Around Acworth Letter From the Editor
I’ve come to the conclusion that there are two often overlooked attributes that kids seem to have in abundance compared with adults — a sense of hope, and zero concept of time. The latter usually is looked at as a negative, and becomes glaringly obvious every time a parent attempts to get a small child ready and out the door by a certain time. No amount of encouragement will make a toddler move any faster. My 2-year old will just look at me and say, “It’s late Mommy?” “Yes, we’re running late, now stop playing with your breakfast and eat it.” Then, on the way to the car, she’ll make a few pit stops to make sure she has the right baby doll and blanket combo, and then to look at something that catches her eye in the recycling bin. A month and half ago, we saw the positive side of Parker’s lack of understanding time. On our way to a new playground, we passed our church, which is not a part of our normal route anymore, due to changes in routine brought on by the pandemic. As Parker realized what we were approaching, she got excited and started cheering “My church, my church!” We told her it was still closed, but asked if she wanted to drive through the parking lot to get a better look. While driving around the empty parking lot, she was happy and, with such confidence, she said, “Church is closed, Mommy Daddy, but it’ll open soon.” Lacking that same confidence I said, “I hope so.” And my sweet, wise tot said “Mommy Daddy, it’ll open soon.” Soon. What does soon mean? The reopening of our church’s services had been postponed, and there was no new date in sight, but she was hopeful that soon would come. In a way, she was right; we were closer to soon than we were five months ago. Lo and behold, as I write this, our church announced its doors will open this Sunday. The phased reopening doesn’t include any children’s programming, so, for now, we’ll continue attending virtually from home. But, we’re one step closer to soon, one step closer to the day we can take our little hopeful, time-deficient tot through those doors and see her light up just by walking in the building. Speaking of childlike hope, you don’t want to miss all the smiling back-to-school faces on Page 42. Despite crazy circumstances, these happy kiddos are excited and hopeful for this school year. Since hope seems to be the theme this month, see how Katie Gibson and her team at Rooted Moms (Page 40) are helping mothers thrive in every season of life, while the Cobb Community Services Board offers helpful tips and resources to those struggling with mental health during the pandemic (Page 20). On Page 22, Vicki Davis shines a light on a ministry offering support and hope to caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. I hope to see you Around Acworth, soon!
K atie Beall Katie Beall is editor of Around Acworth. Send your comments or questions to Katie@AroundaboutMagazines.com.
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AROUND ACWORTH | September 2020
Noteworthy
Before long, Acworth businesses and nonprofits that qualified will be receiving $500 in grant funds, thanks to the Acworth CARES Grant Program. Mayor Tommy Allegood and the Board of Aldermen approved the program to assist locally owned and operated small businesses and nonprofits that have experienced interruptions due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The grant program is not a loan; recipients of these relief funds will not be required to repay the city. A total of $500,000 in grant funding was available, and allocated to the city from the Cobb County government through the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Funds will be used for business needs, such as equipment rentals, utility payments, marketing, rehiring staff and safety supplies.
Your Input Needed
Cherokee County needs your input on the Southwest Cherokee Parks and Trails plan, which reaches the Acworth area. The virtual public input meeting is Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. Email BDReynolds@ CherokeeGA.com for information.
Who’s Coming
Census takers may be knocking on your door. The completion deadline has been moved up to Sept. 30, so the push is on to hire more census takers and canvas the county. To avoid a visit, respond online at www.2020Census.gov or by phone, 844-330-2020. If someone visits your home to collect 2020 Census information, they will have a valid ID badge with their photograph, which will have a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark and an expiration date.
