Around Towne

Letter From the Editor

I hope each of you has been enjoying a healthy and blessed start to 2022. After sharing this space in December with our outgoing president, Patty Ponder, and in January with our new president, Kim Dahnke, I’m back! My mother-in-law will be happy to see this. Bless her! I think she’s my biggest fan — at least, of what I write for this space each month.

I’m excited for this new year, but 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 walk 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 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 https://townelaker.com/readers-choice-2022 for more details.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t wish our puppies a happy first birthday! On Feb. 3, 2021, Lulu gave birth to eight little bundles of joy, and we’re thrilled to be the adoptive parents of two of them. Happy birthday, Bertie Ruth and Ellie Mae! You’re getting older now, so it’s time to slow down. Seriously. Please slow down. Put a cap on that energy … technically, you are no longer puppies. But, we love you anyway!

Candi Hannigan is the executive editor of Aroundabout Local Media. She has lived in Cherokee County since 1987. Send your comments or questions to Candi@ AroundaboutMagazines.com. READERS’ CHOICE

Award

2022 Nomination phase starts 9 a.m.

March 1

For details, visit www.townelaker.com.

What’s New

The Sweet Read has opened at 8990 Main St. in Woodstock, the former location of Tea Leaves & Thyme. The store features used books, including a children’s section, along with coffee, tea and daily bakery specials. 678-562-4100. On Facebook.

Andrew Reibly and Bobbi Cowart at the ribbon cutting for VIBE Realty, 790 Market St. in Woodstock. 770-722-9757. www.viberealtyga.com.

A new LGE branch has opened at 936 Towne Lake Parkway, in the former location of BB&T bank. 770-424-0060. lgeccu.org.

Tim Prather, Cherokee County Fire Chief, is retiring from Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services, effective March 11. He’s served 35 years with Cherokee County, and has 47 years of experience in fire service.

From his early teens, working and volunteering under the watchful eye of his father, T.J. Prather at the city of Jasper fire department, Tim said he’s always known that he had fire in his blood. He entered the profession full time after being a volunteer firefighter; he has served in the U.S. Marine Corps, Marine Corps reserves and in law enforcement for Jasper, Cherokee and Pickens county sheriff’s departments.

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

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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

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

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

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

The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists and submissions are not necessarily those of the Editor/ Publisher and the Publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. TowneLaker is not responsible for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the Publisher. All rights reserved. Copyright 2022.

Volume 26, Issue 9