYL PORTRAITS
Cobb County Parks and Recreation employees John Ridings, left, and Josh Smith watch the Alabama-Texas game on the big screen.
Michelle, left, and Kenzie prepare to try some of the food.
Brian and Veronica enjoy their pizza and beer while listening to some music.
As fall ushers in cooler weather, it’s only natural October would be designated National Chili Month. Here are a few favorite chili recipes to keep you and your family warm through the upcoming winter months.
Modified by Zoe Soltanmammedova from TheRealFoodRds.com
• 1 pound lean ground turkey, beef or chicken
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
• 2 large garlic cloves, minced
• ½ medium onion, diced
• 1 small red bell pepper, diced
• 1 small zucchini or yellow squash, diced
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon cumin, ground
• 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce + ½ can water or broth
• 1 can (15 ounces) crushed or petite diced tomatoes
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup corn, frozen
• Dash of cayenne (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
Carefully dice vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Mince or press garlic. In a large pot over medium heat, add oil. Once oil is hot, add ground meat and stir occasionally until meat is browned. Add garlic, onions, bell pepper, zucchini/squash and carrots. Saute until onions are translucent, and carrots are beginning to soften. Add seasonings, tomato sauce, diced or crushed tomatoes, beans, corn and water/broth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until carrots are tender. Serve with toppings of choice. Makes six servings.
• 1½ pounds ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cups riced cauliflower
• 1½ tablespoons Montreal Steak Seasoning
• 2 (16-ounce) cans tomato sauce
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 (16-ounce) cans diced or crushed tomatoes
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Dash ground red pepper
• ½ cup pumpkin puree
Brown ground beef and onion in a large stock pot over medium-high heat. When meat is done, add riced cauliflower without draining. Mix well to coat cauliflower, then stir in Montreal Steak Seasoning. Cook until all liquid is absorbed.
Blend in both types of tomatoes and the next five ingredients. Cook approximately 10 minutes on mediumhigh, then add pumpkin puree. Reduce heat to medium, cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, to give seasonings time to meld. Serve topped with green onions and/or sour cream. Note: If adding beans, put in with the tomatoes and dry ingredients. If not using riced cauliflower, add an extra half pound of ground beef.
• 1 pound ground beef, browned and fat drained
• 1 can drained/rinsed dark red kidney beans
• 1 can stewed tomatoes
• 1 packet Chilio mix
• ½ cup water
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
Combine ingredients in a pot and simmer on low for at least one hour.
Prepare a box of macaroni and cheese according to directions. Add ½ cup mac and cheese to a bowl, spoon chili over the top and sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese. Add tortilla chips around the edge of the bowl and minced onion for garnish. Makes six servings.
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 2 (14.5-ounce) cans low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 (7-ounce) can diced green chilies
• 1½ teaspoons cumin
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon ground coriander
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 (8-ounce) package Neufchatel cheese (light cream cheese), cut into small cubes
• 1¼ cups frozen or fresh corn
• 2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans
• 2½ cups shredded cooked rotisserie or leftover chicken
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for serving
Heat olive oil in a 6-quart enameled dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion and saute four minutes. Add garlic and saute 30 seconds longer. Add chicken broth, green chilies, cumin, paprika, oregano, coriander and cayenne pepper and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring mixture just to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 15 minutes. Drain and rinse beans in a fine-mesh strainer or colander, then measure out 1 cup. Set whole beans aside. Transfer 1 cup beans to a food processor, along with ¼ cup broth from soup; puree until nearly smooth. Add Neufchatel cheese to soup, along with corn, whole beans and pureed beans, and stir well. Simmer 5-10 minutes longer. Stir in chicken, fresh lime juice and cilantro.
Serve with Monterey Jack cheese, more cilantro, avocado slices and tortilla chips, if desired. Can be cooked in a slower cooker. Makes six servings.
Recipe courtesy of Candi HanniganScoops is one of the newest stores to open on Main Street in downtown Acworth. While it’s clear by the name that ice cream is the store’s main focus, owners Dave and Erin LaBelle say their new business reflects so much more than that.
The store’s opening on June 29 is the culmination of the LaBelles’ longtime search for a home and family-oriented business in one of Georgia’s iconic small towns.
“Ever since we were married, we have been searching for the right opportunity to come along. Dave was a Green Beret in the Army, which allowed us to live in several different states,” Erin said. “We knew we wanted a business that helped promote a family-type atmosphere where we could include our three kids. We love owning a shop where, when people walk in, their eyes light up, and it puts a smile on their face.”
As the customers stop to take in the surroundings, they’re greeted by the smells of homemade cookies and waffle cones. The ice cream freezer is filled with 32 flavors of ice cream (with dairy-free options) and stacks of homemade waffle bowls and 10 kinds of cones. A wall of candy is covered with bins and shelves containing everything from giant gummy alligators and jelly beans to your favorite nostalgic candy and unique flavors of cotton candy.
Another case has trays of 20 different hand-dipped chocolates, including the popular buckeyes, and six kinds of homemade caramel apples, another customer favorite. Scoops’ two chocolatiers stay busy keeping the case filled and have plans for seasonal offerings that include handdipped strawberries available Valentine’s Day through Mother’s Day starting next year.
Other treats that satisfy the strongest sweet tooth include homemade cookies, banana splits, brownie sundaes and piña colada smoothies.
A full coffee bar, with freshly ground beans, offers espresso, lattes, iced coffee, chai tea and more. Erin said
PHOTOS BY RED BARYL PORTRAITSthey use fresh espresso beans; in fact, they only use the best ingredients in all of their products: “We will be focusing on specialty coffees, gourmet hot cocoa and affogatos in the fall.”
Customers eager to finish their ice cream before heading home have options to sit inside or outside on the spacious back deck or in the rocking chairs facing Main Street. Erin said they love the energy and vibrancy that is embodied in the store. Many people comment that they are happy to see the store bring more young people to the downtown area.
Future plans include a focus on the catering aspect of the business and a mobile component that Dave said will allow them to promote community and business development with schools, businesses and various organizations.
Although the LaBelles were diligent in their search for the perfect small-town setting for their family and business, Erin said Acworth kind of found them.
“When we found out that Acworth had a building available on Main Street, of all places, and that, when polled, the community said they wanted ice cream, we got excited,” she said.
“The building, which is more than 100 years old, had so much charm and history, and Acworth’s small-town feel and great vibe made the decision feel just right. Words cannot describe how happy we are to be here, and we know that we have made the right choice with Acworth.”
The LaBelle family - Erin and Dave with children Luke, Mia and Chase - surrounded by the Scoops staff. Below, a variety of hand-dipped chocolates.
PHOTO BY ERIN LABELLE
Let’s learn more about my favorite floors as we continue with the letter L. (If you missed Part 1 last month, visit https:// aroundacworthmagazine.com.) I’ll finish up the alphabet in next month’s installment of my favorite flooring.
Lis for laminate. It seems like everybody forgot about laminates when luxury vinyl plank (LVP) became the "it" floor. Did you know that laminates have the same attributes and warranties as LVP? They are waterproof, scratch- and stainresistant and usually cost less than LVP. And many people find laminate visuals are more realistic than LVP. Be sure to look at laminate if you are looking for a durable floor that is easy to care for.
is for mosaic, small pieces of tile that are held together in a sheet. Mosaics come in many different shapes and are made out of glass, metal, stone, real pebbles, porcelain and more. They are the touch of bling that your backsplash or shower wall needs.
Nis for Nourison. Its collection of machine-washable area rugs are life-changers for homes with pets and kids. Yes, you really can put them in the washing machine.
Ois for original — COREtec Original, that is. The floor that started the LVP revolution, it is waterproof with a rigid wood-plastic composite core. This floor is available in hundreds of styles and colors and features a cork backing that makes it quieter and warmer underfoot.
is for Palmetto Road Tuscany Collection , a French oak hardwood floor that has eight coats of super-low gloss finish. It is wire-brushed with antiqued finishing techniques. What's not to love?
is for QuickStep, one of my favorite brands of laminate floors. It has all the beauty of a hardwood and is durable and stain- and water-resistant. With up to four times the scratch protection of other floors on the market, you and your pets can live on your floor worry-free.
R is for Raintree, a unique waterproof hardwood floor that can handle traffic and the occasional pet accident or spill. It’s also scratch-resistant, so you’ll have fewer concerns about blemishes on your wood floors. Best of all, you can install this engineered hardwood anywhere in your house, even in a bathroom. In addition, you can select from white oak and hickory wood flooring options.
is for SmartStrand, the carpet fiber with permanent, built-in stain resistance. It is exceptionally durable and environmentally friendly (made in part from renewable plant-based ingredients). SmartStrand carpets come with a warranty that covers all pets, all accidents, all the time. And if you love soft carpet, be sure to check out SmartStrand Silk.
Elisabeth Stubbs is one of the owners of Enhance Floors & More, one of Atlanta’s top-rated flooring dealers, located in Marietta.
COREtec floors are waterproof and provide comfort for life.
In future issues, members of the Allatoona High School newspaper staff will be contributing articles to Around Acworth, keeping you up to date on news, students and teachers at their school.This month, staff reporter Kamran Padilla kicks off things with a look at the school’s homecoming traditions.
In fall 2008, Allatoona High School opened its doors for the first time to welcome the Class of 2010. The reason it was not for the Class of 2009 is because Allatoona had no seniors the first year. It has been about a decade and a half since the school opened, and homecoming, the biggest game of the season, celebrates former Allatoona Buccaneers who come back each year. The first princess of homecoming was freshman Natalie Buckshaw, and the homecoming queen was Ashley Noble. Homecoming originally was for the girls, and that is why there was not a single boy on the homecoming court that year. The boys still had something — it was known as Hoopcoming. We soon adopted the tradition of having a king and queen for homecoming. Then came the homecoming game. The Bucs were not doing so great, losing the game right before homecoming, so when the homecoming game came around, they were ready to defend Buc Stadium. A tough game against the North Paulding Wolfpack was played that night. The Wolfpack pushed through our lines, winning, but we did not let that game go. We played North Paulding again on their field the next time, and we were furious. We fought with all our might to win that night to show them our Buc pride.
One of the biggest traditions at Allatoona is the homecoming dance being held in the cafeteria. The decorations have never been bought or set up by an outside organization. The Bucs take great pride in doing events on our own, so the art club took control of decorating the school. This is where our biggest club, Helm, was born. Helm has helped every year to set up decorations, saving the school so much money. This also led to The Playlist, a tradition where students would pick songs and make a huge playlist for games and the dance. We even had our own deejay to play them, our old administrator, Mr. S. High schoolers being high schoolers, they played songs when they were not supposed to, so they did lose their music privileges, but they got them back later. They did learn their lesson, hopefully.
The school was crazy the first few years. Allatoona had a car that had the opponent’s name written on it, and the students demolished it. Following safety procedures like wearing gloves and eye protection, they went to town on that car. They also had a huge bonfire one day, where the flames reached more
than 20 feet tall. The teachers also had their part in the craziness. They went all out dressing up for Spirit Week. They even painted students’ hair to try to win the Spirit Week competition. The dance-offs during the dance were crazy, and teachers still talk about them to this day. Teachers had to teach the students to be spirited.
Every year, the Allatoona Bucs get ready for homecoming through Spirit Week. Bucs will go all out each day dressing up, bringing crazy backpacks and showing off their class colors. The Bucs’ Bleachers were shining bright during homecoming last month, for it was a Gold Out for the Buccaneers. After a long week of spirit and football, then comes Saturday and our tradition in the cafeteria to boogie all the rest of our energy away. This week is for all Toona kids and previous Toona kids to enjoy every year!
Allatoona High carried out an annual tradition by crowning the 2022 homecoming king and queen, seniors Cayden Phillips and Valeria Lopez, last month. Kamran Padilla is a senior at Allatoona High School. He is a member of the newspaper staff and a cadet chief petty officer in the Navy JROTC.
BY JOEL WILLIAMS
Whether you can bring a successful legal claim after a fall depends on several factors:
Location. Most successful cases stem from falls that take place at a business, primarily because Georgia statutory law imposes the highest duty of care on landowners and occupiers who invite customers to their respective businesses. O.C.G.A. § 51-3-1 states:
“When an owner or occupier of land, by express or implied invitation, induces or leads others to come upon his premises for any lawful purpose, he is liable in damages to such persons for injuries caused by his failure to exercise ordinary care in keeping the premises and approaches safe.”
Stated another way, if the entrant’s presence benefits the property owner and the entrant, the property owner owes the highest duty of care. A classic example is a customer at a retail store.
If the fall occurs at a residential social gathering or when someone is trespassing, it becomes more difficult to bring a successful claim against the landowner. The law does not require the landowner to meet any defined safety standard for social guests or trespassers; however, landowners must exercise some caution in making sure there are no pitfalls or hidden traps that might injure their guests.
Superior knowledge. Assuming the fall occurs at a location where O.C.G.A. § 51-3-1 governs the landowner/ occupier’s duty, the claimant must prove the landowner/ occupier had knowledge of the hazard that caused the fall. In Georgia, a recovery for personal injuries is allowed only when the landowner/occupier had knowledge of the hazard and the invitee did not. Claims involving falls rarely are successful when the person who fell knew about the hazard before putting himself/herself in a dangerous position.
Causation. The victim also must prove the fall caused injuries or exacerbated a pre-existing condition. This usually is done by testimony from physicians who can explain the nature of the injury.
Amount of damages. Finally, the fall victim must justify the amount of damages, which could include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and, in particularly egregious situations, punitive damages.
After a fall, you must act quickly to secure evidence, such as video footage, incident reports and witness information. It’s usually best to contact a lawyer, so he or she can perform a prompt and thorough investigation and offer advice concerning the viability of the claim.
Joel Williams is a partner at Williams|Elleby, a Kennesawbased personal injury law firm. www.gatrialattorney.com.
After winning four rounds of competition, local pipefitter Joshua Carroll became the only apprentice from United Association (UA) of Plumbers, Pipefitters and Service Technicians Local Union 72 to make it to the international level this year.
In fact, it’s his understanding that only two other Local 72 apprentices — a plumber and a pipefitter — have ever made it to the International Apprentice Contest, held in August at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
“I didn't win, and the officials don't tell you the ranking, so the general approach is everyone who doesn't win is second (place),” said Carroll, a 2006 graduate of Kennesaw Mountain High School. “I am proud of my showing. There were some things at the competition that I had never seen before, and I was able to complete all of the tasks set before me while maintaining professional standards and meeting all required specifications. It was an honor to be able to represent my local and my district. I feel that I did not disappoint anyone that was rooting for me.”
Carroll competed against five pipefitters from Washington, Nebraska, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Canada
in a contest that was “challenging yet familiar at the same time.”
“The longer the competition went, the more it felt like just another day at work,” he said.
To get to the five-day event in Ann Arbor, Carroll had to take a written exam to determine the Top 4 apprentices from Local 72, then he had to win three rounds of competition: a one-day local contest, a two-day state contest in Augusta and a three-day district competition in New Orleans.
“You can only compete if you are an apprentice, and this year was my last chance because COVID shut down the competition for the past two years,” he said. “I wanted to see how I stacked up against my fellow apprentices and just kept riding the wave of wins. I did take
time to get extra coaching from senior pipefitters at (Georgia Trade School (GTS)) and the journeyman I have been working beside for the past two years.”
For making it to the highest level, Carroll received hand tools, a whitegold UA ring, an iPad, a personalized hard hat and “a healthy paycheck to compensate me for my time,” he said. His work clothing for the competition also was provided.
Besides the international recognition, Carroll also was named Apprentice of the Year recently by the Mechanical Trades Institute-Joint Apprenticeship and Training Trust in Atlanta. Every year, the school selects one person from each trade — service technician, plumber, welder and pipefitter — to win the top apprentice award.
As good as Carroll is at pipefitting, that wasn’t the career he pursued after high school. He was a fouryear letterman on Jacksonville State University’s football team and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in industrial technology management.
After four years in his field, Carroll decided he wanted to be a pipefitter with a welding certification. He enrolled in a six-month course at GTS and earned his certification at night while working full time as a team lead at Owens and Minor in Kennesaw.
“I have family that was already in the trade, and I've always loved the idea of being able to weld,” he said.
He began his welding career at Trinity Rail in Cartersville, where he worked for two years before becoming an apprentice for Mechanical Services Inc. in 2020.
Carroll lives in Acworth with his high school sweetheart, Sarah, whom he married in 2011, and their three kids, Mackenzie, Declan and Joshua.
Joshua Carroll, third from right, competed against five pipefitters at the International Apprentice Contest. Joshua Carroll works on the pipefitting project at the competition.
When I was 13 years old, I wanted to move from water skiing on two skis to slalom skiing on one ski. My older brother and his friends were avid skiers, and, one afternoon, with the supervision of our boss (we all worked for a house painter who had a boat and a lake house), we ventured onto Lake Wateree in South Carolina.
I got in the water, tips of the skis above the surface, rope between the skis. Then, I would drop a ski and, within about three seconds, fall into the water. The other boys constantly would give me advice. As much as I tried to implement their instructions, I just couldn’t do it. When it started getting dark, we gave up and went back to the house.
The next morning, our boss said, “Let’s go try again, without everybody else.” Reluctant to face more disappointment, I agreed to try again. He told me not to get up on two skis and then drop one. Instead, he said, “If you can get up on one ski, you’ll have it.” When I was in the water, he told me to look at the tip of the ski, point it at the boat and don’t look at anything else.
My first two attempts, I failed. Attempt number three, I almost got up, but still failed. I tried again. On my fourth attempt, I stood up and slalom-skied half of the lake.
Sometimes, or maybe oftentimes, we make things more complicated than they have to be. Psalm 16:8 tells us, “I will keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” The distractions we allow into our lives often can leave us confused and unsettled. All of the things that compete for the attention of our hearts and our eyes can distract us from following God’s gentle leadership.
When things aren’t going according to plan, seek the quiet refuge of God’s counsel through his word. Focus on one thing, and position your heart and ears to shut out the cacophony of opinions and noise. Keep your eyes always on the Lord. With him at your right hand, you will never be shaken. It may take a few tries, but keep your eyes on God, and you’ll get the wisdom and peace that comes from a steady walk with him.
Steve Coleman is an associate pastor and worship pastor at Wildwood Baptist Church in Acworth.These animals are at Cobb County Animal Services, waiting for homes.
This month, I interviewed Brianna Stoddard, co-founder and executive director of Papayago Rescue House (PRH) for parrots. She and Maria Sullivan, co-founder and CEO, started the Marietta-based nonprofit in 2015. https://papayagorescuehouse.org.
We support parrots for whatever is needed, such as rescue, rehabbing, training and rehoming. A lot of people have birds; parrots are the third most-popular pet. We support parrots that can’t be cared for anymore. We understand that different life situations happen, and we are here for the ones that need surrendering. We also offer short-term boarding and a safe environment for nail trimming.
More than 500 parrots have come through the rescue. In special cases, we’ve taken in finches. We have two diamond doves that are part of the rescue, too.
We started getting involved with birds because of a parakeet (a small- to mediumsized species of parrot) we bonded with. Our interest attracted more birds, and the rescue grew organically out of our love and the need in the community. We are the only parrot rescue in the area.
This dog’s name is Lager. He is a medium-sized, 7-year-old dog. He is very calm and easygoing. Lager was a stray, which makes sense, because nobody ever would want to give up this dog. He walks very well on a leash. I feel he would be a very good family dog, because he loves people and is very gentle.
Is there a specific kind of food parrots like?
Vegetables and avian pellets. We provide a vibrant diet of nuts and vegetables. Interestingly, parrots also can handle spicy foods, like jalapenos.
Parakeets are the best talkers and hold two world records. They are better talkers than African greys. Parrots have a human lifespan. But, for parakeets, overpopulation, overbreeding and poor diet have reduced their lifespan to 15 to 20 years.
Our parrots come from everyday people, often the elderly, who no longer can keep them.
Coco, now the PRH ambassador, came from a place of abuse. She chews on her skin and pulls out her feathers as a result. We were contacted to come get her, or she was going to be left on the sidewalk. Her lungs are damaged, due to second-hand smoke, and it took months to get the smell of cigarettes out of her feathers.
We are here. Parrots need rescue. We need volunteers to help clean, prepare food and help with community events. We have in-person and online volunteer opportunities. We also need people to realize it is a process to adopt a parrot. These are wild creatures, and we always try to fit bird personality to potential adopters. The birds always have a home at PRH, if it doesn’t work out.
Rob and cat: This cat’s name is Bogie. He is a large, 2-year-old tabby. He is an owner-surrender and a very sweet cat. Any family would be lucky to have him; he wants love and just to hang out with a family.
A parrot is a 30-plus year commitment. They are messy and noisy. We take care to educate prospective adopters. Some parrots need a lot of mental stimulation. On the other hand, parrot ownership gives tremendous joy, where there is a bond of trust on both sides.
Rob Macmillan is on a mission to help shelter dogs and cats. On Facebook @robsrescues. www.robsrescues.com.
Brianna Stoddard, Rob and Coco, the Papayago Rescue House ambassador.
3535 Old 41 Highway, Kennesaw 770-801-5320
www.cobbcat.org/venue/north-cobb-regional-library
10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Wednesdays
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays ● 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays
Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov. 3
Meetup for Adults With Special Needs will take place in the multipurpose room, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Adults with special needs are invited, along with their caregivers, to meet new friends and enjoy stories, crafts, games, movement and music.
Oct. 12, Nov. 14, Dec. 12
Sherlock Holmes Story Discussions with the North Cobb Irregulars take place the second Monday of each month, 6:157:30 p.m. Discussions are led by Helen Cauley, president emerita of the Atlanta Sherlock Holmes Society. The text for October is “The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot.” No RSVP required.
Oct. 13, Nov. 10, Dec. 12
Classic Movie Matinee for adults is planned for the second Thursday of each month, 1-3 p.m. Movies are “Rear Window” in October, “It Happened One Night” in November and “White Christmas” in December. No RSVP required.
Oct. 13
Ages 5 and older are invited to make Holiday Crafts, 4:305:30 p.m. Kids will make toilet-paper roll ghosts in a special Halloween Kids Create session.
Oct. 17
It’s early release for middle schoolers so the library is offering a Boredom Buster Blockbuster, 2-4 p.m. Teens are invited to watch “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” No registration required.
Oct. 24
For Plastic Zombie Dolls, 4-6:30 p.m., teens will give old plastic dolls new “life” by painting and dressing them as zombies. Drop-in program; no registration required.
Family Movie Night, 6-7:30 p.m., will feature a showing of “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
Oct. 25
Cover-to-Cover Book Discussion meets 2-3:30 p.m. The book for the October discussion will be “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V.E. Schwab.
Oct. 28
Teen Lock-In, 6-9 p.m., will give young people a chance to experience the library at night. Teens will play games in the dark, gorge on pizza, compete in a costume contest and create glowin-the-dark art, all under black lights. Registration is required.
Brittany Gray,Let’s face it, lawns sometimes are forgotten when it’s time to prepare your landscape for winter. There are some precautions you can and should take to get your lawn ready for the colder months and to ensure your turfgrass is in good shape when the soil warms up next spring. These precautions often are lumped into the term “winterizing,” an attempt to toughen up plant tissue by slowing down growth and beefing up plant levels of potassium.
Warm-season turfgrasses are Bermuda, zoysia, centipede and St. Augustine. Tall fescue is considered a cool-season turfgrass. Turfgrass calendars can be found at https://bit. ly/3QpG5aV.
Research done through the years has shown that higher levels of plant potassium enhance tolerance to a broad range of environmental stresses, including, but not limited to, cold damage. A good strategy to encourage
Winterize your lawn now to make sure it’s in good shape next spring.
healthy turf is to maintain high levels of soil potassium throughout the growing season. When soil-test levels of potassium have reached a high level, maintain that by applying two-thirds to one part potassium fertilizer for every one part of nitrogen supplied when fertilization is done. While this is not an exact calculation, it is a good rule of thumb.
Phosphorus — the middle number on a fertilizer bag — usually is not a concern in the fall, as an application now probably would just promote winter annual weed seed germination.
It’s always helpful to do a soil test. Visit https://bit.ly/3RzED7h for testing instructions.
For those with a less-than-ideal lawn fertility program, here are some end-ofseason tips:
• Minimize nitrogen fertilization on warm-season turfgrasses as we approach fall. Nitrogen should be applied in the fall only if you have a fescue lawn. Reducing nitrogen fertility slows growth, allows the grass to toughen and reduces fungal diseases like brown patch.
• Finish the growing season with a fertilizer high in potassium. If applying only K2O (potassium oxide) to avoid extra fall nitrogen, use 1 to 2 pounds of muriate of potash (0-0-60) per 1,000 square feet. Apply to a dry lawn and water in.
• Maintain adequate moisture in the fall. We often want to forget lawn care by this time. But fall can be one of our driest times of the year, and turf still needs to store food now for the long winter dormancy.
• Keep an eye out for yellowing areas that would indicate brown patch disease and treat with fungicides, as needed. Remember, if these areas die off in late fall, they still will be dead next spring.
One last warning. Too much of a good thing often is bad. Excessively high amounts of potassium fertilizer might lead to foliage burn (salt burn) or cause competitive inhibition of other soil nutrient uptake.
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.
Doing a fall soil test is always a good idea.
Amelia Ryczek, a first-grader at Pickett's Mill Elementary, makes herself at home at her new desk.
Fifth-grade teacher Megan Mills helps Pickett’s Mill Elementary students, from left, Bella, Ava and David get the new school year started.
Ruth, a kindergartner at Pitner Elementary, enjoyed her first day of school.
Brooks and Hadley deliver the first-day-ofschool news at Pickett’s Mill Elementary.
Alexander Arroyo
Third grade, Clark Creek Elementary Happy first day of school!
Leah Arroyo Pre-K, Towne Lake Academy Happy first day of school!
Aidan Alspaugh Happy first day of school! Have a blessed and exciting year. Love, Mommy and Daddy
Building a tower as part of a STEM exercise are, clockwise from top left, Charlotte, Izzy, Nguyen and Andrew.
As a breast cancer survivor, Vicky has partnered with Cleaning for a Reason to help remove the burden of cleaning for families going through cancer treatment.
Since 2017, Maid in America has supported 49 CANCER PATIENTS with a donated value of $12,239 in cleanings.
www.maidinamericaga.com
Owner Vicky Bates
“The school bus has changed my life.”
“These kids have given me a new life.”
“We are like a family.”
“Being a Cobb County bus driver has been one of the best experiences of my life.”
“I love it!”
That’s how Cobb County School District bus drivers describe their jobs and their role in safely transporting 70,000-plus students to school and back home each day.
Those bus drivers now have an extra reason to smile as students step on their buses. During its August meeting, the Board of Education voted to approve a $5.25 per hour pay raise for Cobb bus drivers. That increase bumped up the starting rate for new
drivers to $25 per hour, while veteran drivers’ pay ranges up to $33.32 an hour, depending on their salary step. This is the highest pay rate for school bus drivers in metro Atlanta.
The part-time job also is eligible for full-time benefits, including health, dental, vision, life and cancer insurance.
Bus drivers who have joined the Cobb Schools team come from a variety of backgrounds.
Many drivers, like Roy “Jack” Fullen, didn’t come from professional driving careers before signing on as a bus driver.
“I spent 42 years in the bank systems and software business, and we traveled around after retirement,” he said. “After that, retirement really settled in. I had all the honey-do projects completed, and I kind of missed the structure of having someplace to go every day.”
Spending time with his grandchildren at their bus stop, and talking to their bus driver, led Fullen to apply for a position with the school district’s transportation department.
“Of all the jobs I've had, it's probably the most personally rewarding job I've ever had in that the kids are great,” he said. “You get a chance to get to know them a little bit — some better than others — and you feel at the end of the day that, in some way, you really can make a difference in their lives.”
For Fullen, one of the most significant aspects of being a bus driver is the relationships he builds with students. That’s exactly what he has been doing for six years at Acworth Elementary, Barber Middle and North Cobb High.
Her love for the kids keeps Jenny Martinez driving her school bus every day.The job also supports his life of retirement and keeps him young.
“It adds a good deal of structure in my life, that youth that kind of evaporates when you retire,” he said. “I got up every morning for 42 years and had someplace to go and something to do, and this kind of fills that void. I enjoy that, and it gives me a sense of staying in touch and a sense of relevance that, at least for me, is very important.”
Before joining the Cobb Schools team two years ago, Jenny Martinez drove a school bus throughout the New York metropolitan area for 10 years.
Martinez told an inspiring story of how divine intervention led her
to apply for a job as a bus driver. The honk of a school bus and a wave from the driver caught her attention when she was considering what job to pursue with young children at home. With the help of a neighbor, she applied and secured one of the few slots available for the training that would prepare her for her life-changing job as a school bus driver.
“That's why I became a bus driver, because the Lord sent me over,” she said.
The competitive paid benefits available to Cobb’s bus drivers are not what motivates Martinez to buckle into the driver’s seat every day. She does it for the kids.
“My kids, I love to say good morning to them,” she said. “Every morning, we have a big smile, and I love when they come on the bus. They feel safe. They know I care for them, and I feel happy about that. Because every time you say good morning, they feel the love.”
Martinez, who transports students to and from Acworth and McCall elementaries, Barber Middle and North Cobb High, has her own advice for those considering a job as a bus driver.
“I would say to follow what is in your heart,” she said. “Come and do it because you love it, and you want to be with the kids. You want to treat the kids as if they’re yours.”
Jack Fullen became a bus driver to add more structure to his life after he retired.
Parks, Recreation and Community Resource Department // 770-917-1234 www.acworthparksandrecreation.org
City of Acworth’s Senior Luncheon. Every third Wednesday. Lunch is served at noon at the Acworth Community Center. This program is free to all seniors, but you must RSVP the week prior to the luncheon in order to attend, 770-917-1234.
Chair Yoga With Mary. 11 a.m.-noon. For adults 55 and older. This class is conducted in a chair, with gentle movements that concentrate on relaxation and strengthening muscles.
Senior Warriors Gentle Movements. 10-10:30 a.m. Seniors 55 and older learn traditional Korean movements to increase balance, mental focus and ability to move. Class is taught by Omar Welch, an instructor certified by the U.S. Taekwondo Federation.
Live Chair Yoga. 10-10:45 a.m., through Nov. 29, Acworth Community Center. Learn stretching and strengthening exercises and breathing techniques. Free for city of Acworth residents, $15 for nonresidents.
Zoom Chair Yoga. 10-10:45 a.m., through Nov. 29. Learn stretching and strengthening exercises and breathing techniques during this free class.
Gentle Yoga With Mary. 1-2 p.m. Designed for adults 55 and older, but ages 18 and older are welcome. This class is conducted on a mat, with gentle movements that concentrate on relaxation and strengthening muscles.
Live Cardio. 10-10:45 a.m., through Dec. 1, Acworth Community Center. Strengthen and tighten muscles using free weights. Free for city of Acworth residents age 55 and over, $15 for nonresidents.
Zoom Cardio. 10-10:45 a.m., through Dec. 1. Strengthen and tighten muscles using free weights. Free.
Meets at 10 a.m. the third Tuesday of each month at the West Cobb Senior Center and at 10 a.m. the fourth Thursday of each month at North Cobb Senior Center. Join veterans 55 and older for an informal get-together. Call Mike Nichols at 770-528-1448 for information.
4100 S. Main St., Acworth // 770-975-7740 www.cobbcounty.org/public-services/senior-services
Oct. 5
Assistive Technology Seminar. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Learn about resources, equipment and services available to help seniors, people with disabilities and caregivers.
Oct. 6
CSS 50th Anniversary Party. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Cobb Senior Services at a “Golden Girls”-themed luncheon.
“Golden Girls” Trivia. 1-2 p.m. Oct. 14
Wellness Clinic. 10 a.m.-noon. Find out about different types of Medicare and changes for the year and have minor medical tests and vaccinations done. Oct. 17
Armchair Travel: Morocco. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Explore a country that’s mostly desert.
Game Show Afternoon: Hollywood Squares. 1-2 p.m. Oct. 18
Heather With the Weather. 1-2 p.m. Heather Zons from the Weather Channel will present a program on weather forecasting and the tools and technology used to track storms. Oct. 20
Bean Bag Baseball. 1-2 p.m.
Oct. 21
Film on Friday: “Marry Me.” Noon-2 p.m. Music superstars Kat Valdez and Bastian are getting married, but when Kat learns, seconds before her vows, that Bastian has been unfaithful, she decides to marry Charlie, a stranger in the crowd.
Oct. 24
Birthday Social. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Scam Prevention Seminar. 1-2 p.m. Learn how to avoid internet and financial fraud.
Oct. 25
Tuesday Trivia. 1-2 p.m. Oct. 26
Laughter Yoga. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Celebrate happiness by learning various movements and breathing exercises that promote intentional laughter.
Culinary Creations: Dutch Food. 1-2 p.m. Discuss the evolution of traditional Dutch foods, highlight 12 examples and watch a demonstration on how to make Dutch apple loaf.
Oct. 27
Nutrition Lesson: Soup! Soup! Soup! 10:30-11:30 a.m. Learn the basics of soups and how to incorporate healthy soups into your diet.
Zydeco Workshop. 1-2 p.m. Oct. 28
Where Are Your Wildflowers? 10:30-11:30 a.m. Learn how to sow native wildflowers to attract pollinators and how to plant cover crops to add nutrients to the soil.
“Help local businesses grow and prosper by offering affordable advertising opportunities in a quality publication that provides positive, relevant information to our readers.”
TO LAKEPOINT
Our mission statement is the measure by which we determine our editorial content each month: sharing hyperlocal, positive content with you. So it made perfect sense to take that a step further and encourage you to shop locally by giving you a map to follow.
After many challenges in recent years, now is a perfect time to take advantage of this beautiful weather and visit our local retailers. They’ll be happy to see you, and you can leave with the satisfaction that you’ve been a part of contributing to the economic development of our community.
Special thanks to Acworth city officials for sharing this NEW map with us. We’ll do our best to keep it updated. If you see something missing or have any ideas for supporting our city, please let us know by emailing edit@aroundaboutmagazines.com. We’d love to hear from you.
1. 1885 Grill
2. Center Street Tavern
3. Daddy’s Country Kitchen
4. Doro’s Italian Kitchen
5. Eatalia Cafe & Creamery
6. Fish Thyme
7. Flavors of Hawaii
8. The Fountain
9. Fusco’s via Roma Italian Trattoria
10. Henry’s Louisiana Grill
11. J.D.’s Bar-B-Que
12. Juice Wine Bar by F ish Thyme
13. L. Marie’s Southern Cuisine
21. Acworth Bookstore
22. Acworth Flowers & Plants
23.
Shad
Amaryllis
Hippie Kids
Jack’s Gems
Pearl’s Spa & Boutique
Picnic Market & Mercantile
Serendipity House
32. Something Tulle by Kristina Eaton
14. Miss L’s Sandwich Shop
15. Nibbles Grill
16. Pizza by Fusco’s
DALLAS LANDING PARK
Red Top Brewhouse
Rico’s Mex Mex Grill
Scoops Ice Cream
Taptown Opening Fall 2022
The Spa House
LiRu Antiques
Decor
Blossoms
Art
Vigiiante Cosmetics
MadMak’s Toys & Collectibles
LANDING PARK
The Groom Shack
North Georgia Exotics
ACWORTH COMMUNITY GARDEN CAUBLE PARK The Crazy Book Lady
08
The Taste of Acworth will take place 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Main Street downtown. This event benefits numerous schools and charities in the community. There will be more than 150 booths from local restaurants and businesses, plus two live entertainment stages and a kids’ zone. Admission is free. Restaurants will be offering food samples, ranging from $1-$5. 770-423-1330; www.acworthbusiness.org.
The Kennesaw Grand Prix Series Races are held monthly on the second Saturday through November in front of Kennesaw First Baptist Church at 2958 N. Main St. The October race will benefit Smith-Gilbert Gardens in Kennesaw. The last race will be Nov. 12 and will benefit wounded veterans. Visit https://kennesawgrandprix.com/faq.
14-16 The Fall 2022 Cobb Library Book Sale will take place 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday at the Cobb Civic Center, 548 S. Marietta Parkway, Marietta. cobbcat.org/booksale
15
Taste and Brews Fall Festival, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Etowah River Park, 600 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton, will celebrate the best of Southern music, food and beverages. Guests will be able to sample all the flavors of the South while enjoying live music from regional acts, a kids’ zone, arts and crafts and a farmers market. Benefits the Atlanta Fundraising Foundation. Free admission. https://tasteandbrews.com
Allatoona High School will present “Wiley and the Hairy Man” as a one-act play at 7 p.m. each night in the school theater, 3300 Dallas Acworth Highway, Acworth. Tickets are $10 and are available at www.AllatoonaDrama.org.
The Acworth Cultural Arts Center will host a book festival, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at Roberts School Community and Education Center, 4681 School St., Acworth. Buy books from local authors and listen to speakers and storytellers. Free admission. www.acworthculturalarts.org
The University of Georgia Extension Service Cobb County is offering a Fall is for Planning and Planting seminar, 11 a.m.-noon, at the North Cobb Regional Library, 3535 Old 41 Highway, Kennesaw. The seminar includes an introduction to lawn care maintenance, ornamental selection and proper planting procedure. 770-528-4070; uge1067@uga.edu
24 Cobb Schools Foundation is sponsoring its annual Charity Golf Classic 2022, 9:30 a.m. shotgun start, at the Pinetree Country Club, 3400 McCollum Parkway, Kennesaw. Proceeds will support family stabilization, learning interventions and scholarships. To register, visit https://bit.ly/3chBolF. For information, call Felicia Waganer at 770-426-3390.
The 10th annual Allatoona Buccaneer Dugout Club golf tournament fundraiser, 11 a.m. shotgun start, will take place at Brookstone Country Club, 5705 Brookstone Drive, Acworth. All proceeds benefit the Allatoona High School baseball team. To register, visit https://bit.ly/3RHmHb3.
25
The Kids in the Kitchen virtual cooking club, 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Zoom, will teach kids of all ages how to make two recipes a month. Registration for the free club, hosted by the University of Georgia Extension Office, is required at https://bit.ly/cookingclubfall2022.
The Acworth Farmers Market is open 8 a.m.-noon Fridays, rain or shine, at the main entrance of Logan Farm Park. Applications for vendors for the 2022 season are being accepted and reviewed on an ongoing basis. For more information or an application, visit https://bit.ly/3O7Nydq.
29
The city of Acworth, the downtown merchants and the Lake City Cruisers will hold the Fall Downtown Classic Car Cruise, 4-9 p.m., at Logan Farm Park. The event is free to the public. A $5 entry fee is requested for all vehicles in the cruise. All proceeds go to Horizon Field, an all-inclusive special-needs sports facility in Acworth. For information, contact Jeff Chase at jchase@ acworth.org or 770-917-1234.
4361 Cherokee St., Acworth // 770-917-1234 acworthparksandrecreation.org.
The inaugural Never Alone Lantern Festival , 4 p.m., will be held at Etowah River Park in Canton. There will be a petting zoo, bounce houses, face painting, spin art and more, culminating with an organized lantern parade at dusk. https://bit.ly/3B5jRFJ
Acworth Cultural Arts and Brookwood Christian School are sponsoring the Acworth Charm Home Tour , noon5 p.m., in downtown Acworth. Visit recently renovated historic homes. www.acworthcharm.com
www.acworthartsalliance.org.
“Founding Artists” exhibit.
“Small Works & Gifts” exhibit will be accepting submissions through Oct. 15. acworthartsalliance.org/ guidelines
The annual Member Artist Holiday Gift Shop will take place 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Acworth Community Center in the Tanyard Creek Overlook space. There is no fee to attend.
Register for fall classes and workshops offered by the Acworth Arts Alliance. Classes and workshops for kids and adults take place at the Art House in downtown Acworth. acworthartsalliance.org/classes
The Acworth Parks, Recreation and Community Resource Department will present Acworth Adult Recess: Oktoberfest , noon-4 p.m., at Logan Farm Park. Teams of four will compete in a variety of Oktoberfest-themed throwback challenges and games, such as relay races, obstacle courses, stein hold races and team flip cup. The Top 3 teams will win great prizes. Register at www.acworthparksandrec.org.
Line dancing. Learn to line dance with knowledge, technique and style while staying fit. Intermediate classes, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., beginner classes, 1-2:30 p.m., and evening classes, 6:30-8 p.m., meet in monthly sessions.
Bend & Breathe Meditation Yin Yoga. This yoga class targets the deep connective tissues, such as fascia, ligaments, joints and bones. It’s slower and more meditative. 8:15-9 a.m. Monthly and drop-in rates are available.
BSD Taekwondo. This is a traditional taekwondo class for adults, 8:45-9:45 a.m., at the Acworth Community Center. Students will learn balance, focus, self-control and how to grow their confidence. Traditional skills are designed to promote health, lower stress levels and develop the whole body, without the use of weapons.
Acworth Youth Basketball League. Registration is open for participants ages 5-18. Assessments will take place Oct. 22-23, practices will begin the week of Nov. 7, and games will begin Dec. 3. For information and to register, visit www.acworthparksandrecreation.org.
BSD Taekwondo. This class is designed to teach ages 6 and older balance, hand-eye coordination and self-control using traditional taekwondo exercises, 3-4 p.m., at the Acworth Community Center. Monthly sessions are available.
Special Warriors Taekwondo. In this class, young community members with special needs will learn focus, balance, hand-eye coordination and effective self-defense. Classes meet monthly, 10-10:30 a.m., at the Acworth Community Center.
Brava Henson - First Place (Holding Up the Wall)
Novice
Mary Ann Ortiz - Second Place (San Felipe Armory)
Joy Rogers - Third Place (From Another Time)
Congratulations to everyone who entered the Cobb Photographic Society competition. The topic for August was “Buildings.” The guest judge was photographer J.D. Tyre. The Cobb Photographic Society is a club open to photographers of all skill levels. It meets the first and third Monday of each month. For information, visit www.cobbphotosociety.com.
Color
Jeff Westland - First Place (Window Dressing)
Melissa Moody - First Place (Inside Ponce Inlet Lighthouse)
BY GREG FONZENO
Last month, I addressed fire safety on your boat, especially when fueling. This month, let’s look at the carriage requirements for fire extinguishers, particularly two changes made in the past few years.
The first change was the labeling system for marine fire extinguishers. The traditional requirement of having an extinguisher labeled B-I or B-II on board, depending on the vessel’s size, was changed to the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) system of labeling — 5-B, 10-B, etc. The UL system retained the traditional letters for identifying common types of fires: A (for wood, paper or anything leaving ashes), B (for gas, oil or anything that boils) or C (electrical fire or circuit).
While having a fire extinguisher rated for an ABC fire is desirable, UL-rated extinguishers mounted on boats generally are rated B — 5-B, 10-B, etc. The numbers indicate the area of effectiveness for the extinguisher: 5-B can extinguish a 5-square-foot fire, 10-B covers 10 square feet, and 20-B covers 20 square feet. When using the A-type extinguisher, the number represents the water equivalency for this extinguisher, with 1 equaling 1.25 gallons. For example, the 5-A extinguisher is equivalent to 6.25 gallons of water.
The new fire extinguisher regulations went into effect April 20, 2022. In general, the model year of your boat will determine which fire extinguisher rule you must follow:
• For model years 2018 or newer, extinguishers might need to be replaced. Extinguishers must be labeled 5-B, 10-B or 20-B. Those labeled B-I or B-II are no longer acceptable.
• For model years 2017 or older, you can keep your extinguishers labeled B-I or B-II, if they still are serviceable, but they must be changed to the current UL label when no longer serviceable.
• Regardless of the model year, extinguishers cannot be more than 12 years old, according to the manufacture date stamped on them.
That last point was the second change that affects whether your fire extinguisher is counted toward your legal carriage requirement if stopped for a vessel-safety check. While fire extinguishers always have had a manufacturing date stamped on them, it wasn’t part of a safety check. But extinguishers have a shelf life of 12 years, so they now will be considered expired 12 years from that stamped date. For example, a manufacturing date of 2010 will expire Dec. 31, 2022.
A fire extinguisher for a boat must be a Coast Guardapproved, marine-type extinguisher, with the pressure gauge or indicator showing it’s charged and operable. It must have the locking pin firmly in place and a discharge nozzle that’s clean and obstruction-free and not show any visible signs of significant corrosion or damage.
To learn more about this subject and other safety topics, consider taking a boating-safety class. For information on classes, visit https://bit.ly/3TO9MFp or email flotilla22pe@gmail.com.
Greg Fonzeno is the public education officer and commander of the local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Unit (Flotilla 22) at Allatoona Lake. Kim
2022
Denson Pepper, CPA 37 678-797-5241 www.densonpeppercpa.com
Orcutt Law Offices 17 678-383-7857 www.orcuttlawoffices.com
Williams | Elleby 1 833-LEGALGA (534-2542) www.gatrialattorney.com
KAMS Auto Service Center 33 770-956-4060 www.kamsauto.com
KSU Arts 15 www.ArtsKSU.com
BUSINESS SUPPORT
Acworth Business Association 16 www.acworthbusiness.org
Mostly Mutts Animal Rescue 45 770-272-6888
www.mostlymutts.org
Biologic Dentistry 21 770-426-9994
www.biologicdentistry.com
Daniel Lee DMD, PC 11 770-974-4146 www.acworthdental.com
Gentle Dental Care/Georgia Dental Implant Center Inside back 770-926-2784 www.georgiadic.com
This wonderful publication is brought to you by these local businesses. When using our advertisers’ services, please let them know you found out about them from the Around Acworth magazine!
Chattahoochee Tech 27 www.chattahoocheetech.edu
Georgia Trade School 41 www.georgiatradeschool.com
North Cobb Christian School Back cover 770-975-0252
www.ncchristian.org
EVENTS
ABA Charity Golf Tournament 35 www.acworthbusiness.org/golftournament
Acworth Book Festival 45 www.acworthculturalarts.org
Acworth Charm Tour 39, 45 404-491-7724 www.acworthcharm.com
Gobble Jog 45 www.gobblejog.org
Kennesaw Grand Prix Series 2022 53 www.kennesawgrandprix.com
Never Alone Lantern Festival 17 www.neveralone.org
Taste of Acworth 53 www.acworthbusiness.org/taste-ofacworth
Bay Equity Home Loans 7 Jay White, Area Sales Manager 770-870-0644 www.jayclosesloans.com
Edward Jones, Roberto De Jesus and Amanda Yingling 5 678-574-5166 www.edwardjones.com
LGE Credit Union 13 www.lgeccu.org
Georgia Funeral Care & Cremation Services 19 678-574-3016 www.georgiafuneralcare.com
Shell, Acworth Travel Plaza 9 770-702-5910
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Sorrow to Strength Grief Coaching 5 404-542-1229 www.sorrowtostrength.com
HOME & GARDEN
Dayco Systems Heating & Cooling 1 770-336-7888 www.daycosystems.com
EcoTech Services 7 678-427-4345 www.ecotechatl.com
Enhance Floors & More 31 770-565-3808 www.enhancefloors.com
Maid in America 41 770-427-4448 www.maidinamericaga.com
Tom Kris & Sons Plumbing 19 770-529-0799 www.tkandsonsplumbing.com
Provident Insurance Agency 11 770-499-2040 www.providentgroup.com
Red Baryl Portraits 55 815-540-0936
Asha Advanced Dermatology 37 770-739-7546 www.skinangel.com
Governors MedSpa & Concierge Medicine 11, 39 678-888-5181 www.governorsmedicine.com
Anchor Realty Partners 7 Malinda Howe, Broker: 404-444-0225 Deborah Hill: 770-361-9200 www.malindahowe.com
Atlanta Communities, Debi Smith 3 Direct: 404-660-6652
Office: 770-240-2004 debismith.atlcommunities.com
Siegel Select Extended-Stay Living 33
678-257-3124 www.siegelselect.com/extended-stayapartments-atlanta
Dairy Queen 9 678-903-4090
Scoops Cover, 28-29 770-372-3952 www.scoopsicecream.com
Wasabi 3 770-515-9988 wasabisushiacworth.kwickmenu.com
Cotton Mill Exchange 5 770-992-9294 www.cottonmillexchange.net
It’s Your Day Gift Baskets 3 901-361-1913
www.itsyourdaygiftbaskets.com
Golf Cars of Canton 19 678-880-1156 www.golfcarsofcanton.com
Your CBD Store-Acworth 27 678-909-5230 www.acworth459.cbdrx4u.com
DayBreak Village Inside cover 770-218-6166 www.daybreakvillage.com
We have a place in the homes of our community.
1885 Grill Southern Coastal 4438 Cherokee St. 770-672-0508
www.1885grill.com/welcome-acworth
Bert & Boo's Bake Shop Bakery 3900 Old McEver Rd. 470-582-6717 www.bertandboos.com
Facebook: @bertboos
Center Street Tavern American/ Traditional 4381 Center St. 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
Fish Thyme Restaurant and Bar Seafood 3979 S. Main St., Suite 5657 770-974-2323
www.newsite.fishthymerestaurant.com
The Fountain
Cocktail Bar and Pub Grub 4843 N. Main St. 678-403-8898
Facebook: The Fountain - Acworth
Fusco's via Roma Italian Trattoria
Italian 4815A S. Main St. 770-974-1110 fuscosviaroma.com Facebook: @fuscosviaroma
J.D.’s Bar-B-Que 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
L. Marie’s Southern Cuisine Southern 4417 S. Main St. 770-694-1949 www.lmaries.net
Miss L’s Sandwich Shop Sandwiches 4817 S. Main St. 770-966-9709
Facebook: @Miss-Ls-Sandwich-Shop
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Rico’s Mex Mex
Southside Dr. 770-917-9791
