Letter From the Editor

It’s time to brag on my team. Enough food talk, and how I still haven’t gotten completely on board the healthy-eating train. I’m still dragging one foot, but I’ll get there. As I sit here reviewing this month’s content, I’m struck by the strength and creativity of the editorial team: Content Editor Jessica Forrester and Managing Editor Donna Harris. Y’all get to enjoy the fruits of their labor each month, and I couldn’t be more proud of our print product! As I’ve always said and still say (say it with me): Print is NOT dead!! It’s alive and well and getting stronger here at Aroundabout Local Media.

In addition to sharing positive, relevant information with our readers through calendars and features, we’re upholding our mission to help local businesses grow and prosper. One way we do that is through our annual Readers’ Choice contest. The nomination round ends March 31, and the next step is the voting phase May 15-June 30. Go to any of our websites (all accessible here: www.aroundaboutlocalmedia. com) and click on the Readers’ Choice 2023 tab to vote for businesses in each magazine’s ZIP codes. We will announce the winners in our August issues.

I’m glad one of the categories we’ve added this year is for your favorite

America’s Community Magazine

Volume 27, Issue 6 place to volunteer. This issue includes feedback from the nonprofits we listed in our holiday Helping Hands feature. We know our readers are compassionate, caring individuals, and your response to requests for helping others is proof! Check out the blessings on Pages 16-19.

There is no shortage of positive news to share each month. On Page 32, read about a local mom who is going to make 1,000 free throws in five hours to raise awareness and funds for a genetic disorder that her son was diagnosed with in 2010.

Outdoor enthusiasts involved in the Upper Etowah River Alliance work hard to preserve our county’s river and reservoirs. Turn to Pages 30-31 to learn more about the opportunities for recreation and service on the Etowah.

And because we care about your health, we want to encourage you to get outdoors and take part in one of the fastest-growing sports in the country: pickleball (Pages 26-27).

In fact, our goal for the year is to make you aware of the recreational opportunities for adults in Cherokee County, so stay tuned.

Mike Walls, co-author of this month’s feature, is part of our church and is kind enough to host lessons for us Ebenezerites who are willing to give it a try. Hopefully, I’ll be seeing you on the pickleball courts!

PUBLISHER

Aroundabout Local Media, Inc. www.aroundaboutlocalmedia.com

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES

Jennifer Coleman | 678-279-5502 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. (ALM) 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.

TowneLaker welcomes your comments, stories, and advertisements. Editorial deadline is the first and advertising deadline is the fifth of the previous month. Subscriptions are available for $24 per year. Send check or money order to: TowneLaker, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, PMB 380, Suite 620, Woodstock, GA 30189. The viewpoints of the advertisers, 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.