2-22 Around Kennesaw webfinal.pdf by Aroundabout Local Media, Inc.

Story Behind the Church on a Hill Curl Up With A Good Book

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AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

Contents

Contributors

February 2022

Mount Paran Christian School

22 Judy Abbott

17 Trevor Beemon 36 Ryan Blythe

On the Cover

34 Jennifer Bonn

Freshman Aiden Gilmore and fourth-grader Annabelle McGill are involved with the MPCS robotics programs, which are housed in the new Murray Innovation Center that opened last month. Beck White, right, also is a MPCS sutdent.

14 Andrew Bramlett 12 Cobb Collaborative 42 Vicki Davis 20 Dana Dorris

Pages 28 & 29

18 Derek Easterling

Cover photo provided by MPCS.

12 Winter Reads

Visit one of Cobb County’s 21 Little Free Libraries or check out a book recommended by our friends at North Cobb Regional Library.

Community Cornerstone

Celebrate Black History Month with a look at the history of Sardis Missionary Baptist Church, a Kennesaw fixture for more than 140 years.

46 Rob Macmillan 26 Susan Schulz 30 Elisabeth Stubbs 21 Bill Westenberger 38 Jay White 37 Joel Williams

In Every Issue 4 Around Kennesaw 8 Local News 16 Celebrations 22 Growing Gardeners 24 Community Calendar 39 Library Events 44 School News 46 Rob’s Rescues 47 Ribbon Cuttings 48 Downtown Dining Guide 49 Senior Events

NorthStar’s Big Day

NorthStar Church celebrates its 25th anniversary the only way it knows how — by giving back and blessing others.

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

50 Clubs & Organizations 51 Park Photo Contest 54 Directory of Advertisers

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Around Kennesaw Letter From the Editor

I hope everyone has had an enjoyable and healthy start to 2022! I blinked, and it’s already February, but after sharing this space in December with our outgoing president, Patty Ponder, and in January with our new president, Kim Dahnke, I’m back! How fun was that snow day last month? My 4-year-old certainly enjoyed it, while my youngest wasn’t so sure about it. We had to bribe her with blueberries to get a family picture. We built a snowman, and, thankfully, I had carrots in the fridge for his nose. My habit of buying produce and never getting around to cooking it finally paid off ! We struggled to find something that would stay in place for his mouth, so he went without one. Maybe next winter, I’ll keep snowman building items on hand, just in case. I’m excited for this new year, and in more ways than the hope it brings for a healthier, happier world. At Aroundabout Local Media, we have many good things in store for you in 2022. I won’t share them all with you at once; I don’t want to overwhelm you with too much goodness! Our biggest and most immediate change is the new platform we’ve adopted for our Readers’ Choice contest, thanks to the professionals at Second Street. They’ve mastered the art of contests like Readers’ Choice, and work with publications across the country. We made the decision to take Readers’ Choice to the next level after examining our mission statement, and making sure we are doing the most we can do to help local businesses grow and prosper. We’re committed to walking alongside our local business owners and service providers, helping them gain as much exposure as possible in the community. During Readers’ Choice 2022, those entrepreneurs will have access to numerous tools to promote themselves during the contest, including free images to download on their social media outlets to encourage nominations and voting. Also, they will have more options through advertising to ensure their businesses are top-of-mind for the voters. And, last but not least, voters have a chance to win a prize! Doesn’t a $500 Visa gift card sound good? Visit aroundkennesawmagazine. com/readers-choice-2022 for more details. As February rolls along, I hope you’re staying warm, and curling up with a good book. We have some great suggestions on Page 13. If you don’t like the weather, it’s Georgia, so just wait a few minutes. Cheers to a happy, healthy and prosperous 2022!

Nomination phase starts 9 a.m.

March 1

Award

What’s Happening

West Cobb Orthodontics recently announced the retirement of practice owner Dr. William K. Farrar. He retired after more than 55 years serving the Acworth, Kennesaw and Marietta communities. Dr. Brenna Christensen is the new owner and provider for the practice. Cobb Travel and Tourism is hosting Bubbles & Brews, a month of special events from spirit makers,

brewers and distilleries throughout Cobb County. Visit Cobb’s Hop Spots in March to vote for your favorite beverage, win prizes and attend special classes and events. All 19 Cobb breweries, distilleries and wineries will be participating, including Kennesaw’s Burnt

Hickory Brewery, Dry County Brewing Co., Horned Owl Brewing and Lazy Guy Distillery.

For more information, visit www.bubblesandbrews.com.

What’s Coming

Mama G Beauty Salon is scheduled to open this month

at 3055 N. Main St. in Kennesaw at the corner of Jiles Road. Call Connie at 404-932-0665 for more information.

What’s New

Kennesaw Parks and Recreation held a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Recreation Center at Adams Park, 2737 Watts Drive, on Jan. 18, prior to Mayor Derek Easterling’s State of the City address. The center’s open house event was Jan. 22. The 42,000 square-foot facility features three basketball courts, a walking track, two fitness rooms, a gymnastics center and office space. Programs offered at the Recreation Center will include basketball, volleyball, pickleball and more.

Katie Beall is the managing editor of Aroundabout Local Media. Send your comments or questions to Katie@aroundaboutmagazines.com.

Recreation Center exterior AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

CHOICE

For details, visit 2022 www.aroundkennesawmagazine.com.

Katie Beall

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SUMMER INTENSIVES

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THEATRE

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*Cobb Summer Band Camp is open only to middle school students. AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

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Publisher Aroundabout Local Media, Inc. www.aroundaboutlocalmedia.com President Kim Dahnke 770-615-2779 kim@aroundaboutmagazines.com Vice President Jennifer Coleman 678-279-5502 jen@aroundaboutmagazines.com Executive Editor Candi Hannigan 770-615-3309 candi@aroundaboutmagazines.com Managing Editor Katie Beall 770-852-8481 katie@aroundaboutmagazines.com Assistant Editor Jessica Forrester 770-615-3318 jessica@aroundaboutmagazines.com Production Manager Michelle McCulloch 770-615-3307 michelle@aroundaboutmagazines.com Page Designer Laura Latchford laura@aroundaboutmagazines.com Graphic Designer Savannah Winn savannah@aroundaboutmagazines.com Controller Denise Griffin 770-615-3315 denise@aroundaboutmagazines.com Social Media Manager Kathryn Holt kat@aroundaboutmagazines.com Market & Advertising Specialist Michelle Smith michelle.smith@aroundaboutmagazines.com Copy Editors Bill King, Eliza Somers

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AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

Around Kennesaw, a publication of Aroundabout Local Media, Inc., is a community magazine with 17,000 free copies distributed monthly. Approximately 16,600 are direct mailed to homes and businesses and an additional 400 are placed in racks in the community. Around Kennesaw 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: Around Kennesaw, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, PMB 380, Suite 620, Woodstock, GA 30189. The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists and submissions are not necessarily those of the editor/ publisher and the publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. Around Kennesaw 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 2022. Volume 1, Issue 7

America’s Community Magazine

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

Local News

Nominations Open for 2022-23 Leadership Cobb

Leadership Cobb, the Cobb Chamber’s leadership development program, is seeking nominations for members of its 2022-23 class. Fifty diverse and qualified individuals are selected annually to participate in this leadership development program. Leadership Cobb enhances personal and professional growth, while participants gain awareness of current issues, community resources and the social, political and economic needs of the community. Program days combine lectures and dialogue among speakers as well as audience interaction with leaders in all facets of the community. Nominations are open until Feb. 14, and can be found at https://bit.ly/3GJC4Kn.

WaterSmart Art Contest Seeks Entries

Show off your drawing skills and get published in Cobb’s waterSmart art contest coloring book. For this contest, fourth- and fifth-grade students enrolled in Cobb County and City of Marietta School Districts are asked to draw Cobb Water’s mascot, Tappy Turtle, practicing a water-saving habit. The deadline for submissions is 3 p.m. Feb. 18. The winners will be invited to a virtual reception March 14. Winning entries will be compiled into a coloring book and distributed throughout the county. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3FFVaQm, or email michael. kahle@cobbcounty.org.

Register Now for Spring Sports and Activities It may be cold outside, but it’s time to register for sports and activities for the Cobb PARKS spring season. Registration opened in January for many sports and activities, including baseball, softball, soccer, track, tennis and BMX. For specific information on the activities, visit https://bit.ly/32cKz1y. Many registration deadlines are fast approaching, so don’t miss out. Registration for adult spring sports is open as well. Below is a list of upcoming registration deadlines for adult sports. For more information and to download registration packets, visit https:// bit.ly/3GJHMfo. Softball — Feb. 16 for individuals, Feb. 23 for teams Kickball — March 2 for individuals, March 7 for teams Cornhole — March 29

Upcoming Public Meetings CobbTV makes it easy to stay up-to-date 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. • The Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting, 9 a.m. Feb. 8. • The Board of Commissioners Zoning Hearing, 9 a.m. Feb. 15. • The Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting, 7 p.m. Feb. 22.

You can livestream meetings on CobbTV’s cable channel, www.cobbcounty.org/CobbTV, or by watching it on the county’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/cobbcountygovt. 8

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

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Local News

Marietta Spring Fun Run Take a run with Marietta’s Police Athletic League (PAL) in the sixth annual Shamrock Shuffle 5K Walk/Run event. This Peachtree Road Race qualifying run is St. Patrick’s Day-themed, so dress accordingly. It starts at 9 a.m. March 12, at the historic Marietta Square. Proceeds from this event will provide funding for programming of Marietta PAL. Its mission is to prevent juvenile crime and violence by providing civic, athletic, recreational and educational opportunities, which create trust and build understanding between officers and youth. Register for the race at www.mariettashamrockshuffle.com.

Your Input Is Needed! Cobb County’s Community Development Agency will host community meetings and surveys to facilitate a five-year update to Cobb County’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan is a long-range, community designed growth strategy that guides the future of Cobb County. Community Development staff would like your input by completing a survey to analyze the needs and opportunities important to you as a resident, landowner, visitor or business owner. Your participation will help develop a shared vision for the county’s future. The survey is available at https://arcg.is/1avWem0. Through March, there will be opportunities for the community to provide their thoughts and ideas related to the plan. Residents are encouraged to be active in the planning process to ensure the plan reflects the community’s preferences and desires. The meetings will be informative and interactive, designed to collect feedback on the existing needs and future development in the county. For more information, please visit the Comprehensive Plan website at www. cobbcounty.org/comp-plan.

Virtual Meeting

Feb. 24, 6-7:30 p.m. Link will be posted online. 10

Open House

March 10, 6-8 p.m. Hudgins Hall (Cobb County Civic Center) 548 S. Marietta Parkway SE, Marietta

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

City Seeks Input for 2022 Comprehensive Plan The City of Kennesaw Comprehensive Plan is a living document shaped by its leadership, staff and citizens. It is a policy guide for making zoning and capital investment decisions, and it sets policies for city officials and staff concerning the future development of the city. A five-year update of the city’s Comprehensive Plan is required by the minimum standards and procedures for local comprehensive planning adopted by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA). The latest version of these standards and procedures can be found in the DCA Rules at Chapter 110-12-1, effective Oct. 1, 2018. In meeting these standards, this plan enables the city to maintain its Qualified Local Government Status, making it eligible to receive certain types of state funding. This update reassesses where Kennesaw stands today, and how it intends to grow in the future. It presents an updated community vision, corresponding goals and a work program designed to make that vision a reality.

Comprehensive Plan Goals from 2017

The residents, employees and businesses of Kennesaw are working to capitalize on the qualities and values that have made it a successful community. To be a successful community, Kennesaw will… • Create great public spaces and thoroughfares with well-balanced, fiscally sound, infrastructure investments. • Work to ensure existing business and retail vitality while expanding the economy with community partners.

• Preserve the city’s hometown atmosphere while growing the economy and population through impactful redevelopment within downtown and along major corridors. Help guide future growth by taking the online survey at https://publicinput.com/B4807. Input needed by Feb. 28.

Map to Nonprofits Near You Cobb County Geographic Information System has a new interactive map of all the nonprofit organizations in the area. With this map, residents can easily find organizations, whether they need those services themselves, or if they’re interested in volunteering or want to donate. Access the map by visiting https://bit.ly/3GKK4e4. A short instructional video is available on Cobb TV to help residents start using the new map. View the instructional video at https://bit.ly/3qFfrBi.

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The Little Free Library at McCall Primary in Acworth.

“21 in 2021” Little Free Library Goal Reached BY COBB COLLABORATIVE

As the local point of contact for the Get Georgia Reading Campaign, the Cobb Collaborative works to improve third-grade reading levels in Cobb County. Data reveals children who read proficiently by the end of third grade are four times more likely to graduate from high school — paving the way to higher education, better employment opportunities and improved health outcomes. Driven by the motivation of increasing access to books to improve reading achievement, the collaborative set a goal of installing 21 Little Free Libraries across Cobb County in 2021. In December, this goal was achieved with the installation of Little Free Libraries at McCall Primary School, Argyle Elementary School and Cumberland Community Church. 12

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

“Research tells us that starting from birth, frequent and interactive book reading is associated with cognitive and language development,” said Cobb Collaborative Executive Director Irene Barton. “One of the most successful ways to improve the reading achievement of children is to increase access to books, especially at home and in their native language. We are dedicated to the process of making that happen in our community.” Collectively, the 21 Little Free Libraries are placed in many areas across Cobb County, including schools, apartment complexes, churches and early learning centers. “We are very excited at Green Acres to have our new Little Free Library! Our community has a need, and we have wanted to do this for several years” said Green Acres Elementary School Principal Ashley Mize. “Many of our students live within walking distance to the school so it is perfect for the students to access after school and on the weekends.” Susan Ciavolino, who hosts The Bee Library, a Little Free Library at her home in Smyrna, said she’s thankful to Cobb Collaborative and Irene Barton for being a part and bringing other community members along in this initiative. The “21 in 2021” Little Free Library initiative was a quintessential collaborative effort, with support from partners including Cobb County School District, Marietta City Schools, United Way of Greater Atlanta Northwest Region, American Opportunity Foundation, Scout troops, businesses, civic associations and Greystone Power Operation Roundup. Additionally, countless supporters donated new and gently used books to help fill and maintain the Little Free Libraries. Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization dedicated to putting books in the hands of children and adults in communities around the world. These book-sharing boxes remove barriers to book access by being available seven days a week, 24 hours a day with free accessibility. They operate under the “Take One, Leave One” theory, which encourages readers to not only take a book, but to leave one for others when possible. To find out where Little Free Libraries are located in your area, visit littlefreelibrary.org/ourmap. For those interested in sponsoring or hosting a Little Free Library in 2022, email Irene Barton at ibarton@ cobbcollaborative.org.

The Cobb Collaborative is a membership of nonprof it organizations, local government, businesses, faith-based organizations, educational institutions, professional organizations, associations, and citizens who share ideas, expertise and resources to meet the needs of Cobb County and its citizens.

K-2nd Grade

• “The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage” by Selina Alko • “Big Papa and the Time Machine” by Daniel Bernstrom • “Shirley Chisholm is a Verb!” by Veronica Chambers

• “The ABCs of Black History” by Rio Cortez • “Let the Children March” by Monica Clark-Robinson

3rd-5th Grade

• “Henry’s Freedom Box” by Ellen Levine • “The Undefeated” by Kwame Alexander

Curl Up With a Good Book

This time of year, there’s nothing like curling up in front of the fire with a cup of hot cocoa and a good book. With winter break right around the corner, check out these reading recommendations for teens and children from our friends at the library, who also share some great selections for Black History Month. Remember, the North Cobb Regional Library also offers titles in eBook and audiobook.

Winter Reads

Preschool (ages 2-5)

• “Snow Globe Wishes” by Erin Dealey • “Best in Snow” by April Pulley-Sayre • “A Big Bed for Little Snow” by Grace Lin • “Bunny Slopes” by Claudia Rueda • “Here Comes Jack Frost” by Kazuno Kohara

K-2nd Grade

• “Over and Under the Snow” by Randi Sosny-Handler • “Penguin Problems” by Jory John • “No Yeti Yet” by Mary Ann Fraser • “Meet the Bigfeet” by Kevin Sherry • “Ten Ways to Hear Snow” by Cathy Camper

3rd-5th Grade

• “Peril at Owl Park” by Marthe Jocelyn • “Winterhouse” by Ben Guterson • “Breadcrumbs” by Anne Ursu • “Race to the Sun” by Rebecca Roanhorse • “Forgotten Girl” by India Hill Brown

Middle and High School

• “Icebreaker” by Lian Tanner • “Shiver” by Maggie Stiefvater • “Fracture” by Megan Miranda • “Nuclear Winter” graphic novel series by Cab • “Winterwood” by Shea Ernshaw

Black History Month Preschool (ages 2-5)

• “Mae Among the Stars” by Roda Ahmed • “Follow Your Dreams, Little One” by Vashti Harrison • “Dream Big, Little One” by Vashti Harrison • “Firebird” by Misty Copeland • “Black Is a Rainbow Color” by Angela Joy

• “Hidden figures: The Untold True Story of Four African-American Women Who Helped Launch Our Nation Into Space” [Young Reader’s Edition] by Margot Lee Shetterly

• “Young, Gifted, and Black: Meet 52 Black Heroes From Past and Present” by Jamia Wilson • “What Color Is My World?: The Lost History of African-American Inventors” by Kareem AbdulJabbar

Middle and High School

• “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You” [Young Adult remix of “Stamped From the Beginning”] by Jason Reynolds • “March” graphic novel trilogy by John Lewis • “X: A Novel” by Ilyasah Shabazz • “A Matter of Souls” by Denise Lewis Patrick • “Call Us What We Carry: Poems” by Amanda Gorman • “African Icons: Ten People Who Shaped History” by Tracey Baptiste

In addition to these great Black History Month reads, North Cobb Regional Library is offering an outdoor Black History Month Scavenger Hunt on the grounds of the library throughout the month. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3tAZ1eX. AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

Sardis Missionary Baptist Church today. Photograph by Andrew J. Bramlett.

Sardis Missionary Baptist Church: A Community Cornerstone BY ANDREW J. BRAMLETT

In honor of Black History Month, let’s take a look at the story of Sardis Missionary Baptist Church in downtown Kennesaw. The 1860 federal census listed exactly 240 enslaved persons in Big Shanty, compared with 719 white residents. The youngest enslaved person listed was 1 month old, and the oldest was 60. Several were listed as “fugitives from the state.” The 1870 census listed 116 African American residents living in the Kennesaw district. (There also were fewer white residents listed than in 1860.) Their occupations included cooks, housekeepers, farmers, railroad workers, a blacksmith and a minister. One 13-year-old was listed as attending school, something that would not have been possible less than a decade before. Kennesaw obviously had a thriving Black community after the Civil War. In 1880, members 14

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

of the community purchased land from Gaspard T. Carrie, next to the railroad tracks, for use as a new church building. The men were deacons Jack Talley, Sam Bostick and Alexander James Tanner. A small frame church was erected, and the new church opened that year. It was named Sardis Baptist Church. The first preacher of the church was the Rev. W. F. Strickland, and he was assisted by Professor B.J. Graves. The original church building was located behind the present structure on South Main Street, across from Sardis Street, and it was painted white and blue. It was next to a large oak tree, which is still thriving on the church grounds. At an unknown date, a schoolhouse was added to the property, which served Kennesaw’s Black community. Across the street was Grant Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME)

and Triumph Holiness Church. Of the three churches that sat in downtown Kennesaw’s Black community, Sardis is the only congregation that remains. Baptisms for Sardis were held at King’s Wigwam, a resort owned by the Rev. Henry McNeal Turner, which sat near the present-day quarry on McCollum Parkway. Turner was not connected to Sardis, but he did help to found Mt. Zion AME on Wade Green Road. In 1932, in the middle of the Great Depression, the original church building burned. The fire was caused by a faulty stove. The church Bible, several pews and an organ were among the items recovered from the fire. Community members helped to build a new structure by donating materials and labor. A church deacon donated oak trees that were cut for free by local businessman J.G. Lewis. The nails were salvaged from the previous building, and a carpenter offered his services free to build the structure. The church soon was ready for services, but the finishing touches would not be added until 1945. This structure was used until 1973, when the current building was built. In 1996, the fellowship hall behind it was added. The history of Sardis Missionary Baptist Church can be found all around it, quite literally. The block where Sardis sits is home to three African American cemeteries. The cemetery to the right of Sardis, along the railroad tracks, is the church cemetery. Behind the church is a second cemetery, owned for many years by Mayor Luther Chalker. Across from the Enclave at Depot Park is a third cemetery, believed to be connected to Grant Chapel AME. Each of these cemeteries includes gravestones made by Eldren Bailey, an African American artist from Atlanta. The cornerstones for both the 1930s structure and the current sanctuary can be found on the church façade. Near the cornerstones is the bell from the church schoolhouse. Sardis Missionary Baptist Church has looked over Kennesaw from atop its hill for more than 140 years. In 2020, the church compiled a history of the congregation, which was an invaluable help in the writing of this article. Amid the changes that have taken place in Kennesaw, Sardis has remained a touchstone of our city’s African American community.

Two cornerstones can be found on the church façade. The bottom one is from 1945, and the cornerstone above it is from 1972. Below, the original church building, which was built in 1880, before it was destroyed in a 1932 fire. This photo is from the book “Generations of Black Life in Kennesaw and Marietta, Georgia” by Patrice Shelton Lassiter.

Andrew Bramlett is vice president of the Kennesaw Historical Society and an honorary member of the Kennesaw Cemetery Preservation Commission.

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

Celebrations! ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE FREE! Email to: edit@aroundaboutmagazines.com March deadline is Feb. 14. Please specify Around Kennesaw.

Chandler Hearing Age 19 on Feb. 14 Happy birthday! Love, Mom

Bailey Grace Arnold

Age 9 on Feb. 7 Happy birthday, Bails! We adore your kind heart and loving spirit; we are so proud of you! Love, Mommy, Daddy, Ella Reece, Paisley and Hunter

Age 5 on Feb. 23 Happy birthday, Maddie! We love you! Mom, Dad and Charlotte

Steve James

Happy birthday, Steve James! We love you, McKenzie, Landon and Dana AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

Josephine - Age 6 on Feb. 25 Joshua - Age 2 on Feb. 28 Happy birthday! May you grow in the ways of the Lord. We will always love you both, Mom and Dad

Madeline Montaña

Ariana Rose

Josephine and Joshua Tay

Olivia

Happy third birthday! Love you, Camila, Siena, Daddy and Mommy

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Jackson Willard Bennecke

Age 3 on Feb. 9 Happy birthday! We love you! Daddy, Mommy and Lachlan

Feb. 12 Happy birthday, Jackson!

A sculpture titled “Forget Me Not, America” sits in front of the Manning Family Cabin on the grounds of the Root House, to honor the lives of enslaved people.

Remembering Cobb’s Enslaved Population BY TREVOR BEEMON

Cobb Landmarks and Historical Society recently dedicated a new sculpture at the William Root House, built circa 1845 for Hannah and William Root, early settlers of Marietta. Born in Philadelphia in 1815, William moved to Marietta in August 1839 to open a drug-mercantile store on the Marietta Square. During the 1990s, the Root House was restored meticulously to its original appearance, and now is operated by Cobb Landmarks as a historic house museum. Situated on the Root House property is the circa 1830s Manning Family Cabin. Cobb Landmarks uses the cabin to help tell the stories of the enslaved individuals who labored at the Root House property, and who would have lived in a similar cabin. The 1860 census shows Marietta had 297 households and a population of approximately 2,600. Of the 297 households, 137 (46%) held slaves. According to the 1860 slave schedule (census), Marietta’s slave population in 1860 was roughly 1,200, meaning that almost 45% of Marietta’s total population was enslaved at that time. To honor and remember the more than 1,200 enslaved people living in Marietta prior to the end of the Civil War, Cobb Landmarks partnered with Kennesaw State University’s (KSU) School of Art and Design to create a new garden sculpture. For the sculpture, KSU students used state-

of-the-art scanning technology to 3D scan living history interpreter Misha Harp. The scan was used to print a maquette of the sculpture, using a 3D printer, which helped inform sculptors as they crafted the full-size sculpture. The unveiling, which attracted a large crowd, included remarks by myself, Harp, master craftsman Page Burch, and a poetry reading by Sprayberry High School student Courtney Brown. Lights Over Atlanta, a company that specializes in exterior lighting, approached Cobb Landmarks about donating permanent outdoor lighting for the Root House’s new garden sculpture, titled “Forget Me Not, America.” The lighting ceremony took place in December. The sculpture represents the work of students, poets, artists and historians who came together for a common purpose — to shine a light on the 1,200 enslaved individuals whose names were not recorded and now are lost to time.

Trevor Beemon is the executive director of Cobb Landmarks and Historical Society and the chairman of the Acworth History Preservation Commission.

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

A Word from

Mayor Derek Easterling

elcome to February, the final full month of winter. Aloha! Join us for the Totally Tiki Luau on Feb. 5. Put on your wackiest Hawaiian wear, and dance the night away. Guests will be in awe as the Ben Robertson Community Center’s Banquet Hall is transformed into a colorful and tropical luau dance venue. Spend the evening with your big and little tikis, and experience all the sights and sounds of the beach. Feast, play and dance the night away to your favorite tunes, spun by a professional DJ. This family-friendly event features an all-you-can-eat dinner and dessert bar, as well as plenty of photo opportunities. All adults must be accompanied by a child, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Seating will be open; however, tables will be reserved for parties of six or more. Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased online, or at the Ben Robertson Community Center. Advance purchase is required. Tickets are nonrefundable. Last month marked the seventh time I delivered the State of the City for Kennesaw. I would like to share a few highlights of the presentation with you in this article and over the next several months, to keep you up to date on what’s happening in our city. The first time I spoke, I related how I imagined leading the way for the city was comparable to driving a submarine, i.e., developing the trust and confidence in the city’s professional staff, to allow them to perform their tasks and to do what they do best - serve the people of Kennesaw. The intended purpose of my presentation was to lay out the keys to our success. By establishing and using the Big Three – business development, sustained relationships and our economic development strategy – we have helped create great success stories in our community. The Big Three are built on long-term vision and continuity.

Relationships are the foundational piece for any business development efforts. Establishing relationships forged out of trust and respect is key to creating greater long-term value for everyone involved. Leadership is not about having the answer; leadership is the ability to create a solution. Your city, with Dr. Jeff Drobney and his team of professionals, has done an outstanding job in creating solutions to the many challenges of operating in today’s economic and cultural environment. Our partnerships, collaborative efforts and professional relationships work to create a multitude of expanded opportunities for everyone, and we are guided by our core values statement, which reads: “The city of Kennesaw is guided by core values supporting the fulfillment of the mission and vision of the city. These core values are fundamental to our city’s success and reflect the respect we have for our community and organization.”

RESPECT

• Responsible behavior • Ethical conduct • Safe practices • Professional service • Engaged throughout • Connected wholeheartedly • Transparent in all aspects of our actions

When all of the details are worked out, and all of the pieces are in the right order, great things happen. I will highlight more of the State of the City in future articles. Thank you for reading and being a part of our community. Be blessed! Derek Easterling has served as Kennesaw’s mayor since 2016. He is dedicated to serving his community to the highest level possible.

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

A Look at Timeless Leadership Traits BY DANA DORRIS

UPCOMING EVENTS Feb. 8

KBA Luncheon

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Kennesaw Recreation Center 2737 Watts Drive Speaker is Brian Dodd, sponsored by Springer & Co. CPAs.

Feb. 15

Business Expo and Alive After Five

4-7:30 p.m. Kennesaw Recreation Center 2737 Watts Drive Sponsored by Crane Elder Law Firm.

Feb. 22

Wake Up KBA 8-9 a.m. TBA

March 8

KBA Luncheon

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. TBD Speaker is Ernest Davis.

Join the KBA by visiting www.kennesawbusiness.org.

Great leadership is a timeless and always popular topic among business leaders. We search for the qualities of the best leadership principles that will withstand the test of time, and leadership lessons can be found throughout history. In reflecting on those who possess the best leadership qualities, perhaps there is no greater analogy than that of shepherds protecting their sheep — the epitome of servant leadership. The shepherd characterizes traits, attributes and perspectives of leadership and provides the approach that will take us to the next level. 1. Vision and strategy. True leaders have a clear vision for the future and move toward it. They will define, establish and maintain boundaries to benefit those they lead and create their plan. Great leaders clearly define and communicate the vision and strategy for flawless execution. Shepherds walk ahead of their sheep and know the journey the sheep will travel. They prepare the sheep for potential obstacles and navigate them to the safest, most beneficial conditions, always keeping them from harm. They never expect sheep to move into any circumstance they are not willing to withstand. 2. Character. An effective leader must be a worthy model to follow. They must understand and accept their role while maintaining good morals and values. Leaders should understand what it means to not only lead, but also to follow. Shepherds understand and accept that sheep do not belong to them. They are entrusted and empowered by another and are responsible for the care of the flock. They must answer to a higher authority. 3. Trust and relationships. A leader needs to cultivate a deep

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

sense of trust among those they lead. True leaders take the time and energy to build solid and genuine relationships, investing in others to help mold and shape them to create change. Shepherds protect and serve their sheep and know their flocks intimately.

4. Investment in others. Leaders provide for others’ needs and are willing to experience personal sacrifice for the benefit of their followers. It is not about themselves, but the ones that follow them. Shepherds always are willing to put the immediate needs and well-being of the sheep before their own, often at great personal risk. There are some incredible leaders in the business world today, and I have had the privilege to work for and be associated with many. As leaders, we must remain focused on the most important asset in our organizations: our employees. People are a sacred trust, and serving them is an awesome commission. By definition, servant-shepherd leadership is a model that caters to the holistic development of the constituents as persons by guiding, protecting and providing the necessary human conditions for them to attain their highest potential. It is our responsibility as leaders to lead well and to help others grow and develop their best self, and send them out to foster change. This is how we create a bigger purpose, better business and a brighter future.

Dana Dorris is the first two-time female president of the Kennesaw Business Association. She is an independent insurance agent.

Do We Really Get Away With It? BY BILL WESTENBERGER

“Character is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching” is a very popular quote, known by many. Unfortunately, recent times have showcased many in society making decisions based on their ability to conceal their actions successfully. We see this occurring with family, colleagues, and certainly in the news with people in high-profile positions. The most troubling thing is that honest and ethical decisions and actions are becoming more the exception than the norm. It’s all around us every day, and, for many, there are few places to find the comfort of honesty and integrity. Throughout my law enforcement career, I’ve seen it most predominantly in infractions of the law. In the past three years, it seems to be more frequent than ever that people base their decisions on whether to commit criminal violations on their risk of getting caught. Historically, it has been a smaller portion of society that misbehaved, but now we are seeing it frequently with who traditionally have been regarded as law abiding citizens. Most commonly, we see a great deal of poor judgment in recreational use of drugs and careless or aggressive driving habits. In a safe and quiet community, our officers are seeing the evidence of these actions on a daily basis — unfortunately, through tragedy and

loss of life. I recognize that this is not a comfortable topic, and that many are challenged in dealing with their demons. I don’t come from a place of judgment or a political stance. Simply put, I care. I hate seeing the tragedies and the loss of loved ones by families. My heart goes out to those with shattered dreams from poor choices.

“

Our choices make us who we are. We can make better choices, and have great success with family, job, friends and lifestyle.

The personal decisions and judgments we make really do have consequences. The question is where we want to land on the backside of our choices. Legislators generally make their decisions on criminal law in a way to protect their constituents. They are grounded in the best interest of our community, to mitigate the risk of death, injury or loss. The laws exist for a reason. Law enforcement officials do what they can to enforce in a way to protect, not be heavy-handed.

If you choose to violate the law and get caught, it can result in loss of freedom and finances, which can create a major impact on your job and lifestyle. My plea is that you consider your choices, not just from a place of whether you might get caught, but pause and view things through the lens of selfpreservation. If that’s not enough, consider your family and loved ones. Consider others that share your community. So, do we really get away with it? The answer is no. Our choices make us who we are. We can make better choices, and have great success with family, job, friends and lifestyle. Otherwise, we are positioned to have terrible tragedies, losses and setbacks. It all comes around in the end. We choose our paths. I know we are not perfect, and we all make mistakes daily. I simply ask that we challenge ourselves to pause and think before doing things that we know aren’t right; we could harm ourselves, or someone else. Life is tough enough; let’s not add to the struggle. Until next time … stay safe.

Bill Westenberger has served as chief since 2008. He was given the 2019 Kennesaw Citizen of the Year Award.

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

Bee the Change with the

Cobb 4-H Plant Sale

BY MASTER GARDENER EXTENSION VOLUNTEER JUDY ABBOTT

While the calendar may still say it’s winter, spring isn’t far away. Now is the best time of year to plan any additions to your gardens, and Cobb County 4-H is here to help you get started. This year’s theme for the organization’s annual plant sale is Bee the Change, which supports our pollinators and Cobb 4-H youth programs. Pre-orders are open until March 4, with pick up 9 a.m.-1 p.m. March 19 at Jim Miller Park in the covered pavilion. Shopping couldn’t be easier. Simply make your selections from the brochure, then drop off, or mail in, your order form before 5 p.m. March 4. The order form and brochure are available on the Cobb County UGA Extension Office website. (https://extension.uga.edu/county-offices/cobb.html) Orders will be accepted at the Extension Office with debit/ credit card (Visa/MasterCard/Discover), cash, money order or check. Mail-in orders will be accepted with a check or money order. The Extension Office is located at 678 South Cobb Drive, Suite 200 in Marietta. • No phone orders will be accepted to ensure accuracy. • All checks should be made out to Cobb Extension/4-H. • All sales are final. Cobb County 4-H makes no guarantee on plants sold. Some plant varieties are limited. Plants sell quickly. • Contact the Cobb County Extension Office at 770-528-4070 with questions.

Every year, our Master Gardeners work alongside 4-H youth to unload the delivery trucks — we are talking thousands of plants — then sort the plants to make the drive-through pick up process easier.

Azalea Tallulah Sunrise 22

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

4-H Agent Brittani Lee, Cobb County 4-Hers Sandhya Rajesh, Stefan Saboura, Kshitij Badve, Haya Fatmi and 4-H Program Assistant Kathleen McElroy.

Below is a list of available plants for sale; review the brochure for photos, plant descriptions, environmental requirements and pricing. Order soon to reserve your selections.

• Blueberries – Austin, Brightwell, Powderblue, Premier, Titan • Abelia – Peach Perfection • Azalea Evergreen – Hershey Red • Azalea Native – Tallulah Sunrise • Camellia – Alabama Beauty • Fothergilla – Mount Airy • Echinacea – Pow Wow Wild Berry • Fern – Autumn, Painted • Gardenia – Frost Proof • Heuchera (coral bells) – Amber Lady, Caramel, Obsidian • Hosta – June, Minuteman • Hydrangea – Snow Queen Oakleaf, Ada Lynn • Magnolia – Brittany • Monarda Jacob Cline • Osmanthus fragrans (tea olive) • Phlox Paniculata (Purple Eye) • Rose Brindabella – First Lady • Rose – At Last, Proven Winner series • Rudbeckia Goldsturm – Black-eyed Susan • Viburnum – Mohawk, Snowball • Herbs – Bronze Fennel, Tuscan Blue Rosemary, Tricolor Sage, Pineapple Sage

Supporting Cobb 4-H’s Bee the Change plant sale allows our Cobb County youth to grow and learn. A recent report by Josie Smith for CAES News (UGA College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences), provides a perfect example. Four Cobb high school students recently earned top honors with their first-place win at the 4-H State Cotton Boll and Consumer Judging contest held Nov. 11, 2021, at Rock Eagle in Eatonton. Sandhya Rajesh, Kshitij Badve, Haya Fatmi and Stefan Saboura were awarded Master 4-Her status with their first-place win at the state level. The first-place team from Cobb County was coached by 4-H Agent Brittani Lee and 4-H Program Assistant Kathleen McElroy. The team will represent Georgia 4-H in the Consumer Decision Making contest at the 2023 Western National Roundup in Denver, Colorado. Congratulations to these Master 4-Hers and best of luck at nationals! Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County, Inc. (MGVOCC) is a 501(c)(3) organization, which promotes and supports horticultural education programs and projects in Cobb County, Georgia. Members have been certified by the University of Georgia (UGA) Master Gardener program. For gardening questions, contact the Master Gardener Help Desk, UGA Cooperative Extension/Cobb County at 770-528-4070.

Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County is a part of the University of Georgia Extension.

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

Around & About FEBRUARY

The Valentine’s Dance Party: Totally Tiki Luau, 6-9 p.m., features an all-you-can-eat dinner and dessert bar, photo opportunities and a professional DJ at Ben Robertson Community Center’s Banquet Hall in Kennesaw. All adults must be accompanied by a child, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are $15 per person, and can be purchased in advance online, or at the community center. https://bit.ly/3fEDU3b.

Join NorthStar Church for a drive-through Night to Shine experience. The special-needs prom event is 6-8 p.m., with interactive stations featuring princess encounters, crazy characters, walking the red carpet, playing hands-on games, snapping memories at photo spots and more. Guests and caregivers will receive swag bags with special gifts inside. https://northstarchurch.org/special-needs/#nighttoshine.

18-21

The Great Backyard Bird Count is back, and people from around the world will come together to watch, learn about, count and celebrate birds for four days. For more information on how to share your bird sightings, visit www.birdcount.org/participate.

The 13th annual Special Olympics Georgia Polar Plunge, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., is one of the “coolest” fundraising events around. The event returns to Acworth Beach at Cauble Park. All proceeds go to providing 26,620 Special Olympics Georgia athletes free year-round sports training. For more information, and to register, visit polarplungega.org.

MARCH

Offering Moms Support Club, 5 Moms Acworth chapter, meets 10 a.m. at North Cobb

Regional Library. The Kennesaw chapter will join in; everyone is welcome to mingle and share ideas. For more information, visit kennesawmomsclub.weebly.com. Touch-a-Truck, hosted by Kennesaw Parks and Recreation, runs 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Adams Park, 2600 Park Drive, Kennesaw.

The sixth annual Marietta Shamrock 12 Shuffle 5K, a Peachtree Road Race Qualifier benefitting Marietta’s Police Athletic League, 9 a.m., at Marietta Square. Dress accordingly for this St. Patrick’s Day-themed race. https://mariettashamrockshuffle.com.

Georgia Food + Wine 24-27 The Festival, benefitting MUST

Ministries, is coming to Jim R. Miller Park in Marietta. Celebrate the best of Georgia and the South, from its culinary superstars and beverage experts, to farmers, artisans, live musicians and more. https://georgiafoodandwinefestival.com.

are underway for “Seven 25-27 Rehearsals Keys to Baldpate Inn,” a serious

comedy thriller, adapted by Paul Thain. Directed by Suzzune Husting, the play’s plot revolves around a bet to write a novel in 24 hours, with political intrigue, bribery, blackmail and a missing $1 million. On March 27, the show is at 3 p.m. All other shows are at 7 p.m. Keep an eye out for tickets at www.acworthculturalarts.org.

Plungers from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation wade through the frigid lake during a past Polar Plunge. Photo by Ed Selby. 24

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

PARKS AND RECREATION Noonday Shanty 5 & 10K, presented 26 The by Town Center Community Alliance, starts

at Town Center at Cobb. The 10K begins at 7:45 a.m., and the 5K begins at 8 a.m. Register at www.towncentercid.com/alliance/noonday-shanty.

The 15th annual Wing & Rock Fest 26-27 will be held noon-7 p.m. Saturday and

noon-6 p.m. Sunday at Etowah River Park, 600 Brown Industrial Parkway, in Canton. Voted one of the Top 10 Food Festivals in the Southeast by Festival Rooster, the free, family-friendly event will feature a variety of chicken wings with bold sauces, as well as live music. www.wingandrockfest.com.

To register, visit www.kennesaw-ga.gov/parks-and-recreation.

Through Feb. 24

Mark Chandler is teaching the Photography Basics class for beginning level photographers, ages 15-90, 7-8:30 p.m. Thursdays. This class is offered at multiple facilities; check the website for details.

Pickleball lessons for beginners (9-10 a.m.) and intermediate students (10-11 a.m.), ages 16-plus, are Thursdays at the Recreation Center at Adams Park Court 1.

Through Feb. 28

The White Diamonds Dance Team is a majorette-style team, for ages 8-18, that incorporates hip-hop, jazz, lyrical and step routines, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays-Wednesdays and Fridays at the Recreation Center at Adams Park.

Through March 17

Special Needs Gymnastics, meeting 4-4:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Ben Robertson Community Center, is designed for children with special needs who are independent while doing gross motor skill activities, yet require a smaller class size.

Through March 31

The Youth Basketball Clinic meets 6-7 p.m. Thursdays at the Recreation Center at Adams Park. The clinic, for grades K-8, focuses on basketball fundamentals, such as dribbling, passing, rebounding and shooting.

Through April 27

John and Anita Spisak at last year’s Wing & Rock Fest. Photo by Teena Coogle.

APRIL Breakfast, hosted by Kennesaw Parks 2 Bunny and Recreation, will have two seating options: 8-9:15 a.m. and 9:15-10 a.m. Enjoy breakfast and photos with the Easter Bunny at Ben Robertson Community Center, 2753 Watts Drive, Kennesaw. Visit www.kennesaw-ga.gov/events, for tickets and more information.

2-3

Acworth Art Fest returns to downtown Acworth Main Street, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Creative booth displays will decorate the streets with paintings, pottery, metalwork, folk art, glass, jewelry, yard art and more. www.splashfestivals.com/events-festivals/ acworth-art-fest.

BSD Taekwondo, 6-7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at the Recreation Center at Adams Park, helps students, ages 6-99, sharpen their minds and learn to use their hands and feet to protect themselves.

Feb. 5-26

Amazing Athletes meets 11:30-12:05 p.m. Saturdays at

the Recreation Center at Adams Park. Ages 3-6 will develop athletic and motor skills as they participate in 10 sports throughout the session.

Feb. 28-April 18

Painting and Drawing With Jessica Geist, 10:30 a.m.1:30 p.m. Mondays at the Ben Robertson Community Center Painting Lab, is for intermediate and advanced oil painters. This class will help students improve upon techniques for creating depth and realism, as well as color theory and color mixing.

March 3-31

Caregiver and Me: Basketball and Yoga is held 10-10:45 a.m. at the Recreation Center at Adams Park. Caregivers will enjoy a challenging yoga workout while their little athletes, ages 2-5, learn fundamental basketball drills. AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

Fighting Susan Schulz with Warrior Bride Ministries founder Kelly Hawley.

the Good

FIGHT

BY SUSAN BROWNING SCHULZ

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

ith the recent sex trafficking charges against Jeffrey Epstein and his longtime companion, Ghislaine Maxwell, the sordid details of these offenses have been pushed to the forefront for all to see. An evil scourge on society, human trafficking is a $150 billion industry with more than 25 million victims globally, according to a 2020 Forbes article by Carmen Niethammer. The staff and volunteers at Warrior Bride Ministries (WBM) work relentlessly to be part of the answer to this growing problem. Women and children come to them from all over the country to find healing and freedom from the trauma of abuse. “Warrior Bride Ministries was born out of necessity to give survivors a place to heal,” founder Kelly Hawley said. “As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and a believer for over 20 years, I have a unique experience in navigating the spiritual and emotional aftermath of trauma and walking in freedom. I also went through a lot of training while serving with an organization, for over 10 years, that helped sexual abuse victims, like me, to find their healing in Christ. I worked with them until they were no longer in operation. There were many survivors who still needed someone to walk with them on their journey of healing. This inspired me to launch Warrior Bride Ministries in 2017. We became an official nonprofit in 2020.” The ministry teams of WBM successfully completed 263 intake sessions in 2020, online and in person in their first office in Marietta, despite the start of a global pandemic one month after organizing. The nonprofit continues to grow and, at the end of last year, moved to a larger facility in Kennesaw. “WBM provides a safe place for me to heal from childhood trauma that was keeping me stuck in a cycle of depression, suicidal ideation, and hospitalization,” survivor S.M. said. “They are teaching me how to function with dissociative identity disorder* while working toward integration and wholeness. I see, for the first time, what unconditional love is, and that I matter as a person. It’s safe to have a voice here. I don’t have to feel ashamed of the darkness and evil I’ve experienced, and I can finally stop running. The biblical restoration process is showing me that I am deserving of love, and I am not who my abusers say I am. I finally have hope that I can become all I was created to be and walk into my destiny with joy, strength and support. There is no help available for people like me where I’m from. I’m so thankful that God sent me here.” “Here at WBM our battle cry is: I won’t be quiet so you can be comfortable,” Program Director Eliana Brooks said. At WBM, the leaders and volunteers aim to meet this challenging issue head-on by providing outpatient care and rehabilitation services on an ongoing basis to those seeking freedom through healing, deliverance and integration to move them beyond crippling trauma. With their explosive growth, they have moved into the due

The prayer room at Warrior Bride Ministries headquarters, where many lives change for the better.

diligence stage of opening a long-term care facility, trusting God for the needed funds. This community will be called Agape Redemption Ministry and will include a short-term residential program. WBM client Sophia praised the nonprofit for tackling a tough issue. “This type of ministry is unique and rare, and one that not many are willing to take on,” Sophia said. “I believe it gives people hope and boldness to want to step up and help, and an awareness to spread the truth of the evil that is happening across the globe. Check them out and get involved. Help them fight the good fight! You will be blessed.” WBM is hosting an educational conference, titled Counting the Cost, Feb. 24-27 at the Pine Acres Retreat Center in Acworth. This is an introductory conference that gives pastors, ministers, laypersons and the general public an overview of the complexities that come with healing mentally, emotionally and spiritually from severe trauma. Register for the conference by visiting countingthecostconference.org. To learn more about WBM, visit warriorbrideministries. com, email admin@warriorbrideministries.com, or call 833-WBM-SAVE/ 678-336-2410. Follow WBM on Facebook and Instagram at @warriorbrideministriesga.

*Dissociative identity disorder usually is a reaction to trauma as a way to help a person avoid bad memories. The leaders at WBM describe it as a survival technique for the mind.

Susan Schulz is a Bible teacher and mentor who lives and plays on the Etowah River in Canton. Connect with her on social media or at susanbrowningschulz.com.

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Up to 100% Loan to Value Available** HELOC Rates as low as 3.00% APR*

Learn More at www.CUofGA.org! *Annual Percentage Rate. **Fixed rates as low as 2.79% on Home Equity Loan terms 70% or less loan to value, as low as 3.29% on Home Equity Loan terms 70.01%-80.00% loan to value, as low as 3.79% on Home Equity Loan terms 80.01%-90.00% loan to value and as low as 5.29% on Home Equity Loan terms 90.01% - 100% loan to value. Rate advertised is Prime Rate as published in the Wall Street Journal, minus .25%. The margin is determined at time of loan opening by the creditworthiness of the borrower and our underwriting standards. Current Prime Rate is 3.25% APR as of December 21, 2020. Members are required to have a minimum of a $10 Share Account. Qualification is based on an assessment of individual creditworthiness and our underwriting standards. Credit Union of Georgia will pay closing costs, if applicable with the exception of appraisals and title insurance. The Credit Union will recapture those fees if the loan is closed within 12 months of disbursement. Program, terms and conditions are subject to change without further notice. Contact Credit Union of Georgia at 678-486-1111 for current rates, terms and conditions. Credit Union of Georgia, 4178 Jiles Road, Suite 100, Kennesaw, GA 30144. NMLS ID #571306.

678-486-1111 AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

A New Era for MPC

Murray Innovation Center Opens to Students Last month, Mount Paran Christian School (MPCS) ushered in the spring semester with the opening of the Murray Innovation Center, a 23,000-plussquare-foot expansion of the high school building. The opening is the result of careful planning and perfect timing, as the center offers spaces for enhanced programming and instruction, nearly doubling the size of the high school, originally built for 250 students and now housing nearly 450. For the 2021-2022 academic year, enrollment at MPCS grew to approximately 1,255 students, up from 1,180 in August 2020. Enrollment is capped to maintain small class sizes, so each student is known and loved. The school, founded in 1976, serves students in pre-K3 through grade 12 and is a fully accredited, nondenominational, covenantal Christian school. The college-preparatory program offerings demonstrate a commitment to excellence in academics, arts and athletics. The school’s goal is to prepare servant-leaders — in the classroom, on the ball field, on the stage and, ultimately, in the community.

Outside-the-Box Lessons MPCS offers a blend of proven curriculum and innovative, outside-thebox instruction, including student-led initiatives. Such is the case with Roost Coffee Co., a student-run coffee shop launched from the school’s business and entrepreneurship courses. Zachary Fors, a 2021 graduate, began the Roost after he was challenged in an MPCS business class to identify a need at the school and find a solution. He shared the Roost business plan with Head of 28

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

Upper School and Associate Head of School Tawanna Rusk, requesting a trial investment. The trial was so successful that Fors sought additional funding to expand. Fors, who is now studying business management at Tulane University, said, “No other school would’ve taken a chance on a student.” Fors and former classmate Antonio Hundley, also a 2021 graduate, applied concepts from their business class to the business, eventually growing to cater on-campus meetings and events. When COVID-19 hit, the students developed an ordering website and became a fully digital operation. The class initiated a partnership with Dale Hughes, a father of two MPCS alumni and owner of Apotheos Roastery in downtown Kennesaw. This allowed the Roost to purchase additional equipment and expand its offerings to include baked goods and popular items, such as coldbrewed coffee. These new features are on full display in the new Roost retail storefront, located inside the Murray Innovation Center, providing a central community meeting place in the new building’s Graham Commons.

Supporting Success In addition to the Roost, the new Murray Innovation Center supports design thinking through improved layouts to enhance student experiences in every STEAM discipline. The building provides space and technology for innovative education, designed to equip students with the career skills they will need for their future, including

new science labs; collegiate-style, technology-rich collaborative areas; and classrooms suited to the engineering design process. Outfitted with dual monitor design stations for computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) design work, the digital lab provides space to inspire students through collaborative instruction. Students in Project Lead the Way® (PTLW ) courses such as Introduction to Engineering Design, Business Marketing and Foundations of Engineering dream big ideas, which are carried to the Maker Space. Within the Maker Space, students can prototype their designs with electronics/ soldering workstations, 3D printers, a laser cutter/engraver and a desktop computer numerical control (CNC) milling machine. Students are given

SPONSORED

CS Students serve customers at Roost Coffee Co., left, inside the Murray Innovation Center, which has room for Tade Idowu and Jillian Empie, top left, to work on their robotics project. The building, above, is 23,000-plus square feet.

“Our hearts are full of wonderful memories, cherished friendships and the knowledge that we will always be part of the MPCS family. The prayers, life lessons, education and examples that have been provided have helped shape and develop our children into the young people that they are today, while providing the tools needed to succeed in the next phases of their lives.” — Joel Pugh, parent of two MPCS alumni the freedom to try, fail, learn and try again — building resilience and confidence. Project designs then move to the fabrication lab, the final space in the engineering design process. In the “Fab Lab,” projects are refined and construction is finalized, using a CNC router for computer-controlled wood cutting and carving, as well as an array of additional power tools for handson manufacturing. The two-time state championship-winning Eagle Robotics program also calls the Maker Space home, with a dedicated robotics field.

Looking to the Future MPCS supports all learners through various programs, including directed studies in grades K-12, a lower school ENCORE gifted program, advanced courses in grades 3-12, and 59 AP/

D CONTENT

Honors courses. MPCS boasts a 100% college acceptance rate for graduating seniors, with a dedicated college counseling team. The class of 2021 earned more than $8 million in scholarships, not including the HOPE or Zell Miller scholarships. Students are encouraged to challenge themselves to seek a higher level of accomplishment, whether in the classroom, the theater, on the court or in the community. Award-winning performing arts programs and countless state and regional athletics championships are a testament to the school’s commitment to excellence. As MPCS looks to the future of education, it stands ready to continue its vision of being a national school leader that provides an innovative education to

a diverse community of learners within a liberal-arts framework, all for the glory of God. MPCS graduates will be wellprepared for the 21st century, with the necessary skills to make an impact in the world.

1275 Stanley Road, Kennesaw

770-578-0182

www.mtparanschool.com E @MountParanChristianSchool Q @mtparanschool

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

Love Starts at 6 Ways to Show Your Home Some Love BY ELISABETH STUBBS

Home is more than the house where you live. Home is a place where you are comfortable, where your people are, where you can relax and be totally yourself. Home is what you make it, with your style, creativity, love, and your choices! When decorating your home, start from the bottom up. The floor is your room’s foundation. It sets the tone for other furnishings in the room. Flooring choices are decisions you make that will last years and years, so they are more important than say, a lamp or bedspread. But, where to start? Like a good pair of shoes, what’s underneath your feet is vital to the look and feel of your home. There are many options, and how you use your space will dictate the best option. Do you prefer hardwood, porcelain tile, laminate, luxury vinyl plank or carpet? Select your flooring first, and other finishes once the flooring is determined. If new floors aren’t in your plan this year, here are six easy, less expensive and less permanent ways to show your house some love.

1. 2.

Conceal worn flooring. Use an area rug to cover dirty carpet or scratched wood floors.

Tidy the entry. If your entry doesn’t already have storage, add a few hooks, a rack or tray for shoes, and a basket to collect stray items.

Make your kitchen counter a place of peace. It’s natural for the kitchen counter to accumulate stuff. It starts innocently enough: a blender for smoothies, your coffee pot, a cutting board, a bowl of fruit. But, there comes a point when a cluttered counter becomes a magnet for more clutter, and soon, your counter is swamped with stray rubber bands, incoming mail and half-finished homework.

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

Start fresh by removing everything from the counters. Put away anything that has a home, and clean the surface. Then, selectively put back the few items you use daily or find beautiful and inspiring. Better, isn’t it?

Freshen up the front porch. Clean up porch furniture, launder or replace cushions, sweep and mop the porch floor, and lay down a new welcome mat.

Plant a living centerpiece. Why fuss with flowers when you can have a green centerpiece that’s just as interesting but lasts indefinitely? Plant one or more shallow containers with a variety of succulents, and line them up along the center of your dining table for a fresh look. If you don’t love succulents, anything green will do.

Clear bedroom clutter. A clean and serene bedside makes for more restful sleep. Remove everything from your nightstand, as well as anything piled on the floor beside it, and wipe down the table. Put away any extra books, magazines, stray pens and old water glasses. A bedside table is another great spot for a beautiful houseplant. If you like, add a candle, too. Follow these tips to show yourself and your home some Valentine’s Day love!

Elisabeth Stubbs is one of the owners of Enhance Floors and More, one of Atlanta’s top-rated flooring dealers, located in Marietta.

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

Celebrates

Senior Pastor Mike Linch, right, with Marlon Longacre, left, the Rev. Ike Reighard and Cynthia Cullen during a service on Jan. 9.

NorthStar Church

Silver Anniversary by Giving Back NorthStar Church, on Blue Springs Road in Kennesaw, celebrated its 25th anniversary during its morning services Jan. 9, welcoming back special guests and launching 25 Days of Giving. NorthStar Church launched on Jan. 5, 1997, with the founding pastor, the Rev. Ike Reighard, and seven full-time staff members, including current Senior

NorthStar presents a $10,000 check to Piedmont Church’s Senior Pastor Ike Reighard and Associate Pastor Marlon Longacre. 32

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

Pastor Mike Linch. For that first worship service, 365 people gathered at the Days Inn Conference Center off Barrett Parkway in Kennesaw (a venue that no longer exists). The congregation quickly outgrew the space, and was forced to find another location. The theater at North Cobb High School became the home for the church from February 1997 until November 2000 (with a short summer stint at Vaughan Elementary School, while the NCHS theater was refurbished). Today, the church remains a stone’s throw from North Cobb High School, a visible reminder of its early days. “I never had a doubt that Mike would be anything but successful as a leader of NorthStar,” said Reighard, who serves as senior pastor at Piedmont Church in Marietta, as well as CEO of MUST Ministries. “When I see the everyday impacts of NorthStar, it thrills me, because that was what we wanted to do from the very beginning: to truly create a church that would not be the best church in our community, but would be the best church for our community.” By supporting and partnering with schools, city and county governments,

other nonprofit organizations, and even other churches, NorthStar continues to exemplify the same passion for reaching Acworth and Kennesaw that it had in the beginning. “We are so grateful for the generosity given from the hearts of everyone at NorthStar Church during these past 25 years,” Acworth Mayor Tommy Allegood said. “NorthStar’s generosity has changed the lives of many children, families and organizations, and its kindness has been life-changing! Thank you to every member of NorthStar Church for helping transform Acworth into the most loving and caring community in America.” “I am delighted to have NorthStar Church as a part of our community, leading, serving and helping people find their way home,” Kennesaw Mayor Derek Easterling said. “May God continue to bless NorthStar Church, and all they do in and for our community.” Between Jan. 9 and Feb. 2, NorthStar Church embarked on a 25-day giving campaign. The church invested more than $120,000 to support other churches, schools, first responders, people who work in the service industry, college students and more. “The cities of Acworth and Kennesaw have played a huge role in our journey,” Linch said. “I believe we live and serve in the greatest communities in the country. Mayor Allegood and Mayor Easterling are part of our NorthStar family, and we all are trying to make this the best place to live, work and play. I love this place! I moved here in the summer of 1991 to serve my first church, and I’ve never left.” In addition to planned service events, members of the congregation participated in their own giving campaign, through acts of kindness, such as sending words of encouragement to the elderly, providing gift cards to postal and sanitation workers, and recognizing difference-makers in a variety of ways. “I believe this is what Jesus has called us to do,” Linch said. “After we paid off nearly $7 million of debt in 2018, we made a promise to begin to use that money we had given the bank all of these years for a greater purpose. I can think of no better way to celebrate our 25th than by blessing others like we have been blessed.”

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AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

Focus on Improving Your Relationships BY JENNIFER BONN

I always think of February as the love month, and love is the key in our relationships. It’s so important to strengthen our bonds with family and friends, and build our communities. So, this February, let’s improve the way we interact with each other. There are many different types of good relationships: spouses, friends, family and colleagues. Although the type of relationship might differ, the characteristics necessary for a healthy relationship are generally the same. Here are some of those characteristics and why they are important.

Love

Love is the ingredient that makes everything else a little better. When you love someone, you want what is in the best interest of that person. You are willing to guide and help the one you love to accomplish those goals.

Respect

Respect is as important as love. You always want to lift up your loved ones and make them feel supported. Let them know they are admired by you and that you recognize their gifts. Listening is part of respect. Hear your loved ones fully. Tell others how blessed you are to have them in your life. Do not tear others down, especially in front of other people.

Humor

A good sense of humor is important in any relationship because things are not always going to go perfectly, and humor can diffuse many situations.

Transparency

Being honest about certain things can also diffuse issues. Our loved ones can poke at us sometimes for whatever

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

reason. If you acknowledge your shortcomings, it takes away the ammunition from the person trying to get a reaction from you. Transparency can also lead to trust.

Solidarity

United we stand. It is an amazing feeling to know you and a loved one are a united front. Knowing you have support relieves a lot of stress. There is nothing uglier than watching someone criticize someone in public. Agree to build each other up instead of tearing one another down.

Understanding

None of us are perfect, so we need to understand and give grace to each other when we are struggling. Differences make us more interesting, and we don’t need to fit specific labels. Be your true self, and if someone doesn’t love you the way you are then move on.

Communication

Talk to the people you love or work with, and clearly communicate your thoughts and feelings. Fully listen to them, as well.

These basic elements will help build a strong relationship, but there are times when the best thing you can do is walk away. If someone tears you down, makes you feel inadequate, is an emotional or physical bully, or tries to control you, it is time to realize the relationship is toxic, and the best thing you can do is end it. Instead of rescuing the relationship, rescue yourself. Jennifer Bonn is a freelance writer in Kennesaw and a recently retired 40-year educator. Her book, “101 Tips to Lighten Your Burden,” was recently released and is available on Amazon.

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AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

Tips for Starting a Business BY RYAN BLYTHE

Considering that more people are rethinking their careers in the wake of the pandemic, it’s a great time to dive back into some tips on best practices for business formation. Since 2016, the number of startups has surged from 3 million annually to 5 million last year, and the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) expects this trend to continue. Retailing saw a 74% increase in trade applications and 88% of those surveyed acknowledged the critical nature of online sales. The leisure industry, including hotels and restaurants, is seeing increased interest, with a 55% increase in business applications, and health services are up a whopping 23%. The Small Business Administration lists 10 steps to building your business, starting with market research. Whatever you are going to offer, whether a service or a product, it needs to make sense for the space you are trying to reach. For example, it wouldn’t be wise to launch a welding school in 36

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

Houston, since that market, due to oil and gas, is oversaturated. You do not need an MBA to be a successful business owner, but successful companies make real estate selection a significant part of their business model. That comes with studying traffic patterns, area development and other key factors. Writing a strong business plan is critical. Without it, there is no foundation or structure to your company. I knew we were going to be a private school, independent of government funding. While we would not have the income stream of larger schools, our competitive advantage would come from independence. Fund your business; a strong banking relationship is more important than ever, and don’t be afraid to spend money. Risktaking is fundamental in launching a business. If you do not have the stomach for this, stay in the employee category. The next step is picking a

business location, and Kennesaw and Acworth are excellent places to do business. I have experience in both cities, and the pro-growth environment is supported by government, large and involved business associations and, at the county level, an award-winning chamber of commerce. It can be expensive to do business in thriving areas like these, but there also is a strong potential customer base with disposable income. There are a few steps that are not particularly exciting, but necessary. You need to determine how you want to register your business, which will impact taxes and liabilities. A good CPA can guide you through this process. You also will need to get a federal and state tax identification, and apply for any local licenses or permits that are required. Open a bank account with an organization that understands small business. You need a relationship with a business banker who can help you navigate complex transactions, such as real estate, equipment purchases, payroll administration and other key areas. Think community, not Wall Street, banks. The final two steps are of enormous importance. First, choose your business name. This must reflect your brand and cannot be already in use. Once you have a great name, protect it. This is the step many fail to take. It costs money, but trademarks make your brand stand out. They prevent confusion, offer legal advantage and are valuable assets. Our intellectual property is vital, and it protects and identifies our work. There is no perfect time to start a business. I started mine during the Great Recession. The stars never will align. You must be willing to take risks and work hard. High rewards can follow, but nothing is guaranteed. Ryan Blythe is the founder of Georgia Trade School, which for the sixth consecutive year, was named one of the Cobb Chamber Top 25 Small Businesses of the Year.

Check Your Auto Insurance Coverage BY JOEL WILLIAMS

cause a wreck and damage someone else’s property. • Uninsured motorist coverage provides compensation for the victim if he or she suffers personal injuries or property damage in a wreck caused by an underinsured driver. • Medical payments coverage will pay the medical expenses of the insured, regardless of who caused the wreck.

Most of us lead busy lives and rarely stop to consider whether we have sufficient automobile insurance to cover the damages that can be caused by a car wreck. Insurance coverage is just one of those things that we only think about when we need it. Georgia requires drivers to purchase liability coverage that will cover a minimum of $25,000 in damages for property and bodily injury. Insurance companies also are required to offer uninsured motorist coverage of at least $25,000. Is that enough? I often get calls from people who were in a car wreck, and they believe they have “full coverage.” After a little digging, I usually discover they have the bare minimum required by Georgia law. Sometimes, that is fine, because the damages are minor; however, when severe damages are involved, the choice to purchase minimum coverage often results in financial disaster for the at-fault driver, and the victim. There are four categories to consider when purchasing automobile insurance coverage.

With the cost of automobiles and medical care skyrocketing in recent years, we all should consider whether $25,000 is enough to replace a totaled vehicle, or an emergency room visit and surgery. According to a recent Kelly Blue Book study, the average price for a light vehicle was $42,258. Recently, one of my clients was taken to a local hospital after a wreck, and the emergency department care cost more than $37,500. Nearly every day, I encounter situations where there is not enough insurance to cover the damages caused by a car wreck. At a minimum, we should consider purchasing liability and uninsured motorist coverage of at least $100,000, to protect ourselves from financial disaster. You may be surprised at how little your premiums will increase if you increase your coverage.

• Liability bodily injury coverage protects us if we cause a wreck and hurt someone else. • Liability property damage coverage protects us if we

Joel Williams is a partner at Williams|Elleby, a Kennesawbased personal injury law firm. www.gatrialattorney.com.

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AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

Don’t Wait for a Real Estate Crash BY JAY WHITE

Nowadays, many are wondering, “where is the real estate crash?” After historic appreciation of homes in the Atlanta market, many think the prices of homes are going to decline. It is important to look at the 2007 housing crisis, which carried into 2009, and understand what caused it, before waiting on prices to drop. The three main factors that led to the housing crisis in 2007 were a combination of rising home prices, loose lending practices, and the creation of even more subprime loans to make buying a home available to everyone, which, eventually, led to a tsunami of foreclosures. The creation of subprime products in 2007 and loose lending practices allowed people to buy homes they truly could not afford. For example, someone making $36,000 a year, and buying a $400,000 home, was allowed to state alternate income without proving this income. This, coupled with shortterm, interest-only loans that fully amortized two to five years later, in most cases, created a situation where the previously mentioned buyer could not afford this $400,000 home, and, ultimately, walked away and was foreclosed, thus hurting values across neighborhoods in Atlanta. The Dodd Frank Act was enacted in July 2010 to prevent this from happening again. One of the many provisions in the Dodd

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

Frank Act requires lenders to determine a buyer’s ability to repay (ATR) when underwriting a loan. Therefore, any income listed on a mortgage application must be verified through paystubs, W2s and tax returns, whichever applies to each applicant’s situation. Credit requirements also were enhanced, along with the requirement of down payments, versus 100% financing. If these rules are not properly followed, lenders can be fined, or even made to cease and desist operations. Recently, statistics were released showing that late mortgage payments were at an all-time low, with lenders not forced to foreclose on homes. The mortgage climate is healthy and, with strict underwriting requirements in place, will allow the market to sustain rising home prices with minimal default. This does not mean that demand will slow, and sellers no longer will get 20 offers on a home with the highest bidder winning, but supply eventually will slow down the appreciation factor. So, don’t wait to buy that next home! 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.

@ the Library

NORTH COBB REGIONAL LIBRARY

Cobb County Public Library System www.cobbcat.org

WEST COBB REGIONAL LIBRARY 1750 Dennis Kemp Lane, Kennesaw

770-528-4699

10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Wednesdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays

Feb. 9, 16, 23, March 2

Wednesday Weekly Chess Meetups

include open play and family-style instruction, 6-7:30 p.m. Registration is not required for open play, but family-style participants must register.

Feb. 10, 17, 24, March 3

Join the West Cobb Craft Club, 10 a.m.-noon on Thursdays. Do you knit, crochet or work with yarn? Or, do you want to learn how, while making friends? Join the group to craft and get inspired. All skill levels are welcome (especially beginners). Bring your own yarn.

Feb. 17

Thursday Explorers meet 3:30-4:20 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of each month. Ages 4-7 are welcome to enjoy a different activity at every meeting. Space is limited; registration is required.

Feb. 19

Fearless Art: Print Making! is an indoor-

outdoor program for tweens and teens, 3-4:30 p.m. When possible, this will be an outdoor experience. Dress for making art, and for the weather. Final pieces will be included in a month-long art installation at West Cobb. Registration is required; space is limited.

Feb. 28

The West Cobb Fourth Monday Book Discussion meets 6:30-7:30 p.m., and covers a variety of literature, including fiction, nonfiction, classics and new releases. There will be an alternate online option in February; visit the website for details. This month, members are reading “The Mothers” by Brit Bennett.

3535 Old 41 Highway, Kennesaw • 770-801-5320 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Wednesdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays

Through February

In celebration of Black History Month, participate in the outdoor North Cobb Black History Month Scavenger Hunt. Scan the QR code on the front door to access the scavenger hunt clues, and correctly answer all clues to be entered into a drawing for a prize. The last day to enter is Feb. 28.

Feb. 8-9

The Art Experience is a two-day program that meets the second Tuesday and Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. Ages 18-plus can join Leslie Robb in exploring different styles and mediums of art. Registration is required. All supplies provided.

Feb. 8, 15, 22

Tuesday Family Storytime is 10:30-11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-noon. All ages are invited for songs, stories and rhymes that enhance early literacy and social skills. Registration is required, and space is limited. Registration for the following week’s storytime will open at 10 a.m. each Thursday.

Feb. 9, 16, 23

Wednesday Family Storytime is 10:30-11 a.m. All ages are invited for songs, stories and rhymes that enhance early literacy and social skills. Registration is required, and space is limited. Registration for the following week’s storytime will open at 10 a.m. each Thursday.

Feb. 10, 17, 24, March 3

Meetup for Adults With Special Needs will take place in the

multi-purpose room, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Adults with special needs are invited, along with their caregivers, to meet new friends and enjoy stories, crafts, games, movement and music.

Feb. 12

Join the Monthly Makers, and celebrate Black History Month by making a Coil Weave Bowl, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. This ancient basket making craft still is practiced in many countries in Africa. Space is limited, and registration is required.

Feb. 17

Local historian Andrew Bramlett will lead President Trivia, 11 a.m.-noon, and share little-known facts about U.S. presidents.

Feb. 21

North Cobb Family Fun Night: Celebrate Black History Month

is set for 5-7:30 p.m. Enjoy a showing of “Black Panther,” and craft stations that highlight the achievements of famous Black Americans. AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

Celebrating His Life and Legacy

Martin Luther King Jr. PHOTOS BY BRITTANY WEIR

On Jan. 17, Acworth held its ninth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration, which began with a welcome breakfast, followed by a unity walk and program honoring King’s legacy. The unity walk, from Roberts School to the Acworth Community Center, celebrated community, and the program, led by Mayor Tommy Allegood and guest speaker Lewis Preston, highlighted the importance of each person in our community. MLK Day of Service shirts were for sale at the community center, leading up to and on the day of the event. All proceeds went to the Acworth Expanding Horizons and Acworth Achievers programs.

Members of the Acworth Achievers lead the community in a unity walk from the Roberts School

Mayor Tommy Allegood addresses the audience during the MLK Day event, as Alderman Tim Houston, left, and a community affairs officer, Cpl. Lamar Almon, right, join him. 40

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

Acworth Achievers with featured speaker Lewis Preston.

to the Acworth Community Center.

Mayor Tommy Allegood welcomes Lewis Preston. AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

A Labor of Love BY VICKI E. DAVIS

The Allatoona Quilters’ Guild (AQG) based in Acworth, has taken the art of quilting to an extreme level, in the most positive way. Founded in 1982 with 10 members, the Guild presently has 79 members, women ages 40 and older, hailing from several Northwest Georgia counties, and beyond the Southeast. Guild membership is open to anyone by completing an application with a $35 annual fee. One word describes this committed group of passionate quilters: community. “The Guild is forever focused on serving the community that has supported us through the years,” said Carolyn Shea, the community service chairwoman. Under her leadership, AQG engaged with the Acworth Police Department (APD) in 2007, providing officers with comfort quilts to hand out on calls. Since the initial collaboration, AQG has made and delivered more than 1,000 quilts to APD, which then were distributed for hurricane relief efforts; donated to SafePath (a children’s advocacy center); used to minister to elderly nursing home residents; and shared with neighboring Kennesaw Police Department. The relationship with APD continues, and, in 2021, Chief Wayne Dennard asked AQG to make stuffed bears out of old police uniforms. Guild members answered the call and produced 75 tiny police bears that now ride along in APD cars, to be given out at officers’ discretion. When a child’s first introduction to law enforcement is with a police bear, surely the positive first impression will be a lasting one. More police bears are planned for 2022.

Quilt sewn by Cindy Christenson using a Lori Holt Sew By Row pattern. 42

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

Acworth Police Chief Wayne Dennard, far right, accepts an annual donation

The Guild also has been a constant contributor to Ryan’s Case for Smiles, a charitable organization “helping kids cope with cancer” by providing pillowcases to children throughout the Atlanta area and beyond. Pillowcases have brightened the spirits of children at Atlanta children’s hospitals and at camp events, as well as others who are hospitalized. In 2021, the Guild contributed more than 800 pillowcases. The dedicated and mission-driven Guild members have remained committed under the unique circumstances caused by the pandemic the past two years. AQG members enjoyed an annual retreat held at Red Top Mountain State Park in March 2020, just before the lockdown. April’s meetings were canceled, but members were determined not to be deterred, and began meeting via Zoom in May, which they have continued since. Throughout 2020 and 2021, 3040 members have attended four monthly Zoom meetings and 15-20 have gathered for Zoom Sit-n-Sews. Sit-n-Sews are often all-day events, and a great time for connection and fun. Members remained in touch at parking lot pickups and dropoffs held at the Roberts School Community Center in downtown Acworth, their normal meeting location. Communication continued with emails and a monthly newsletter. “We kept moving forward while the world was on hold,” said the 2020-21 AQG president, Sue Baumgartel of Canton. Other officers who led the Guild through such a challenging time include Vice President Daryl Miller of Dallas, Secretary Barbara Means of Alpharetta, Treasurer Sue Zabell of Marietta and Community Service Director Carolyn Shea of Acworth. Members are grateful to still feel “whole” and actively engaged in the community. Everyone has been encouraged by the ongoing communication during the pandemic and they hope to resume in-person monthly meetings at the Roberts School Community Center later this year.

ChattahoocheeTech.edu 770-528-4545

of quilts from the Guild in 2013.

While quilters of yesteryear gathered for quilting bees in a home, where the group worked to make several quilts in a sitting, AQG members availed themselves of modern technology, to stay connected and productive. Programs that continued through the pandemic are Block of the Month, virtual lectures and workshops, as well as a 2021 virtual retreat. A tremendous side benefit of video conferencing has been the ability to offer programs led by national and international speakers that otherwise would have been unattainable, due to travel expenses. On Sept. 21, 2021, Allatoona Quilters’ Guild was recognized at the Acworth Board of Aldermen meeting, with a proclamation from Mayor Tommy Allegood. The Guild was recognized “for their many talents and compassion in providing aid and comfort with hundreds of quilts they have woven throughout those years benefitting the Acworth community.” The continued efforts of the AQG members, who volunteer their time and talent to create comfort quilts, pillowcases and stuffed police bears to be dispersed throughout the community and beyond, are truly a labor of love. For information, visit www.aqguild.org.

2022 Allatoona Quilters’ Guild Officers • President Cindy Christenson • Vice Presidents Jill Kirkland and Nancy Klump • Treasurer Sue Zabell • Secretary Pat Trapanese • Webmaster Kim Ayers.

Vicki Davis, an Atlanta native, frequently visited her parents’ hometown of Acworth. She moved to the area 32 years ago with her husband and sons. Family is her focus; writing is her passion.

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www.mustministries.org AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

School News

Former Owl Wins Wrestling Title

Former Kennesaw State University running back Bronson Rechsteiner won the WWE NXT Championship Jan. 4, defeating former champion Tommaso Ciampa at the NXT New Year’s Evil event. Rechsteiner, who competes under the name “Bron Breakker,” played for the Owls 2016-2019, and currently holds the singlegame record for rushing yards, tallying 221 against Missouri State in 2019. He began his NXT career on Sept. 14, 2021. NXT features the next generation of wrestlers battling to become superstars in the WWE.

Murray Innovation Center’s digital lab.

MPCS students Will Duncan and Caitlyn Ealey offer a tour of Murray Innovation Center’s technology-enhanced active learning classroom.

Mount Paran Unveils Murray Innovation Center

On Jan. 5, Mount Paran Christian School (MPCS) dedicated and unveiled the Murray Innovation Center (MIC). The building, named after a generous lead gift from the Stuart and Eulene Murray Foundation, is a much-needed 23,000-plus-square-foot addition to the current Dozier Hall high school, originally built to house just 250 students. With enrollment continuing to grow, the expansion allows MPCS to offer innovative new learning spaces for its 450 high school students. The MIC includes a digital design lab and a fabrication lab, a collegiatestyle technology-enhanced classroom, two new science labs, high school administrative offices and additional classroom and gathering spaces. The building offers a permanent storefront for Roost Coffee Co., a cafe run entirely by MPCS high school entrepreneurship classes. Because of this student-led venture, MPCS added and refined course programming in personal finance, business management, marketing and entrepreneurship. 44

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

Former KSU football player Bronson Rechsteiner won the WWE NXT Championship as “Bron Breakker.” Photo courtesy of the WWE.

Cobb Schools Foundation Announces 2022 Scholarships

Teacher Writes Book Inspired by Students

This month, Valerie King joined Cobb County’s list of published authors when Scholastic released her book, “Make It Relevant! Strategies to Nurture, Develop and Inspire Young Learners.” The veteran educator, who currently inspires students at Kennesaw Elementary School, based her book on her two decades of teaching experience in Cobb. “This story would not have happened without the children who allowed me to be their teacher. They allowed me to try things, to fail, to laugh and to try again. This book is written for them, the kids, in the hopes that other teachers will find the same joy and purpose in teaching with their learners,” King said.

The Cobb Schools Foundation recently announced four scholarships with application deadlines in April. The Cobb Schools Foundation Senior Scholarship will be presented to up to 34 graduating seniors in the Cobb County School District, in the amount of $1,000. The application deadline is April 15. The Sen. Lindsey Tippins Scholarship will be presented to graduating seniors from Allatoona, Harrison, Hillgrove, Kennesaw Mountain and North Cobb high schools. Scholarships will be awarded to four recipients from each of the five high schools, totaling 20 scholarships. At these high schools, there will be one scholarship awarded in each of the following amounts: $500, $750, $1,000 and $1,250. Applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. April 1. The Spanish-Speaking Future Educator Scholarship is for graduating seniors or graduates of Cobb County High School District, who are pursuing careers as Spanish-speaking educators. Applicants must have a plan to major in education, and applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. April 22. Applicants already holding a teaching degree, who are interested in pursuing a masters degree to help them advance into educational leadership, should apply for the Kathie Elliott Education Leadership Scholarship. Each scholarship awarded will be $1,000. Applications are due April 22. For more details and applications, visit https://bit.ly/33LNDSK.

Students Eligible for Free Tutoring

Cobb County Public Library connects students to TutorATL for free online, as well as on-demand K-12 test prep and homework help. TutorATL offers support from expert tutors in more than 50 subjects, interactive workspaces and bilingual offerings. Students can use TutorATL at any Cobb library branch and access the service from home with a Cobb library card number. Cobb County public school students can access TutorATL with the Library PASS (Public Library Access for Student Success). For more information, visit tutoratl.org or the library’s K-12 Student Resources page at cobbcat.org/students.

GTS Students Tops in Welding Competition

Three Georgia Trade School (GTS) students recently competed in a welding competition at Gwinnett Technical College, sponsored by the American Welding Society’s Atlanta chapter. The GTS trio competed against students from technical colleges and welding schools throughout North Georgia. Students were provided a blueprint and given a time limit. The print required advanced gas tungsten arc welding and gas metal arc welding. In addition, students were required to have a comprehensive understanding of blueprints and general fabrication. GTS student Cade Cordle won the competition, taking home a $1,000 prize, while fellow GTS student Brenden Jones finished second and won $500. Mark Williams, Brenden Jones, Jones’ younger brother (not a GTS student), Cade Cordle and GTS instructor Stephen Leone. AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

Rob’s Rescues This month, I interviewed Georgia Audubon Society Director of Education Melanie Furr. Georgia Audubon is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates bird-friendly communities through conservation, education and community engagement.

What is a story that you love to tell about your job?

What are the main things the Audubon Society does?

How can people help birds?

Our mission is to build places where birds and people thrive. We make the environment better for birds, and make people want to connect with birds through educational programs, walks, habitat restoration work and installing native plant gardens in public schools.

What do you do at Georgia Audubon?

I manage all programs from preschools to senior centers. I talk to all audiences about matters relevant to birds. I have a unique hummingbird program, and I bring our resident hummingbirds, Sibley and Polly, to teach people about them.

How did you become interested in birds, and what did you study? I used to be a high school English teacher. I started wildlife rescue and volunteering at AWARE. I went on an Audubon bird walk, saw 45 different kinds of birds and realized there is so much to birds we don’t know. It was an epiphany moment for me.

I love connecting kids with nature. When I hear, ‘I’ve never seen a bird that close; I wish I could see this every day.’ I say, you can! It gives me a magical feeling.

Plant native plants that grow in Georgia. Bugs lay eggs on bushes, and birds will eat them. So, native plants are imperative. Treat windows. Every year, 2 billion birds fly into windows in North America. Keep cats inside. Cat saliva is toxic to birds. Even if a cat catches a bird and causes no structural damage, it will still infect the bird.

What should we do if we find an injured bird?

Keep it in a dark, quiet place. Do not give it food or water. Contact a wildlife rehabber by downloading the Animal Help Now app.

My favorite bird is a blue jay; what is your favorite bird?

My favorite bird is a cousin of the blue jay, the crow. They are closely bonded with their families and send alarm calls when danger is around.

What do you want people to know about Georgia Audubon, and how can people contact you?

We have free bird walks all around the city and would love people to join us. Schools are welcome to contact me to do a virtual hummingbird meeting. Visit georgiaaudubon.org.

Rob Macmillan is on a mission to help shelter dogs and cats. On Facebook @robsrescues. www.robsrescues.com.

Rob with Melanie Furr and hummingbird, Sibley. 46 AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

This cat’s name is Cashmere. She is a gray cat who is 1.5 years old. She is an owner surrender; I am not sure why as she is a very sweet and friendly cat who probably would just like to hang around you all day.

This dog’s name is Franklin. His tag number is 633422. He is 2 years old and probably should be an only dog until he mellows a bit. He is a very sporty and active medium-sized dog. It took about 10 seconds to take the photo with him, which is usually not the case, so he is cooperative. He also will need some leash training, but, when that is done, I think he will be a very good dog. These animals are waiting for homes at Cobb County Animal Services, 1060 Al Bishop Drive, Marietta.

Ribbon Cuttings

1. Ryan Murchland Insurance Agency

2090 Baker Road NW, Suite 302 Kennesaw 678-905-8743 www.statefarm.com/agent/us/ga/kennesaw/ ryan-j-murchland-8727s84j5gf

2. Recreation Center

2600 Park Drive, Kennesaw 770-422-9714 www.kennesaw-ga.gov/ parks-and-recreation

3. Lazy Labrador Coffee House

2886 Cherokee St., Kennesaw 770-820-6091 www.lazylabradorcoffeehouse.com

4. Piedmont Injury Law

2765 S. Main St., Suite C, Kennesaw 678-909-0770 www.piedmontinjurylaw.com

Upcoming Ribbon Cutting

Scrubhub Car Wash — 4:30 p.m. Feb. 1 2764 Cobb Parkway NW, Kennesaw

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

Downtown Kennesaw Dining Bangkok Cabin

Fern Gully Jamaican Cafe

Pisano’s Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen

Bernie’s

Frozen Cow Creamery

SuBourbon Rock & Oyster Bar

Thai 3413 Cherokee St. 770-427-5287 www.bangkokcabin.net

American 2825 S. Main St. 770-627-2297 www.meetatbernies.com

Big Shanty Smokehouse Barbecue 3393 Cherokee St. 770-499-7444 www.bigshantybbq.com

BurgerFi

American 2844 S. Main St. 770-635-2800 www.burgerfi.com

Ice Cream

2870 Cherokee St. 678-324-7459 www.frozenbluecow.com

Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken

American 2825 S. Main St. 770-575-9026 www.gusfriedchicken.com

Honeysuckle Biscuits & Bakery Bakery

2825 S. Main St. 770-627-4370 www.honeysucklebiscuits.com

Cylantros Venezuelan Cuisine Kennesaw

Kennesaw Thai Cuisine

El Taco Azteca Bar and Grill

Lazy Labrador Coffee House

Venezuelan 3338 Cherokee St. 678-324-6276 www.cylantros.net

Mexican 2689 Summers St. 678-310-0165 https://eltaco-azteca.com

Jamaican 2756 S. Main St. 678-401-3719 www.ferngullycafe.com

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

Thai 2754 S. Main St. 678-331-1988 www.kennesawthaiatlanta.com

Coffee and Baked Goods 2886 Cherokee St. 770-820-6091 www.lazylabradorcoffeehouse.com

Italian 2740 Summers St. 770-966-9600 www.pisanospizzeria.com

Oyster Bar 2718 Summers St. 770-726-2163 www.subourbonbar.com

The Nest Kennesaw

Barbecue 2921 Cherokee St. 678-903-6921 www.thenestkennesaw.com

Trackside Grill

Southern 2840 S. Main St. 770-499-0874 www.tracksidegrill.com

Vesuvio Pizzeria Napoletana

Pizzeria 2893 N. Main St., Suite B https://vesuvionapoletana.com

Senior Activities ALOHA TO AGING

Covenant Presbyterian Church 2881 Canton Road, Marietta 770-722-7641 www.alohatoaging.org

Parkinson’s Disease Support Group Meets the first Tuesday each month at 2 p.m. Group discussion, for the person with Parkinson’s and their care partner, on helpful tips and resources that provide comfort and encouragement.

Dementia Caregiver Support Group Meets the first Monday each month at 2 p.m. Open to family members who are assisting an aging loved one, in or out of the home. Care provided during the meeting, but must RSVP in advance.

VETERAN CONNECTION North Cobb Senior Center 4100 S. Main St., Acworth Meets the fourth Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. Join veterans for an informal get-together with coffee, doughnuts, camaraderie and special guest presentations at the North Cobb Senior Center. Call Mike Nichols at 770-528-1448 for more information.

COBB SENIOR SERVICES Registration is required for all activities; no walk-ins allowed. Call 770-975-7740 to register, or visit www.MyActiveCenter.com.

North Cobb Senior Center

4100 S. Main St., Acworth, 770-975-7740 www.cobbcounty.org/public-services/ senior-services

Feb. 8

Tuesday Trivia: Red. 1-2 p.m. Challenge your

mind with a round of trivia that is all things red.

Feb. 9

Plant Based Palate. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Learn how to eat a plant-based diet and develop habits for your optimal health.

Feb. 10

Online Grocery Shopping. 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Learn about the options available to shop for groceries online, allowing you to get your items delivered cheaply and easily.

Nutrition Lesson: Move Your Heart.

1-2 p.m. Pay attention to your heart in the month of February. Join a discussion on physical activity and how it impacts your body.

Feb. 11

Crafting Corner: Shabby Chic Containers. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Transform paper lunch bags into shabby chic containers. Cost is $3.

Learn a New Game: Think Pink! 1-2 p.m.

In this game, players randomly select a card with two single-syllable rhyming words to work out a clue that will lead their teammates to guess the pair of words correctly.

Feb. 14

Crafting Corner: Valentine Votives.

1-2 p.m. Brighten up a clear votive by stringing beads onto wire or cord and wrapping them around the candle holder. Then, add an LED tealight. Cost is $3.

Feb. 15

Keeping Your Heart Healthy.

10:30-11:30 a.m. Discuss a multitude of topics to keep your heart healthy and strong with Josh Adeyemi from Humana.

History of Red Velvet Cake & Red Hot Candy. 1-2 p.m. Learn about the origins of red

velvet cake and Red Hots candy, participate in a taste test, and enjoy a demonstration on how to make red velvet cake truffles. Cost is $3.

Feb. 24

Make Your Own Salsa.

10:30 a.m.-noon. Make a delectable salsa recipe, and leave with a yummy treat.

Feb. 28

Family Feud February Edition.

10:30-11:30 a.m. Compete to identify the most popular responses to a survey question posed to 100 people. This month’s game will be a friendly competition in celebration of Valentine’s Day.

West Cobb Senior Center

4915 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs 770-528-8200 www.cobbcounty.org/ public-services/senior-services

Feb. 8

Black History Month Trivia.

10-11:30 a.m. Reflect on the people who shaped and defined black history. Test your knowledge, and learn something new.

Feb. 9

Beginner Cricut. 9 a.m.-noon. Learn the necessary skills to make projects using paper and vinyl, including basic functions of Cricut Design Space. Bring your laptop, Cricut device, cutting mat and weeding tools.

Feb. 11

K-9 Unit Demonstration. 11 a.m.-noon. Learn about the Cobb County K-9 Unit, and see a demo from the police dogs.

Reel Good Movies. 1-3 p.m. On the second Friday of the month, see a new-release movie. Call for the movie title.

Feb. 14

Love Potion No. 9 Lobby Event. 9:30-

10:30 a.m. Stop by the lobby for a cup of love potion punch and a special valentine treat.

Feb. 16

Fancy Fold Cards. 10 a.m.-noon. Create fancy fold cards perfect for special people.

Feb. 23

Walk West Cobb: Mountain to River Trail. 9:30-11 a.m. Meet up and explore the trails at Brown Park in Marietta.

Feb. 17

Feb. 25

10:30-11:30 a.m. Learn tips on cooking healthy foods at home while on a budget.

Ward Recreation Center in Powder Springs to learn how to play this fun variation on tennis.

Eating Healthy on a Budget.

Learn Pickleball. 10 a.m.-noon. Meet at

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

Kennesaw Area Clubs & Organizations BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS

Kennesaw Business Association 770-423-1330 www.kennesawbusiness.org Cobb Chamber of Commerce 770-980-2000 www.cobbchamber.org

KSU Small Business Development Center 470-578-6450 or 470-578-4636 https://coles.kennesaw.edu/sbdc

Saving Susan Ministry info@savingsusanministry.org www.savingsusanministry.org Ser Familia 678-363-3079 https://serfamilia.org Someone Cares 678-921-2706 www.S1catl.org

POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS

Cobb County Democrats 404-988-1429 http://www.cobbdemocrats.org

Cobb Democratic Women On Facebook www.facebook.com/CobbDemocraticWomen Cobb County Libertarians http://cobblp.org

Southern Hope Humane Society 770-445-7294 www.southernhope.org

Cobb County Republicans 770-272-0458 www.cobbgop.org

The Hope Box 770-765-6301 www.thehopebox.org

Cobb County Republican Women https://ccrwc.org On Facebook

Cobb Community Foundation 770-859-2366 www.cobbfoundation.org

Trinity Rescue 706-844-3610 www.trinityrescueinc.org

Atlanta Yacht Club www.atlantayachtclub.org

Cobb County Family Connection 678-766-5574 www.cobbcollaborative.org http://cobb.gafcp.org

CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS

CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS

Northwest Metro Atlanta Habitat for Humanity 770-432-7954 www.habitatnwma.org

Cobb County Storytellers 888-726-5186 www.cobbcountystorytellers.org Forgotten Paws Animal Rescue 404-993-7958 www.forgottenpaws.com Happy Caps 770-653-9448 contact@happycaps.us www.happycaps.us Humane Society of Cobb County 770-428-5678 www.humanecobb.com Lekotek of Georgia, Kennesaw Satellite www.lekotekga.org LiveSafe Resources 770-427-2902 www.livesaferesources.org MUST Ministries 770-427-9862 www.mustministries.org Mostly Mutts Animal Rescue & Adoption 770-272-MUTT (6888) www.mostlymutts.org Pet Buddies Food Pantry 678-310-9858 www.petbuddiesfoodpantry.org 50

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

Kennesaw-Acworth Optimist Club 404-323-5254 On Facebook Kennesaw Masonic Lodge www.kennesaw33.net Atlanta Area Council Boy Scouts of America 770-989-8820 www.atlantabsa.org Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta 770-702-9100 or 800-771-1139 www.girlscoutsatl.org Junior League of Cobb — Marietta 770-422-5266 www.jlcm.org Kennesaw Mountain Chapter, DAR www.kennesawmountain.georgiastatedar.org North Cobb Lions Club https://northcobblionsclub.com On Facebook Ron Asby North Cobb American Legion 678-217-5738 www.post304.org Rotary Club of North Cobb www.facebook.com/northcobbrotary VFW Post 5408 (Acworth & Kennesaw Post) 770-974-0958 www.vfwpost5408.org

RECREATION & HOBBIES

Cobb County Radio Control Modelers Club 404-200-4630 www.ccrc.info Cobb Photographic Society www.cobbphotosociety.com North Cobb Photo Club Contact: Jim, 770-842-3114 www.NorthCobbPhotoClub.com Northwest Family YMCA 770-423-9622 www.ymcaatlanta.org/ymca-locations/ kennesaw

SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS

Erin’s Hope for Friends / E’s Club Acworth 678-390-4812 www.erinshopeforfriends.org info@erinshopeforfriends.org GriefShare 770-590-0334 www.burnthickory.com Loving Through Dementia dementiaministry@duewest.org www.lovingthroughdementia.org MOMS Club of Kennesaw www.kennesawmomsclub.weebly.com Rooted Moms www.rootedmoms.com Teach One to Lead One 770-529-7700 www.t1l1.org West Cobb Mothers and More www.westcobbmothersandmore.weebly.com

2021

Fun in the Park Contest

More than 280 photos were submitted in the 2021 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. The contest will be held again in 2022 and is open to all photographers. For information on the contest, visit www.CobbParks.org.

2nd Place Craig Ehler

3rd Place Aimee Boothe

Nature and Wildlife

1st Place Dennis Tudor AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

2021 Fun in the Park Contest

General Category

1st Place Jodi Holtz

2nd Place Wesley Bray 52

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

3rd Place Jason Holtz

Sports and Action

1st Place Pat Fahey

2nd Place Mabel Barba

3rd Place Jason Holtz AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

Advertisers

For advertising rates and information: Kim Dahnke 770-615-2779 kim@aroundaboutmagazines.com

February 2022

ACCOUNTING & TAX Denson Pepper, CPA 678-797-5241 www.densonpeppercpa.com

FINANCIAL SERVICES

ATTORNEYS/LEGAL SERVICES Williams | Elleby 833-LEGALGA www.gatrialattorney.com

CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS Mostly Mutts Animal Rescue www.mostlymutts.org

Must Ministries www.mustministries.org

Gentle Dental Care/Georgia Dental Implant Center 770-926-2784 www.georgiadic.com

Credit Union of Georgia 678-486-1111 www.cuofga.org

LGE Credit Union www.lgeccu.org

Brookwood Christian School 678-401-5855 www.brookwoodchristian.com

Chattahoochee Technical College 770-528-4545 www.chattahoocheetech.edu

Georgia Trade School www.georgiatradeschool.com

Greenlight Acting Studios 470-613-8686 www.greenlightactingstudios.com Kennesaw State University College of the Arts www.arts.kennesaw.edu

5 Cover, 28-29

ENTERTAINMENT/EVENTS Georgia Food and Wine Festival 37 www.georgiafoodandwinefestival.com AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

élon Salon 770-427-8698 www.elonsalon.com

Inside front

Dayco Systems Heating & Cooling 770-336-7888 www.daycosystems.com Enhance Floors & More 770-565-3808 www.enhancefloors.com

Exact Comfort Air Conditioning & Heating 34 770-912-0552 Findlay Roofing 770-516-5806 www.roofroof.com

Serious Tree Services 470-629-6675 www.serioustreeservices.com

Towne Plumber 770-257-7503 www.towneplumber.com

JEWELRY The Jewelsmith 770-485-9133 www.thejewelsmithga.com

PEST CONTROL One Dead Bug 678-770-5699 www.onedeadbug.com

PHOTOGRAPHY Brittany Weir Photography 678-514-9267

PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL SERVICES Governors MedSpa & Concierge Medicine 678-888-5181 www.governorsmedicine.com

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REAL ESTATE & RELATED SERVICES

HOME & GARDEN

EDUCATION SERVICES

Bay Equity Home Loans Jay White, Area Sales Manager 770-870-0644 www.jayclosesloans.com

HAIR SALON

DENTAL

Mt. Paran Christian School 770-578-0182 www.mtparanschool.com

Sweet Zensations 7 678-653-5515 www.sweetzensationsicecreamtruck.com

22one Realty Co. 770-485-3928 www.22onerealty.com

Anchor Realty Partners Malinda Howe, Broker: 404-444-0225 Deborah Hill, Realtor: 770-361-9200 Office: 770-917-0322 www.malinda-howe.com

RESTAURANTS Bar North 678-403-8650

RETAILERS/ SHOPPING Cotton Mill Exchange 770-992-9294 www.cottonmillexchange.net

SENIOR LIVING/SERVICES Abella Palliative Care 706-624-1130

Inside back

Canterfield of Kennesaw 470-308-5260 www.canterfieldofkennesaw.com

Celebration Village 678-594-3570 www.cvillage.com

Back cover

Tapestry Hospice 706-383-8812 www.tapestryhospice.com

Inside back

Be A

! r e n n i W

READERS’

CHOICE Award 2022

New THIS YEAR! Get an early start in promoting your business to be the next Readers’ Choice winner. Our contest will look a little different this year. Our goal is to maximize publicity for your business; we’ll provide tools to help you promote your business.

Dates to Remember NOW Learn more about our 2022 contest at aroundkennesawmagazine.com.

MARCH 1-31 Nominations accepted. Top 5 in each category will move on to the voting phase.

MAY 1-31

Learn how to be a winner! Visit aroundkennesawmagazine.com

Voting!

JULY ISSUE Winners announced. (Top vote-getter and two finalists.) AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

AROUND KENNESAW | February 2022

Live your best life.

New independent living apartment homes now open. RESERVE YOURS BEFORE THEY ARE GONE!

Independent Living | Concierge Living | Assisted Living | Memory Care

3000 Celebration Boulevard Suwanee, GA 30024 770-886-6565

CVillage.com

4460 Celebration Boulevard Acworth, GA 30101 678-594-3570

2-22 Around Kennesaw webfinal.pdf

Articles inside

School News

Senior Events

Library Events

Ryan Blythe

Joel Williams

Jay White

Jennifer Bonn

Susan Schulz

Community Calendar

Pages 28

Bill Westenberger

Derek Easterling

Trevor Beemon

Celebrations

Around Kennesaw

Dana Dorris

Andrew Bramlett

Local News

Cobb Collaborative