Atlanta Senior Life - April 2017

Senior Life

FITNESS athletes aged 50+ compete at fulton golden games page

keep on working

Reaching retirement age doesn’t mean slowing down

By Judi Kanne

For some, work is a four-letter word. For others, it’s so much more. If you happen to be in your late 60s, you may see yourself— and many more seniors—staying in the workforce instead of retiring. Generally speaking, that’s a good thing. Experts tell us that work provides the potential for positive social interaction, as well as a support structure for everyday life.

Today, the question seniors are asking is, “How long?”—meaning at what point should they quit working. Some seniors believe “never quit” is the right response.

“For me, it’s a matter of slowing down,” said Janet Claussen, a theology teacher at Marist School in Brookhaven who’s in her mid-60s. Claussen enjoys what she does, and has been doing it for the last 18 years. However, now she believes it’s better for her health to not work quite so hard. “I’m thinking about part-time,” said Claussen. Like most teachers, her hours extend far beyond the classroom, with grading papers and taking care of students who need that extra bit of time.

“Maybe I will continue to teach, but

Faith leaders discuss their changing congregations

Go for the Gold Seniors win medals and have fun at the Fulton Golden Games

By Kathy Dean

The 23rd annual Fulton Golden Games is set for April 26 to May 25, and will be held at venues throughout north Fulton County. Over the 15 days of the event, adults 50 and older will participate in a variety of athletic and recreational events, such as hiking, swimming, running and pickleball.

The Golden Games—hosted by the cities of Alpharetta, Atlanta, Johns Creek, Milton, Roswell and Sandy Springs—bring together older adults to compete for medals. And how the games have grown! Mary Rummell, City of

Roswell, reported that, in the first years, just about 75 people competed, but these days, well over 400 athletes get involved.

“The event gives individuals 50 and over a chance to compete in a local Olympics, and to go on and compete in state and, eventually, national tournaments,” Rummell said. “Some of my favorite memories involve watching someone who has never been in a competition accomplish their goal, like a one-mile walk. When they cross the finish line, you can see how proud and excited they are.”

Medals are handed out at an awards luncheon at the end of the month, but it’s not all about

Atlanta Senior Life focuses on the interests, accomplishments and lifestyles of the active senior population in metro Atlanta. It aims to inspire readers to embrace a more rewarding life by informing them of opportunities to expand their horizons, express their talents and engage in their community.

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Editorial

Kathy Dean

Contributing Editor kathydean@atlantaseniorlife.com

Joe Earle

Editor-at-Large

JoeEarle@reporternewspapers.net

Contributors

Joe Earle, Erica Glasener, Judi Kanne, Jordana Klein, Phil Mosier, Isadora Pennington, Jane Ratliff, Kristen Sumpter, Donna Williams Lewis

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Each month, 20,000 copies of Atlanta Senior Life are distributed to selected locations where active seniors live, work, volunteer and play in the north metro areas of Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties.

competition. Rummell shared a story about a lady who couldn’t swim. “We coached her for the kickboard race. She was so proud that she finished the race, and the entire crowd cheered her on, even though she was the last one to finish. It was priceless!”

The primary purpose of the Golden Games is to help the area’s mature adults stay physically active and competitive. Deb Strycula, Sandy Springs Recreation and Parks, said that she believes that most seniors are always looking for recreational and athletic opportunities. “For me, it’s especially enjoyable to see and interact with the many seniors who return to participate in the Golden Games from year to year.”

Some seniors never miss the chance to compete in the Golden Games. “Dorothy Benson, the 95-year-old senior advocate who’s lent her name to the Dorothy Benson Senior Multipurpose Complex, will compete in her 23rd year of the games,” noted Dixie Pounds of the Alpharetta Recreation and Parks Department. “She’s never missed the event and always wins medals.”

The games offer an

opportunity to meet new people, learn new leisure skills and find out about the many recreational activities available. According to Kevin McDonald, Alpharetta Adult Activity Center, the Golden Games have done just that.

“Often, getting them in the door to our centers is eye opening for them. We get a lot of new people who come into our center for the first time and say, ‘I’ve driven by this place hundreds of times and didn’t know this was here.’”

Fulton Golden Games highlights include: a billiards tournament at Main Event Entertainment; a trivia challenge at Park Place at Newtown School; a bowling tournament at Stars and Strikes; and rock climbing and a virtual 5K at Ed Isakson YMCA. There are other planned game events, too, like bocce, canasta, indoor biathlon, table tennis, team line dancing and Wii bowling.

“The Golden Games impact the lives of so many people, and it creates lasting memories for each of them,” Rummell explained. “But most importantly, the competitors meet other people in the surrounding cities and form friendships while staying active and healthy.”

The 23rd annual Fulton Golden Games

• April 26-May 25

• Held at various North Fulton venues

• Gold, silver and bronze medals awarded in each men’s and women’s age division

• Presented by Fulton County and the cities of Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Roswell and Sandy Springs

• Call 678-297-6140 for a registration form. Registration fee is $20.

• Go to facebook.com/FultonGoldenGames/ to find out more.

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF FULTON GOLDEN GAMES

A - Shotput B - Fulton Golden Games Torch C - Indoor Biathlon D - Football Toss E - Running.

Keep on working

perhaps I can work with adults next time,” Claussen said, as she plans for a change in the not too distant future. “I like to think that I still have a lot of life in me.”

According to a recent Merrill Edge Report, “The majority—74 percent—of the Atlanta labor force say “they will continue to work during retirement whether it’s for income or just to keep busy.” Some will opt to pursue their passion.

“We’re seeing a shift in how Atlanta residents are thinking about retirement planning for their later years,” said Aron Levine, head of Merrill Edge at Bank of America. Levine meets people who have savings, but are unsure about the amount of money they need for retirement.

“We found retirement as we know it may become extinct,” Levine noted in the Merrill Edge report. “Younger generations tell us they plan to work well into retirement. That is a complete 180-degree shift for today’s attitudes toward employment.”

There are professionals whose retirement age is mandated for them. For example, airline pilots must retire by a certain age. On July 15, 2009, the FAA issued a Final Rule that lifted the mandatory retirement age of airline pilots from 60 to 65. Those are important years, according to many commercial pilots who enjoy flying and maintain proficiency into their 60s.

Claussen stated that her husband is a retired pilot who reached a mandatory retirement age a few years ago. Like his wife, he was not quite ready to leave the working world behind. He chose to help their community by overseeing maintenance at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. The church and the director of

maintenance remain in tip-top shape.

Although she’s only in her mid-60s, Andrea Lewis isn’t sure when she’ll retire. Today, she says she enjoys being a health system administrator for Grady Health System. “Just being a nurse and being in the hospital, there’s never a dull moment,” she said.

Lewis started her Grady career in 1978. She thought about parttime work after 55, but that never happened. The plan included moving to Florida, but she said, “I love what I do too much.”

“There is something new every day at Grady,” Lewis continued. Interesting people to meet and nonstop learning are two of the reasons why she has no plans for retirement. “I just can’t seem to totally let it go,” she added with a smile.

Mike Smith was a Navy surgical nurse. But that was a long time ago. He’ll be 61 in March. He had to deal with some physical setbacks along the way, but has found a new job to do what most nurses do—caring for people—while using his mechanical talents to repair mobile medical equipment, such as motorized wheelchairs.

Smith says he learned that medical equipment dealers like to sell the equipment, but are not necessarily interested in making repairs. There’s minimal, if any, profit margin in repairing mobility equipment.

But in Smith’s years in the Navy, and later hospital nursing, he learned to make things work again. He provides advice by telephone when required and is quite handy with a screwdriver if he’s making a house call.

Smith likes what he does because, “… it’s an opportunity to meet so many different people.” He is grateful for the ability

PHOTOS BY ISADORA PENNINGTON Janet Claussen

fix equipment since his earlier career was cut short by a brain aneurysm.

Even the setback taught him to do new things. “My doctor suggested I try fly fishing,” said Smith on a telephone conversation. It helped with his hand-eye coordination, as well as depth perception, since the aneurism affected his eyesight.

His new career was launched after meeting a friend in church, who asked if he could help fix equipment for “shut-ins.” Smith stated that what’s important for him is, “Keeping my mind sharp and interacting with people.”

According to a Pew Research article by Drew DeSilver, “older Americans work in the various sectors of the U.S. economy in broadly similar patterns as the workforce as a whole.” There are a few exceptions, he noted. For example, the tendency is not in the food sector or construction industries, but in ‘seasoned’ workers like those more frequently seen in management, legal, community and social service occupations.

Gretchen Pennybacker is more than special and an exception in every good way. At 82, she’s still working and loving it. She works in—and loves—food service.

Pennybacker said that her husband had Alzheimer’s disease for about 10 years and was at home. “I had a big responsibility caring for him all those years.” After he died, about 2

years ago, she realized that she needed something to fill the void in her life.

“I had seen someone at a Chick-fil-A at noontime. The woman was doing kind of a hostess job,” Pennybacker recalled, and added that she said to herself, “I can do that.” She stopped at a nearby Chick-fil-A where they knew her. “The manager hired me right

Pennybacker is proud of her 80-plus years and mentioned that she only works two days a week. “And it’s just for 2 1⁄2 hours a day,” she said. Her role is to help during the big lunch rush. She explained that she’s a greeter, a bus-girl or whatever they

“It’s a lot of fun,” she said. One reason she’s doing it is because it’s really good exercise. Another plus is that she gets to meet people from all over the place. “It’s just wonderful, because it keeps me in the loop and I really enjoy it!”

In the past, Pennybacker managed a thrift shop in Louisiana, though much of her life has been in volunteer work. However, she stated

Gretchen Pennybacker

Andrea Lewis

I just can’t seem to totally let it go.

“

that she

and most of those she volunteered for ended up hiring her.

With a top-notch attitude and great management skills, it’s easy to place someone like Pennybacker on a Chick-fil-A team.

Most experts seem to agree that working helps with self-esteem and socialization, and often brings a financial reward. At the

same time, “[It] has to be the right work, in the right place, with support from colleagues and health professionals,” according to the Royal College of Psychiatrists in an article about work extension. Flexibility with schedules is key for many seniors, as well as knowing the years still offer adventure.

A Job to Believe In

While some people remain active in their chosen career field after retirement, others prefer to try something different and follow where their heart leads them. That path often includes becoming a volunteer.

There are many groups throughout the Atlanta metro area that are always in need of people willing to donate their time and talents—local churches, senior centers, animal shelters and libraries, for example.

Volunteermatch.org is a website that offers a good start. The site serves several cities in the U.S., including Atlanta, by helping volunteers connect with the causes they care about. Area organizations, as well as local counties and cities, post their volunteer opportunities on the site.

Here are some other websites that list worthwhile volunteer opportunities.

Cherokee County: FOCUS, Families of Cherokee United in Service cherokeefocus.org/volunteer/

Cobb County

cobbcounty.org/volunteer/

City of Decatur

decaturga.com (under City Government, City Departments, Community Development/Quality of Life, Volunteer! Decatur)

Fulton County

fultoncountyga.gov/residents-volunteer-opportunities

Gwinnett County

gwinnettcounty.com (Under Departments, Community Services, Volunteer Opportunities)

SENIOR LIVING

CONGREGATIONS seek to appeal to retirees

By Joe Earle

As their congregations age, churches are changing.

“In the boom years, the churches focused their personnel, resources and finances on young families with children, so we did not get good at focusing on older members,” said Rev. Dr. David Jones, senior pastor at Decatur First United Methodist Church. “Now we have predominantly older members.”

Signs of the aging of local congregations show up from the pews on Sunday mornings to the kinds of programs churches are offering on weekdays.

The changes are needed, church leaders say, because many older, mainstream congregations are growing smaller and are facing new demands as their particpants grow older.

A 2015 survey of more than 35,000 Americans by the Pew Research Center found that while roughly seven of 10 U.S. adults identified with some branch of the Christian faith, that percentage had dropped by nearly eight percentage points from a similar survey in 2007. At the same time, Pew found the median age of mainline Protestants had risen to 52, up from 50 in the 2007 survey, and the median age of Catholic adults was 49, up from 45 in the earlier survey.

Although Pew found that while the American public was growing less religious overall, there were no signs of a drop in commitment among those Americans who maintained their beliefs. “Indeed,” Pew said in a press release, “by some conventional measures, religiously affiliated Americans are, on average, even more devout than they were a few years ago.”

Pew found that 89 percent of Americans surveyed believed in God (down from 92 percent in 2007), and 63 percent were “absolutely certain” God exists (down from 71 percent in 2007). In Georgia, the 2015 study reported, more than 92 percent said they believed in God and 74 percent were “absolutely certain.”

Some religions are growing. Pew reported that non-Christian faiths as a group increased by 1.2 percent points, to 5.9 percent of the total. In Atlanta, Zenkai Taiun Michael Elliston, abbot of the Atlanta Soto Zen Center, which turns 40 years old this year, has noticed new people of all sorts coming to his center. “We’re getting a steady influx

PHOTO BY JOE EARLE Abbot Zenkai Taiun Michael Elliston at the altar in the Atlanta Soto Zen Center

with age comes ‘wisdom of the elders’

By Joe Earle

Growing older can change people’s perspectives on faith.

Both Rev. Dr. David Jones, senior pastor at Decatur First United Methodist Church, and Dr, Dock Hollingsworth, senior pastor at Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist, say they have seen that in their own lives as well as the lives of members of their congregations.

“There are fewer things that are important than we thought when we were younger,” Jones said. “When we talk about the ‘wisdom of the elders,’ that’s what we talk about....If I had to pick one subject, I’d say: relationships – relationships with God, relationships with family and with those around you, whether close or far away.”

Hollingsworth says he’s learned to worry less about what he believes about every small matter that comes up and more about really important things.

“I think I believe fewer things a lot more tenaciously,” Hollingsworth said.

PHOTO BY PHIL MOSIER

Dr. Dock Hollingsworth, Senior Pastor Second-Ponce De Leon Baptist Church

CONGREGATIONS seek to appeal to retirees

Religious composition of adults in Georgia

Muslim < 1%

Buddhist < 1% Hindu < 1%

Pew Research Center, “Religious Landscape Study” http://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/state/georgia/

Continued from page 8

of people from their 50s up and a steady stream of people who are younger,” said Elliston, who’s 75 himself and takes part in daily meditations at the center. “It’s mainstreaming.”

Decatur pastor Jones, who’s turning 65 and retiring himself this year after 43 years with United Methodist churches in northern Georgia, believes the aging of mainline congregations is making church leaders rethink some of their offerings.

“I think it’s safe to say in general that the churches of this country were not well-prepared for the longer life spans [and

looking for ways to reach and serve a generation of retirees who must care for aging parents but who are also more active, and more interested in being engaged in the world, than previous groups of retirees have been. “We’ve got to pay attention to issues people in my generation are focusing on,” he said. “The church can’t do church the way it did in the ‘50s and ‘60s,” he said.

That can mean changes as small as restriping the church gym so seniors can play “pickleball,” a paddle-and-ball game growing in popularity as older players begin to move on from basketball, to as large as offering sessions of “Vacation Bible School” for adults, Jones said.

At Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church near Emory, Rev. Susan Pinson, minister for children and older adults, says its not unusual to see church members in their 70s and 80s taking part in programs. Seniors knit prayer shawls, prepare meals for the homeless and take church-sponsored trips to various locations around metro Atlanta and elsewhere, she said. An 88-year-old member recently signed up for a church trip to Costa Rica. “When we have 60-year-olds come with us, we joke they’re the young ones,” Pinson said.

At Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist, one of Buckhead’s huge church complexes, Senior Pastor Dr. Dock Hollingsworth said his church targets two groups for new members: young marrieds and recently retired seniors.

Both groups are moving in large numbers from the suburbs into the city, he said, and some members of both groups seek the kind of traditional church experience

Second-Ponce

offers. “This Baby Boomer group that’s retiring is an increasing part of our population,” Hollingsworth said.

He says the church hopes to attract people who are “retired, but not ready to go pick apples.” That means bringing in people who aren’t necessarily traditional church members, such as couples that have two residences, one in Buckhead and one in the mountains or at the beach, and won’t come to their home church every Sunday.

It also means offering members of his congregation a chance at community or volunteer work of substance.

“Once these hard-charging Buckhead professionals retire, they’ve got to have something to hold on to,” he said. “The church is an ideal expression of that.”

The church provides volunteer programs within the city of Atlanta, such as tutoring for children at nearby schools, and is exploring starting ministry in Cuba, he said. One recently retired church member recently contacted Hollingsworth, the minister said, to ask how he could create a ministry around bicycle repair.

“We’ll put you to work doing stuff that matters,” Hollingsworth said. “Now that you have made a whole bunch of money, we’ll give you something to do that matters.”

Dr. Dock Hollingsworth

This Baby Boomer group that’s retiring is an increasing part of our population.

PHOTO BY PHIL MOSIER

Dr. David Jones, Decatur First United Methodist Church

PHOTO BY RICK CANNON

Caladiums, begonias, Dracaena spikes, petunias and vinca in container gardens at Gibbs Gardens

as trees, shrubs and bulbs.

This will extend the bloom period in your garden. By including a variety of plants with different forms, i.e. spikes and mounds, big leaves and tiny foliage, etc., your garden will be even more appealing.

Consider not only the color and shape of the flowers, but the texture and size of the foliage and the plant as well. If space permits, two of three of the same variety planted in a group make more of an impact than a single plant of many different types.

Erica Glasener is a horticulturist, writer and plant lover. She is the marketing manager at Gibbs Gardens, a public garden in Ball Ground, Ga. For more information about the gardens, visit gibbsgardens.com.

principles when filling up your containers. Once the color scheme is determined, adding plants that contrast or compliment the scene will keep it dynamic and interesting.

One of the advantages of growing perennials is that, once established, they require a minimum of care and many will persist for years. Some perennials with evergreen foliage offer year-round beauty.

Come Meet Our Physicians

When you design your garden, think about grouping plants, both foliage and flowers, of similar colors together. This will go a long way toward creating a cohesive feel.

You can apply the same

Although short lived, annuals are the “workhorses” of the garden, blooming for months at a time. Many also offer striking foliage when blooms are scarce. With careful selection, you can create a landscape that offers nonstop color from spring until frost.

Here are a few combinations for spring and summer blooms. All of these will thrive in full sun, and a few will tolerate partial shade, too. Certain plants, like garden phlox, may put out a second flush of flowers if you cut them back by a few inches after their first flush of flowers.

► Begonias, Caladiums and Dracaena spikes—a great annual combination for containers, they bloom all summer long until frost.

► Hemerocallis (daylilies), Kalimeris pinnatifida (Japanese Aster) and garden phlox (also known as Phlox paniculata) wonderful perennials for summer color. Combine them with annuals like Angelonia, begonias and spider flowers (Cleome).

► Iris ensata ‘Variegata’—a variegated Japanese iris with striking foliage and beautiful spring blooms. Site it near water for a dramatic effect, where it will look good for months. Combine it with Autumn fern and Acorus ‘Ogon’.

► Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian sage)—a great perennial “doer” that begins blooming in summer and continues well into fall. Its lavender flowers and blue-green foliage look good in combination with annual Cleome (also known as spider flower), salvias, coleus, ornamental grasses and perennial sedums.

► Veronica umbrosa (Georgia Blue)—This charming matforming perennial is covered with medium blue flowers which begin to bloom as early as late February and continue until March. It also works well as a groundcover for small bulbs or early daffodils. Combine it with Euphorbia characias wulfenii for an addition of chartreuse flowers and blue-green foliage. For annual spring color, add violas in shades of blue and yellow.

It’s as easy as that.

CREDIT: PHOTO BY ROBERT SUTHERLAND

On the Move

Historic Battle of Atlanta painting moves to Buckhead

The historic Battle of Atlanta painting has been moved from its home in Grant Park to the new custom-built 23,000-square-foot Lloyd and Mary Ann Whitaker Cyclorama Building at the Atlanta History Center in Buckhead.

A team of Atlanta History Center staff experts and cyclorama conservationists orchestrated the transfer of

one of the city’s rarest historic treasures, which debuted in 1886 and was housed in the Grant Park facility since 1921. The team’s processes included strength-testing the canvas, documenting the current condition of the paint layers and fiberglass backing, and conducting stabilization conservation efforts needed prior to moving the painting.

The painting, 42 feet tall with a circumference of 359 feet, is estimated to weigh 12,000 pounds. After it was carefully separated along two existing seams, the two 6,000-pound sections were successfully rolled around two 45-foot-tall custom-built steel spools.

Weighing roughly 6,200 pounds each, the spools were individually lifted out of the

Grant Park building by a crane through two 7-foot-square holes cut into the concrete roof. After being loaded on the backs of two flatbed trucks with the help of a second crane, they were trucked to the Atlanta History Center on Feb. 10. Cranes then carefully lowered the scrolls through a 10-foot-square opening in the roof of the new Cyclorama building.

Over the next several months, the painting will be unscrolled in its new home for a full restoration, including the re-creation of seven feet of sky across the top of its full circumference. The full Cyclorama experience, complete with the addition of the restored 1856 Texas locomotive and enhanced interpretation and exhibitions, is projected to open in fall 2018.

The Battle of Atlanta first opened to the public in Minneapolis in 1886 as a tribute to Northern victory and was moved to Atlanta in 1892. In the nearly 125 years that it has been on display in this city, it has been the subject of periodic reinterpretation. At times it was held up as a proud symbol of the capital of the “New South” rising from the ashes of Sherman’s destruction. It has also been viewed as an anachronism because of its interpretation associated with the philosophy of the “Lost Cause” and white supremacy.

A rendering of the completed Cyclorama building at the Atlanta History Center

PHOTOS COURTESY AHC

Part of the painting is dropped through the ceiling of the new Cyclorama.

Food safety begins in the home garden

The weather is gorgeous, the flowers are in bloom and almost everyone is thinking about their vegetable garden. With such excitement surrounding delicious in-season produce, it’s important to remember that any food can make us sick, including organic and backyard produce. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, one in six Americans get a foodborne illness from contaminated food every year. We may be quick to think that these illnesses are just from meat and dairy products, but over 25 percent of all foodborne illnesses are from fruits, nuts, leafy greens and vine produce, such as tomatoes and squash.

Here are four tips to make sure your food stays safe from the garden to your table:

• Be sure your soil and water is safe.

Testing your soil and water at your local UGA Extension office will ensure that it is safe for growing edible crops. If you use water from an approved public water system, then you can trust that it is already safe to use. If you use well or pond water for irrigation, make sure to test your water for harmful microorganisms at least once a year.

• Keep animals out of the garden.

Gardens should be thought of as an outdoor kitchen, and both pets and wildlife can be a source of microorganisms and parasites. Fencing animals out or using a natural repellent works best.

• Wash your hands.

Norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne illnesses in the U.S. The number one way to prevent the spread of norovirus is to wash your hands with soap and warm water. Important note: hand sanitizer does not kill norovirus!

• Use sanitized tools and baskets.

Garden tools and harvesting bins should be regularly washed and sanitized. Stay away from straw baskets, nylon fabric containers and used plastic bags. Sanitized tools and containers should be stored in a locked shed before and after use to keep them safe from critters and pests in the garden.

This gardening season, let’s commit to keeping ourselves and loved ones healthy by staying food-safe in our gardens!

Kristen Sumpter is the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent for the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension in Fulton County. She provides programming on food safety, health and nutrition, financial literacy and the home.

hospice Volunteers enrich the lives of the families they VISIT

By Jordana Klein

Hospice volunteer Darragh Browning spends time with dying patients and their families who may not have been able to otherwise bear the situation.

“Anything I can do to help families make the most of their time with their loved ones is my gift to them,” said the 69-year-old Browning, who lives in Marietta. “It’s definitely emotional, but it’s very rewarding and fulfilling to know that I added joy to their lives before their loved one passed.”

As a volunteer for Visiting Nurse Health System/Hospice Atlanta, Browning helps make sure local families that are enduring one of the most difficult times of life do not have to go through that process alone. Upon diagnosis of a life threatening or terminal illness, the team and volunteers at nonprofit Hospice Atlanta assist patients and their families in all ways possible.

“So often, the families become overwhelmed with everything going on, having a volunteer come and sit with their loved one for a couple of hours at a time can provide such a big relief for them,” said Kristin Stanley, events manager for Visiting Nurse Health Systems.

Browning not only visits with elderly patients in their homes, but she also spends time with pediatric patients and their families. She says some of her best memories as a volunteer have come through the time she’s spent with them.

One of her patients, a 5-year-old who has a brain tumor, also has two siblings who are busy with their daily routines and activities. After growing to know and love the family, Browning often attends family

dinners and outings, like apple-picking in the local community.

“It’s enriching and a blessing,” Browning said. “At the end of the day, I know I’ve done something good for somebody.”

Stanley recognizes that the team behind these efforts truly is one of a kind. “The team is consistently working with the families to make sure they are educated about all of their options and teach them to advocate for their loved one, which I think is the most important part,” Stanley said.

Although hospice programs target ill adults and their family members, Hospice Atlanta’s pediatric program also exists to care for little ones who are undergoing treatment of their own.

Another fond, yet emotional, memory came when Browning became involved with a child who was approaching his first birthday. As he had yet to leave the hospital, the child’s mother wanted to throw her son his first birthday party, which Browning was able to be a part of. She helped plan the party, even assisting with a photo album of the little boy so that his mother would have this special memory forever. Unfortunately, this young boy died just a few days after his party, but Browning knows that his last days were spent in happiness with his mother and those who cared for him.

Stanley notes that, after a loved one has died, the team continues to offer support and guidance during that time of grief.

“We also stay connected with all of our families for two years after the death of their loved one, offering them bereavement counseling,” Stanley said. “We have a bereavement camp twice a year–Camp STARS–that is open to the public. It is a wonderful camp for the entire family to go through and help them with their grieving process.”

Browning said that not all who volunteer to help the hospice program have direct contact with patients. There are plenty of opportunities within the office and through fundraising events, such as the BIG-TO-DO, an annual fundraiser that this year is scheduled for April 23.

“It’s a fun way to help out in the community,” Browning said. “My advice would be just to do it! Everybody can really do something.”

On April 23, you too can make a difference at Hospice Atlanta. The 26th annual BIG-TO-DO will take place at Zoo Atlanta from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. and allow both children and adults to experience a private event with the animals, including behind the scenes tours, private feedings, games, face painting, food and so much more!

The BIG-TO-DO will benefit pediatric hospice, which can become quite a financial commitment for families due to the equipment and specialized care that patients require. In addition to the effort to raise $100,000 in funds, Hospice Atlanta seeks to grow their number of passionate pediatric care team members. Please visit bigtodo.org or call 404-527-6542 to purchase tickets or become a sponsor.

Spring intoAction!

At Sanford Estates, all utilities except telephone are included in one reasonable monthly rent. We also take care of the cooking, weekly housekeeping, and local transportation, with no hidden costs or fees.

Now is the time to visit Sanford Estates and choose your spacious suite before they are all rented. Please join us for a guided tour of our beautiful community and enjoy a delicious complimentary meal. It’s the best way to experience our gracious retirement lifestyle for yourself. NOW

Call today to arrange

500 Walton Way, Roswell, GA 30076

COURTESY OF DARRAGH BROWNING, VISITING NURSE HEALTH SYSTEM / HOSPICE ATLANTA

Left and above: Darragh Browning and the Hart children

pet Pick

A study in abstract black and white, Miller is a true beauty. This 7-year-old sweetie has been in the care of the Atlanta Humane Society since August and can’t wait to find his forever home.

He’s a special kitty who will require a special owner because he’s diabetic. Miller is currently living with a foster parent who has experience with diabetic cats. He receives insulin shots each day but is great about receiving them. The vet hopes that with a few months of treatment, Miller will be able to go off on insulin, but in the meantime, he’s taking his injections like a pro!

Miller loves his snacks, he’s litterbox trained and he has lived with other cats before. He’s a super sweet cuddle bug who can’t pass up the chance to be held and is often caught putting his paw out for attention. You can learn more about Miller and see his adoption video at atlantahumane.org/miller.

Keeping Up with Workplace Technology

Not quite ready to retire? No problem! However, you will need to stay up-to-date on the latest computer software and technology tools. As software and tech devices continue to evolve, so does workplace/office technology. Here are two tips on how to keep up with office technology.

Get Comfortable Using Windows 10

Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows 10, was released in the summer of 2015. More companies are now using the updated OS which includes improvements to the desktop environment, a new browser to replace Internet Explorer and a new digital assistant, “Cortana.” To become comfortable with Windows 10, a hands-on learning approach is ideal. There are several resources online to assist you in learning Windows 10 at home. If you prefer in-person courses, private/group lessons are a great way to learn and get comfortable using Windows 10. The main workplace skills to learn with Windows 10 are:

• Utilizing important new features

• Connecting printers and other devices

• Browsing the web

• Navigating files and folders

is an entrepreneur who is passionate about teaching adults how to use today’s technology to stay connected to family, friends, community and the world. Jane is the executive director and spokesperson for Bluehair Technology Group.

Become an iPhone/iPad Power User

Now that BlackBerry smartphones are all but obsolete, many companies use Apple devices to support workflow and productivity. Although intuitive and “simple” to learn, iPhones have a plethora of capabilities beyond the surface. Digging deeper with an iPhone can unlock a new level of usability and connectivity for the user.

An iPad isn’t just for entertaining and distracting grandkids anymore! IPads are also powerful presentation tools. Users can display and share slideshows, videos, product demonstrations and more with a simple swipe. IPads can also be used to take notes or in the place of note cards during a speech.

Once you have mastered the basics of your Apple device, sharing contacts, sending attachments, creating/editing new documents and syncing these activities with your organization’s network will make you a power user! The main workplace skills to learn with iPhones and iPads are:

• Adding and sharing contacts

• Sending emails and attachments

• Accessing the Internet

• Organizing with the calendar, reminders and clock apps

•

•

Jane Ratliff

NOTICE TO ALL VETERANS

MJCCA’s Susie Davidow steps down, but not away

By Donna Williams Lewis

Susie Davidow watched the little theater blossom.

At its start, the theater troupe did little more than 15 minutes of Shakespeare for an audience of family and friends. But over 24 seasons, Jerry’s Habima Theatre, at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA), has grown to become a regular part of metro Atlanta’s theater calendar.

The theatre company, which stages plays with casts almost totally comprised of people with special needs, has received a Suzi Bass Award, which “celebrates the best of Atlanta’s theater,” and is a twotime recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts’

Challenge America Grant.

“It’s been an amazing experience. It’s hard to put into words,” said Davidow, who at age 70 is retiring after 16 years as director of the Blonder Family Department for Special Needs at the MJCCA, which produces the theater in conjunction with the center’s Arts + Culture Department.

“They’re being appreciated, being valued. Their self-esteem, their pride, and that same feeling on the faces of their parents...Each year, people come back out and say, ‘This show was the best. How are you going to top this?’ And then we do it again.”

In March, “The Wizard of Oz” was the 24th annual production of Jerry’s Habima Theatre presented at MJCCA. The theatrical company is produced by paid professionals. whose cast is almost totally filled by actors with special needs. Autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy are among the challenges faced by members of the cast.

Many of the actors, who primarily come from across the north metro area, are now regulars. Being Jewish is not a requirement for joining the troupe of adults 18 and older. Most cast members have jobs or are in school, but all must commit to attending two- and three-hour rehearsals many evenings and weekends over two months.

The hard work pays off. Their performances sell out the 254-seat Morris & Rae Frank Theatre at MJCCA year after year.

Davidow, of Sandy Springs, was scheduled to retire on March 31. She was the 2017 production’s honoree for her “outstanding service” to MJCCA.

Many say she will be missed. Among them is Luke Davis, who played the Wizard this year and Shrek last year. “I love Susie,” Davis said. “She’s a great

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ambassador for us, and I’m proud to know her.”

The Department of Special Needs is named for its benefactors, the late Jerry Blonder, and his wife, Lois. “It’s the talent and the enormous dedication of individuals like Susie Davidow that have made the program the success it is today,” Blonder said.

Jerry’s Habima Theatre has staged productions such as “Grease,” “Guys & Dolls,” “Disco Inferno,” and “Aladdin,” among others. Sometimes their shows go on the road, said Davidow, recalling a performance of “Honk” in Blue Ridge, Ga.

“We were doing one show for the community and one the next day for school-age children,” Davidow said. “There was a lot of concern that the children wouldn’t be respectful of the actors. We did the show. …They were a phenomenal audience.”

Davidow was raised in Richmond, Va., during the civil rights movement, and during a time when Holocaust survivors were moving to the city. Her parents both had master’s degrees in social work; her father was executive director of the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond. She grew up feeling that everyone should have a voice and be

recognized. She’s been happy to see that way of thinking carried forward in her two children and two grandchildren.

She worked as a special education teacher in the Cincinnati Public Schools and worked in operations at the Coca-Cola Co. in Atlanta for 12 years before taking early retirement. After that, she was off to MJCCA, where she could meld her love of Judaism with her passion for enriching the lives of people with special needs.

Davidow plans to enjoy more time with her family when she retires and has lots of volunteering in mind. “I’ve always spoken out and stood up for what I believe in,” she said. Among the groups she plans to support are The Anti-Defamation League, the American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood.

She wants to work with the special needs committee of Dunwoody’s Temple Emanu-El and would like to be a docent at Atlanta’s Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta. She also plans to stay involved with the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta.

“I’m not walking away from that,” Davidow said. “I love the participants. I love the families.”

PHIL MOSIER

Susie Davidow, center, shares an onstage moment with Katherine Burnett, Shawn Wyatt and other Jerry’s Habima Theatre actors as they rehearse for their 24th annual musical production, “The Wizard of Oz.”

Road trips: garden spots

As nature shrugs off winter, it’s time to get out of the house, load the family into the SUV and hit the road. We thought the change of seasons marked a good time to visit places where flowers really

strut their stuff. Here are five Georgia gardens where you can stop and smell the roses ... or the irises ... or the daffodils.

Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta

Efforts to create an Atlanta garden began in 1973, and the garden opened in 1976. It occupies about 30 acres and five main buildings, and operates as a nonprofit charged with developing and maintaining plant collections for display, education, research and conservation. The garden’s website promises “a tidal wave of color” as tulips, daffodils and crocus bloom in March and April.

Address:1345 Piedmont Avenue NE | Atlanta, GA 30309

Directions: The garden is next to Piedmont Park in Atlanta. Take I-85 south to Exit 84 and follow signs to 14th Street. Turn left on 14th and continue to Piedmont Avenue. Turn left on Piedmont. The garden is on the right.

Hours: Tuesdays through Sundays, 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. April through October; 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. November through March. Closed Mondays (except Labor Day and Columbus Day).

Cost: $21.95 for adults; $15.95 for children aged 3 to 12; free for children younger than 3. Parking costs $2 an hour up to $15. What it’s known for: Orchids, roses, hydrangeas, a Japanese garden, desert plants, high elevation plants. For more information: 404-876-5859 or AtlantaBG.org.

Barnsley Gardens, Adairsville

In the 1840s, Englishman Godfrey Barnsley bought acreage in northwest Georgia and began building a mansion and formal garden for his wife, Julia. She died before the project was completed. Work stopped until Barnsley dreamed that Julia appeared in the garden and told him to finish the project. Barnsley’s descendants lived at the property until 1942. In 1989, Prince Hubertus Fugger Babenhause of Germany bought the land and restored the garden. The property now is home to the Barnsley Resort, which includes cottages, restaurants, a spa and golf course.

Address: 597 Barnsley Gardens Road | Adairsville, GA 30103

Directions: Take I-75 north to Exit 306. Turn left and drive about 2.2 miles on Ga. 140. Turn left at Hall Station Road and travel south approximately 5.5 miles. Take a right at Barnsley Gardens Road (just past Mount Carmel Church). Travel 2.5 miles to the main entrance of the resort on the left.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Call first on Saturdays to see if a private event is booked in the gardens. Cost: $10 for adults; $8 for seniors 55 and older; $5 for students and children aged 4 to 11; free for children younger than 4. What it’s known for: 19th century boxwood gardens, wildflower meadow, woodlands gardens. For more information: 1-877-773-2447 or 770-773-7480 or BarnsleyResort.com.

Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain

Cason J. Callaway, a textile magnate from LaGrange, and his wife, Virginia, conceived of these gardens in the 1930s and began working on them in the 1940s, according to the garden’s website. Open to the public since 1952 and now operated by a foundation, this 2,500-acre resort complex offers golf, water sports and restaurants. The garden features a butterfly house, and claims to be home to one of the world’s largest azalea displays. Peak azalea blooms are expected in late March and early April.

Address: 17800 U.S. Hwy. 27 | Pine Mountain, GA 31822

Directions: I-85 south to I-185 south (Exit 21). Exit at U. S. 27 (Exit 42), turn left and proceed to Pine Mountain, then turn right onto Ga. 354 west and proceed to intersection with Ga. 18. Callaway Gardens’ main entrance is on the opposite side of this intersection.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost: $20 to $30 (depending on type of ticket) for adults; $15 to $20 for seniors 65 and older; $10 to $15 for children aged 6 to 12; free for ages 5 and younger.

What it’s known for: Azaleas, butterflies, cycling, seasonal special events. For more information: 1-800-852-3810 or CallawayGardens.com

Gibbs Gardens, Ball Ground

Retired landscape company founder James H. Gibbs started building a combination of 16 gardens in 1980 on 220 acres around his Cherokee County home, the gardens’ website says. He opened the house and gardens to the public in 2012.

Address: 1987 Gibbs Drive | Ball Ground, GA 30107

Directions: Take Ga. 400 north to Ga. 369, turn left and go about 12 miles, turn right on to Yellow Creek Road, go about 6.4 miles to the gardens.

Hours: February 18 to June 12, Tuesday through Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; June 15 to December 11, Wednesday through Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gates close at 4 p.m.

Cost: $20 for adults; $18 for seniors 65 and older; $10 for children aged 3 to 17; free for children 2 and younger.

What it’s known for: The garden promises millions of daffodils will bloom from March to mid-April. For more information: 770-893-1881 or GibbsGardens.com.

Smith-Gilbert Gardens, Kennesaw

The 16-acre gardens grew up around the historic Hiram Butler House, which was built in 1880. Robert Gilbert purchased the property in 1970 and over the next 35 years, Gilbert and Richard Smith added the gardens and sculpture collection. The house and gardens, owned by the city of Kennesaw, now feature more than 3,000 species of plants.

Address: 2382 Pine Mountain Road | Kennesaw, GA 30152

Directions: Take I-75 north to Exit 269. Head left on Barrett Parkway and go about 1.5 miles to Cobb Parkway. Turn right on Cobb Parkway and go about 3 miles to Pine Mountain Road. Follow Pine Mountain Road and go about a mile to the garden.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

Cost: $7 for adults; $6 for senior citizens and active duty military; $5 for children aged 6 to 12 ; free for children 5 and younger. What it’s known for: The garden features 31 sculptures. For more information: 770-919-0248 or SmithGilbertGardens.com.

Falafel Favorites

by Isadora Pennington

Falafel, a fried ball of chickpeas or fava beans, is a popular vegan dish with ancient origins. The truth behind its creation is hazy, although its origins can be traced back to Pharaonic Egypt where it may have been invented as a meat substitute during Lent.

The dish’s long and complex history is a testament to its steadfast popularity. Throughout the years, the recipe has remained more-or-less the same, though with some evolution brought on by technological advances and cultural influences.

Not only is it tasty, but it is also a great source of fiber, protein, complex carbohydrates and vitamins, which makes it a viable meat alternative for vegetarians and vegans. Served hot, typically as a street food, one usually finds them wrapped in pita or served on a plate alongside salads and other sides.

The dish is a longtime favorite of mine, and throughout the years I’ve had the pleasure of tasting some of Atlanta’s best falafel dishes. Whether you’ve tried these delectable patties of tasty fried goodness or are looking for a new spot, I recommend stopping by these great local restaurants.

Ali Baba

Falafel Wrap: Deep fried chickpeas (garbanzo and fava beans), vegetables, tahini and a blend of seasonings served in a pita with hummus, babaganush, pita, tabouli, grape leaves and Mediterranean salad.

1099 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta 30307, 404-223-1445

54 Broad St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303, 678-705-3720

alibabaatlanta.com

Aviva by Kameel

Falafel Kameel Style: Hummus, baba ghanoush, tabouli, cabbage salad, tahini and hot sauce.

225 Peachtree Street, Suite B-30, Atlanta 30303, 404-698-3600, avivabykameel.com

PHOTOS BY ISADORA PENNINGTON

Jerusalem

Bakery & Grill

Falafel Sandwich: falafel balls topped with hummus, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, red cabbage, pickles, tahini sauce and garlic sauce, all wrapped in fresh pita bread.

4150 Old Milton Pkwy. Alpharetta 30005

770-777-0193, jerusalembakeryandgrill.com

Mediterranean Grill

Falafel Plate: falafel, rice, tahini, salsa and salad.

985 Monroe Dr. NE, Atlanta 30308, 404-917-1100

2126 N. Decatur Rd., Decatur 30033, 404-320-0101

1255 Johnson Ferry Rd., Marietta 30068, 678-996-0045 mediterraneangrill.com

Pita by the Beirut

Falafel available as a platter, wrap, salad or part of a Mezzo sampler platter.

4709-B Ashford Dunwoody Rd., Dunwoody 30338, 770-392-7070

725 West Crossville Rd., Roswell 30075, 470-282-6100

2555 Prado Lane, Marietta 30066, 770-528-5683 pitastreetfood.com

Yalla

Falafel Pita Wrap: traditionally served with chickpea fritters, hummus, labne, Israeli salad and pickles, zhug, tahini and herbs. 99 Krog St., Atlanta 30307, 404-506-9999, yallaatl.com

2272 lawrenceville hwy decatur, ga 30033 404.378.4889

30+ dealers who shop regionally to provide our clients the best merchandise including mid-century modern, cultural pieces, rugs, antiques & funky vintage items.

Follow us on social media:

decaturestateantiques.com

COURTESY OF JERUSALEM BAKERY & GRILL

LIFE CARE CENTER OF AMERICA

RESOURCES

Wylde Center

Celebrate Earth Day, April 22

The mission of Keep America Beautiful, kab.org, is to inspire and educate people to improve and beautify their community’s environment. Here are local chapters:

Cobb County

Keep Cobb Beautiful 770-528-1135 keepcobbbeautiful.org

Keep Kennesaw Beautiful 770-424-8274 facebook.com/ KeepKennesawBeautiful/

Keep Marietta Beautiful 770-794-5606 facebook.com/ keepmariettabeautiful/

Keep Smyrna Beautiful, Inc.

770-431-2863

smyrnacity.com/yourgovernment/departments/keepsmyrna-beautiful

DeKalb County

Keep DeKalb Beautiful 404-294-2010

dekalbcountyga.gov/ beautification/keep-dekalbbeautiful

Fulton County

Keep North Fulton Beautiful 770-551-7766

keepnorthfultonbeautiful.org

Keep Alpharetta Beautiful 678-297-6200

Keep Atlanta Beautiful 404-330-6721

atlantaga.gov/index. aspx?page=1274

Keep Roswell Beautiful 770-594-6451

keeproswellbeautiful.org

Gwinnett County

Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful 770-822-5187

gwinnettcb.org

If you’re not sure how to get involved, check out some of these organizations. Several of them have clean-ups and other events planned to help you show your love for the Earth.

Chattahoochee Nature Center chattnaturecenter.org

Chattahoochee Riverkeeper chattahoochee.org

Earthshare of Georgia earthsharega.org

Park Pride parkpride.org

Piedmont Park Conservancy piedmontpark.org

Trees Atlanta treesatlanta.org

Wylde Center wyldecenter.org

►Out & about

Literary & Performing Arts

Irena’s Children: The Extraordinary Story of the Woman who Saved 2,500 Children from the Warsaw Ghetto

box office at 404-733-5000 for tickets and info.

Choral Guild of Atlanta Presents “Celebrating Leonard Bernstein”

Urinetown

Runs Apr. 14-29. Apr. 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29 at 8 p.m.; Apr. 16 and 23 at 3 p.m. Winner of many awards, including three Tony Awards, Urinetown is a hilarious musical satire of the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement, municipal politics and musical theatre itself. Act 3 Playhouse,

Sunday, Apr. 23, 7:30 p.m. From Tilar J. Mazzeo, the New York Times bestselling author of “The Widow Clicquot”, comes an extraordinary and gripping account of Irena Sendler—the “female Oskar Schindler”—who took staggering risks to save 2,500 children from death and deportation in Nazi-occupied Poland during World War II. Part of the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA) A Page from the Book Festival Author Talks + Signings. Tickets are $15 per person; $10 for MJCCA members; $15 for community. MJCCA, 5342 Tilly Mill Rd., Dunwoody 30338. Call the MJCCA box office at 678-812-4005 or visit atlantajcc.org/bookfestival.

6285-R Roswell Rd., Sandy Springs 30328. Tickets and details at act3productions.org, 770-241-1905.

Trust us with the care of your loved ones. Nursing Companion is an accredited home care provider serving seniors and the disabled.

What we provide

• Supervision for safety

• Light housekeeping

• Preparation of nutritional meals

• Medication supervision

• Activities of choice

• Grocery shopping and appointments

• CNA and sitter service

• State Certified

Spend the Night with Billy Crystal

Thursday, Apr. 27, 8 p.m. “This show is unique. There’s stand up, and ‘sit down’ which gives me great freedom to tell stories, show film clips and talk about my life and career and the world as I see it,” said Crystal. “It’s loose, unpredictable and intimate. The most fun I’ve had on stage in a long time.” Tickets start at $55.50 per person. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta 30308. Details and ticket info at foxtheatre.org; for tickets, call 855-285-8499.

Sunday, May 7, 4:00 p.m. Selections include: Chichester Psalms, six psalms sung in Hebrew; Missa Brevis, sung in Latin, originally incidental orchestral music from “The Lark”, a play based on the life of Joan of Arc; and selections from West Side Story, an updated version of the Romeo & Juliet story. Tickets are $15; discounted senior and student tickets available at the door. Northside Drive Baptist Church, 3100 Northside Dr., Atlanta 30305. Tickets, info at cgatl.org.

Special Events

A Taste for Art—Silent Auction, Tapas and Wine Tasting

We accept self pay and long term care insurance. FREE In-Home Evaluation provided For more information contact Anna RN, CEO @ (678) 480-7612

BENSON MANOR

A Retirement Housing Foundation ® Community

Benson Manor is a 76-unit affordable senior housing community designed with stone and sturdy wood-like siding. Each apartment is approximately 540 square feet. Benson Manor is conveniently located close to shopping, churches, medical facilities, and a major bus route.

Residents must be 62 years of age or older. Some units have special features for mobility and sensory impaired persons. Income limitations are determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Residents pay 30 percent of their adjusted income for rent. Gross income must not exceed $23,650.00 for one person and $27,000.00 for two persons.

For An Application or More Information

Ellis Marsalis Quintet

Saturday, Apr. 8, 7-9:30 p.m. Featured original artworks will include florals, landscapes, still life and abstracts in a full range of mediums. Enjoy a variety of wines and chef-made tapas as you make your selection and place your bids. A donation from sales will be made to the Roswell Arts Fund. Help art continue to thrive in Roswell. Tickets are $5 per person. The Gallery, 9100 Fouts Rd., Roswell 30076. Find out more at visitroswellga.com or by calling 770-640-3253.

2348 Benson Poole Rd. Smyrna, GA 30082

Please Call 770-435-6406 www.rhf.org

Thursday, Apr. 27, 8 p.m. The Urban Residential Development Corporation presents the Ellis Marsalis Quintet, featuring sons Jason and Delfeayo, in performance for Santa Fe Villas, a nonprofit organization that provides housing for people in need. Tickets start at $75.00. Rich Auditorium of the Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta 30309. Visit woodruffcenter.org or call the

Bonus Bingo

Monday, Apr. 10, 1-3 p.m. Bonus Bingo will have a $50 prize for the game of ‘Cover All’. This is a Friends of Freeman Poole fundraiser to benefit Freeman Poole Senior Center. $3 for Cobb residents; $4 for non-residents. Freeman Poole Senior Center, 4025 S. Hurt Rd., Smyrna 30082. Learn more at cobbcounty.org, or call 770-8013400.

8th Annual Cars and ‘Q for the Cause

Saturday, Apr. 29, 4-7 p.m. Join Choate Construction for this highly anticipated event featuring 100-plus stellar cars, tasty BBQ, continuous pours of your favorite brews, silent auction and live music, all to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Foundation. Advance tickets are $15 for event entry and dinner; $30 for entry, dinner and bar access (legal age permitting). Tickets at the door are $20 and $40. Choate Construction, 8200 Roberts Dr., Atlanta 30350. Visit carsnq.passioncff.org for tickets and details.

Presented by The Tang Acupuncture Team. Free; registration required. East Cobb Senior Center, 3332 Sandy Plains Rd., Marietta 30066. Get more information at cobbcounty.org or by calling 770-509-4900.

The Real You: Ancestry 101

Thursday, Apr. 27, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Presented by the Acworth Library, this seminar will teach you how to use a variety of ancestry resources to learn more about your family history. Laptops will be provided during this seminar. Free; registration required as space is limited. North Cobb Senior Center, 3900 S. Main St., Acworth 30101. For more info, call 770-975-7740 or go to cobbcounty.org.

Lunch ‘n Learn with Atlanta Rabbis

THE ZABAN TOWER

Dancing Stars of Atlanta Dance to End Alzheimer’s

Saturday, May 6, 6-11 p.m. Mirroring the popular TV show “Dancing with the Stars”, this event pairs local Atlanta residents with professional dancers to raise money by gaining votes in a one-night dance competition. Area residents can vote online for just $1 prior to the event with all proceeds benefitting the Georgia Chapter of Alzheimer’s Association. Cobb Galleria Center, 2 Galleria Pkwy. SE, Atlanta, 30339. Event tickets and more information at DancingStarsofAtlanta.com.

Learn Something Preventive Benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Monday, Apr. 10, 10-11:30 a.m. Learn about the traditional Chinese medicine and the preventive benefits for many common and chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol.

Thursday, Apr. 27, 12-1 p.m. Every month, the community is invited to join local Rabbis for a lively class and discussion. The JCC’s Lunch ‘N Learn sponsored by Berman Commons features Atlanta rabbis who share unique perspectives on topics of their choice. This month features Rabbi Harvey Winokur (Reform).Free and open to the entire community. Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta—Zaban Park, 5342 Tilly Mill Rd., Dunwoody 30338. Go to atlantajcc.org to learn more.

Family Reunion Workshop

Saturday, Apr. 29, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Alpharetta’s Convention and Visitors’ Bureau’s family reunion specialist will help attendees gain insight into the planning process of a family reunion. The workshop and lunch are complimentary; one lucky attendee will receive a digital camera. Guests will also learn how to plan other types of gatherings. Free. Hampton Inn & Suites, 16785 Old Morris Rd., Alpharetta 30004. Register and find out more at awesomealpharetta.com.

You’ve worked hard to build your assets, manage your home and raise your family. So why can’t you afford a quality, active senior community?

►Out & about

Tours

Marietta Tree Keeper Sip n’Stroll

Friday, Apr. 21, 5 p.m. Marietta Tree Keepers experts lead a tour and discussion of the trees on and near the Marietta Square. They illustrate issues of tree health, selection, appropriate placement and value to the community during a stroll around the downtown Square. Bring your own beverage and unwind from a hard day with a great discussion about trees. Free. Glover Park, Marietta Square, 50 N. Park Square, Marietta 30060. More info at mariettacalendar.com.

Druid Hills Tour of Homes & Gardens and Makers Market

Runs Apr. 21-23. Friday, Apr. 21, 1-5 p.m.; Saturday, Apr. 22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, Apr. 23, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The historic Druid Hills neighborhood welcomes neighbors and visitors to tour homes featuring architecture from renowned architects, experience award winning interior design, enjoy southern fare, hear local musicians, see Georgia artists and explore Emory Village. Proceeds from the tour, events and merchandise benefit the Druid Hills neighborhood, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Advance tickets are $25 for an individual and $20 per person for a group of 6 or more. Purchase tickets and learn more at druidhillstour.org.

Festivals

Atlanta Dogwood Festival

Friday, Apr. 7, 12-11 p.m., Saturday, Apr. 8, 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday, Apr. 9, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Atlanta’s annual celebration of the blooming of its native dogwood trees. For more than 75 years, the Dogwood arts festival has filled Piedmont Park with live music, arts and crafts, food booths and familyfriendly activities. One festival highlight is the U.S. Disc Dog Southern Nationals, a worldclass competition starring the top Frisbee dogs in the nation. Free admission. Piedmont Park, near Piedmont Ave. and 10th St. Get the details at dogwood.org.

Sandy Springs Artsapalooza 2017

Saturday, Apr. 15, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, Apr. 16, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Presented by The Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces, Artsapalooza is a festival by artists for artists. Explore your creative side as you enjoy local musicians, interactive art stations, plus up to 150 arts and crafts participants in every discipline. Held in the heart of Sandy Springs, 6100 Lake Forrest Dr., Sandy Springs, 30328. More info at sandyspringsartsapalooza.com.

Roswell Cycling Festival

Sunday, Apr. 22-30. This weeklong festival celebrates all things

“Saint Anne’s Terrace has a beautiful se ing with waterfalls, a sh pond and ower gardens. e sta is professional, iendly, courteous, which creates a family atmosphere. I’m very happy to be a part of this community. .”

cycling in the first Georgia city to receive the prestigious League of American Bicyclists Bike Friendly Community designation. Recreational rides, educational events and races are some of the highlights. Activities will be provided for all ages and skill levels. Kick-off party Go to roswellcyclingfestival.com for a full list of events and other details.

Big Shanty Festival

Saturday, Apr. 22, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. The festival combines the best of the rich heritage of Kennesaw and the Civil War era with fun filled activities. The parade starts downtown at 9:30 a.m. and the festival follows. Depot Park, Cherokee St. NW at S. Main St., Kennesaw, 30144. For more info, visit kennesaw.com/big-shantyfestival/.

Spring Jonquil Festival

Saturday, Apr. 29, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday, Apr. 30, 12-5 p.m. The festival features over 175 arts and crafts booths, 15 food booths, an entertainment stage and a variety of activities. Bring the family and shop, play, eat, drink and have a great day together. Friends of the Smyrna Library will hold a book sale during the festival, so plan to get some phenomenal deals. Free admission. Village Green in downtown Smyrna, next to the Market Village, 2840 Atlanta Rd., Smyrna 30080. Visit smyrnacity. com for more.

Inman Park Festival

Saturday, Apr. 29, 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Sunday, Apr. 30, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tour of Homes, Friday, Apr. 28, 12-4 p.m, Saturday and Sunday, 12-6 p.m. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Inman Park is one of the city’s oldest and most

striking neighborhoods. The neighborhood hosts an annual celebration with a parade, a street market that features local art, the Inman Park Tour of Homes, and a costumed 5k run. Free admission to festival; check website for Tour of Homes ticket prices. Inman Park is roughly 3 miles northeast of Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta. Check for directions and more info at inmanparkfestival.org.

Gwinnett Beer Fest

Saturday, May 6, 1-5 p.m. Enjoy unlimited samples of 200+ American craft beers, food and activities, as well as live music and entertainment. Tickets start at $99 (and include the Suwanee Wine Fest, Nov. 4). Coolray Field, 2500 Buford Dr. NE, Lawrenceville 30043. Tickets and info at festival3pack.com.