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2 AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022 In Every Issue 4 Around Kennesaw 27 Local News 34 Rob’s Rescues 40 Celebrations 44 Photo Page - Little Library 47 Growing Gardeners 48 Cobb Photographic Society 50 Community Calendar 52 Senior Events 55 Directory of Advertisers 56 Downtown Dining Guide Contributors 24 Jennifer Bonn 42 Andrew Bramlett 14 Vicki Davis 26 Dana Dorris 10 Derek Easterling 54 Greg Fonzeno 22 Tiffany Hughes 35 Susannah MacKay 34 Rob Macmillan 46 Mount Paran School 53 Denson Pepper 45 C.A. Phillips 24 Joseph Prass 32 Susan Schulz 38 Nicole Smith 30 Elisabeth Stubbs 47 Robert Trawick 12 Bill Westenberger September 2022Contents 8 On the Cover Silver Comet Village Outdoor activities, like dining and cornhole, at this senior living community are popular with the residents. Another perk of the village is proximity to the Silver Comet Trail — just yards away! Pages 28 & 29 Cover photo by Red Baryl Portraits. 16 Features 8 Lofty Honor Two teachers from Harrison High and Awtrey Middle move one step closer to being named Cobb Schools’ Teacher of the Year. 14 Cherishing Our Elders Pay your respects to valuable members of the family by celebrating Grandparents Day. 16 Autumn Athletics Coaches from Harrison, Kennesaw Mountain and North Cobb preview their teams as the fall sports season goes into full swing. 14
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Bridal for Best 2023
The start of the school year also signals the start of fall sports at the local high schools. Find out what the coaches of the fall teams at Harrison, Kennesaw Mountain and North Cobb think about this year in their season previews on Pages 16-20. And, speaking of fall sports, check out all the great tailgating recipes from Tiffany Hughes on Pages 22-23.
Donna Harris
Upcoming Ribbon Cutting
What’s Coming?
Rich’s Car Wash — Sept. 9 1660 Old 41 Highway, Kennesaw Happy Anniversary!
Ribbon Cutting Northwest Classical Academy 3010 Cobb Parkway, Kennesaw 470-502-9700, www.nwclassical.org
Whataburger is coming to Kennesaw. The popular fast-food chain is building its first restaurant in Kennesaw at 705 Town Park Lane and plans to hire 180 employees at that location.
August marked the one-year anniversary of Around Kennesaw , and all of us at Aroundabout Local Media are thrilled with the results from the first year. As we enter our second year, we will continue offering you, our readers, the positive, uplifting features you expect and hope to welcome more advertisers into the fold. Here’s to many more years of success!
I was at home that morning, and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing on my TV screen. Militants were using commercial airplanes like missiles to destroy important American landmarks and ended up killing 2,977 innocent people who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I was terrified.
While we’ll never forget that awful day in our history, it’s nice that it’s now recognized for something good — the National Day of Service. I hope you will find a way to show your appreciation to our public servants or a charitable organization or to perform some kind of community service in memory of those who lost their lives on 9/11. We can’t let evil win.
Happy reading!
Letter From the Editor
Around Kennesaw 4 AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022
So many questions were running through my mind. Should I pick up my son from school early or hope he could be shielded from this tragedy a little longer? Where would the terrorists strike next? There were so many possibilities. Was the president safe? Only one president has been assassinated in my lifetime — but I don’t remember it — and I wanted to keep it thatAsway.the daughter of a retired firefighter, I was watching the firefighters who were running into buildings that everyone else was running out of, and I wondered how many of them wouldn’t come back out.
Anyone old enough to remember 2001 knows exactly where he or she was when the news broke about the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, as well as the bravery of the Flight 93 passengers and crew, who kept their captors from hitting a fourth target.
Donna Harris is the managing editor of Aroundabout Local Media. She’s a veteran journalist with newspaper and magazine experience and is excited to bring her expertise to ALM. Email her at donna@aroundaboutmagazines.com.
It also was unsettling to know the planes that hit the twin towers both took off from Logan International Airport in Boston, the very airport my son and I had flown out of when we moved back to Cobb County just six months earlier.
This September also boasts another important day of remembrance on Sept. 11 — Grandparents Day. All of my grandparents are gone, but I’ll get to celebrate being Dani’s nana for the first time. Read about Vicki Davis’ memories of her grandparents, as well as her experiences as a grandma, on Pages 14-15.
Do you want to take part in an online poll to find the best wedding service providers in northwest Georgia? Get ready to say, I do! Our poll will be ready for you to vote Oct. 1-31 at www.aroundaboutlocalmedia.com. Results will be posted Jan. 1 and will be included in Around Kennesaw.
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Volume 2, Issue 2 America’s Community Magazine 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. www.aroundkennesawmagazine.com @around_kennesaw@aroundkennesaw Advertise With Us Get Social With Us! Around Acworth | Around Canton Around Kennesaw | Around Woodstock | Getwww.aroundaboutlocalmedia.comTowneLakerResultsWithUs Kim Dahnke, President 770-778-5314 | kim@aroundaboutmagazines.com ← Subscribe to our newsletter! “ If any businessman/woman wants the most bang for their buck, advertise with Aroundabout Local Media! Every person involved in this magazine is a top-notch professional, and such a joy to work with.” - Teena Regan, 22one Realty Co. 6 AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022
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Around Kennesaw, a publication of Aroundabout Local Media, Inc., is a community magazine with 17,000 free copies distributed monthly. Approximately 16,600 are direct mailed to homes and businesses and an additional 400 are placed in racks in the Aroundcommunity.Kennesaw welcomes your comments, stories and advertisements. The deadline is the 10th of the previous month. Subscriptions are available for $24 per year. Send check or money order to: Around Kennesaw, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, PMB 380, Suite 620, Woodstock, GA 30189. The viewpoints of the advertisers, 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.
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AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022 7
“I would encourage anyone who has the opportunity to apply for the Cobb County School District to come and work with us,” the 12-year educator said. “Cobb has been great just from the people that I've worked with and the relationships. I feel there is no place like it.”
“I love teaching because it is an opportunity to be able to meet different kids,” he said. “There is just something about being able to talk to students, to see how they can grow, how you can help them and be a part of their life.”
The social studies teacher’s passion for teaching was as clear as the smile on his face when Ragsdale congratulated him. Teaching is his calling.
I’ve seen what [teachers] can do. That’s one of the reasons why I love being in this profession.”
SUBMITTED BY COBB SCHOOLS
8 AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022
Cobb’s High School Level Teacher of the Year Jordan Motsinger from Harrison Kiel, and their sons, Merritt, 18 months, and Holden, 5. Photo courtesy of Cobb
“I love teaching in Cobb and working at Harrison because it’s a big family,” she said. “We support each other. We have incredible collaborative teams, and we have a lot of fun together. It’s a great environment, and I’m so grateful to have spent my career here so far. I’ve learned so much from my mentors and our administration.”
Tucker, the Middle School Level Teacher of the Year, pointed to the students as the reason he returns to the classroom year after year.
Tucker has been living out his dream as a teacher, serving Cobb students since 2015, and he has some advice for future teachers.
Kennesaw Boasts 2 School-Level Teachers of Year
Motsinger, Cobb’s High School Level Teacher of the Year, praised the relationships she has built at Harrison as one reason she loves her job.
Derrick Tucker from Awtrey Middle School was named Cobb’s Middle School Level Teacher of the Year last month. Photo courtesy of Cobb Schools.
For three Cobb teachers, their first day back to prepare for the new school year might be their best one yet. Superintendent Chris Ragsdale surprised them with the news that they’d been selected the 2022 Cobb Schools Teachers of the Year (TOTY) for the three school levels. Two of the teachers work at schools in Kennesaw: Derrick Tucker from Awtrey Middle and Jordan Motsinger from Harrison High. The elementary TOTY is Jenifer Mitacek from Argyle Elementary in Smyrna. “This is one of my favorite days of the school year,” Ragsdale said. “I look forward to welcoming our teachers back on the first day and recognizing our outstanding educators who make Cobb Schools the best place to teach, lead and learn.”
“It was something that I’ve always wanted to do from the time that I was in high school, having that opportunity to be able to make a difference,” Tucker said. “I know that a lot of times, you hear people say, ‘I want to really make a difference,’ but that’s something I’ve seen.
At press time, the school district planned to announce the system winner, who will represent Cobb County in the state competition, in late August.
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Motsinger has a new inspiration for the new school year as she carries the title of the high school level TOTY.“I’mvery honored, and I look at it as a responsibility to continue working hard for our students and continuing to help make Cobb the best place to teach, lead and learn,” she said after the announcement.
Harrison High School celebrates her win with her husband, Cobb Schools.
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The competition cheer head coach has taught English at Harrison her entire eight-year teaching career and loves sharing her passion for literature. She hopes her students are inspired by her class in the same way her high school teacher inspired her.
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“I teach because I was raised by an educator who instilled in me at a very young age a love for literature and writing,” she said. “My mom taught me to see how wonderful teenagers can be and how much they have to bring to the table in terms of their creativity and their ideas. So my mom really inspired me to teach, and now I do it because I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
Erika K. Orcutt, Esq. AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022 9
What do you see in the picture to the left? Do you see a fashionable young woman or a sad-looking old woman? Our paradigms — the way most of us see things in the world, right or wrong — are the foundation of our attitudes and behaviors and directly influence the relationships we have with one another. Things aren’t always what you believe them to be. In his book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” Stephen Covey uses this image to begin his writing about a new way of thinking and building a foundation centered on principles overWhatpersonality.Coveywrites
A Different Kind of Challenge
A Word From Mayor Derek Easterling
The city of Kennesaw invites area residents, families, neighborhoods, nonprofits, civic and faith-based organizations, local businesses, schools, local sports teams and athletic clubs to design and create a scarecrow to display on Main Street this fall for the third annual Scarecrows on Main display. The city will upload photos of each scarecrow to its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CityofKennesaw, and members of the community will be invited to cast their votes for their favorite scarecrows. The Top 3 scarecrows will receive a People’s Choice award, and the scarecrow with the most votes will win bragging rights and a $100 prize. Second place will receive a $50 prize, and third place will get a $25 prize. A $25 application fee to the Kennesaw Downtown Development Authority is required with each entry. All money raised will be used to promote the downtown area through beautification projects and events. The application and information packets can be found on the city’s website at forscarecrowsonmain,www.kennesaw-ga.gov/andthedeadlineapplicationsisSept.12.
H ello, Kennesaw, and welcome to fall, y’all!
10 AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022
about our Circle of Influence and Circle of Control causes me to think about my dad and how he has lived his life. My dad is almost 85 years old and chooses to work every day. His life is principlecentered and focused on becoming the best version of himself by achieving his goals through hard work and diligence.Hehas impressed upon me that there is no single concept, shortcut, quick fix or approach to creating success outside of being true to yourself and beginning the process by looking within. The way we define success might be different, but the way we get there is based on our own positive character traits. The way we respond to situations and events in our lives also is based on these traits. We might not have a choice in what happens to us, but we certainly have a choice in how we respond. Each action or response has a consequence, albeit good or bad, but how we respond still is our choice to make. I pray your September is filled with goodness and that blessings abound for you and yourGodfamily.bless you!
Derek Easterling has served as Kennesaw’s mayor since 2016. He is dedicated to serving his community to the highest level possible.
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BY BILL WESTENBERGER
Reading, ArithmeticWriting,andSafety
12 AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022
Kennesaw police officer Josh Ange, who routinely visits local schools to connect with the students, is excited about the 2022-23 school year.
Bill Westenberger has served as chief since 2008. He was given the 2019 Kennesaw Citizen of the Year Award.
And just like that, the school summer holiday is over. Students are back in classes, buses and traffic are back, and new student experiences have begun. All the “first day” social media posts have populated the news feeds. Excitement and anxieties are present for students, parents, teachers and school administrators, all looking for success in Witheducation.thehorrific Uvalde tragedy in our recent past, it’s difficult not to see things through a different filter. Recognizing young people are one of the most treasured parts of our lives, we must do all we can to provide safe environments for them to thrive. Our amazing school system goes above and beyond to keep everyone safe. But as with everything else in a community, they can’t do it alone. It takes all of us doing our part to make theLikedifference.manyyears in the past, our Kennesaw Police Department team took time to make connections with the school leaders in our community prior to the students’ return. We wanted to rekindle all relationships from last spring and let the school administrators and officers know we are with them. During the first weeks of class, we visited the campuses, with the intent to show our support. We have been able to share the new school year excitement with many, and we will make sure to keep our connections strong throughout the year.
One of our biggest challenges during the school year is traffic. Please prepare for more congestion by giving yourself plenty of time to arrive at your destination safely. We will be out doing our part to help keep the roads as safe as possible. Police traffic enforcement is not enjoyable for anyone; we would enjoy voluntary compliance much more.
As we all get used to the new school year, let’s do our part to keep one another as safe as possible. Let’s “see something, say something,” drive safely and stay patient. Together, we can all get an Until“A.”next time, stay safe.
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BY VICKI DAVIS
Parents benefit from knowing their children are cared for by those who truly love them as their own. Involved grandparents can offer parents a welldeserved respite from their parenting duties, allowing them to focus on themselves and each other. By helping to relieve the stress of parenting, marriages, as well as the children, are strengthened. My parents and my in-laws were very supportive to me as a young mother. I could not have parented our sons as well without their influence, encouragement and hands-on involvement in our lives. For many families, grandparents are much more than secondary parents or doting elderly relatives for their grandchildren. In 2018, 10% of the estimated 70 million grandparents living in the United States resided with a grandchild, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. These grandparents are fulfilling parental roles and providing stability when parents are unable to raise their children due to hardships from divorce, illness, addiction, incarceration or death. Often at great personal sacrifice, grandparents provide safety nets for their families. And 38% of all grandparents provide babysitting or child care for their grandchildren (www. retireguide.com). It takes a family! Time spent with my paternal grandparents on their Acworth farm remains among my fondest childhood memories. Grandmother was a lighthearted woman who lived a simple life in her four-room farmhouse. When her grandchildren were with her, she made us feel extra special. She played cards with us at night and did creative things with us outside, like making mud pies and fashioning clothes with leaves and twigs under the shade tree. She sewed quilts for her four granddaughters’ high school graduations, and those are valued heirlooms. On my
Grandparenthood — It’s Definitely GRAND!
In his infinite wisdom, my father-inlaw — father of four and grandfather of nine — believed grandparents are a refuge for their grandchildren. I agree, but I also have observed how everyone in the family benefits when grandparents
“Being a grandparent is indescribable,” they said. “It’s like having your children all over again, only better!” they said. “You love them like your own children, maybe more!” they said.
I heard all the comments from grandparents and thought they were a little obsessed with their grandchildren — until I became a grandmother. The awestruck feeling I had when I laid eyes on our first grandchild, a baby boy and our only grandson, is hard to put into words. I finally got it. I understood what all those grandparents before me meant when they said, “You just can’t explain it.” Since that day in 2011, we’ve been blessed with five granddaughters. Our grandparent quiver is full of arrows; our hearts are full of unexplainable joy. Yes, grandparenthood is grand!
Children benefit greatly by having someone who loves them like their parents and might be more available. Grandparents provide unconditional love, a seasoned perspective on the world and a willingness and ability to spend time with their grandchildren. No longer encumbered with managing careers and busy households, grandparents are free to invest their most valuable asset of time. Using the wisdom they gained from raising their children, grandparents might be grateful for a second chance at parenting in this season of their life and enthusiastically become an entertainment committee for their grandchildren. With the grandchild’s best interest at heart, they are a close friend and confidant with a wealth of knowledge and patience, all rolled up into a secondary parent figure.
14 AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022
AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022 15
My grandfather took us to the swimmin’ hole, popped corn over the fire on a wintry night and fetched watermelon from the field on a hot summer day. A man of few words, he walked me around the forest, helping me gather and identify leaves for my school project. I cherish the white oak splint baskets he crafted for me. For my paternal grandparents, love was an action word.
All four of our sons’ grandparents were very involved in their lives and attended most of their sporting, school and church events, cheering them on and showing interest in their activities. One grandfather taught them about science, computers and electronics, while the other grandfather took them hiking and fishing, teaching them about the outdoors. One grandmother played bingo and always served their favorite foods, while the other grandmother instilled the love of music in them and took them on adventures to the park and Dairy Queen. Each expressed his or her love in unique and thoughtful ways. They, along with my own grandparents, set very high standards for me as a grandmother.
My goal as Grandmama to our six precious grandchildren is to love them unconditionally while supporting our sons and daughters-in-law in their parenting efforts. My husband, aka Granddaddy, and I seek to complement the spiritual, disciplinary and educational values they are instilling in our grandchildren. We miss our first four grandchildren, as they aren’t local, but we make every effort to be a part of their world with FaceTime, letters and occasional visits. Our lives are enriched as we spend time weekly with our twin toddler granddaughters, and we are thankful we are available to help when needed, as we benefit greatly from the double Numerousjoy.studies have shown how grandparents experience better mental and physical health and a higher quality of life when they are involved in their grandchildren’s lives. I concur! With healthy boundaries, the grandparentto-grandchild dynamic enriches the lives of every family member, especially grandparents. Grandchildren are God’s healing balm for the aging soul. Truly every good and perfect gift is from above, and I thank him for the gift of grandparenthood. As we celebrate Grandparents’ Day on Sept. 11, reach out to the grandparents in your family with appreciation and affirmation for the important and impactful role they fulfill. Yes, grandparenthood is grand!
wedding day 40 years ago, she ironed my clothes in my bedroom, and her presence was a calming force on a very anxietyridden day. I visited her frequently on The Farm, the one place in my life that never changed. She welcomed me with tea cakes and coffee at my special place at the table and listened attentively as I shared my heart with her. When I moved near The Farm, she spent time in my home, loving on her great-grandsons.
Vicki Davis’ paternal grandparents, Raymond “Blue” and Clem Graves of Acworth, around 1970.
Vicki Davis, an Atlanta native, visited her parents’ hometown of Acworth growing up. Her family moved to the area in 1987. Family is her focus; writing is her passion.
Head Coach Shane Queen The 2022 North Cobb football team was excited to get the season started. Since a heartbreaking loss to Roswell in the playoffs, the senior class has provided great leadership and has had a great offseason in the classroom and weight room and on the practice field. The Warriors boasted a 3.2 GPA at the end of the season. Coming off back-to-back 10-2 seasons and two straight region championships, the coaches and 13-player leadership council worked on “the little things” during the offseason and stressed accountability. The offseason and summer workouts had great attendance and have resulted in strength improvement and development. The senior class will be the strength of the Warrior team. The offense returns six starters, and on the defensive side, six starters return as well. The offense is led by all-state quarterback Malachi Singleton, who had 51 touchdowns his junior year, with 26 coming through the air. Malachi is committed to The University of Arkansas. Ben Hall returns at running back and is committed to The University of Michigan. David Mbadinga will split time in the backfield. The offensive line is led by three-year starters Blake Ellsworth, Marselle Felton and Robert Grigsby, who is committed to North Carolina. Zach Addison and Dominique Moody also will start on the line. The wide receiver group is new but very talented. The only returning starter is David Eziomume. Elijah Lee, Xavier Jackson, Branch Bennett and T.J. Smith give Singleton many targets.Thedefensive line has Dylan Mann, Brian Graham, Josh Keyes, Ethan Jones, Dominique Moody and Orlando Wilson competing for playing time. The linebacker corps is led by returning starters Kam Owens, Andrew Trelles and Ben Trelles. Taizon Perkins will be a valuable part of the linebacker group. The defensive backfield returns
The Warriors have one of the toughest schedules in the state. They opened with a scrimmage against defending state champion Collins Hill on Aug. 12. Nonregion games with Westlake, Milton, Buford, Marietta and Northside Warner Robins will prepare the Warriors for their Region 5 Class 7A contests.
NORTH A Preview for Football
Volleyball Head Coach Stephen Sansing
North Cobb volleyball had a great 2021 season, compiling a 30-14 record while maintaining a Top 5 ranking in the state all season. However, after advancing to the Sweet 16, we had the toughest second-round matchup in the state with No. 2 Alpharetta. We lost a five-set thriller, but it gave us valuable experience for this upcoming season. 2022 should be another strong season, with an even longer run in the state playoffs.North Cobb returns 13 varsity players, including 10 players with significant starting experience from a year ago. The team is led in hitting by senior Jaidyn Garcia. Garcia was an all-region and first-team all-state selection last season, as she was one of the best right-side hitters in the state. Our returning outside hitters are junior Nikol Antova and sophomore Sara Boyle, both providing significant power from the outside. We have four-year varsity starters in seniors Laila Hixon (setter), Elena Brown (defensive specialist/libero) and Ryanne Fazio (right side). Hixon recorded her 1,000th assist midway through last season, and we will be leaning on her heavily again this year. Brown has been a primary passer for us since she was a freshman, and Fazio has been a starter at right side since her freshman season as well. All three will be counted on as leaders of our team.
We have three middles who started last year for significant stretches and are ready for breakout years. Senior three starters: Quentin Ajiero — a Duke commit — Caleb Jenkins and Jordan Lonas. Cayden Trotter and Phillip Gladney will push those guys for playing time. Senior kicker Javier Morales returns to the special teams.
16 AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022
Mackenzie Mathews is a two-time second-team allregion selection who is poised to finish her North Cobb softball career on a high note. Returning juniors include Aubrey King, Samantha Mathews, Lauren Byrd and Soleil Smith, all of whom have been mainstays since their freshman year. Returning sophomores Rileigh Queen, Kate Self and Audrey Ward are extremely versatile in the field and at the plate. As for the freshman class, which can be best described as a blue-collared group, it is bringing a new type of competitiveness to the team. A great mix of talent, offensively and defensively, is providing excitement as the Warriors look for continued growth and success this season.
Flag Football Head Coach Bailey Arnaud
Cross-Country Head Coach John Huff Coach John Huff and the North Cobb cross-country Warriors are excited to be in a new region this fall. Neither squad qualified for state last year, but we are a determined, hardworking group with big expectations for the 2022 season.
Head Coach Mike Turchan In the previous two seasons, the Warriors have been a young and gritty bunch, all while playing in a very demanding region. With experience now on their side, the team’s 2022 campaign is an optimistic one, with several key returning starters.
Jasmin Edwards, junior Titomi Adeyinka and sophomore Carys Sanabria bring talent to the court and are blocking machines. Sophomore Oliva Boyle will be counted on this year as both a setter and right-side hitter. She started the first half of last season before sustaining an ankle injury, but she is back now and better than ever. Our third setter, junior Anabell Gordon, has impressed this summer and has helped us win some big games the last few weeks. We have several returning and new varsity players who are going to make an impact on the team this year.
FansSoftball
After a great inaugural season in 2021, the North Cobb flag football team is looking to continue to grow and succeed in the 2022 season.
The boys were beat up pretty badly by graduation.
Senior Carson Walker is the other top returning defensive specialist and will play with newcomers sophomore Itoro Okpok and freshman Hannah Nicholson. These passers will make our defense even deeper and better than last season. We also have three junior hitters in right side Imani Mensah and outsides Hannah Lumpkin and Alex James, all of whom have demonstrated they are ready for the spotlight.
Senior Kevin Pumillo is the loan returner from last year’s Top 7. Pumillo is joined this year by junior Sebastian Barr and two impressive freshmen, Peyton Lewis and Tobi Omoteso. Though it’s a rebuilding year, the boys have high hopes for a state-qualifying season.
NORTH COBB for Warriors
The Warriors will enter a new area with Pope, Kell, Wheeler, North Paulding, Lassiter, Walton, Kennesaw Mountain, Harrison and Allatoona. The team will be bringing back key players Rileigh Queen, Aubrey King and Gabby Morales and looks forward to adding new athletes from other sports, such as softball, basketball, volleyball, soccer and lacrosse. Tryouts will begin the week of Sept. 19, and the season will open with a doubleheader against St. Anne-Pacelli and South Cobb, starting at 6 p.m. Oct. 10 at North Cobb High School.
On the girls’ side, we return four out of our Top 7, plus our No. 8. Led by senior Alexis Christian, junior Isabel Baxter and sophomore Sepideh Ghasemi, the ladies are coming back strong. Christian is coming off a track season where she ran 2:20 in the 800 meters. Other returning talents include Lacy Kluck, Schylar Puhlman and Ndiya Onuoha. We’re very excited to see what these girls accomplish this fall.
AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022 17
After a very successful 2021 campaign that saw Harrison softball finish in the second round, Widing is looking to replace several seniors who have moved on to play at the collegiate level. This year’s team will rely on a strong senior class, centered around Bayleigh Rouse, Reagan Janney, Vianka Sanchez, Libby McAbee and Payton Bailey. In support of these individuals, the Hoyas have a nice mix of younger players who contributed significantly to the success of last year’s team. Taking over in the circle will be the trio of Libby McAbee, Payton Bailey and Kiley Fisher. While the team is very young, there is a lot of talent, and the entire team and coaching staff are working hard to ensure this year continues the standard of excellence enjoyed by the Harrison Hoya softball program.
18 AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022
After graduating three dynamic seniors last season, the 2022 competition cheer Hoyas are being led by the Class of 2023’s Molly Huff and Kamryn Bever. These young women are talented, driven and compassionate leaders who guide their peers with grace and maturity. Just on the heels of these seniors are returning juniors Payton Anderson, Avery Castaneda, Lily Grubb and Reagan Price, all incredible athletes who hold themselves and their teammates to the highest standards of excellence. The sophomore class has the largest class of cheerleaders, and their high energy and eagerness to excel are obvious. Sophomores are Shaylyn Goldizen, Katie Hausdorf, Katelynn Jantz, Lily Jones, Naomi Luten, Mary Moody, Ariana Realpe, Lindley Warren, Addy Watson and Kylie Williams. The only first-year athlete on the varsity team is powerhouse Tori Sanders. The goal of the 2022 season is to secure the region title and “make the mat” at the state competition in November, which we plan to do by embracing this year’s mission: “Believe in the team.”
Head Coach Chris Widing
HARRISON A Preview
Competition Cheer Head Coach Rachel Connell North Cobb is elated to announce the return of Warrior competition cheerleading this fall after a few years in transition. This past year, we have worked on learning fundamentals and building a solid foundation for future years. Our goal this year is to continue building our cheer program, which includes bringing back our junior competition squad as well. We are excited to compete in four local competitions in October and hope to attend the region tournament at Walton High School in early November. We have a young varsity competition team, with only two seniors out of our 14 competition cheerleaders. Although young, the squad has a lot of dedication and a solid work ethic. There is so much leadership that our team members continue to get stronger and more determined each time they are together. And we even have our very own World and Summit champions! Senior Avery Rush, who won with her Worlds team in the spring, is a silent leader who excels in sharing jump techniques with her peers and adds some experience with more than a decade on the mat. Junior Raegan Lewis, who won with her team at The Summit competition in the spring, is a strong leader in her stunting abilities. These two cheerleaders have years of experience and have brought a lot of knowledge, along with other unmistakable talents and silliness, to their squad.
We have a few juniors who are working hard to bring honor and glory back to NCHS cheerleading. Varsity football sideline cheer captain Caylin Dyal has a big heart and beautiful tumbling. She and Kayla Pierre-Paul motivate their teammates by keeping everyone’s eyes on the prize. Rose Sorrell is a leader on and off the floor, encouraging those new to competition cheerleading and helping to bridge the gap with patience and helpfulness. Sophomores Milani Thomason and Jariyanah Johnson continue to work on their technique as fliers while amazing their teammates with their bravery and trust. With so much talent among all our young athletes, watch out for sophomores Mackenzie Patterson, Kayla Allen, Olivia Vigil and Allie Dale to really show out this season. The team is working to build proper skill and technique in addition to learning a challenging routine.
As a head coach, I am so proud of how much our team has grown, both as athletes and as women, in such a short time. The members continue to push each other and celebrate each other’s successes. For me, that’s what it is all about!”
Softball
Competition Cheer Head Coach Jordan Motsinger
The Hoya competition cheer team is ready to hit the mat with our most creative routine yet. Stacked with visual elements, competitive stunts and impressive tumbling — including 10 running fulls and four two-to-fulls — the Hoyas’ routine is getting better each day, and these athletes can’t wait to begin their season with their first competition at Walton High School on Sept. 17.
Along with senior Brooklyn Bolden, junior Tsvetlina Lukanova and freshman Brianna Cunningham, the Warriors are ready to take the mat this fall at 11 a.m. Sept. 17 at the Warrior Showcase. We hope to see you at NCHS to cheer on our Warriors before their first competition on Oct. 8!
Cross-Country
The Harrison Hoyas are excited about the season and the challenges it will present. With arguably one of the toughest schedules in the state, the Hoyas will be returning two offensive and five defensive starters, as well as a handful of others who received playing time last year. The players and coaches have committed to being responsible for their roles and being held accountable to their teammates as they work toward being uncommon men.
Girls: The Harrison girls’ cross-country team returns six of its Top 7 runners from last year. Led by individual state champion Samantha McGarity, the Hoyas have a strong team that is talented and experienced. The girls finished third in Region 3-AAAAAAA and were second at state. Our biggest challenge will be the top teams in our region — Marietta (state champs) and Hillgrove (fourth at state). Returning runners are junior Samantha McGarity (17:57 personal record); seniors Ellary Hackworth (18:54 personal record), Kate Curtis (19:40 personal record) and Lidia Longo (19:41 personal record); and sophomores Madisson Troupe (20:08 personal record) and Ava Quinto (20:57 personal record). We hope to have some newcomers add to our depth and challenge for some of these top spots on the team.
Flag Football Head Coach Claire Chatelain After having a large graduating class for our 2021 inaugural season, we are in the process of rebuilding for the 2022 season. Thankfully, we will have several returning players who will have a major impact. Junior Tyra Tuck is our leading flag-puller, and senior Layla Allen and junior Rachel Langston are explosive offensive players. Their experience will provide leadership to new players joining our team. Last season was a great learning experience, but we feel we are going to be more prepared to start this season. We have two new coaches — Kiersten Duncan and Deanna Stewart — joining our staff, and their guidance will help lead our team to success.
HARRISON
Co-Head Coaches Kent Simmons and Jason Scott
Harrison has a number of football players who were named to the all-state academic team. These scholar-athletes and their GPAs are quarterback Brennan Brucato (3.844); linebackers Liam Gray (3.813), Collin O’Hara (3.938), Holden Trice (3.906) and Alex Whiteside (4.273); running backs Alexander Perry (3.969) and Grayson West (4.000); wide receiver Brady Kluse (4.063); cornerback Nick Valerio (4.188); and free safety Tyler WellsAmong(4.219).the Hoyas’ college prospects are Brigman, Brucato, Cullins, Sniffer, Perry, Richey, Trice, Valerio, Wells, West and Yorio, who also are the team’s Good Citizens. And the team’s Unsung Hero is booster club President Isabel Garcia.
Volleyball Co-Head Coaches Kimberly Johnson and Clay Taylor
Preview for Hoyas Fans Football
The Hoyas’ first home game will be against North Paulding at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 20.
The key returning players for the 2022 Hoyas are Reggie Brigman (wide receiver/defensive back), Brennan Brucato (quarterback), Quinten Cullins (defensive back/wide receiver), Ryan Nelson Sniffer (defensive end), Alex Perry (running back), Bodyn “Bo” Richey (offensive lineman/defensive lineman), Holden Trice (linebacker), Nick Valerio (defensive back), Tyler Wells (wide receiver/defensive back), Grayson West (running back), Basil Yorio (offensive lineman/defensive lineman), Corey Burklow (offensive lineman/defensive lineman), Cameron Carland (offensive lineman/defensive lineman), Quinton Charles (wide receiver/defensive back), Oscar Cruz-Cortez (offensive lineman/defensive lineman), Landon Davis (offensive lineman), Braylan Ford (quarterback), Jaden Gnagy (offensive lineman/ defensive lineman), Liam Gray (linebacker), Brady Kluse (wide receiver/defensive back), Collin O’Hara (linebacker), Ethan Sweat (tight end/linebacker), Amari Watson (wide receiver/ defensive back), Alex Whiteside (running back/linebacker), Nathan Wymer (offensive lineman/defensive lineman), Kamron Cullins (offensive lineman/defensive lineman), Jackson Connors (running back/defensive back), Ethan Harris (tight end/ linebacker) and Xavier Hill (quarterback).
Boys: The Harrison High School boys’ cross-country team saw a lot experience graduate last year. As we approach the 2022 season, we know we will be young and inexperienced. We have two returning boys who competed on the state team last year. They were the Region 3-AAAAAAA champions and finished fifth at state. Returning are senior Sterling Sellior (16:10 personal record) and junior Bryce Brownlee (16:22 personal record). As newcomers this season, seniors Thomas Boyle and Noah Larsen will be important leaders on our team. Junior Drew Hayworth also will contribute, and sophomores Parker Gurley and Seth Thompson will provide strong depth to our team.
Head Coach Joshua Cassidy
The Hoyas volleyball team went 20-20 last season, landing in third place in the region and in the Elite Eight at state. This team has a really strong mental game. We have started off the season with some off-the-court challenges that have pulled the team together with a fighting spirit and a “nothing can keep us down” mentality. Key players for the 2022 season are seniors Camden George at right side, Ellise Hanson at middle and Lyndsey Jennings at outside hitter.
AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022 19
Head Coach Caleb Carmean
The Lady Mustangs head into their third season of flag football with stability and lots of returning experience. After graduating only three seniors in its first two years, the team has a large number of veterans returning to help lead it into a new area. With such a veteran group returning, the Lady Mustangs are hoping to qualify for the state playoffs for the first time in school history.
The 2022 Lady Mustangs softball team is excited about the fall season, as it returns all starters from last year. The team is led in the circle and at the plate by Makayla Stephens. Hannah Glass is back in the lineup after leading the team in batting average the past two seasons. Alison McGinnis has a lot of range in the outfield and speed on the bases that can help with the team’s success this year. Sam Guercia at catcher brings a great bat and knowledge of the game. There is a new head coach this year after 22 years. Angela Lack has been named head coach after being the assistant coach of the Lady Mustangs for the past five years. The Mustangs are expecting strong senior leadership on the field this year as they work toward their expectations and goals. They are very excited to get the season started.
Cheerleading Head Coach Alissa Wilbur
The 2022 Kennesaw Mountain Mustangs will try to build on last year’s historic season. The focus will be on creating the edge needed to have the success desired. The team worked extremely hard in the offseason to prepare for a very competitive region. The 2022 Mustangs will be a product of a great senior class, as there will be more than 30 seniors on this year’s team. Returning are eight starters on offense, including quarterback Cayman Prangley, wide receiver Jailen Taylor, offensive lineman Ben Smith and All-American offensive lineman Connor Lew. The defense will look to replace a few more holes but still should be a very talented group that includes defensive end David Atachou, linebackers Evan Duke and Ethan Voltaire and all-region cornerback Jaylen Moson. The Mustangs will have their work cut out for them, as Region 5-AAAAAAA is as strong as any in the state, with perennial powers North Cobb, Walton and Cherokee. The nonregion schedule is highlighted by the Mustangs playing crosstown rival Harrison and Cobb County foes South Cobb and Campbell, as well as North Paulding, all of which should make for great football. The Mustangs kick off the 2022 season by playing Cass for the first time ever in the televised Corky Kell Classic.
Softball Head Coach Angela Lack
The Kennesaw Mountain competition cheerleading squad is coming off a region championship in 2021 and is looking to repeat in a new region and classification this year. The squad, led by seniors Amaya Anderson, Alexis Castano, Savannah Jackson, Sophie Salmon, Makayra Walker and Channing Adair Williams, will open its season Oct. 8 at the Pride of Cherokee Invitational at Cherokee High School.
The Lady Mustangs volleyball program will be experiencing change this season after qualifying for the Final Four and two Elite Eights over the past three years. New head coach Heather Prochaska brings much volleyball experience to the young Mustangs squad, which will be led by Florida A&M commit Milana Thornton. The team will seek to improve as the season progresses in order to qualify for the state playoffs again this year in an extremely talented region.
Volleyball Head Coach Heather Prochaska
MOUNTAINKENNESAW
Flag Football Head Coach Kefla Hare
20 AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022
A Preview for Mustangs Fans Football
FOOD AND FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! 150 BOOTHS FROM LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND BUSINESSES! $1-$5 FOOD SAMPLES • KIDS ZONE • INFLATABLES & GAMES TWO LIVE ENTERTAINMENT STAGES • DOG SHOW To learn more or submit sponsor/vendor application, visit www.acworthbusiness.org/taste-of-acworth . SATURDAY, OCT. 8 11 A.M. - 6 P.M. FREE ADMISSION AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022 21
• 8 garlic cloves, peeled • Extra-virgin
• ½ teaspoon seasoned salt, or more to taste
Cheese 22 AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022
Anything from heavy snacks to fullblown meals can be prepared in the college stadium parking lot — your new outdoor kitchen. If you have a portable grill, or even a camp stove, you can grill burgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, peppers, onions, etc. A little preparation at home will save a lot of time when you arrive at the stadium. For instance, if you slice the peppers and onions, make the burgers — and separate patties with waxed paper — and shuck the corn ahead of time, you will have more time to socialize before you get ready to cook.
• 6 medium tomatoes, halved and scraped out • 3 jalapenos, sliced lengthwise with seeds removed • 1 large
• 1 pound shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Roasted Salsa
Did you know the tradition of tailgating began in the 1930s? When the first huge college football stadiums were built in the 1920s, a large portion of fans owned cars and drove to the games.
One quick-snack idea is to thread pieces of hot dogs or bratwursts onto wooden skewers with thawed tater tots. Grill when you’re at the stadium and serve with your favorite hot sauce or other condiment. Yellow mustard mixed with honey and Sriracha is great on these skewers and most anything else you might be eating.
One way to get a lot of variety without a lot of effort is to take dishes that can be served in different ways. Chicken salad is a good example. It can be eaten in a sandwich, served in a wrap BY TIFFANY HUGHES onion, peeled quartered olive oil • Salt and pepper, to taste • Lime Preheatjuiceoven to 400 degrees. Drizzle a large baking sheet with olive oil. Lay veggies flat side down. Spread garlic and jalapenos throughout the veggies. Drizzle with oil then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for about 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, or until veggies are wilted-looking. Remove from pan as soon as you take them out of the oven, and place in a blender. Puree until no chunks remain. Drizzle extra-virgin olive oil and lime juice to taste then puree once more. Taste to see if salt is needed, then store in the refrigerator. This salsa is excellent served hot or cold.
Easy Recipes Offer Variety of Options
The problem was, with the influx of tens of thousands of hungry people, local restaurants couldn’t keep up with the demand. So fans began bringing food and a blanket and having a picnic in the parking lot. When wood-sided station wagons were introduced in the 1930s, the rear tailgate made the perfect table on which to enjoy pregame picnics. And the rest is tailgating history.
and
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened ½ cup mayonnaise
The food options for a good tailgate are limited only by your imagination.
• 4-ounce jar diced pimientos
• 1 pound shredded colby jack cheese
In a large bowl, combine cheeses and pimientos. Using a hand mixer, add the cream cheese, mayo and salt. Blend until the cheeses are mixed thoroughly. Mixture should be creamy so add more mayo if needed. Taste for salt. Serve chilled. Note: If no additional salt is needed, but the mixture tastes a little bland, add a dash of cayenne pepper. Serving idea: Form into a ball, and roll in chopped roasted
Pimientopecans.
Tasty Tailgating
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with fresh spinach or even served as a dip for chips or crackers. Speaking of dips, think of the ones that can do double duty. Roasted salsa is a great example. While it is scrumptious with tortilla chips, it makes a fantastic taco sauce, too. If you grill chicken onsite and shred it, add to tortilla shells and top with cheese and roasted salsa, you will be the envy of everyone around you. As for tacos, almost anything you throw on a grill is good in a taco. Pork loin or even pork shoulder is great when cooked and shredded. To add extra texture, put in a pan on the grill after shredding and drizzle with a little oil. Cook until it begins to crisp up. Toss with some salsa, grilled veggies or whatever sounds good to you. These also are good to assemble at home, minus the salsa. Wrap each in foil, then place on the grill when you get to the parking lot. Carry the salsa in a separate container, and add it to the tacos just before serving.Notailgate is complete without dessert. An easy one to throw together is grilled pound cake or angel food cake with fruit. Simply lay slices of your favorite cake on the grill, along with pineapple, peach or apple slices. Smaller fruit, such as berries, can be grilled but will need to be threaded onto a skewer. Cook cake until golden and fruit until it begins to soften. Place the fruit on the cake slices and drizzle with honey or sprinkle with powdered sugar. Another idea is to bring brownie batter in a zip-top bag and cook it on your grill in a cast-iron pan. Serve with whipped cream and/or ice cream. No matter which team you pull for or which game you attend, enjoy the food and the company, even if your friends are wearing the wrong team’s jerseys. Happy cooking!
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley • ⅓ cup sliced almonds • 1 tablespoon butter • ¼ cup honey • ½ teaspoon salt • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper (Note: You can substitute salt and pepper with 1 teaspoon of your favorite seasoning.)
Combine ingredients by hand, being careful not to overmix. Form into eight equal patties, and lay on waxed paper to separate. You can change versions of the burgers with various seasonings.
Barbecue: Omit the egg and Worcestershire and add ¼ cup barbecue sauce. You want the mixture to be moist-looking before forming patties.
AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022 23
Mexican: Substitute taco seasoning for Montreal and add 1 teaspoon salt.
In a large bowl, combine the chicken, mayo and yogurt. When they are well-mixed, add parsley and salt and pepper (or favorite seasoning). Melt the butter in a small frying pan, and cook almonds until golden brown. Pour the entire mixture into the chicken and stir to combine. Spray a measuring cup with butter spray to measure the honey, and add it last. Stir well. Store in the refrigerator. Chopped Craisins or mandarin oranges are great in this, too.
Hamburgers
• ½ cup mayonnaise • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
Honey Almond Chicken Salad
Tiffany Hughes is an Acworth resident and works for the Booth Western Art Museum. Contact her at creativecook11@yahoo.com.
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 4 cups cooked chicken, shredded (or diced, your preference)
Italian: Use Italian dressing instead of Worcestershire and dry Italian seasoning instead of Montreal Steak Seasoning. Also add 1 teaspoon salt.
• 1 pound 80/20 ground beef
Tailgating
• 2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal • 1 egg • 2 tablespoons Montreal Steak Seasoning 1 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
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The past few years have been life-changing for many people. There have been the negatives, including losing loved ones and jobs and fighting to stay mentally and physically strong. There also are positives, if you look at the people who have stepped forward to donate food and help where needed. Many of us have re-evaluated our priorities and reflected more about how we want to live.
BY JOSEPH PRASS
or “Finish your homework before you can go out,” Judaism teaches we must enter the new year having worked at cleaning up our spiritual house. A small but powerful verse in Psalm 69:29, “May they be erased from the Book of Life, and not be inscribed with the righteous,” has been amplified as part of this holiday season as a metaphor for each of us seeking to be inscribed in a divine Book of Life and blessing. For this reason, it is a practice during the High Holy Days to greet others with the phrase, “May you be inscribed for a good year.” In Atlanta, we are surrounded by nature, and there are times when I return to those moments when nature is so awesome that it makes us catch our breath. I hope we can seize these moments and remind ourselves to pause — just for a minute — and look inward to see how we can move forward and be better partners in this ongoing world of creation.
Jennifer Bonn is a freelance writer in Kennesaw and a recently retired 40-year educator. Her book, “101 Tips to Lighten Your Burden,” was recently released and is available on Amazon.
Keep
I’m grateful there have been more discussions about mental health. I’m not qualified to advise someone who needs professional help, but I can offer the following encouragement for staying mentally healthy.
24 AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022
• Managing the bumps. We would love for life to always flow smoothly, but the truth is we learn more from the bumps. We learn to be resilient and to maintain a good attitude. Have a sense of humor when you experience a small problem and keep moving forward.
A Time of Introspection and Reflection
When I was younger, I had the opportunity to camp and hike in some of our most majestic national parks. In addition to the natural beauty of those impressive spaces, it gave me the chance to pause, to not hear any of the noise we hear in our everyday lives, and to be able just to think. Today, we rush from one appointment to the next, from one task to another, with little time to reflect on our lives and our conduct. Our various faith traditions encourage us to slow down and look at ourselves. We all are works in progress, and there are opportunities to improve and redirect our own behavior.IntheJewish tradition, there is an especially important time that is about to occur on our annual calendar — the High Holy Days, a 10-day period that begins with Rosh Hashana (the Jewish New Year) and concludes with Yom Kippur (the Day of Repentance). Judaism encourages daily reflection on our conduct and the importance of personally seeking out anyone whom we have wronged or failed, but these actions particularly are essential during this period. Additionally, the High Holy Days are meant to inspire us to connect more deeply with our faith. Just as many of us who are parents tell our children, “You are not leaving the table until you help clean the dishes,”
Rabbi Joseph Prass is the spiritual leader of Congregation Ner Tamid in Marietta. In addition, he serves as the director of Holocaust education at the Breman Museum in Atlanta.
• Discouragement. We all feel discouraged sometimes, but you might be making the situation bigger than it is. Look for your accomplishments and realize you can be and do anything you want. Keep moving forward.
• Interactions. Interacting with people can be rough. You must understand there are many ways of perceiving the same situation, and that doesn’t mean yours is wrong. Deal with all the personalities, find people who make you happy and keep moving forward.
ultramarathon, but the weekend before, I was rushed to the hospital with an irregular heartbeat. The next week, I was told I needed to see a specialist for my tooth. The next day, I twisted my knee. I had to convince myself these were all temporary setbacks, and I would keep moving forward.
• Feeling lost. The opening line of Kenny Chesney’s song “You Save Me” is “Every now and then, I get a little lost.” Don’t we all get like that sometimes? Find some inspiration, someone you can talk to, and keep moving forward.
Forward No Matter What
• Changes. This has been a time filled with change, and we all are capable of figuring out the next step. Ask for help whenever needed. Many people are hesitant to ask, but it gladly will be given, and someday, you might be the one helpingTakingsomeone.careofourselves and our families is important. I believe in the power of prayer, so pray for good health and keep moving forward.
• Setbacks. I consider setbacks a step above discouragement. Setbacks take longer for me to recover. I trained for an Moving BY JENNIFER BONN
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Hardships might get us down, but being resilient enables us to maintain our course and purpose, while coming back stronger than ever before.
Dana Dorris is the first two-time female president of the Kennesaw Business Association. She is an independent insurance agent and senior partner with Risk & Insurance Consultants of North Georgia.
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UPCOMING EVENTS Join the KBA by www.kennesawbusiness.org.visiting
4 Ways to Build a Resilient Business
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1. Culture. It’s your company’s personality. This requires a deep dive to understand your purpose, foundation and values, making sure you have buy-in across your organization with clear two-way communication and accountability. It is important to create connections for your employees that make them feel like a contributing part of the mission and vision. The company culture and strategy must align and be communicated in everything you do.
BY DANA DORRIS
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2. Leadership. In today’s world, the way you lead your people is a key to success. Your team seeks direction, with empathy and awareness. Be supportive and develop a strong sense of caring and commitment to the well-being of your team. Remember, leadership is about making others better. We rise by lifting others.
3. Change. Assess what needs to be changed and how quickly. Be aware of the levers available to achieve the change you want and need. Map out a clear and understandable plan with meaningful metrics. Take a good look at your team, and make sure you have the right people in the right places. Consider rotating people to give them the opportunity for challenges and growth. Don’t forget to celebrate your successes and include rewards and recognition.
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4. Discipline. We must be relentless in the pursuit of our goals, with our focus on execution. It is critical to have a riskmanagement plan in place, with quarterly evaluation.
Using these four core elements will guide you to growth and resiliency in your business. We might stumble at times, but, with a well-formatted plan in place, we might not fall at all. As Benjamin Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
In life, we all have stumbled, whether it be in our personal life or professional career. We’ve always heard that it’s not how you get knocked down that matters; it’s how you get up. When our businesses stumble, it’s no different. But how do we build a business that is resilient and able to overcome difficult times? To create and maintain resiliency in your business, you must minimize the downside while maintaining the ability to act on opportunities that might present themselves. Being business-resilient is dimensional and involves many different elements, such as financial, operational, strategic and critical thinking. There are four main principles that will allow you to build and maintain resiliency in your business:
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud TEXT BOX 04 Sept. 13 KBA Luncheon 11 a.m.-1 Recreationp.m.Center at Adams Park 2737 Watts Drive Sept. 21 Alive After 5 5:30 -7:30 p.m. Jim R. Miller Park 2245 Callaway Road, Marietta Sept. 27 Wake Up KBA 8-9 Recreationa.m. Center at Adams Park 2737 Watts Drive Oct. 11 KBA Luncheon 11 a.m.-1 Recreationp.m.Center at Adams Park 2737 Watts Drive 26 AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022
Scarecrows Return to Main Street
The Cobb PARKS natural resources management unit recently hosted the annual Fishing Rodeo at Lost Mountain Park. The event had a great turnout of kids who spent the morning trying to hook a big one. The Top 5 winners were, from left, Max Sigourney, second; Brixton Lummus, fifth; Matthew Nash, first; Henry Watson, third; and Lucy Watson, fourth.
ThankyouKennesaw! Stop in and see why we were voted Best Thrift Store! 10% Off Exp. Oct. 31, 2022 2722 Summers St. www.svdpgeorgia.org770-919-1458Kennesaw Open Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Donations accepted Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. your purchase 2022 AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022 27
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The city of Kennesaw invites area residents, families, neighborhoods, nonprofit, civic and faith-based organizations, local businesses, schools, local sports teams and athletic clubs to design and create a scarecrow to display on Main Street for the third annual Scarecrows on Main display. A $25 application fee to the Kennesaw Downtown Development Authority is required with each scarecrow entry. All funds raised will go to promoting the downtown through beautification projects and events. The city will upload images of each scarecrow to its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CityofKennesaw, where community members will be invited to cast their votes for their favorite scarecrows. The Top 3 scarecrows will be awarded a People’s Choice award, and the scarecrow with the most votes will win bragging rights, as well as a $100 prize. Second place will receive a $50 prize, and third place will get a $25 prize. The application and information packets can be found on the city’s website at Sept.deadlinescarecrowsonmain.www.kennesaw-ga.gov/Theforapplicationsis12.
Kids Win Big at Fishing Rodeo
S
The outdoor areas boast lush landscaping and water features, outdoor grilling and dining, raised beds for gardening, bocce ball courts, a dog park, and the private Silver Comet Trail entrance.
The outdoor fireplace and veranda offer a cozy place to socialize, dine and relax in the fresh air.
| 4900 RICHARD
Common space is important for the growing community, which a few months ago added assisted living and memory support to the 3-year-old independent living community. Residents can be assured of aging in place, with varying levels of service and individualized care plans available as their needs change.
“We provide all the services on one campus, which is best for family members, so they don’t have to tour new facilities for just the right new living space for their loved ones when their needs change,” according to Director of Health & Wellness Shirley Nix.Residents enjoy seasonal menus of tasty creations prepared by chef Shamika Jones.
SILVER COMET VILLAGE SENIOR LIVING D. SAILORS PARKWAY,
’
Silver Comet Village Offers Connection to Outdoors
“Our sprawling outside areas are all connected, which brings a sense of community to everyone who lives at Silver Comet Village,” Gus said.
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POWDER
28 AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022
LIVE YOUR LIFEBEST LIVE YOUR LIFEBEST
’ ‘
ilver Comet Village, a senior living community in Powder Springs, offers independent living, assisted living and memory support, and is connected to the community in a unique way - one the executive director says isn’t available in any other senior living community.
A private entrance connects the sprawling 7-acre complex to the Silver Comet Trail, a perk many residents enjoy. It’s not unusual to see them riding bikes, scooters or walking on the trail; most days, residents use the trail to enjoy nature's beauty. Executive Director Gus Plakiotis said the time spent outdoors - whether on the trail or enjoying the courtyards - gives residents more chances to keep up with friends and make new ones.
“Silver Comet Village has been an amazing home for my mother. The staff goes over and beyond taking care of the residents. The residents are so friendly and truly care for one another.
POWDER
SCV is more than just a place to live; it’s a building that houses a family.” SPRINGS, GA 30127 770-222-2775
“When looking for a place for senior independent living, you will not find one better than Silver Comet Village. The staff is extremely professional and patient. They are very available and prompt with responses. They are knowledgeable about all of the options available. There were no hidden surprises or fees. There are a wide variety of daily activities that are all optional. The facilities have lots of common areas for residents to spread out and socialize. The units themselves are very modern and clean. It is like being on vacation all the time.”
Independent Living Residents enjoy a purposeful lifestyle through many amenities, activities and floor plans. Apartments range from cozy one-bedroom apartments to beautifully appointed two-bedroom, two-bath residences with a den. Each unit has a washer and dryer and a fully functional Diningkitchen.choices include a fine-dining room with an indoor/outdoor fireplace, a bistro to host happy hour, and a private dining room for intimate family events. There’s no shortage of activities, with specially designed spaces like a movie theater, game and craft room, fitness center, library and abundant sitting areas for visiting friends and family. Assisted Living While independence is encouraged, assisted-living residents needing a little extra assistance can benefit from support for day-to-day activities like dressing, grooming, housekeeping, medication management and more.
“My father was very anxious about the change in lifestyle. The staff and residents have made him feel very welcome. Everyone is friendly. The management is also willing to listen to concerns in an effort to provide the best living experience they can for their residents. We are very happy we found Silver Comet Village.”
Weldon M. entertains Mattie K., Annie D. and Susan V. at one of the facilities’ pianos.
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Memory Support Residents who are struggling with their cognitive issues, or diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia, receive extra care and attention so they can lead an engaging lifestyle in a secure neighborhood. Special features of the memory-support community are the two internal courtyards, again focusing on quality outdoor time, and a baby grand piano in the stylish dining Caregiversroom. use a Moments Matter™ program to help residents balance daily routines with spontaneity. An interior entrance offers added security, and spacious studio apartments have sizable closets, roomy bathrooms with accessible showers, and built-in shower benches. A flowing floor plan creates a spacious area while guaranteeing enhanced supervision. Blended multipurpose spaces provide socially engaging gathering places for structured activities and fellowship.
Testimonials
| SILVERCOMETVILLAGE.COM | E SPONSORED CONTENT
Support for Every Stage
Silver Comet Village’s goal is for all team members to become like extended family to their residents to ensure they get the care they need in a personalized way, according to Gus. “Just because you’re getting older and need a little help doesn’t mean you can’t do the things you love to do and live your best life,” he said.
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Trained and professional team members are available around the clock, and can coordinate support with home health, hospice, pharmacy and visiting wellness providers.
Silver Comet Village has 64 independent living apartments, 60 in assisted-living and 30 in memory support. Independent and assisted-living areas are close enough that residents can continue to visit even though they live in separate buildings. Transitions are made easier by frequent visits to the new community before a move takes place. Each living community has a salon and barbershop, and the same menu offered in the dining room, unless a special diet is needed. Other common benefits include a home care company that can offer support from 15-minute increments to several hours, and on-site rehab services to help residents with physical, occupational and speech Transportationtherapy. is available for shopping excursions and doctor appointments. Gus looks forward to spending quality time with the residents and ventures out for Sunday supper with their “dinner club” twice a month. He also hosts monthly meetings where residents can offer feedback and share ideas or concerns.
Kids are back in school, learning their ABCs. Did you know there are ABCs of flooring, too? Read on to learn about some of my favorite floors. Next month, we’ll finish the alphabet with more of my favorite flooring terms.
D is for distressed. The intentional scratching, scraping and/or gouging of a flooring surface to create an aged look. These processes may involve wire brushing, sculpting and scraping the floor. Doing so results in a floor with a lot of texture and character. Very practical for active homes with kids and pets; it hides scratches and dings.
E is for Exceptional II, a popular carpet, made by DreamWeaver. It is stain-resistant, durable and perfect for clients putting their home on the market (or for rooms that don’t get heavy use).
K is for Karastan. This brand offers top-of-theline products, excellent quality and something for everybody: carpet, hardwoods and LVP.
of Flooring 30 AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022
A is for area rugs. An area rug is simply a carpet that is finished around the edges, often much smaller than the dimensions of a room. Available in a variety of sizes and patterns, an area rug can easily be moved.
The
C is for Carrara. A type of natural stone from marble quarries in Carrara, Italy, it is found in varying hues of white and gray. The background of this marble tile is whitish gray, and it has linear, thin and feathery veining patterns.
F is for French oak. Literally wood grown in France, French oak floors have a very high tannin content, which reacts better in the aging process, giving the wood a beautiful patina and time-worn look.
B is for Berber , a style of carpet that consists of multiple small loops that are not cut, but rather woven together.
Elisabeth Stubbs is one of the owners of Enhance Floors & More, one of Atlanta’s top-rated flooring dealers, located in Marietta.
I is for Inhaus Sono Eclipse, one of my favorite luxury vinyl plank (LVP) brands. It is waterproof, family- and pet-friendly, easy to clean, and stain-, fadeand scratch- resistant. Available in wood and tile looks, what’s not to love?
From Wood and Carpet, to and Luxury Vinyl Plank ABC s
Tile
G is for Georgia, because most of the carpet in the world is made right here in Georgia. Approximately 75% of all carpet and rugs are made in and around Dalton (https://bit.ly/3QDYj9i). When you purchase carpet, you support our state’s economy.
BY ELISABETH STUBBS
J is for Janka, a scale that measures the strength of hardwood materials. This test determines the amount of force it takes to drive a .444-inch steel ball into a solid plank of wood. The Janka rating is helpful in determining how easily a floor will indent. (The Janka hardness test does not measure scratch resistance. All wood floors will scratch, no matter the score on the Janka scale.)
H is for Happy Floors, a go-to line of Europeancrafted porcelain and ceramic tiles and mosaics.
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BY SUSAN BROWNING SCHULZ The Most InvestmentImportantintheWorld
Zimbili Luhlwayo (Swinky) is one of the 22 children in the performance group. She is 16 years old and is in the 11th grade. She lives in Mkholombe with her mom, aunt, siblings and cousins. She loves to play volleyball and would love to be a dermatologist one day. “My favorite thing about being in H2A is how they communicate with each other and being involved in the dramas, because it shows what happens in real life,” Zimbili said. “One of the things that makes it hard to have hope is being surrounded by negative people who influence me to have negative thoughts.”
The mission at Hope2Africa (H2A) is to pour the love of God into desperately impoverished youths in South Africa, to equip them to share the good news of the Gospel, and to raise up a generation of godly leaders.
• Leadership development. An ongoing endeavor addressed through personally modeled mentorship and regular community service projects. Presently, Bible studies are offered in high schools.
YOUTH:
According to the World Population Review, South Africa is listed among the top 10 countries with the highest HIV
Hope2Africa Vice President Karen Dingess, left, and President Becky Harris visit families in the Mkholombe squatter camp.
• Art Performance Youth Team. Every year, 22 children are chosen to be mentored, attend Bible studies, as well as plan and execute performances, three-day camps and more. These children learn the power of like-minded fellowship and gain the strength to stay on the right track.
More than 350 youth members, from the Zulu and
HELPING HANDS rates. On top of this tragedy, the youth reached by H2A live in extreme poverty, and many are orphaned and regularly experience food insecurity. When H2A began, the ministry trained South African youth to share the Gospel with their community through the arts, dramatic performances and singing. Over the last 15 years, the ministry has expanded, first by raising up indigenous leaders. There are nine young men and women on H2A staff, and two are seminary graduates. H2A invests in South African communities in the following ways:
32 AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022
“Our focus is to go deep instead of wide. Our desire is for the children to know and understand: We see you. We love you. You matter,” said Becky Harris, H2A president and founder. “Being seen and having someone believe in you can do wonders for your life. God is transforming lives through ourOnministry.”theU.S. side, Harris leads H2A in Cherokee County alongside her best friend, Vice President Karen Dingess. Together, they serve in the south coast area of KwazuluNatal, South Africa. Since they launched the ministry in 2007, they have taken 49 U.S. teams on mission trips there.
• My Brother’s Table. This carpentry training program for young men has a holistic approach. They learn a trade and are mentored in life and job skills and everyday responsibilities. They also perform outreach in the community, providing tables for families. With the food instability crisis, they provide garden tools needed to grow food.
• Compassion. With prices skyrocketing, the extreme poverty these youth experience is getting worse. H2A meets the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter by providing weekly meals and quarterly groceries for families, as well as clothes and shoes for each youth member and school uniforms (when needed).
AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022 33
3. Explore trip opportunities. Learn more about 12-day mission trips by contacting Karen at 770-715-3467, or emailing karen@ hope2africa.com.Visithttps://hope2africa.com for more information. 2022 Hope2Africa youth art performance team. Staff members visit the homes of Hope2Africa families to share the love of Christ and pray.
1. Join the weekly prayer team. Text the word “Prayer” to 833-413-0480 to receive a Sunday morning prayer request and update. 2. Sponsor a youth. Let an H2A youth know for sure that he or she is seen and loved by God through you.
Susan Schulz is a Bible teacher and mentor who lives and plays on the Etowah River in Canton. Connect with her on social media or at susanbrowningschulz.com. Xhosa tribes, and close to 60,000 people have been reached with the Gospel. If you would like to be a part of H2A, there are three ways to get involved and stay connected:
I was working at a rescue and looking to move to another that had a slightly different philosophy. There was a dog in a shelter in Chattooga County named Arnold, who caught my eye, and I felt such a connection to him. My husband said, ‘Go get him.’ I picked him up as an adoption. That rescue made me so happy. I felt it was a calling to start my own. He was the one that started it all in August 2021. How many dogs have you helped so far? More than a hundred dogs so far. Have you always loved dogs?
34 AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022
I got my first dog, a husky-German shepherd mix, about 12 years ago. I got Mia, a pit bull, six years ago. She turned me from a dog person to a dog mom. I got two more pit bulls after that. Autumn, from Cobb County Animal Services, was one of them who set me on the road to fostering. I realized there were so many dogs that needed help socializing and learning how to live in a home, to set them up for a successful adoption. My first fosters were two puppies that got adopted.
The dogs we take in have their own stories, which often are pretty heartbreaking. I am a teacher by profession, and exploring stories appeals to my training and personality. We take in cats, too, from time to time. The first cat that came to AMWB was a kitten with quite a story. One day, at work, I heard meowing all day. By the end of the day, it was getting progressively weaker. I spent a long time trampling around in the bushes trying to find the source, and finally came across a little kitten that had chewed its way out of a black plastic bag. It was presumably dumped, and became my first cat resident of AMWB.
How can the community help?
We post our available animals on our Facebook page, as well as on Adopt-A-Pet and PetFinder. We also do adoption events at Hollywood Feed in Woodstock and Petco in Acworth.
Rob’s Rescues
We are a small rescue. We have about 20 dogs. We emphasize quality over quantity and bring dogs in that need it the most. We focus on seniors and scared dogs that really need time and effort. Every dog has a story, and we try to get to know the ones that come through our door.
I interviewed Julie Reynolds, left, founder of Amazing Mutts and Wiggle Butts (AMWB), a foster-based dog rescue in Acworth. www.amazingmuttsandwigglebutts.org.
We need fosters. Also, please share our dogs and our mission, which is to really take the time to match a potential adopter with the right dog. These foster kittens are available from Floyd Felines (www.floydfelines.org). The kittens are being fostered by Michelle Brown in Canton. From left: Marvel (female), the beautiful queen; Wanda (female), sweet and cuddly; Thanos (male), small and mighty; Panther (male), fearless; and Kate (female), aka Lady Hawkeye, the first to try everything. I asked Michelle why she likes to foster and why people should think about doing that. She said: “There are so many abandoned cats and dogs. First, it’s important to spay and neuter to help control the animal population and not have more unwanted pets. Once the pets arrive, it’s important to love and care for them. I love cats, and this group of five reminds me of my current two adult cats when they were kittens. I was saddened by their story of being left in a laundry basket. No animal should ever be abandoned or neglected. I have the resources and love to help them, and really that’s all that is needed! They have brightened my days and will make excellent family pets. And, of course, they’ll be spayed and neutered so this cycle won’t continue.”
Rob Macmillan is on a mission to help shelter dogs and cats. On Facebook @robsrescues. www.robsrescues.com.
How did you start the rescue?
What story do you love to tell?
Where can people find AMWB rescues?
Tell us about AMWB.
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 to just go out and serve!
2. Next Step Ministries seeks to enrich the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Become an ongoing volunteer (https://bit.ly/3BBjaFO), or sign up to volunteer Oct. 1 at the Run, Walk or Roll 5K 3.(https://bit.ly/3d0KZxh).
BY SUSANNAH O. MACKAY
Did you know that Sept. 11 — Patriots Day — also is a National Day of Service? This event is organized by September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, a nonprofit organization with the mission to “transform the annual day of remembrance … into a worldwide day of unity and doing good.”
Show love to seniors. Honor National Day of Service as well as Grandparents Day, which also falls on Sept. 11 this year. Sign up to volunteer at an assisted living center (https://bit.ly/3JnGOYc) or a hospice program (https://bit.ly/3d1ExGf) near you. Be sure to check out these great projects and more on the JustServe website. Or, for additional ideas, join the JustServe North Georgia public Facebook group. You truly can make an impact with simple acts of service!
of Service3 Ways to Celebrate National Day Buying,Refinancing?Building, We’ve got you covered! Plus, we’ll pay $1,000 toward closing costs.* *Valid on Purchases & Refinances 678-486-1111 Experience the Difference of a Credit Union Mortgage at www.CUofGA.org/Promo! *Qualification is based on an assessment of individual creditworthiness and our underwriting standards. For complete terms and conditions, visit www.CUofGA.org/promo. AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022 35
Each year, JustServe is proud to help promote this day and give communities a way to build understanding and unity through service. Here are a few opportunities close to home:
I still remember where I was when I got the news of what was happening Sept. 11, 2001, in New York City; I remember the room where I stood and watched the horrific acts on television. I was a lot younger then, but I knew what I was seeing would change our nation forever. It’s hard to believe that it was more than 20 years ago, but I am happy to say that, while great tragedy took place that day, much good has come of it. Let me explain.
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.
1. Georgia Adopt-A-Stream/Rivers Alive. Help maintain a clean water supply for our community and state by joining a river cleanup this fall, including the weekend of the National Day of Service (https://bit.ly/3bnNgBY).
“Not a Sound” by Heather Gudenkauf
•
Memoir • “El
The North Cobb and West Cobb regional libraries each have a Merlin Reader, which has a text-to-speech feature that can be manipulated to help those who are hard of hearing.
• “Song
“You’re Welcome, Universe” by Whitney Gardner Nonfiction “American Sign Language Dictionary” by Tara Adams Mystery/Thriller
Coming-of-Age/Young
10 Recommended Reads International Week of the Deaf 36 AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022
September is Deaf Awareness Month, and the week of Sept. 20 is International Week of the Deaf, so we want to highlight some of the services and resources available at the Cobb County Public Library for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
• Georgia Relay. Staff members work with Relay team members to provide telephone service to the hard of hearing. Staff attended training to be prepared to take these calls. https://bit.ly/3zV2XsL.
by
• Georgia Mobile Audiology. The van has visited the library twice to provide hearing screenings for children. https://bit. ly/3Ad10Ir.
Youth
• Cobb-Douglas Public Health. The agency has provided hearing screenings at several library events through its detection and intervention program. https://bit. ly/3AfLlZZ.
•
•
Woman
Harvard
The Accessibility Services page on the library website highlights the various products and services available to those with physical impairments. https://bit. ly/3bY7GSi.Thelibrary also partners with several agencies to assist patrons with hearing impairments.
• “Haben:
•
Deaf Awareness Month Deafo” by Cece Bell (graphic novel) The Deafblind Who Conquered Law” Haben Girma Fiction for Whale” by Lynne Kelly “Hello, Universe” by Erin Entrada Kelly Youth Historical Fiction “Feathers” by Jacqueline Woodson “Show Me a Sign” by Ann Clare LeZotte Adult Fiction “True Biz” by Sara Novic
•
•
a
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Whether you’re hoping to learn American Sign Language, are interested in learning more about the deaf and hard-ofhearing community or are a member of that community, here’s a list of 10 reads we think will resonate with you, available from the Cobb County Public Library. In addition to the titles listed here, a variety of youth nonfiction library books are available to parents interested in explaining deafness and the use of ASL to younger readers. Nonfiction library books that teach ASL, for all ages, also can be found. Ask a library staff member for assistance.
AMP YOURLIFYTONE . Results and patient experiences may vary. The safety and efficacy of CoolSculpting and CoolTone in combination have not been evaluated by the FDA. WITH GET STARTED TODAY. CALL TO SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION. Purchase 6 CoolSculpting® cycles, and receive 6 treatmentsCoolTone® FREE! Earn and use Allē points on your treatments today! 678.888.5181 • governorsmedicine.com 4900 Ivey Road NW, Suite 1201, Acworth Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. appt. only AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022 37
The group was going strong before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, adding complications to the walkers’ usual routine. Now in 2022, the members are finding their stride again and building momentum by getting out during the week to walk. Their dedication to walking also has led to more healthy habits, such as improving their diet and incorporating weight training into their exercise plan. Jacqlyn created a Facebook group, GirlTrek Kennesaw, for posting photos and sharing their progress. This helps create visual motivation for others to get up and get moving.
The members have developed a strong sense of accountability and have made 6-mile walks their daily standard, and they’re considering walking up to 7 miles a few times in September. Jacqlyn Charles said if a walker is able to do only 4 miles with the group, she makes up the rest at some point during the day. “It doesn’t matter when or how you start; just take that first walk,” she said.
Members of GirlTrek Kennesaw walk 6 miles a day, five days a week.
Jacqlyn said this group has been a blessing to her and the community. The members’ bond is strong, and others have noticed. “We are meeting people from diverse backgrounds, while walking in the park, who are telling us how inspiring we are,” she said, noting she’s looking forward to the group bringing in more women.
38 AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022
GirlTrek Kennesaw Touts
The local GirlTrek group started in 2019, when Judy Mitchell-Clonts and Angela Kilgore began walking as a way of getting healthy and moving through the grief of losing two of their loved ones. What started as a group of four sisters and their niece, Urshula Roberts-Jackson, has grown into a larger group of eight women, ages 45 to 70-plus, who are connecting and finding joy. Before the women started walking three years ago, they noticed they were gaining weight as they navigated the difficult path through their grief, which motivated them to do something. Through their consistency in movement, they’ve reported lower blood pressure, reduced waist sizes and fewer medications. They use their time together to catch up on each other’s lives and talk about God, family and relationships, among other things.
While many of us are just starting our day, a group of women is starting its 6 miles toward wellness at 6 a.m. Members of the GirlTrek Kennesaw walking group meet during the week at Swift-Cantrell Park in Kennesaw as a part of their commitment to self-care, healthy lifestyles and fostering their relationships with family and friends. Their activities and inspiration were honored by Kennesaw Mayor Derek Easterling through a proclamation declaring July 18, 2022, as GirlTrek Kennesaw Day. The proclamation noted their actions have earned the admiration of others and highlighted what an asset Swift-Cantrell Park is to the city. Easterling also said the women represent the ideals of the city through their example of healthy living.
BY NICOLE SMITH
Members, from left, Shirley Jones, Angela Kilgore, Urshla Roberts-Jackson, Jacqlyn Charles (standing on top), Gloria Boyer, Judy MitchellClonts, Regina Roberts and Natasha FranklinHolliman show off their proclamations.
Birth of a National Movement
Meeting at Swift-Cantrell Park for their daily walk are, from left, Regina Roberts, Judy Mitchell-Clonts, Gloria Boyer, Angela Kilgore and Urshla Roberts-Jackson.
Touts Benefits of Walking
AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022 39
Nicole Smith is a public health professional living in Kennesaw with her epic houseplant collection and two senior dogs, Jax and Lily Grace.
GirlTrek was founded in 2010 in Los Angeles by two friends, T. Morgan Dixon and Vanessa Garrison, with the mission of encouraging Black women to walk as a radical act of self-care and community healing. Just 30 minutes a day has proven health benefits, and this daily act has been transformative globally. In 2020, GirlTrek reached 1 million members who walk to improve their health, and two years later, that number has grown to more than 1.3 million. Research has shown Black women are at a higher risk for chronic conditions, but this initiative is making a difference. According to a 2019 GirlTrek survey, members have selfreported weight loss, decreased symptoms of depression, less prescription medications and consistency in walking five days a week for at least 30 minutes a day for more than a year. Women can choose to walk solo in their neighborhoods or join a larger group in their area. No matter how they choose to get in their steps, they are never alone, as GirlTrek is a sisterhood. The larger network of women trekking in the Atlanta area always is willing to help connect women to other walkers in the community. GirlTrek also provides training for crew leaders — women who lead others on walks in their neighborhood and offer support through national, state and regional coaches. For information on joining the largest health movement for Black women and to find local events and groups, visit www.girltrek.org.
To my wonderful kids who have birthdays this month. May God bless you and keep you safe all days of your lives! I love celebrating every single milestone with you. Your dad and I and your little siblings love you to the moon and back! Madi Happy 18th birthday, Madi! We love you and are excited to see what the future holds for you!
Daniel Chunn
Happy seventh birthday! You fill our lives with joy. We love you! Mom, Dad and Max Rosemary Happy sixth birthday! You have been a blessing and shining star in our lives. We love you forever! Mama and Papa
Shane To my amazing husband, Shane, this month we celebrate 10 years of marriage, and each day, I learn to love a little more! Life has been challenging so many times, but I wouldn’t want to go through it with anyone else. God put us together and has blessed us tremendously with our five precious kids and one in heaven. I can’t wait to grow old by your side! Happy anniversary!
Love, Mom, Dad and Caleb
Lilli Selby Age 9 on Sept. 9
Happy birthday, sporty boy! We all love you so much! Love, Nanny 40 September 2022
AROUND KENNESAW |
Congratulations on becoming an Eagle Scout on April 6. We are proud of you! Love, Dad, Mom and Shyanne
This year is your golden birthday, turning 9 on the 9th! We love you so much! Mom, Dad, Cooper, Crooksie and Bella Campbell Whittingslow Age 2 on Sept. 11
Maria and Miguel
Celebrations! ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE FREE! Email to: edit@aroundaboutmagazines.com October deadline is Sept. 10. Please specify Around Kennesaw.
Elizabeth Age 7 on Sept. 14
AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022 41
T.GaspardCarrie
Sometime between 1835 and 1840, Gaspard Carrie moved to Penfield and began working for two temperance newspapers, the Christian Index and the Temperance Banner. He became close friends with his boss, a veteran of the War of 1812 named Benjamin Brantly. In 1843, Carrie married Lucy Blodgett in Augusta, and they would have five children. In that same year, Carrie’s brother-in-law enters the story. William Tappan Thompson was an Ohio native who moved to Georgia in 1834. Three years later, he married Caroline Carrie, Gaspard’s oldest sibling. The following year, Thompson began publishing stories he wrote in his own newspaper, the Augusta Mirror, and his best-known book, “Major Jones’ Courtship,” was published in 1843. Written as a series of letters by a fictitious Maj.
42 AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022
BY ANDREW J. BRAMLETT
An illustration from “Major Jones’ Courtship.” Image courtesy of Google Books.
One of the most distinguished residents in Kennesaw history was Judge Gaspard Theodore Carrie, who served as postmaster and justice of the peace, owned a Kennesaw hotel and was the patriarch of one of the city’s most prominent families.
G.T.’s father, Joseph Theodore Carrie, was born in France in 1773. Fleeing religious persecution, he moved to the United States before 1798, worked in Augusta and South Carolina and married Mary Eubanks in 1818. Their oldest daughter, Caroline, was born later that year, and their second child, Gaspard, was born Jan. 1, 1820. The Carries would have at least five more children. Though born in the Carolinas, Gaspard was raised in Augusta. He attended a Catholic school and worked at a newspaper.Inthe1830s and ’40s, Penfield, Georgia, was becoming an important city — a group of Baptists established Mercer University there in 1833.
Kennesaw Meets Mark Twain
Joseph Jones, the book featured the Stallings family, which included the matriarch and three daughters, Mary, Caroline and Keziah. The Stallings family was based on the Carrie family, and Mary Stallings was the object of Jones’ affection. Another member of the Stallings family was Tom, based on Gaspard. The Carries weren’t the only real-life individuals to inspire Thompson. He also included a fictional version of J. Edgar Thompson, the chief engineer of the Georgia Railroad, who, according to legend, gave Atlanta its name. When “Major Jones’ Courtship” was first published, the Augusta Chronicle praised it as “the prize book of the season” and compared it to the works of Charles Dickens. Today, the book is remembered for using “atrocious grammar and Southern dialect.” It is believed that the book inspired Mark Twain, as “Major Jones’ Courtship” and “Huckleberry Finn” contain similar scenes set at a circus. In this small way, the early life of Gaspard Carrie helped influence one of America’s favorite authors.
On April 9, 1851, Lucy Blodgett Carrie passed away, leaving Gaspard a widower. In 1852, he married Jane Harris. Carrie remained active in the temperance movement but began to look for ways to settle elsewhere. Both he and Benjamin
AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022 43
Brantly listed their houses for sale in October 1854. Carrie’s house in Penfield had “six good rooms with a brick basement and six fireplaces, a good kitchen and smokehouse and other out buildings, being both pleasantly situated and convenient to the schools.” While Brantly moved to what is now Bartow County, Carrie settled in Big Shanty, today known as Kennesaw.In1859, the Western & Atlantic Railroad began planning to build a hotel and eating house for its passengers in Big Shanty. Officials purchased land from Lemuel Kendrick and Carrie for the new building on the east side of the railroad tracks. Managed first by John W. Lewis and then by Kendrick, the establishment was run by George Lacy at the time of the Great Locomotive Chase. As such, it is often referred to as the Lacy Hotel. The 1860 census provides valuable insight into Carrie’s life. He was living with his wife, six kids and Andrew Bramlett is vice president of the Kennesaw Historical Society and an honorary member of the Kennesaw Cemetery Preservation Commission. a 24-year-old enslaved woman. His real estate was valued at $1,000, and his personal property was assessed at $2,500. His occupation was listed as merchant. During the Civil War, Carrie was a private in the 7th Regiment of the Georgia Infantry, but where he served is unknown. The only other known detail about his life during this time is he gave $5 in 1862 to support sick soldiers in Atlanta. In 1864, Big Shanty was burned to the ground as part of the Atlanta Campaign, and this event impacted the Carries greatly. Gaspard’s story after the war will be shared next month. This drawing shows Big Shanty during the Civil War. Image from the Bramlett Family Collection.
44 AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022
A Fun Way to ReadingPromoteThesocialcommitteeatHeritage Club in Kennesaw launched its new Little Free Library with a ribbon-cutting celebration recently. Besides the ribbon cutting, the event included storytime with Spider-Man, Disney characters Mirabel and Elsa and educator Jennifer Oria as well as games, crafts and snow cones. This young man was mesmerized by SpiderMan as the superhero read a book during Artiestorytime.Mello introduces Elsa and Mirabel to the crowd at the celebration.
Kids from the Heritage Club community cut the ribbon on their Little Free Library.
Social committee members, from left, Della Costley, Mary Johnson and Mary Kelley welcome Spider-Man, Maribel and Elsa to the neighborhood. Kids were able to enjoy games, crafts, snow cones and storytime during the celebration.
I’ve just come home after working all day. I walk into the kitchen and notice the dishwasher light says “clean.” Man, I hate putting away the dishes. I’m ready to relax or play with the dog. Plus, I still need to mow the lawn before those evening thunderstorms start. And yet, the clean dishes loom. At this point, I’m faced with a choice. I easily could blow it off until later. After all, the dog needs some attention, and I have more pressing yard work ahead. But I know my wife, Amy, doesn’t enjoy putting away the dishes any more than I do. She has worked an even longer day than I have, and she isn’t home yet. In this moment, I tell myself I love Amy more than I love not emptying the dishwasher. It sounds trivial, but I would rather spare her from having to do it than elude this household chore. At the end of the day, that’s what love really is. It’s choosing to do something for someone above choosing yourself. Don’t get me wrong — I don’t have a 100% track record of putting away the dishes. There have been times when I did walk away from it. But, as a husband, I have opportunities to make small sacrifices to demonstrate my devotion. Instead of saying, “I’m doing this because it needs to be done,” I tell myself, “I’m doing this because I love Amy so much.” Then, I must do my best to not even mention it. Many times, we do something so we will be acknowledged and praised. But that pretty much undoes our good deed
Love Means Doing Things You Dislike
Maybe your spouse loathes folding laundry, taking out the trash, helping the kids with homework or cleaning the toilet. Whatever it is, make a point this week of doing it for him or her or at least helping out. If you do it enough, you’ll soon begin to enjoy the satisfaction of loving him or her well. And, quite possibly, you’ll start getting help with that chore you detest! [Love choosing " "
is]
to do something for someone above choosing yourself.
because the deed points back to us. I know – it’s so hard. We want the pat on the back so desperately. However, if that’s our motivation, it shows the true intention wasn’t selfless at Scriptureall.is chock full of examples of sacrifice and exhortations to put ourselves aside for the benefit of others. Perhaps the most straightforward teaching can be found in Paul’s letter to the church at Caesarea Philippi: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)
Kim Dahnke kim@aroundaboutmagazines.com770-778-5314
Contact us to reserve yours today. WWW.AROUNDABOUTLOCALMEDIA.COM Covers Get Results! Find out how you can be featured on the cover! AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022 45
C.A. Phillips serves as communications pastor and director of men’s groups at NorthStar Church. He oversees Over the Hump, a weekly online devotional. northstarchurch.org/lockerroom.
BY C.A. PHILLIPS
Erin Klemencic shows off her U18 Girls division national championship trophy.
For 16-year-old twins Erin and Ethan Klemencic, bowling is a family affair. The Powder Springs duo, who are juniors at Mount Paran Christian School in Kennesaw, spent their summer training for and competing in the Junior Gold Championships, an annual national tournament for the top male and female youth bowlers in the U.S. The tournament has eight divisions — U12 Boys, U12 Girls, U15 Boys, U15 Girls, U18 Boys, U18 Girls, U20 Boys and U20 Girls. Through their hard work and dedication, the twins progressed through the different levels of the tournament. Erin had advanced each of her previous three attempts at the Junior Gold competition, though this year’s event marked her first appearance in the BowlTV finals. Even better, she clinched the national champion title in the U18 Girls division as the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America Junior Gold Champion for 2022. “It’s really amazing to come out here and do what I love to do and finally be rewarded by walking away with a championship,” Erin said. “To have this happen is a dream come true. It’s just awesome.”
National Bowling Champ Makes Junior Team USA
To compete at Junior Gold, athletes first must compete in a qualifying tournament or league. More than 3,200 United States Bowling Congress youth members competed at this year’s event in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The goal is to win not only the national title, but also a portion of the $500,000 scholarship fund and a spot on Junior Team USA, an elite group of top American youth who represent the U.S. in international bowling competitions.
SUBMITTED BY MOUNT PARAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
From a pool of 569 female bowlers, Erin advanced to the winners bracket, where she bowled a 223, defeating Annalise O’Bryant of Ball Ground. By winning the national championship, Erin also became a member of Junior TeamEthanUSA.also advanced from the initial pool of 1,208 bowlers, averaging 202.56 per game. He ultimately finished the tournament in 147th place. “They both did amazing,” their mother, Cathy Klemencic, said. “It’s an honor to qualify for the tournament. Not everyone gets to participate in the tournament, as you have to qualify to go. Making the first cut — or the Advancers round — is also a big deal. This was the first year Ethan made the cut. That is a huge improvement for him from previous years. All of the hard work with their bowling coach is paying off for Ethan and for Erin.”
Erin Klemencic, left, during the Junior Gold Championships this summer. Erin and her twin, Ethan, above, spent their summer preparing for the event.
46 AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022
Fall Is Coming, But It’s Not Here Just Yet
overgrown flower beds. Groom the plantings to remove dead flowers and unattractive foliage. It is too early to plant hardy trees, shrubs, ground cover and vines in the landscape. Temperatures in the 80s and 90s likely will be common in September, and this still is too stressful for new plantings. Wait at least until the cooler weather of October. The ideal planting season for hardy trees, shrubs and ground cover is November through February.Italsois too soon to plant coolseason bedding plants, although they will begin to show up in area nurseries this month. Even if you have an area where the annual bedding plants were spent and have been removed, it still is too hot to plant most fall bedding plants. Mulch over the area, and wait until the more reliably cooler weather of October to plant there. Now would be a great time to consider testing the soil (https://bit.ly/3QjK7Te).Floweringbulbs,suchas tulips and daffodils, also become available this month, but there is no hurry to plant them. Purchase them now, if you like, Summer plants and flowers soon will be replaced by cool-season bedding plants and other vegetation that needs to be planted in the fall.
Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County is a part of the University of Georgia Extension. but plant bulbs in the garden from mid-October through early December (https://bit.ly/3BUsSDt).Thechrysanthemumoften is considered the floral symbol of fall, and you will begin seeing them for sale this month as well. When planted in the garden while daytime highs still are in the upper 80s and lower 90s, these flowers will wither rapidly in the heat. Wait for consistently lower temperatures to purchase chrysanthemums. If purchased and planted at the appropriate time, the flowers and the colorful display they provide will last longer in the garden. So, for now, let’s anticipate the soonto-arrive milder weather and enjoy the delights of gardening over the next few months. And remember, it is never too soon to start planning for next year’s flower garden!
The Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County (MGVOCC) supports the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service and strives to improve the quality of life in our community by delivering researchbased horticultural information, educational programs and projects.
AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022 47
BY ROBERT TRAWICK
Labor Day often is touted as the traditional “end of summer,” and, according to the calendar, autumn officially starts with the fall equinox at 10:29 a.m. on Sept. 22. But our summer season in Georgia extends a little bit longer. Still, the days are getting shorter, and that is beginning to have an effect. We almost can see the end of our long and brutally hot summer. For Georgia gardeners, fall is not a time of winding down things in the garden; instead, it’s a time of revival and renewed effort. We can get back into our gardens and enjoy ourselves, as the debilitating heat loses its grip on the weather.Forthe next two months, we will experience a gradual shift to milder weather. There will be cool spells, followed by hot, summer-like weather, but as we move into late October, cooler weather will begin to dominate the scene. You might notice an increase of vigor in your warm-season bedding plants in September. Why? Shorter days mean fewer hours of intense heat. Even though the daytime highs might stay about the same, plants begin to experience less stress. This encourages a “second wind” for flowering annuals (https://bit. ly/3QgMS7M) that might last well into October.Withthis being the case, consider cutting back some of your summer bedding plants and flowers that have grown tall and leggy over the long growing season. This is done in late August or early September at the latest, and it generally involves cutting back plants about one-third to one-half their height. While you’re at it, it might be a good idea to impose some order on those
Congratulations to everyone who entered the Cobb Photographic Society competition. The topic for July was “General (with no editing).” The guest judge was photographer Ron Ward. 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.
Color Tim Wolfe - First Place (Car Frame Up) Novice Umit Yuksel - Second Frank Seco de Lucena - First Place (Red Sky at Night) 48 AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022
Photographic
Cobb Society
Paul Shimek - First Place (Buckets)
AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022 49
Monochrome Place (Birth of a Different Feather) Melissa Moody - Third Place (Abstract Banana)
10 Pizza, Pints & Pigskins will have pizzerias from across Cobb County competing for the title of favorite pizza, noon-10 p.m., at Logan Farm Park, 4405 Cherokee St. Contests include People’s Choice, Judge’s Choice and Most Creative. The free event also will feature a kids zone, music from Scott Thompson and The Return — The Ultimate Beatles Tribute Band, televised football games, football activities and a beer garden. 770-423-1330, www.jrmmanagement.com or Thebillwatson@jrmmanagement.com.
30 Celebrate Oktoberfest noon-midnight Friday and Saturday and noon-9 p.m. Sunday at Horned Owl Brewing, 2765 S. Main St., Kennesaw. The free event will feature live music Friday night and Saturday and stein-hoisting contests and will offer German beers and other fresh craft beer taps for sale at the beer garden tent, along with authentic German food from food trucks. For information, visit hornedowlbrewing.com.
SEPTEMBER
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The Bailey School of Music at Kennesaw State University is sponsoring the Hispanic Heritage Festival, a weeklong celebration of the rich cultural traditions of Hispanic heritage. This week will offer a variety of concerts led by Germán Gutiérrez, festival artistic director and guest conductor. For information and to purchase tickets, visit musicksu.com.
Around & About
09 MOMS Club of Kennesaw is a great group for moms to join to meet other moms in the Kennesaw area. The September meeting will be at 10 a.m. at the North Cobb Regional Library.
Kennesaw Grand Prix Series Races will be held the second Saturday of each month in front of Kennesaw First Baptist Church at 2958 N. Main St. The September race will benefit the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History in downtown Kennesaw. Future races and organizations they benefit are: Oct. 8: Smith-Gilbert Gardens in Kennesaw. Nov. 12: Wounded veterans. Visit https://kennesawgrandprix.com/faq/.
22 The 90th annual North Georgia State Fair will take place 4-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 4 p.m.-midnight Fridays, 10 a.m.-midnight Saturdays and 12:30-10 p.m. Sundays at Jim R. Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road, Marietta.
The largest fair in metro Atlanta will feature live music, free attractions and shows, farm animals, flower shows, blue-ribbon competitions, local entertainment, fair foods and games and rides on the Great James H. Drew Exposition midway. For information on concert performers, admission, ticket prices, discount tickets and special events, visit northgeorgiastatefair.com. For questions, call 770-423-1330 or 770-528-8989 after Sept. 6 or email tod.miller@northgeorgiastatefair.com.
NOVEMBER
OCTOBER
Wednesdays
Mondays Painting and Drawing With Jessica Geist, Aug. 30Oct. 18, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Ben Robertson Community Center, 2753 Watts Drive. 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.
A brisk walk can curb cravings, reduce stress and offer a healthy way to catch up with friends and family. Get active on the 1.5-mile loop circling the campus.
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Yoga by Kaiser Permanente, 6:30-7:30 p.m., is a free outdoor yoga class for all ages on the Plaza Green. Participants are required to bring a mat and encouraged to bring water. Register at batteryatlyoga2022.eventbrite.com.
Thursdays Painting and Drawing With Jessica Geist, Sept. 1-Oct. 20, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Ben Robertson Community Center, 2753 Watts Drive. 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.
The city of Acworth, the downtown merchants and the Lake City Cruisers will hold the Fall Downtown Classic Car Cruise 4-9 p.m. at Logan Farm Park. The event is free to the public. A $5 entry fee is requested for all vehicles in the cruise. All proceeds go to the Horizon Field, an all-inclusive special-needs sports facility in Acworth. For information, contact Jeff Chase at jchase@acworth.org or 770-917-1234.
Kennesaw Parks and Recreation 2529 J.O. Stephenson Ave. // 770-424-8274 www.kennesaw-ga.gov/parks-and-recreation
The 2022 Acworth Halloween JamBOOree is set for 3-7 p.m. at Logan Farm Park, on the large field in front of the playground. There will be games, rides, food, music and a costume contest for the kids. https://bit.ly/3AjccED.
Through Oct. 28
The Acworth Farmers Market is open 8 a.m.-noon Fridays, rain or shine, at the main entrance of Logan Farm Park. Applications for vendors for the 2022 season are being accepted and reviewed on an ongoing basis. For more information or an application, visit https://bit.ly/3O7Nydq.
Mondays, Wednesdays BSD Taekwondo. Aug. 1-Oct. 26, 6-7 p.m., Ben Robertson Community Center, 2753 Watts Drive. This class teaches focus, discipline, self-control and self-defense for ages 7 to adult.
22
RECREATION
The Battery Atlanta Walking Trail
The free series runs through October, 7-9:30 p.m., at the downtown pedestrian underpass off Main Street. 770-422-9714. Oct. 7: TBA 2022
AROUND KENNESAW | September
The Taste of Acworth will take place 11 a.m.6 p.m. on Main Street downtown. This event benefits numerous schools and charities in the community. There will be more than 150 booths from local restaurants and businesses, plus two live entertainment stages and a kids zone. Admission is free. Restaurants will be offering food samples, ranging from $1-$5. 770-423-1330; www.acworthbusiness.org.
The Superior Plumbing Taste of Kennesaw will take place 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Main Street downtown. The event, which benefits five local charities, will feature samples from more than 20 Kennesaw and Cobb County restaurants, the Trackside Grill Beer Garden, music, local entertainment and children’s activities, including a rock wall, inflatable slides and bounces. Admission is free, and food samples will range from $1 to $5. 770423-1330, www.kennesawbusiness.org.Laura@jrmmanagement.com,
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First Friday Concert Series
Saturdays BYOB (Beat Your Opponent Back). Aug. 6-Oct. 8, 1-3 p.m., Ben Robertson Community Center, 2753 Watts Drive. This course is designed to give females and teens the skills to protect themselves.
About
Junior Aerospace Engineering Air and Space Explorers. Aug. 24-Oct. 5, 6-6:50 p.m., Ben Robertson Community Center, 2753 Watts Drive. Learn about planets, stars, space travel and more through hands-on activities for ages 4-7.
The Battery Atlanta Mondays
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Sept. 13
Sept. 14 Learn Pickleball. 2-4 p.m. Meet at Ward Recreation Center at 4845 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs, to learn how to play pickleball. All equipment provided.
ALOHA TO AGING
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 must RSVP in Alohaadvance.
VETERAN CONNECTION
52 AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022
WEST COBB SENIOR CENTER 4915 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs // www.cobbcounty.org/public-services/senior-services/west-cobb-senior-center770-528-8200
Sept. 27 What You Didn’t Know About Your Cobb Library. 10-11 a.m. Get the most from the public library by learning to access all its free resources.
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.
Social Security: Securing Today and Tomorrow. 10-11 a.m. A Social Security specialist will address qualifying for Social Security, calculating and choosing benefits, Medicare, auxiliary and survivor benefits and applying online.
Cobb Senior Services Registration is required for all activities; no walk-ins allowed. Call the center to register, or visit www.MyActiveCenter.com.
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. Covenant Presbyterian Church 2881 Canton Road, Marietta 770-722-7641 // www.alohatoaging.org
DEMENTIASUPPORTCAREGIVERGROUP
Parkinson’s Support Group
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 55 and older for an informal get-together. Call Mike Nichols at 770-528-1448 for information. Sept. 28 Walk West Cobb: Doll’s Head Trail at Constitution. 9 a.m.12:30 p.m. Explore this trail at Constitution Lakes Park in Atlanta. $5. Registration deadline is Sept. 21. Sept. 29 Tech Talk: Transitioning to Mac. 10-11:30 a.m. Learn the ins and outs of a Mac computer and what the differences are between Windows and Mac. Mondays Woodcarvers. 1-3:30 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 deejay.
How to Listen to Classical Symphony. 10-11 a.m. Examine Mozart’s iconic Symphony No. 40 as a model of a good symphony.
Sept. 19 Manage Your Microbiome. 10-11 a.m. Learn about foods that promote gut health as well as how to clean out the pantry and buy fresh foods for a healthy lifestyle. Sept. 21 Fall Prevention. 2-3 p.m. Take steps to prevent falls by learning about physical changes, health conditions and medications that can cause Sept.them.26
Meets monthly at 1 p.m. at Burnt Hickory Baptist Church in Powder Springs. Open to family members who are assisting an aging loved one in or out of the home. Care provided during the meeting, but must RSVP in advance. Upcoming dates: Sept. 13.
Sept. 7, 21
Medicare: What’s New for 2023. 10-11 a.m. Get ready for the annual enrollment period by learning about the finer points of Medicare.
Senior Activities
Tuesdays Paper Crafting Fun. 10 a.m.4 p.m. Enjoy making cards and scrapbooking with others. Bring your own supplies. Color Me Happy. 1-3:30 p.m. Color with others. Bring your own materials. Wednesdays Mahjong. 10 a.m.-noon. Game knowledge and mahjong cards are Thursdaysrequired. Advanced Bridge. 1-3:30 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.
As we approach the extended deadline to file 2021 income tax returns, here are three facts to keep in mind about unfiled returns:
3. The collection statute of limitations does not begin until a return is filed and assessed.
Don’t ignore unfiled taxes.
Don’t go it alone.
CPA Denson Pepper is your neighbor, with 30-plus years of IRS experience. He is an expert at helping people resolve their income tax problems. 678-797-5241.
The IRS shut down much of its collection arm again early this year. For the rest of this year, a dramatic return to collection enforcement and many mailed tax notices are expected.
Are You Struggling With Tax Problems?
Do you or your company need to catch up on the required filing of income tax returns to the U.S. Treasury or the Georgia Department of Revenue?
Once again, the IRS is using software to find nonfilers. Enforcement labor shortages will dictate more of its usage in the foreseeable future.
AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022 53
For peace of mind, reach out to a trusted tax professional, specializing in unfiled returns. If you have a tax liability, a tax professional can represent you to tax authorities and negotiate the best available settlement.
2. The IRS will not consider a repayment plan for prior years’ taxes unless all required returns have been filed.
If you are due a refund, you must file within three years of the original return’s due date, or the IRS can keep your money. Technology helps find nonfilers.
1. Generally, the IRS only requires you to file the most recent six years of returns, 2016 to 2021 this year.
The IRS can file your return for you and send you the bill. Usually, the tax will be greater than it would have been had you filed it yourself.
If you’re worried about going it alone, a tax professional can help you navigate a confusing maze of laws and protect your appeal rights after returns have been filed and assessed.
BY DENSON PEPPER
• If your boat has an enclosed cabin, close all windows and doors before refueling. Because gasoline fumes are heavier than air, they can collect in the lower parts of the boat.
Fire Safety Aboard Your Vessel, Part 1
• Use your nose! Gasoline has a distinct odor that you can smell even in small amounts. If you smell gas, shut down everything and find the source.
• If you have an inboard or inboard/outboard engine, it is time to run the bilge blower. Run the fan for four minutes. It’s also a good idea to run this blower before any engine start, since even a small leak can produce fumes.
Next month, we’ll discuss the types and number of fire extinguishers you need to have on board your vessel. Over the past several years, there have been a few changes to this carriage requirement, and boaters need to know what those changes are. To learn more about this subject and other safety topics, consider taking a boating-safety class. For information on classes, visit https://bit.ly/3BHeZIS or email flotilla22pe@gmail.com.
Superior Plumbing Presents 90th Annual North Georgia State Fair Sept. 22-Oct. 2 Jim R Miller Park, Marietta, GA Voted Best Festival and Best Family Amusement 2021WINNER FREE!&KIDS10UNDERADMISSIONEVERYDAY Presented By: Sponsored By: Thursday, September 29 @ 8 PM Corey Smith iday, September 30 @ 8hael Ray Sat, Oct. 1 & Sun, Oct. 2 Bull Riding BullRidersAmericanTour Carriage2022 ConcertKia Series Friday, September 23 @ 8 PMThe Afters Saturday, September 24 @ 8 PM LOCASH Wednesday, September 28 @ 8 PMJosh Turner Youth Attendance Policy- After 6:00 pm each day no person under the age of 17 will be allowed entry without a parent. Clear Bag Policy- Clear Bag may not exceed 12”x6”x12” -storage bag- one-gallon resealable clear plastic freezer bag. Small clutch purse no larger than 4.5”x 6.5” permitted. Gate Entry Policy- No Entry Sun-Thurs 9:00pm, Fri-Sat 10:00pm. ONLINE THRU SEPT. 21 COURTESY OF ADMISSION $7 | 21 RIDE TICKETS $11 10 & UNDER ALWAYS FREE ADMISSION! TICKETS! Discount Fr Mic PM 54 AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022
Fire on a boat always has been a dreaded and sometimes fatal experience. When refueling, the risk of fire is heightened. Fires at a refueling dock have happened at our local lakes, but there are precautions you can take to minimize the risk.
• Be sure all electrical devices and the engine are turned off.
• When gasoline passes through the pump hose, it generates static electricity. If that sparks with the fumes at the fuel tank fill point, an explosion can occur. To dissipate the static electricity, keep the hose’s metal nozzle in contact with the metal part of the refueling opening to ground the system.
• Frequently check your fuel lines and connections for leaks and worn spots.
Greg Fonzeno is the public education officer and commander of the local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Unit (Flotilla 22) at Allatoona Lake.
• Try not to spill any fuel during the process. This adds to the fire danger and also contaminates the environment. Legally, you are responsible for your fuel spills.
BY GREG FONZENO
• Once fueling is complete, securely fasten the gas cap and open all windows and doors to ventilate any fumes.
Taste and Brews Fall Festival 37 www.tasteandbrews.com Taste of Acworth 21 www.acworthbusiness.org/taste-ofacworth
FINANCIAL SERVICES BluTree Advantage 13 470-481-0363 www.blutreeadvantage.com
Chattahoochee Technical College 5 770-528-4545 chattahoochee-tech-podcastswww.chattahoocheetech.edu/98-7Georgia Trade School 21 www.georgiatradeschool.com
BEAUTY SALON Patricia Hill Color Studio Inside front 770-627-4725BUSINESS
ENTERTAINMENT/EVENTS
Credit Union of Georgia 35 678-486-1111 www.cuofga.org LGE Credit Union 11 www.lgeccu.org HOME & GARDEN Dayco Systems Heating & Cooling 3 770-336-7888 www.daycosystems.com Enhance Floors & More 31 770-565-3808 www.enhancefloors.com
DENTAL Gentle Dental Care/Georgia Dental Implant Center Inside back www.georgiadic.com770-926-2784EDUCATION SERVICES
St. Joseph Catholic School 5 770-428-3328 www.stjosephschool.org
PHOTOGRAPHY Red Baryl Portraits 41 PHYSICIANS815-540-0936AND www.joanniebatessells.comOffice:678-788-6465678-631-1700 770-819-8453 www.bestinboating.com/boat-rentals
SK Home Inspections 13
Kennesaw Business Association 26 www.kennesawbusiness.orgCHARITABLEORGANIZATIONS
ORGANIZATIONS
Orcutt Law Offices 9 678-383-7857 www.orcuttlawoffices.com Williams | Elleby 1 833-LEGALGA www.gatrialattorney.com
North Georgia State Fair 54 www.northgeorgiastatefair.com
Acworth Business Association Golf 7 Tournament www.acworthbusiness.org/golftournament Gobble Jog 39 www.gobblejog.org
Towne Plumber 7 770-257-7503 www.towneplumber.com INSURANCE Provident Insurance Agency 36 770-499-2040 www.providentgroup.com
Star Group Commercial 1 Cleaning Services, LLC 470-410-5472 www.stargroupcleanse.com
MEDICAL SERVICES Governors MedSpa & 5, 37 Concierge Medicine 678-888-5181 www.governorsmedicine.com REAL ESTATE & RELATED SERVICES Keller Williams Realty, Joannie Bates 13 Cell:
ACCOUNTING & TAX Denson Pepper, CPA 9 www.densonpeppercpa.com678-797-5241ATTORNEYS/LEGALSERVICES
Mostly Mutts Animal Rescue 53 770-272-6888 www.mostlymutts.org/volunteer
Brookwood Christian School 7 678-401-5855 www.brookwoodchristian.com
www.skhomeinspections.com RECREATION Paradise Rental Boats 3 770-746-0005
RETAILERS/ SHOPPING Cotton Mill Exchange 1 770-992-9294 www.cottonmillexchange.net Golf Cars of Canton 25 678-880-1156 www.golfcarsofcanton.com St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store 27 770-919-1458 www.svdpgeorgia.org SENIOR LIVING/SERVICES DayBreak Village Back cover 770-218-6166 www.daybreakvillage.com Silver Comet Village Cover, 28-29 770-222-2775 www.silvercometvillage.com September 2022 Advertisers This wonderful publication is brought to you by these local businesses. When using our advertisers’ services, please let them know you found out about them from the Around Kennesaw magazine! AROUNDABOUTLOCALMEDIA.COM For advertising rates and information | Kim Dahnke 770-778-5314 | kim@aroundaboutmagazines.com AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022 55
CLEANING SERVCES
Kennesaw Grand Prix Series 2022 41 www.kennesawgrandprix.com
Downtown Kennesaw Dining Bangkok Cabin Thai 3413 Cherokee St. www.bangkokcabin.net770-427-5287 Bernie’s American 2825 S. Main www.meetatbernies.com770-627-2297St. Big Shanty Smokehouse Barbecue 3393 Cherokee St. www.bigshantybbq.com770-499-7444 BurgerFi American 2844 S. Main www.burgerfi.com770-635-2800St. Cylantros Venezuelan Cuisine Kennesaw Venezuelan 3338 Cherokee St. www.cylantros.net678-324-6276 El Taco Azteca Bar and Grill Mexican 2689 Summers St. https://eltaco-azteca.com678-310-0165 Fern Gully Jamaican Cafe Jamaican 2756 S. Main www.ferngullycafe.com678-401-3719St. Frozen Cow Creamery Ice Cream 2870 Cherokee St. www.frozenbluecow.com678-324-7459 Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken American 2825 S. Main www.gusfriedchicken.com770-575-9026St. Honeysuckle Biscuits & Bakery Bakery 2825 S. Main www.honeysucklebiscuits.com770-627-4370St. Kennesaw Thai Cuisine Thai 2754 S. Main www.kennesawthaiatlanta.com678-331-1988St. Lazy Labrador Coffee House Coffee and Baked Goods 2886 Cherokee St. www.lazylabradorcoffeehouse.com770-820-6091 Pisano’s Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen Italian 2740 Summers St. www.pisanospizzeria.com770-966-9600 SuBourbon Rock & Oyster Bar Oyster Bar 2718 Summers St. www.subourbonbar.com770-726-2163 The Nest Kennesaw Barbecue 2921 Cherokee St. www.thenestkennesaw.com678-903-6921 Trackside Grill Southern 2840 S. Main www.tracksidegrill.com770-499-0874St. Vesuvio Pizzeria Napoletana Pizzeria 2893 N. Main St., Suite https://vesuvionapoletana.comB 56 AROUND KENNESAW | September 2022
