5 minute read
Around Kennesaw
Letter From the Editor
For me, May always has been jam-packed with activities – proms, graduations, Little League tournaments, Memorial Day cookouts, birthday celebrations, school banquets. But the highlight of the month is Mother’s Day, a 24-hour period when Mom is treated like the queen she is.
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When I was a kid, my dad wasn’t much of a shopper, so our Mother’s Day gifts largely consisted of handprint artwork and pots of droopy flowers that we grew at school. As I got older, however, I took on the responsibility of buying Mom’s gifts from my siblings and me. I graduated to store-bought presents like “World’s Greatest Mother” certificates, rose bushes and jewelry.
Now, after almost 60 years of motherhood, my mom doesn’t need more coffee mugs or trinkets. What she cherishes most is our time – taking vacations together, going out to eat or visiting her to just sit and talk.
The second Sunday in May takes on a different meaning once you have kids. You soon start understanding it from your mother’s view, and you realize with each passing year that you’re one Mother’s Day closer to your children leaving home. And you wonder what the holiday will be like when that happens. For me, the perfect celebration would include my son attending church with me, having lunch and giving me a gift from the heart – a photo collage, a handwritten letter, a personalized calendar. One of my all-time favorite gifts was a poem he wrote and printed on a photo of us. It still hangs on my bedroom wall. Those are the kind of gifts that money can’t buy.
Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms, especially my mom, Virginia Sullivan. And to all you kids who are blessed to still have your mom with you, don’t take her for granted. Treat her like the queen she is every day, not just May 8.
In this issue, see pictures from last month’s Superior Plumbing Kennesaw/Big Shanty Festival, where a lot of moms – and dads – were able to spend some quality time with their kids. Check out the photo spread on Pages 16-17 to get an idea of how much fun families had at the annual event.
On Page 18, read about the Hoya Squad, a Harrison High School cheer team that blends members of the main cheer squad with cheerleaders who have special needs.
Also on Pages 14-15, we offer a glimpse into a celebration that’s been a long time coming. MUST Ministries hosted the grand opening of Hope House, a new homeless shelter that will accommodate twice as many clients as its former facility.
Happy reading!
Donna Harris
Donna Harris is the managing editor of Aroundabout Local Media. She’s a veteran journalist with newspaper and magazine experience and is excited to bring her expertise to ALM. Email her at donna@aroundaboutmagazines.com. READERS’ CHOICE
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What’s New?
The city of Kennesaw launched a place branding May 2 that will identify the downtown area as a happening place to be:
“From hometown history to hopping hotspots, burgers and brews to rhythm and views, there’s always something new to discover in Downtown Kennesaw.
“Grab your favorite morning coffee and find a sunny spot to watch Main Street come to life. Meet the crew for lunch and a leisurely sidewalk storefront stroll. Explore some local history then make tracks to grab your favorite sweet treat. Catch up over a local brew, then catch a concert in the park. Every day, you’ll find a new way to play right here at home.
“Welcome to Downtown Kennesaw. Welcome to Main Street on the Move.”
The new brand, which focuses on downtown events and businesses, has its own website – www.kennesawdowntown.com – and logo as well as its own social media sites:
Facebook: /kennesawdowntown
Twitter: @kennesawdt
Instagram: @kennesawdowntown.
It also has a hashtag – #downtownkennesaw – for residents and visitors to use.
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Publisher Aroundabout Local Media, Inc. www.aroundaboutlocalmedia.com
President Kim Dahnke 770-778-5314 kim@aroundaboutmagazines.com Vice President Jennifer Coleman 678-279-5502 jen@aroundaboutmagazines.com
Executive Editor Candi Hannigan 770-615-3309 candi@aroundaboutmagazines.com
Managing Editor 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 Page Designer Laura Latchford laura@aroundaboutmagazines.com
Graphic Designer Savannah Winn savannah@aroundaboutmagazines.com Controller Denise Griffin 770-615-3315 denise@aroundaboutmagazines.com
Social Media Manager Kathryn Holt kat@aroundaboutmagazines.com
Market & Advertising Specialist Michelle Smith michelle.smith@aroundaboutmagazines.com Copy Editors Bill King, Eliza Somers
Around Kennesaw, a publication of Aroundabout Local Media, Inc., is a community magazine with 17,000 free copies distributed monthly. Approximately 16,600 are direct mailed to homes and businesses and an additional 400 are placed in racks in the community.
Around Kennesaw welcomes your comments, stories and advertisements. The deadline is the 10th of the previous month.
Subscriptions are available for $24 per year. Send check or money order to: Around Kennesaw, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, PMB 380, Suite 620, Woodstock, GA 30189.
The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists and submissions are not necessarily those of the editor/ publisher and the publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. Around Kennesaw is not responsible for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved. Copyright 2022.
