7-23 Around Kennesaw webfinal.pdf

Cover photo by Darnell Wilburn Jr., Kennesaw State University

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Around Kennesaw

Readers’ Choice 2023!

Voting has ended, and the winners will be announced in the August issue of Around Kennesaw.

What’s New

Los Angeles-based Two Hands Corn Dogs opened at 840 Barrett Parkway, Suite 568, Kennesaw, in April. The fast-food restaurant features Korean-style corn dogs. www.twohandsus.com.

TLC Preschool-Kennesaw recently opened at 5215 Stilesboro Road. The child care center also has had a site in Sandy Springs for 16 years. https://tlcchildscaping.com.

What’s Closed

Hardee’s at 3069 Cobb Parkway, Kennesaw, recently closed, along with 13 other locations in metro Atlanta.

Rosaria’s Italian Kitchen at 3103 Cobb Parkway, Suite 105, Kennesaw, closed in May. Owners Ryan and Stephanie Cobb cited post-pandemic problems making the restaurant unsustainable as the reason for closing. During the pandemic, they added Firefly Catering to boost revenue, and their focus now has shifted to their newest venture. firefly-catering.com.

Kudos

Lt. Joe Morgan was presented the Takin’ Care of Business Award by the Kennesaw Business Association last month for his hard work as the incident commander of the Big Shanty Festival.

Ribbon Cuttings

Shezmu Cellars

2680 Cobb Parkway Suite F, Kennesaw 678-903-6944

https://shezmucellars.com

Piedmont Urgent Care

3345 Cobb Parkway

Acworth 678-919-7200

www.piedmont.org

For

5 Below 3384 Cobb Parkway

Acworth 770-759-0857

Letter From the Editor

When I was a kid, I loved summer. I couldn’t wait for that last bell to ring on that hot June day (yes, June), signaling the start of three months (yes, three months) of freedom. We didn’t go back until at least the end of August; sometimes, we didn’t start until after Labor Day.

Over the years, summer has changed a lot. Well, not the actual season, except for hotter temperatures than I remember. But the way kids spend their break definitely has changed.

We didn’t go to day camps; in fact, I don’t remember having them. More of our moms stayed home with us, so day care wasn’t needed as much. Nature was our babysitter. Most of our precious free time was spent outside, since we had only one window-unit air conditioner in our entire house. My brothers and I would go out after breakfast and not come in until dark. It was a much safer time back then, and our parents didn’t have to worry about where we were at all times.

We did things today’s kids probably haven’t even heard of — played kickball and freeze tag, made forts and pine-straw playhouses in the woods, played in the creek and the “bat cave,” rode bikes, swam in a kiddie pool and, later, an above-ground pool and

Donna Harris

swung on a swing set. There were no cellphones, laptops, iPads or video games.

We also weren’t on the go much. We took a vacation and a couple of weekend trips, but we didn’t have an activity du jour. There weren’t nearly as many things to do back then. Six Flags opened 11 days before my fourth birthday, so we went there occasionally. We had movie theaters and drive-ins (so much fun!), the zoo, the lake, Kennesaw Mountain, Jolly Golf and a place called Storyland that sat where Akers Mill Square is now. That’s about all I can recall.

It was a much simpler time, but we never got bored — EVER! Today’s kids might think we were deprived. I think we were blessed.

Speaking of things to do, check out our five-page feature on Cobb County’s trail system and the best hiking trails in north Georgia (Pages 14-19) if you want to get outside.

We also have a photo spread on the Class of 2023 graduations (Pages 2830) and the recent Rick Springfield concert in Woodstock (Pages 40-41). And find out how Stacey Dixon plans to reach more students in her role as director of military and veteran services at Kennesaw State University on Pages 34-35. Happy reading!

America’s Community Magazine

Volume 2, Issue 11

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.

Before Donna Harris became the managing editor of Aroundabout Local Media (or even a journalist), she was a carefree 6-year-old in the first grade at Kenwood Elementary School in Smyrna.

Time Flies, But Drivers Shouldn’t

BY BILL WESTENBERGER

Well, we blink, and it is almost over! Within a month, most of our schools will be reopened, and we’ll be back to the hustle of heavy traffic and afterschool activities. I hope you and your family and friends have had a chance to pause with a vacation or some downtime during the past few weeks.

We all know that summer fun can result in tragic roadway fatalities. In conjunction with fun in the sun, roadways can become dangerous places. Despite technological advancements in making safer vehicles, unnecessary traffic risks are a recipe for tragedy. This year marks the 20th consecutive season of the 100 Days of Summer HEAT (Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic) campaign, a program designed to reduce fatal crashes from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Law enforcement partners conduct this program across the state, looking for all manner of unsafe motorists. Drunk drivers, aggressive speeders and distracted drivers all create dangers for those traveling our roadways. We want you to arrive safely! We want you to arrive alive! We do not want to have to issue an expensive citation as a reminder. We want you to slow down and abide by the laws that help protect you, your family and fellow travelers. Just a few weeks ago, a high school friend lost an adult child in a traffic fatality. The family is heartbroken, and we do not want you or your friends to experience this pain.

Life is precious, and we should not consciously be reckless. Medical and mental health and accidental risk are mostly unpredictable. Those cards are

stacked against us already. Why would we want to do things to increase the chances of injury or death by taking unnecessary risks? I cannot answer that, nor can I physically force you to make the correct choices. However, those of us who are committed to making our communities as safe as possible can help. Although citations and arrests can be expensive and create an embarrassing experience, they pale in comparison to the gravity of a tragedy.

I beg you to help contribute to creating time for our officers to spend in more relaxed settings, like building relationships through neighborhood patrols. Help reduce the number of accidents, injuries and fatalities. Please

do your part by slowing down, driving sober, remaining focused on the road and not getting distracted. Otherwise, you will force the officers to write citations and make arrests when they witness risky violations.

Thank you for reading, thank you for caring, thank you for staying safe. We want you around for the next birthday, graduation and celebration of accomplishment. Have a great rest of your summer!

Until next time, stay safe.

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

Celebrations!

ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE FREE!

Email: edit@aroundaboutmagazines.com

August deadline is July 10. Please specify Around Kennesaw . Word limit: 25.

John E. Fondren

July 7

Happy 100th birthday, John Fondren! John was a World War II B-17 pilot.

Love, Margaret, the Duncans, Buchanans and Caldwells

Matty

Happy 30th birthday, Matty!

We cannot wait to see where life takes you!

Love, Karley and Finley

Ed Fondren

July 7

Happy 100th birthday, Granddad!

We love you, Jamie, Anastasia, Jackson and Aiden

Braxton Bourne

July 2

Happy fifth birthday!

We hope you have a great year and birthday party at Disney World!

Love, Mom, Dad and Brayden

Audrey

July 6

Happy golden birthday, sweet girl. You make us so proud. We hope you have the best year. Love, Mommy, Daddy, Juliette, Brutus and Forrest

Colton

Turns 28 on July 19

Happy birthday, son!

Hope you have the best one ever.

Love you with all my heart.

Love, Mom

Corey

July 16

Happy birthday to the love of my life, best friend and partner in all adventures! Here’s to many more wonderful years by your side. — M

Riley

July 20

Happy 20th birthday, goofball!

I hope you have a great one! Love and miss you.

Aunt Donna

Walker

Happy third birthday!

We love you so much!

Mommy, Daddy, Sistey and Cricket

Around & About

JULY

BASSH! 2023

July 14, 1-4 p.m.

Swift-Cantrell Park, Kennesaw

The fifth annual Business Association Summer SHowdown! (BASSH!) is a family-friendly event where business associations compete in field-day competitions like dodgeball, tug of war and relay races. BASSH! also will feature food trucks, live music, prizes and bounce houses. Admission is free, and sponsorships are available, with proceeds benefiting the Tommy Nobis Center. http://www.bassh.info

Fishing Rodeo

July 15, Lost Mountain Park Powder Springs

Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs needs volunteers who love to fish to help kids ages 3-16 at the annual Fishing Rodeo. Email Anne.Norton@cobbcounty.org or call 770-528-8819.

Back 2 School Jam

July 15, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Kennesaw Recreation Center

The first of its kind by Kennesaw Parks and Recreation Department, the event will offer school supplies and book bags on a first-come, first-serve basis (parents must be accompanied by their child). Also, Kennesaw Hoops is hosting a Free Throw and 3-Point Contest for $2 per person. Admission is free. www.kennesaw-ga.gov/back2schooljam

Gentle Yoga Flow

July 19, 22, Aug. 2, 10-10:45 a.m.

Smith-Gilbert Gardens

2382 Pine Mountain Road, Kennesaw

This class is designed to destress and release tightness and tension in the body and mind through conscious breathing, gentle movement and stretching. bit.ly/3BRTDaw

Outdoor Movie Series

July 22, 6 p.m., Swift-Cantrell Park, Kennesaw

Kennesaw Parks and Recreation will conclude its free summer series with “Finding Nemo” (G). https://bit.ly/3zSGw7M

Railroad Rendezvous

July 22, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Southern Museum

Craftspeople will give demonstrations about their handiwork. Board The General, view the tractor display and model train layouts, and watch a blacksmithing and printing press demo. https://www.kennesaw-ga.gov/ kennesaw-event/railroad-rendezvous-2/

2023 Fun in the Park Photo Contest

Through Nov. 2

Capture the fun, memories and beauty of Cobb County’s parks with your camera and enter your best shots in the following categories: Nature and Wildlife, Sports and Action, and General (anything else that shows fun in the park). Visit https://bit.ly/2RJJebn for rules and entry information.

FARMERS MARKETS

Kennesaw Farmers Market

Through Sept. 25, Mondays, 3:30-7:30 p.m., 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.

Acworth Farmers Market

Through Oct. 27, 8 a.m.-noon Fridays Logan Farm Park

Customers can choose from a wide variety of garden-ripe Georgia-grown vegetables, as well as local eggs, cheese, bedding plants, fresh-baked bread, pies, cakes, honey and jams each week. For information, email Jeff Chase at jchase@ acworth.org.

Volunteers are needed for the Lost Mountain Fishing Rodeo.

AUGUST

Dog Days at the Gardens

Aug. 1, 5, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Smith-Gilbert Gardens

Pups can explore the gardens with their humans the first Tuesday and Saturday of each month through October for $3 per visit. https://smithgilbertgardens.com/ dogdays/

Battle of the Paddles

Aug. 4, 10 a.m.-noon, Oregon Park

145 Old Hamilton Road, Marietta

District 1 Commissioner Keli Gambrill and Joel Rhoades will take on Public Services Agency Director Jatunn Gibson and Ginny Jarvis in a pickleball match to raise money for Cobb Senior Services’ Meals on Wheels. bit.ly/3p7FKCk

RECREATION & ART

PARKS AND RECREATION

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

Classes at Ben Robertson

Community Center, 2753 Watts Drive, unless otherwise noted. www.kennesaw-ga.gov/parks-andrecreation

Painting and Drawing With

Jessica Geist

Mondays, July 10-Aug. 28

10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

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.

BSD Taekwondo

Mondays and Wednesdays through Aug. 30, 6-7 p.m.

Ages 6 and older will develop focus, self-control and confidence.

Pottery: Hand Building and Wheel Class

Thursdays, through July 27 5-7 p.m. or 7-9 p.m.

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

First Friday Concert Series

Aug. 4, 7-9:30 p.m., Pedestrian Underpass/ Tunnel Plaza off Main Street downtown Kennesaw

The Kennesaw Downtown Development Authority and the Kennesaw Downtown Merchants Association continue the third annual series with Run Katie Run. The remaining lineup is:

Sept. 1: Brotherhood, a Doobie Brothers Tribute.

Oct. 6: Emerald Empire Band.

SEPTEMBER

Harvest Hustle 5K

Sept. 9, 7:30 a.m., 1-mile fun run; 8 a.m., 5K; and 8:55 a.m., Tot Trot; downtown Kennesaw and Swift-Cantrell Park

The third race in the 2023 Kennesaw Grand Prix 5K Series, the premier 5K races 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. The remaining race is Nightmare on Main Street 5K on Oct. 28.

Pottery: Hand Building and Wheel Class

Tuesdays, through July 18, 9-11 a.m., 11 a.m.-1 p.m. or 5-7 p.m.

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

Pottery: Advanced Hand Building and Wheel Class

Wednesdays, through July 26 7-9 p.m.

Adults with one to two years of pottery experience will develop skills, work on surface designs and techniques, and develop their artistic voice.

Painting and Drawing With Jessica

Geist

Thursdays, July 13-Aug. 31 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

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.

Little Dragons Taekwondo

Thursdays, through Aug. 31 5:30-6 p.m.

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

Karate for Adults: Practical and Applied

Thursdays, through Aug. 10, 7-8 p.m. This class, for ages 20-70, balances traditional karate techniques with real-world self-defense applications.

BYOB (Beat Your Opponent Back)

Saturdays, through Aug. 5, 1-3 p.m. 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

“Art of the Art Teacher”

Aug. 3-31

This exhibit will showcase the work of art teachers in the Cobb County School District.

“Under Lucky Stars”

Through Sept. 30, online gallery

Jatunn Gibson, left, and Keli Gambrill.

Partnering With the U.S. Coast Guard

BY TYSON BOND

Founded after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, America’s Waterway Watch (AWW) still has relevance, as recent attacks on electrical substations in North Carolina, Washington state and Oregon highlight the continued need for surveillance and public cooperation in defending our nation’s critical infrastructure. The U.S. Coast Guard seeks to partner with you through AWW to identify potential threats to national security and public safety.

How can you help? The Coast Guard wants anyone who lives, works or plays on the water to help keep the waterways safe. By spending a lot of time there, you can readily identify suspicious behavior.

How can you participate? AWW requires no membership dues, meetings or long-term obligations. You don’t become an agent, engage in law enforcement activities or patrol any area. The Coast Guard wants your expertise in recognizing suspicious activity while you engage in your normal waterfront activities.

Where should you watch for suspicious activity? Watch areas with critical infrastructure for transportation or utilities:

• Under and around bridges, tunnels or overpasses.

• Near commercial areas, like ports, fuel docks, cruise ships or marinas.

• Near industrial facilities, like power plants and oil, chemical or water intake facilities.

• Near railroad lines serving these facilities.

• Near military bases and vessels, other government facilities or security zones.

Around Lake Allatoona, these areas might include the dam, fuel docks, hydroelectric plants, bridges or any area where major community damage could be done.

What are you looking for? Watch for any activity that looks out of place: unusual operation of boats or vehicles; people taking photos or filming transportation infrastructure or government buildings or vehicles; or a physical breach of security.

What can you do? Never approach someone you suspect might be about to commit a crime. Take notes about the person’s appearance, clothing, car license plate and type of boat or vehicle involved. Take a picture, if possible, but keep your distance. Gather as many details as you can, and be as specific as possible.

Where can you report information? Call the National Response Center at 1-877-24WATCH, your local 911 or VHF channel 16 on your marine radio. Each of these will put you in contact with authorities who can investigate and take action.

4 Ways to Beat the Heat With Service

BY SUSANNAH MACKAY

Summer is in full swing, and so is the Georgia heat. If there is a point in the middle of July when you don’t want to go outside anymore, you are not alone! Luckily, there is plenty you can do indoors, and justserve.org has you covered. To get started, check out these opportunities for kids and adults:

1. Crochet for babies (bit.ly/3IFsFWB). Put your crafting skills to work with this Northside Hospital Foundation opportunity. Create blankets or special graduation hats from the comfort of home for the adorable guests at Northside’s Special Care Nurseries.

2. Offer remote assistance for travelers (bit.ly/3q8kaOa). Team Libertad aims to support immigrants and refugees passing through the Atlanta airport on their way to the homes of friends and family. As a remote volunteer, you can choose afternoon or evening shifts to be on call. You may assist with online check-ins, travel arrangements, communication with families or guiding guests through the airport via Whatsapp or video calling. This opportunity is great if you have travel experience or foreign language skills.

3. Be a Zooniverse researcher (bit.ly/3pYgL4f). Join a global community of more than a million people assisting professional researchers. By classifying data and uncovering new findings, you can contribute to research that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. You can contribute as much or as little time as you’d like.

4.

Be a Smithsonian volunteer (bit.ly/3J4eH1I). Join thousands of digital volunteers in transcribing and reviewing field notes, diaries, ledgers, logbooks, currency proof sheets, photo albums, manuscripts and biodiversity specimens’ labels. Since June 2013, this collaborative effort has added to more than 500,000 pages of valuable historical and scientific records. Perfect for nature and history enthusiasts.

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. It never has been easier to make a difference in someone’s life.

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 just to 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.

Tyson Bond is a manager and educator in the University System of Georgia. He has served in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary since 2007.

Georgia Food + Wine Festival Raises $20,000 for SafePath

The second annual Georgia Food + Wine Festival, featuring celebrity chefs, food, a curated vendor/Georgia Grown market and a large selection of wine and spirits, raised $20,000 for SafePath Childrens’ Advocacy Center. The festival’s charitable partner this year, SafePath works to reduce the trauma to children and their families by offering a comprehensive, professional and child‐friendly approach to allegations of child abuse. To learn more, visit www.safepath.org. The third annual Georgia Food + Wine Festival is scheduled for March 21-24, 2024.

Headliners for Pigs & Peaches

Headliners for the Main Stage at the 2023 Pigs & Peaches BBQ Festival in Kennesaw will be Drake Milligan on Aug. 19 and Allie Colleen on Aug. 18.

Milligan, who came in third place during Season 17 of “America’s Got Talent,” entered the Billboard Emerging Artists Chart at No. 5 after charting back-to-back No. 1 hits on the iTunes Country Songs Chart and having a No. 1 hit on the iTunes All-Genre Chart. Colleen has been performing since she was 14 years old and is a full-time touring/country recording artist and songwriter.

The 22nd annual Pigs & Peaches — a two-day festival featuring nonstop music, food and interactive family fun — is a Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned competition and an official Georgia BBQ Championship event. Additional cooking events include a Backyard contest for amateurs, Anything Butt and Peach Dessert contests.

Attendees will find more than 100 vendor, exhibitor and contestant booths as well as a Kid Zone full of inflatables, amusements and attractions. Kennesaw Parks and Recreation is accepting applications for vendors and sponsors. Visit www.pigsandpeaches.com for more information.

SafePath receives a $20,000 check from the Georgia Food + Wine Festival.

Happy Trails

Plenty of Good Hiking Spots in Cobb County

BY DONNA HARRIS

For people who love to hike, Cobb County offers a number of places to wear out your walking shoes.

An extensive system of more than 120 miles of federal, county and city trails covers the entire county, and some trails also connect or will connect with trails in other counties to provide a number of recreational opportunities and an alternative form of transportation.

The Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (PARKS) Department manages 60 miles of paved and natural-surface trails, and the Cobb Department of Transportation (DOT) maintains the trail system map, which identifies multiuse and recreation trails that are existing, planned and programmed, according to the Cobb comprehensive PARKS master plan.

Cobb Trails

Silver Comet Trail, Noonday Creek Trail and trails in Allatoona Creek Park are among the most popular hiking sites in the county.

• Silver Comet Trail

Probably the best-known trail in Cobb County, Silver Comet is a 60mile multiuse, paved trail stretching from Smyrna into Alabama. Cobb’s section is a 12.8-mile path in the southern part of the county that was developed along an abandoned rail line once traveled by the Silver Comet passenger train. Connections to other city and county parks are planned.

• Noonday Creek Trail

Noonday is a paved multiuse side path and greenway trail that extends for 7 miles from Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park to the Noonday Creek trailhead on Bells Ferry Road, connecting Kennesaw Mountain to Town Center and Kennesaw State University (KSU). Opened in September 2014, the trail is accessible for a variety of recreational users, including walkers, joggers and cyclists. Connections can be made from the West Cobb/Barrett Parkway, Mountain to River and Big Shanty Road trails.

• Allatoona Creek Park Trails

The 1,450-acre Allatoona Creek Park, Cobb’s largest park, contains 40 miles of naturalsurface multiuse trails, making it the most extensive trail system in the county.

The Acworth park also is home to the largest purposebuilt multiuse trail in Georgia. “Purpose-built means that the entire trail system was professionally designed and constructed as a destination trail system,” said John Purcell, recreation program coordinator with Cobb PARKS.

The trails host a variety of events, including cross-country races for eight local high schools, the Georgia Cycling Association race series, three running races and four bike races conducted by promoters, mountain bike and cross-country camps, bike clinics, trail workdays, night hikes, group rides, wildlife walkabouts and hiking clinics.

Purcell added more trails will be constructed in the future, including one that will connect the Allatoona Creek Greenway to Price Park in Kennesaw.

Community Improvement District (CID) Trails

There also are two fairly interconnected networks of greenways and trails in the Town Center CID and the Cumberland CID, according to the 2018 Greenways and Trails Master Plan (GTMP), which focuses primarily on trails outside park properties. Trails throughout the Town Center CID mainly link to Noonday Creek and include facilities on Big Shanty Road, the KSU walking trail and Town Point Parkway. In the Cumberland CID, key trails include the Bob Callan Trail; segments on Cumberland Boulevard, Circle 75 Parkway and Interstate North Parkway; and Akers Mill Road.

Noonday Creek Trail

Cobb County Countywide Trail Map

Acworth Trails

• Cauble Park

• Logan Farm Park

Kennesaw Trails

• Depot Park

• Adams Park

• Winchester Forest Park

• Deerfield Park

• Swift-Cantrell Park

Cobb County Trails

• Akers Mill Trails, East and West

• Al Bishop Trail

• Allatoona Creek Park Trails

• A.L. Burruss and Life University Trails

• Bob Callan Trail/Rottenwood Creek Trail

• Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area Trails

• Concord Road Trail

• Dallas Highway Trail

• East Cobb Park Trail/East Cobb Trail on Roswell Road

• Floyd Road Trail

• Green Meadows Preserve Trails

• Heritage Park Trail

• Hyde Farm Park Trails

• Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park Trails

• Kennesaw Mountain to River Trail

• Leone Hall Price Park Trails

• Lewis Road Trail

• Lower Roswell Trail

• Lucille Creek Trail

• Noonday Creek Trail

• Rottenwood Creek Trail-University Trail

• Silver Comet Trail

• Silver Comet Cumberland Connector Trail

• West Cobb Trail/Barrett Parkway Trail

• Wild Horse Creek Trail

The 2,965-acre national battlefield includes 19 miles of interpretive walking trails that allow visitors to view information about the Civil War battle that took place there June 19-July 2, 1864, as part of Union Gen. William Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign. Connecting to the park is the Noonday Creek Trail.

The recreation area, designated a National Recreation Area in 1978, contains 48 miles of river flowing from Lake Lanier’s Buford Dam to Peachtree Creek. Winding through several cities and four counties, including Cobb County, the corridor includes more than 70 miles of hiking trails.

Special Feature

Cobb County participates in the Emergency Locator Marker program, which provides trail markers at every quarter mile along the trails in the county’s system. These markers provide U.S. National Grid alphanumeric coordinates, which are important for emergency responders. When provided in 911 calls, the coordinates quickly direct emergency responders to a location on a trail where a physical address might not exist.

Trail Map Legend

Map courtesy of the Cobb County Department of Transportation

Connectivity

While most trails are contained within the county, a few Cobb trails already extend or will extend into other counties.

The Silver Comet Trail begins in Smyrna and runs to the Georgia/ Alabama state line, where it joins the Chief Ladiga Trail and continues to Anniston, Alabama. The Silver Comet Connector Trail, which will stretch from the Cumberland area across the Chattahoochee River into Fulton County to connect to Atlanta’s trail system, is in various stages of planning and construction, according to Laura Beall, planning division manager for Cobb DOT.

And the Noonday Creek Trail will be connecting with Cherokee County in the near future.

City Trails

• Acworth

Located on Lake Acworth, Cauble Park has more than a mile of multiuse trails and two bridges that connect the park with adjacent neighborhoods. Logan Farm Park features almost 2 miles of paved and unpaved trails along Tanyard Creek, linking the park with adjoining neighborhoods.

“We also consider any of the sidewalks that are big enough for golf carts (8 feet wide or more) to be part of the trail system,” Acworth spokeswoman Taylor Aubrey said. “The plan in the next several years is to have full connectivity around Lake Acworth. There are also lots of sidewalks, making the Main Street area very walkable from the north side of downtown, all the way to North Cobb High School.”

Aubrey added an official city trail map is “actually in the works,” but it won’t be completed for “a few more

• Kennesaw

The Deerfield Park, Kennesaw First Baptist Church, Matlock, Whispering Lake and Winchester Forest Park trails make up the Kennesaw trail system. Each trail has a different trailhead.

In addition, the city has three parks that have trails within them, according to spokeswoman Rebecca Graham.

“Swift-Cantrell Park, Kennesaw’s largest community park, is home to a 1-mile-long perimeter trail, and the (inner) half-mile-long Fisher King Iditarod Lead Dog Memorial Trail,” she said. “The 12-foot-wide perimeter trail is ideal for walking, running and cycling. The 8-foot-wide inner trail is ideal for strolling and dog walking. Both trails are paved asphalt.”

At just over a half-mile, the 8-foot-wide concrete trail at Adams Park extends from Park Drive at the northern boundary of the park to points near Watts Drive along the southern boundary, Graham said. Skating and dogs are permitted on the trail and sidewalks, unless otherwise posted.

Depot Park, located downtown across from the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History, has about a half-mile of paved sidewalks.

“The city of Woodstock, with Cherokee County, has a trail nearing a construction phase, which will connect the existing trail in downtown Woodstock into Cobb County at the north end of Noonday Creek Park,” Beall said.

The 2-mile trail would be a 10-footwide shared-use concrete path stretching from Noonday Creek Park at Shallowford Road into Cherokee County, where it would link up with the existing Woodstock Noonday Creek Trail at Highway 92, according to the GTMP.

Cobb County is conducting a planning study for a Noonday Creek Trail Extension that would pick up at the park where the Woodstock/ Cherokee County section ends and stretch south to the existing Bells Ferry Road trailhead.

“The county’s section planning study is wrapping up this summer,” Beall said. “Once the Board of Commissioners approves a final trail concept report, the county expects to actively pursue funding opportunities to begin engineering and design. We do not have funding yet for the trail but expect to pursue several options.”

The county also is doing a planning study on the Austell Powder Springs Trail, which would connect the two cities from the existing trailhead at Silver Comet Linear Park in Powder Springs to Joe Jerkins Boulevard in downtown Austell, generally along Austell-Powder Springs Road.

The Kennesaw Mountain to River Trail will connect separated trails across Cobb.

14 Must-Visit North Georgia Hiking Trails

The Best Places to Leave Your Footprints, From Waterfalls to Mountain Vistas

BY THE WANDERER

I build walks and hikes into every place I travel. A few years ago, my wife and I walked more than 16 miles in one day exploring Barcelona. For me, the best part of traveling is experiencing a new part of our planet on foot. Last year, my feet found their way along multimile paths and trails in Washington, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Florida, South Carolina, Michigan, Maine, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec. They all were beautiful in their own way.

North Georgia, however, is equally amazing. The middle of nowhere is a lot closer than you might think and well worth the view. Here are 14 north Georgia hiking destinations I enjoy, almost all of which I find myself traversing repeatedly.

While The Wanderer mostly roams in Cherokee County, where he’s been a resident for nearly 20 years, he continually learns about his and neighboring communities on his daily walks. In 2022, he covered more than 2,000 miles. wanderingga@gmail.com.

The Wanderer walked more than 1,800 miles in 2021 and 2,000 miles in 2022. As he adds to his total for 2023, ALM asked him to share his favorite walking trails in north Georgia. For those of you who enjoy hiking and scenic views, we’ll leave you with this thought, which likely came to The Wanderer as he was walking one of these trails: “As beauty is in the eye of the beholder, what you find the most enjoyable has as much to do with you as it does with the place itself.”

1. Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville has a very nice trail at the bottom of the falls and a stairway to the top. If you want a workout, you easily can get that in.

2. Toccoa Falls is beautiful and easily accessible at 107 Kincaid Drive, Toccoa Falls, GA 30598.

3. Vogel State Park in Blairsville has a small lake created by a spillway, with an easy, flat trail encircling it. Just off the spillway is a very short, but somewhat steep, path to Trayleta Falls, which includes a deck that puts the water right under your feet.

4. Dukes Creek Falls, located on the Russell-Brasstown National Scenic Highway, offers a moderate hiking trail and views of nearby Mount Yonah.

5. Anna Ruby Falls, next to Unicoi State Park in Helen, is accessible by a paved trail and stairs, with multiple viewing platforms.

6. The trail to Raven Cliff Falls, off Richard Russell Highway in Helen, is approximately 6.6 miles round-trip and follows Dodd Creek most of the way.

8.

9. Tallulah Gorge State Park, along the county line between Rabun and Habersham counties, offers those willing to climb a spectacular view. You can see the falls with a short walk. For those capable, doing the entire circuit, 1,000 feet down and back up again, absolutely is worth the effort. Before you go, check the schedule for days they’ll be opening the spillway over the dam. Seeing the torrent of water rushing through the gorge just might be the most exciting outdoor activity Georgia has to offer.

10. Cloudland Canyon State Park in Rising Fawn offers more challenging hikes and the beautiful Hemlock Falls as a reward for navigating elevation changes.

WANDERER Wonderings of th e

11. Brasstown Bald, the highest peak in Georgia, has a steep trail from the parking lot to the observation deck in Hiawassee. There also is a shuttle to the top, so even those who prefer to wander or amble, not undertake a challenging hike, can get the full experience.

12. Bell Mountain has a rather narrow, switchback drive to the top of the rugged mountain, with observation decks and an incredible panoramic view of Lake Hiawassee.

13. Mount Oglethorpe, right next door to Cherokee in Pickens County, is the original southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. At 3,288 feet, it is the southernmost peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It has observation areas and a trail circuit that can be as easy or as challenging as you’d like.

14. Springer Mountain, the current terminus of the Appalachian Trail, is for serious hikers. As with all these hikes, make sure you do your research first, especially to ensure you are up for this one.

7. The DeSoto Falls Trail, located near Dahlonega, boasts five waterfalls along a 3-mile section.

Smithgall Woods Conservation Area is a popular destination for those who want even more walking or like to fly-fish. Located near Helen, the cabins book quickly, so prepare well in advance if you’d like to stay overnight.

Unique Laws

BY ANDREW J. BRAMLETT

Since the city of Kennesaw was incorporated in 1887, countless laws and ordinances have been passed by our City Council. While most are quite normal, some early laws approved by our city leaders are what we now see as unique, strange and sometimes wacky. These laws also show how our bustling community was once a quaint village.

Each of these laws was taken from City Council minutes, which were transcribed by Mark Smith in 1980. It should be noted that some of the spelling in these early minutes is unusual. For example, “authorized” can be found as “artherised,” and “prisoner” was often spelled “prisner.”

In March 1891, it became “unlawful for any person to carry or use a slingshot (commonly called an Ala Flipper)” in Kennesaw. It’s unknown why the hand-held catapult was banned, but the fine for being caught with one was $1. In October of that year, playing baseball on the Sabbath was outlawed, and violators could be fined or imprisoned. And at a meeting on Dec. 18, the council passed a strange ordinance ending the construction of sidewalks and bridges. The city was back to building sidewalks, however, in 1895.

Following a petition started by G.L. Howell, all liquor and domestic wine were banned in July 1893 and carried a fine of $30. At the same meeting, a new $2 license was approved for picnic refreshments.

Two years later, cattle grazing was banned on all city property, and a 10 p.m. curfew was set for all minors. That curfew was amended in 1914 to say minors would no longer be allowed on “public streets or highways” between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. In December 1895, council members voted to move the “Callaboose” (or jail) and make it “more comfortable.”

Less than a week before Christmas 1898, the City Council passed an ordinance allowing fireworks to be launched from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Eve, “provided those firing same do not throw at horses, stock or persons.”

In March 1899, a “Public Water Closet” (restroom) was approved for the south side of town. Another “watter closet,” likely located near what is now Depot Park, was built in 1902. In December 1899, it became “unlawful hereafter for anyone to give or have a public dance upon any of the parks or public property” in Kennesaw, with fines ranging between $10 and $30.

Several early laws that were enacted pertained to automobiles.

Photo courtesy of Sara Dick.

Baseball games like this were banned on the Sabbath in Kennesaw in 1891. Photo courtesy of Joe Bozeman.

Laws of Kennesaw’s Past

In September 1900, the “Mad Dog Ordinance” was passed, making it illegal for dogs to run free throughout the town during the 20 days following the law’s passage. In January 1902, the council had to ask for wagon scales to be removed from the street in front of J.W. Bennett’s store.

On the railroad, hobos evidently became a problem. A Feb. 27, 1902, ordinance made it illegal for anyone to “jump on and off of the moving trains unless while on duty of said trains.” A similar law was passed in 1912 pertaining to “any automobile, wagon or any vehicle.”

After the J.G. Lewis Building was constructed in 1903, the council had to ask Jane Shumway to fill in a pit where the material for the structure’s bricks was excavated. The building still stands at the corner of Lewis and Main streets, but it’s unclear where this pit had been located.

In May 1904, “gambling of all kinds” was banned in the city, carrying a fine “of not less than one dollar nor more than five dollars” plus community service.

Following a March 1906 smallpox epidemic, it was decided a red flag should be placed at all houses where residents had been affected by the

disease. Additionally, signs were “posted on all the roads leading into Kennesaw … warning all persons who have been exposed to contagious diseases” to stay away.

On Dec. 23, 1907, Benjamin Carrie and J.M. Steele were “appointed as extra police through Xmas holidays.” It’s unclear what holiday ruckus was expected that would require additional police officers.

In 1911, speeding automobiles and motorcycles had become enough of a problem for Kennesaw to enact its first speed limit. It was 8 mph. Luckily for drivers, it was increased to 15 mph in August 1914.

It is fascinating to see what laws were passed in the first 30 years of the Kennesaw City Council. The next few decades after that also had a wide variety of antiquated ordinances, but these early laws better remind us of our community’s humble beginnings.

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

This 1908 view shows the buildings on Main Street. In 1911, an 8 mph speed limit was created for these dirt roads. Photo courtesy of the Kennesaw Historical Society.

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

Rob’s Rescues

This month, I interviewed Suzie DeGrasse of Primarily Possums Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, located near Athens. Learn more at www.primarilypossums.org.

What is your mission?

My main mission is rescue, rehabilitation and release of native wildlife. I have been doing this for nine years. I specialize in possums, bats, cottontail rabbits and armadillos, and I am licensed for small animals, songbirds and rabies-vector species (bats, foxes, skunks, raccoons and groundhogs).

This dog’s name is Scooter. His tag number is 643477. He is a medium-sized hound. He has been at the shelter for a very long time, since March. Scooter is such a nice dog and walks well on a leash. He doesn’t have too much energy but is definitely not lazy. He is very interested in things and likes to sit next to you. He is a good listener, would be a really good family dog and has a great temperament.

How many possums have you helped?

Thousands, and it increases every year as more people become aware of checking pouches when a possum is hit by a car. The majority of animals that come to me are orphaned — mom has been hit by a car or attacked by a dog.

What do you love about possums?

I am always learning about them. They are marsupials, and their babies grow differently than other mammals. They are highly intelligent with interesting and adaptive behaviors. They worked their way up the United States from South America. They also are absolutely adorable.

What is something about possums not many people know?

How can people help?

Slow down. Give possums a “brake.” They don’t mean to get in your way. If you know one is in your yard, make noise before letting your dog out. If you see a dead possum, please check the pouch for living babies.

Primarily Possums is a nonprofit organization, and all donations are tax deductible and very much appreciated. You also can help by volunteering time to help babies and build and maintain enclosures. Carpentry help is very needed.

This cat’s name is Ian. His tag number is 644147. He is an orange tabby that is about 2 years old. He really likes people and attention. He is a very strong cat. Ian is heavy but sweet and loving, not pouchy.

They are omnivores. They don’t eat garbage. They eat things like insects, carrion and frogs, as well as berries and fruits. They have 51 teeth! All of their development happens in the pouch, not the uterus. When they are born, they have only gestated 13 days and are still embryos. That is why it is so important to check the pouch. They stay in the pouch for a long time.

Next month, my interview with Suzie continues with a focus on bats, as she helps a lot of them, and they, too, are misunderstood and need help.

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

Rob with Suzie DeGrasse of Primarily Possums Wildlife Rescue.

‘His’ Story Seen Throughout American History

BY PERRY FOWLER

My parents were educators and lovers of history, so family vacations were spent in a station wagon headed to places like Virginia battlefields and, ultimately, Washington, D.C., where we went one year to see fireworks in the nation’s capital. This put a love of history in my heart.

As Christians, my parents were careful to remind me of the faith of our forefathers who established this country. Did you know one of our presidents was a preacher or that the Capitol was once used as a megachurch?

In the early 1800s, while the Capitol was still under construction, public worship took place there every Sunday at 11 a.m., the Federal Orrery, a Boston newspaper, reported. Thomas Jefferson attended church there and wrote in his diaries about a “very rainy day” when he rode his horse to what he called “the hall.” History tells us that, by 1857, more than 2,000 people attended church in the Capitol building each week, making it the largest worship service in the U.S. at the time.

James Garfield, our 20th president, was a minister who preached at revival meetings. In a letter in the National Archives, Garfield wrote: “Bro. Wallace, we have just closed our meeting with happy results. There were 34 additions, 31 by immersion … I have spoken 19 discourses in our meeting

here … Love to your family and believe me your brother, J.A. Garfield.”

Also, did you know George Washington, as a general, ordered his troops to go to church? Historical documents recorded his order to the Continental Army: “The General … requires and expects of all officers and soldiers, not engaged in actual duty, a punctual attendance of Divine service, to implore the blessing of Heaven upon the means used for our safety and defense.”

This time of year, I reflect on the faith of our forefathers. I think about history and “his story” — God’s story of grace and goodness to us as Americans. I salute our flag, proudly thank our veterans for their service and thank God for his blessings on America, for our community and for the joy of freedom. We often say “God bless America,” but when we reflect on history, we must admit we have been blessed because our freedom is part of “his story.” Oh, how God has blessed America, and this makes me want to “bless God.” How about you?

The Rev. Perry Fowler is lead pastor of Kennesaw First Baptist Church. He has served the Kennesaw community for more than 15 years with his wife, Jan. He loves running, biking and Ironman 70.3 triathlons.

Convenient, Top-Ranked and Highly Respected The KSU Executive MBA Program

The Kennesaw State University Executive MBA (EMBA) program was recently ranked No. 1 in Georgia for the seventh year in a row in the 2023 CEO Magazine Global MBA Rankings. These rankings, which are based on factors such as the quality of the faculty, work experience of the students, class size and faculty-to-student ratio have helped grow the program’s reputation nationally and internationally. In addition to being ranked No. 1 in Georgia, the program was ranked third in North America and 12th in the world.

What Is an Executive MBA?

While the term “executive” can be intimidating, an Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA) is really an MBA for working professionals looking to advance their careers. Students come into the program at different career stages: individual contributors, managers, directors and C-suite (chief financial officer, CEO, chief information security officer).

Prospective students must have at least five years of postundergraduate professional work experience to be considered for the program. The GMAT (graduate management assessment test) is not a requirement for admission. Classes meet in person approximately one weekend per month, which makes this an ideal option for those looking to complete their degree while continuing to focus on their

CLASS OF 2023 STATS

† Average 18 years of work experience

† Average 8 years of peoplemanagement experience

† Average age: 41

† 41% female

career. The program is designed to be instantly applicable in the workplace, leading to rapid career advancement and a strong return on investment.

A Team Approach

One of the differentiating factors of the KSU EMBA program is its program-long teaming approach. The cohort is broken down into teams of five to seven students, and these teams remain intact for the entire length of the program.

Great care is taken to ensure that teams are diverse and composed of individuals with varying backgrounds and skill sets. In addition to looking at factors such as industry, years of work experience and titles, the students’ personality types are considered as well. All students take the DiSC personality profile assessment before the program begins, and the results are used as an additional tool to ensure teams are diverse.

An International Experience

In the final semester of the program, students learn about doing business in a global economy. Using this knowledge and applying what

they have learned in the program, each EMBA student team will choose a consulting project from a South American company and will begin the process of working with that company virtually to define the scope. These are real business needs, and, in most cases, the companies implement the recommendations from the teams.

Students finalize their international business consulting projects during their 10-day residency in South America, all while experiencing cultural immersion, participating in a service project, and learning about the economic, social, and political issues of the country.

Important Facts to Consider

An Executive MBA is an accelerated program and a significant investment of time over 19 months. While students have the support of an individual coach, a team coach and a dedicated faculty, it is important for them to have support at home as well. Prospective students are encouraged to discuss the program with their family members and consider what sacrifices will need to be made to make time for the program.

“Kennesaw State University’s Executive MBA program has far exceeded any expectations I had prior to entering the 19-month program. I gained valuable business acumen, both at home and globally. I learned to build and sustain strong cultures through the program’s team-based delivery and have built long-lasting relationships and support systems. The program encouraged us to adapt our learning in real time to work situations, which allowed for an experiential component. This application helped me with overall performance improvement, leading to a promotion during the program.

“The program also provided me with an opportunity for self-reflection that helped strengthen my leadership skills and allowed for exceptional personal growth. These opportunities have helped me better understand who I am as a person and as a leader.”

— Allen Gandhi, assistant director, pharmacy services, Emory Healthcare

ALLEN’S EMBA TEAM

Joe Arnold, associate director global product management, EY

Diana Wilkinson, online merchant, Home Depot

Isoke Martin, assistant vice president, internal controls monitoring & testing, Truist Sharon Doleman, director, accounts payable, Virtus Investment Partners

Allen Gandhi, assistant director, pharmacy services, Emory Healthcare

David Kelley, VP resource planning, performance analytics and performance excellence, GAT Airline Ground Support

For more information on KSU’s Executive MBA program, email ksuemba@kennesaw.edu.

470-578-6862 | ksuemba.com

Facebook: EMBAKSU

Instagram: KSUEMBA

Twitter: @EMBAKSU

4 Flooring Mistakes and How to Avoid Them, Part 2

BY ELISABETH STUBBS

Are you shopping for new floors and worried you will make an expensive mistake? Many people feel this way, especially when it is something they have never done. There are so many choices and information to absorb. Here are four more common flooring mistakes to avoid. (If you missed last month’s article, read it at www.aroundkennesawmagazine.com/archives-2.)

1. Putting too much importance on warranties. It is becoming more common to see longer warranties on flooring. It is important not to give these warranties excessive consideration. A warranty exists to protect you as the shopper and the manufacturer. The bottom line is a warranty does not cover normal wear and tear on a floor. Most of the time, a warranty covers only defects in the product, such as finish peeling off wood flooring or delamination (coming apart) of carpet. Product defects usually are noticed within the first few months, and problems covered by warranties rarely develop after 20 years. However, it is still advisable to seek a warranty for the installation.

2. Skimping on installation. You may purchase the highest quality product on the market, but if it is installed incorrectly, problems will arise, and it will not last as long as intended. It is crucial to research installation methods. Considering the substantial investment in new floors, proper installation is paramount. When selecting installers, ensure their familiarity with the specific product and their experience in handling it. You want your investment to last for years, so don’t cheat yourself by cutting corners with installation.The best installers usually do not install a wide variety of products; they specialize in certain areas, showcasing their expertise as true craftsmen.

3. Choosing a product based on a small sample. Choosing the right color and shade for your new floor is very important. It should complement your home and create an aesthetically pleasing environment. Relying solely on a 2-inch sample makes it challenging to accurately assess the color’s appearance. Whenever feasible, aim to view a larger piece of carpet, wood, tile, etc., to gain a better understanding of how the color will work within your house.

4. Accounting for carpet seams. Carpet seams are necessary when joining two pieces of carpet. The difficulty of concealing seams depends on the type of carpet. For example, Berber style is the most challenging, while shag is the easiest. Patterned carpets require additional consideration for seam alignment, as you want the pattern to match. Certain types of carpet may require purchasing more material to achieve the most visually pleasing results, which increases project costs.

Regardless, carpets will have seams. As the customer, it is your responsibility to ensure that you choose an experienced installer who knows how to minimize the visibility of seams when working with different carpet types.

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

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Harrison, Kennesaw Mountain, North Cobb Graduates Charge Into Future

More than 1,500 young adults in the Kennesaw area are ready to take on new challenges and pursuits after graduating from Harrison (HHS), Kennesaw Mountain (KMHS) and North Cobb (NCHS) high schools in May. Faculty and staff at KMHS said goodbye to 446 graduates during their May 25 ceremony. The 515 HHS graduates turned their tassels at a commencement ceremony on May 26. Family and friends watched 626 NCHS graduates receive their diplomas May 27. All three graduations were held at the Kennesaw State University Convocation Center. We congratulate our local graduates and wish them a bright, successful future.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE COBB COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT.

Class of 2023 News

Kennesaw Business Association Scholarship Winners

Allatoona High School

• Ron Cochran Spirit Scholarship: Mckenzie Herrera, University of Georgia, finance

Harrison High School

• Marlon Longacre Heart of a Champion Scholarship: Thomas Boyle, University of Georgia

• Wally Zimmerman Vocational, Engineering and Computer Science Scholarship: Harrison Bullard, University of Georgia, civil engineering

• Ron Sumpter Trailblazer Scholarship: Carlton Anderson, Georgia Tech, electrical engineering

Kennesaw Mountain High School

• Sue Gunderman Servant Leader Scholarship: Ashlyn Parker, Penn State University, communication sciences and disorders

• Dr. Frank Boone Community Service Scholarship: Chloe Stein, Mississippi State University, mechanical engineering

• JRM Character Scholarship: Winifred Matanmi

• Kennesaw Mayoral Scholarship: Siya Daya, University of Georgia, business and law

• Sue Picardi Math and Science Magnet Scholarship: Sukrit Sharma, undecided, business or engineering

• Olivia Smathers Performing Arts Scholarship: Serena Parker, Kennesaw State University, environmental science

North Cobb Christian School

• Paul Chastain Citizen Scholarship: Ava Crook, Florida State University, biological sciences and harp performance

• Kevin Jabbari Athletic Scholarship: Elizabeth Shaylor, Charleston Southern University, kinesiology

North Cobb High School

• Carol Thompson Journalism Scholarship: Ren Lloyd, Georgia Southern University, journalism

• David Grant ROTC Scholarship: Alicia Jackson, Columbus State University, marketing

• Marlon Longacre Heart of a Champion Scholarship: Blake Ellsworth, Western Carolina University

• Rene Dollar Future Business Leader Scholarship: Julia Magalhaes, University of Georgia, public relations

• R.J. Patel International Magnet Student Scholarship: Rowan Moretz, Georgia Tech or University of Georgia, biology

• Mark Barre Visual Arts Scholarship: Caliyah Valentine, Savannah College of Art and Design, fashion marketing and management

• Terry Chandler Taking Care of Business Scholarship: Haneen Mohamad, Kennesaw State University, business

• Michael Everhart Communications Scholarship: Julia Skaggs, Georgia College and State University, marketing

Valedictorians and Salutatorians

Harrison High School

• Valedictorian: Jason Lim, GPA 4.706, Georgia Tech, industrial engineering

• Salutatorian: Jack Lakis, GPA 4.694, University of Pennsylvania, political science

Kennesaw Mountain High School

• Valedictorian: Ana Vadillo, GPA 4.814, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, bioengineering

• Salutatorian: David Chan, GPA 4.788, Georgia Tech, computer science

North Cobb High School

• Valedictorian: Claire Scafidi, GPA 4.706, University of Georgia, comparative literature

• Salutatorian: Rylan Klein, GPA 4.688, Georgia Tech, finance & mechanical engineering

National Merit Scholarship Winners

• Austin Smith, Harrison, National Merit Vanderbilt University Scholarship, probable career field: physics.

• Lucas D. Kim, Kennesaw Mountain, National Merit Washington and Lee University Scholarship, probable career field: computer programming.

Mount Paran Senior Parade

The 101 graduates at Mount Paran Christian School (MPCS) were celebrated during the fourth annual Senior Parade, a tradition born from the COVID-19 pandemic. Seniors and their families decorated cars and paraded through the MPCS campus and The Overlook subdivision.

Georgia Tech-bound Cooper Surgala and his sister, Sammy.

Claire Scafidi Rylan Klein

David Chan

Ana Vadillo

Jack Lakis

Jason Lim

Dale Alexander Canton Resident Reaches 120,000-plus Georgia Students

In April, 120,000 copies of Dale Alexander’s book were sent, in partnership with the Georgia State Board of Education (SBOE), to the students who make up the state’s class of 2023. “‘The Talk’ (About Money), A Young Adult’s Guide to the One Decision That Changes Everything,” outlines tips to help young adults prepare to manage their finances. A certified financial planner, Dale set out to give back by educating the group of people that needed it most.

“The single greatest ‘life’ decision a young adult will ever make is making 70% their 100%,” Dale said. When they get their first real job, it will be the biggest paycheck they’ve ever gotten. And, instead of spending 100% of that first check, they can make a decision to live on 70%, invest 20% and give away 10%.

Originally from south Georgia, the Canton resident has lived in Cherokee County since 1991. He is married to Kimberly, and they have three adult kids, Sophie, Grant and Davis. Because of his training, Dale knew it was necessary to lay a strong financial foundation by instilling the importance of managing money in his kids. Before writing his book, he not only shared his message with his children, he also shared it with a variety of corporations, conferences, school convocations and media outlets.

It was through giving “the talk” to students across the state that he connected with the Georgia SBOE, which, like those in many other states, is placing an emphasis on financial literacy. Dale’s goal is not only to continue reaching youth in Georgia but also to get his message to the 4 million seniors in U.S. public high schools. If you’re interested in learning more about the book or sharing his message with the young adults in your life, visit www.thetalkaboutmoney.com. There also is a free, 55-minute lesson online.

Dale speaks at The Mill on Etowah in Canton in April.

Dale Alexander signs copies of his book with his wife, Kimberly; daughter, Sophie; and sons Grant and Davis.

What should students know about money?

Starting off getting money habits right from your first job check is the most important “life” decision you will make. If we don’t get money right, half of our marriages will be gone, and many of the other half won’t be what they could be due to the weight of money.

How can parents prepare children for a great financial future?

Talk to them about money, and get great resources for them to learn about it. Most importantly, model good money habits.

How did your journey of discussing finances with young people begin?

I was fortunate to fall in love with the study of money, and that led me to talk to my children about it all the time. It’s tragic, but it’s something very few parents do today. One night, my son Grant said, “Dad, you need to tell all of our friends this story.” Over 2019 Christmas break, everyone got together — pizza all over the place! That’s where it all began, and now the story has reached millions.

What can students with part-time jobs do?

Begin a habit of investing in the stock market through mutual funds, and give to something that breaks your heart.

What can adults who didn’t start living on 70% do?

Two things. 1) Every “new” dollar — a raise, bonus, garage sale proceeds, funds becoming available after paying off a car loan, etc. — never take more than half of it from now on. If you can take none of it, put it all aside. You’ll be dependent on less and less of your income. 2) Any money you’re saving, get it invested in the right places — mutual funds, the stock market — so the money is working more efficiently for you.

Why should I give money away?

Life gets a new perspective when you start giving. Giving reminds us that our life is more than about us. It instills hope, as the mind doesn’t allow itself to feel hopeless when it is giving hope.

Powerhouse

Dixon Aims to Reach Military-Connected Students at KSU

BY AMANDA COOK

Don’t let her smaller stature or quiet demeanor fool you; Stacey Dixon has shown she is a powerhouse with a purpose. In her new role as director of military and veteran services at Kennesaw State University (KSU), she is on a mission to revitalize the program to reach more students.

“The hardest part is seeing students not getting what they need and not knowing there are resources available to them,” the Kennesaw resident said. “We have more than 1,700 military-connected students at KSU, and they need to know we are here. That’s my mission.”

Military Service

A 20-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Dixon has lived a life of setting lofty goals and achieving them all.

Her motivated and passionate spirit started at an early age. Dixon wanted to join the Marines when she was 17, after she saw the transformation it made in her brother. However, her mother was adamantly opposed and refused to sign the consent form for underage admission.

“So, I turned 18 in October, and I was on a bus to boot camp in December,” Dixon said. “There was no turning back after that, but it was difficult. This was in the ’80s, so as a woman — a Black woman — in the Marine Corps, it was hard. Very, very hard.”

Dixon and her brother were stationed together for a time, and she recalls he was one of the most intense noncommissioned officers she had ever dealt with.

“He was one of those Marines who didn’t like women being in the Marines,” she said. “He did everything to try to turn me away. But everything he said I couldn’t do, I proved him wrong.”

Powerhouse With a Purpose

Her brother medically retired after 12 years in the service, but Dixon kept going, with her sights set on becoming a warrant officer. Year after year, she applied but was continually denied, and she finally stopped submitting her application.

“Being a warrant officer was part of my plan,” she said. “It was what I was supposed to do.”

Dixon’s commanding officer initiated her 10th application on her behalf, and Dixon finally was selected. She officially was the first female to be selected as a meteorology and oceanography officer in the Marine Corps.

While Dixon spent much of her career working in meteorology and oceanography, one of the final jobs she had was casualty assistance call officer, the official representative of the secretary of the Navy who is tasked with going to see the next of kin in the event of a casualty. Between the heavy heartache of the assignment and some ongoing health issues, she realized it was time for her final salute. After two decades of service, she retired as a chief warrant officer 3, a high-ranking position officially appointed by the secretary of the Navy, commissioned by the president and considered to be advanced in technical and tactical areas of leading in the field.

Next Chapter

After her service, Dixon earned a master’s degree in business administration from National University in San Diego and a doctorate in organizational leadership from Argosy University in Chicago.

She spent time as a financial advisor in San Diego, which taught her the art of talking to people and engaging the community. In Chicago, she taught Junior ROTC until she stumbled upon an application for a program at National Louis University in which she would be an advocate for military education and veterans’ services. In that position, Dixon realized the program was something she had needed but

did not have when she was a student. She set out to revamp it and expand its reach. When the director left, she was promoted, and the program took off even more during her five years there.

Luckily for KSU’s military and veteran students, Dixon has a daughter and grandchildren who live in metro Atlanta, and she was eager to move south to be closer to them.

“I love it here,” she said. “I love the community, and the KSU leadership has been so welcoming. This is where I’m supposed to be.”

Goals for the New Job

For KSU, Dixon’s ideas are big, and her self-created timeline is short — she wants it all done before the end of this year.

“I spent the first two months here just trying to meet everyone I could,” said Dixon, who believes wholeheartedly that the biggest key to success is engaging the KSU community. “What I learned is that the community is there. I see it. There are so many open gates here.”

One of Dixon’s first goals is to improve tools used to connect students with military and veterans services.

“We know students may not open all their emails, so we want to engage with them through social media or monthly in-person events,” she said. “Our task is to communicate who we are, what we do and what we offer. It’s building camaraderie, being around people who have had similar experiences. Our goal is to help these military-connected students have a life outside of the classroom.”

Another goal is to implement a training program for all faculty and staff on how best to teach and interact with student veterans. Dixon said when she was a student, she experienced many classroom discussions that included comments about military services that were disrespectful or upsetting to her and others who had served, and the professors simply were unaware that what was said was offensive.

Dixon also wants to implement a process that refers prospective students to veterans’ services from the moment they check the “military connected” box on their KSU application. She wants students to know KSU provides mental health services, health and wellness, school advising, help with housing, Social Security Administration help and community engagement. After militaryconnected students are enrolled, she wants to make sure they are contacted every term to assess their needs.

Dixon’s priority is ensuring that the needs of military-connected students are met and their voices are heard.

“I want students to tell their stories,” she said. “It’s hard for us, for veterans, to talk about ourselves and what we’ve done, especially if it’s been traumatic. I especially want female veterans to tell their stories. Often, they are forgotten about, or their service is diminished. I want them to talk about what they’ve accomplished. I want all our militaryconnected students, including our student veterans, active duty, reservists, national guard, spouses and children, to have a voice and tell their stories. That’s my mission at KSU.”

Stacey Dixon served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

n October 2022, we launched a new feature where we asked local high school students to give the community a peek into those hallowed halls by contributing articles about their schools’ unique traditions, achievements, programs, clubs, sports teams or events. For our first year, we were happy with the participation, and we were able to learn a good deal about the schools in the Acworth and Kennesaw areas.

Now that the school year has ended, we would like to thank the students — some who were on the newspaper or yearbook staff, some who just enjoy writing — who allowed us to publish their work in Around Acworth and Around Kennesaw. We hope you enjoyed seeing it in print as much as we enjoyed sharing your school with the community. And we also want to thank the teachers who took the time to submit students’ articles for this feature.

Congratulations, Harrison High School, for having the most contributors. Senior Jessalyn Reinhart (December 2022), juniors Wandi Hadebe (January 2023) and Aleea White (February 2023) and sophomore Madyson Meyer (April and May 2023) shared stories about their school’s junior varsity cheerleaders, National English Honor Society, studentrun media class, extracurricular activities and Governor’s Honors Program, respectively, in Around Kennesaw this year.

North Cobb High School

had two students send us articles. Senior Erinn Gardner contributed a piece about the Brain Food Club in November 2022, while junior Eladia Scott wrote about the return of the International Extravaganza in the June 2023 issue.

For Around Acworth, we received submissions from two Allatoona High School seniors. Kamran Padilla became our first contributor, with his article on homecoming traditions running in the October 2022 issue, and he submitted another piece on Turner’s Heroes for January 2023. Jayden Lopez shared tips on managing stress in the May 2023 edition.

To our seniors who have graduated, we wish you nothing but success in the future. To our young writers who are still in high school, we plan to continue our student-writer feature into the 2023-24 school year, and we sincerely hope you will contribute more articles about what’s happening on your campus in the coming months.

We also hope to gain a lot of new writers in the upcoming year, and we really would like to get Kennesaw Mountain High School on board. We know there are great things happening there, and we’d love to share them with the community. Newspaper and yearbook sponsors and journalism and English teachers, contact us at donna@aroundaboutmagazines. com for information on submitting your students’ work. We hope to hear from you soon!

Student Writers

Erinn Gardner

Jessalyn Reinhart

Eladia Scott

Wandi Hadebe

Kamran Padilla

Aleea White

Jayden Lopez

Madyson Meyer

School News

4th-Grader Wins Writing Contest

Mount Paran Christian School (MPCS) fourth-grader Kate O’Kelley recently won the annual Silver Pens Writing Contest, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Lost Mountain. She was invited to read her prize-winning paper at the April Kiwanis meeting, where she received a plaque and $20 in gold-colored coins.

In an anonymous review process, MPCS teachers chose class finalists and honorable mentions, and Kiwanis Club members chose Kate as the schoolwide winner. Finalists for first place were Joseph Cujba, Annelise Driggers and Julia Gebraeel; second place, Benny Frye, Philip Hazard, Dziena Mills and Lucia Olguin; and third place, C.J. Arnold, Jenny Barts, Andrew Jones and Ryder Stiltz. Honorable mentions were Preston DeGiorgio, Morgan Kehoe, Etta Miller, Zoe Montgomery, Sasha Ominde and Brandt David Varner.

Family Serve Day Benefits Community Organizations

Mount Paran Christian School’s (MPCS) annual Family Serve Day benefited nearly 60 community organizations. The yearly tradition is a designated day for all MPCS students, parents, teachers and staff to serve others in the community. Students in grades 3-12, parents, faculty and staff went off campus, while students in grades pre-K-2 participated in on-campus projects. More than 1,800 people worked together to pack books for children in Africa, visit assistedliving residents, make snack bags, assemble meals, do yard work, mentor children at local after-school programs and more.

1st Owl Drafted by NFL

After a five-year football career at Kennesaw State University (KSU), defensive lineman Travis Bell became the first NFL draft selection in school history. With the first pick of the seventh round, the Chicago Bears chose the Montgomery, Alabama, native, who was the 218th overall selection and was drafted on Day 3 of the Kansas City event.

The 6-foot-1, 305-pound Owl played in 54 career games and tallied 124 tackles (68 solo). He also registered 11 sacks, which ranks third in the KSU record book, and 24.5 tackles for loss, good for the fourth-most in program history. He also was named second team All-Big South Conference in 2021. In his final season as an Owl, Bell set a career high, with 34 tackles.

Dyess Installed as Director, Endowed Chair

Susan Dyess was installed as the director and Thomas M. and Elizabeth D. Holder Endowed Chair in Kennesaw State University’s (KSU) Wellstar School of Nursing at an investiture ceremony in May. As the endowed chair, Dyess oversees the day-to-day operations of the nursing school. Dyess was named interim director in July 2021 and earned the permanent position in September 2022. She has served as a tenure-track professor of nursing at KSU since the 2019-20 school year and has more than 30 years of experience in nursing practice and academic service. She also has served as an associate dean.

Local Teacher Wins Fellowship

Syndi Kyle of Mount Paran Christian School was selected as the Georgia recipient of a James Madison Fellowship, which supports the graduate study of American history by secondary school teachers of American history, American government and civics. Kyle teaches economics, Advanced Placement (AP) microeconomics and AP macroeconomics and also is the freshman Student Government Association sponsor and faculty sponsor for the Chick-fil-A Leader Academy. The fellowship funds up to $24,000 of each fellow’s course of study toward a master’s degree. Kyle is pursuing a Master of Arts in government, with an American government concentration, from Regent University.

K-9 Team Completes Certifications

Cpl. Malik Letatau and K-9 Joker of the Kennesaw State University Police Department have completed their required training and certifications. The team finished a 12-week, 480-hour handler course and a 200-hour Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) handler course and now are certified by GEMA standards.

Cpl. Malik Letatau and K-9 Joker

Kate O’Kelley

Travis Bell

Syndi Kyle

Shelby Harris and Sam Harris clean New Salem Baptist Church during Family Serve Day.

Woodpeckers

Nature’s Garbage

BY VICKI WILLIAMS

Have you ever thought about what the woods would look like if all the leaves, branches, acorns, animal scat (poop), dead animals and insects continually piled up? It wouldn’t be a very pleasant place to visit, that’s for sure! We would be buried in “stuff.” But nature has its own way of dealing with stuff. Everything is recycled efficiently through two distinct methods: scavengers and decomposition.

Scavengers are animals that eat anything they can find, dead or alive. It’s much easier to eat something dead than catch a live meal. Opossums, raccoons, vultures, crows and foxes are a few of the mammals that eat carrion. Also, many insects, such as beetles and maggots, are happy to partake in the feast.

Maybe you haven’t thought about it before, but you very seldom find small dead animals and insects in the woods. No mice, birds, voles, dragonflies. Occasionally, you will see the remains of larger animals, such as deer, opossums and rabbits, because it takes longer for their remains to be recycled.

Before wildlife rehabilitators release an opossum into the wild, they have to test it to ensure that it will be able to live in the wild successfully. One of the tests is giving it a dead animal and seeing if it will eat the carcass. If it does, the rehabilitated opossum is ready to be released. We all should be more grateful than we are that opossums inhabit our neighborhoods!

The process of breaking down organic material into simpler substances is called decomposition. We think of decomposition as a cleaner process and associate it more with plant matter (as well as scat) than we do with dead animals. Decomposing animals cause a much stronger emotional reaction when encountered.

Amazingly, recent research, particularly in old-growth forests, has shown that decomposing trees on the forest floor actually contain more living matter than live standing trees. This is true because of all the different organisms busily at work, turning the organic matter into fuel, energy and, eventually, soil to support new plant life. A dead tree is full of ants, worms, beetles, mites, grubs, fungi and bacteria, all breaking down the wood to get the nutrients that are locked up in it.

If you have a log pile at home, leave it for a few years and watch it decay. As it slowly decomposes, it becomes a very interesting pile. The longer it decays, the more birds love digging around in it, looking for worms, beetles, grubs and ants. They kick around the smaller pieces of wood, which hastens the decomposition process. If you understand how intertwined all parts of the natural world are and

Scavengers like opossums help with the decomposition of dead animals.

help with natural decay by spreading decaying organisms, like fungus, through the forest.

Disposal Service

the different steps/links in the food chain, you can watch nature at work without getting quite as upset.

One of my favorite food-chain memories is from a Wild Wednesday program at Sweetwater Creek State Park. It was the end of summer, and the yellow jackets were out and about. Yellow jackets are omnivores, meaning they will eat anything, including the remains of a crushed caterpillar or other insect. One year, we killed a caterpillar on a Wild Wednesday walk, and watching it being eaten by yellow jackets fascinated the children who had come along. Of course, we had to take some precautions to keep the young naturalists from becoming yellow jacket victims.

It’s so much easier to appreciate the beautiful flowers and trees, the gurgling streams and singing birds than the slow and quiet decomposers. However, I think we might need to revise our opinion about what is good and wonderful in nature. Even though it’s difficult, we have to admit we owe a debt of gratitude to opossums, raccoons, yellow jackets, fungi and bacteria!

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.

Dead trees actually are teeming with live organisms.

Rick Springfield Rocks Woodstock

PHOTOS BY JAXON MEEKS

On June 10, concertgoers filled Northside HospitalCherokee Amphitheater for the second show in the 2023 Woodstock Summer Concert Series lineup to see Australian American musician Rick Springfield take the stage. In fact, the amphitheater was packed with chairs within an hour of the time they were permitted to be placed on Friday. On Saturday, the crowd enjoyed giveaways at sponsor tables, food and drinks, and entertainment by Rosey before Springfield performed.

An estimated 14,300 people enjoyed the concert, held at Northside HospitalCherokee Amphitheater.

The headliner performed songs such as “Jessie’s Girl,” “Human Touch,” “Don’t Talk to Strangers” and more.

From left, Gina Mielko, Sue Mickle and Jennifer Lingerfelt are ready for the show to begin.

Tommy Chunders plays hacky sack before the concert.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

July

Atlanta Custom Tables

2825 Cobb International Blvd. Suite 110

July 20

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Young Professionals Happy Hour

5-8 p.m.

Pisano’s 2740 Summers St.

July 21

SUPER Women’s Lunch

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Copeland’s Kennesaw 1142 Barrett Parkway

July 25

Wake Up KBA

7:45-9 a.m.

Gaines Park Senior Living 1740 Old Highway 41

When Opportunity Knocks, Answer

BY KEVIN JABBARI

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“The land of opportunity. You just need the right people and the right work ethic, and you can accomplish anything.” — Bob Poser July, the month of freedom and opportunity, is here. Summer is in full swing, and it’s the perfect time to spend with friends and family, as well as try new opportunities.

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Stepping out of your comfort zone and taking chances can be scary, but you need to use opportunities to create a successful life. The crazy thing is you never know when they’re going to come. Timing is everything, right? If you have too much on your plate when an opportunity arises, you need to decide whether you can take it. If you have the time, always take advantage of it. You never know when an opportunity will change your life. We encourage you to jump on the next unexpected break that comes your way. Remember, there is no success without taking risks, working hard, being committed and persevering.

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This month is filled with great Kennesaw Business Association (KBA) events at which an opportunity might present itself. Our events kick off July 11 at 11 a.m. with our monthly KBA luncheon at the KSU Professional Building. Roof U.S. and Ecotech Services will be sponsoring this great event, where we will be hearing from Tim Fischer, president of Jackson and Coker. He will be discussing “(Un)Common-Sense for Leaders.”

The Young Professionals of KBA are excited to host their Happy Hour on July 20. Come out and network with business professionals under age 35. On July 21, the SUPER Women of Kennesaw are getting together at Copeland’s for a great lunch and networking. Four days later, we will be at Gaines Park Senior Living for Wake Up KBA, starting at 7:45 a.m. Start your day off right with earlymorning networking and breakfast with the KBA.

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“Whatever it is that you think you want to do and whatever it is that you think stands between you and that, stop making excuses. You can do anything.” — Katia Beauchamp, co-founder and CEO of Birchbox.

Female business leaders of today are doing amazing things. Save the date, Aug. 25, for the third annual Three-13 Salon, Spa & Boutique SUPER Women’s Conference. This will be an event filled with great speakers, an amazing panel, a marketplace, networking and more. Tickets are on sale now, and we promise, this is one you don’t want to miss.

We want to remind you to take advantage of all the opportunities that come your way this month. KBA events are a great way to get started, and we can’t wait to see you there!

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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 of each month for a luncheon, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., at the KSU Professional Building, 3333 Busbee Drive. See Page 42 for the monthly article written by KBA President Kevin Jabbari and a list of the other meetings hosted by KBA.

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.

Meet Our Networking Specialist!

Amanda Bowen is co-founder of Kennesaw Business Club (KBC) and a University of Tennessee at Chattanooga graduate. She lives in Kennesaw with her husband, Connally, and pets, Bender, Fry and Bowie. When you see her at events, be sure to say hello!

Business leaders network at the May Wake Up KBA event.

Guests enjoy quite a spread at Alive After 5 in March.

Forks & Flavors owners Darnell Morgan, left, and chef David Wilmott at Wake Up KBA in May.

Ollie Patterson, right, of Ollie Patterson Music with the guitarist who entertained the crowd at the March Alive After 5.

Cobb Photographic Society

Novice

Congratulations to everyone who entered the Cobb Photographic Society competition. The topic for May was “Composition: Balance,” and the guest judge was photographer Louis Tonsmeire. 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.

Joyce Harrison - First Place (Canyon Landing)

Color

Monochrome

Paul Shimek - First Place (Underground Lake)

Paul Shimek - First Place (Holy Trinity Cathedral)

@ the Library

Cobb County Public Library System

WEST COBB REGIONAL LIBRARY

1750 Dennis Kemp Lane, Kennesaw // 770-528-4699 www.cobbcat.org/venue/west-cobb-regional-library

10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Wednesdays ● 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays ● 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays ● 1-5 p.m. Sundays

July 10

Build and Battle: Pokemon, 3:30-5 p.m. Kids ages 8-14 will learn how to construct a basic 60-card Pokemon deck in the expanded format. Registration required.

July 11

D&D One-Shot, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Teens ages 13-17 can partake in a mini adventure through the worlds of Dungeons & Dragons. Registration required.

July 11, 25

Let’s Build With Lego, Blocks and Tiles, 2-3:30 p.m. Create your own structure or select a building challenge.

July 12

Sciencey Stuff: 3, 2, 1, Blast Off, 2-3 p.m. Kids entering grades 3-5 will learn about force, propulsion and trajectory by doing experiments with Stomp Rockets.

July 12, 19, 26, Aug. 2

Open Play and Family-Style Chess Instruction, 5:307:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Enjoy a game of chess with other experienced players or learn to play with five-minute mini games. The first Wednesday of each month is black-light chess.

July 13

Music in the Library: Live Classical Concert, noon-1 p.m. Listen to a mother and son duo play classical music.

July 13, 20, 27, Aug. 3

West Cobb Craft Club, Thursdays, 10 a.m.-noon. Knit, crochet, needlepoint or create jewelry with other crafters or learn how to do these types of crafts. All skill levels are welcome, especially beginners. Bring your craft supplies.

July 13, 27

Outdoor Survival Skills, 10-11:45 a.m. Tweens ages 9-12 will learn skills to help them be self-sufficient: outdoor wood skills for camping on July 13 and food prep for longterm storage on July 27. Registration required.

July 14

Lunchtime Movie Matinee: “The Bad Guys,” noon-1:40 p.m. Bring a lunch, and enjoy a movie.

July 17

All-Ages Pokemon Battle, 3-5 p.m. Test your skills in Pokemon TCG, Basic Battle, Pokecatch or Pokemon video games like Scarlet/Violet and Pokemon GO.

July 17-22

Teen Take and Make: Macrame Hanging Planter, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Teens ages 12-17 can pick up a kit and make the planter at home.

July 18

TTRPG DIYs, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Learn to make your own accessories for tabletop role-playing games.

July 19

TTRPG for Kids, 2-3 p.m. Kids will be introduced to the Hero Kids system for tabletop role-playing games. Registration required.

July 20

Thursday Explorers: STEAM, 11 a.m.-noon. Kids in grades pre-K-2 will make a rolled paper sculpture.

July 21

Vinyl Record Painting, 2-3 p.m. Teens ages 12-17 will use acrylic paint to create a work of art on an old record.

July 24

Pokemon Club: Summer Edition, 3-5 p.m. Kids ages 6-14 can trade cards, battle each other in Pokemon GO or a video game, challenge others with 60-card Pokemon decks, take a coloring sheet or read the in-house Pokemon book collection.

The West Cobb Fourth Monday Book Discussion meets 6:30-7:30 p.m. and covers a variety of literature, including fiction, nonfiction, classics and new releases. The July book will be “These Impossible Things” by Salma El-Wardany.

July 25

Pathfinder One-Shot: A Fistful of Flowers, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Teens ages 13-17 can participate in a one-shot in the Pathfinder 2e system. Registration required.

July 28

Lunchtime Movie Matinee: “The Little Prince,” noon1:50 p.m. Bring a lunch, and enjoy a movie.

July 29

Thimble and Thread Quilting Meetup, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Enjoy a day of stitching and chatting with other quilters.

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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 gettogether 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.

WEST COBB SENIOR CENTER

4915 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs // 770-528-8200 www.cobbcounty.org/public-services/senior-services/west-cobb-senior-center Registration is required for all activities; no walk-ins allowed. Call the center to register or visit https://bit.ly/3PMJ6U5.

July 11

Diabetes Management, 10-11 a.m. Learn how blood pressure, weight, cholesterol and blood sugar can work for you instead of against you.

Paint and Sip, 1-3 p.m. Create a work of art while sipping on something sweet.

July 12

Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Park Challenge: Part 4, 9:30-11 a.m. Explore the park trails continuing with the middle section. Meet at 649 Cheatham Hill Drive.

July 14

Peace of Mind Checklist, 10-11 a.m. Learn about documents every person needs, including wills, powers of attorney, Georgia directive health care and preplanning documents.

Reel Good Movie, 1-3 p.m. Call for the title.

July 17

True Stories of the Medical Examiner’s Office, 11 a.m.-noon. Explore the world of forensic investigation by looking at a day in the life of a medical examiner.

July 19

Fancy Fold Cards, 10 a.m.-noon. Create fancy fold cards for those special people.

July 21

Bocce Ball. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Enjoy playing this relaxing but strategic yard game.

July 24

Scam Prevention, 10 a.m.-noon. Learn scam-prevention techniques to protect your identity and your wallet.

July 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.

July 26

Walk West Cobb: Lost Mountain Park. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Meet up and explore the park at 4915 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs.

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 DJ.

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.