4-23 Around Kennesaw webfinal.pdf

Chase Elleby

Advertise With Us

Our business is your business. We succeed when you succeed. And our goal is to help community businesses thrive. Our marketing experts have experience on the national and international level. They’ll help you put together an advertising program that targets your market, and fits your needs, style and budget. Let us put our experience to work for you!

Why choose us?

• Publishing in Cherokee County since 1996.

• Won Excellence in Customer Service and Small Business of the Year awards from the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce.

• Marketing experts with national, international account experience.

• Editorial team with 50-plus years’ experience with major metropolitan newspapers.

Get Started Today!

Around Kennesaw

Readers’ Choice 2023!

The nomination round has ended. Be ready to start voting for your favorites on May 15 at www.aroundkennesawmagazine.com. The top five nominees in each category will be on the ballot, which will be open through June 30.

What’s Closed

READERS’ CHOICE 2023

Cheeseburger Bobby’s at 2770 Cobb Parkway in Kennesaw has closed. The vacant building is undergoing renovations to reopen as Buffalo Luke’s, a restaurant specializing in wings, burgers and tenders, according to Tomorrow’s News Today.

Kudos!

The city of Kennesaw recently was presented the Leading the Way Award by ETC Institute, which created the honor to recognize local governments for outstanding achievement in delivering services to residents. Kennesaw is ranked in the top 10% of all U.S. cities surveyed in three areas: satisfaction with the overall quality of services, satisfaction with customer service provided by employees and satisfaction with the value residents think they receive for local taxes and fees. The city conducted a community survey in 2016 and 2022, assessing resident satisfaction with its services.

Celebrate!

Help us celebrate your graduates! Send graduation photos, as well as name, high school and future plans, tofuture plans, by April 10 to edit@aroundaboutmagazines.com.

Ribbon Cuttings

Get Social With Us

www.aroundkennesawmagazine.com

Letter From the Editor

This month, I want to focus on an observance that doesn’t get the spotlight other special days get — at least, I haven’t ever heard much about it. April 18 is Holocaust Remembrance Day, a 24-hour period when we should remember the atrocities inflicted on the Jews by Adolf Hitler’s regime during World War II and pray nothing like that ever happens again.

I’m acquainted enough with the Holocaust to know, without a doubt, that it happened. How anyone can call it a myth, hoax or exaggeration is beyond my comprehension. My first exposure to it was in my sixthgrade social studies class, when one of our teachers spoke to us about her relatives going through it. Occurring five decades ago, I don’t remember the details of her story, but I do remember it making a big impression on me.

Several years ago, I visited Kennesaw State University’s Museum of History and Holocaust Education, which has grown significantly since then. Seeing the photos and reading the stories made me wonder how a group of people could be so barbaric toward another group of people, especially when that group had done nothing to deserve such treatment.

I saw for myself what I had read and learned about when I visited the Dachau concentration camp, the first one built by the Nazis, in Germany in

Donna Harris

2005. I can tell you it wasn’t a tourist attraction constructed just to perpetrate some big hoax. I saw the crematoriums — something I will never forget — and the barracks where the prisoners were forced to live, if you could call it that. Nothing will ever convince me any of that was for “show.”

My most recent experience with the Holocaust came at my last newspaper job. I interviewed a woman whose grandfather had risked his life to help Jews escape from Europe using forged South American passports. The story ended up being seen by a woman in Vermont who realized her grandfather had been saved from extermination by this woman’s grandfather. The two women eventually met and did a joint presentation about their grandfathers at a local college. It was heartwarming to see something good come out of this tragedy. Speaking of good things, we have several articles in this issue that celebrate April as National Volunteer Month. Check out Pages 20-23 for an update on how the nonprofits featured in our Helping Hands spread in November and December were helped. Also, discover some great opportunities to better your community on Pages 18, 19, 24 and 26-27.

April also is National Pickleball Month, so find out all about the country’s fastestgrowing sport on Pages 14-15.

Happy reading!

America’s Community Magazine

Volume 2, Issue 8

PUBLISHER

Aroundabout Local Media, Inc. www.aroundaboutlocalmedia.com

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES

Jennifer Coleman | 470-263-8414 jen@aroundaboutmagazines.com

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Candi Hannigan | 770-615-3309 candi@aroundaboutmagazines.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Donna Harris | 770-852-8481 donna@aroundaboutmagazines.com

CONTENT EDITOR

Jessica Forrester | 770-615-3318 jessica@aroundaboutmagazines.com

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Michelle McCulloch | 770-615-3307 michelle@aroundaboutmagazines.com

CONTROLLER

Denise Griffin | 770-615-3315 denise@aroundaboutmagazines.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Laura Latchford laura@aroundaboutmagazines.com

Savannah Winn savannah@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

Aroundabout Local Media, Inc. publishes five hyperlocal magazines serving the communities of Canton, Woodstock, Towne Lake, Acworth and Kennesaw. Approximately 16,000 free copies are distributed monthly in each community, through direct bulk mail and first class mail; approximately 500 copies are available in magazine racks placed around each community.

Around Kennesaw 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: Around Kennesaw, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, PMB 380, Suite 620, Woodstock, GA 30189. The viewpoints of the advertisers, writers and other submissions do not necessarily reflect those of the editor/publisher. And the publisher makes no claims to the validity

of any opinions expressed by charitable, business or civic organizations mentioned, or statements made within the editorial content. The cover and inside related article, and other editorial-type submissions labeled SPONSORED CONTENT, are paid content. The publisher neither guarantees nor supports any product or service mentioned in this magazine, nor does it guarantee any assertions made by the manufacturers or providers of such products or services, or claims regarding the status of such businesses.

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 2023.

Donna Harris is the managing editor of Aroundabout Local Media. She’s a Cobb County native and a veteran journalist with newspaper and magazine experience. Email her at donna@aroundaboutmagazines.com.

Answering the Call to Protect, Serve

BY BILL WESTENBERGER

Like many businesses and organizations, the Kennesaw Police Department continues to experience challenges in keeping positions filled. It is a phenomenon I don’t recall experiencing in my lifetime. The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has realigned many lifestyles throughout society and has reshaped the workforce completely.

We are looking for dynamic, rational critical thinkers who have a desire to serve their neighbors. In addition to the reduced workforce, high-profile tragedies of officerturned-criminal cases have painted our profession in a negative light. Those who commit crimes as a way of life have hidden loud anti-police chatter within themselves. Fictional ideas about the profession have overshadowed the truth, creating doubt from potential candidates and their families.

As our society continues to evolve, so does the law enforcement profession. We remain committed to providing value-based service, with focus on protecting our community. We recognize that public safety begins with community engagement. This endeavor builds trust and, most importantly, relationships that ultimately weave the fabric of the community.

We are looking for servants who aren’t just searching for employment. We want community-minded, engaging and empathetic leaders who care enough to protect. We offer a workplace with co-workers who care about one another, a place where you’re not just a number. We provide training that gives you the tools for protection and promotes a culture of humble pride, dignity, honor and community. We value life and all the great things it brings for our team and everyone we serve.

If you are seeking fulfilling, engaging and exciting employment, we want you to look at us. We are looking to add members to our amazing team. We realize law enforcement isn’t for everyone, but if you want to answer the call, we would love to have you on our team.

Until next time, stay safe.

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

What to Know About Car Insurance

BY JOEL WILLIAMS

If you have an auto insurance policy, pull out the declarations page that lists what is covered, and you’ll see some or all of these common coverages:

Liability: Liability coverage protects you in case you cause a wreck and injure someone or damage their property. On your policy, you will see this broken down into bodily injury and property damage.

In Georgia, you are required to have 25/50/25 liability coverage. This means your insurance company would cover damages up to $25,000 per person and up to $50,000 per incident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage. Based on most cases I see, 100/300/100 liability coverage usually is sufficient. However, keep in mind that you could be personally responsible for damages beyond your policy limits.

Medical Payments: This covers your medical bills, regardless of whether the wreck was your fault. The limits we see on this type of coverage generally are much lower than your liability coverage, typically ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. Some insurers offer higher amounts, which might be appropriate if you don’t have health insurance.

Umbrella Policy: This is a separate policy you can purchase, in addition to your primary one, to provide an additional layer of coverage for anything beyond the policy’s limits. Individuals with a high net worth or a significant amount of assets seriously should consider purchasing umbrella coverage.

Uninsured Motorist (UM): This protects you in a situation where the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough coverage to compensate you fairly for your damages. I highly recommend having UM coverage to match your liability coverage, and make it “add-on,” as opposed to “reduced-by.” Add-on coverage means your UM coverage is added to the at-fault driver’s policy limits to cover your bodily injuries or property damage. For example, if you have add-on UM coverage of $100,000, and the at-fault driver has $25,000 minimum limits coverage, you will have $125,000 available to cover your damages. If you select reduced-by coverage, you will have only $75,000 available from your policy because your UM coverage would be reduced by what is available from the at-fault driver’s policy.

Saving Money: Avoid insurance brand loyalty. If you stick with the same company for decades, you’ll end up paying more for the same coverage you could get from another carrier. Get quotes for the same coverage from multiple carriers, and go with the lowest cost option .

" I highly recommend having UM coverage to match your liability coverage...”

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

Celebrations!

ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE FREE!

Email: edit@aroundaboutmagazines.com

May deadline is April 10.

Please specify Around Kennesaw. Word limit: 25.

April 1

Happy first birthday! We are so excited to celebrate with you, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Mommy and Daddy love you!

We love you more than anything!

April 12

Happy 12th birthday. Hope your birthday is amazing like you.

We love you and are proud of you.

Love, Mommy, Daddy and Justina

Happy birthday, Alyson! We love you so much and hope it’s the best birthday yet!

Rick April 20

Happy birthday! Hope you have the best one ever! We love you!

Love, your family

April 22

Happy second birthday, sweet love!

We love you, sweetness!

Mom, Dad, Christopher and Reagan

Alyson

Mike Morton

Happy 60th birthday to the best dad and papa in the world.

Kennedy Stewart

Ivy Talise Hillard

Benjamin Hamler III

Pros and Cons of Renting vs. Owning

BY JOANNIE BATES

Homeownership and renting each have benefits and drawbacks, and deciding which to choose depends on individual circumstances and priorities. Potential benefits of homeownership compared with renting include:

• Building equity. One of the biggest benefits of homeownership is the ability to build equity over time. Each mortgage payment goes toward paying down the principal balance on your loan, which means you are building wealth and increasing your net worth. In contrast, when renting, you’re paying someone else’s mortgage and building no equity, and you don’t own the property. It seems like an easy decision.

• Control and flexibility. As a homeowner, you can make changes to your property that suit your personal preferences and needs — paint the walls, install new fixtures, even remodel the kitchen or bathroom. Renters typically have less control, as they must abide by the rules set by the landlord.

• Tax benefits. Homeownership offers tax benefits that can help you save money in the long run. You can deduct the mortgage interest you paid from your taxable income, which can lower your tax bill significantly. Additionally, you can deduct property taxes and some closing costs associated with buying a home. These benefits can help make homeownership more affordable for many people.

• Stability. When you own a home, you have a long-term investment in the property and can establish roots in the community. This can be particularly beneficial for families with children, as it provides stability and consistency in their living situation. In contrast, renters might have to move frequently, due to changes in rental rates, the landlord’s decisions or other factors outside the tenant’s control.

• Property appreciation. Over time, home values generally increase. This can be a significant benefit for homeowners looking to sell their property and potentially earn a profit. Additionally, as the value increases, so do your net worth and financial stability.

• Pride. Homeownership often is considered a significant milestone in a person’s life, and owning your own property can provide a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Also, homeownership can give you a feeling of community and belonging, as you become invested in the neighborhood.

Individual circumstances and priorities will determine whether you should rent or own. However, for those who can afford it and want long-term stability and wealth-building potential, homeownership is a great choice. It’s important to weigh carefully the pros and cons of each option and to speak with a financial adviser or real estate professional before making a decision.

•

Joannie Bates is a Realtor for Keller Williams Signature Partners. She works with clients in the surrounding area, with a focus on luxury and investment properties.

Make Connections at the Library

BY TOM BROOKS

The west Cobb region libraries are great places to meet people and engage in positive conversations for the benefit of the community and you. Cobb County Public Library workers are committed to creatively supporting the civic infrastructure — schools, public parks, museums, playgrounds — designed to promote personal growth and positive change. Spring is an excellent time to discover how you can make meaningful connections by joining people at these community bright spots.

We encourage you to explore the programs, events, clubs, and print and digital resources your Cobb libraries offer, and if you haven’t visited in a while, please add library visits to your calendar.

“There’s More to the Story” is the theme for National Library Week, April 23-29. Sure, most people know libraries are crowded with stories — picture books, juvenile and adult books, audiobooks, e-books, park passes, digital devices to check out. But there is more. The west Cobb region story is about children discovering their voice. They start with baby and toddler storytimes and grow into students using support they find in libraries to advance, adults gaining access to resources for personal development and economic vitality, and seniors reconnecting with libraries for enriched lives.

Visit a Cobb library in April or stop by librarysponsored programs in the community. Be part of the full story.

Cobb Civic Center

548 S. Marietta Parkway, Marietta

• The Cobb Library Spring Book Sale: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. April 14-15 and 1-5 p.m. April 16. The sale features books for all ages, DVDs, books on CD and audiocassette, and magazines. For details, visit cobbcat.org/booksale.

Kemp Memorial Library

4029 Due West Road, Marietta, 770-528-2527

• Project Linus Blanket Circle: 1 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month. Knitters and crocheters join neighbors in making blankets, from no-sew fleece tie blankets to fancy quilts, for children served by Project Linus.

• Cooking Club: 1 p.m. the fourth Thursday of each month. Share recipes and dishes in a fun and relaxed environment. Upcoming themed sessions include Plantains, Breakfast for Dinner, The Incredible Edible Tomato and Meatless Meals.

North Cobb Regional Library

3535 Old 41 Highway, Kennesaw, 770-801-5320

• Early hearing detection and intervention event:

5:45-6:45 p.m. April 12. Cobb and Douglas Public Health will be on-site for babies, up to 18 months. Determining an infant has hearing loss through early screening and referrals to intervention services gives the child a better chance for language development. No registration required.

• The Lit Squad, A Walking Book Club for Busy Adults: Meets at trails in the Acworth-Kennesaw area at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Join neighbors to walk, discuss books and explore the community.

Stratton Library

1100 Powder Springs Road, Marietta, 770-528-2522

• Freestyle Club: 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday. Freestyle involves generating improvised lyrics over an instrumental beat and is great mental exercise for music lovers. Ages 13 and up.

Swift-Cantrell Park

3140 Old 41 Highway, Kennesaw

• Fall-Prevention Nature Walk: Open through May 12 on the park’s inner loop. North Cobb Library and Kennesaw Parks and Recreation are collaborating on the first installation of the Fall Walk. Developed by the Georgia Department of Public Health, in collaboration with leading injury-prevention organizations, the walk includes evidence-based information stops designed to start a community conversation on safety for all ages.

West Cobb Regional Library

1750 Dennis Kemp Lane, Kennesaw, 770-528-4699

• West Cobb Craft Club: 10 a.m.-noon each Thursday. All skill levels welcome, including beginners, to knit, crochet or create any other craft and to make new friends.

Tom Brooks is the communications specialist for the Cobb County Public Library. He enjoys walking and hiking in the Georgia mountains, photography and engaging conversations.

Pickleball

Sport That’s Taking World by Storm Offers Fun for All Ages

BY NICOLE SMITH

Do you remember the first time you heard the word “pickleball?” By now, most people know the funny word is a sport that has taken the world by storm. April is National Pickleball Month, and there is no doubt local players will be celebrating.

Pickleball combines components of tennis, badminton and table tennis and can be played indoors or outdoors on a badminton-size court with a modified tennis net. Players use a paddle and plastic ball with holes, and they can play as doubles or singles. The game is perfect for all ages and skill levels.

Although the sport has gained major momentum in the last few years, its origins date back to 1965, when U.S. Rep. Joel Pritchard from Washington and businessman Bill Bell sought to cure their families’ boredom, according to USA Pickleball’s website. Pritchard’s home on Bainbridge Island had an old badminton court but no equipment. The two families got creative and played with table tennis paddles and a perforated plastic ball. Pritchard and Bell introduced the new game to a neighbor, Barney McCallum, and the three men developed family-friendly rules that closely resembled badminton. It’s been said Pritchard’s wife, Joan, named the sport in reference to the leftover rowers who raced for fun in local “pickle boat” crew race competitions.

Since 1965, pickleball has experienced many milestones, but 2020 was a pivotal year for growth. During the COVID-19 pandemic, team sports were not advised, and many people swarmed to pickleball as a socially distant way to stay active and be outdoors. By February 2023, USA Pickleball memberships had reached 70,000, after a nearly 30% increase in 2022. This year, the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) named pickleball the fastestgrowing sport in America for the third consecutive year, with 8.9 million players — up from 4.8 million in 2022 — in the United States.

The explosion in popularity for pickleball has not missed Cobb County. Daneen England and Wendy Brown are local instructors whose lives have been impacted by pickleball. For England, an instructor at the Acworth Community Center who has played for five years and taught for four years, the sport changed her life. She said she was an alcoholic, and when she decided to quit drinking, she discovered pickleball, which helped her during this tough time. She lost 35 pounds, sold her Amazon business and dedicated herself to the game that had such a tremendous impact on her life. When the community center opened in 2019, she began coaching there, and she’s been sober since. England also has witnessed the intergenerational power of pickleball and recalled a recent scene at the community center. “One court had two boys who were about 12 years old, and the other had two women who were maybe in their late 50s,” she said. “After playing separately for a while, the women invited the boys to play, and they had a wonderful time.” The pace of the game makes it a great option for players of all ages.

Pickleball is a social sport that helps people connect and reconnect. Brown, England’s best friend, is an instructor at the Kennesaw Recreation Center at Adams Park. The former tennis player got involved in the sport about seven years ago after

Wendy Brown, left, and pro player Jessie Irvine play pickleball in Kennesaw.

seeing people playing on courts near her home. A neighbor invited her to play and eventually introduced her to his friend, England. When they met, they realized they had been neighbors when they were kids, until England’s family moved away. Pickleball not only helped Brown meet her neighbors but also enabled her and England to rekindle their friendship. As it did for England, pickleball also helped Brown through a very trying time. “Not long after I was introduced to the game, my son-in-law passed away suddenly,” she said. “My daughter had a 2-year-old and was pregnant with her second child.” Brown stepped away from the game for several months to help her daughter, but when she returned, it helped her work through her emotions and feel joy again. And her fellow players showered her with love and support. “The pickleball community is just special,” she said. Brown recognized the opportunity to share pickleball with her young grandchildren, so she set up a court in her garage for them to play together. “I just know this is something we can grow together with,” she said. “If they think about me, they think about pickleball.”

Playing Pickleball

Acworth Community Center

6 basketball/pickleball courts

Free open play Mondays-Fridays, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Lessons Wednesdays and Thursdays

www.acworthparksandrec.org

Recreation Center at Adams Park

9 pickleball courts

Open gym Mondays-Saturdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (Wednesdays until 9 p.m.)

$10 for city of Kennesaw residents, $20 for nonresidents https://bit.ly/3Jmn8od

Investing is about more than money

Nicole Smith is a writer, book influencer, dog mom and plant enthusiast living in Kennesaw. Connect with her on Instagram at booked4joy.

Best friends Wendy Brown, left, and Daneen England rekindled their friendship through pickleball.

Kennesaw Parks and Recreation

Department Grew From Park That Banned Cow Grazing

BY ANDREW J. BRAMLETT

As a follow-up to last month’s article on Depot Park, I wanted to take this opportunity to share the history of the Kennesaw Parks and Recreation Department.

The city of Kennesaw has managed and operated parks as far back as 1895, though it is not clear where this earliest greenspace was located. On June 3 of that year, the City Council voted to ban cattle grazing in this park. On Dec. 6, 1899, any “public dance” was outlawed in “any of the parks or

public property” in Kennesaw.

The oldest park that can be confirmed is from 1915. There are accounts of the park at the corner of Main and Cherokee streets being improved by “ladies of [the] M.E. & Baptist Churches,” who raised $110 for the upgrade. In 1939, a tennis court was added, and a tennis club was formed, with a $1 membership fee. In the late 1950s, there were plans to display the General at the park, which has been called a variety of names, including

Phillip’s Legion Park, Fuller Park and the current Commemorative Park, since it was created.

Located behind City Hall, the Big Shanty Spring has been a public park since at least 1936, though accounts of picnics in the spring date back to 1886. Construction of the Kennesaw Recreation Area (now Adams Park) began in 1957, with plans for a large lake, picnic tables and ballfields. These plans, except for the lake, were carried out over the next several years. The recreation area was renamed Adams Park in 1966 in honor of the family who owned the land before the city.

At the same time, the predecessor to our modern Parks and Recreation Department was formed. It was called the Kennesaw Recreation Club, and it managed the recreation area. In the 1960s, a similar group, called the Kennesaw Recreation Board, was formed and lasted until the 1970s.

The first “recreation director” in Kennesaw was Milton “Dunk” Hood, who was hired by the city in 1965 and remained there until 1968. There seems to have been no director until 1975, when the position became a full-time role, and former Councilman Ben Robertson was hired. In 1978, Joel Daniels took over the position, followed by Doyle Gayton in 1980, Danny Jones in 1994, Doug Taylor in 2000 and the current director, Steve Roberts, in 2019.

The headquarters for the department originally was a small Adams Park building. In 1988, offices were moved to a space in the basement of City Hall that had been used as a community room for 11 years. The community room and an office moved to the Bobby Grant Center on Cherokee Street in 1997.

In the meantime, major changes had taken place at a number of Kennesaw parks. Several fields had been added to Adams Park, along with a pavilion and small amphitheater. The Kennesaw Depot

The Kennesaw Recreation Center is the newest addition to Adams Park. Photo courtesy of the city of Kennesaw.

had been purchased in 1962, and plans were being formulated for a new park. In 1980, a softball field was built on Moon Station Road, and it was renamed Burrell Field in 1984. (The site now is home to Kennesaw’s Public Works Department.) Luther Chalker donated land for a park off Cherokee Street in 1970, and it became known as Chalker Park. It closed in 2021, but there are plans to develop a successor in the same area. And starting in 1973, a series of small neighborhood parks were built throughout the Kennesaw area.

The building that is now the Ben Robertson Community Center was built in 1972 as a grocery store. The city purchased it in 1999 and renovated it into a community center that opened in 2004. The building was named in Robertson’s memory shortly after his death in 2007. The most recent major addition to Adams Park is the Kennesaw Recreation Center, which opened on Jan. 18, 2022.

Swift-Cantrell Park is the site of the last cotton field in Cobb County and was purchased by the city in 2004. The park opened in 2008 and has seen several significant improvements since, including the skate park in 2013, a splash pad in 2017, an inclusive playground in 2020 and a wheelchair swing in 2023.

Starting with a small 1890s park that prohibited cattle grazing, parks now dot our city with a multitude of greenspaces that all residents can enjoy. Whether it’s baseball, basketball, pottery classes or summer camps, our Parks and Recreation Department offers something for everyone.

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

Adams Park is one of the oldest and largest parks in Kennesaw. Photo courtesy of Kennesaw Parks and Recreation Department.

Former Councilman and Parks and Recreation Director Ben Robertson. Photo courtesy of Dayle Robertson.

An early Kennesaw Little League team. Photo courtesy of Joe Bozeman.

A baseball game in 1969 at Adams Park. Photo from the Kennesaw Neighbor.

10 Ways to Observe National Volunteer Month

BY SUSANNAH MACKAY

This month is the perfect time to get involved with volunteering. There are so many needs near home, and new opportunities are available weekly. Usually, the hardest part is just getting started. After that, you won’t want to stop!

The best way to begin volunteering is to focus on finding a good fit for you. Is there a cause that is important to you, or a certain day or time you are free? Maybe you want to have a specific group of people involved? JustServe works with nonprofits and local charities — across the Atlanta area and the world! — to make sure needs are listed on justserve. org, making it easier for volunteers to get involved. There are so many opportunities to choose from; here are some great examples to help you find your best fit.

• Families — Volunteer in the Keep Families Together Resource Center in Kennesaw. Children are welcome!

https://bit.ly/3kzcDpj

• Crafters — Join the Northside Hospital Foundation in crocheting blankets and graduation hats for babies in intensive care.

https://bit.ly/3IFsFWB

• Outdoor Lovers — Help prevent water pollution by marking storm drains in Cobb County.

https://bit.ly/3IKD2bs

• Homebodies — Become a Smithsonian digital volunteer, and help make historical documents and biodiversity data more accessible. https://bit.ly/3J4eH1I

• Performers — Share your talents, such as sewing, legacy projects, participating in programs and more, with someone in hospice.

https://bit.ly/3KOzVly

• Drivers — Deliver meals to seniors with MUST Ministries.

https://bit.ly/3Zxu5Jp

• Cooks — Make dinner for the Ronald McDonald House near Scottish Rite Hospital.

https://bit.ly/3mkeajq

• Linguists — Become a Spanish translator for MUST Ministries in Canton. https://bit.ly/3kHxK8O

• Readers — Donate books for children to Cobb Collaborative.

https://bit.ly/3IJ8gzZ

• Pet Lovers — Help out at Mostly Mutts in Kennesaw.

https://bit.ly/3ZArUVo

Be sure to check out these great opportunities — and more! — on the JustServe website. Or, for additional ideas, join the JustServe Georgia Volunteers public Facebook group. Celebrate National Volunteer Month with simple acts of service!

Justserve.org is a free, nationwide website and app that works to match volunteers with nonprofit organizations and service opportunities. If you run a nonprofit, or are looking for ways to make service a regular part of your life, check out justserve.org. You can sign up for regular updates and learn more about organizations nearby, too. JustServe makes it easy to just go out and serve!

Susannah MacKay is a local JustServe specialist. She grew up in Marietta and loves helping strengthen her community through service! Follow her on Facebook @JustServeGeorgia.

Volunteers take Mostly Mutts dogs for a walk.

A volunteer stops to pet a Mostly Mutts rescue while on a walk.

Celebrating Volunteers and Earth Day

BY CHRISTOPHER PURVIS

Anyone who has been around Allatoona knows how important volunteers are to conserving natural resources around the lake. The Great Lake Allatoona Cleanup (GLAC) and the Lake Allatoona Association’s (LAA) Lake Warriors are prime examples of volunteers coming together for environmental concerns. Furthermore, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) volunteers have been instrumental in assisting with the Allatoona Lake Native Pollinator and Habitat Restoration Program.

To celebrate Earth Day this year, USACE staff, partners and volunteers will be attending a tree-grafting workshop, held by Josh Fuder from the University of Georgia Cherokee Extension, at the Allatoona Volunteer Village. Approximately 100 apple tree rootstocks will be grafted and grown at the on-site hoop house for one season. In 2024, volunteers, staff and partners will plant the trees into a newly established research orchard to help students and professors reintroduce different apple species back into the northwest Georgia area.

This is not all that USACE volunteers and partners have accomplished in the past few months. In October, USACE rangers and volunteers joined Georgia Department of Natural Resources biologists and LAA volunteers in planting 1,000 water willows and 100 maidencanes in Rose Creek. The same groups came together again in February, along with volunteers from E3 Bassmasters and Marietta Bassmasters, to plant 380 buttonbushes

near Sweetwater Day Use Area. More than 300 of the plants were cultivated in USACE’s hoop house and maintained throughout the year by volunteers and park rangers. These aquatic plants not only are used for erosion control on the shoreline, but also as beneficial fish habitats for native fish species in the lake.

Another effort, now in its seventh year at Allatoona, is the Bamboo Fish Attractor Program. During late winter, USACE rangers and volunteers cut bamboo on government property to create the attractors. The environmental importance of this program is twofold. First, bamboo is an invasive species that is removed from the area. Second, the bamboo then is recycled and used in making fish structures and habitats. Additionally, small tubes of bamboo are cut and used to create bee houses, produced by the volunteers, which also are used in the pollinator program.

Volunteers play a major role in helping USACE and our partners maintain a healthy environment around the lake. With the help of the community and volunteers, projects such as these will continue to thrive and grow in number.

Christopher Purvis is lead ranger at Lake Allatoona over partnerships, volunteers and project security. He has been a ranger on Allatoona Lake since 2005.

HEROES Our Hometown

In our November and December issues, we ran a listing of ways (Helping Hands) our readers could help local nonprofits and government agencies that work to enrich the lives of those less fortunate in our community. You — our hometown heroes — responded in a powerful way. Read on to see the good news about how you and your neighbors made a difference during the holiday season, as well as ways you can help throughout the year.

Acworth Police Department Christmas Shoppe

www.acworthpolice.org

From Cpl. Eric Mistretta

Each year, we have multiple volunteers assist us from the Acworth Public Safety Cadet Program, the local community and police department family members.

The number of gifts is hard to gauge, but we did receive more donations than in the previous year. We were able to partner with businesses throughout the city and neighboring counties to assist with collecting toys. With our toy drive, we were able to serve many local families who would not have been able to provide Christmas gifts for their children without our Toy Shoppe. We also were able to provide each family with a $100 gift card to help them purchase their holiday meal.

Without the support from our community, we wouldn’t be as successful as we’ve been at providing resources to families around the holidays. If anyone is interested in making a donation to the Acworth Police Community Foundation, they can contact the police department for more information. The funds donated to the foundation support many outreach programs, including our toy drive, Police Ambassador Camp and the Acworth Public Safety Cadets, just to name a few. The foundation would like to raise at least $50,000 this year to help community outreach programs.

We also have a tax credit donation option with our foundation, which helps supplement the police department with resources and equipment. We have set a goal to raise at least $250,000 this year from these donations. For more information, please contact the Acworth Police Department.

The Center for Family Resources

https://thecfr.org/thanks-for-giving

From Melanie Kagan, CEO

We can’t do what we do without the community support we receive, not just during Thanksgiving, but all year long. This is just one example of how incredibly generous people are, and we want them to know their donations are incredibly impactful and critical to supporting the needs of the clients and families we serve.

We had 263 volunteers show up the week of Thanksgiving to help on-site with packing, sorting and distributing. Our volunteers logged more than 800 hours that week.

We had an excellent donation result, with 10,000 pounds of food being brought back to our pantry to help with requests the rest of the year. Our totals were:

Shift 2 volunteers at the Center for Family Resources shop for items to donate to families in need.

793 boxes of food distributed (valued at $55,510)

• 12 boxes of peanut butter

• 660 loaves of bread

• 1,000 packs (28 boxes) of macaroni and cheese

• 200 boxes of miscellaneous food taken to the food pantry (valued at $17,000)

• $76,441 worth of food donated to Thanks for Giving

• 816 gift cards worth $10,870

• 345 boxes picked up by registered families

• 25 boxes given to LiveSafe Resources

• 25 boxes given to Highland Rivers

• 150 boxes given to Cobb Senior Services

• 40 boxes given to Center for Children and Young Adults

• Eight boxes given to a senior-living community

• 140 boxes plus three cases of macaroni and cheese given to Helping Hands Paulding

• 28 boxes given to Cole Street Baptist Church

• Three boxes given to Simple Needs GA

• 14 boxes of miscellaneous food given to The Porch Marietta

• Nine boxes of miscellaneous kid-friendly items sent to Kennesaw State University food pantry

For 2023, we are excited to announce our short-term housing program has expanded from five apartments to 12 apartments that will house more than 60 families this year. The CFR has a strong commitment to families with children to try to avoid placing them in congregate shelters when possible. Our families enter short-term housing with very little, so when a family moves in, we provide many basic items, such as new sheets, towels and kitchen items. We are seeking donations for our housing closet. Our Amazon wish list can be found at https://amzn.to/3FcKRpz.

The Hope Box

www.thehopebox.org/donate

From Sarah Koeppen, CEO and founder

During the holidays, we held a Mommy Mart and a baby shower for mothers and infants in need. We had such a need for gift cards, baby diapers, formula, cars seats, clothing and more. We are so grateful for all of the volunteers and staff that helped meet the needs of so many. In 2023, continued financial partners, gift cards, baby items and volunteers are needed.

Cobb Senior Services

www.cobbcounty.org

From Kathy Lathem, strategic partnerships manager

We provided Christmas gifts to 150 of our clients. We continue to accept financial donations for Meals on Wheels.

Cobb Christmas Stuff-a-Bus

www.cobbchristmas.net/stuff-a-bus

From Mark Riggans, chairman

We didn’t have a shortage of volunteers this past year. Our Christmas giveaway always has been well-supported by the community.

We served 406 families — 1,200 children. Our biggest need is funding. We gave away every toy we had this past year, so we will need to purchase toys in bulk to supplement our toy drive.

Goshen Valley Foundation

www.goshenvalley.org

From Caitlin Brunson, marketing and community engagement coordinator

We had incredible support from the community during the holidays. Woodstock City Church sent more than 600 volunteers to help with landscaping, decorating for Christmas and wrapping hundreds of gifts for the boys at Goshen Valley Boys Ranch.

We saw huge support from the community at large, helping us to purchase gifts off our Amazon wish lists for the 117 foster kids at Goshen during the holidays. The community rallies around our kids at Christmas, and we truly couldn’t do it without its support. We are so grateful to everyone who touched our kids’ lives!

Our 2023 needs are focused around a big need for foster parents in Cherokee and Cobb counties. At Goshen Homes, we license, train and recruit foster parents to work with sibling groups in foster care. That’s because more than 75% of siblings in foster care are separated, and we believe siblings are better together. If you or someone you know might be interested in becoming a foster parent or getting involved at Goshen Homes, visit fosterwithgoshen.org to download the fostering guide.

Volunteer Melanie Duncan battles the Grinch (Amanda Yula) for a Christmas gift donated to Cobb Christmas Stuff-a-Bus.

Simple Needs GA

www.simpleneedsga.org

From Brenda Rhodes, founder

We had an increase in the number of volunteers; some were directly because of your publications, so thank you! We were able to help more children this past Christmas than in previous years. Overall, we provided gifts (plus board games, hats, gloves and scarves) for 307 kids in 108 families. Each mom and/ or dad also received a Walmart gift card.

And some of the volunteers who helped at Christmastime have returned to help us! We’re hoping a few will become regulars, including one who read about us in Around Kennesaw.

Now, our greatest need is for gently used mattresses/ box springs/beds as well as other essential furniture and kitchen/bed/bath items. We also need items that we give to our birthday children. We update this list about once a week with our most-needed items: https://simpleneedsgablog.com/drives.

Volunteers who would like to become regulars by volunteering on Saturdays once or twice a month are needed. And we need volunteers with pickup trucks and/or those who are willing to pick up furniture donations and deliver to our clients.

MUST Ministries

www.mustministries.org

From Katy Ruth Camp, director of marketing and public relations

Generally, we see about a 20% to 25% increase in the number of volunteers who serve during the holiday season. Not only do people want to give back more during the holidays, but events and programs like the Gobble Jog, our toy shops and holiday meals at the MUST Hope House inspire more people to give back.

Community support makes everything we do possible. Our MUST team could not begin to serve the 62,000 we now are serving annually without volunteers.

We always are working hard to serve more of our neighbors in need. Donations help provide food, housing, jobs, health care and clothing, plus a host of other resources like toiletries, diapers, cold-weather shelter and summer lunches for hungry children.

In 2023, our needs include:

• More food for the MUST Mobile Pantry.

• More volunteers to help serve more clients at every location.

• Volunteers to work in our new MUST Marketplace thrift store, opening in east Cobb this month.

• Support for the future health care clinic being established in MUST’s new facility on Highway 41.

Jerry Worthan Memorial Christmas Fund

www.facebook.com/KennPD

From Officer David Buchanan, Office of Community Engagement

Kennesaw Police Department had a fantastic turnout at events this past holiday season, along with numerous residents and businesses eager to offer their stores, time and/or money. We held a Dinner with Santa event at Copeland’s, had nine businesses in the community place toy donation bins in their store fronts, received a large monetary donation from the Kennesaw Business Association and received a large toy donation from the Ladies of Legacy Park. The support received was incredible and makes the Jerry Worthan Memorial Christmas Fund simple and fulfilling, while ensuring every child in Kennesaw can experience the joys of Christmas.

The Christmas fund received hundreds of new toys, and more than $10,000 was raised for upcoming years. The program provided Christmas gifts, including toys, clothing and shoes, for 33 children in the Kennesaw community.

We will start accepting applications and toy donations in November for Christmas 2023. We accept monetary donations for the program all year.

The MUST Ministries Toy Shops program provides gifts for children who might not have anything on Christmas morning.

North Georgia Angel House

https://angelhousega.com

From Susan Worsley, executive director and CEO

The influx of volunteers during the holiday season was heartwarming. We had sponsors for each of our girls. All of their needs were met with each item they asked for and a whole lot more.

Our friends and neighbors donated gift cards to have a supply ready when we accept new girls in our home, to purchase clothing and incidentals. One of our neighbors donated a gift card to each of the employees as a thank you for their hard work. It was unexpected and greatly appreciated.

We had sponsors for the children of our girls who come home every year for the Home for the Holidays meal. This year, volunteers donated, catered and served dinner to almost 100 former children, spouses and partners so we could spend time visiting with our former youth.

Volunteers helped decorate the home, inventory gifts and meet the needs of our kids during the most challenging time of the year. In a world where the news is filled with crimes and sad stories, we are reminded our community is filled with many kind, giving and supportive individuals who work tirelessly to help us meet the needs of our girls. Our investment in others is more than a job; it’s a ministry. We thank God every day for the good in our community.

Our needs going into 2023 include landscaping, siding, remodeling a building for our newly established school, drying in a space for a “she shed,” adding 10 more singleoccupancy apartments to our campus and building a reception center at the entrance of our campus. Please let me know if you have time, talent or resources to lend a hand. We love our volunteers.

The Turquoise Otter was a collection site for the Kennesaw Police Department’s Jerry Worthan Memorial Christmas Fund.

Erika K. Orcutt, Esq.

Rob’s Rescues

This month, I interviewed Diviya Roney, who is in charge of the Furkids Community Cat program. Headquartered in Cumming, Furkids is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization that operates the largest cage-free, no-kill shelter in the Southeast for rescued cats, as well as Sadie’s Place, a no-kill shelter for dogs. If you missed my interview with Samantha Shelton, founder of Furkids, last month, visit https://aroundkennesawmagazine. com/archives-2.

Describe Furkids’ cat program. The Community Cat program was launched on July 1, 2022. We focus on spay and neuter and education. We also provide resources and support to the community.

If someone has cats living in their neighborhood, what should they do?

This dog’s name is Boss. He was adopted as a puppy from the Cobb County shelter. He is a 2-year-old small terrier. He is good with kids and other animals. He was turned in because his family was moving to another state and could not afford to take him.

They can email communitycats@ furkids.org. We will provide instructions and rent out traps. Feeders are the best trappers, as they know the cats’ schedules. If you can’t physically do it, we can send our volunteers to help. Contact us first to set up a plan. Please don’t trap before a plan is in place to TNR (trap, neuter, return) the cat.

What does TNR involve?

The rule is that if you are feeding outdoor cats, you must TNR them. The only way to reduce the overwhelming cat population is TNR. The cats must be returned to their colony after spay/ neuter. We train people on how to run their colony, including deworming and providing shelter.

How many cats have you helped?

We already are in 22 counties in Georgia, and we have helped more than 800 cats. We aim to help 100 cats each month. We don’t care where you live in Georgia; we will support you.

Has it been easy stepping into this role at Furkids?

Furkids has made the transition easy. This (Community Cats program) is replicating Frida’s on a much larger scale. I am still running both. The name recognition has been helpful. (Frida’s Foundation is a volunteer-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in Clayton County, committed to eliminating euthanasia of healthy pets and community cats through high-volume spay/neuter, community outreach, collaboration and advocacy. Learn more at www.fridasfoundation.com.)

How can the community help?

This dog’s name is Shadow. He was a cruelty case in his old home but is a staff favorite in the shelter. He was only 24 pounds when he came to the shelter. Now, he weighs 31 pounds. He is friendly, playful and affectionate. One of the staff members wrote a message on his cage: “I have never met a dog more deserving of love. Everyone adores him!”

What story do you like to tell?

Frida’s Foundation is a story that is close to my heart. The reason I founded Frida’s was due to a human being getting no support and consequently committing suicide. Frida’s Foundation and Furkids’ mission is to help people struggling and lifting them up. Animals help people tremendously and keep them going. We are here to support people, keep animals in their homes or colonies intact.

Donations are a huge help to cover spay and neuter. We need traps, too, if you want to donate those. We also need food for our food pantry. We are supporting a lot of people with new colonies, and a lot of people who help community cats need ongoing help with their colonies. We provide medical assistance and food for their cats. Volunteers and trapping volunteers also are needed. And, just getting the word out about our mission and how we can assist is helpful. We help struggling families and are not county-specific.

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

These dogs are at Cobb County Animal Services, waiting for homes.

Rob at the Furkids center.

Check Items on Your List at Daybreak Village Hometown Cozy Friendships Be Yourself

BY KIM ADAMS CONINE FOR DAYBREAK VILLAGE

IfI could no longer stay in my own home, what would be my wishes?

• Stay in my hometown (because this is where all my friends and family are).

• Find a cozy but spacious place (not too big and not too small – think Goldilocks).

• Have access to beautiful indoor and outdoor areas where I can entertain family and friends.

• Be able to enjoy gardening without worrying about upkeep.

• Have opportunities to make new friends.

• Be in a place where I don’t have to give up who I am. That is and will be my biggest concern until my last breath.

This is my personal list – yours might include other things. While I concede that it may be time to let others cook for me, help me clean and even wash my clothes, I don’t want to give up who I am. I want to wake up every morning to the smell of coffee and the sound of birds singing, go to breakfast with my friends and chat about the day’s agenda. I want my biggest concern to be whether I attend book club or art class today. I want to be as busy as I choose to be, and I want to eat well.

While this sounds more like a bed and breakfast than an assisted-living or personal-care home, I’m talking about DayBreak Village Senior Living in Kennesaw. It really is the bed and breakfast of senior living: cozy, yet spacious, friendly, inclusive, active and beautifully situated in the woods off Cherokee Street.

Ben and Stephanie Harbour bought DayBreak in 2005 and, since then, have been involved intimately in the dayto-day operations, from the menus to choosing the color of the mulch outside. Because of their hands-on approach, Ben and Stephanie are available to address concerns or requests and to make decisions immediately. No red tape. No corporate hassles. That’s boutique-catered living at its finest.

DayBreak offers everything needed as aging progresses: medication management, secure memory care, and in-house care from nurse practitioners, dentists and podiatrists, along with home health and hospice care. Residents have access to multicultural church services, a

hair salon and activities ranging from art classes to various clubs to exercise. Care is a priority, with around-the-clock access to fully trained caregivers. Chef-inspired meals and day trips spoil the residents.

But what you can’t put on a list, yet everyone wants, is the feeling of being at home when you walk through the door. DayBreak is big enough for hosting and entertaining family and friends, but cozy and intimate enough to make you feel like you belong and are special. That’s when you know you are a “Villager.”

It’s truly home, just like a bed and breakfast where you wake up smelling the coffee and hearing the birds singing. But don’t take my word for it. Go for a visit, eat a meal there, talk to the people who live there so you experience the difference. See for yourself if you don’t just happen to feel the kismet as you walk through the door!

The spa is equipped with a therapeutic tub set in a relaxing retreat atmosphere.

Salon 3056

Put Your Paws to the Pavement

BY SUSAN BROWNING SCHULZ

Most of us would agree with actress Gilda Radner, who said, “I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me, they are the role models for being alive.”

Sadly, in some parts of the world, dogs do not have this great esteem. The Street Dog Dash is a nonprofit that exists to support the success of local rescues in Cherokee County and surrounding

areas and to put an end to the suffering of dogs in the Asian meat trade. The nonprofit’s annual 5K is set for April 29 at Etowah River Park in Canton.

“I founded Street Dog Dash 5K (SDD5K) in 2018 as a way to serve my local community and give back to the world,” Woodstock resident Haley Williams said. “I’m a strong believer in trying to leave the world a better place than you found it. Once I learned about the dog meat trade in Asia, something inside me broke, and I knew that I had to act. SDD5K was born out of my God-given love for animals and a belief that we must be a voice for the less fortunate and those who can’t speak for themselves.”

The SDD5K raises funds and awareness for the fight against the dog meat trade. Its nonprofit of choice is the Soi Dog Foundation, which has been running for more than 11 years and is committed to ending this barbaric business. Headquartered in Thailand, Soi Dog has been successful in ending the trade in its own country and getting restrictive laws passed in other Asian countries. Soi Dog works toward the enforcement of existing laws, educating the public about the health risks associated with this trade, and providing farmers with alternative ways to earn income. Progress is being made.

In Cherokee and surrounding

counties, SDD5K supports animal shelters, rescue groups and smaller organizations, such as Rescue Me Georgia.

Josh and Michelle Williams stepped into the role of directors of race operations beginning in fall 2021. Even though involvement in the SDD5K is recent, their passion for pups is not. Josh and Michelle met in 2014 at Brook Run Dog Park in Atlanta, where their three rescue dogs became best friends. They soon fell in love, married, brought everyone together as one big happy family and moved to Canton.

“I discovered SDD5K after coordinating an outdoor community event for the company I worked for at the time,” Michelle said. “Since both Josh and I love the idea of supporting rescues and dogs in need, we also participated in the race. When the opportunity arose to take on more responsibility as race directors, we happily said yes to supporting our local communities and improving the lives of animals.”

SDD5K is a fun family event to get everyone moving. Everyone is welcome, including four-legged family members. Not a runner? No problem. You can walk the 3 miles with or without your pup. Here are a few recommendations from some of your metro Atlanta neighbors:

“The SDD5k is absolutely my

favorite race! It’s so much fun to see all the dogs (and their humans) enjoying the event,” Brooke Hopkins said.

“This (year) will be my third time participating in the SDD5K! It is a great event put on in our community for runners and fur friends alike. A great course and an even better cause. Cannot wait until April 29!” Kasi Winkles said.

Katie Nix said: “Participating in the SDD5K isn’t just about testing your own limits; it’s about pushing for a greater cause. I heard about the SDD5K in the Around Woodstock magazine and knew it was a cause I wanted to support, no questions asked. When you lace up your sneakers and hit the pavement, you’re not only supporting the health and wellness of yourself, but you’re also making a difference for dogs in need and your local community. The joy of crossing that finish line is amplified by the knowledge that your efforts have contributed to something bigger than yourself, helping to create a better future for animals and people alike. I can’t wait to see what 2023 has in store for the SDD5K!”

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.

To learn more or sign up for this year’s race, visit streetdogdash5k.org, email info@streetdogdash5k.org or scan the QR code to register. To stay up-to-date on race details, participate in contests and more, follow @streetdogdash5k on Facebook and Instagram.

Jaime Pinedo and Juniper.

What’s New at Governors?

New Services Add Another Highlight to Kennesaw Location

Governors MedSpa & Concierge Medicine has a new home in Kennesaw, a 9,000-square-foot facility that has opened the door for Drs. Heath and Ashley Trowell to offer new services and personnel in 2023.

The new two-story office features a sleek and modern medical atmosphere, with more exam rooms to enhance the medical and aesthetic experience. Patients enter a retail space dedicated to skin care and the newly added Jane Iredale mineral makeup line.

“Patients love to come to our clinic because they have the convenience of getting their medications refilled in the same appointment as a flu shot and a Botox touch-up, while their children get their sports physicals,” Dr. Heath said.

The building isn’t the only thing new about the location. A new machine, the CoolSculpting Elite, offers faster service and results.

What’s New

In personnel. Wendy Allard, NP-C, has joined Governors as a medical aesthetician. She is a board-certified nurse practitioner with more than 15 years of clinical experience. Wendy’s career started in intensive care and transitioned to emergency medicine. She spent almost a decade at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta as a trauma emergency nurse, then moved to Tanner Medical Center. She gained experience in retail medicine when she worked to expand CVS Health, MinuteClinic, before pursuing aesthetics.

Wendy Allard, NP-C, consults before a Coolsculpting Elite treatment.

In weight loss. The doctors are seeing a common struggle among their patients. Say goodbye to the freshman 15, and hello to the COVID 25.

“We have many patients still dealing with the aftermath of COVID-19 from a weight perspective,” Dr. Ashley said. “To help, we have several programs in our clinic that assist with this: appetite-suppression medications, energy-boosting shots and the newest treatment: Semaglutide.”

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 product that helps the body process foods and sugars, and decreases appetites, and is safe to use for several months to help patients reach their goal weight. Another new injectable medication is Ipamorelin, which is a natural growth hormone that increases cell synthesis and increases ghrelin in the stomach, which releases GH and controls hunger.

In rejuvenation. “Let’s talk about sex! No one wants to talk about sex or menopause, which are two things that change as we age,” Dr. Ashley said. “We now offer several procedures and medications to maintain your sexual function and desire that may otherwise decrease because of the aging process in men and women.”

Exilis Femme 360 is an FDA-approved procedure to assist in urinary discomfort and increase blood flow to the vagina for lubrication and pleasure. Injectables including the P and the O shot for men and women are available. Biote HRT can assist in desire and comfort for men and women, along with the new PT141 that works as an injectable Viagra that has fewer side effects and lasts longer than traditional treatments.

In communication. Governors has a new app to download that allows patients to schedule appointments, view monthly promotions and purchase flash sales at their leisure.

In aesthetics. A variety of medical-grade facials and treatments are available with little or no downtime. The latest options include combination treatment therapies: Microneedling with RF followed by Sculptra or TCA application, or by CoolPeel resurfacing laser with PRP. Vi Peels are being combined with neurotoxins or fillers post-application.

The new Evo/Elluminate treatment uses a faster, more efficient machine to efficiently reduce hair growth and eliminate signs of aging, such as brown spots and wrinkles. New facial addons include glutathione and/or CBD to medical-grade facials, enhancing results.These products assist with brightening the skin and have anti-inflammatory properties.

Stay tuned: Governors MedSpa soon will offer aesthetic memberships.

PHOTOS BY LARUCHE PHOTO

Drs. Heath and Ashley Trowell

Beauty products are available for purchase at the beauty bar.

3 Spaces to Remodel Into a Home Gym

BY ELISABETH STUBBS

A gym is a convenient home feature that can save you time and money. In the long run, repurposing a space in your home for gym equipment can eliminate your family’s monthly gym membership(s). Not to mention, you can squeeze in a workout in the time it would take you to drive to and from a gym.

Here are three spaces to consider converting to transform your workouts:

1. Remodeled basements make great home gyms, offering lots of space and a quiet place to work out, so other family members are not disturbed.

2. A finished attic also can work as a gym setup. Just be sure the floors are adequately braced for heavier equipment and weights. Air quality is essential, too, so make sure there’s no exposed insulation and have an AC unit or a fan to keep the attic cool as you break a sweat.

3. Extra space in your two-car garage can make an excellent space for a home gym. The point is, almost every homeowner can find somewhere to perform their daily workout rituals, even if there’s not much room for large equipment.

Since your home gym setup may include heavy equipment and rigorous workouts, it’s essential to have durable flooring that can absorb shock and be easy to clean. Consider the type of exercise you typically do. If it’s a light-impact exercise like yoga, you don’t need the same flooring strength and resilience as more intense

exercises like weight training or jumping rope. Rubber and higher-end vinyl floors — glue-down or wood-plastic composite construction with a 20 mil (one mil is .001 inches) or higher wear layer — are good options for home gyms. Luxury vinyl plank floors look quite attractive and resemble hardwoods, giving a sleek gym studio vibe. Laminate flooring also is a good choice for a home gym due to its incredible durability and impressive commercial wear ratings. There are commercial gym flooring options, such as PuzzleTile rubber flooring by Centaur Floors. This versatile flooring is made of interlocking rubber tiles that can be installed on almost any type of existing flooring, and it doesn’t need adhesive to hold it down.

Once your flooring is installed, be sure to add some color and decor that inspires you. You might want to set up speakers and mount a television to the wall so you can stream music and your favorite movies or TV shows. A home gym also is a great place to showcase your family’s medals and trophies or memorabilia from your favorite sports teams. Whatever you choose to decorate your space, make sure it motivates you to get active!

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

Spring into Spring into

We are your total home design center!

Enhance Floors & More is one of the most experienced flooring companies in North Georgia. Founded 37 years ago in Marietta, the flooring showroom is locally owned and staffed by a skilled team with a combined 150-plus years of experience.

Clients rave about how Enhance Floors is a “one-stop shop and made what could have been an overwhelming experience easy and fun.” Pop in to browse the large selection of flooring options and see for yourself what all the hype is about.

ü Complimentary In-Store Design Assistance

ü Interest-Free Financing

ü40+ Installed Flooring Products

Photography 5 Techniques to Improve Your

BY MARK CHANDLER

With the technology and features available in smartphones and digital cameras, everyone is a photographer. In most cases, a simple focus and shoot will create images that will be treasured for years. Photographers in today’s world have a big head start over those in the past, as the ability to create quality images has gotten easier. But what does it take to improve your photos and become a better photographer? The answer starts with learning the basics of exposure and composition. Let’s take a look at a few basic composition tips to help you improve your images.

1. Think before you shoot.

Before you start firing off shots with your camera, take a moment to think about what your subject is and what story you are trying to convey. Once you have an idea of the subject, think about what needs to be included in the photo to tell the story and what can be excluded. If something does not add to the image, can it be removed by moving in closer to the subject, finding a different angle or using shallow depth of field? It might not always be possible to remove items from the photo, but the more you tell your story without distractions, the better.

2. Fill the frame.

One of the easiest ways to isolate your subject is by moving closer and filling the frame. Whether it’s a landscape, people or other subjects, move in close enough to fill the frame with your focal point and eliminate distractions that don’t belong in the photo.

3. Use shallow depth of field.

Another technique for isolating your subject is using a shallow depth of field, or the area of your photo that is in focus. Using a shallow depth of field, you can separate your subject from the background by making the background blurry or out of focus. This is accomplished in-camera by using a wide aperture or f-stop. The wider the aperture, the smaller the number of f-stop on your lens. Different lenses open to various sizes, but common f-stops, such as f-1.8, f-2.8 or f-4 (the bigger the number, the smaller the aperture), will represent the widest aperture value of a particular lens. A wide aperture will give you a blurry background, but you will have to be more precise in focusing. In the bird photo, notice how the background is completely out of focus, making the bird stand out as the subject.

4. When to center the subject.

The best time to consider centering your subject is when you have symmetry in your image. To give a feel of balance, centering your subject might be the best way to present your photo. This image of the tunnel in downtown Kennesaw is an example of symmetry.

5. Learn the rule of thirds.

Generally, it’s best not to put your subject in the center of the frame. There’s a photographer’s technique for placing subjects called rule of thirds. Not really a rule, but a great guideline to think about when composing your photo. By dividing your image into thirds, similar to a tic-tac-toe board, it’s typically considered more pleasing to place your subject on one of the intersecting points and/or on one of the lines. The rule also applies to your horizon lines. It is generally better to place your horizon on one of the lines, rather than in the center. In the photo of the Kennesaw Mountain flags, notice the prominent flag is at an intersection point, and the horizon is in the bottom third. The main flag fills the frame to the top but is not centered, leaving space to show other flags that help tell the story.

Ultimately, how you compose your image is your choice. You are the artist and have your own style, and you should control the results. These are starter guidelines — not hard-and-fast rules — to get you thinking through the picture-taking process and to help you take the best image possible. But the most important tip is to think before you shoot. Consider your subject and the story you are trying to convey, and no doubt, you will begin to see improvement in your photography skills.

Mark Chandler is past president of the Cobb Photographic Society and teaches photography for the Kennesaw and Smyrna parks and recreation departments. See his work on Instagram @markchandlerphotography.

Touch a Truck Is

Is a Hit

Annual Event Attracts All Ages

PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER NOWAK OF PRESTO PHOTOGRAPHY

Kids and adults were able to get up close and personal with a number of larger-than-life trucks, heavy construction and public safety vehicles, cool cars and specialty machines at the annual Touch-ATruck. The educational community event was hosted by Kennesaw’s Parks and Recreation, Public Works and Police departments March 4 at Adams Park. During the four-hour event, families and other attendees had the chance to meet the owners and operators, as well as touch, climb on and interact with the vehicles on display in the transportation exhibition.

Harrison Student Immersed in D.C. Political Scene

BY JACK LAKIS

At the beginning of my senior year, I set a single goal for myself: to become a delegate to the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP). The program offers high school students across the country the chance to participate in Washington Week and to be awarded a $10,000 college scholarship.

After discovering the opportunity last year, I knew the experience of engaging with federal policymakers would be invaluable to my educational pursuits. Last September, I began the three-month-long selection process that included comprehensive, autobiographical essay responses and an interview in Atlanta. Only two students per state would be chosen, so the competition was intense.

On Dec. 1, though, I got the call from the Georgia Department of Education confirming my selection, and I was overwhelmed instantly with excitement. I spent the end of last year meticulously planning my outfits, preparing dialogue for my senators and connecting with the

other delegates in USSYP’s 61st class. Program Director Rayne Guilford describes USSYP Washington Week as “the Olympics of public service.” After participating, I think her statement is a perfect way to explain it. Lasting from March 4-11, this year’s Washington Week included meetings with Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, U.S. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, acting U.S. archivist Debra Wall, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, leaders from the U.S. Institute of Peace and nearly all 100 members of the Senate.

The most rewarding of these activities for me centered on individuals whose roles satisfy our government’s nonpartisan needs. Sotomayor reminded the delegates of her commitment to fair rulings in the court, and Republican Sen.

Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia addressed her devotion to working alongside members of the opposing party. These sentiments were especially compelling, since I plan to pursue a career focusing on public interest law that indiscriminately uplifts society’s most vulnerable voices.

Over the course of the week, a collective need to embrace bipartisanship in creating public policy was emphasized time and time again.

Each program speaker allowed the delegates to engage in a questionand-answer session. I was able to converse with MacDonough about her experience as a law clerk for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. She said exposure to America’s judicial system spearheaded her dedication to nonpartisan contributions in the Senate. Now, her role is intentionally apolitical, and she works to maintain that promise.

In addition, I met 103 of the most incredibly enthusiastic and inspiring young adults in the country. I hope to continue my relationship with my fellow delegates and can’t wait to see what they accomplish!

I am the first student from Harrison High School to be selected for the honor of participating in USSYP. I am proud to have represented my school, Kennesaw, Cobb County and the state of Georgia in front of our nation’s leaders. Hopefully, my presence will encourage representatives to prioritize our community in the future.

After such an incredible week, I confidently can say I will continue to devote my life to public service. During the program, Sotomayor said, “If you don’t try, change isn’t possible,” and she urged us not to become “the bystander that gets hit by the bus.” I hope I can lead by example and become one of America’s voices for justice in my generation.

Jack Lakis is a 17-year-old senior at Harrison High School. He advocates for inclusivity in schools and ranks at the top of his class.

Jack Lakis meets Sen. Raphael Warnock during Washington Week.

A Very Special, Magical Dance Brings Joy

SUBMITTED BY COBB SCHOOLS

One magical day each year, Pinocchio, Snow White, Tinker Bell, Pocahontas and other fairytale characters step off the big screen to welcome students with special needs to a very enchanting dance at the Mountain.

It’s described as a “magical day” that comes together once a year, thanks to hours of work by more than 200 Kennesaw Mountain High School (KMHS) students. It’s not just the dance of the year. Many consider it the event of the year — a memory-making day students, staff and community members look forward to each year.

This year, more than 400 Cobb County students were the guests of honor at the morning soiree, held last month at KMHS.

“There’s so much happiness flying around throughout this entire hallway and everywhere,” said sophomore Felicia, a student volunteer. “The energy on this very day is super high. Everyone’s very excited.”

The student volunteers began planning the event, which had the theme “Once Upon a Time at the Mountain,” almost as soon as the new school year began.

“We’ve been here every day after school, building the decorations, planning the logistics,” senior Siya said. “Involvement has been huge, and putting it on takes a lot of hours of work, but we’ve really tried to get

the whole student body involved with everything from figuring out the theme to putting the decorations up. It’s really been a team effort these past couple of months.”

Despite the hours of work, student volunteers continue to sign up year after year.

“Every moment is worth it,” Felicia said. “I feel like I’m dreaming right now.”

Aicha, a junior, praised her fellow volunteers for the heart they put into the dance, all to bring smiles to the faces of students they have never met.

“We can feel it, the impact that we’re making on them and the impact that they’re giving back to us,” she said. “It’s unlike any other experience, truly. I do it for them, and I think we all do it for them because it’s just so nice seeing other people so happy.”

The volunteers and guests aren’t the only ones impacted by the dance of the year.

“It’s actually had a really big impact on the Cobb community,” said junior Amory, who described attending the dance last year for the first time as heartwarming.

Kennesaw Mountain has hosted the festive occasion since 2001, and the annual event has led to other opportunities for students with special needs.

The dance is credited with the Horizon League baseball field being built for students with special needs, and the idea for the KMHS coffee shop, run by students with special needs, was brewed from the success of the dance.

The school also planned to have field days to provide another activity in which students with special needs could participate.

The excitement on the dance floor did not end when an array of colorful balloons flowed from above like a waterfall, signaling the end of the dance.

“It really has a lasting effect on people,” Siya said. “We’ve seen a lot of students be really touched by it.”

Volunteers, like Amory, already are counting down the days until they roll out the red carpet for next year’s dance.

“I just can’t wait to see what comes together next year,” she said. “Each year gets bigger and bigger, so it’ll only get bigger and better next year.”

Emma Stoll from Kell High School enjoys the dance at Kennesaw Mountain High School.

"It really has a lasting effect on people. We’ve seen a lot of students be really touched by it. "

Extracurriculars: Are They Worth It?

BY MADYSON MEYER

Harrison High School offers more than 50 clubs and more than 20 sports. Most students are involved in two or three activities, but some manage to balance many more. And a few remain uninvolved completely. With all these options, what causes such a data disparity?

Sophomore Cammie Sconiers is in the STEM program, meaning her course load is heavier than most students. Despite the increased workload, she participates in multiple extracurriculars, including lacrosse, orchestra and student council.

And asked if she’d ever experienced burnout — as more than 70% of students do, according to Healthline — Cammie said, “Yeah, I have. I think everyone does, though. Lack of sleep is part of the high school experience.”

Insomnia, a strong symptom of burnout, is characterized by anxiety, which leads to sleep loss. The lack of sleep can cause a decrease in student performance, as students struggle with balancing school and their extracurriculars.

As for managing her activities, Cammie said, “I keep myself organized, and my schoolwork always comes first. Sometimes I don’t get to spend as much time on coursework as I would like.”

Sophomore Adi Poole isn’t involved in any extracurriculars — none of them interested her. “Harrison has a lot of clubs, yeah, but none of them really catch my attention,” she said. “I’d rather be able to enjoy my free time and socialize than be obsessing over an insane schedule, just because colleges want me to. I’m a teenager. I should be allowed to enjoy it.”

Adi has a valid argument, and it’s true colleges want their applicants to be involved in extracurriculars.

According to CollegeVine, students should have eight to 10 activities under their belt by graduation. However, club memberships alone aren’t enough. Many college admissions officers say students with leadership roles within their extracurriculars are far more

competitive than those who simply attended meetings.

For example, sophomore Jax Gersch is part of the Young Authors Club (YAC) and is striving for an executive position. “It’s a new club at Harrison,” he said. “I’m friends with the president, and I know it would look impressive on college applications if I said I was a VP (vice president) or a secretary.”

Does he feel pressured to be involved? Jax winced and said, “To an extent, I do feel pressured. College is a big deal, and you only get one chance in high school. I want to do it right. I love the YAC, and it’s a ton of fun, but I probably wouldn’t apply for the executive team if colleges didn’t like it.”

Athletic Director Wesley Ellis is a firm believer that extracurriculars “play a critical role” in students’ development because they “create a sense of ownership for students that helps them to grow and develop themselves and their relationship with other students.” He also said students “can get so much more out of sports and clubs than a college acceptance letter.”

That certainly is true for Cammie, whose answer about her favorite part of lacrosse was short, simple and touching: “The relationships.” She said the team felt like a second family, built on trust and the desire to grow together toward a common goal.

Students’ schedules often leave little time for socializing. However, people forget clubs and sports promote socializing. The bonds created between club members and players are so unique. Jax described YAC’s atmosphere as “exuberantly positive and warm,” and it’s essential to students’ mental health to have an environment like that.

Extracurriculars are timeconsuming, often stressful and important in the college application process. However, they provide students with important social circles, allow them to pursue their interests beyond school hours and help them to grow as individuals. It might be challenging to incorporate them into a schedule, but most students find them beneficial in the long run.

Madyson E. Meyer is a sophomore who is founder/president of Harrison’s Young Authors Club, captain of the junior varsity lacrosse team and an aspiring investigative journalist.

The Harrison boys soccer team, 7A state champions last year. Photo courtesy of Cobb Schools.

School News

High Schools Make AP Honors List

Kennesaw’s three high schools recently were named to the Georgia Department of Education’s 2023 Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Schools list. The honor schools are named in eight categories based on the results of 2022 AP courses and exams, and Harrison, Kennesaw Mountain and North Cobb high schools made the list in six of the eight categories:

• AP Access and Support Schools: Kennesaw Mountain, North Cobb

• AP Humanities Schools: Harrison, Kennesaw Mountain, North Cobb

• AP Humanities Achievement Schools: Harrison, Kennesaw Mountain, North Cobb

• AP Schools of Distinction: Harrison, Kennesaw Mountain, North Cobb

• AP STEM Schools: Harrison, Kennesaw Mountain, North Cobb

• AP STEM Achievement Schools: Harrison, Kennesaw Mountain

Bullard Students Win Art Contest

Fourth-grader Cici L. and fifth-grader Abby B. from Bullard Elementary School were among the 15 students who won the 18th annual Tappy Turtle Artist Challenge, sponsored by the Cobb County Water System and the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority. The contest invited fourth- and fifth-grade students to draw Tappy Turtle, the water conservation mascot, demonstrating water conservation tips. The winners’ drawings were used for The Adventures of Tappy Turtle 2023 coloring book, which can be downloaded for free at www.cobbcounty.org/watersmart.

Kennesaw Volunteers of the Year Named

The Cobb Schools Foundation recently named the 2023 Volunteers of the Year for the school district. Winners for Kennesaw were:

Elementary schools: Karen Caudle, Big Shanty; Alyson Clark, Bullard; Chad Moore, Chalker; Renee Edwards, Due West; Rachel Keith, Hayes; Michael Magnacca, Kennesaw; and Kelly Giddens, Lewis.

Middle schools: Michele Caler, Awtrey; Colleen Calhoun, Lost Mountain; Jema Cowan, McClure; Traci Smith, Palmer; and Nancy Prochaska, Pine Mountain.

High schools: Jessica Mirth, Harrison; Jason Fincher, Kennesaw Mountain; and Stan Meek, North Cobb.

Chattahoochee Tech Presents Top Instructor Award

Adrienne Baldwin recently received the 2023 Rick Perkins Award for best instructor from Chattahoochee Technical College (CTC). The statewide award program honors instructors who make significant contributions to technical education through innovative instruction and leadership in their fields.

Baldwin, a mathematics instructor who lives in Cobb County, was presented a professional development grant by the Chattahoochee Tech Foundation and advances to the state level to compete against instructors from Georgia’s 21 other technical colleges. The state winner will be announced this month.

The other CTC instructors who were finalists for the award were psychology and sociology instructor Tricia Dailey and electrical and computer engineering technology instructor Andrew Kazemian.

CTC President Ron Newcomb congratulates Adrienne Baldwin, right, and Breana Miller, the college’s Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership winner for top student.

Get to Know

Matthew Moody

North Cobb High School Principal

What are your main responsibilities?

I always speak to our parents about their child’s safety being my No. 1 concern each day on campus. Naturally, we want to challenge students to reach those highest levels of academic achievement, and, along the way, we want them to enjoy their high school experience in all the many extracurricular activities that exist at North Cobb. I hope they look back on their time as a Warrior with the fondest of memories.

What is your background?

I was hired as North Cobb’s principal in the summer of 2018 after 15 previous years as a teacher, coach and administrator in Cobb County schools. I taught social studies and coached football and soccer for several years at McEachern and Harrison before becoming an assistant principal and athletic director at Harrison through the 2016-17 school year. I graduated from Valdosta State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and received a master’s degree in educational leadership from Kennesaw State University in 2006 and a specialist degree in curriculum and instruction from Lincoln Memorial University in 2012.

What’s been the biggest job surprise?

I don’t know if I would consider it a surprise, but it’s awesome to see how many families have a link with North Cobb in their family history. We’ve been on this site since 1958, and for years, we were the only high school in northwest Cobb County. I can’t tell you how many times, through my years as principal, I have had someone introduce themselves as a graduate of North Cobb. Usually, the conversation continues with a list of their family members who went to North Cobb. I love hearing these stories and the years that they or a family member went to our school. The community support we receive from the residents of Acworth and Kennesaw continues to be a major positive for our staff members and families.

What’s the oddest thing you’ve handled as principal?

I guess one of the more unusual things handled in the last few years was during the football season of 2021, when we hosted ESPN for a Friday night game. North Cobb Athletic Director Matt Williams did all the work on how this game would be nationally televised and what could or could not be on the field, due to sponsorships with ESPN. They pretty much take over part of the campus for two days as they get ready for the broadcast. I think we had four games on TV that year between Georgia Public Broadcasting, Peachtree TV and ESPN. I think Matt would agree that it was well worth the effort, as our players, cheerleaders, band, ROTC and student body had a great time showing off the Friday night experience at Emory Sewell Stadium.

What do you like most about your job?

I really like the busy atmosphere of high school life for our Warrior students and staff members. There is a completely separate day that begins each day on our campus at 3:30 p.m., after dismissal. Games, practices, performances, tutoring and booster meetings take over campus after school. Another thing about high school life that I’ve always enjoyed is you get to see these students come in as ninth-graders, and it’s awesome to see the different paths they take in four years, as we prepare them for life after North Cobb. I love the diversity our student body has with their plans for post-North Cobb. We have kids who will go to Ivy League schools, SEC/ ACC schools, technical schools to learn a trade, service academies, the military, and many will go straight into the workforce. This diversity in the student body is another positive that our staff continues to support.

Principal Matthew Moody with Cobb firefighters/EMTs at a football game.

What accomplishment makes you proud?

Five years ago, our guiding coalition (teachers/ administrators/counselors group) decided on trying to improve our graduation rate, which tended to be in the mid- to high 80 percentile. This past year, the graduation rate was 92.6% for our four-year cohort and 98.6% for students who spend all four years on our campus. This was an incredible effort by our entire staff to challenge and support students as they worked toward meeting those graduation requirements. In 2019 and 2020, North Cobb, along with the city of Acworth, established a “sister city” relationship with Selma, Alabama, which offered several Warriors the opportunity to travel to Selma to study its historical influence, meet fellow high school students and support local residents with community service projects. This past year, North Cobb was recognized by the Positive Athletes organization as Georgia’s Most Positive High School. I think this goes directly to the positive relationships our coaches have with our athletes and their families.

What is most exciting about the future?

As many of our Acworth and Kennesaw residents know, North Cobb has been on this site since 1958, and many parts of the original campus still are in use today. With the passage of the ESPLOST VI (educational special-purpose local-option sales tax), we will have a major upgrade in the facility in the coming years, and I’m looking forward to being involved in this planning.

What are your goals?

As principal, my goal is to continue moving North Cobb forward in all areas. Our school mission/vision statement is Warrior Nation: Inspiring Excellence, and that’s what I want to see in all areas on our campus. I want to see excellence in the classroom, on the athletic fields, in fine arts performances and from our students out in the communities of Acworth and Kennesaw. We’ve also focused on developing even stronger relationships with our elementary and middle school feeders to foster Warrior pride for these future North Cobb Warriors.

Tell us about your family and hobbies.

I’m blessed to be married for almost 20 years to my wife, Gillian, who is a counselor, competition cheer coach and gymnastics coach at Harrison. We have three wonderful daughters we’re extremely proud of, Mary Mattalyn, 16, cheerleader; Hendley, 14, gymnast; and Clara Jack, 12, soccer player. We’ve got two chocolate Labradors, Molly and Finn, that keep our girls busy, and we love going to concerts and University of Georgia football games, wake surfing on Lake Allatoona, snow skiing out West and attending NorthStar Church in Kennesaw.

Dual Enrollment: Double Credit, Half the Time

BY MICHELLE BUSH

High school students can get a jump-start on their college education and career training through Georgia’s dualenrollment program, which gives them the opportunity to maximize their education by taking courses that earn college credit and high school credit at the same time. They can enroll as a dual-enrollment student on a part-time or full-time basis and take courses on a college campus. Some of the collegelevel courses also might be available online, on the high school campus or at local college and career academies.

Students enrolled in the program can choose from a wide variety of courses. Among them are core academic collegefreshman courses in English, math, science, social sciences and world languages that transfer easily from technical colleges to four-year University System of Georgia institutions. Students also can choose career, technical and agricultural education courses that align to a Georgia Department of Education career cluster and pathway.

Another great thing about the program is state dualenrollment funds cover the cost of tuition for the first 30 credit hours. The dual-enrollment course directory (https:// bit.ly/3Zz26K0) provides a list of all approved courses at participating post-secondary institutions that are eligible for dual-enrollment funding.

Dual-enrollment students can thrive from being a welcome part of a college community and experiencing the state-ofthe-art college labs and classrooms. The program is proven to enhance student engagement and improve graduation rates for high school students. It also contributes to preparing a skilled workforce for Georgia by increasing career and post-secondary educational opportunities for students.

Students, parents and school counselors should decide together whether dual enrollment is a good fit. To participate in the program, high school students must apply for admission to a participating college or university. After applying, students can complete the dual-enrollment funding application, which is available on the gafutures.org website. A student’s individual high school or school system also might have its own deadlines for the dual-enrollment process. Students who are interested in the program are encouraged to talk with their high school counselor as early as possible in order to meet all application deadlines.

Bush is director of student outreach and recruitment at Chattahoochee Technical College. The 22-year employee works with school counselors on behalf of students entering the college.

Michelle

Freezin’ for a (Good) Reason

The temperature on land might’ve been comfortable, but the water temperature of Lake Acworth was anything but for participants of the 2023 Special Olympics Georgia (SOGA) Polar Plunge. SOGA’s largest fundraiser, which helps provide free year-round sports training and competition for its 17,429 athletes, took place Feb. 25 at Cauble Park in Acworth. The Right to Remain Frozen — the Acworth Police Department’s (APD) 27-member team — raised $20,136, the fourth-highest total. Half that amount — $10,031 — was raised by K-9 Jogi and Officer Anthony Trapani, earning them the top fundraising K-9 team award. Besides jumping into cold water in the middle of winter, the team also participated in the tug of war tournament and won first place. The day of chilly fun, organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run program, included live music, food and prizes.

APD team members, from left, Weston Maynard, Kaylee Ray, Maison Ward, Laney Dycus, Jamal Boka, Summer Sosebee and Justin Reaid compete in tug of war.

Plungers, including Acworth Police Chief Jesse Evans, left, head into the icy water of Lake Acworth.

Reason

Acworth employee Gibril Jow, left, and Lt. Brian Hunt survive the icy dip.

From left, Summer Sosebee, mascot Mikayla Estrada and Alexis Mistretta enjoy the Polar Plunge.

Officer Anthony Trapani and K-9 Jogi emerge from the cold lake.

K-9 Jogi shows his handler, Officer Anthony Trapani, how happy he is to win their award.

Senior Activities

VETERAN CONNECTION

Meets the third Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. at the West Cobb Senior Center and the fourth Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. at North Cobb Senior Center. Join veterans ages 55 and older for an informal get-together with coffee, doughnuts, camaraderie and special guest presentations. Call Mike Nichols at 770-528-1448 for more information.

ALOHA TO AGING

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

Parkinson’s Support Group.

Meets at 2 p.m. the first Monday of each month. Group discussion for the person with Parkinson’s and their care partner on helpful tips and resources.

Dementia Caregiver Support Group.

Meets at 10:30 a.m. the first Wednesday of each month. Open to family members who are assisting an aging loved one in or out of the home. Care provided during the meeting, but you must RSVP in advance.

Aloha Social Day Club.

Meets 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Respite care for you and engaging social activities for your loved one who no longer drives. Visit the website for details.

DEMENTIA CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP

Meets monthly at 1 p.m. at Burnt Hickory Baptist Church in Powder Springs. Open to family members who are assisting an aging loved one in or out of the home. Care provided during the meeting, but you must RSVP in advance.

WEST COBB SENIOR CENTER

4915 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs // 770-528-8200

www.cobbcounty.org/public-services/senior-services/west-cobb-senior-center

April 10

Driver Safety, 10-11 a.m. Learn safe driving strategies and techniques from a police officer.

Hearing Screenings, 10-11:30 a.m. Find out if you have hearing loss with this free screening.

April 12

A Second 19th Century Radical: Franz Liszt, 10-11 a.m. Take a look at Liszt’s music and influence on other music during a period of radical experimentation.

April 14

Peace of Mind Checklist, 10-11 a.m. Learn about documents everyone needs, including wills, powers of attorney and Georgia directive health care. Reel Good Movie, 1-3 p.m. Call for the title.

April 19

Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Park Challenge: Part 1, 9:30-11 a.m. Explore the park trails, starting at the southern end at 902 Cheatham Hill Road. Fancy Fold Cards, 10 a.m.-noon. Create fancy fold cards for those special people.

April 21

Beginner Pickleball Mixer, 9 a.m.-noon. Play in a round-robin mixer for players with minimal experience. Fundraiser for West Cobb Senior Center. $5.

April 25

What You Didn’t Know About Your Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Get the most from the library by learning about everything you can access for free.

April 26

Felix Mendelssohn, 10-11 a.m. Listen to some of his most important compositions and discuss his role in the rediscovery of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Mondays

Knit Wits. 10 a.m.-noon. Meet new friends while working on your latest projects. Woodcarvers. 1-3 p.m. Work on small woodcarving projects. No experience is necessary. Bring your own materials.

Ballroom Dance. 2:30-4:30 p.m. Couples and singles can enjoy ballroom dancing to music provided by a deejay.

Tuesdays

Paper Crafting Fun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Enjoy making cards and scrapbooking with others. Bring your own supplies.

Color Me Happy. 1-4 p.m. Color with others. Bring your own materials.

Wednesdays

Mahjong. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Game knowledge and mahjong cards are required.

Thursdays

Mexican Train Dominoes. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Form domino chains from a central hub. Beginners welcome.

Advanced Bridge. 1-3 p.m. Competitive Standard American Bridge played at an advanced level.

Fridays Dance N Squares. 1-3 p.m. Square dancing is the perfect activity for couples looking for fellowship, exercise and good, clean fun.

Whether you have a new puppy or a difficult 5-year-old, let our experts help teach your dog good behavior. We offer a variety of classes for puppies and adult dogs, covering everything from important commands to crate training. Best yet, they're affordably priced, starting at just $25.

Questions? Email us at: dogtraining@mostlymutts.org.

A Master Gardener Tradition

BY RENAE LEMON

With the arrival of spring, the University of Georgia Master Gardener Extension volunteers are ready to share their passion and knowledge about all things horticulture.

The Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County (MGVOCC) is hosting its 23rd annual Plant Sale and Expo from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 21-22 at Jim R. Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road, Marietta. Entry and parking are free.

An added bonus: The event will be in the equestrian arena, protected from the weather, so if it is raining, no worries! Spend a few hours browsing, shopping and visiting with the expo vendors and Master Gardeners. Free face painting will be available for the kids, too!

Speaking of the expo, more than 75 vendors, including plant nurseries, crafters and artisans, will be participating in the event this year. You can visit our website (www.cobbmastergardeners.com)

to see a list of the vendors, who will be offering specialty plants, native azaleas, yard art, honey, outdoor furniture, jewelry, pottery, embroidered towels, compost, birdhouses, woodworking, baked goods, macrame candies, home decor, home care, hardscaping and much more. Hint: It is a good time to buy those Mother’s Day gifts.

The Master Gardener plant sale area will have lots of Georgia native plants, perennials, shrubs, small flowering trees and native azaleas. Organically grown tomatoes and herbs will be offered, as well. We are estimating that we will have more than 1,500 plants, grown by the Cobb Master Gardeners, to sell at the event. Since the plants are coming from local gardens, they are acclimated to the Georgia climate and growing conditions. Many of the selections are difficult to find in retail stores, and the prices are much more affordable. Whether you have full sun, partial sun, a sloped area or dense shade, we will have plants that will be perfect for you. Additionally, this will be the third year for the yard sale in the arena. It’s

like a thrift resale store for gardeners. MGVOCC members have donated gently used garden-related items, such as ceramic and clay pots, garden art, tools, garden books, cookbooks, chicken wire, architectural picket fences, fence posts, rain barrels and more. There also will be new, but deeply discounted, seed-starting supplies to help you with your summer vegetable or pollinator gardens. Do you have horticulture questions? There will be plenty of Cobb Master Gardeners on hand to answer your gardening questions. There even will be a booth specifically designated for asking a Master Gardener questions. And save the date! The 20th Annual MGVOCC Garden Tour is coming up May 20, and tickets will be on sale at the expo.

The Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County supports the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service and strives to improve the quality of life in our community by delivering research-based horticultural information, educational programs and projects.

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

All kinds of plants and gardening supplies will be available at the plant sale.

Vendors on hand at the sale and expo will offer trees, shrubs, flowers and a variety of other garden-related items to spruce up your yard or garden.

Couldn’t Have Planned It Better Myself

BY C.A. PHILLIPS

“You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.” Proverbs 19:21

I read a fascinating article by David Owen in Golf Digest not long ago. Through some thorough research and a little bit of speculation, Owen shares how the world’s most famous golf course, Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters Tournament, would have differed if things had panned out the way its founders planned from the beginning. He points out the very name of the club and the tournament it hosts almost certainly wouldn’t be what we know today.

Here are a few highlights from Owen’s story in the April 2022 Masters Preview:

• Club founders Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts originally wanted to call it Georgia National, not Augusta National.

• They wanted two 18-hole golf courses — one for men and one for women.

• There were lots earmarked for residences overlooking the course.

• Course designer Alister MacKenzie wanted a 90-yard 19th hole between the 18th green and No. 1 tee, primarily to give the loser an opportunity to win back his money.

We’d all agree Augusta National Golf Club has done quite well for itself over the last century. In fact, you could say it has far surpassed what the founders envisioned, despite some early setbacks that threatened its viability. What it has become never

could have been designed or planned. As Garth Brooks sings, “Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers.”

Often, we get so upset when our plans don’t work out the way we foresee them. This leads us to question God, question ourselves, get frustrated and give up. But God’s will is not something to trifle with. His plans will be carried out, and they’re always for our benefit. You and I are his children, if we have put our faith in Jesus. “For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26 (NLT). Because we belong to him, he will take care of us. As Matthew wrote:

“You parents — if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So, if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” Matthew 7:9-11 (NLT)

In the moment, we don’t see the detour as a gift. We see it as less than whatever we had in mind. But thankfully, God knows more than we do. And sometimes the “Georgia National” we spent all those years preparing for is disrupted and redesigned into our own “Augusta National.”

Now, about those Masters tickets …

Drowning Is a Deceptively Quiet Occurrence

BY GREG FONZENO

Ten years ago, former Coast Guard rescue swimmer Mario Vittone wrote an incredible and poignant article describing how too many drownings happen quietly and unnoticed. Since we are entering the spring and summer months, now is a good time to summarize and review some of Vittone’s most salient points about drowning.

If you spend time on or near the water, whether at Lake Allatoona, a swimming pool or somewhere else, then you should know what to look for when friends, family and children, in particular, fall into the water unexpectedly. Drowning is deceptively quiet. Although most of us imagine a drowning victim thrashing, waving, splashing and yelling in the water, it is rarely that way. Drowning is a silent event, unnoticed by people as close as 10 yards away.

When someone is drowning, there is very little splashing and no waving, yelling or calling for help of any kind. To

get an idea of just how quiet and undramatic drowning can be, consider this: It is the No. 2 cause of accidental death in children ages 15 and younger (just behind vehicle accidents). Of the roughly 750 children who will drown this year, nearly 50% of them will do so within 25 yards of a parent or other adult. In 10% of those drownings, the adult will be watching them and will have no idea it is happening. There are many reasons for people having a difficult time determining if someone is drowning. Next month, we will look at some of those reasons, as well as a number of observations that can indicate a person is in distress and needs help.

C.A. Phillips serves as communications pastor and director of men’s groups at NorthStar Church. He oversees Over the Hump, a weekly online devotional. northstarchurch.org/lockerroom.

Greg Fonzeno is the public education officer and commander of the local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Unit (Flotilla 22) at Allatoona Lake.

TEXT BOX

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 12

Young Professionals Happy Hour

p.m.

Forks & Flavors

2920 George Busbee Parkway Suite 109, Kennesaw

April 20 Alive After 5

5:30-8 p.m.

TEXT BOX

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud

Trackside Grill

2840 S. Main St. Kennesaw

April 22-23

Big Shanty Festival

10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday Noon-5 p.m. Sunday

Downtown Kennesaw

April 25

Wake Up KBA

7:45-9 a.m.

Honeysuckle Biscuits and Bakery

2825 S. Main St. Suite 100A, Kennesaw

02

Spring Is the Season to Choose Happiness

BY KEVIN JABBARI

TEXT BOX

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud

“April prepares her green traffic light, and the world thinks: Go.” – Christopher Morley

Spring is in the air, and we are so excited for everything this new season will bring. This is the season of hope and happiness.

Finding joy in everything you do is the ultimate goal, which is why it’s no surprise that our theme this year is “Choose Happy.” Imagine if you could wake up every morning inspired, positive, fulfilled and ready to crush the day. Happiness and hope are not things we can put in a jar. They’re not things we can have a handle on, but there are some paths to happiness that we can learn for the days when we are feeling down.

02

Being happy can mean different things to different people. Happiness is focusing on the present moment, taking time to reflect and letting go of the past. Find and engage in activities that will keep your attention to help you avoid negative thoughts. Figure out what your strengths are, and use them to contribute to a cause that’s bigger than you. By doing this, you will have feelings of fulfillment that could bring great happiness.

TEXT BOX 04

TEXT BOX

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud

Giving back to your community is a great way to get rid of those negative thoughts and keep your focus on the positives. You can change the lives of others when you decide to choose happiness and give back!

April brings Kennesaw Business Association (KBA) members a ton of happiness, and the Big Shanty Festival is to thank for that. The annual weekend event, scheduled for April 22-23 in downtown Kennesaw, is the largest fundraiser of the year in Kennesaw and will include arts and crafts, food vendors, live entertainment and a parade featuring floats, high school bands and various organizations. This is one celebration of spring you don’t want to miss.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud

We are excited to be back at the KSU Professional Education Building for our monthly luncheon, sponsored by North Cobb High School, on April 11 at 11 a.m. This month is all about giving back and bringing happiness to ourselves and others, and we’ll achieve that by presenting scholarships to more than 20 deserving students from local high schools.

For even more fun, join us at two additional networking events. Alive After 5 will kick off Big Shanty weekend April 20 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Trackside Grill. Wake Up KBA will be at Honeysuckle Biscuits and Bakery April 25 from 7:45 to 9 a.m., and this is a great opportunity for early-morning networking and a great breakfast.

We can’t wait to see our amazing community members at the Big Shanty Festival and all our other KBA events this month. It’s going to be a month full of fun and happiness!

TEXT BOX

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud

Kevin Jabbari is the president of the Kennesaw Business Association and owns Jabbari Property Services LLC.

STRONGER TOGETHER

Through Networking

Aroundabout Local Media continues its mission to help local businesses grow and prosper. This is what it looks like when entrepreneurs in the community meet to exchange ideas and information and develop relationships by supporting and encouraging one another, while opening doors to new opportunities.

The Kennesaw Business Association (KBA)

Meets the second Tuesday for a luncheon, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., KSU Professional Education Building, 3333 Busbee Drive; fourth Tuesday for Wake Up KBA, 7:45-9 a.m., various locations; third Tuesday for Alive After 5, 5:30-7 p.m., various locations; and third Friday every other month for SUPER Women’s Luncheon, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Copeland’s Kennesaw, 1142 Barrett Parkway.

Other business associations in the Kennesaw area are invited to send photos from their monthly meetings to edit@aroundaboutmagazines.com. Please include the names of everyone in each photo, along with the date, time and location of your meetings.

The Kennesaw Business Association sponsored a business expo in February.

Chris Giddens, the kids and family pastor at Kennesaw First Baptist Church, at the expo.

William and Candice Dicker of TeamLogic IT participate in the expo.

Amy Miller, left, and Kathy Winiarczyk of Credit Union of Georgia with their table at the expo.

Cobb Photographic Society

Congratulations to everyone who entered the Cobb Photographic Society competition. The topic for February was “Texture,” and the guest judge was photographer Eric Bowles. The Cobb Photographic Society is a club open to photographers of all skill levels. It meets the first and third Monday of each month. For information, visit www.cobbphotosociety.com.

Color

Jeffrey Whittingham - First Place (Ceiling Lights)

Monochrome

Angie Nasarallah - First Place (Sweet Gum)

Novice

Anand Saokar - First Place (Ready for Harvest Festival)

Around & About

APRIL

Kennesaw Farmers Market

April 3-Sept. 25, 3:30-7:30 p.m. Mondays, Depot Park, 2828 Cherokee St. Applications are being accepted for the 2023 season. First preference will be given to vendors with fresh produce, meats, plants and food-related items. For information or to apply, email kennesawfarmersmarket@gmail.com or apply online at https://bit.ly/3TLvxX6. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.

Free Income Tax Preparation

Through April 18: 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Ward Recreation Center, 4845 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs; 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Fridays, Ben Robertson Community Center, 2753 Watts Drive, Kennesaw

AARP is offering this service for low- to moderate-income Cobb residents by appointment only: wardrctaxes@gmail.com or taxesrobertson@gmail.com. AARP membership is not required.

“The Seedling”

April 21-22, 28-29, 10 a.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturdays, Smith-Gilbert Gardens, 2382 Pine Mountain Road, Kennesaw

The interactive outdoor theatrical experience for children ages 0-8 and their caregivers will be presented by the Kennesaw State University Department of Theatre and Performance Studies and Smith-Gilbert Gardens. For tickets and information, visit https://bit.ly/3FIBL4b.

Big Shanty Festival

April 22-23, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday; downtown Kennesaw

The 47th annual festival will include more than 250 arts and crafts booths, 25 food booths, two entertainment stages, kids activities, acoustic music in the food court and a Georgia-Grown Member Village. A parade featuring sports associations, schools, local businesses, beauty queens and marching bands from five area high schools will kick off the festival at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Admission is free. 770-423-1330, missy@ jrmmanagement.com, www.kennesawbusiness.org.

Kennesaw Mountainfest

April 29, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Kennesaw Mountain High School, 1898 Kennesaw Due West Road

The inaugural festival, operated by the Kennesaw Mountain bands and arts department, will feature musical performances by area groups, food from local vendors, arts and crafts, and children’s activities. Admission and parking are free. Tickets for food can be purchased at the gate. www.kennesawmountainfest.com

Applications are being accepted for the Kennesaw Farmers Market, which begins April 3.

The 2023 Kennesaw Grand Prix 5K Series kicks off with the Fit City 5K May 13.

MAY

Stamp Out Hunger

May 13, all day, your mailbox

The National Association of Letter Carriers’ 31st annual nationwide food drive asks residents to fill a grocery bag with nonperishable food items and place it next to their mailbox for their carrier to pick up that day. All items will be donated to local food banks.

Fit City 5K

May 13, 7:30 a.m. 1-mile fun run, 8 a.m. 5K and 8:55 a.m. Tot Trot; downtown Kennesaw and SwiftCantrell Park

The first race in the 2023 Kennesaw Grand Prix 5K Series, the premier 5K race series in north Georgia, is a Peachtree Road Race qualifier. Awards will be presented at 9:15 a.m. Entry fee of $35 includes a race T-shirt. Early-bird registration is open for $30 per race or $105 for the four-race series. Kennesaw Parks and Recreation will host a kickoff party 4-8 p.m. April 20 at the Recreation Center at 2737 Watts Drive.

Atlanta Wind Symphony Concert

May 13, 3 p.m., Bailey Performance Center, Kennesaw State University, 488 Prillaman Way

The free concert, sponsored by award-winning actress Betsy Brandt, will feature concerto competition winner Nick Wandrick. Tax-deductible donations are appreciated and accepted at the concert or online at www. atlantawindsymphony.org.

Kettle Krush 5K

May 20, 8 a.m., Marietta Square

The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary will host the ninth annual run/walk to “krush” poverty, homelessness and human trafficking while supporting veterans and youth enrichment. Prizes and medals will be awarded. Information, https://bit.ly/3H7ANOQ or https://bit.ly/kettlekrush2023; questions, dgmenear@gmail.com or pacesetr@bellsouth.net.

Master Gardeners

www.cobbmastergardeners.com

Perennials: Divide and Conquer

April 11, 6:30-7:30 p.m., North Cobb Regional Library, 3535 Old 41 Highway, Kennesaw

Control the spread of perennials, increase blooms and learn the proper way to divide.

Thyme to Read Book Club

April 14, 10:15-11:30 a.m., Zoom

The group will be reading “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Register at https://bit.ly/3Lkw3sD.

Prosper Through Plant Propagation webinar

April 18, 7-8 p.m., Zoom

Develop skills and save money by learning different techniques of plant propagation. Register at https://bit.ly/3ZYACwW.

School Productions

Performances are at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

“Steel Magnolias”

April 12-15. Allatoona High School. There’s also a 2 p.m. matinee April 15.

Tickets: $10

“Shrek Jr.”

April 13-15. Kennesaw Mountain High School.

Tickets: $10 adults, $5 students

Spring Musical

April 27-29. North Cobb High School. There’s also a 2 p.m. matinee April 29.

Tickets: TBD.

Kennesaw Parks and Recreation

2529 J.O. Stephenson Ave. 770-424-8274

www.kennesaw-ga.gov/parks-andrecreation

Painting and Drawing With Jessica Geist

Mondays, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. through May 1

Intermediate and advanced oil painters, ages 18 and older, can expect to learn or improve on techniques for creating depth and realism, as well as color theory and color mixing.

Pottery: Hand Building and Wheel Class

Tuesdays, 9-11 a.m., 11 a.m.-1 p.m. or 5-7 p.m. through April 11

Adults will learn the coil, pinch and slab methods of hand building then move on to wheel techniques.

Little Dragons Taekwondo

Thursdays, 5:30-6 p.m. through May 18

This class teaches kids ages 4-7 about focus, self-control and discipline.

Karate for Adults: Practical and Applied

Thursdays, 7-8 p.m. through May 18

This class, for ages 20-70, balances traditional karate techniques with realworld self-defense applications.

BYOB (Beat Your Opponent Back)

Saturdays, 1-3 p.m. through May 13

Instructor Omar Welch will teach females and teens the skills needed to protect themselves from an attacker.

The Art Station — Big Shanty

2050 Kennesaw Due West Road, Kennesaw, www.artstationcobb.org

Asian American and Pacific Islander Month exhibit

Through April 28

Tikva Lantigua

Through May 5

Dinner and Art in the Park

6-8 p.m. April 6 and 20

This

Please