Around Woodstock

Letter From the Editor

I’m happy to say that the staff at Aroundabout Local Media is busier than ever, uniting the communities we serve. That number has risen to five, with the addition of Around Kennesaw! Starting this month, 17,000 copies of this hyperlocal publication will be distributed by mail and in racks throughout that historic city.

It’s become clear as we’ve prepared the first issue that Kennesaw residents and business owners are happy to hear we’ve come to their town. I’ve enjoyed learning more about the city in this process. Did you know it was called Big Shanty from the time it was established on a railroad line in the 1830s until it was incorporated as the city of Kennesaw in 1887?

I’ll be sure to wave that premier issue at those who declare print is dead. I’m here to say it isn’t! Aroundabout Local Media has created a successful model of bringing positive and relevant information to our readers, while helping our local businesses prosper and grow. It began with the first issue of the TowneLaker, published 25 years ago. The longevity of this publication and its parent company, with new magazines added throughout the years, shows that our readers still love to get a sleek, glossy product in their mailboxes, absorb it from cover to cover, and keep it on the coffee table to refer to throughout the month.

In a small way, I feel like we’ve become a part of your family. We often hear from our readers, and we love sharing their news with you. A perfect example is this month’s pickleball feature. Mike Walls reached out a few months ago to tell us about his teammate Linda Mummert’s efforts in making pickleball more accessible. Turn to Page 18 to find out how the country’s fastest growing sport is holding court in Cherokee County.

I haven’t attended all the July 4 parades in Woodstock, but I’m guessing this year’s crowd was one of the largest the city has seen in recent years. See the highlights on Pages 14-15.

With these glimpses into our community, we hope to continue enhancing the local culture and fostering a sense of pride in our special county. I know that after 42 (GULP) years in the business of print media, I could not be more proud to be a part of this industry. And yes, I started when I was 10, in case you were wondering.

Kindness Challenge of the Month

Sweeten Someone’s Day. When checking out at the grocery store, ask your cashier what their favorite candy bar is, and buy it for them. A sweet treat is almost always welcomed!

Candi Hannigan is the executive editor of Aroundabout Local Media. She has lived in Cherokee County since 1987. Send your comments or questions to Candi@AroundaboutMagazines.com.

Welcome!

Graphic designer Savannah Winn has joined the Aroundabout Local Media staff. The Georgia native graduated from Kennesaw State University in 2020 with a bachelor’s of fine arts in graphic communications and a minor in marketing. When she is not working, Savannah enjoys other artistic pursuits, including ceramics and painting. She also loves swing dancing, and enjoys local events and traveling across the country.

What’s New

Christian Brothers Automotive Woodstock at 111 Claremore Drive, is owned by George and Libby Juarez, who offer services ranging from oil changes to engine replacements for all makes and models. 678-935-6882. www.cbac.com/woodstock.

Woodstock Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center

has opened at 3338 Trickum Road, and offers a mix of multidisciplinary services. www.hopebridge.com/centers/ woodstock-ga.

Holbrook of Woodstock recently celebrated its grand opening at 13682 Highway 92, where active adults can choose independent living, assisted living or memory care. 404-476-8520. www.holbrooklife.com.

Findlay Rowe Designs Gift Shop & Boutique, at 102 Fowler St., Woodstock, carries unique gifts, apparel, jewelry, monogrammed items, frames, candles, baby and collegiate items. On Facebook.

Perimeter Orthopaedics has a new location in Woodstock at 281 Heritage Walk, where it offers comprehensive surgical, non-surgical, regenerative and diagnostic services. www.perimeterortho.com.

Kudos

A raffle held by the Woodstock Public Safety Foundation raised more than $10,000 for the family of Officer Joe Burson, the Holly Springs policeman killed recently while on duty.

Salon and Spa Venessa owner, Venessa Lanier, is celebrating the 30th anniversary of her business, at 8516 Main St., Woodstock, with specials and events continuing throughout this month. 770-591-2079. www.salonvenessa.com. The city of Woodstock earned the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association, recognizing the city’s comprehensive annual financial report for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2020.

Around Acworth | Around Canton | Around Kennesaw Around Woodstock | TowneLaker

Our Mission

Helping local businesses grow and prosper by offering affordable advertising opportunities in a quality publication that provides positive, relevant information to our readers.

Results With Us

“We advertised on the front cover of Around Woodstock in July 2020. We were unprepared for the amazing and positive response we received. Our business picked up greatly and we got some amazing new customers from this awesome community. When we do it again, I will be better prepared for our increase in business." — Lori Kennedy, Alpha & Omega Automotive

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Patty Ponder, ALM President 770-615-3322 Patty@AroundaboutMagazines.com

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Publisher Aroundabout Local Media, Inc. www.aroundaboutlocalmedia.com

ALM President Patty Ponder 770-615-3322 Patty@AroundaboutMagazines.com

Executive Editor Candi Hannigan 770-615-3309 Candi@AroundaboutMagazines.com

Managing Editor Katie Beall 770-852-8481 Katie@AroundaboutMagazines.com Assistant Editor Jessica Forrester 770-615-3318 Jessica@AroundaboutMagazines.com Art Director Michelle McCulloch 770-615-3307 Michelle@AroundaboutMagazines.com Page Designer Laura Latchford Laura@AroundaboutMagazines.com

Graphic Designer Savannah Winn Savannah@AroundaboutMagazines.com Controller Denise Griffin 770-615-3315 Denise@AroundaboutMagazines.com

Social Media Manager Kathryn Holt Kat@AroundaboutMagazines.com

Market & Advertising Specialist Michelle Smith Michelle.Smith@AroundaboutMagazines.com Copy Editors Bill King, Eliza Somers

Around Woodstock, a publication of Aroundabout Local Media, Inc., is a monthly community magazine. The magazine’s mission is helping local businesses grow and prosper by offering affordable advertising opportunities in a quality publication that provides positive, relevant information to our readers. It distributes a total of 17,000 free copies. Approximately 16,600 are direct mailed to homes and businesses and an additional 400 are placed in racks around the community. Around Woodstock also has many digital viewers of the magazine online each month.

Around Woodstock welcomes your comments, stories, and advertisements. The deadline is the 10th of the previous month.

Subscriptions are available for $24 per year. Send check or money order to the address below.

The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists and submissions are not necessarily those of the editor/publisher and the publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. Around Woodstock is not responsible for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved. Copyright 2021

Around Woodstock

1025 Rose Creek Drive, PMB 380, Suite 620, Woodstock, GA 30189

Volume 8, Issue 10

America’s Community Magazine

Russell Vaudrey, daughter Sharon Volk and great grandson Dennis Volk, stand behind the wooden flag made especially for the veteran. Officers are, from left: Shane Bonebrake, Martin Kiefer and JoAn Willingham of Woodstock Police.

WWII Veteran Enjoys Birthday Surprise Befitting a Hero

Above, Vaudrey in a photo from 1943. Below, family and neighbors gathered on the veteran’s front lawn to greet the officers.

World War II veteran Russell Vaudrey received a rather noisy surprise to help him celebrate his 99th birthday on July 10. Woodstock Police Officer Shane Bonebrake organized a caravan of 15 police and fire vehicles - with lights flashing and sirens blaring - to visit the veteran at his Towne Lake home.

Bonebrake met Vaudrey, who served in WWII as a master sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps, at LongHorn Steakhouse. Vaudrey was wearing a WWII veteran hat, and when Bonebrake went over to thank him for his service, he learned the veteran was about to celebrate his 99th birthday. After a bit of planning with Vaudrey’s daughter and members of area public service agencies, Bonebrake organized a drive-in birthday party.

“When I met this guy, I immediately saw my grandpa in him. I thought that I wanted to honor him for his birthday,” Bonebrake said. “My grandpa was a WWII veteran; he was one of my heroes.”

Vaudrey’s daughter, Sharon, and other family members, were with him in the front yard, taking birthday photos, when representatives of the Woodstock, Canton and Holly Springs police departments, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department and Marshal’s Office, Woodstock Fire and Cherokee County Fire/EMS arrived.

“We have a living hero in Woodstock, so we were going to celebrate him,” Bonebrake said. “We were going to make some noise.”

Bonebrake presented Vaudrey with his favorite cake from Alpine Bakery, a gift certificate to LongHorn steakhouse, and a wooden flag made by fireman David Sargenski and signed by public service personnel from around Cherokee County.

Stay tuned. Plans for the 100th birthday celebration are underway, but don’t tell Mr. Vaudrey! It’s going to be a surprise that Bonebrake promises will be unforgettable.