Letter From the Editor

Irecently celebrated a 27-year milestone. I wish I could say it was my birthday, anniversary or even my children’s birthday, but those trains left the station long ago. However, I’m talking about an Aroundabout Local Media milestone; we have so much to celebrate right now and, by extension, so do you! June marked the 27th birthday of the TowneLaker — and because we are Your Magazine, we hope you join in the celebration! As executive editor, I declare the rest of 2023 as birthday year. I am an only child and a big advocate of celebrating well beyond the actual day or, in this case, month. Anytime you need justification for something like this, just let me know. This spoiled-rotten only child is happy to help!

This is a big milestone in the publishing world, which proves we have the right formula and are checking all the boxes for a successful, hyperlocal community magazine. As we see a decline in newspapers, we’re here to pick up the slack by sharing with you what’s happening in your community. I remember the dozen years or so I spent writing about the community of faith for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution for Cherokee, Cobb and North Fulton counties. I remember the tears I shed when I got the call telling me those special sections that I wrote for would no longer be printed. The Faith &

Values section, where some of my features appeared, also went away. I am very thankful that God opened this door, so I could continue doing what I love so much!

To see a retrospective that starts with highlights from the first issue of the TowneLaker, go to townelaker.com, click on archives and scroll down until you find the June 2021 issue. Flip to Page 15 to enjoy five pages filled with a nostalgic look through the years. Others certainly will come and go, but we are here to stay and have the track record to prove it!

Where else can you take a deep dive behind the news, and meet the Canton resident whose book was given to 120,000 Georgia high school graduates, a blessing that will teach them how to manage money as they spread their wings? (Page 12). Explore the trails of Cherokee County with The Wanderer, and learn how our trails will connect us to Cobb and where to go to wear out your walking shoes. (Pages 14-17).

This is Your Community, and we are Your Magazine. It’s an honor and a privilege to serve you, by supporting businesses large and small and bringing you the most extensive local calendar listings and positive, uplifting content each month. We look forward to the next 27-plus years! See you around and about!

America’s Community Magazine

Volume 11, Issue 2

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. (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.

Around Canton 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 Canton, 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.