Around Towne

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. Cherokee and Cobb 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 64 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 Pages 36 and 38.

Michael Caldwell, partner and co-founder of Black Airplane, has been named to Atlanta’s 40 Under 40 class of 2021 by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Caldwell leads the operations and business development teams at Black Airplane, and will take office as Woodstock mayor on Jan. 1.

What’s Coming

Starbucks and Woodstock Millworks, a co-working space, will be opening at Adair Park Woodstock, along with the previously announced Oishii Sushi Noodle House. Cultivate, a farm-to-table brunch and coffee spot, will open in a two-story, single-tenant building at the Adair Park Marketplace, a four-building commercial development across from Chattahoochee Tech. Follow Adair Park Woodstock’s progress on Facebook.

What’s Changed

Copper Coin, in downtown Woodstock, has new owners: Gavin and Chantel Adams, Conrad Santamaria and Reese Vines. Follow @coppercoinwoodstock on Instagram for updates and specials.

What’s Closed

Tea Leaves & Thyme has closed its restaurant at 8990 Main St. in Woodstock, but will continue to sell tea online. Stay tuned to Facebook for more details.

Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting

GO-FO-FA Heat & Eat Meals

6380 Bells Ferry Road, Suite 103, Acworth 770-285-3600. www.gofofa.com.

Around Acworth | Around Canton | Around Kennesaw Around Woodstock | TowneLaker

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Publisher Aroundabout Local Media, Inc. www.aroundaboutlocalmedia.com

ALM President Patty Ponder 770-615-3322 Patty@AroundaboutMagazines.com

Sr. Director of Operations and Sales Kim Dahnke 770-615-2779 Kim@AroundaboutMagazines.com

Director of Marketing Jennifer Coleman 678-279-5502 Jen@aroundaboutmagazines.com

Executive Editor Candi Hannigan 770-615-3309 Candi@AroundaboutMagazines.com

Managing Editor Katie Beall 770-852-8481 Katie@AroundaboutMagazines.com Assistant Editor Jessica Forrester 770-615-3318 Jessica@AroundaboutMagazines.com Art Director Michelle McCulloch 770-615-3307 Michelle@AroundaboutMagazines.com Page Designer Laura Latchford Laura@AroundaboutMagazines.com

Graphic Designer Savannah Winn Savannah@AroundaboutMagazines.com Controller Denise Griffin 770-615-3315 Denise@AroundaboutMagazines.com

Social Media Manager Kathryn Holt Kat@AroundaboutMagazines.com

Market & Advertising Specialist Michelle Smith Michelle.Smith@AroundaboutMagazines.com Copy Editors Bill King, Eliza Somers

TowneLaker, a publication of Aroundabout Local Media, Inc., is a community magazine with 16,400 free copies distributed monthly. Approximately 15,800 are direct mailed to homes and businesses and an additional 600 are placed in racks in the community.

TowneLaker welcomes your comments, stories, and advertisements. Editorial deadline is the first and advertising deadline is the fifth of the previous month.

Subscriptions are available for $24 per year. Send check or money order to: TowneLaker, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, PMB 380, Suite 620, Woodstock GA 30189.

The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists and submissions are not necessarily those of the Editor/ Publisher and the Publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. TowneLaker is not responsible for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the Publisher. All rights reserved. Copyright 2021.

Volume 26, Issue 7

America’s Community Magazine