Local News

Gobble Jog Organizers Decide on Virtual Format

The MUST Ministries Gobble Jog, the agency’s top fundraiser, will take a virtual format this year. While the format may be different, organizers encourage local residents to sign up; the need for food is the greatest in MUST’s history.

“For 49 years, MUST Ministries has been called to offer help and hope, but we have never seen such an insurmountable need,” said MUST Ministries President and CEO Ike Reighard. “During the pandemic, we have done everything we can to serve those in poverty and those plunging into poverty for the first time.”

MUST has distributed more than 1.42 million pounds of food since March 16. The organization provides 38 school food pantries and three client services pantries, sends food boxes to senior citizens in two counties, and finished the annual summer lunch program with a record 379,471 meals given to at-risk children in five counties. But, a lack of food is still a critical problem for many area residents.

Runners and walkers choose between a 10K, 5K, 1K, Tot Trot (50 yards) or phantom runner and then run their own race anytime Nov. 1-26. The race cost is $35 and includes a color-wash, longsleeved T-shirt that will be mailed after Thanksgiving. For more details, sign up at www.gobblejog.org.

Carter McWilliams, center, dedicated his Eagle Scout project at Oregon Park to youth baseball coach Al Lassiter, left, and Troop 730 Scoutmaster Alan Allison.

Eagle Scout Honors Community Volunteers

Carter McWilliams, of Boy Scout Troop 730 in Acworth, is a recent Eagle Scout award recipient and a 2020 graduate of Allatoona High School. He grew up playing baseball at Oregon Park in Marietta. When it came time to choose his Eagle Scout project nine months ago, he wanted to give back to his childhood ballpark.

McWilliams recalled that seating at the park often was sparse, so he met with the president of the Oregon Park Baseball Association’s board of directors to get input on his idea of constructing benches for the park. Next, he solicited help from baseball parent and friend Derrell Walker of the Cobb County Parks and Recreation Department. He put McWilliams in touch with his colleague, Jeff Abrams, who helped secure the approval for the project.

When the project was complete, McWilliams dedicated the benches in honor of Alan Allison and Al Lassiter, two Cobb County men who have served the community for a combined 20-plus years.

Allison, an Atlanta native and Cobb County resident for decades, was honored for his selfless dedication and service as Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 730 in Acworth. He has devoted time, energy and financial resources to Troop 730 for the past eight years. Since Allison assumed leadership roles with the organization, Troop 730 has produced five Eagle Scouts, with four others on track to earn their Eagle Scout awards in the next year.

The second bench was dedicated to Lassiter, for his service as a volunteer baseball coach in the community for more than a decade. He has coached numerous baseball teams, including rec league, All-Stars and travel ball throughout Cobb County. Lassiter taught McWilliams the fundamentals of baseball, to truly love the game, and never to give up.

ACA Announces Poinsettia Fundraiser

In time for the holidays, Acworth Cultural Arts (ACA) will sell poinsettias, grown in Acworth, as a fundraiser. The organization usually partners with Brookwood Christian School during the fall for the annual Acworth Charm Tour, benefiting both organizations, but this year’s home tour was put on hold due to the pandemic.

The ACA will be selling florist-quality 8-inch and 10-inch poinsettias and offering five color varieties (red, white, pink, marble and jingle bells). Orders will be picked up at the old Acworth jail. Purchase 10 or more poinsettias and get one free. Orders must be placed before Nov. 20 at acworthculturalarts.org.

Representatives from local churches helped organize the prayer circle.

Volunteers from local churches led attendees in singing worship songs.

Organizations Hold Prayer Circle for Seniors

Dogwood Forest Assisted Living and Memory Care and the Holbrook Acworth jointly hosted a circle of prayer event for their residents last month. Residents of Dogwood Forest have been sheltering in place since March, and the event was a welcome break from their daily activities. Northstar Church, Freedom Church and Acworth United Methodist Church helped make the afternoon of sunshine, music and prayer a success. The event was led by Holbrook Community Chaplin Dwayne Faircloth.

Landon James, a third-grader at North Cobb Christian School, volunteered at the event and prayed for all the seniors.

New Virtual Library Service Available

The Cobb County Public Library System recently launched the Ask-a-Librarian email service, to expand reference help options. This new service provides convenient access for library patrons not able to visit or call during operating hours, or not ready to visit libraries due to COVID-19 concerns. Questions may be submitted at any time by filling out the simple form at cobbcat.org/ask-a-librarian.

Ask-a-Librarian is monitored by library staff 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, and patrons can expect responses within two business days. Questions answered through the free service generally are information requests that library staff answer at reference service desks inside libraries, such as requests for book suggestions and contact information for community resources. Questions about library accounts and checkedout materials should be directed to the library’s Customer Service Department at 770-528-2326. For more information, visit cobbcat.org or call 770-528-2320.

Drive Through Food Pantry

Cobb library and Atlanta Community Food Bank staff will host a drive-through food pantry at Stratton Library 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Nov. 18.

Food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, one package per family while supplies last. The package will be delivered to a recipient’s car and will contain up to 20 pounds of produce, in addition to shelf-stable items. Stratton Library is located at 1100 Powder Springs Road SW, Marietta.

Virtual Silver Sneakers Classes

Beginning in November, VRok Fitness will offer virtual Silver Sneakers classes 7:30-8:15 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Silver Sneakers is a total body workout for eligible seniors to rebuild, regain and restore strength, mobility and flexibility. Most Medicare and Humana plans cover the cost of the class. For more information, email Kylie at info@vrokfitness.net or call 813-451-4466.