Around Acworth
Kudos!
Letter From the President
As the end of the year approaches, life is bringing a lot of changes for me. I’m so excited to share that my daughter Ansley is getting married in May, and I have two more weddings to attend next year. I’ll be traveling to Portugal in June, for pleasure, and Mark and I plan to visit our son Daniel in Florida. I am getting involved in new endeavors, such as taking part in my neighborhood’s activities committee, which also will keep me busy. One major change that I want to share with you is that I’m retiring at the end of this month. That doesn’t mean I won’t be out and about, but I will be transitioning out of the company and leaving leadership of this team in great hands. Kim Dahnke, who recently joined us as senior director of operations and sales, will add the title of president, and Jennifer Coleman, who is our director of marketing, will serve as vice president. The past 11.5 years with Aroundabout Local Media have meant more to me than just a career. It has been a lifestyle of community involvement, development of relationships, and engagement with the small businesses in our community. Cobb and Cherokee counties offer so many benefits through charitable organizations, and so many opportunities for us to be involved. I have learned what an altruistic community we have by watching as our neighbors reach out to families, adults and children in need. I’ve learned to love our famous dog, Teddy the Spaz Man, who is featured in our publications. I’ve watched a young boy who is now a young man — Rob Macmillan — build his own nonprofit to help animals in need. I have learned so much about many different small businesses and how the owners and their families pour their heart, soul and money into starting a new venture or keeping one going. It has been satisfying to hear from an advertiser that their ad is bringing them new business, or to receive calls and emails telling me how the cover space that the client purchased has paid for itself in the first few days the magazine was in mailboxes. I even have had business owners tell me they had to hire new employees to help with the uptick in business since their cover placement increased their business. I have loved working for Aroundabout Local Media and engaging with our communities, our advertisers and our readers. I feel so lucky to have had this opportunity. What makes this company so great is the owners, Jon and Karen Flaig, who gave me the opportunity, and our talented team of leaders and experienced employees. You can see them on Page 56 in this issue. The past 11.5 years have been very fulfilling in so many ways. Happy holidays and here’s wishing you a blessed and prosperous New Year!
Kindness Challenge of the Month
Adopt an Angel. Take part in a program that provides gifts for children and adults who may not receive gifts otherwise. Our helping hands feature is on Page 20.
Barber Middle School Principal Tia Amlett was named the 2021 Acworth Citizen of the Year by the Cobb Chamber’s Northwest Cobb Area Council. Amlett greets each student by name as they climb off the bus in the morning. She knows every student in her school, and wants them to know they are important and cared for. Under Amlett’s leadership, Barber Middle School was named a Title 1 Reward School, a distinction that is earned by schools ranked in the top 5% of Title 1 schools in the state. In addition, Barber Middle School was awarded STEM School Certification by the Cobb County School District.
Ribbon Cuttings
Hippie Kids
4721 S. Main St., Acworth On Facebook and Instagram www.shophippiekids.com
Lakeside Executive Suites
4439 Carnes St., Acworth 404-401-0225. Email: alan@acworthsuites.com.
Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings
My Salon Suite — 11:30 a.m. Dec. 1 3335 Cobb Parkway, Suite 100, Acworth
Georgia Selfie Studio — 11:30 a.m. Dec. 8
3801 Old 41 Highway, Suite B, Kennesaw 4
AROUND ACWORTH | December 2021
