AROUND ACWORTH | February 2021
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Contents February 2021
Contributors
Mount Paran Christian School
26 Judy Abbott
14 Tommy Allegood
On the Cover
First-graders Jack Cline and Ella Johnson are accompanied by Head of High School and Assistant Head of School Tawanna Rusk, as she shows them the plans for their future place of learning.
22 Ryan Blythe 41 Jennifer Bonn 40 Greg Fonzeno 34 Tiffany Hughes 25 J.R. Lee
Pages 28 & 29
Cover photo by Jordan Mason
44 Rob Macmillan 18 James Newberry 32 Abbie Parks 30 Elisabeth Stubbs 23 Dr. Mary Swantek 44 Jay White 24 Kim Wigington 45 Joel Williams
In Every Issue
4 Around Acworth
16
8 Local News
Black History Month
Residents celebrate MLK Day and get an inside look at the story behind the exhibit at Doyal Hill Park, celebrating the city’s Black community.
34
Cooking Up Romance
Spend Valentine’s Day at home this year, whipping up these tasty and easy meals in your own kitchen.
37
Get the Scoop on Love
Our youngest readers give advice and tell us their thoughts on what Valentine’s Day is all about.
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AROUND ACWORTH | February 2021
9 Celebrations
26 Growing Gardeners 32 Acworth History
42 Community Calendar 44 Rob’s Rescues
46 Library Events
47 Park Photo Contest
50 Community of Faith 52 Dining Guide
53 Clubs & Organizations
54 Directory of Advertisers
AROUND ACWORTH | February 2021
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Around Acworth Letter From the Editor
This might be the first year I’ve actually taken the time to realize how many exciting things happen during February. From Black History Month to Valentine’s Day to Mardi Gras, the shortest month certainly knows how to pack in the fun, and this issue is no exception. As a side note, history buffs really should enjoy this issue, with three history-based articles on vastly different topics. You don’t want to miss our Black History Month package beginning on Page 16. Check out the photos from Acworth’s MLK Day celebration. It’s always wonderful to see the community come together for meaningful events. The opening of the city’s newest park in December, named after Acworth’s first Black alderman, Doyal Hill, is a perfect example. On Page 18, James Newberry gives us an inside look at bringing the Doyal Hill Park history exhibits to life, as his team at Kennesaw State University was responsible for curating the exhibit panels. In case you haven’t checked your calendar yet, Mardi Gras is Feb. 16, so get those King Cake orders in now. Ryan Blythe, a Gulf Coast native, gives us a brief rundown on the history of Mardi Gras (Page 22), and I certainly learned a lot. As I mentioned, February has a lot to offer, and, despite the chilly temps, it’s time to start thinking about prepping your outdoor space for spring planting. Judy Abbott gives us the rundown on where to start (Page 26). But, before Fat Tuesday gets here, we need to feel the love, and our Valentine’s Day package certainly will do the trick. Abbie Parks shares Valentine’s Day traditions through the years (Page 32), while Tiffany Hughes will help you plan your menu for a romantic dinner at home (Page 34). Whatever you do, don’t miss the adorable faces beginning on Page 37 as we asked the experts on love, the youngest members of our community, for their thoughts on Valentine’s Day. Now that you’re feeling all lovey-dovey, here is your February challenge. Remember our mission to share kindness? This works well during the Month of Love.
Voting begins March 1! Read more about Readers’ Choice 2021 on Page 10.
What’s New
The 12th annual Special Olympics Georgia Polar Plunge returns to Lake Acworth Feb 20. The plunging
will occur between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The event is presented by the Law Enforcement Torch Run Program. All proceeds will help provide 26,620 Special Olympics Georgia athletes free year-round sports training. For more information, or to register, visit polarplungega.org.
Participants from last year’s Polar Plunge. Photo by Ed Selby.
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Acworth Community Center Feb. 16, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donors will receive a coupon for Huey Luey’s Mexican Kitchen and Margarita Bar, and testing for COVID-19 antibodies. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code “acworthcomm.”
Ribbon Cuttings
L. Marie’s Southern Cuisine 4417 S. Main St., Acworth
Kindness Challenge of the Month
Bake and Take. Bake a pie (duh!), cookies, brownies, treats, etc. for a neighbor, elderly person, the local fire or police station. Be sure to wear a mask and gloves while you’re baking, and call ahead to make sure treats from an outside source are welcome.
Katie Beall Katie Beall is editor of Around Acworth. Send your comments or questions to Katie@AroundaboutMagazines.com.
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AROUND ACWORTH | February 2021
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AROUND ACWORTH | February 2021
Around Acworth, a publication of Aroundabout Local Media, Inc., is a monthly community magazine. The magazine’s mission is helping local businesses grow and prosper by offering affordable advertising opportunities in a quality publication that provides positive, relevant information to our readers. It distributes a total of 16,500 free copies. Approximately 15,400 are direct mailed to homes and businesses and an additional 1,100 are placed in racks around the community. Around Acworth also has many digital viewers of the magazine online each month. Around Acworth welcomes your comments, stories, and advertisements. The deadline is the 10th of the previous month. Subscriptions are available for $24 per year. Send check or money order to the address below. The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists and submissions are not necessarily those of the editor/publisher and the publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. Around Acworth is not responsible for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved. Copyright 2021 Around Acworth
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Volume 5, Issue 7
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Local News
Scheduling COVID-19 Vaccination Appointments If you are a first responder, health care worker or 65 years of age or older, you can visit www.cobbanddouglaspublichealth.com to schedule an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Appointments are posted one week at a time, due to uncertain vaccine availability. Please check back each Friday after 5 p.m. for appointments for the following Monday-Saturday. If you already have received your first dose, someone from the health department will contact you to schedule your second dose.
Cobb 4-H Plant Sale Pre-Orders Begin Cobb 4-H staff is holding its annual plant sale to raise funds for 4-H youth development, programming, supplies and scholarships. The quote “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow,” by Audrey Hepburn, is this year’s plant sale theme. Not only is gardening therapeutic, but, also, many of the plants offered will get your yard ready for spring by adding color and vibrancy to brighten your days. Plant sale pre-orders are being accepted through March 5, at the UGA-Cobb Extension Office. There are limited quantities of all varieties, so plants are sold on a first come, first served basis. You can preorder in-person at the Extension Office 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mondays-Fridays, or by mailing in the order form, which is available at www.extension.uga.edu/countyoffices/cobb.html. Plant sale pickup will be 9 a.m.-1 p.m. March 20 at the Jim Miller Park covered arena. For more information, call 770-528-4070.
Cobb County Construction Information Find out the most up-to-date information on construction projects around Cobb County and District 1 with these two websites. For traffic impact information, visit www.cobbcommute.org/traveladvisory. For construction project information, visit www.cobbcounty. org/transportation/projects/updates. 8
AROUND ACWORTH | February 2021
Please keep in mind: • Everyone must have an appointment to receive a vaccination. Individuals may come together in the same car if they have appointments for the same day, even if they are at different times. • There is a limited number of appointments each day, so you may not get an appointment right away. Please be patient. • There are many approved vaccine providers throughout the state, although their vaccine supply also may be limited. Please check this site for other locations: www.dph.georgia.gov/locations/covid-vaccination-site. • Please follow the instructions in your appointment confirmation email.
Marine Corps League Hosts Charity Golf Tournament Marine Corps League, Detachment 1311, in Woodstock will hold the 11th annual MSgt. George “Rip” and Barbara Masters Charity Golf Tournament April 26 at Cobblestone Golf Course (4200 Nance Road) in Acworth. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 9 a.m. The fundraiser benefits the Marine Corps League scholarship fund for Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps ( JROTC) cadets, Eagle Scouts and Marine and Marine Corps League Detachment 1311 dependents in Cobb and Cherokee Counties who have achieved academic excellence and have demonstrated superior leadership qualities. In the past 10 years, the event has raised more than $40,000 in scholarships for local youths to further their education. A continental breakfast will be provided, along with lunch, carts and range balls. There will be awards given for first, second and third place teams, in addition to longest drive, straightest drive and closest to the pin honors. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, or to register to play, visit www.mcl1311woodstockga.org or email tournament director Ron Welborn at rwwelborn@comcast.net.
Celebrations! ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE FREE!
Email to: Edit@AroundaboutMagazines.com March deadline is Feb. 14. Please specify Around Acworth.
Madeline Montaña
Age 4 on Feb. 23 Happy birthday Madeline! Love, Mom, Dad and Charlotte
Olivia McCowey
Age 13 on Feb. 1 Happy 13th birthday Welcome to your teenage years! We love you! G-mommy and Paw-Paw
Josephine and Joshua Tay
Josephine, Age 5 on Feb. 25 Joshua, Age 1 on Feb. 28 Happy birthday Josephine and Joshua! God bless you both. We love you, Mom and Dad.
Chandler Hearing
Age 18 on Feb. 14 Happy 18th birthday! I am so proud of you! Love, Mom
AROUND ACWORTH | February 2021
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Local News Free Construction Career Training Available The Construction Ready training program can have you career-ready with eight industry recognized credentials in a few weeks. Since 2014, the program has trained and placed more than 1,000 people in full-time, livingwage careers with construction companies throughout metro Atlanta, with a 97% job-placement rate for graduates. Training is free to eligible applicants. Construction Ready is a program started by CEFGA, a nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals gain skills necessary to pursue a career in construction. For more information, visit www.constructionready.org.
Uno celebrated his retirement with a ceremony during a Board of Aldermen meeting.
K-9 Officer Retires From Duty The Acworth Police Department’s K-9 Officer Uno officially retired Jan. 22 in a special ceremony during the City Council meeting. Uno served the Acworth community for 11 years and assisted a number of officers and other law enforcement agencies with multiple cases whenever he was called on. He will remain with his partner-handler for the remainder of his days, enjoying his well-deserved retirement. The police department thanks Dr. Doug Singleton with OrthoZone, Dr. T. Carmichael with Lake City Animal Hospital and everyone that supports the Acworth K-9 unit. 10
AROUND ACWORTH | February 2021
It’s Almost Time for Readers’ Choice 2021 Aroundabout Local Media’s annual Readers’ Choice always is a great time to show support for your favorite local businesses. However, now, more than ever, we want to thank those business owners who operate restaurants where we can grab a delicious meal (or pick up curbside), service centers that keep our cars in tune, individuals who help educate our children and care for our pets, and medical facilities who’ve faced an inordinate number of challenges over the past year. Polling opens at 9 a.m. March 1, and ends at 5 p.m. March 31. Visit www. aroundacworthmagazine.com and, with a click of your mouse, you will be directed to the voting site. Follow the prompts and cast your vote for your favorite small businesses.
Make sure your vote counts by following these guidelines.
1. Spell the business name correctly. 2. Include the address, including ZIP code, of the business you are nominating. 3. Make sure you vote for a business in the 30101, 30102, 30144 and 30152 ZIP codes. 4. Vote in as few or as many categories as you’d like. There isn’t a minimum number of votes required for your votes to count. 5. No more than five votes per category will be accepted from each IP address.
K-9 Officer Uno and Sergeant Jason Larocque, his handler and teammate for nine years.
Let’s keep the focus of Readers’ Choice on local small businesses and celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit. Winners will be announced in the May issue. Businesses will not be notified ahead of time. Everyone will find out at the same time. Happy voting!
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Local News
Upcoming Public Meetings CobbTV makes it easy to stay up-todate on all of the happenings of Cobb County government. Many public meetings and hearings are broadcast live, and are available on YouTube and video on demand. To learn more, visit www.cobbcounty.org/cobbtv. • Public hearing for 2021 code amendments, 9 a.m., Feb. 9 • Board of Commissioners regular meeting, 9 a.m., Feb. 9 • Board of Zoning Appeals variance hearing, 1 p.m., Feb. 10 • Board of Commissioners zoning hearing, 9 a.m., Feb. 16
The finished bench project at Lake McDonald.
MPCS Freshman Earns Eagle Scout Rank
Mount Paran Christian School (MPCS) freshman Conner Graham recently earned the Eagle Scout award, the highest advancement award from the Boy Scouts of America. Graham is a founding member of Troop 2269, which was started at MPCS in March 2017. He is also the first member of the troop to earn the coveted Eagle Scout award. For his Eagle project, Graham built six benches Mount Paran freshman that are placed around Lake McDonald on the Conner Graham earned his MPCS campus. He chose this project to give back Eagle Scout award. to the school community, in hopes that all who visit the school will use the benches to enjoy the picturesque campus views. As part of his project, Graham had to develop a plan, seek approval from the school and Boy Scouts of America, fundraise, execute his plan with volunteers, and document the process. Since its inception in 1911, only 4% of Scouts have earned the rank of Eagle. Requirements include living by the Scout Oath and Scout Law, progressing through seven ranks, completing at least 21 merit badges, serving in key positions of responsibility, completing an Eagle Scout project, and passing an extensive review process.
Tax Help Available for Business Owners The Cobb Tax Assessor’s Office staff has developed measures to assist taxpayers during the pandemic. All business owners are reminded that they can file personal property tax returns online. E-filing is available now through April 1. Please use the PIN on the preprinted form and this link: www.cobbassessor.org/e-file-business-personal-property-returns. The Assessor’s Office staff encourages taxpayers who have questions to email cobbtaxassessor@cobbcounty.org. Allow one business day to receive a response. 12
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Donations Needed to Help Local Seniors Cobb Senior Services staff is preparing to resume drive-through food distribution events. You can help feed seniors in our county by donating needed food and supplies. CSS staff currently is accepting donations by appointment only. Please do not leave any items outside. Call 770-528-2009 to schedule a time for drop-off. To donate financially, click “Donate” at CobbSeniors.org. Needed items: • Peanut butter (small) • Fruit cups/dried fruit • Juice boxes • Cereal (small/individual serving boxes) • Shelf-stable milk • Canned meat (chicken, tuna, ham, etc.) • Rice (microwaveable box or package) • Mashed potato flakes • Soup (small cans or cups) • Canned vegetables • Macaroni and cheese • Spaghetti O’s/Ravioli (small cans) • Paper towels • Toilet paper Please, no glass containers or large/ family-size items.
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A Message from the F
ebruary is Black History Month, and we, in the city of Acworth, can think of no better way to celebrate than to visit newly opened Doyal Hill Park. Located adjacent to the Rosenwald School, this park serves as an outdoor interpretive history area featuring public art honoring our community’s rich African American History. Hill Park bears the name of Acworth’s first African American alderman, Mr. Doyal Hill, who was elected in 1983 and served 12 years. I know the current aldermen would agree that it takes courage to run for public office under the best of circumstances. I cannot imagine the courage it took for Alderman Hill to follow his calling to serve our city. While visiting Doyal Hill Park, we encourage you to take a moment to read the interpretive history exhibit panels found along the walkway. The content for this historical exhibition was done in partnership with Kennesaw State University’s Special Projects unit in the Department of Museums, Archives and Rare Books. The exhibit panels tell the story of Acworth’s Black community through the testimony of its past and present residents. The park also features a new sculpture from Ron Huffman, and a plaza. It is a treasure that is free to the public, and we are so excited to have it in our city (see Page 18 for more information). Doyal Hill Park partially surrounds the Rosenwald School Community Center, which is home to its own unique history. In 1912, Julius Rosenwald, vice president of Sears, Roebuck and Co., and Booker T. Washington worked together to build schools for African American students throughout the rural South. Acworth’s Rosenwald School originally was located on School Street, and served as Acworth’s only African American School 1925-48. It was dismantled and moved to Cherokee Street in 1953 to serve as a community center. This historical site soon will begin renovations, using funding from the Community Development Block Grant. If you want to do something special with your special someone this Valentine’s Day, you can’t fail to impress with a romantic dinner at one of Acworth’s chef-driven
restaurants. Try one of our new culinary additions, such as 1885 Grill or Red Top Brewhouse, or visit one of our classic favorites, such as Henry’s, Fusco’s Via Roma or Fish Thyme (see Page 52). Whichever dining destination you choose for your romantic evening, you’re sure to have a night you won’t forget soon. With social distance guidelines in place, many of our downtown restaurants are operating at limited seating capacity, so reservations are recommended. If you’re not quite ready to dine out, treat your family to takeout. Your support will mean so much to our local businesses, and you will be able to relax and enjoy a special meal with your loved ones. Valentine’s Day may be a holiday to celebrate romantic love, but we want to take this time to focus on those who love and serve their community. We have a dedicated city team that demonstrates its love of Acworth and its residents daily. Whether it’s our Acworth Power and Public Works Department working long hours to ensure power is returned during an outage, or the Acworth Police Department keeping our roads and homes safe during dangerous winter weather, we need to remember these acts of service are done out of love. The Save Acworth History Foundation showed its love of our heritage through its work in restoring Acworth Christian Church. This landmark is one of the oldest structures in Acworth, and through the generosity and love of local donors, now has an updated façade, stained glass windows, wiring and more. These acts from our partners and city team are only a few examples of the love I see in this community. As we continue to navigate through these challenging times, it is important to remember to love one another. We must not act out of fear. “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear,” says 1 John 4:18-29. I have faith that we will move forward together through our love of one another. God bless, Tommy
Tommy Allegood was elected to Acworth’s city council in 2000 and has served as mayor since 2002. He is a community builder who is purposed to make it count!
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Community members participate in a unity walk from Roberts School Community and Education Center to the Acworth Community Center.
Smiling behind their masks, Lillie Smart, Nancy Daniell, Joyce Miller, Carol Brown and Jane Bailey. 16
AROUND ACWORTH | February 2021
Mayor Tommy Allegood speaks to the audience during the MLK Day ceremony.
Celebrating His Life and Legacy
Martin Luther King Jr. PHOTOS BY BRITTANY WEIR
Acworth held its eighth annual MLK Day celebration Jan. 18. Festivities began with a unity walk, followed by a ceremony at the Acworth Community Center featuring speaker Earnest Davis, and a presentation by the Acworth Achievers Mentoring and After School Program. After the program, the Acworth Achievers were not able to host their usual community day of service. Instead, members of the community were encouraged to spend the remainder of the day “as a day on, not a day off,” and volunteer time or resources to help improve the community.
In-person attendees practice social distancing, while the annual MLK Day program is streamed online for folks at home.
Featured speaker Earnest Davis encourages the audience to think about the question, “What are you doing for others?”
Lisa Thiongo, Ben Nganga, Lisa Gachie and Ivy Gachie pose for a photo. AROUND ACWORTH | February 2021
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Doyal Hudson Hill in the 1970s.
A Look at
Doyal Hill Park
Curating Black Acworth’s Rich Cultural Past BY JAMES NEWBERRY
At the Doyal Hill Park dedication in December, I held my breath as the park’s sculptural centerpiece and outdoor exhibit were unveiled. The panel-based exhibit, titled “Our Side of the Tracks,” lines a path from Cherokee Street to the Rosenwald School Community Center, and explores Acworth’s historic Black community.
My team at Kennesaw State University curated the exhibit and made use of photographs and stories shared by members of the community, many of whom were present at the dedication. Contributing their time and trust in a tumultuous year, community members made “Our Side of the Tracks” a better exhibit, personalizing stories of their ancestors and broadening our knowledge of Acworth. City Alderman Tim Houston long dreamed of the Hill Park site as a place to commemorate the early history of Black people in Acworth and to serve as an anchor for the community’s landmarks. Growing up on School Street in the 1960s, Houston saw the impact of Acworth’s economic decline on historically Black neighborhoods northeast of the railroad tracks. By the 1990s, downtown revitalization plans included proposals for expanded interstate access that threatened homes in the aging community and later began a wave of redevelopment. Addressing the need for youth programs and promoting a sense of place, Houston led a successful effort to save Roberts School, and later worked with preservationists to restore the Rosenwald School Community Center, now part of the Hill Park site. Houston’s half-brother, Doyal Hudson Hill, was the first Black elected official in Acworth; he was elected in 1983. His path from a sharecropper’s farm to five terms on the city’s previously all-white Board of Aldermen showed persistence and grace. “Dad always made it sound like everybody embraced him,” said Hill’s son, Eugene, who lives in Fairburn. “Dad just didn’t notice obstacles. I don’t think I could’ve done it, but he was old school.” Eugene Hill shared photographs of his father as a younger man whose pursuit of Black representation in local government would come to equal his long-term engagement with the needs of his community. “You wouldn’t believe how Acworth has changed,” said former resident Helen Hill, a relative of Doyal Hill through marriage, who sold her Taylor Street home to the city in the 2010s, making way for Logan Farm Park. When she visits Acworth today, Hill barely recognizes the neighborhood she adored as a child growing up in the 1940s. She misses the tight-knit community that developed there in the century after the Civil War, nurturing multiple generations of her family and inspiring the “Our Side of the Tracks” exhibit. My part in the Hill Park project began last summer, when Parks, Recreation and Community Resources Director James Albright contacted my office in the Museums, Archives and Rare Books Department at Kennesaw State. As part of my work, I develop local exhibits, archival collections and education programs with my colleague, research specialist Kelly Hoomes, a former recreation leader for the city of Acworth. Our Continued on Page 20
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AROUND ACWORTH | February 2021
Alderman Tim Houston, Mayor Tommy Allegood and artist Ron Huffman in front of the sculpture Huffman designed for Doyal Hill Park.
HILL PARK PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE CITY OF ACWORTH.
Visitors enjoy the “Our Side of the Tracks” panel-based exhibit at the park’s December grand opening.
Doyal Hill’s children, Eugene Hill and Darlene Almon, along with other family members, were on hand for the park’s ribbon cutting. AROUND ACWORTH | February 2021
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HISTORIC PHOTOS COURTESY OF KSU ARCHIVES.
Tim Houston and Bruce Houston in September 1959, at the School Street housing projects.
team began work on the Hill Park exhibit in June, as the COVID-19 pandemic raged and protests over police shootings of Black men and women challenged the nation’s conscience. For our research, we drew on materials provided by the city, property records, historic newspapers, local archives and oral history interviews archived at Kennesaw State. Our most valuable source was a sprawling community of current and former Acworth residents, who chatted with us over the phone or hosted us for socially distanced visits on porches, and in carports and driveways. Throughout the course of developing the exhibit, we contacted more than 50 individuals and visited 15 across metro Atlanta. Beverly Patton’s name came up numerous times as our team began reaching out to members of the community. She coordinated the Black Acworth Community Homecoming celebration for more than a decade, and contributed to Patrice Shelton Lassiter’s book project, “A Place to Remember: A Journey of African Americans in Cobb County, Georgia.” Patton shared more than 150 photographs for use in the Hill Park exhibit, but, more significantly, her outsized contribution created the basis for a permanent digital collection of photographs and other materials documenting the historic Black community in Acworth. Now archived at Kennesaw State University, the Historic Black Acworth Image Collection is an ongoing digitization project that includes more than 465 images accessible to view online at soar.kennesaw.edu. The Historic Black Acworth Image Collection and the new “Our Side of the Tracks” exhibit at Hill Park illustrate how the exhibit development process can change through the engagement of community members and stakeholders. While I worried what guests at the park’s dedication in December would think of this or that image, quote or story, I soon realized that the exhibit no longer belonged to me or the curatorial team. After the unveiling, we gave up any remaining control over the project to the individuals and families that made it possible. James Newberry is the special projects curator for the Department of Museums, Archives and Rare Books at Kennesaw State University.
Doyal Hill and son Eugene, circa the 1990s. 20
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Break Out the King Cake BY RYAN BLYTHE
As a Mobile, Alabama, native who owns a second home in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, Mardi Gras is one of my favorite times of the year. Of course, due to the pandemic, some Mardi Gras balls and parades are being canceled, but they certainly will be back, bigger than ever in 2022. It is not unprecedented for the show to be postponed. It happened for several years during World War II and again in 1951 during the Korean War. I recently returned from the Gulf Coast with King Cakes from Rouses Market, Abita Mardi Gras Bock and Zapp’s Spicy Cajun Chips. My colleagues were happy to see me, especially those with ties to Louisiana and Mississippi. Through the years, I have attended several balls in Mobile and parades,
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including Joe Cain and the Mother of Mystics. Joe Cain is credited with bringing the modern Mardi Gras celebrations to Mobile after visiting New Orleans in 1867. The Mother of Mystics is considered the oldest Creole style carnival with origins dating to Dec. 24, 1830. Our country’s Mardi Gras story began in March 1699, when French Canadian explorer Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville arrived south of New Orleans and named the land Pointe du Mardi Gras after the festive holiday. In 1702, Bienville established another fort, in what is now Mobile. A year later, this small settlement celebrated America’s first Mardi Gras. The Masque de la Mobile was created in 1704 and became the first secret society in America. It was replaced in 1710 by the Boeuf Gras Society, which
was a more successful parade and lasted for 150 years until the Civil War. A unique celebration included a bull’s head pulled along on wheels by more than a dozen men. That tradition was later replaced by an actual bull clothed in white to signal the coming Lenten fast. Bienville went on to establish New Orleans, and by the 1730s Mardi Gras had become an annual celebration. Later, Louisiana Governor Marquis de Vaudreuil started the balls and the modern Mardi Gras celebration that we see today. In the 1830s street processions began with masks, carriages and horseback riders. This was followed by the impressive floats, which the Mistick Krewe of Comus brought in 1856. Krewe members would stay masked on floats and at balls to protect their anonymity. The second Krewe, the Twelfth Night Revelers, formed in 1870. They are responsible for the famous “throws.” In 1875, Fat Tuesday became an official holiday in New Orleans, as it remains today. If you have never attended Mardi Gras, start with a visit to the Mobile Carnival Museum to understand the history and traditions. Unlike New Orleans, Mobile has a more family-friendly celebration.
Ryan Blythe, founder of Georgia Trade School in Acworth, grew up on the Gulf Coast and visits frequently.
Treat Hearing Loss Sooner Than Later BY DR. MARY SWANTEK
Now that 2021 is underway, it is a good time to reflect on the previous year, especially the past few months. How did the holidays go? Were you able to follow along with family conversations, or did you feel left out because you couldn’t hear what was being said? Not being able to hear can lead to negative consequences, such as reduced social interactions, depression and cognitive decline. The first step to determine if you need hearing healthcare is to have your hearing checked by a licensed doctor of audiology. This is a quick and painless office visit to establish a hearing baseline that can be used to compare to future tests. At age 50, you should have an initial hearing test. If it is determined you have hearing loss that can be treated with hearing aids, your audiologist can talk to you about your options. Sometimes, hearing loss is better treated with medication or surgery, at which point you will be referred to an ear, nose and throat physician. It is important to remember that the sooner your hearing loss is treated, the more successful hearing aids will be. If you are on the fence about having your hearing checked, ask yourself these questions:
• Do people seem to mumble or speak in a softer voice than they used to? • Do you feel tired or irritable after a lengthy conversation? • Do you sometimes miss key words in a sentence or frequently ask people to repeat themselves? • When you are in a group or crowded area, is it difficult to follow the conversation? • Do you need to turn the sound up on the TV or radio louder than your family likes? • Is carrying on a telephone conversation difficult? • Has someone close to you mentioned you may have a problem hearing?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, it’s time to schedule a hearing evaluation.
Dr. Mary Swantek joined North Georgia Audiology in 2019. She earned her doctorate degree from the University of Florida and her bachelor’s degree from Valdosta State University.
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UPCOMING EVENTS Feb. 9 Morning Jolt
7:45-9 a.m. The Cowan Historic Mill 4271 Southside Drive Networking event that focuses on exchanging referrals with one another. Coffee and breakfast provided.
Feb. 11 Alive After Five
5:30-7:30 p.m. The Cowan Historic Mill 4271 Southside Drive
Feb. 18 Women’s Network
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. The Cedars 4610 Northside Drive
Feb. 23 Morning Jolt
7:45-9 a.m. The Cowan Historic Mill 4271 Southside Drive
March 4 ABA Luncheon
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Acworth Community Center 4361 Cherokee St.
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How to Get Connected BY KIM WIGINGTON
We all need to feel connected to a community. As we have learned during the past year, isolation is not good for us. Our physical and mental health decline, and we lose touch. People need connections to other people. It seems counterintuitive, but connecting with a community begins by connecting with individuals. In Malcolm Gladwell’s book, “The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference,” Gladwell asserts that Paul Revere’s midnight ride changed history, because Revere knew which people would best spread the word. He knocked on the right doors and told the right people. Revere was a connector, and he had the personal relationships he needed to connect with the right people that night. As president of the Acworth Business Association (ABA) this
year, I am challenging myself to get to know the other members as individuals. Knowing someone in a group is much different than knowing them as a person. Truth be told, I am much more comfortable in front of a large group than I am one-on-one with new people. However, if I don’t get to know the individuals, I won’t get to know the group. My challenge to you, and to myself, is to find a way to safely have lunch or coffee, or even a phone conversation, with someone new at least once a month this year. Find out what makes them tick. Then, personally introduce them to someone else you know. Be a connector. How do you meet these people? Join the ABA at AcworthBusiness.org, and share our strength. RSVP online for events to guarantee your seat. We are Acworth, moving forward, united and strong.
Kim Wigington is the president of the ABA, and serves as chairwoman of the Acworth Downtown Development Authority. She is the founder and director of Brookwood Christian School. She and her husband have lived in Acworth for 16 years and have two adult daughters.
FEAR
Is Not the Boss of Me BY J.R. LEE
People are being buried under an avalanche of fear. COVID-19 combined with a heated political climate has left us dazed and confused. Add those two to the fear of failure, rejection, leading meaningless lives, retirement, health concerns, losing those we love, and not knowing what to expect for the future of our country, and that dazed and confused feeling is understandable. We were not created to live that way. That’s one reason the most common command we see throughout the Bible is, “Do not be afraid.” Jesus talked about fear often. So much so, it almost sounds naive. Reading the words “fear not” when scrolling through CNN or Fox News seems a little bit disingenuous. I’ll be honest. There are times I read those words and look toward heaven only to say, “How can you tell me that when I am seeing what I’m seeing and hearing what I’m hearing?” You’ve probably been there as well. It’s important to note God didn’t say don’t feel afraid. He said don’t be afraid. In other words, just because you have fear doesn’t mean fear has to have you. I have three kids, two girls and a boy. Lexi and London are older than Bryce, and years ago would constantly act as if they were his mom rather than his sisters. It drove him insane, and, at least five times a day, I would hear him yelling, “You’re not the boss of me!” Has fear been bossing you around? It’s time to yell back, “Fear, you’re not the boss of me!” It’s easier said than done, but there are two things you can do to help you put that into practice. You are an overcomer. You aren’t going to fall in that trap any longer. You are going to look in the mirror every morning and preach to yourself that “fear is not the boss of me!” J.R. Lee is the lead pastor of Freedom Church, with locations in Acworth and Kennesaw. www.FreedomChurch.tv. www.JRLee.tv. 770-529-6006.
1.
Pray for Protection
Let’s replace panic with prayer, and choose faith over fear. You can do this even if you don’t consider yourself a follower of Jesus. What do you have to lose at this point? If you want something different, you have to do something different. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7 It’s possible the reason you aren’t experiencing peace is because you’re presenting your requests to social media, or your fear-filled friends, instead of God, who can actually do something about it. Pray about the big stuff. Pray about the small stuff. Just pray about all of it.
2.
Preach Peace
Words matter! Rehearsing the “what-ifs” and rehashing the fear that is being force-fed from all directions will wreak havoc on your life. Fear will continue to dominate, if you don’t take proactive measures. We need to hear the truth over and over again. You need to preach it to yourself every day just to combat what is so easy to consume. Preach to yourself that “God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7 Preach to yourself that you will choose faith because it brings peace, and reject fear because it brings panic. Preach to yourself that fear makes us selfish, causes us to lose touch with reality, and drives us to isolation and incessant worry. AROUND ACWORTH | February 2021
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Get Ready for
SPRING BY MASTER GARDENER EXTENSION VOLUNTEER JUDY ABBOTT
All the brown foliage on ornamental grasses, like pampas grass, should be pruned before early March to allow for new growth in the spring. 26
AROUND ACWORTH | February 2021
There is nothing like a new year to motivate us for a fresh start. I can’t wait to throw open the windows, and let the fresh air clear out the past year! While our first instinct is to begin inside our homes, let’s not forget what’s happening outside. For all of us who like to play in the dirt, Walter Reeves (www. walterreeves.com) provides some expert tips on getting our gardens ready for spring. Your first step is a soil test if you haven’t tested your soil in two or more years. One of the keys to maintaining a healthy lawn and garden is a proper pH level. PH indicates the acidity or alkalinity of your soil ranging from 1 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Below 7 is acidic while pH above 7 is alkaline. Either extreme prevents plants from utilizing the fertilizer you apply. Typically, most ornamental plants prefer a pH range of 5.2-6.5 while vegetable gardens prefer 6.0-6.5. For information on how to soil test, visit www.cobbmastergardeners.com. Remember to remove any tree supports (guy-wires, stakes and trunk wraps) from small trees that were planted last fall. Support staking and ties hold the tree upright until it can stand alone and is only meant to be temporary. If left unchecked, ties can cause damage to tender bark or girdle the expanding trunk. Prune all the brown foliage on ornamental grasses (pampas, maiden grass, etc.) to allow room for new growth. Cut pampas grass down to 12-18 inches high and maiden grass to 8-10 inches high through early March. Make sure any dead plume stems in the center are removed and avoid rounding the top of the clump, either of which will prohibit new growth. The best time to trim liriope, also known as monkey grass, is January through March.
If new growth hasn’t started, you can use either a lawn mower on its highest setting, a hedge trimmer or weed eater to trim old growth. If you see new growth, trim just above any new sprouts. An extensive list of recommended pruning times is available at www.walterreeves.com by searching “shrub pruning calendar.” Now is the time to clean out bird boxes, so they will be ready to welcome new families in a few weeks. For more information on preparing for birds, their nesting habitats and installing a nest cam, visit https://nestwatch.org. So, after you spring clean the inside of your home, don’t forget to head outside and give your yard a spring cleaning to ensure it’s ready for a successful growing season!
Peace of Mind We’re here to help you meet your financial goals.
Spring Plant Sales
• Pre-orders will be taken through March 5 for the Cobb 4-H Plant Sale Fundraiser. Plants are sold on a first come, first serve basis with limited quantities of all varieties. Plants can be picked up March 20. Find the 2021 plant sale brochure and order form at https://extension.uga.edu/countyoffices/cobb or call the Cobb County Extension Office at 770-528-4070. • The Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County (MGVOCC) Annual Plant Sale and Expo is tentatively scheduled for April 16-17. Visit the MGVOCC website for updates. The MGVOCC 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.
Growing Virtually
MGVOCC and the UGA Cooperative Extension Service present a web series focused on maintaining a healthy garden. The free horticultural education programs are available, via Zoom, the third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
Feb. 16 — Proper Pruning March 16 — What’s Bugging Your Garden? April 20 — Common Plant Diseases Visit www.cobbmastergardeners.com to register and receive Zoom access information.
Connect with Federally Credit Union of Georgia Insured by NCUA to discover financial oppons made for YOUR life. From checking to savings to loans, we have you covered. Let us help you reach your financial goals. It’s easy to join today!
Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County is a part of the University of Georgia Extension in Marietta.
678-486-1111
www.CUofGA.org AROUND ACWORTH | February 2021
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Breaking Ground on Innovative Space for Future Learners
M
ount Paran Christian School (MPCS) is set to break ground this month on its new high school expansion. The Murray Innovation Center has been designed thoughtfully, to be a purposeful educational facility, housing radical spaces to learn, test, collaborate, grow and “think outside the box.” With technology and STEAM-related industries booming, students need to be equipped to tackle real-world problems. Critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication will be nurtured within the new center and are the required skill sets to ensure future success for this generation upon graduation. Since MPCS moved to its current campus 16 years ago, the high school has experienced tremendous growth in enrollment. There were 138 high school students in 2003, compared with 436 students in 2020 — all while housed primarily in Dozier Hall, which was built to accommodate 250 students. According to school officials, the space demands created by increased enrollment and a shifting curricular emphasis urgently required a state-of-the-art addition, providing needed facilities for bright, committed and God-honoring students.
Through the architectural design process, MPCS thoughtfully has evaluated the current buildings on campus, as well as the needs for future learners, resulting in a final construction plan that includes innovations for enhanced programming and instruction. The plan provides for a two-story addition to the current Dozier Hall high school building, adding 23,551 square feet of innovative space that almost will double the size of the current facility. The plan also includes renovations to an existing 5,669 square feet in Dozier Hall and an existing 2,547 square feet in the Murray Arts Center. With the arts center’s lower-level renovation, the visual arts classes will join the rest of the award-winning MPCS arts department under one roof. In a student-led design process, the final architectural plans for the Murray Innovation Center kept MPCS’s four core values in mind.
1.
Christ-Centered
The building’s site plan captures the beauty of God’s creation by maximizing the picturesque vistas across campus, from views of neighboring Kennesaw
An exterior rendering of the Murray Innovation Center.
1275 Stanley Road, Kennesaw, GA 30152 | 770-578-0 28
AROUND ACWORTH | February 2021
Mountain to outdoor classroom locations along the waterfront of the six-acre Lake McDonald. The plan also includes spaces for quiet reflection, prayer and discipleship.
2.
Learning Focused
The new innovation center offers improved layouts for student experiences in every discipline, with features to enrich education, including a dedicated space for a robotics field for the state-championshipwinning Eagle Robotics teams, additional classroom spaces, new science labs, a digital lab, a makerspace and a fabrication lab. The center also offers collaborative teacher offices, four additional academic classrooms that will be available for use by all content areas and a collegiate-style, technology-rich classroom available for all teachers. Notably, the commons area of the new building will include a permanent home for the Roost Cafe, a coffee shop that is operated entirely by the high school entrepreneurship class. The Roost will be open daily and managed by students, providing real-world, hands-on learning experience in product development, vendor-relationships, inventory, e-commerce, production, customer service and sales.
3.
Community Oriented
The school’s 68-acre campus has a collegiate feel, which makes sense for the college-preparatory school that teaches students in grades preschool age 3 through high school. The collegiate feel will continue with the new center’s commons area, coffee shop and outdoor quad. These new areas were designed with a clear goal of providing spaces for community gatherings
0182 | www.mtparanschool.com |
and school-wide events. The building also will include meeting spaces with modern, mobile furniture for high school clubs, as well as informal areas for the organic connections opportunities that arise at a school such as MPCS, which is well-known for its sense of community, according to school families.
4.
A rendering of the commons area inside the Murray Innovation Center.
Pursuers of Excellence
Every stakeholder was consulted during the years-long design process, from students and parents to board members, faculty and staff, and industry experts. No stone was left unturned in imagining the possibilities of these truly ingenious spaces for learning, said MPCS administration. The result is a final design plan that provides robust labs and inventive spaces to inspire high school students to continue in their pursuit of excellence in all areas. According to MPCS officials, the final design of the new innovation center is a culmination of answered prayers, unique creativity and collective ideas birthed from visionary thought. Head of High School Tawanna Rusk said, “This new learning and collaborative space will afford our students the opportunity to discover new passions, solve problems for our community, and impact the world as Christian leaders. The abundance of blessings that will flow from this space is limitless, as is our children’s potential.” The school looks forward to welcoming students to the new space in the spring semester of 2022. Through the Murray Innovation Center, MPCS will be able to expand its ability to create meaningful learning experiences, supporting their core values while defining what true academic excellence embodies in the future.
Sponsored Content
@MountParanChristianSchool |
@mtparanschool AROUND ACWORTH | February 2021
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Making a Choice Without Considering Needs, Lifestyle
There is no universal best type of flooring for everybody. Different types of floors will hold up differently depending on factors such as traffic, pets, kids, etc. Knowing your family’s lifestyle and picking a flooring that fits into that lifestyle is something that a lot of people don’t consider. For example, picking a high gloss hardwood floor when you have young kids and pets is setting the floor up for failure. All floors have pros and cons. You need to take the time to determine which product will best meet your needs (lifestyle, budget, appearance, maintenance, etc.) with the fewest concerns. Spend time talking with flooring professionals, and be honest about what you do not like about your current floor, and then listen to the recommendations and advice. Be open to products you have not considered.
Not Understanding What You Are Buying
Flooring Mistakes to Avoid BY ELISABETH STUBBS
Shopping for new floors? Worried you will make an expensive mistake? You’re not alone – most people feel that way! This is something you probably never have done before. With so many choices, and so much information to absorb, there are a few flooring mistakes to avoid.
Elisabeth Stubbs is one of the owners of Enhance Floors and More, one of Atlanta’s top-rated flooring dealers, located in Marietta.
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Picking a new floor can be daunting. There are hundreds of products, and you want to make sure you are getting the best quality product for your budget. For example, all carpet is not the same, just like all cars are not exactly the same. A 30-ounce polyester carpet is totally different, and less costly, than a 65-ounce nylon carpet, just like a Kia is not at all like a Rolls Royce. The more you know, the easier it will be to make the best choice for your home.
Skimping on Installation
You can buy the best quality product on the market, but if it’s installed incorrectly, there will be problems, and it will not last as long as it should. It is important to do research on installation. You are paying a lot of money to put in new floors, so you want them to be installed correctly. When choosing an installer, make sure they are familiar with the product and have experience dealing with that product. You want your investment to last for years, so don’t cheat yourself by cutting corners with installation. The very best installers usually do not install a wide variety of products; most specialize in certain areas in order to be a true craftsman. Following this advice will help you make the best choice for your home.
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This Month in
Acworth
Valentine’s Day Traditions Through the Years
BY ABBIE PARKS
Above, the cover of Mrs. L. Burke’s “The Illustrated Language of Flowers,” published in London in 1858. Right, Kate Greenaway’s “Illustrations in Color” provides insight into a wide array of flowers that convey special meanings.
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The celebration of Valentine’s Day dates to the ancient days of Rome. Legends and folklore abound about its origins. But, the modern day Valentine’s Day customs and traditions easily can be traced to mid-18th century England. Sending cards, or “valentines,” or presenting a vast array of sweet delights, or sending flowers as a romantic expression quickly spread to other English speaking countries. Early valentines were handmade cards with lace and sketches with romantic verses or poetry. By the late 1790s, you could find a collection of suggested sentimental verses published for use by young lovers unable to compose their own. Mechanical valentines were assembled in British factories in the early 19th century, meeting the demand as the holiday became popular. These valentines were made with real lace and ribbons, until paper lace was introduced mid-century. The romantics in the U.S. could purchase the first mass-produced valentines, made of embossed paper lace, in the late 1840s in Massachusetts. By the 20th century, these Valentine’s Day customs had spread widely throughout the world and became popular in many East Asian countries. Singapore’s amorous top the list of big spenders, along with the Chinese and South Koreans. Candy soon joined the Valentine’s Day celebrations. In 1868, the British chocolate company Cadbury sold a decorated box of chocolates in the shape of a heart for Valentine’s Day, and boxes of filled chocolates quickly became associated with the holiday. In the second half of the 20th century, the practice of exchanging cards was extended to all manner of gifts, such as giving jewelry. With almost 200 million Valentines cards sent annually, half are given to family members. If
History
An example of an ornate Victorian Valentine’s Day card.
you consider the valentine exchanges at schools, the figure goes up to almost 1 billion. My favorite valentine tradition is giving and receiving flowers. Sentiments expressed through flowers joined confections and cards as a popular part of Valentine’s Day customs. Whether alone, or in a complicated arrangement, flowers started being shared to say what could not be said. Giving flowers rose to popularity in Victorian times, when feelings were repressed and discouraged. To a Victorian lady, the carnation would represent fascination, the geranium gentility, and the dahlia instability. Some of the associations between feelings and flowers persist today. The rose, of course, represents love. As its name suggests, baby’s breath represents innocence and purity of heart. Though the small white blossoms are used to honor loved ones of all ages, they’re particularly appropriate after the death of a child. Forget-me-nots represent true love, and the hope of being remembered forever. Multiple volumes were published during the mid-1800s to document the language of flowers, and they remain an interesting read today. In 1858, “The Illustrated Language of Flowers” was compiled and edited by Mrs. L. Burke. What Valentine’s Day traditions are you going to try this year?
Abbie Parks, an Acworth resident, coauthored pictorial essays on regional history and collaborated on a book celebrating Acworth’s 150th birthday that featured anecdotal history and family photographs.
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Celebrating
at Home BY TIFFANY HUGHES
In years past, Valentine’s Day meant getting reservations at a nice restaurant. This year might include celebrating in the comfort of your own home, but you still can have a nice meal. Cooking for someone is a great way to show how much you love and appreciate them, and it is not as hard as you might think.
Preparing homemade candy will add a wow factor.
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Steak
Just because a dish looks elegant does not mean it was difficult to prepare. Choose your preferred cut of steak, then heat a cast iron pan over high heat. When the pan is hot, add a tablespoon of butter (one per steak), then add the meat as soon as the butter is melted. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper, and cook for approximately 2-3 minutes on one side before turning over. If the butter is gone before you turn the steaks, add more. Season the second side, and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Remove the pan from the burner and place it in a preheated 400-degree oven. Cook for about 10 minutes for medium rare, or longer, depending on the desired doneness. By searing the steak, you lock in the moisture. Serve topped with butter mixed with yellow or Dijon mustard. Add a baked potato or sweet potato, and a side salad.
Shrimp
Shrimp is easy to prepare, and can be presented in many ways. Boil it with Old Bay and garlic cloves, then serve with cocktail sauce (which can be made by adding horseradish to ketchup) for an appetizer. Instead of making traditional rumaki, a favorite appetizer from the 1970s with shrimp wrapped in bacon, try a quick and easy deconstructed rumaki. Add some olives and cheese cubes for an easy appetizer tray. For a main dish, toss cold boiled shrimp into a salad with mangoes and raspberry vinaigrette. Cooked pasta is another great vehicle for shrimp. Eight ounces of your favorite pasta will feed two people. Add in veggies, such as spinach, broccoli, mushrooms, carrots, red or yellow bell peppers, or another meat, such as bacon. Cheese is another option. Finally, consider the type of coating or sauce you’d like to use. A simple garlic butter is tasty and easy. Add 4 tablespoons of butter to the pan with your pasta mixture, along with 2 teaspoons of minced garlic. Stir until the butter is melted, then top with grated Parmesan cheese. Whole garlic cloves can be used; be sure to remove them before serving.
Pork
Pork loin is another versatile meat. For yummy pork tacos using a slow cooker, top the meat with one packet of dry ranch seasoning and 2 tablespoons each of onion powder, garlic powder and dry chicken bouillon. Place six whole pepperoncini peppers around the pork, then top it with one stick of butter. Cook on high heat for 4-5 hours, depending on the size of the meat. When the pork is done, shred and place on a baking sheet in a 425-degree oven for about 30 minutes, to make the pork crispy and more flavorful. Serve in flour tortillas with homemade slaw (a bag of coleslaw mix tossed with your favorite vinaigrette) or cooked cabbage, and topped with your choice of cheese. Pork tenderloin also can be sliced into medallions and baked, flat-side down, topped with raspberry-jalapeno jam (or your favorite flavor). Pork schnitzel can be made with the medallions, as well, but it really is easier to make using pork chops, to ensure they are the same size. Serve medallions or schnitzel with roasted red potatoes, pasta, sauerkraut and stewed apples.
Chicken
Chicken is a great option if you don’t have much time for meal prep. You can oven-fry your favorite pieces; just pat them dry before prepping them. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and place a cooling rack inside a baking sheet. Prepare your chicken by coating each piece in flour, mixed with seasoned salt and dry ranch or Italian seasoning. Dip the coated chicken in buttermilk, then dredge it in panko. Spray the cooling rack with cooking spray, and place the chicken on it, keeping the pieces separated, and bake for 30-45 minutes. The chicken is done when it is golden brown and the juices run clear.
Don’t Forget Dessert!
No Valentine’s is complete without chocolate, and preparing homemade candy will add a wow factor. Chocolate coconut candy is easy, and only requires three ingredients. In a medium bowl, stir one 14-ounce can of sweetened
condensed milk with 3 cups of shredded coconut. Press the mixture into candy molds or ice cube trays, or form logs or balls by hand. Lay on a baking sheet covered with wax paper, and freeze for 30 minutes. Remove from the freezer, and, using a fork, dip each piece into melted chocolate. Use either melting wafers or almond bark, because chocolate chips don’t melt smoothly. Lay them on waxed paper to harden. Another easy idea that will score you big brownie points is double chocolate cake with whipped peanut butter frosting. Prepare a box of your favorite chocolate cake mix, but add a box of chocolate pudding mix and a 12-ounce bag of chocolate chips. Bake according to the package directions, and allow to cool. Top with whipped peanut butter frosting.
Score big brownie points with a double chocolate cake covered in whipped peanut butter frosting.
The secret to a successful homemade Valentine’s Day meal is to cook something you and your special sweetheart like, whether or not it’s fancy. You can make the meal special by using the fancy dishes, and lighting candles. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Recipes continued on Page 36.
Tiffany Hughes is an Acworth resident and works for the Booth Western Art Museum. Contact her at creativecook11@yahoo.com.
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Whipped Peanut Butter Frosting Ingredients • • • •
cont’d Pork Schnitzel Ingredients
• 4 pork chops, fat removed • ½ cup of flour or finely-ground cornmeal • 4 tablespoons Montreal steak seasoning, divided • ¾ cup of buttermilk • ½ cup of panko breadcrumbs • canola oil for frying • lemon wedges for serving
Directions
Lay pork chops on a piece of wax paper. Use the bottom of a cast iron skillet, or a meat mallet, to flatten the chops to a half-inch thickness, and set aside. In a shallow container, combine the flour and 2 tablespoons steak seasoning. Pour buttermilk into a separate shallow container. In the third container, combine breadcrumbs and remaining steak seasoning. Place the cast iron pan on the stove and cover the bottom with oil. Turn heat to medium high. While the pan is heating, dredge each pork chop first in flour mixture, then buttermilk, then breadcrumb mixture. Place the meat in the pan once the oil begins to sizzle, and repeat. Cook for approximately 5 minutes on one side, then turn, and cook until golden brown. Remove and drain meat on paper towels. Serve with lemon wedges.
½ cup of creamy or crunchy peanut butter 1 stick of butter, softened 2 cups of powdered sugar 3 tablespoons of milk
Directions
Beat the peanut butter and butter in a bowl with an electric mixer for 2 minutes on medium speed, or until well blended. Add the powdered sugar and milk. Mix on low speed for 4 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Spread the mixture evenly over cake or brownies, and top with additional peanuts if desired.
Poppy Seed Chicken Ingredients • • • • • •
5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and cut into cubes 1 can of cream of chicken soup 8 ounces of plain Greek yogurt 1½ tablespoons of poppy seeds 2 cups of crushed butter crackers 1 stick of butter, melted
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and coat a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. In a medium bowl, mix together the chicken, soup, yogurt and half of the poppy seeds, then pour into the baking dish. In a separate bowl, combine the cracker crumbs with the melted butter and the remaining poppy seeds, and spread across the top of the chicken. Cover and bake for 15 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until golden brown.
Deconstructed Shrimp Rumaki Ingredients • • • •
½ cup of creamy or crunchy peanut butter 1 stick of butter, softened 2 cups of powdered sugar 3 tablespoons of milk
Directions
Cook bacon pieces in a large skillet. Remove from the pan when done, and lay on a paper towel to drain. Add the shrimp to the bacon renderings, and cook until pink (about 4 minutes). Add salt to taste. Lay water chestnuts on a tray, then top each with a piece of shrimp. Stick a toothpick through a piece of bacon, then secure it to the shrimp and water chestnut. Repeat for each piece of shrimp. Once all the rumaki are assembled, drizzle with teriyaki dressing and serve. 36
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? e v o L s I t a h W
Peyton, age 8
1. Valentine's Day is a day that you dance and give gifts. 2. You know someone loves you by hugs. 3. A good Valentine's gift is candy and toys to give.
Parker, age 3
Valentine’s Day Through The Eyes of a Child.
1. Heart. Two ones. 2. Mommy loves me. And, Daddy loves me. 3. Hearts and a bath bomb.
A
s we get older, we can find ourselves running out of ideas to celebrate those we love. To get a fresh perspective, we asked for advice from some well-known experts in our community - your kids! If you’re struggling with what to buy that special person in your life, or you’re not even sure they feel the same way you do, we hope the answers to the following questions will be helpful.
1. What is Valentine’s Day? 2. How do you know if someone loves you? 3. What’s a good Valentine’s Day gift?
Brady, age 9
1. You get gifts for everyone you know and love. 2. They look out for me. 3. Heart shaped candies
Gwennie, age 6
1. Valentine’s Day is where you have love and family over for food. 2. You know someone loves you if they give you a heart sign. 3. The best Valentine present is shoes with hearts on them. AROUND ACWORTH | February 2021
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What Is
Love?
Kylie, age 6
1. What is Valentine’s Day? 2. How do you know if someone
1. Love. 2. They hug you. 3. A dog and a cat.
loves you?
3. What’s a good Valentine’s Day gift?
Michael Gage, age 7
1. A day to celebrate something … I don’t know. Oh yeah. To love each other.
2. You ask! 3. Candy?? And love.
M.J., age 9
1. Valentine's Day is not a legal holiday where the government
closes schools, but it’s where you give small gifts or letters or candy to give love to others. 2. I know someone loves me if they tell me and hug and kiss for no reason. 3. The best Valentine presents are cards and chocolate candy.
Sienna H, age 11
1. A day that you show everyone that you love that you care about them.
2. They say I love you and if you’re sick, they give you medicine and take care of you.
3. Either a card or anything... anything is a really good present.
Nathan, age 6
1. The day of love. 2. They say "I Love You" and give you a gift.
3. A Card and CANDY!
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AROUND ACWORTH | February 2021
Amelia, age 7
Raleigh, age 6
and kindness. 2. They can give you a card. 3. Chocolate.
3. Love.
1. A holiday to celebrate love
1. To celebrate Valens…? 2. Because they say I love
you and they share things.
Addison, age 6
1. Love. 2. Because they act nice. 3. A card or a fairy bookmark, but not a plain one − a fancy one.
Anslee, age 7
1. A day of being nice, giving
cards, being kind, helping and giving hugs. 2. Hugs and kisses. 3. A card, stickers and healthy good treats.
Austin, age 11 1. It's something
for your mother. 2. Because they kiss you. 3. A heart and candy.
“Let Our Family go to work for Your Family”
Palmer, age 8
1. A day to celebrate love. 2. They are always there for you. 3. Something that comes from the heart.
Kate, age 4
1. That means when you get cards. 2. Because they love you forever. 3. Giving out cards.
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Boating and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning BY GREG FONZENO
In the past 15 years, more than 800 boaters throughout the nation have been poisoned in boating-related carbon monoxide incidents, with more than 140 resulting in fatalities. Because you can’t see, smell or taste carbon monoxide, often the only clue is the physical reaction to the fumes. The most common symptoms include headache, dizziness, blurred vision, confusion, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and difficulty breathing. These symptoms get worse, the more severe the exposure is, until you pass out or fall into a coma. And, if you were asleep or intoxicated, you wouldn’t even know it. There are ways to prevent exposure to carbon monoxide, and ways to respond to inhalation. If you have an inboard or inboard/outboard (I/O) engine, make sure that the engines’ exhaust systems (both main(s) and generator) are intact. Any leaks should be fixed and inspected at least every month. With outboard engines, there is much less danger, since the exhaust is vented through the lower unit into the water, and the engine itself is outside of the boat. Be very careful if you have a gasoline engine running while you’re at anchor, and people are swimming or playing at your stern platform. At anchor, the wind will
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be on your bow, forcing exhaust toward the stern, where it will form an eddy of gases. This is especially important with large houseboats with the generator running and people gathering at the stern. Operating a propane stove or heater in a closed cabin is a hazard. As the fire reduces the oxygen levels in the cabin, propane starts to produce carbon monoxide. If you begin to feel any symptoms, act quickly by turning off whatever device is producing the gas, and ventilate the area immediately. It will take some time for the symptoms to go away. Heavy concentrations require immediate medical attention. Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed in cabins. Caution your crew and passengers about the hazards of carbon monoxide. By taking steps to detect and treat carbon monoxide poisoning early, you can help to save your life or the lives of your passengers or fellow boaters.
Greg Fonzeno is the public education officer and vice commander of the local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Unit (Flotilla 22) at Allatoona Lake.
5 Steps to
1.
Listen to your self-talk for a day. Are your words uplifting, or are you tearing yourself down? Compare your thoughts with what you say to your best friend. Build yourself up with your words, and start to only say positive phrases. Continue to tell yourself you are more than enough until you believe it.
2. BY JENNIFER BONN
We all have those moments when we feel like we have taken a beating from life and/or from the people with whom we interact. We need someone who can give us direction, calm our minds and advice to heal our souls. We need that best friend who always has our back, and can speak words of wisdom to help us to see other’s perspectives. Having someone who is your unconditional supporter is a lifesaver on those days that you want to hide under the covers. Life will be so much easier if you can treat yourself with more kindness and say and do things for yourself that your best friend would do. How can we help others love themselves if we cannot love ourselves? Our lives are meant to be lived to the fullest, and to do that we have to have support and encouragement. The best place to look for that is within yourself. Here are some tips to help you, help yourself.
Change your self-talk.
Practice self-care without guilt.
We often feel guilty when we pamper ourselves and do something that is only for us. However, when we take care of ourselves, it makes it easier to take care of others. It also strengthens our mental health, and puts us in a better frame of mind. Taking care of yourself will influence everything else you do positively.
3.
Do what you love.
Don’t listen to people who say you are too old to do something, or that an activity you enjoy is weird or silly. You never know if there is someone else who has wanted to do something and seeing you doing it will open the door for that person to try it.
4.
Give yourself grace.
As a high school teacher, I have numerous opportunities to make a fool of myself, so I have learned to laugh at the lessthan-glorious moments, and hope that my students will learn to laugh at themselves, too. We all make mistakes, say the wrong thing, or react badly. While we may beat ourselves up, chances are pretty good that the other people involved forgot about it 5 minutes later.
5.
Be yourself.
Trying to maintain a persona other than your authentic self is exhausting and defeating. Being transparent about strengths and weaknesses is liberating, and puts others at ease. You hold the power to be happy, and the choice to find joy. Jennifer Bonn is a French teacher at Mount Paran Christian School, and is working on a book about lessons she learned in the classroom.
AROUND ACWORTH | February 2021
41
Around & About REGISTRATIONS
Parks and Recreation // Community Center 770-917-1234, acworthparksandrecreation.org
Horizon League Programs
Horizon Valentine’s Bingo
6:30-7:45 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Acworth Community Center. This event for individuals ages 13 and older with developmental and/or physical disabilities. Come hangout with friends and play a night of Valentine’s Bingo. Cost is $5. Register online.
Youth Horizon Skills and Drills
6-6:45 p.m. Thursdays beginning Feb. 18-March 11 at the Acworth Community Center. This is a sports skill program for athletes ages 5-12 with developmental and/or physical disabilities. Basic skills and techniques will be taught, along with fun games to reinforce the teachings. The first two weeks will focus on indoor soccer skills, while the third and fourth weeks will focus on basketball. All athletes will receive a T-shirt. Registration is $15. Register online.
Horizon Skills and Drills (Ages 13-plus)
7-7:45 p.m. Thursdays beginning Feb. 18-March 11 at the Acworth Community Center. This is a sports skill program for athletes ages 13 and older with developmental and/ or physical disabilities. Basic skills and techniques will be taught, along with fun games to reinforce the teachings. The first two weeks will focus on indoor soccer skills, while the third and fourth weeks will focus on basketball. All athletes will receive a T-shirt. Registration is $15. Register online.
Horizon Spring Baseball
Registration now open. League gives children (ages 5 and older) and adults with cognitive and physical disabilities the opportunity to participate in athletic events. Teams are divided by age groups. Games are non-competitive and each player on the roster gets on base before the opposing team gets to bat. Every effort is made to return players to their prior team. However, special requests can be considered based only on available space on a team prior to March 24. Youth and teen league games will be Saturdays, April 17-May 22. These games are played on a rotating schedule throughout the day on Saturdays. Adult league games will be 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, April 15-May 20. All games are played on the Horizon Field at the Acworth Sports Complex. Registration before March 24 is $15, and $25 after. Registration before March 24 also guarantees the preferred jersey size. Register online. 42
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Editor’s Note: Because events can change after our magazine goes to press, please check each website for the most up-to-date information.
Youth Registrations
Spring Preschool Sports Camp
9:30-10:15 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, April 13-May 6 at the Acworth Community Center. This is a noncompetitive program to help 3-4 year olds develop basic skills for sports programs in the future. The program gives children a chance to explore a variety of different sports such as soccer, T-ball, volleyball and basketball. $50 for residents, $65 for nonresidents. Register online before March 26.
Spring Break Baseball Camp
6-8 p.m. April 6-8 at the Acworth Sports Complex. For athletes ages 5-12. Camp will teach the basics of baseball to help the development of every player. $35 for residents, $45 for nonresidents. Register online by April 2.
Athletic Registrations Spring Volleyball League
League is co-ed. Games will be in the Acworth Community Center on Mondays and will offer two divisions: competitive and recreational. Both divisions will run simultaneously with start times beginning at 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Play begins Feb. 22 and concludes with a single-elimination tournament March 27. Cost is $350 per team. Register online.
Spring Flag Football League
Registration now open. Games will be Tuesdays at the football fields at the Acworth Sports Complex and will offer two divisions: competitive and recreational. Game play is 7-on-7 and teams may have up to 17 players on the roster. Both divisions will run simultaneously with start times beginning at 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Play begins March 23 and concludes with a single-elimination tournament May 22. Cost is $500 per team. Register online by March 12. Those without a team can participate in Free Agent Day at 6:30 p.m.on March 2. Free Agent registration is $50.
Adult Multi-Day Pickleball Tournament
The multi-day tournament will feature skill, gender and age specific division. Play is guaranteed and begins at 8 a.m. each day. The Active Adult Division (ages 50-plus) will play April 23. The men’s and women’s open division will play April 24, and the mixed open divisions games will be April 25. All participants will receive a T-shirt, goodie bag and access to a hospitality suite. $30 for a single division and $5 for each additional division. Register online.
Community Classes Line Dancing
Intermediate, beginner and evening classes meet Tuesdays in monthly sessions. Learn how to line dance with knowledge, technique and style all while staying fit. Join Leslie in a fun and friendly atmosphere where no experience is needed. Additional information and registration are online.
Barre Above
6-6:45 p.m. Mondays at the Acworth Community Center. Barre Above is a full-body conditioning class. The low impact workout incorporates lower, upper and core exercises, with a focus on flexibility, balance, stability and strength. Monthly and drop-in rates available.
Strong Nation
5:30-6 p.m. Mondays. Strong Nation combines body weight, muscle conditioning cardio, and plyometric training moves synced to original music that has been specifically designed to match every move. Kylie Ross from VRoK Fitness leads the class. Monthly and drop-in rates available.
R.E.D. F.L.A.G. Women’s Self-Defense
6:30-8 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Acworth Community Center. Learn and perform useful self-defense moves based on martial art techniques. This fun and energetic class encourages and empowers participants. Wear comfortable clothing. $25 for residents and $30 for nonresidents.
Gentle Yoga with Mary
1-2 p.m. Thursdays. This class is for active adults (55 and older), and ages 18-plus are welcome. This class is conducted on a mat with gentle movements that concentrate on relaxation and strengthening muscles. Register online.
Senior Warriors Gentle Movements
10-10:30 a.m. Mondays. This class is for active adults (55 and older). Omar Welch teaches traditional Korean movements to increase balance, mental focus and movement. Register online.
BUILD Strength Yoga
7:30-8:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Join Marlo from Backbends and Brews for BUILD strength yoga. All skill levels welcome. Bring a yoga mat. Marlo donates 20% of class fees to charity. Monthly and drop-in rates available.
Zumba
6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays or Thursdays at the Acworth Community Center. Zumba fitness combines high-energy Latin music and international rhythms with unique and easy to follow moves and combinations that allow participants to dance away their worries. All fitness and skill levels are welcome. Monthly and drop-in rates available. AROUND ACWORTH | February 2021
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Rob’s Rescues This dog’s name is Panda. She is black and white. She is quite energetic, and should be an only dog. She is 3 years old and hasn’t had the best life. She is thin, and has been bred. She would make a great family dog with a lot of attention and good training. This cat’s name is Jillo. She is 13 years old. She is very affectionate, and will wrap her arms around you when you hold her. This cat needs to get adopted! It is a priority. Panda and Jillo are at Cobb County Animal Services.
From left, Collins Puckett, Camden Browning, T.H. Marovich, Colin Hollie, Kendall Ripley, Ella Kate Perryman, Baylee Heil and Rob meet to assemble feral cat shelters.
Catch me on YouTube! I had friends help me build feral cat shelters for a project to help Hope Lewallen of Dalton Feral Cats (on Facebook @ daltonferalcats). We built feral shelters, and, then, I took them to Dalton, Georgia. We put them in places where feral cats live to hopefully give them shelter during the winter. This project was filmed by Dreampost Films for the Dr. Good Unleashed Video series. You can watch Episode 1.36 on YouTube. www.youtube.com/ watch?v=KpdTpghFosk.
Rob Macmillan is on a mission to help shelter dogs and cats. www.robsrescues.com. On Facebook @robsrescues.
Preparation is Key to Home Buying BY JAY WHITE
A home is the largest asset most people own in America, so buying one is an exciting event. However, not being properly prepared can lead to a very stressful experience. Being properly prepared will not only reduce stress and make the experience enjoyable, it also gives you leverage in negotiations and will separate your offer from others. Pre-qualifications are no longer enough to have your offer accepted in this extremely competitive market. You must be fully approved to make an offer on a home these days.
• Income documentation – Depending on your situation, the level of documentation will vary.
• Assets – Where is the down payment and closing costs owed at closing coming from? These accounts need to be verified. The steps above will ensure a full approval for your mortgage application, pending the appraisal and a clear title. With these steps completed, you will be on your way to buying your dream home. Partnering with the right lender as well will be crucial, as some do full approvals in 24 hours or less. Lenders can assist with additional strategies to help you leverage your position of being fully approved in order to help you beat the competition.
A full approval requires the following: • Full mortgage application.
• Mortgage credit check – Your credit score you see online is not the same as a mortgage credit score. These are totally different scores in most cases. 44
AROUND ACWORTH | February 2021
Jay White, top 1% in the nation in mortgage originators according to Mortgage Executive magazine, has 19 years of experience and is a multimillion dollar producer for Bay Equity Home Loans.
How Social Media Can Ruin Your Case BY JOEL WILLIAMS
Social media plays a big part in many people’s lives. According to a recent study, about 70 percent of Americans use Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn. Evidence from social media also plays a big role in many personal injury cases. This is because social media accounts provide a wealth of information about a person. Good personal injury lawyers know this. When a plaintiff brings a personal injury claim, they should expect that the defense lawyer is monitoring their social media accounts closely. Of course, there is nothing a defense lawyer would love to find more than evidence that a plaintiff is exaggerating or faking their injury. For instance, if a plaintiff claims to be severely injured, but is pictured on Instagram or Facebook enjoying a vigorous physical activity, it likely would kill their case. Admittedly, this seems completely logical. However, sometimes people can appear healthy and unaffected by an injury in their social media pictures, despite the fact that they are suffering. The use of social media evidence in legal cases can be problematic, because it is so easy to take pictures out of context. It isn’t just those faking injuries that have something to fear. Legitimately injured victims of accidents can, and sometimes do, lose cases because their social media image makes them look like they are doing better than they actually are.
When a personal injury victim realizes that they have information online that could damage their case, the obvious solution is to delete that information before the other side sees it. However, it is important for personal injury victims to consult with their attorney before doing so. Litigants in a case have a duty to preserve all relevant evidence — including social media evidence. Georgia courts can sanction any party to “contemplated or pending” litigation that destroys evidence necessary to the other party’s case. For example, a Virginia court sanctioned both the plaintiff and his counsel for, in part, “spoliation of Facebook evidence.” In that case, the lawyer helped his client “clean up” his Facebook page by deleting incriminating content before complying with a discovery request issued by the opposing party. Personal injury victims should use social media sparingly, if at all. Social media use creates a big risk, and, for personal injury claimants with compensation on the line, this risk usually isn’t worth the gratification that social media postings bring.
Joel Williams is a partner at Williams|Elleby, a Kennesaw based personal injury law firm. www.gatrialattorney.com.
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@ the Library
North Cobb Regional Library
3535 Old 41 Highway, Kennesaw 770-801-5320 www.cobbcat.org/venue/north-cobb-regional-library Closed for in-person visits. Curbside Hold Pickup Only 10 a.m.-7:45 p.m. Mondays 10 a.m.-5:45 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays North Cobb Regional Library is closed for in-person visits and offers only curbside pickup until further notice. The outdoor book drop is open. Please note returned items will be placed in quarantine directly from book drops. Items will remain on your account for up to five days. Items will be checked in and your account updated after items come out of quarantine. Indoor book drops located in libraries open to the public will remain closed to maintain the integrity of the quarantine process. However, Book Club Kits and items that do not fit in outdoor book drops may be brought into the building and deposited into a receptacle provided by staff, which will be taken to the quarantine area. Online digital resources are available for all ages. All library programs are being held virtually with individual links available at www.cobbcat.org.
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Feb. 10, 17, 24
RSVP a Picture Book Bundle
Everyone has a lot on their plates right now and decisions are hard. Let the library’s children’s department staff pick out picture books for your family. Fill out the form online and tell library staff what books your family enjoys. The staff will select five picture books and notify you when your bundle is ready for pickup.
March 3, April 7
High School Book Club
4:30-5:30 p.m., grades 9-12. No registration required. A book club is a place to talk about what you love, get recommendations for new reads and create connections. The club focuses on the joy of reading instead of having each member read the same book. Each month the group picks a genre to read before the next meeting. Books and topics discussed must be age appropriate. This is a virtual event. For more information, email Beth Baldwin at beth.baldwin@cobbcounty.org.
March 4, April 1
Middle School Book Club
5-5:45 p.m., grades 6-8. No registration required. A book club is a place to talk about what you love, get recommendations for new reads and create connections. The club focuses on the joy of reading instead of having each member read the same book. Each month the group picks a genre to read before the next meeting. Books and topics discussed must be age appropriate. This is a virtual event. For more information, email Kristin Gwin at kristin.gwin@cobbcounty.org.
2020
Fun in the Park Contest More than 230 photos were submitted in the 2020 Fun in the Park photo contest sponsored by Cobb County P.A.R.K.S. Photos were taken throughout the year and judged in one of three categories: general, nature and wildlife, and sports and action. With so many great photos submitted, the judges had a difficult time selecting the winners.
2nd Place, James Northway
The contest will be held again in 2021 and is open to all photographers. For information on the contest, visit www.CobbParks.org.
Sports and Action
3rd Place, Jeremy Tyson
1st Place, Ginny Jarvis AROUND ACWORTH | February 2021
47
2020 Fun in the Park Contest
Nature and Wildlife
1st Place, Madelyn Muraoka
2nd Place, John Ridings 48
AROUND ACWORTH | February 2021
3rd Place, James Fletcher
General Category
1st Place, Melinda Law
3rd Place, Alisha Berry
2nd Place , Missy Garrison AROUND ACWORTH | February 2021
49
Community of Faith
Awtrey-Westwood Baptist Church 5855 Awtrey Church Road NW 770-974-0023
BAPTIST
Piney Grove Baptist Church 1605 Mars Hill Road 770-428-5122 www.PineyGrove.net
Calvary Baptist Church of Acworth 4361 Westside Drive 770-974-4965 www.CalvaryBaptistAcworth.org
Sardis Missionary Baptist Church 2741 S. Main St., Kennesaw 770-428-4031 www.SardisMBCKennesawGA.org
Cedarcrest Church 4600 Cobb Pkwy NW 678-460-3500 www.CedarcrestChurch.com
Summit Baptist Church 4310 Moon Station Lane NW 770-975-4595 www.SummitChurch.org
First Baptist Church of Acworth 4583 Church St. 770-974-3021 www.FBCAcworth.com Glade Road Baptist Church 6570 Glade Road SE 770-975-1143 www.GladeRoadBaptist.com
The Entire Bible Baptist Church 4980 Cobb Parkway North NW 770-975-1100
Harvest Baptist Church 3460 Kellogg Creek Road 770-974-9091 www.HBCGA.org
Three Taverns Church 3575 Acworth Due West Road 678-856-8002 www.ThreeTavernsChurch.org
Hickory Grove Baptist Church 2862 Hickory Grove Road 770-943-9856
Victory Baptist Church 5717 Priest Road 770-337-0952 www.VictoryBaptist.net
Hillcrest Baptist Church 6069 Woodstock Road 770-917-9100 www.HBCAcworth.org Iron Hill Baptist Church 5172 Groovers Landing Road SE 770-974-2951 www.IronhillBaptist.org Keystone Baptist Church 3303 Dallas Acworth Highway Acworth, Georgia 30101 www.KeystoneOnline.org Lost Mountain Baptist Church 5400 Old Dallas Road, Powder Springs www.lmbc.us Morning View Baptist Church 3750 Dallas Acworth Highway www.MorningViewBaptistChurch.org Mount Olivet Baptist Church 2385 Acworth Due West Road 770-974-8335 New Hope Baptist Church 3800 New Hope Church Road SE 770-974-7612 www.NewHopeChurchAcworth.com New Life Community Church 4160 New Hope Church Road SE 770-529-0509 Pickett’s Mill Baptist Church 7147 Hiram Acworth Highway, Dallas 770-423-0955 www.PMBChurch.net 50
Thankful Baptist Church of Kennesaw 928 Kennesaw Due West Road NW 678-797-0611 www.ThankfulBaptistKennesaw.org
AROUND ACWORTH | February 2021
West Ridge Church 3522 Hiram Acworth Highway, Dallas 770-222-2125 www.Westridge.com Western Hills Baptist Church 700 Mars Hill Road, Kennesaw 770-425-7118 www.WesternHillsBaptist.net Wildwood Baptist Church 4801 Wade Green Road NW 770-428-2100 www.WildwoodBaptist.org Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church 4255 Taylor St. 770-974-8221 www.ZionHillAcworth.com
EPISCOPAL
Christ Episcopal Church 1210 Wooten Lake Road NW 770-422-9114 www.ChristChurchKennesaw.com St. Teresa’s Episcopal Church 5725 Fords Road 770-590-9040 www.StTeresasAcworth.com
JEHOVAH’S WITNESS
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness 2515 Old Highway 92 770-672-6838
JUDAISM
Chabad Jewish Center of Kennesaw 1480 Shiloh Road NW #500 678-460-7702 www.JewishWestCobb.com Congregation Ner Tamid Reform Jewish Synagogue Old 41 Highway NW, Suite 220 678-264-8575 www.MyNerTamid.info
LUTHERAN
Christ Lutheran Church 176 West Sandtown Road SW, Marietta 770-424-2850 www.clcwestcobb.org Living Hope Lutheran Church 3450 Stilesboro Road, Kennesaw 770-425-6726 www.LivingHopeGA.com First United Lutheran Church 3481 Campus Loop Road, Kennesaw 770-427-0325 www.FULC.org
PRESBYTERIAN
Acworth Presbyterian Church 4561 Church St. 770-974-6552 Christ Community Church 2753 Watts Drive, Kennesaw 770-529-2600 www.ChristCommunityCobb.org Heritage Presbyterian Church 5323 Bells Ferry Road 770-926-3558 www.HeritagePres.com Kirkwood Presbyterian Church USA 618 Acworth Due West Road NW, Kennesaw 770-427-3545 www.KirkwoodPC.org Mars Hill Presbyterian Church 3385 Mars Hill Road NW 770-974-4395 www.MHChurch.com
ROMAN CATHOLIC St. Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church 1618 Ben King Road, Kennesaw 770-428-7139 www.StCatherineRCC.org St. Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church 6301 Cedarcrest Road 770-485-0825 www.StClareCC.org St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church 680 West Memorial Drive, Dallas 770-443-0566 www.SaintVincentDePaulChurch.org
METHODIST
Acworth United Methodist Church 4340 Collins Circle 770-974-3312 www.AcworthUMC.org County Line United Methodist Church 1183 County Line Road, NW 770-428-0511 www.CountyLineUMC.org Due West United Methodist Church 3956 Due West Road, Marietta 770-427-3835 www.DueWest.org Faith Methodist Meets at Harrison High School 4500 Due West Road, Kennesaw 678-995-9595 www.FaithMethodistChurch.org Kennesaw United Methodist Church 1801 Ben King Road, Kennesaw 770-428-1543 www.KennesawUMC.org
The Church At Acworth 6464 Highway 92 770-924-9161 www.TheChurchAtAcworth.com
Mission For Life Church 2655 Cobb Parkway, Suite 105, Kennesaw 678-613-9256 www.MissionForLife.org
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 5055 Holt Road NW 770-974-9697
Mount Olives Church of God 5065 Cherokee St. 678-651-9042
Cobb Vineyard Church 3206 Old Highway 41 NW, Kennesaw 678-574-0005 www.CobbVineyard.com
New Covenant Full Gospel Inc 5653 Priest Road 770-974-0685
Dayspring Church 6835 Victory Drive, Woodstock 678-401-3069 www.ConnectChurchWoodstock.com Eagle Pointe Church 5100 Old Stilesboro Road NW 770-421-1643 www.EaglePointe.org Empowerment Worship Center 4192 Main St. 770-609-9062 www.EmpowermentWC.org
New Beginnings United Methodist Church 2975 Cobb Parkway NW, Kennesaw 770-421-9980 www.NBUMC.org
Faith Family Church 5744 Bells Ferry Road 770-926-4560 www.FaithFamilyAG.com
Shiloh United Methodist Church 3860 Cherokee St., Kennesaw 770-590-1333 www.NGUMC.org
Federation Of Apostles International Ministries Inc. 4192 S. Main St. Suite B, Acworth. 404-436-1100
OTHERS
Abiding Church 132 North Medical Parkway, Woodstock 678-888-1515 www.Abiding.church Activation Church 221 Dabbs Bridge Road, Dallas www.ActivationChurch.com Acworth Christian Church 4476 Northside Drive 770-974-1358 Acworth Church of God of Prophecy Ministry 3891 Nance Road NW 770-975-1124 www.AcworthChurch.com
Four Points Church 3565 Dallas Acworth Highway 678-402-6632 www.FourPointsChurch.com Freedom Church 3611 Cobb Parkway 770-529-6006 www.FreedomChurch.tv Greater Church Meets at Barber Middle School 4222 Cantrell Road 770-927-8667 www.Greater.Church Household of Faith Bible Church 530 Collins Road, Marietta 770-365-6723 www.HOFBC.org
NorthStar Church 3413 Blue Springs Road 770-420-9808 www.NorthStarChurch.org Northwest Christian Church 3737 Dallas Acworth Highway 770-425-2525 www.NWCC.net Open Doors Church 2011 Hickory Grove Road Prayer & Praise Christian Fellowship Church 6409 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock 770-928-2795 www.PrayerAndPraise.org River’s Edge Church 3450 Acworth Due West Road NW, Kennesaw 678-318-1918 www.RiversEdgeATL.com RiverStone Church 2005 Stilesboro Road, Kennesaw 678-384-5200 www.RiverStoneOnline.org RockPoint Church 3900 Legacy Park Blvd, Kennesaw 770-648-3070 www.TheRockPointChurch.org Sanctuary Church 700 Mars Hill Road, Kennesaw 770-884-1963 www.SanctuaryInHim.org Unity of Kennesaw Meets at Big Shanty Elementary, 1575 Ben King Road 404-644-0512 www.UnityOfKennesaw.org
Kellogg Creek Church of Christ 3510 Kellogg Creek Road 770-974-2814 www.KelloggCreekChurchOfChrist.org
Victory Church 4625 Highway 92 770-794-7366 www.VictoryGA.com
Bethel A.M.E. Church 4826 School St. 770-905-9539
LifeBridge Church 3102 Loring Road, Kennesaw 770-422-3010 www.MyLifeBridgeChurch.com
Vintage 242 Church 8492 Hiram Acworth Highway, Dallas 678-506-8550 www.Vintage242.com
Calvary Chapel River Oaks 232 Nelson Street, Cartersville 770-272-6005 www.CalvaryChapelRiverOaks.org
Masjid Suffah 2750 Jiles Road, Kennesaw 770-906-0838 www.masjidsuffah.com
Wholistic Life Ministry 2210 Pine Mountain Road NW, Kennesaw 678-836-9586 www.WLMinistry.org
Branches of Christ 5946 Jacobs Road 770-917-4964 www.BranchesOfChrist.com
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Downtown Acworth Dining Fish Thyme Restaurant and Bar
Nibbles Grill
Seafood 3979 S. Main St., Suite 5657 770-974-2323 www.newsite.fishthymerestaurant.com
Grill/Diner-Breakfast Burgers 4628 S. Main St. 404-312-7597 www.nibblesgrillacworth.com
Bert & Boo's Bake Shop
Fusco's via Roma Italian Trattoria
Pizza By Fuscos
BRIX on Main
J.D.’s Bar-B-Que
1885 Grill
Southern Coastal 4438 Cherokee St. 770-672-0508 www.1885grill.com/welcomeacworth
Bakery 3900 Old McEver Rd. 470-582-6717 www.bertandboos.com Facebook: @bertboos Tapas 4843 N. Main St. 770-693-0077 www.brixonmain.com
Center Street Tavern
American/ Traditional 4381 Senator Russell Ave. 770-917-0004 www.centerstreettavern.com
Dogwood Terrace
American/ Traditional 4975 N. Main St. 770-627-4069 www.dogwoodterraceacworth.com
Doro’s Italian Restaurant Italian 3979 S. Main St.,Suite 250 678-903-2607 www.dorositalian.com
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Italian 4815A S. Main St. 770-974-1110 fuscosviaroma.com Facebook: @fuscosviaroma Barbeque
4424 S. Main St. 770-974-8434 www.jdsbbq.com
Henry’s Louisiana Grill Cajun 4835 N. Main St. 770-966-1515 www.chefhenrys.com
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
Pizza 4815B S. Main St. 678-426-7503 www.pizzabyfuscos.com
Red Top Brewhouse
Pub Grub 4637 S. Main St. 470-893-0425 www.redtopbrewhouse.com
Rico’s Mex Mex Grill Mexican 3770 Southside Dr. 770-917-9791 Facebook: @Ricos-Mex-Mex-Grill
Acworth Area Clubs & Organizations
BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS Acworth Business Association 770-423-1330 www.acworthbusiness.org Cherokee Chamber of Commerce 770-345-0400 www.cherokeechamber.com Cobb Chamber of Commerce 770-980-2000 www.cobbchamber.org
KSU Small Business Development Center 470-578-6450 https://coles.kennesaw.edu/sbdc/ West Cobb Business Association 770-943-1511 www.westcobbbusiness.com CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS Cherokee Child Advocacy Council 770-345-8100 www.cherokeechildadvocates.org Cherokee County Habitat for Humanity 770-345-1879 www.cherokeehabitat.net
Pet Buddies Food Pantry 678-310-9858 www.petbuddiesfoodpantry.org
Cobb County Republican Party 770-421-1833 https://cobbcountyrepublicanparty.wildapricot.org/
Southern Hope Humane Society 770-445-7294 www.hopehumane.org
Cobb County Republican Women’s Club 770-785-2522 https://ccrwc.org/
The Hope Box 770-765-6301 www.thehopebox.org
Republican Women of Cherokee County 404-747-3353 www.rwccga.com
Trinity Rescue 877-71-HORSE (46773) www.trinityrescueinc.org Yellow Rose-Strong Oak Society 770-425-3161 yellowrosestrongoaksociety.com CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS Acworth Optimist Club Contact: Debbie Ward 770-974-0670 Acworth Masonic Lodge 4497 McLain Circle 770-974-3577 Air Force Aviation Heritage Foundation 770-529-9003 Ext. 40 www.afahf.org
RECREATION & HOBBIES Atlanta Yacht Club www.atlantayachtclub.org Atlanta Water Ski Club 770-425-3679 https://awsc.net/ Children’s PEACE Center 770-917-8815 www.childrenspeacecenter.org Cobb County Radio Control Modelers Club www.ccrc.info Cobb Photographic Society www.cobbphotosociety.com
Atlanta Area Council Boy Scouts of America 770-989-8820
North Cobb Photo Club Meets 9:30 a.m.-noon first Thursday at Celebration Village theater, 4460 Celebration Blvd., Acworth. Contact Jim at 770-842-3114. www.NorthCobbPhotoClub.com.
Girl Scout Council of North Georgia 770-974-4278
Northwest YMCA (Brookstone Area) 770-423-9622
Cobb County Storytellers 770-425-3161 www.cobbcountystorytellers.com
Junior League of Cobb — Marietta 770-422-5266 www.jlcm.org
West Cobb Lacrosse Club 770-641-2222 http://eteamz.active.com/westcobblacrosse
Forgotten Paws Animal Rescue 404-993-7958 www.forgottenpaws.com
Kiwanis Club of Kennworth Golden K Contact: Ken Leone 470-422-0382
Happy Caps 770-653-9448 contact@happycaps.us www.happycaps.us
Liberty Hill Chapter DAR Contact: libertyhilldar@gmail.com http://libertyhill.georgiastatedar.org/
Cherokee County Humane Society 770-928-5115 www.cchumanesociety.org Cobb County Habitat for Humanity 770-432-7954 www.cobbhabitat.org
Here Am I Ministries, Inc. 770-529-4644 Contact: Rev. DeAnna Fountain https://www.hereiamministries.com/ Homeward Bound Pet Rescue 706-698-HOME www.homeward.petfinder.com
North Cobb Lions Club www.facebook.com/NorthCobbLions https://northcobblionsclub.com/ Ron Asby North Cobb American Legion 678-217-5738 www.post304.org Rotary Club of North Cobb www.northcobbrotary.org
Humane Society of Cobb County 770-428-9882 www.humanecobb.org
VFW Post 5408 (Acworth & Kennesaw Post) 770-974-0958 www.vfwpost5408.org
LiveSafe Resources 770-427-2902 www.livesaferesources.org
POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS Acworth Business and Professional Chapter of the John Birch Society Contact: Boyd Parks 770-975-3303
Lung Cancer Alliance Georgia Contact: Edward J. Levitt 770-590-7898 MUST Ministries 770-427-9862 www.mustministries.org Mostly Mutts Animal Rescue & Adoption 770-325-PETS www.mostlymutts.org Papa’s Pantry 770-591-4730 www.papaspantry.org Paws for Disabilities www.pawsfordisabilities.org
SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS Active Adults Living with Arthritis (AALA) Contact: Marcia 770-605-7960 Celebrate Life International www.CelebrateLife.org Erin’s Hope for Friends 678-390-4812 www.erinshopeforfriends.org Loving Through Dementia dementiaministry@duewest.org www.lovingthroughdementia.org MOMS Club of Acworth-West www.acworthwestmomsclub.weebly.com MOMS Club of Acworth-East www.momsclubacwortheast.clubspaces.com Moms in Ministry @ Summit Baptist Church Every other Tuesday morning 770-794-0442 mnm@summitchurch.org
Cherokee County Democratic Party 770-345-3489
Newcomers of Cobb County Meets 3rd Tuesday 770-234-5068 www.newcomersofcobbcounty.com
Cherokee County Republican Party 770-592-0575
Rooted Moms www.rootedmoms.com
Cobb County Democracy For America www.dfalink.com/cobbcounty
Sisters of Support (Breast Cancer Support) Contact: Sandy, 770-926-3488
Cobb County Democratic Party 770-420-7133 https://www.cobbdemocrats.org/
Widows / Widowers Grief Support Recovery 770-590-0334 www.burnthickory.com
Cobb County Libertarian Party 770-425-2856 http://cobblp.org/
West Cobb Mothers and More www.westcobbmothersandmore.weebly.com 770-314-1211 AROUND ACWORTH | February 2021
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Advertisers
For advertising rates and information Jennifer Coleman 678-279-5502 Jennifer@AroundaboutMagazines.com
February 2021
ACCOUNTING
DENTAL
Denson Pepper, CPA 678-797-5241 www.densonpeppercpa.com
15
Newsome’s Tax & Accounting 1-888-360-0484 www.newsometax.com
1
Treasure Tax 678-856-4829 www.treasuretax.com
9
ATTORNEYS/LEGAL SERVICES Williams | Elleby 833-LEGALGA www.gatrialattorney.com
1
AUTOMOTIVE KAMS Auto Service Center 770-956-4060 www.kamsauto.com
33
BEAUTY My Salon Suite - Acworth 404-692-2290 www.mysalonsuite.com/acworth
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CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS MUST Ministries www.mustministries.org
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CREDIT UNIONS Credit Union of Georgia 678-486-1111 www.cuofga.org
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FUNERAL SERVICES
Daniel Lee DMD, PC 770-974-4146 www.acworthdental.com
21
Gentle Dental Care/Georgia Dental Implants Inside back 770-926-2784 www.georgiadic.com EDUCATION SERVICES
The Gold & Coin Exchange Inside front 770-419-0292 www.goldandcoinexchange.com
15
Chattahoochee Technical College 770-528-4545 www.chattahoocheetech.edu
43
DNC Nutrition Centers 770-529-6683 www.dncnutrition.com
Georgia Trade School www.georgiatradeschool.com
11
Your CBD Store-Acworth 678-909-5230 www.acworth459.cbdrx4u.com
KennedyMathews Education Consultants 7 765-721-1212 www.kennedymathewsconsulting.com Mt. Paran Christian School Cover, 28-29 770-578-0182 www.mtparanschool.com North Cobb Christian School 770-975-0252 www.ncchristian.org
Back cover
Bay Equity Home Loans Jay White, Area Sales Manager 770-870-0644 www.jayclosesloans.com
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15
GOLD PURCHASING
Brookwood Christian School 678-401-5855 www.brookwoodchristian.com
FINANCIAL SERVICES 27
Georgia Funeral Care & Cremation Services 678-574-3016 www.georgiafuneralcare.com
HEALTH & WELLNESS 5
11
HEARING RELATED SERVICES North Georgia Audiology & Hearing Aid Center 770-726-8948 www.yourhearinglink.com
21
HOME & GARDEN Dayco Systems Heating & Cooling 770-336-7888 www.daycosystems.com
23
Enhance Floors & More 770-565-3808 www.enhancefloors.com
31
Legacy Custom Blinds 404-430-5288 www.legacycustomblinds.com
9
Mr. Junk 678-Mr-Junk1 [675-8651] www.mrjunk1.com
43
One Dead Bug 404-704-4685 www.onedeadbug.com
21
Shriver Mechanical 5 770-975-1927 www.shrivermechanical.com Tom Kris & Sons Plumbing 770-529-0799 www.tkandsonsplumbing.com
39
OPTOMETRIST/OPHTHALMOLOGIST Marietta Eye Clinic 678-279-1141 www.mariettaeye.com TrueVision Eye Care 770-529-7789 www.truevisioneyecare.com
13
1
PHOTOGRAPHY Brittany Weir Photography 678-514-9267
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PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL SERVICES Governors MedSpa & Concierge Medicine 678-888-5181 www.governorsmedicine.com
5, 40
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Debi Smith Properties Direct: 404-660-6652 Office: 770-240-2004
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RESTAURANTS
REAL ESTATE Anchor Realty Partners Malinda Howe, Broker Direct: 404-444-0225 Office: 770-917-0322 www.malinda-howe.com
Clear Summit Realty Ken Jones, 770-842-4531 Ryan Jones, 678-327-9326 www.clearsummitrealty.com
7
J.D.'s Bar-B-Que 770-974-8434 www.jdsbbq.com
22
Red Top Brewhouse www.redtopbrewhouse.com
3
SENIOR LIVING/SERVICES
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Justin Koeniger 33 Cell: 470-451-2134 Office: 770-973-8824 www.JustinKoeniger.BHHSGeorgia.com
Brickmont of Acworth 3 770-886-4074 www.brickmont.com/senior-livingcommunities/brickmont-of-acworth Celebration Village 678-594-3570 www.cvillage.com
Inside front
CANNED MEATS PASTA SAUCE · BEANS CORN · GREEN BEANS CONDENSED SOUP CHUNKY SOUP · CHILI CANNED PASTA · MAC & CHEESE · BEEF STEW Our urgent food supply is disappearing quickly! Can you donate today?
MARIETTA · 1280 Field Pkwy CANTON · 111 Brown Ind. Pkwy
www.mustministries.org
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Since 1996, we have brought relevant, uplifting and reader-driven content to readers. We publish Around Acworth, Around Canton, Around Woodstock and TowneLaker. We look forward to serving you, our readers and advertisers, every month. Thank you for your continued support and participation in making this truly your community magazine. At Aroundabout Local Media, we believe the world functions at the community level: diverse groups of people living in close proximity, sharing commonality of culture, values and local pride, developing safety nets for those in need, and helping each other to live richer lives. It is our heartfelt desire to contribute to the fabric that helps make a community happen. Through our magazines,
we aim to provide everyone in the communities we serve with uplifting, interesting information about the community they are proud to call home. We encourage you to send us your photos, ideas, stories or anything else you think the community would like to know about. It’s your community. It’s your magazine. Look on page 6 for our contact information.
OUR PHOTOGRAPHY PARTNERS We work with some of the best professional photographers in the business.
Jerry King J. King Images 404-384-2794 www.jkingimages.com
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Beth Fornuto Beth Fornuto Photography 770-846-3848 www.bethfornuto.com
Heather Stevens Joyful Day Photography 678-947-1200 www.joyfuldayphoto.com