Cobb Life Magazine - June

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Cobb Life June/July 2010 Volume 6, Issue 5

PUBLISHER

Otis A. Brumby, Jr.

GENERAL MANAGER

Otis Brumby III

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER V.P. OF SALES

Hearing Evaluations • Hearing Aids Hearing Aid Repair • Assistive Listening Devices Batteries & More!

DIRECTOR OF MAGAZINES

Mark Wallace Maguire CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

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Erin Gray

LAYOUT AND DESIGN

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(Audeo Yes IX and Micro Exelia Art)

Wade Stephens

EDITORIAL STAFF

FREE with purchase of pair of in-stock premium Phonak products

Jay Whorton

Stacey L. Evans, Mark Wallace Maguire CONTRIBUTORS Allen Bell, Laura Braddick, Carten Cordell, Joan Durbin, Donna Espy, Stacey L. Evans, Elaine LaMontagne, Heather Teilhet, Michael Venezia,

75 Day Trial Period on Hearing Aids

DR. LAURIE NELSON, Audiologist 990 Suite D Whitlock Avenue • Marietta, GA 30064 Under Whitlock’s Restaurant 770-427-3033 • www.MariettaHearing.com

PHOTOGRAPHY

Adam Miller

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Abundant Life Affordable Contracting Alan Belinky DDS A-1 Insurance Benefits Acorn All The Best Antiques of Vinings Body Proud - Mindy Casellanos Boland McCamy Broadway Across America Carpet Dry Tech Center Academy Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center Cheryl Dra Interiors Childrens Health Care Cobb Hardware Curves for Women Delmar Gardens Emory Adventist Fabric & Fringe Fireplace Company First Landmark Fresh N Fit Georgia Memorial Park Geico Golden Rugs GracePointe Marietta Halo Salon Hearing Solutions Heck & Co. Imperial Carpet J. Christopers Johnson Ferry Baptist Juleps Kennesaw Dental Care Kennesaw State Continuing Education Korean War Veterans Leather Gallery & Bedding Center Mable House Amphet

31 99 53 12 32 92 20 53 89 33 66 86 82 97 5 94 81 37 47 70 37 27 54 46 66 16 80 11 67 91 31 63 10 93 70 21 49 26 73

Magnolia Room Manders Dental Marietta Camp Meeting Marietta Hearing Marietta Museum of History Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art Mayes Ward - Dobbins Funeral Home Noble Pest Serices Northside Hospital Northside Hospital - Sleep Center Northside Hospital - Spine Center Northwest Bank & Trust Out of The Park Perry Winkle's Piedmont Hospital Pinnacle Orthopaedics Plastic Surgery Center of the South Primrose Resurgens Roswell Street Baptist Sams BBQ 1 Savannah Court Solaris Spot On Consulting State Farm Steve Rayman Sundial Plumbing Tee One Up The Bottoms Group The Framery Ty Young Inc United Community Bank Vintage Cabinets Waldenbooks Waverly Hotel Wellstar White Rabbit Williamson Brothers Winnwood Retirement

PROOFREADER

Sonja Heck

ADVERTISING STAFF 62 91 86 4 85 90 98 40 9 36 77 59 24 11 100 55 30 76 13 26 59 88 3 96 93 41 71 16 7 88 43 17 42 83 72 2 95 54 25

COBB ADVERTISING MANAGER

Becky Opitz ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Reneé Aghajanian, Katie Berry Tamara Cuda, Stephanie deJarnette, Dawne Edge, Carole Johnson, Paula Milton, Cheryl Myrick, Wade Shoaf, Melinda Young GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Caroline Brannen Beth Poirier, Jennifer Hall CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Leigh Hall

CIRCULATION DIRECTOR

Matt Heck

Cobb Life magazine is published nine times a year and distributed to more than 33,500 homes throughout Cobb County.

ADVERTISING: To advertise, contact Wade Stephens at wstephens@cobblifemagazine.com or 770.795.3000 x502 SUBMISSIONS: Please send all editorial correspondence to mmaguire@cobblifemagazine.com or cobblife

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CONTENTS Vo l u m e 6 , N u m b e r 5

features 14 PERKS FOR POP Here’s a guide to what dad really wants on Father’s Day 18 CANVASSING CLASS Up close with dk Gallery owner Donna Krueger 22 HE JOLTED JOE Looking back on the Marietta resident who halted DiMaggio’s streak

28

34 FROM KSU TO CANOPY North Georgia’s newest attraction springs from Kennesaw inspiration 38 PARKS GUIDE A rating of Cobb parks for kids by a Smyrna mom 44 HAVING A BALL Marietta couple and their passion for bocce ball 48 TRAVIS TRITT The country star plays the MHBA in June 68 BULLETS AND THE BLUE SKY Acworth artisan restores antique weapons 78 PLANTING AND POTENTIAL Sope Creek special needs class partners with parks

44

departments 28 WINE Our expert matchmaker gives you great pairings 50 SPICE Casing Cobb for great BBQ 74 BLOOM The daylily duo and their wonderful creations

in

every

issue

8 FROM THE DIRECTOR

10 NEWS AND NOTEWORTHY 82 FROM THE WEB

84 HIGHLIGHTS 88 SCENE

ON THE COVER: Ribs from Dave Poe’s BBQ.

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FROM

THE

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DIRECTOR

A salute to the KINGS OF THE ‘Q Barbecue.

BBQ. ‘Cue. However, you spell it or whatever you name it, it is a staple of Summer as much as fresh watermelon, the sound of baseball on the radio and the constant stick of humidity.

Of course, for the serious gurus of the grill, there is no season for barbecue or rather to barbecue. (Unlike some, I think it is interchangeable as a verb and a noun). For those chosen few, the smell of smoke, the gathering of wood and the marinating of meat is a weekly ritual regardless of cold, rain, heat or even snow.

While I can use my gas grill and cook up a decent batch of steaks, hamburger, lamb or chicken, I have not come close to mastering the art of cooking barbecue. It is another level of existence that is a mix of art, science and patience.

However, I am blessed to know a few of those who have.

Adam Chesney, a former Cobb resident and longtime friend of mine, is one of the best at cooking barbecue. I’ve known Adam for close to 17 years, but it wasn’t until about 1998 that we both started seriously getting into grilling. While I favored gas, he was a charcoal man. We both started off with inexpensive meat – chicken. Back then his grill was a warped, ancient hibachi that had seen much better days. Oftentimes the grill would sag and he would have to adjust the coals with a stick.

And he burnt himself just about every time when he went to turn the legs (yes, being in our 20s then, we never thought about actually using tongs or investing in a new grill).

All that said, he still turned out some of the best, juiciest chicken legs I’ve tasted.

And Adam’s skills have only aged like a fine wine. The last time I tasted his creations was during a “man weekend” with a few old college buddies last Summer. These days, he doesn’t use sticks. Instead, he showed up armed with a smoker, a ton of wood and charcoal, a meat thermometer that came with a remote control and a gloriously huge cut of pork tenderloin.

The word “fantastic” may not be subtle enough for true food writers, but it worked in that situation. The man can cook a tender, savory piece of meat. I am already looking forward to his creations at our man weekend this year.

Another barbecue king I know is Smyrna’s Clint Meador. Clint is the type of guy who can wax on the subtleties of the type of wood you can use to smoke a piece of meat. It is not unusual to hear him say he is driving to his dad’s house in Taylorsville to pick up some pecan or apple wood. Is the drive worth the effort? I think so. Let me put it this way. I wrote in this column a few years ago about how I don’t like turkey. Well, Clint smoked us a whole turkey a few years ago. I told my wife I would take a bite to be polite. Then, I ate about half of the massive bird.

Since then, the only turkey I will ever consider eating has got to be smoked.

The most unique barbecue maestro I know is Scottie Morine. Scottie works with us here at Cobb Life as our maintenance guru. The thing that makes Scottie unique is he is not from the South. Not by a long shot. (Can you say Massachusetts?) And, yet, his barbecue is some of the best I have ever had. The man possesses about a dozen grills and smokers and literally has an outdoor kitchen. He cooks everything on the grill and I’m not exaggerating. All your meats, all your vegetables and even a few desserts.

Since I found a few years ago that Scottie was serious about cooking out, he has provided me with tons of great advice and even occasionally brings me in some of his barbecue creations.

The last time he blessed me with some barbecue he dropped off a plastic bag stuffed with smoked pork for me while I was out of the office.

He saw me the next day and asked how my family liked it.

“My family?” I replied. “What do you mean? That pork didn’t make it home, I ate it for lunch.”

“For lunch? But, that was over a pound of pork.”

“I know, thanks.”

I am not advocating that everyone learn how to grill. Some folks just lack patience or talent with cooking over fire. However, I do strongly recommend you find a friend with the talent. They can make a good Summer evening great.

Best,

Mark Wallace Maguire

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NEWS

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NOTEWORTHY

Polk Street Players making strides

Polk Street Players is heading into the Summer with a jolt of momentum with several new announcements. The group recently joined the Metropolitan Area Theater Awards, a group that was established in 2004 to recognize excellence in Atlanta area community and non-union professional theater. The organization, with the help of a cadre of experienced volunteer judges, annually gives theater awards in 17 categories. There are more than 15 theaters now participating in the awards program.

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The membership should bring credibility, respect and provide additional marketing opportunities for Polk Street Players.

The Polk Street Players also added another play to their Summer schedule this year. "Hot Property" by Fred Carmichael, will be on the Stellar Cellar stage July 9 to 17. Greg Fitzgerald will direct. Also, Polk Street Players’ own annual Appreciation/Awards Night is scheduled for June 11.

Information: http://www.stjamesmarietta.com/ Polk.St.Players/Main.html

Business honored DayThreeMedia Receives 2010 Best of Marietta Award.

For the second consecutive year, DayThreeMedia was selected for the 2010 Best of Marietta Award in the Production Services category by the U.S. Commerce Association. The award recognized local businesses throughout the nation that achieve exceptional success.

DayThreeMedia has dozens of high-profile clients including Garden Smart TV, Pike Nursery, Right From The Heart Ministries, Habitat For Humanity, Legacy Landscapes and Hobby Town USA. Information: www.daythreemedia.com

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NOTEWORTHY

Cobb Life sends Henr y to a steak dinner

Larry A. Henry of Marietta won a free meal at Longhorn’s Steakhouse courtesy of Cobb Life magazine. Henry’s name was drawn from dozens of residents who signed up to receive the magazine free at the Julianne Hough concert we sponsored earlier this year.

Here, Henry is pictured with Cobb Life General Manager Otis Brumby III.

Cobb authors named ‘must reads’

Two Cobb authors’ books have been named as ‘must reads’ by Georgia Center for the Book. Ah, we hate to brag here at Cobb Life, but we did feature two of the latest additions to this esteemed list. Lauretta Hannon, left, and Joshilyn Jackson’s books were both named as ‘Books all Georgians should read 2010’ by the Georgia Center for the Book.

The books were “The Cracker Queen: A Memoir of a Jagged, Joyful Life” by Hannon and “The Girl Who Stopped Swimming” by Jackson. Both authors had been featured in previous Cobb Life reading guides. And here is something else to consider. Both authors live in Powder Springs. What is in the water down there?

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NEWS

&

5/18/2010

NOTEWORTHY

Ted’s Montana Grill gets great ‘ taste’

The Ted’s Montana Grill in Marietta, at 3625 Dallas Highway, took home “Best American” at Taste of West Cobb, held in late April. Ted’s served judges bison cheeseburgers, “salt-n’-pepper” onion rings with horseradish dipping sauce, crab cakes and scratch cookies. More than 30 eateries took part in this annual food festival, which benefited the Hillgrove High School band and music education programs. Above, Ted’s Montana Grill staff members, from left, Jim Bailey, Joe Price and Ally Newton.

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OKA b. available here Buford-based OKA b. just released a new line of ecofriendly shoes that can be picked up at three Cobb stores, Casabella in Marietta, Perrywinkle’s in Marietta and the Polished Beauty Lounge in Smyrna. The line prides itself on its comfort and the fact that the shoes are recyclable and vegan-friendly. The shoes are made in the USA and have a two-year guarantee.

Got an item for news and noteworthy?

Email us at cobblife magazine@ cobblife magazine.com

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What DAD

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really wants

While enjoying vacations, sunshine and lazy days of Summer, be sure to get busy and not forget

Father ’s Day! Mark it – Sunday, June 20.

We want to make shopping for dad easy for you with these unique gifts with a twist, all available in your neighborhood.

Here are a variety of ideas and price points that offer far more than ties and tools.

BY ELAINE LAMONTAGNE PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN GRAY

A great gift with a twist can be found at High Country Outfitters — the Big Green Egg. This unconventional looking ceramic cooker (it literally looks like a big green egg) offers great flexibility and convenience. It can grill a steak, slow-cook a tender brisket, bake a loaf of bread or cake and steam fresh vegetables. There are lots of accessories at the store to turn you into a complete “egghead.”

Price: $635 to $750 Where: The Avenue at East Cobb Contact: 770.321.4780 Another unique High Country Outfitters gift for Dad is the Double Nest Hammock, which comes in an assortment of colors and can be presented and stored in condensed bags. The double size accommodates two people who are either romantic snugglers or very cold. ($64.95 for hammocks, straps for hanging are $19.98 — plus it can be converted into a tent with a DryFly Rain Tarp for $79.95.)

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Mori Luggage offers a whimsical 64 oz. Jumbo Flask that clearly won’t fit in a back pocket, but it’s a great conversation piece.

Price: $24.95 Where: The Avenue at East Cobb Vinings Jubilee Town Center Mall Other worthy unique Mori Luggage gifts for Dad: Traveling Bar ($125) features a leather travel case which stores

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bottled wine or liquor along with four stainless steel cups, a small tray, bottle opener and jigger.

You might also want to check out a Luggage Scale for suitcases. These very useful devices make Dads extremely happy as they avoid overweight luggage charges at the airports – and you can feel confident before leaving your house!

There is a basic one that comes with a tape measure ($9.95) as well as a digital version

Here’s a twist on a classic.

You can get dad this tailored natural straw hat with a band from H. Stockton.

Price: $45 Where: 3625 Cumberland Blvd Contact: 770.984.1111 One of Atlanta’s finest men’s stores since 1963, H. Stockton is known to offer clothing and products of quality, character and lasting serv-

Undoubtedly, Apple’s new iPad is the most sought-after technology gift.

The newly released product lets users browse the Web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and more using a revolutionary multi-touch user interface. Just ½” thick and weighing 1.5 pounds — thinner and lighter than the smallest of laptops — it delivers up to 10 hours of battery life per charge.

Price: Starting at $499 Where: Available at Best Buy stores.

ice — and is famous for its red box gift packaging. You might also want to browse a bit more for a gift there. Other ideas include Jack Black men’s skincare products including Double Duty Face Moisturizer ($28), vintage sterling silver money clips and cufflinks — not what you typically see ($88 to $150) and Eye Bob reading glasses — truly distinct designs ($65).

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A favorite gift with a twist at Pottery Barn is a stainless steel Recipe Cocktail Shaker. A quick twist of the lid reveals recipes for 15 cocktails with foolproof measuring guides — libations from Whiskey Sour and Old Fashioned to Orange Blossom and Clover Club.

Price: $39 Where: The Avenue East Cobb at 4475 Roswell Road Contact: 678.560.3590

Home of the

MONDAY MADNESS UNLIMITED Featuring:

Another worthy unique Pottery Barn gift for Dad is a Conversation Table Topics box.

Let’s face it, many men aren’t necessarily known for their conversation skills – they just need a little nudge!

Each plexiglass cube contains sets of topic cards from different generations — the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s — depending on your Dad’s age or interests.

Fun gift for Dad and the whole family ($25).

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16 COBB LIFE June/July

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Not valid with other offers or prior purchases.

Here’s an item with a twist from Cobb County’s own FJ Lancaster — a belted Cow belt.

The most unusual design features the “History of the World According to Streaking” – yes, naked people. These are created by a family in Maine and a cow is cleverly hidden in each one.

Price: $42 Where: 1205 Johnson Ferry Road Contact: 770.509.7433

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This therapeutic device, called “The Stick,” is used by millions of professional, collegiate and high school athletes as well as suburban dads. It is designed to compress and stretch muscles, augmenting the flow of body fluids — allowing muscles to feel better, work harder, last longer and recover faster. It can be used on all parts of the body before or after muscle strains.

Price: Starting at $27 to $47 Where: Fleet Feet, 224 Johnson Ferry Road Contact: 770.255.3338 Other worthy unique Fleet Feet gifts for Dad include Stuffitts ($24.95).

These are quirky looking stuffed feet in different sizes and colors that easily fit into athletic sneakers and shoes to absorb all moisture – it’s healthy for feet and keeps closets smelling clean! You might also want to check out Fuel Belt hydration items (range from $12 to $46). These are for the active runner and include lightweight belts to conveniently hold beverages, cell phones, keys and race number attachments plus handy beverage palm holders.

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The dk Gallery on the Marietta Square includes a diverse selection of original art, featuring emerging and established contemporary painters and sculptors of the South. The gallery is housed in a late 1800s storefront that has been renovated to maintain the aesthetic interest and charm of its glory days. Top right, owner Donna Krueger is passionate about art.

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dk

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BY MEREDITH PRUDEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN GRAY

DONNA KRUEGER

GA L L E RY

CO L L E C TO R T U R N S LOV E O F A RT I N TO B U S I N E S S Donna Krueger is fresh, fun and fashionable, and she’s living her dream.

Formerly a full-time mother, Krueger looked at the new chapter in her children’s’ lives as an opportunity to find her personal passion. Only two years ago, Krueger’s son was starting college and her older daughter was already well on her way to earning her

college diploma. But, rather than sitting around the house suffering from empty nest syndrome, Krueger wrote a new chapter in her own life as well.

The result? dk Gallery, an upscale art gallery and staple of the Marietta Square since 2008. Krueger, and her husband Kerry,

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Left, a close up look at one of dk Gallery’s featured artist glass blower Tadashi Torii’s vase.

been art lovers, collectors and gallery patrons for many years but first had the idea of turning their love of art into a business during a trip to the family cabin in Blue Ridge only three years ago. “I got to be really close friends with the gallery owner at High Country in Blue Ridge,” Krueger said. “We always talked about opening a gallery together and then she decided to sell hers. I thought about buying High Country but really wanted to stay in Marietta.”

Lucky for locals she did! After returning from Blue Ridge, Krueger found a potential site for her gallery on the square.

Although it took some time, Krueger says she knew it was the right choice the minute she saw the future home of dk Gallery.

“I sat on the bench outside and asked God if this is what I should do,” she said. “It just doesn’t get any better than this … it’s a dream come true.”

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GALLERY

Krueger set about rebuilding the tired space into a hip, modern white wall gallery reminiscent of the Chelsea/SoHo area galleries in New York City. But, it’s not just the gallery style that is dynamic and engaging. The art, expertly placed throughout the gallery, whether hung on walls or displayed on floors and tables is true, authentic, emotive and always finds a way to be somehow new in perspective. And, there’s a little something for everyone is both style and price point. The one constant? dk Gallery carries only original work by local Southern artists, so you’ll find no reprints and know no strangers here. “I want people to discover the joy of original art,” Krueger said. “Some people understand that joy immediately and, for others, it takes time before they fall in love.”

Whether you’re already an avid collector or are still falling in love, Krueger can help you discover your passion too. Krueger and her team really get to know their patrons and will even make special arrangements like in-home consultations and extended payment plans upon request. Find a piece of art, find a friend, and find a sense of community with Donna Krueger and dk Gallery.

And, don’t forget to join the dk Gallery team for First Friday Art Walks and Artist’s Alley!

dk Gallery www.dkgaller y.us

770.427.5377

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DISMANTLING

JOEIn mid-summer DIMAGGIO

BY LORAN SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE BAGBY FAMILY

, around July 17th, there likely will be some media reference to the stopping of Joe DiMaggio’s celebrated hitting streak almost seventy years ago.

The Yankee Clipper had hit in 56 straight games when the Yankees arrived in Cleveland for a three-game series with the Indians in July 1941. New York won the first game, with Joe coming up with three hits. In the second game of the series, however, he would go hitless to the dismay of most of the 67,468 fans who showed up.

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They were convinced that if DiMaggio’s streak came to an end, it would likely be the next day when Bob Feller was scheduled to start for the Indians.

It was a Georgia boy who actually stopped DiMaggio in his final at bat.

Jim Bagby Jr. was on the mound in the eighth inning when he forced DiMaggio to hit into a double play with the bases loaded.

One of Jim’s sons, Tom or Charlie, (the latter captain of the 1963-64 Georgia basketball team) will probably get a call from a sportswriter before the anniversary date. That happens almost every year. “It happened to my dad, too,” says Charlie, also a pitcher who played at Georgia and is now an accountant in Tampa, Florida.

Recently, Charlie sent a copy of his dad’s type-written notes of how the streak came to an end, pages produced on an old manual typewriter that associates tragedy with his dad’s high moment as a big leaguer. More about that later.

Jim Bagby Jr. was a second-generation pitcher for the Indians. His father, Jim Sr., known as “Old Sarge,” won 31 games for the Indians in 1920 and was the first pitcher to hit a home run in the modern World Series — in 1920 against the Brooklyn Robins. (It was a year later when the team took the name “Dodgers.”) “Old Sarge” was born in Barnett, a rural community near Crawfordville, just a few miles from Interstate 20.

If you review the Bagbys’ records, you could say that baseball was good to the family, except for the fact that players of that era made meager salaries.

Both father and son played in the World Series (Jim Jr.’s time came when the Boston Red Sox of Ted Williams lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1946). When their playing days ended, the Bagbys had to seek gainful employment.

Bagby Jr. became a draftsman at Lockheed in Marietta after baseball and never thought that his singular moment was anything to gloat about. “I was just Cost: $125/player Multiple Camps: $100/player Attend All Camps: $75/player Extended Day available from 8am to 6pm for an additional $25 per day.

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doing my job,” he always said of his stopping DiMaggio’s last chance to advance the hit streak to 57 games.

Al Smith, Cleveland starter, loaded the bases in the eighth inning. Bagby was brought in from the bullpen. With the count 1-1, Bagby threw DiMaggio a low fastball, and the Yankee centerfielder hit a hard grounder to shortstop Lou Boudreau. The ball hit a loose impediment in the infield, and Boudreau had to leap high to grab the errant ball, which he flipped to the second baseman to force the runner, followed by a relay to first in time to double DiMaggio.

Twice in the game, DiMaggio had hit wicked grounders down the third base line which Indian third baseman Kenny Keltner stabbed deftly and then threw DiMaggio out at first base.

Those type-written notes by Jim Bagby Jr. reflect a regrettable circumstance in Bagby’s life. Born with a severe cleft lip, he was the victim of cruel insult throughout his career.

Opposing players mimicked him and made fun of his speech. A heavy smoker, Bagby was stricken with cancer late in life. He was advised before throat surgery that he could only speak if a voice box were surgically implanted.

Embarrassed by his voice distraction for so long, he refused and wrote notes for the rest of his life.

Recently, I spoke with Charlie, who played in the opening game in Georgia’s coliseum (The Bulldogs defeated Georgia Tech 81-68 in February 1964) about his father, who died of lung cancer in 1998.

Following are some of Charlie’s reflections on his father’s life and career. “Born with a serious cleft lip, it affected my Dad’s life and personality to the extent that he did not want to go out in public. When he was playing, the opposing players would mock him and try to get under his skin, imitating his voice and making fun of him. He had a little bit of a temper and had a hard time with it.

“He was a heavy smoker, smoking three packs of Pell Mell a day and got throat cancer. He had to have surgery and doctors told him that he probably would need to have a voice box inserted, but he didn’t want to call attention to his condition and said no. They removed his larynx and he couldn’t talk the last five years of his life.

“My dad always told me that Joe’s record is one that would never be broken. Pete Rose got a consecutive streak up to 44 which is remarkable, but he was still 12 games short of DiMaggio’s record.

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Bagby Jr.

became a draftsman at

in Marietta after baseball and never thought that his singular moment was anything to gloat about.

“I was just doing my job.�

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“Heinz 57 had promised Joe a deal that included a check for $10,000 if he hit safely in 57 games, but the streak ended in his 56th game. Think about what $10,000 was back then, especially with ball players not making all that much.

“My dad began his career with the Red Sox in 1937.

First big league game he ever saw, he started against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium — it might have been opening day — in 1937. I was nine years old when his career ended. He had signed a contract before he finished high school so he didn’t have a diploma (he later got the equivalency). He was an excellent artist; he could really

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draw. After baseball, he got a job as a draftsman at Lockheed. He was so good they wanted to move him into engineering, but the union protested, saying that to be in engineering he was supposed to have a college degree. The union won and they sent him back down.

“Even in Little League, he didn’t see me play that much.

People would always bother him about ending the streak, and he was embarrassed by the way he looked and talked, so he didn’t come around. He had played semi-pro baseball with Coach Jim Whatley (Georgia’s baseball coach) and really liked Coach Whatley. Still he didn’t come see me play that much when I was at Georgia.”

In the early forties, the world was at war or soon would be.

The United States remained on the sideline for the most part.

However, less than six months from the night Joe DiMaggio went hitless in Cleveland it would be different. The Japanese sneak attack, bombing Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, brought the U.S into the war with resolve and absolute commitment.

Baseball before and after the war was a cozy fit for America. Two leagues with eight teams each. Ted Williams hit .400 in 1941 and didn’t win the MVP award which fueled the off season “Hot Stove League” discussions. Few could imagine in July that ballplayers would soon be off to war and the competition would be watered down for four years.

Notes from Charlie Bagby’s brother, Tom, reflect that DiMaggio had said in a Collier’s Magazine article entitled, “Pitchers I have hit,” that his father, Jim, had “world’s of stuff” and that he was “almost as fast as (Bob) Feller.”

Joltin’ Joe also noted in the Collier’s piece that Bagby, Feller and Emil Leonard “had as much stuff as anybody, “but they didn’t give me a great deal of trouble.”

After DiMaggio got a hit in his 50th consecutive game (he had zoomed past Wee Willie Keeler whose streak reached 44 consecutive games), Joe announced that he would like to break his minor league record of hitting in 61 straight games in 1933. He might have made it except for Jim Bagby since Joe went on a 16-game hitting streak the day after Bagby ended his streak.

The Yankees were on the way to the World Series, nonetheless. Jim Bagby Jr. wound up with a 9-15 record for the year, which Tom says was a big disappointment. “He knew that he was a better pitcher than that,” Tom wrote in a biography of his dad. “In retrospect, there had been only one event which had made the year worthwhile. “‘Here’s to you, Joe DiMaggio!’” Tom quipped of his father’s unparalleled moment.

Loran Smith is a columnist, author and celebrated icon of the UGA sports community.

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BY MICHAEL VENEZIA PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN GRAY

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Impossible you say.

I don’t think so.

I find the sensory impression that chocolate has on my palate extremely sensual. The texture, concentration and length of flavor of the finest chocolate is extremely memorable, like a very fine wine. There are some who find pairing the two an impossible task. Please accept that gastronomic nirvana can be achieved by following some simple guidelines. Not all chocolates are created equal and many wines conflict with the sometimes powerful complexity of extraordinary chocolate.

However, if you are adventurous, select the proper chocolate and be courageous enough to succumb to the sirens’ call, wine and chocolate can complement each other very well.

Be aware of the popular commercial chocolate brands as they have relatively small amounts of cacao, the key ingredient in the world’s finest chocolates. Select those which have at least 60 percent cacao and you will have achieved the first goal of cacao intensity. Many of these dark or bittersweet chocolates are perfect with several wine varietals. Although M&M’s, Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Kisses and Cadbury Flake Bars are able to satisfy, they are not so delicious with a bottle of zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon or pinot noir. These commercial chocolate products contain lots of sugar and milk solids that actually conflict with the tannins that are often found in fine red wines. White wine has less tannin and can be enjoyed if they are mildly sweet. My favorites include medium dry Riesling and moscato.

Embracing my mission with hedonistic enthusiasm, my goal was to see if my wine selections stood up to chef’s magical creations. Of course both the wine and chocolate contain high levels of antioxidants and flavonoids. I knew I was not endangering my cardiovascular health. In addition I limited myself to 2 small tastes of each dessert so I would not expand my waistline.

So whether you are enjoying a delicious white chocolate mouse or a dense dark chocolate paté, there are wines that are magnificent. Fear not, pleasure awaits you.

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Above, a chocolate pizza consists of short dough, apricot jam, apricots, cranberries, macadamia nuts and white and dark chocolate and is paired with Oberon Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

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A lace doilley with white chocolate sabayan and fresh berries paired with Snoqualmie 2008 Riesling.

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Rules of Engagement tLight subtle wines with delicate sweetness complement white chocolate. Try moscato or Riesling. Fortified wines such as port or Madeira go very well with mild chocolate desserts, especially if dried fruits or nuts are included. tDeep, dark, full flavored red wines pair very well with intense bittersweet high cacao content desserts. My favorites include zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon, shiraz or petite sirah. tUnless you are able to duplicate these desserts at home or your personal chef is away on vacation, drop over to Ritter’s or Paper Mill Grill and enjoy one or more of these desserts with your favorite wine.

The Challenge Met A desert item called “The Chocolate” is flourless chocolate cake and chocolate mousse, dunked in ganache. It is paired with Napa Cellars 2007 Napa Valley Zinfandel.

“The Chocolate” – A flourless chocolate cake, layer of mousse submerged in dark chocolate ganache.

Paired with: Napa Cellars Zinfandel, Napa Valley, 2007 “Chocolate Pizza” – Short bread with apricot jam, cranberries, and macadamia nuts with white and dark chocolate.

Paired with: Oberon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2007 “Dark Chocolate Pave with a Pistachio Center” – Dark chocolate butter and heavy cream blended with a dash of apricot brandy stuffed with crushed pistachio.

Paired with: Adobe Road, Petite Sirah, Russian River Valley, 2006 “Lace Doily filled with White Chocolate Saboyon with fresh Fruit Garnish” – Brown sugar, Karo syrup doily lace cookie filled with white chocolate cream.

Paired with: Snoqualmie, Riesling, Columbia Valley, 2008 “White Chocolate Mousse with White, Dark and Milk Chocolate Dipped Strawberries” Paired with: Quinta do Portal 10 year old Tawny Port.

“Brownie Bottom White Chocolate Cheesecake” – Dense, dark chocolate brownie with white chocolate cheesecake.

Paired with: Terra d’Oro, Moscato, California, 2008

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“Chocolate Caramel and Oreo Crust Tart” – Oreo cookie crust with homemade caramel sauce dipped in ganache.

Paired with: C. Donatiello, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, 2006

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coastingthrough the CANOPY

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BY STACEY L. EVANS PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN GRAY AND STACEY L. EVANS

There’s nothing like flying through a canopy of lush trees at 25 miles per hour. Though it’s not quite free as the vine-swinging of Tarzan, ziplining is about as close as one can safely get to the rush of swinging from treetop to treetop. I’ve been ziplining through the jungles of Costa Rica and over snow at a ski resort in North Carolina, both exhilarating, but my recent visit to North Georgia Canopy Tours in Lula was the best ride overall. The course has its adrenaline-pumping thrill lines, where you’re zooming along like a NASCAR driver with the wind in your face, the buzzing of the cable filling your ears, and the trees on the other side approaching way too fast.

But it also has slow and easy lines that allow you to coast along through the air and get lost in the lush surroundings. It’s as if you’re meant to be floating in the air 70 feet above ground, gentle breezes and patches of sunlight caressing your face, the whirring of the cable joining the chirping birds and rustling leaves in a melodic lullaby.

I was accompanied on my adventure by photographer Erin Gray, and Marietta couple Wes and Susan Breeding, all first-timers in ziplining.

The tour is great for first-timers, as it’s not too terribly high, the equipment is comfortable, and our guides were well adept at putting us all at ease.

Guide Ty Capistrant, an East Cobb resident, said about one person on each tour is afraid of heights, but they overcome their fear while on the tour.

“They are scared they are going to fall but once you get up there you realize it’s sturdy,” he said. “They start to feel more comfortable where they are in the trees after a couple of zips. I haven’t had one person walking out regretting it. Everyone has loved it, some have even been ecstatic.”

Ziplining was a natural choice for the adventurous Breedings, who have been ice-climbing and snowmobiling through Yellowstone, and are frequent marathon runners.

“This had more thrill to it because of speed,” Wes said in comparison to other ventures. “I can’t wait until the fall when leaves change and there is a little crispnesss in the air — I’ll be back.”

Far left, Tour guide Jenna Blakely zips in from one of the longest lines. The dual zip line allows zipliners to race across a pond. Left, Guide Marc Nicklien helps Marietta resident Wes Breeding hop onto the platform after the first official run.

The tour includes two sky bridges. Retired fire chief and Marietta resident Wes Breeding and his wife Susan.

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Susan is also looking forward to ziplining again.

“I thought it was a lot of fun and [my favorite part] was going over the water at the end. It felt more open and free flowing,” Susan said, referring to the last run, a side-by-side dual zip in which two people race to see who reaches the other side first.

Nature lovers can appreciate ziplining as much as the thrill seekers.

“It gives you a whole different perspective of what a forest looks like,” said Ty. The outdoorsy types will appreciate the yellow cucumber trees, Eastern hemlock, ravines, ponds and pastures throughout the 34 acres.

“We can give folks a lot of different exposure to North Georgia,” said Kirk Watkins, who owns the canopy tour along with his wife Leah. “We are between the Appalachian Mountains and the Piedmont plateau and we have a lot of variety in our wildlife and flora and fauna.”

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Though it just opened in April, the Watkins are already planning to expand the venture by adding walking trails and teepees for “glamping” (glamorized camping). Rustic camping will also be an option.

The Watkins dreamed up the idea after ziplining with their children in Costa Rica. Kirk bought the land from his father, and began making plans to convert the farm into a ziplining course in 2007.

An Executive MBA class at Kennesaw State University had a hand in contributing some ideas to the Watkins. Student Craig Keyworth met Kirk while on jury duty in 2008. Kirk told Craig about his business plan, and about six months later Craig asked Kirk if his team could use the North Georgia Canopy Tours as a project for his MBA class.

“They did a lot of things that were very helpful to us; a lot of more thorough research which changed some of the way we approached things,” said Kirk.

The help didn’t end there.

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Marietta resident Wes Breeding zips over a pond at North Georgia Canopy Tours in Lula.

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“They have been helpful with social networking.

They are promoting us and are on Facebook. A group is trying to get together and come up and see what’s hatched from the idea,” said Kirk.

Craig has visited the property a few times before the grand opening and plans to take the tour soon.

Two tours are offered: “The visual should be quite spectacuThe Sky Bridge Tour lar,” he said. “Kirk has done a fantastic 2 hours job developing from the original plans.

8 ziplines It’s very well situated off of the high2 sky bridges way near Lake Lanier Islands, it’s close 2 nature walks to Atlanta. When we did demographics 680-ft dual zip over on the area we saw that it’s located two-acre pond within easy access of several million people. It’s a good business concept and Adventure Tour something that can appeal to just about 3 hours anybody from ages 15 to 80 — anyone 12 ziplines (1 mile of can go on it and enjoy the experience.” cable) Though a successful business is the longest zip of 850 ft goal, Kirk and Leah receive the most zips over the North pleasure in watching guests enjoy the Oconee River experience.

2 sky bridges “This has just been so much fun. The 3 nature walks word [zipliners] use more often than rappelling anything is ‘awesome.’ A lot of people have a fear of heights and when they finish this they feel a sense of accomplishment.

Some are scared but adrenaline is flowing and excitement is in the air,” said Kirk.

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Harrison Park

2653 Shallowford Road Marietta, GA 30066

Harrison Park, located next door to Lassiter High School, is a great resource for the citizens of Northeast Cobb, especially if your kids are into tennis or baseball. The Harrison Tennis Center offers 16 courts, and the park has seven baseball fields, batting cages, concession buildings and multiple playgrounds.

Harrison’s large playscape near the baseball fields and concessions is great for kids of all ages. There are two nicely shaded tables nearby for parents to spread out a picnic. But parents of diaper-age kids should come prepared — there is no diaper changing station in the nearby restroom facilities.

Emma Stoll,4, daughter of Renee Stoll of Marietta plays on the slide.

Opposite page, Lost Mountain Park.

PLAYGROUND

3 OPEN GREEN SPACE r 3 3 COVERED PAVILION r 3 SHADE r 3 PARKING r 3 RESTROOMS r r

A review of parks for kids

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5

BY HEATHER TEILHET PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN GRAY

Summer is here and the kids of Cobb County are looking for some outdoor fun. Mom, Dad, Grandma and the babysitter would prefer a place to play that is shady, safe, easily accessible and clean.

Chances are the Cobb County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department has a Summer playground

destination to meet all these needs. If you’re a new parent, a recently-hired nanny, a teenage babysitter, or a newcomer to Cobb, check out our review of the county’s five most popular parks and playgrounds. Armed with our list, sunscreen and a few popsicles, you and your little guy are guaranteed to find some old-fashioned Summer playground fun.

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East Cobb Park 3322 Roswell Road Marietta, GA 30068

Aletta Haff,3, daughter of T.K. Haff of Marietta and Zach Emery, 2, son of Linda Emery of Marietta climb the jungle gym.

PLAYGROUND

3 OPEN GREEN SPACE r 3 3 SHADE r 3 COVERED PAVILION r 3 PARKING r 3 RESTROOMS r r

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If your youngster is growing bored of the neighborhood sandbox, it’s time for an upgrade. Marietta’s East Cobb Park is the ultimate playground when judged in terms of kid-entertainment level. A peek at the park on a busy weekend will tell you everything you want to know. The parking lot is packed, and kids are buzzing around, shrieking, laughing and racing from one large playscape to the next.

There are bouncing cars for the toddlers, a log roll for more coordinated kids, a giant dinosaur slide, several playscapes and tons of open green space for a game of Frisbee.

Benches in the shade offer seating for adults, and a walking trail circles the park. A covered pavilion offers space for your pizza party or afternoon picnic.

East Cobb Park is so popular, it even has its own non-profit fan club that raises money and volunteerism for the park, the “Friends for East Cobb Park.” Our only warning is that this popular park draws such a crowd, it’s a good idea to keep a close eye on your little one, especially if he’s a drifter.

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Oakdale Park is referred to by county officials as a “pocket park,” because of its small size. The park is made up of two playgrounds with a restroom facility in between. One playground is for crawlers and toddlers, and the other has more challenging equipment for older kids.

Oakdale is a great destination for young children who don’t need as much space to play. Parents like Oakdale’s rubbery ground surface because it makes crash landings a lot Oakdale Park easier on little knees. Another benefit Atlanta Road SE and of this pocket park is an encircling gate Daniel St., Smyrna that keeps kids corralled within reach.

The downside of Oakdale is that there is virtually no shade, so in the middle of a Summer day the equipment is too hot for sensitive little arms and legs. Sunscreen is a must, and don’t forget lots of water. Also remember that while Oakdale is very safe, it is located extremely close to busy Atlanta Road. Traffic noise, particularly noise from big-rig tractor trailers, has a slight impact on the park’s ambiance.

Oakdale Park

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Cobb officials count Tramore Park in Austell as one of the county’s most popular.

It is primarily a soccer park, with one sizeable playground and a picnic pavilion. The playground equipment is probably best for older kids, but ambitious toddlers can have fun on it too, with lots of spotTramore Park ting from mom or dad.

2150 East-West If one of Tramore’s Connector, Austell 11 soccer fields isn’t in official use, it would make an ideal location to fly a kite on a windy day. Bring your sunscreen, because Tramore’s playground and soccer fields don’t offer much shade to beat the heat.

Tramore offers restroom facilities at the soccer concession building, which is a bit of a hike from the playground, if you’re a toddler.

PLAYGROUND

3 OPEN GREEN SPACE r 3 3 SHADE r r 7 COVERED PAVILION r 7 PARKING r 7 RESTROOMS r

PLAYGROUND

3 OPEN GREEN SPACE r 3 3 COVERED PAVILION r 3 SHADE r 3 RESTROOMS r r 7 PARKING r

Tramore Park

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Lost Mountain 4845 Dallas Hwy. Powder Springs

PLAYGROUND OPEN GREEN SPACE COVERED PAVILION RESTROOMS SHADE PARKING

3 r 3 r 3 r 3 r r 7 3 r

Lost Mountain Park is one of the county’s largest parks, encompassing 170 acres. The park is heavily used by West Cobb’s student athletes for softball, baseball, football, soccer and tennis programs. The park even has batting cages, two fishing ponds and a walking track.

You can still enjoy Lost Mountain Park if you don’t have school-aged children in sports programs. The park has large amounts of green space for your littlest to expend his energy. It’s the perfect place to learn to ride a tricycle.

Lost Mountain Park has two playgrounds. One is made for younger children, located near the main entrance to the park. Nearby is a covered picnic pavilion. The second is near the softball and baseball fields and is a bit more challenging for sturdier climbers.

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TENNIS? GOLF? BOWLING? NOPE. MARIETTA COUPLE SAYS

bocce BRING ON THE

BY DONNA ESPY PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN GRAY

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Bocce, anyone?

No, not tennis. No, not golf. It’s bocce, (pronounced bah-che), a sport that is thousands of years old – and still played in the backyard of one prominent Marietta attorney.

Matt Flournoy and his wife, Joanne, built a lighted bocce court 25 years ago in the backyard of their Marietta home. They have enjoyed entertaining a wide variety of groups and educating them on “the game.”

“We thought it would be fun to have a bocce court in the backyard – not a swimming pool,” says Flournoy, an attorney for 25 years with Flournoy Law Firm. “We found bocce to be a good group game and great icebreaker for parties.”

Flournoy said he first saw the game played in Italy and France while he was a communications officer on the USS John Rodgers, a Naval destroyer in the Mediterranean. “I watched the natives play and they were having lots of fun,” says Flournoy.

He left the Navy in 1981 and entered law school at the University of Georgia. The couple married in 1982 and Flournoy passed on his love of bocce to his new bride. They have traveled to Florence, Italy, Southern France, California and New York to watch bocce in action.

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Above left, Joanne Flournoy adds a point for herself onto the scoreboard.

Above, Matt Flournoy keeps his eyes on the ball while tossing it down the court.

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46 COBB LIFE June/July

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Their beautiful backyard gardens have a bocce court front and center.

It measures 60 feet long and 12 feet wide and is made of granite dust.

Their gardener of more than ten years, Joe Ivey, works his magic each spring to transform their yard into a beautiful garden setting, says Flournoy.

“I have a deal with Joe that, if he won’t practice law, I won’t garden,” Flournoy says with a grin.

Joanne, a legal assistant at the Flournoy Law Firm for 23 years, says she likes the way the game is played in two teams. “The game teams people up and we usually break couples up and put them on separate teams,” she says. “By the end of the game, they are no longer strangers and they feel like they know each other because they played a common game.”

A variety of groups have enjoyed the Flournoys’ hospitality, including members of the Georgia Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, First Baptist Church of Marietta Sunday School classes, and the Marietta Kiwanis Club (they gave member Matt a new set of bocce balls for his 50th birthday).

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Joanne Flournoy throws her ball down court while trying to take the lead from her husband.

And what about all those balls? The large balls weigh about two pounds each and are thrown gently (and skillfully) on the court to try and hit the “palino” or small, lightweight ball. The closer, the better. And the Flournoy “Rules of Bocce” are, like the law, very strict: Wear all white when playing (a nod to the U.S. Navy white uniform that Matt wore, but Flournoy says players also photograph better at night in white); No heels allowed. Players can wear flats only, because heels dig into the granite dust court surface.

A list of rules and a detailed description of bocce can be found on the Flournoy Law Firm Web site at www.fmslaw.net under “Interesting Info” – including instructional and past party videos.

Although the Flournoys have enjoyed the game as a couple, they also enjoy introducing it to others and the great fellowship that follows. “It has been a blessing to us,” says Flournoy of this international game that looks a little like American bowling.

And what does “bocce” mean? “It means ‘kiss’ in Italian, because you want the large ball to ‘kiss’ the palino,” says Flournoy. Now that’s amore.

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On the cusp of Travis Tritt ‘s upcoming concert, a writer looks back and rediscovers why she is glad to be a member of

The Country Club

BY LAURA BRADDICK

I spent the better part of my teenage years trying to deny my rural musical roots.

“Anything but country,” was my automatic response when asked what kind of music I liked, while alone in my car I would secretly scan the radio for country music stations and sing along.

The soundtrack of my childhood growing up in Middle Tennessee and North Alabama is filled with the unmistakable voices of early 90s artists like Aaron Tippin, Reba McIntyre, George Strait, Garth Brooks and Travis Tritt. I picture my

pig-tailed self seven years old riding in my father’s white pick-up truck tapping my foot to the beat, giggling as I slowly realize what “T-R-O-U-B-L-E” spells.

Whether it was my inner-desire to be a city girl that made me distance myself as I got older or because I just plain wanted to be cool, I do not know.

But as time has gone by and I’ve learned to embrace my country-music past, it’s refreshing to see that those artists, whose cassette tapes I’ve long since sold off in garage sales, are still churning out hits and drawing crowds to shows.

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Night with Travis Tritt June 24 Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre Gates open at 6:30 p.m.

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Tritt, for example, will be stopping in Mableton June 24 to perform at Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre just miles from his hometown of Marietta.

Reflecting on my formative years, I’m not at all surprised that Tritt is still going strong. After all, there is a reason why he was accepted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry at only age 29.

With 40 singles and 11 albums, Tritt has made his mark on countrymusic history. There is more storytelling and genuine heartfelt emotion in Tritt’s “I’m Gonna Be Somebody” than in 1,000 cookie-cutter Top 40 pop songs. And I swear you can’t help but want to cry when you hear his plea for forgiveness in “Best of Intentions.”

His love songs range from the bitter “Here’s a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)” to the sweet “God Must Be a Woman” where he sings, “The I love yous you’ve told me/they probably stretch to the moon/You multiply what matters/and divide the pain by two.”

A working musician and legend in his own right, Tritt must be a treat to see live with his hits old and new and his fans unwavering and those like me making a comeback.

Whether you grew up with the twang of a guitar and salty Southern man’s voice on your radio like I did or those sounds are foreign to your city-slicker ears, I think anyone can learn to appreciate the spirit of The South and the landscape of Tritt’s music.

So, I suggest if you’re afraid to admit that you like to get down with a little honky tonk every now and then that you don’t be afraid to like what you like. I’ve been there and am now proud to say in the words of Tritt’s debut title track “I’m a member of a country club.”

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Few things are more

than barbecue.

quintessentially Southern

Meat and smoke are a primordial combination that has been wholeheartedly adopted south of the Mason-Dixon line by both backyard enthusiasts and expert chefs.

Pork is the comestible of choice for barbecue in Georgia, but beef brisket and chicken also have their fans. In Cobb, we have been blessed with dozens of ‘cue joints that satisfy all appetites.

Trying to pinpoint the best of these, however, is tantamount to picking the “best” genre of music. I may not like country western as much as jazz, for example, but I can appreciate them both. Assessing the worthiness of any barbecue is purely a function of personal preferences and tastes.

Having said that, there are certain standards that are universally accepted in the world of competition barbecue. Certified barbecue judges look for appearance, taste and texture when rating entries. According to judging criteria, you should press pulled or chopped pork shoulder between your tongue and the roof of your mouth and let the flavor pass down your palate. If it dissolves or turns into mush, it’s been overcooked.

Rib meat should pull away from the bone with a gentle tug only where it’s been bitten.

“Falling off the bone” means cooked too long.

And brisket should have some elasticity when you pull it apart.

If it breaks apart or crumbles too easily, then

you know it, too, has been overcooked.

Aside from the smoke, it’s the rubs that give the meat its savor. Pitmasters usually have concocted their own unique blends after much trial and error. The same can be said for sauces, and here is where the door opens for a wide spectrum of flavors.

Kansas City-style sauce is thick, tomatoey and sweetened with molasses and sugar. North Carolina barbecue sauce is thin, has lots of vinegar and is liberally spiced with pepper. In South Carolina, mustard sauce is king. Memphis likes its sauce sweet and tangy. And in Georgia, sauces usually are medium-bodied and tomato-based, with a little kick of vinegar and sugar.

In the interest of full disclosure, I prefer the less sweet, more tangy or spicy sauces and pulled pork to chopped; have a fondness for brisket; like my meat with a little fattiness as opposed to very dry and lean; and am on a continual quest for Brunswick stew that measures up to an almost mythical version I enjoyed many years ago at a now-defunct barbecue shack in South Georgia.

On a recent spree, I found a couple of local ‘cue places owned by gentlemen who are or have been cookers on the barbecue competition circuit and one where a former executive chef is at the helm.

Each had items that were excellent and deserving of special mention.

BY JOAN DURBIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN GRAY

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Above, the half-bird. Left, pulled pork with the savory inhouse barbecue sauce. Below, the strawberry cake made inhouse by Shannon Dillard, daughter of owner Chic.

Smoke ‘em if you’ve got ‘em could be a motto for Chic Dillard, Big Shanty S m o ke h o u s e 3393 Cherokee St. Kennesaw 770.499.7444 www.bigshantybbq.com

who doesn’t limit his bill of fare at Big Shanty Smokehouse to the usual ribs, pork and chicken. Everything from duck to prime rib has come out of Chic’s smoker as a daily special.

It’s just one of the ways Big Shanty sets itself apart from most ‘cue joints. Chic has 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including stints as executive chef, and it shows up in the approach he takes to the food.

“I could cut my food costs tomorrow, but I’m very emphatic about quality. I only use fresh products,” he said.

He uses the same spice mixture to rub down all his meat, a balanced blend of sweet and savory that lets the nature of the meat shine through.

Lightly smoky, the pulled pork and ribs have an agreeable texture and moistness with a come-back-for-more flavor. Want both shredded and chunks of the pork? Just ask. Chic and the family – mom Sissy, who has loads of front-of-the-house restaurant experience, and daughter Shannon, pastry chef extraordinaire – want diners to be happy.

Brisket here is more than satisfactory, and like the pork butt, gets 13 hours on the Southern Pride smoker.

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All in the family. From left, Sissy, Chic and Shannon Dillard.

Do not overlook the sausage. Chic makes it from ground ribs and brisket, red and green bell peppers, fresh herbs and a pinch of fresh jalapenos.

There is but one barbecue sauce, but it’s all you’ll need.

Like Chic’s meat rub, the sauce is just sweet enough but also has a slight kick to it.

Sides are straightforward and limited, but homemade mac ‘n’ cheese appears on the weekend menu and special sides show up every day. If there is California rice casserole, grab it. The combo of creamy rice, cheddar and Monterey jack cheeses and diced green chilies is downright addicting.

Shannon’s desserts are a must-have. Her coconut cake, for example, was an award winner at Taste of Kennesaw.

On a recent visit, we treated ourselves to a cream cheese and fresh strawberry tart. And when we had no more room to spare in our well-filled takeout bags, we were told the cobblers are also sensational. That alone would be incentive for another visit.

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Below, the pulled pork sandwich plate. As you can see, the brothers haven’t just been successful with their meat, their sauces and rubs are sold throughout the nation. Bottom, the pit where all the magic happens.

Williamson Brothers BBQ 1425 Roswell Rd Marietta 770.971.3201 www. williamsonbros.com

For more than 20 years Danny and Larry Williamson have been satisfying customers’ barbecue cravings with their in-house brick pit and famous sauces.

The brothers have a devoted following which might not only be chalked up to their ‘cue, but also their community involvement, including a trip to the Pentagon in the wake of 9/11 where they fed thousands of workers.

If you like your ‘cue saucy, sweet, and Southern, hurry in to partake of their ribs, pork and chicken.

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A Winner’s Tale

Sam Huffman, owner of BBQ1 in east Cobb, has got the recipe for success

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Try getting these somewhere else.

Barbecued pork shanks. Opposite page: Yes, it’s all about the meat, but the sides don’t hurt either. Give the collard greens or the three-cheese macaroni and cheese a shot. You won’t be disappointed.

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S a m ’s B B Q 1 1944 Lower Roswell Rd. Marietta 770.977.3006 www.bbq1.net Sam Huffman

, owner of BBQ1 in east Cobb, is a savvy attorney and native Mariettan who has all but abandoned his very successful law practice to devote the lion’s share of his time to barbecue. For 10 years, Sam and his Lost Mountain BBQ Co. team have been winning competition awards.

Since he and erstwhile partner Dave Poe took divergent paths, Sam has installed an actual dining room two doors down from the tiny space that used to accommodate both take-out and eat-in customers.

Sam used to serve both baby backs and St. Louis-style spareribs, but deep-sixed the latter “because I got tired of explaining them to people,” he said with a chuckle. No matter, because his baby backs are among the meatiest and most flavorful of their type I’ve ever had. Sam told me he’d worked out an exclusive deal with a well-known meat processor that gets his slabs shipped to him within days of the pig’s demise.

58 COBB LIFE June/July

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Rated Best BBQ in ATLANTA by Zagat

The man himself: Sam Huffman

He uses his own specially blended rub on all his pork, developed in competition and tweaked for restaurant use.

It adds oomph to what is already excellent meat. For those interested in trying to work some smoking magic at home, Sam sells the rub at the counter.

Sam’s pork butts are smoked 14 to 16 hours, pulled into chunks and large shreds and given a rough chop.

Like the ribs, there is a mild to medium smoke to the meat. It has good texture and flavor on its own, but I found a drizzle of the house sauce jacked it up to giddily delicious heights.

There is also a mildly spicy sauce and a mustard sauce, which unlike other versions, isn’t bright yellow.

Brisket is what has won Sam much acclaim in the foodie world, and it’s easy to understand why. Slow smoked for up to 16 hours and tender as love, this meat has real character. While normally Sam serves his brisket very lean, of course we asked for slices from the fatty end, which only intensified the rich beef flavor.

Among the many good sides offered are a spectacular mac ‘n’ cheese, a dish contributed by Dave Roberts, another former partner. “It was his grandmother’s recipe,” Sam explained. Rigatoni, cheddar, Monterey jack, heavy cream and parmesan cheese make this pure heaven.

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A N D

N O W

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F O R

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S O M E T H I N G

completely different

smokin j’s adds a new twist

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Want to flip out your taste buds? Try this: The Danger Dog consists of one jumbo all-beef hot dog wrapped in bacon which is then deep fried and topped off with pulled pork and melted cheese. Left, the beef brisket.

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T

Smokin’ J’s owner Jeff Rittman, left, with partner Anthony Stevens. Right, the St. Louis style ribs.

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hough Jeff Pittman is new to the restaurant scene, he has plenty of experience with ‘cue on the competition circuit.

In March he finally answered repeated pleas to make his prize-winning barbecue available to diners by opening Smokin’ J’s in the East Lake Shopping Center.

Jeff is using a 20-year-old hand-built cooker, nicknamed Old Smokey, which has seen a lot action over the years. When stoking the fire, he uses oak in addition to the usual hickory, which may account for the meat’s pleasingly smoky flavor. The level of smoke is the medium range, assertive enough to make its presence known, but not so strong as to overwhelm.

His pulled pork is in nice size chunks.

Moist and toothsome with a nice mix of bark and meat, it made sauce to-tally unnecessary. But if you must, both the tomato-based house sauces are worthy of trying.

Ribs are St. Louis-style spareribs, trimmed in house. Both the ribs and pork are smoked at 225 degrees, the pork butt for nine to 12 hours, depending on its size, and ribs for seven.

The spicy hot link sausage is amazingly good. Jeff has a great working relationship with the guys at Cajun Meat Company at the other end of the shopping center, and it’s their sausage he smokes serves. “I tried making my own but couldn’t come up with anything near as good,” Jeff stated.

His brisket is as good as any I’ve ever put in my mouth. As noted, my taste leans to pieces cut from the fatty end, and all I had to do was let Jeff know that. The melt-inmy-mouth slices were glistening with just the right amount of fat to be scrumptious.

As my grandma always said, “the fat is where the flavor is.”

How he keeps the brisket from drying out during its 10 to 12 hours in the smoker is a nifty trick he learned on the barbecue circuit. Essentially, the runoff juices from the meat are injected back into the beef for the last hours of cooking.

All of his sides other than applesauce and tater tots are homemade. The Carolina red slaw is tangy and a welcome change from the standard. Green beans are cooked in beef broth and onion, which give real depth of flavor.

Want dessert? Pineapple express is your dish. Drained chunks of pineapple, sugar, cubed bread and cheddar cheese are the main ingredients and it is almost like un upside down cake. Jeff said it’s his motherin-law’s recipe.

S m o k i n ’ J ’s B B Q 2145 Roswell Rd. Marietta 770.973.1003 www.riblover.com

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H i c ko r y H o u s e C a f e 1410 Terrell Mill Rd. Marietta 678.996.2880 www.facebook.com/pages/Marietta-GA Owner Bill Waite puts out tasty ribs, brisket, pork and chicken, but it’s the Plantation BBQ sandwich that is the jewel in his crown. You have a choice of smoked pork or beef, piled on buttered grilled garlic toast with Southern mustard barbecue sauce and topped with cole slaw. Served with crispy hot homemade French fries, this sandwich will keep you coming back for more.

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He didn’t set out to be a pitmaster.

Dave Poe comes from a family who started in the food business with concession stands at fairs and amusement parks and later got involved in catering and barbecue.

Somewhere along the way, the Poes got so good at smoking meat they started competing on the barbecue competition circuit as Stump and Sons, utilizing their affectionate nickname for their mom as part of the team name.

Though he has a basement full of trophies and several in his eponymous restaurant on Whitlock Avenue not far from Marietta Square, Dave long ago

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gave up the formal competitions. After an amicable split with Sam Huff and their joint restaurant, Dave is going it on his own, with a few twists.

While Sam’s brisket is almost velvety in texture, Dave’s is a bit more firm but equally as tender and delectable. In the several times I’ve eaten both versions, it always seems Dave’s beef has had more smoke flavor.

He shakes his head at the long-held notion in the ‘cue world that smoke doesn’t penetrate the meat any longer after bark is formed in around four hours.

“I’ve heard that, but I don’t believe it’s true,” he said. “We’ve changed our

Good Golly, Miss Molly. Dave’s custom-built smoker could well be the envy of just about every man in Cobb. Dave, above, smokes everything including the beef brisket, far left. Want something to go with the ‘cue? Try some of the homemade vegetables and cornbread. Opposite page, smoked chicken wings.

Remember the cover? Yep, those are some of Dave’s ribs.

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cooking process so it’s long and slow.”

After sampling the lean brisket and finding it satisfactory, we asked for fattier slices and were knocked out by the intense flavor and appealing texture.

The brisket, short rib and pork butt stay on the smoker for 16 hours. Both the St. Louis-cut ribs and baby backs go for around six. His rib rub has 18 ingredients, including white and brown sugars, and butt rub is the same minus the sugars.

Dave’s pulled pork is one of my favorite versions. It doesn’t need anything extra, but try a few judicious drizzles of the house sauce, a pleasantly spiced, not too sweet concoction, for the complete package.

One of the nicest surprises about this place is its side specials, which change with the season and the whim of Bayne Hayes, a veteran of some of the metro area’s leading restaurant kitchens who jumped ship from fine dining to barbecue. He even makes his own pickles. Mac ‘n’ cheese, however, is the same fabulous version found at Sam’s BBQ1. Seems like both former partners got custody of the recipe, and for that we should all be grateful.

D ave Po e ’s B B Q 660 Whitlock Ave. Marietta 770.792.2272 www.davepoes.com

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66 COBB LIFE June/July

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While most other ‘cue joints smoke pork butts or shoulders, Slope’s uses fresh ham from the shank portion of the pig. “It’s lean. There’s no fat on it,” said Glenn McDaniel, one of the owners. The meat is chopped after it is pulled. Try it with a healthy dash of the tangy vinegar sauce, one of three varieties offered. The light smokiness of the meat and the peppery condiment are a great match.

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A c wor t h ’s Chris K ’ n e e r b r i n g s back to l i f e t h e g u n s tha t s h a p e d ou r h i s t o r y.

BY CARTEN CORDELL PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN GRAY

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History

surrounds Chris K’neer and his Acworth home.

Down the slopes of the slight hill his house rests on is the site of a former Union encampment, its trenches weaving through the landscape. Across a small stream at the base of the hill are the five graves of Union soldiers killed over 145 years ago in Sherman’s Atlanta campaign.

It is a fitting setting for K’neer, a man who appreciates a time that came before him and the weapons that helped shape it.

Inside the shop in his basement, K’neer brings life back to the guns that wrote the history of the nation. Recrafting the stocks that fit snugly in the shoulders of those who looked down the sights, repairing the trigger mechanisms and hammers that precipitated the crack of shot, K’neer makes new again the firearms that once tamed a wild land.

“At the last gun show I went to, I was showing these kids this rifle. I told them this was the kind of rifle that Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone used,” K’neer said shaking his head. “They said, ‘Who is Daniel Boone?’”

Such a comment might as well be a dagger to the heart of the gunsmith, a man who is enthralled with seeing how the firearms that defined an age operated in their prime, working like a detective to discover what obscure pieces will make them whole again.

A former mechanical engineer, K’neer focuses his creative energies toward rifle making and the restoration of antique firearms through his company, The Atlanta Woodwright’s Studio. All within his home, K’neer takes both the old back into a displayable function and custom builds new firearms for the discerning hunter.

“My dad was an amateur gunsmith, and I made my first stock when I was 12. Along with that, I was a competition shooter for 40 years. I always wanted to try something different, and my dad owned a machine shop, so I put those two together and made my own.”

After serving in the U.S. Air Force, K’neer put his engineering skills to work, but kept finding himself drawn to the Atlanta area.

“I have kind of moved all over the place. I guess after college and the service, I did a lot of contract work. I always seemed to be ending up in Atlanta. I guess with fate or whatever, Atlanta was going to be home.”

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After building his Acworth home a decade ago, he crafted a shop in which to follow his passion of building and repairing the weapons that have history behind them.

“It doesn’t pay near as well, but I wake up every morning with a smile on my face,” he said.

Through word-of-mouth, and a burgeoning website, www.riflerestorer.com, K’neer has come to the attention of some collectors, and has been called upon to restore guns valued in the six figures.

“When the parts are missing and nobody know who, what, where, that is the fun part,” he said.

K’neer’s shop is like a walk-through of the history of the rifle, almost from where black powder met miniball. One of his recent projects is the restoration of a German Fowler rifle circa 1620. The stock of the small gun is pitted with tiny holes where insects have burrowed and fed on the wood. To hold the piece is to fear it falling apart in your hands, as the wood feels soft and rotten enough to crumble at the touch of it, and yet K’neer will make it whole again or at least up to a displayable standard.

“I really enjoy the woodworking,” he said. “Another aspect is, a lot of this stuff, I can’t afford. What is really neat is when people hand it to me and say, ‘Here.’ Then I get to play with it, take it apart.”

Like appreciating the brushstrokes of a piece of art or the architecture of an ancient structure, K’neer marvels at the construction and beauty of the specimens he has been charged with reviving.

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“You figure the tools that they had to work with, when that [German] muzzleloader was made, sandpaper didn’t even exist. We barely had pencils,” he said. “And yet, here it is 400 years later. The metal on it is still perfectly capable of shooting. I don’t know if it would be a very good idea, but you could.”

Along with restoration, K’neer’s custom-built rifles also show a bit of flair. One of the other pieces in his shop still taking shape is a Pennsylvania flintlock musket.

Crafting the stock, K’neer is adding a dogwood bloom design in which the petals will be inlayed from woolly mammoth fossils and discarded walrus tusks harvested by Inuit in Alaska. The “branches” of the dogwood design show K’neer’s commitment to woodworking as they weave through the unfinished stock.

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Inside his shop, K’neer can custom fit a rifle stock to its owner. He can construct many types of firearms and even blue the metal on which it is built, a process of applying a protective coating to the barrel and other metal pieces to prevent rust and other fouling.

With the art of gunsmithing becoming more of a rarefied skill, K’neer is one who looks to impart what he has learned through open houses and demonstrations. A look at his Web site, riflerestorer.com, displays his past works and future enterprises, using the old process of gunsmithing that makes him kind of an archaeologist as well.

“I do use the same process that they did use,” he said. “All the measuring, observations and even trying to keep track of details that seem insignificant, but might not be so insignificant further on down the road. That is part of the challenge.”

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1,000 d a y l i l i e s

Kennesaw resident Bill Waldrop’s hobby has grown into a field of

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BILL AND DIANA WALDROP STARTED KENNESAW MOUNTAIN DAYLILY GARDENS as a hobby garden almost 20 years ago before it quickly grew into a full time passion.

The couple grows thousands of flowers each year and produce dozens of new hybrids. The Waldrops strive to produce hybrid lilies with brilliant mixtures of colors and thick outer ruffles, such as the one shown at right. Every year the Waldrops have a sale open to the public to come choose plants from their garden. This year the sale will be held on June 26th and the 30th. The garden is located at 310 McDaniel Road in Marietta.

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The mad scientist at work

Bill Waldrop checks the pollen from a recently collected stamen to look for any noticeable imperfections through the microscope.

Bill plays the role of the "bee" by pollinating hybrids by hand.

The Waldrops are able to continuously recreate prize-winning lilies by harvesting and freezing pollen samples. The samples are stored in matchboxes.

Bill checks his plants every day and takes photos of each one to document and tag different types growing. }For more information, visit their website www.kennesawmountaindaylilygardens.com

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Several Sope Creek Elementary students and their siblings take a break from planting at the Columns Drive entrance to Chattahoochee Park and pose for a photo with their garden design plans. From left, Jontal Simpson, Gabe Evans Michael Giovino, Blake Spears, Jacob Spears, Drew Healey, Sal Giovino, Jakoby Stanley, Jason Washington, Sofia Ramirez, Ansley Weiss and Olivia Donovan. Above left, Ricky Raschke plants with his mother Linda. Right, Drew Healey, son of Valerie Healey.

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An almost perfect Spring day, the sun was smiling down on Cheri Vaniman’s Sope Creek Elementary Special Education class as they diligently dug, shoveled, sorted and planted an assortment of native plants at the East Cobb entrance to Chattahoochee Park at Columns Drive.

A canopy of overhanging trees kept the hardat-work second and third graders cool as they spent several hours turning a plot of dirt into a welcoming garden they designed. This being their seventh planting project, the children get right to work. There is no need for parents to guide them — this is their turf and they are confident in their skills. They are also genuinely excited about their garden, and you can see a sense of accomplishment as they pat down the soil around a plant, or after they pull up a huge root. A sense of teamwork is evident among the group — peers would come over to help each other pull up huge roots or dig a hole, and shouts of encouragement were frequent.

The project is part of First Bloom, a National Park Foundation program whose goal is to connect children to nature and national parks, instilling in them a sense of stewardship and educating them about native plants and vegetation.

“I like planting because it’s fun hanging out with friends and helping nature,” said Sofia Ramirez, 9, daughter of Catalina Velez. “It’s good because we need more native plants here so this place can be beautiful.”

Vaniman’s class works with Chattahoochee park rangers each month as part of the program.

The rangers visited the class to educate about native plants, and while on the trails taught them the basics of planting. The children helped close off six trails that were no longer fit for biking by planting native plants to revegetate the area.

In addition to instilling knowledge and a

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UP ground FROM

THE

sense of community, the project gives the children confidence.

“I have seen my students grow incredibly,” said Vaniman. “They have grown in how they see themselves. Their confidence is so high and their pride shines through. It is a proud moment when a student would rather come plant a garden with their class on Saturday then do anything else. They want to be involved in the community and they want to do something that is meaningful for them. They are so proud that they will bring their parents to the locations where we have planted and show them what we have done.”

Parent Rick Raschke has accompanied his son Ricky, 9, and the class on many of their excursions.

“I think it’s tremendous for the kids. It’s nice to see that they are learning respect for the land, valuing the land, to be stewards or caretakers of the land,” he said.

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Far left, Ansley Weiss, 8, daughter of Michelle Weiss, carries a plant to its designated place in the garden. Left, teacher Cheri Vaniman helps student Jakoby Stanley, son of Kimberly and Pablo place a plant in the soil.

“First Bloom is geared toward engaging youth with national parks through hands-on activity. We measure that success in four areas: conservation, national parks, stewardship, and native plants,” said Matt Ferris, Program Director, Youth Engagement for the National Park Foundation, who flew from D.C. to Atlanta for the Columns Drive planting. “In each one of the areas we look for the youth involved in First Bloom to show gains in their knowledge, attitude, and behavior, which our evaluation of the program supports. As an example, First Bloom kids show increases in their level of knowledge of national parks (knowledge), positive attitude toward national parks (attitude), and are more likely to do things like recycle at home (behavior). “

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Olivia Donovan, daughter of Holly and Kevin Donovan, said what she likes most about the project: “I like finding a lot of things, finding bugs. I found a few onions; they are in my pocket. I like getting muddy.”

The students have also played the role of teachers, educating parents and other students native plants and making seed balls.

“It builds confidence in them to be involved with teaching,” said Raschke.

“My son was amazing; he was totally confident in helping people [learn to make a seed ball]. My wife and I were so tickled and so proud that he was teaching.”

Vaniman is also applying what the stuFollow the project dents learn in online through the field to Cheri’s blog at other areas of www.sopecreeklibrary. academics. typepad.com/vaniman After plantYou can find out ing the stumore about dents will write First Bloom at a narrative www.first-bloom.org about the outing, or make a graph of what they did.

“They are improving in their academics as well because these experiences are real world and they make sense. It isn’t just pulling information out of a textbook, it is real life,” said Vaniman.

Vaniman says the program is especially significant for her special needs class.

“It is important to me because these are wonderful children who are looking for a place to succeed in life and they are finding it. They are becoming experts on a topic that no one in their school knows about and they are even having the opportunity to teach them.

It is putting them in control of what they want to learn.”

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www.cobblifemagazine.com is always open for readers to post their photos, comments and stories. We also feature SCENE photos that didn’t make it in the magazine and exclusive video, articles and blogs.

Here is a sampling of a handful of the recent items from our site.

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FROM

THE

WEB

Follow us on facebook and twitter to receive updates and exclusive news and offers!

Your comments:

Readers posted these comments on our story on East Cobb boutique AnkleBiters that appeared in our April issue. jcartwright wrote I have been to this store for my little ones. What a great store. I hate buying cheap plastic toys for them.

This had toys I have not seen at other stores. My wife has gone for clothes a few times already and loves it. She is also big on getting birthday gifts that stand out. She looks here first. A great addition to the neighborhood.

EMC1952 wrote: This store looks amazing! Getting away from junky plastic and making available fine wooden toys that can last a lifetime is such a great idea; and a lot quicker and cheaper than a trip to Europe!

From the photo galleries: Chief

Photographer Erin Gray went out and captured some lovely images of the Smith-Gilbert Gardens in Kennesaw.

Town Center at Cobb 770.427.7810

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H ig h lights

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A closer look at events and activities throughout Cobb County in June and July JEWEL Multi-platinum recording artist and songwriter Jewel will embark on a cross-country tour this Summer, including a stop at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. The Star Light Café Tour will find the three-time Grammy nominee performing in support of her sophomore country album, “Sweet and Wild.” Jewel’s first country album, “Perfectly Clear,” was released in June 2008 and debuted at #1 on the Billboard country charts. Jewel will perform on June 11 at 8 p.m. in the John A. Williams Theatre. Ticket prices range from $38 to $58.

Information: 770.916.2808 or www.cobbenergycentre.com

MELISSA ETHERIDGE From her introduction in 1988, and throughout her illustrious career, Etheridge has never forgotten that it all begins with the songs. Those songs—"Bring Me Some Water," "Ain’t it Heavy," "I’m the Only One," "Come to My Window," "I Want to Come Over," "Angels Would Fall," "I Run for Life" and "I Need to Wake Up" among them—have rewarded her with five Platinum albums, a pair of Grammys, an Oscar, an ASCAP Songwriter of the Year honor and the ASCAP Founders Award. With her new album “Fearless Love,” she is at the top of her game. Melissa Etheridge performs on July 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the John A. Williams Theatre at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Ticket prices range from $35 to $100.

Information: 770.916.2808 or www.cobbenergycentre.com LITTLE ANGELS CONCERT Honoring the 60th anniversary of the Korean War and the service of Korean War veterans, the Little Angels Children’s Folk Ballet of Korea will perform on June 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the John A. Williams Theatre at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.

Composed of 35 members, mostly girls from the ages of 9 to 15, Little Angels has inspired audiences all over the world for the past five decades. They have performed at the White House, the United Nations, Buckingham Palace, and the Kremlin. Ticket prices range from $20 to $70.

Information: 770.916.2808 or www.cobbenergycentre.com

GREATER TUNA The first of the Tuna, Texas, series that's a send-up of smalltown mores and quirkiness, “Greater Tuna” features a lineup of characters that are both hilarious and poignant in their truth and simplicity. Starring William S. Murphey and Bryan Mercer, the play features just two actors who portray all the assorted Tuna types. Recommended for ages 16 and up due to colorful language. Theatre in the Square presents “Greater Tuna” from June 23 through July 18. Performance times are Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. There are no performances on July 4. Admission is $28 to $35. Tickets are available for $14 for preview performances on June 20 at 7 p.m., and June 22 at 8 p.m.

Information: 770.422.8369 or www.theatreinthesquare.com HOT PROPERTY A play written by Fred Carmichael, "Hot Property" is an irresistible comedy fueled by laughter, mistaken identity and even a misguided sting. Greg Fitzgerald will direct. Polk Street Players presents “Hot Property” on the Stellar Cellar stage at St. James Episcopal Church, 161 Church Street in Marietta from July 9 to 17. Performance times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $12.50.

Information: 770.218.9669 or www.stjamesmarietta.com/Polk.St.Players/shows.html A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM Broadway’s greatest farce is light, fast-paced, witty, irreverent and one of the funniest musicals ever written – the perfect escape from life’s troubles. “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” takes comedy back to its roots, combining situations from time-tested, 2000-year-old comedies by Roman playwright Plautus with the infectious energy of classic vaudeville. The result is a non-stop laugh-fest in which a crafty slave struggles to win the hand of a beautiful but slow-witted courtesan for his young master, in exchange for freedom. Atlanta Lyric Theatre performs June 11 through 27.

Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. Ticket prices range from $32 to $38.

Information: 404.377.9948 or www.atlantalyrictheatre.com

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MHBA SUMMER CONCERT SERIES Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre recently announced the performances in their 2010 Summer Concert Series, including Tracy Lawrence on June 11, Travis Tritt on June 24, Cobb Life Night with Smokey Robinson on July 22, Survivor and Starship on August 13, John Michael Montgomery on Sept. 10 and the Jazz Grooves Atlanta Smooth Music Festival featuring Paul Taylor, Pieces of a Dream, Jessy J, Gregg Karukas, Althea Rene, and Sekou Bunch on Sept. 17 and 18. All performances begin at 8 p.m., except Sept. 18, which begins at 2 p.m. Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre is located at 5239 Floyd Road in Mableton. Tickets are $20 for lawn seats, $35 to $55 for fixed seating. Reserved tables are $350.

Ticket prices for the festival will be available June 28.

Information: 770.819.7765 or www.mablehouse.org HAPPY TOGETHER TOUR Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre presents the Happy Together Tour, featuring Flo & Eddie with The Turtles, lead singer and drummer Micky Dolenz from The Monkees, Rob Grill with The Grass Roots, former Paul Revere & the Raiders singer Mark Lindsay, and The Buckinghams. This incredible collaboration of musicians will perform July 28 at 8 p.m. in the John A. Williams Theatre. Ticket prices are to be announced.

Information: 770.916.2808 or www.cobbenergycentre.com

NATALIE MERCHANT This summer Natalie Merchant will embark on a nationwide tour in support of her new album “Leave Your Sleep.” The tour will be Merchant’s first major outing in seven years. The vocalist and her eight-piece band will perform new material as well as favorites from throughout her career.

A two-disc set, “Leave Your Sleep” features a collection of songs adapted from poems selected by Merchant including pieces by both well-known and obscure writers. Works include poetry by British Victorians, early and mid-twentieth century Americans, and contemporary writers, as well as anonymous nursery rhymes and lullabies. Among the authors included are Ogden Nash, e.e. Cummings and Robert Graves. Merchant performs on Aug. 27 in the John A. Williams Theatre at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Performance time and ticket prices are to be announced.

Information: 770.916.2808 or www.cobbenergycentre.com

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MARIETTA/COBB MUSEUM OF ART The Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art hosts an exhibition by members of The Atlanta Fine Arts League, as well as selections from their permanent collection, on display through June 26. The Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art is located in downtown Marietta at 30 Atlanta Street.

Museum hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, free for children younger than six years old, and free for members.

Information: 770.528.1444 or www.mariettacobbartmuseum.org FIRST FRIDAY ART WALKS The Marietta Square is experiencing an art scene renaissance with the return of First Friday Art Walks.

Remaining 2010 dates are Aug. 6, Sept. 3, and Oct. 1.

First Friday Art Walks feature a free, self-guided tour of Marietta’s eclectic art scene. Downtown art galleries, museums and merchants host artists within their stores from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. each month. Admission to the Art Walk is free of charge. First Friday Art Walks will be held rain or shine.

Information: 770.429.1115 or visit www.artwalkmarietta.com

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THE BOYS IN CONCERT The Boys in Concert celebrates the music of an era that lights up every generation, with music from The Beach Boys, to Motown to The Four Seasons. As The Jersey Boys, they recorded a Grammy Award-winning, platinumselling album, performed at Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall, and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

They have made personal appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Show with David Letterman and Dick Clark's New Year’s Rockin' Eve.The Boys in Concert will appear June 18 at 8 p.m. in the John A. Williams Theatre at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Ticket prices range from $25 to $69.

Information: 770.916.2808 or www.cobbenergycentre.com

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EDITORIAL

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CALENDAR

ere are some of the features we will be covering in upcoming issues.

If you have any article ideas, SCENE events or just want to drop us a line, email us at cobblifemagazine@ cobblifemagazine.com.

You can always post your event, photos or blog for free at our Web site, www.cobblifemagazine.com.

H

AUG/SEPT OCTOBER

Things to do in Cobb

DO THINGS TO

Back to School

Milestones Favorite Fall Traditions

AUGUST COMING IN IN COBB

Home features

OCTOBER COMING IN TRADITIONS ITE FALL

FAVOR

CELEBRATING Engagements • Weddings • Anniversaries

Mayer~Cyganiewicz

Brittany Michelle Mayer and Andrew Cyganiewicz, Jr. were united in marriage on April 24, 2010.

After a honeymoon in St. Lucia, Virgin Islands, the couple resides in Marietta, Georgia.

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A Complete Senior Living Community Offering private or semi-private suites in both Assisted Living or a separate and secured Memory Care Residence.

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• 24-hour access to caring associates • Engaging & Creative Activities • Scheduled Transportation Services • Three Daily Delicious Meals & Snacks • Laundry, Housekeeping and Maintenance • Resident Guests are always welcome!

• Small pets welcome!

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SCENE Nest Gallery Opening he Nest Gallery, a new eclectic art gallery in Smyrna, held their grand opening in late April. Dozens of residents attended the event that featured local artists. The gallery is located at 762 Concord Road in Smyrna.

T

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN GRAY

1

886 Johnson Ferry Road • Marietta, GA 30068 770.977.4420 • www.savannahcourtmarietta.com Assisted Living Facility License No. 033-03-017-1

2

3

1. Smyrna residents Rebecca Keoho and Ken Kinkaid.

2. Beverly and Mike Kidd of Smyrna. 3.

Smyrna residents Suzi Lawrence and Cindy Patterson.

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SCENE Nest Gallery Opening 4. From left, Nest Gallery Owner Dale Metcalfe with Frank and Dana Daniell of Atlanta.

5. Smyrna Mayor Max Bacon with opening night host Barbara Kinkaid of Smyrna. 6. From left, Jim Fausett of Marietta with Harriet Swift of Marietta and Sarah Monsour of Smyrna. 7.

Smyrna residents Karen Wilson and Lynn Dee Martin.

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5

6 2

SCENE

Shuler Hensley Awards at the Cobb Energy Center

T

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he 2nd Annual Shuler Hensley Awards were held at the Cobb Energy Center April 13, 2010. The program honors excellence in high school musical theater. Fashioned after Broadway’s Tony Awards, this spectacular event played to a packed house!

Olivia (humanitarian and aspiring N.Y. runway model) with Dr. Bo McCamy (humanitarian, celebrity representative, and aspiring film & TV director)

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SCENE Nest Gallery Opening

5/20/2010

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Austell resident Gail Paul and Peggy Morris of Acworth.

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SCENE First Friday Art Walk

2

1

he First Friday Art Walk is held the first Friday of every month throughout the summer on the Marietta Square.

Along with more than 30 merchants hosting artists in their stores, the event features an Artists’ Alley, an intimate exhibit of juried artists showing a wide variety of styles.

T

3

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN GRAY

4

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1. Charles, Jenny and Madalyn Houlroyd of Marietta. 2. From left, Victor Easley of Marietta, Nancy Sellers of Marietta, Ricci Ackerman of Kennesaw and John Kirk of Atlanta. 3.

Kathy and Mark Childs of Marietta. 4.

From left, Marietta residents Lynn Hagdorn and Kristine Shonfelt.

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SCENE Reception for Eduin Rosell at the Strand

2

1

3 reception for local artist Eduin Rosell was held at The Earl Smith Strand Theatre, where his work is on display.

A

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN GRAY

1. From left, Christy, Penelope and Eduin Rosell of Kennesaw. 2.

From left, Marietta residents Claire Brogdon, Pat Chilton and Dot Dunaway. 3.

Michelle Leroux and Randy Reece, both of Marietta.

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SCENE Martinis & Music artinis & Music is held one Friday each month at the Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art. Patrons enjoy cocktails and music while mingling and viewing the art.

Musical group Prime was featured at a recent event.

M

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN GRAY

1

2

1. From left, Stan and Valerie Babb of Marietta.

2. From left, Jessica McCaslin of Kennesaw with Jill List of Buckhead.

3. From left, Kennesaw residents Nancy Larimer and Carmen Regester.

3

Yard Care Made Easy.

BG 55 HANDHELD BLOWER • Proven handheld blower at an affordable price

• Features round nozzle for increased air volume • Optional vacuum and gutter kit attachments

GREAT VALUE!

FS 45 TRIMMER • Lightweight, reliable consumer trimmer • Can use nylon line or STIHL PolyCutTM head • Features balanced design and upright fuel tank with retainer cap

• Designed for occasional wood-cutting tasks around the home

14” bar

MS 170 CHAIN SAW

• Includes many of the excellent design features of our professional models

STIHL HAS YOU COVERED WITH PROTECTIVE APPAREL AND ACCESSORIES.

STIHL - 8000 SERVICING DEALERS NATIONWIDE

COBB HARDWARE 770-428-6491

380 Roswell St., N.E. • Marietta, GA

94 COBB LIFE June/July

2010

©2008 STIHL

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SCENE Martinis and Music

4

8

4. From left, Renee Pope of Powder Springs along with Sharon and Charlie Griffith of Marietta. 5. From left, Renee Moulthrop and Joanna Carson, both of Marietta. 6. From left, Pat Garrett of Marietta with Linda Flournoy of Marietta. 7. From left, Marietta residents Heather Pittstick and Amber Camilla. 8. From left, Wesley and Chere Hall of Kennesaw.

6

5

7

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SCENE Atlanta Beat VIP reception

1

he Atlanta Beat held a VIP reception for its home opener in mid-May. The event preceded the debut of the Beat in Cobb and the official opening of the new stadium.

T

2

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADAM MILLER

3 1. Kennesaw residents Dean, Domini and Jocob Franke. 2. Vinings residents Pete Watson and Connie Engel. 3. Richard Corhen and Mark Kirk, both of Marietta.

96 COBB LIFE June/July

2010

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SCENE Atlanta Beat VIP reception

4 4. From left, Lindy Shallcross of Atlanta, Susan Papp of Marietta, author and radio and TV personality Barbara Dooley of Athens and Jim Hush of Marietta. 5. Maggie Moulton of Atlanta with UGA coaching legend Vince Dooley.

We’re on the lookout for SCENE events. Do you have one? Email us at cobblife magazine@ cobblifemagazine.com And always check out Web site for exclusive photos to our Web site,

www.cobblifemagazine. com

5

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We take the time...

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED

when you need it the most.

Terry Pendley, owner; Darlene Pendley, Jason Pendley and Chad Pendley of Mayes Ward-Dobbins are available to take care of your every need.

The recently installed elevator is just another example how Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home and Crematory take the time to meet your needs when you need it the most.

It’s all about you...

your life...your memories...your family

• Serving families of all faiths • On premise crematory • Accessible entrance - no stairs • Licensed, full-time professional staff attending to every detail • Make knowledgable cost comparisons • Newly renovated large chapel and visitation parlors • Newly installed elevator • Large off-street parking lot • Pre-need plans • Active in all civic organizations

770-428-1511

180 Church Street • Marietta

www.MayesWard-Dobbins.com

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PERFECT SEASON FOR OUTDOOR LIVING

OUTDOOR LIVING

Screen Porches • Sunrooms Pergolas • Outdoor Fireplaces Vinyl Siding Under Cover Deck Systems Garages Replacement Windows Hardi Plank Siding Aluminum & Copper Gutters

INTERIOR RENOVATIONS

RESTORE • REPAIR • REMODEL Call us at 770-577-6279 Visit us at: www.AffordableContracting.net www.GreenAffordableContracting.net

Kitchens • Bathrooms Basement Finishing Remodeling Additions Custom Trim Carpet Hardwoods • Tile • Granite Upgrades

STONE & CONCRETE Retaining Walls • Flagstone Walkways • Rock Steps Stacked Stone Driveways & Patios

PAINTING & ROOFING *GAF, Armstrong Flooring, and Sherwin William Paints are Seal-backed products.

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