Cobb Life December 2010

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A-1 Insurance Benefits 29Absolute Pathways 77Atlanta Lyric Theatre 76Barnes Law Group 61Bernards Bread Bakery 32Big Shanty BBQ 42Blackwells Jewelers 19Body Proud - Mindy Casellanos 36Carpet Dry Tech 87Casual Image 13Center for Allergy & Asthma 39Childrens Health Care 5Cobb Civic Center 89Cobb Hardware 86Cochran Shutters 77Dance Stop 14Dermatology Consultants 12 & 58Dr. Boland McCamy 85Emory Adventist 21F.J. Lancaster 53Fabric & Fringe 10Fireplace Company 80First Cherokee State Bank 15Fresh N Fit 38Gas South Broadway Series 83Geico 38Georgia Memorial Park 31Golden Rugs 53Halo Salon 11Henry's Louisiana Grill 24Inga's Spa & Salon 36John Risso Photo 11Johnson Ferry Baptist 28Julep' Home Décor 30Just Fired Pottery 64Kennesaw Dental Care 24Solaris 3Kennesaw State Continuing Education 75

Law Office of Richard Merritt 42Leather Gallery 14Manders Dental 68Marietta Fish Market 55Marietta Hearing 4Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art 73Marlowes 51Mayes Ward - Dobbins Funeral Home 71Nanny On The Go 78New Times Culture 20Northside Hospital 9Northside Hospital Sleep Center 60Northside Hospital Spine Center 37Parc @ Piedmont 44Physicians Choice 64Piedmont Hospital 91Pinnacle Orthopaedics 65Plastic Surgery Center of the South 43Private Gallery 18Resurgens 25Roswell Street Baptist 10Rustique 30Sams BBQ 1 82Sawyer Baily Salon 32Southern Polytechnic State University 49Spot On Cunsulting 88Sue Hilton 78Sundial Plumbing 81The Avenues 92The Bottoms Group 7The Framery 84The Walker School 18Tucci's 20United Community Bank 33Waldenbooks 45Wellstar 2White Rabbit 59Winnwood Retirement 69

I N D E X O F A D V E R T I S E R S

PUBLISHER Otis A. Brumby, Jr.

GENERAL MANAGER Otis Brumby III

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Jay Whorton

V.P. OF SALES Wade Stephens

EDITORIAL STAFF

DIRECTOR OF MAGAZINESMark Wallace Maguire

CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Erin Gray

LAYOUT AND DESIGNStacey L. Evans,

Mark Wallace Maguire

CONTRIBUTORS Allen Bell, Laura Braddick, Joan Durbin,Donna Espy, Stacey L. Evans,

Kevin Hazzard, Adam Miller, Meredith Pruden,

Heather Teilhet, Michael Venezia

PHOTOGRAPHYJennifer Carter, Nathan Self

PROOFREADERSonja Heck

ADVERTISING STAFF

COBB ADVERTISING MANAGERBecky Opitz

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVESReneé Aghajanian,

Stephanie deJarnette, Katie Berry,Carole Johnson, Dawne Edge,

Paula Milton, Cheryl Myrick, Tamara Cuda,Melinda Young

GRAPHIC DESIGNERSCaroline Brannen

Beth Poirier, Jennifer Hall

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Leigh Hall

CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Matt Heck

Cobb Life magazine is publishednine times a year and distributed to

more than 33,500 homes throughout Cobb County.

ADVERTISING: To advertise, contactWade Stephens at

[email protected] 770.795.3000 x500

SUBMISSIONS: Please send all editorial correspondence to

[email protected] cobblife

@cobblifemagazine.com www.cobblifemagazine.com

Cobb LifeDecember 2010 � Volume 6, Issue 9


C O N T E N T S

62

f e a t u r e s16 CLAUS AND EFFECT A day in the life of a Cobb Santa

22 NEED THAT FEELING? Our guide to spreading holidaycheer

26 A LIGHT IN WEST COBB Calvary Children’s Home abeacon of hope for local children

40 MOUNTAIN MAN Wheeler alum scales Everest and more

62 FAVE NEW YEAR’S MEMORIES

70 ANIMAL HOUSE Preview of the Humane Society benefit

34 PULSE Your guide to a post-holiday chillout

46 SPICE Holiday desserts sans chocolate

56 HOME A hundred Santas can’t be wrong

66 WINE Reflecting on three decades

46

d e p a r t m e n t s

8 FROM THE DIRECTOR

10 NEWS AND NOTEWORTHY

72 FROM THE WEB

74 HIGHLIGHTS

78 EDITORIAL CALENDAR

79 SCENE

90 SLICE OF COBB

i n e v e r y i s s u e

16

40

ON THE COVER: A brown butter tart topped with cran-berries and glazed figs from the chef at Canvas. Formore on Canvas and other bakeries, see page 46


been surprised if he would have phoned it in. No way .The Cobb native played a strong show and pulled out allthe stops. My only complaint was he didn’ t play enoughguitar. Little known fact: The man is a phenomenal gui-tarist.

6.Slowly learning football: Any dad who follows asport can’t wait until his child is old enough to watch abit sitting beside him cheering. Finally this year , wecrossed the threshold in my home where I can actuallycheer and yell and my boys don’ t get frightened. Instead,my oldest son just tackles and mauls my youngest sonwhile repeatedly yelling “Touchdown!” Then they bothcommence to knocking over drinks, eating chips of f ofmy plate and causing general mayhem during the game.They aren’t ready for me to explain pass interferenceyet, but this year did mark progress. I’ll chalk it up as asmall victory.

7.Fair thee well: I had an opportunity to attend amedia luncheon this year for the North Geor gia StateFair where I got to meet some of the board members ofthis annual tradition. For many readers, attending the fairis an event filled with the wafting smell of elephant ears,the spinning of ferris wheels and catching that first biteof fall in the night air. But, there is another side to thefair as well. The board members dedicate a lot of timeand resources to charitable causes. In particular , theytake one day during the fair ’s run and devote it to serv-ing the special needs population of North Geor gia. Theylet the children ride free for five hours and then feedabout 1,500 children. Keep up the good work guys.

8.It really is all about the food sometimes: Iwent the extra step in tailoring all my tailgating meals tothe teams The Dawgs were playing this year. For exam-ple, for Colorado, I grilled bison. For Arkansas, Ismoked a pork loin for about four hours. Problem was,by the end of the season I was out of ideas. With all duerespect to my friends who are Auburn fans, what theheck do you cook with a War Eagle-Tiger-Plains-Alabama theme?

9.A Slice of Cobb: We’re glad to welcome HeatherTeilhet aboard as our new back page columnist. Heatheris an established member of the community and an occa-sional contributor to this magazine. Her columns bringheartfelt and humorous stories to the backpage.10.Reeling in the big fish: Cobb continues to estab-lish itself as an arts destination. My favorite event of theyear was seeing one of America’s greatest storytellersGarrison Keillor visit the Cobb Energy Performing ArtsCentre in late November. My dad is an avid listener of“Prairie Home Companion” and I have been hearingGarrison’s stories on Saturday nights for over 15 years.Seeing him in person was a real treat.

And, to quote Garrison as we head into a New Year: Be well. Do good work. And keep in touch.

Mark Wallace Maguire

“And always at my back I hear, Time’s winged chariot drawing near” – Andrew Marvell

While these lines from the 17th century English poet may not beas familiar as “Tear down this wall” by Ronald Reagan or “Asknot what your country can do for you, but what you can do foryour country” by John F. Kennedy, it is a phrase I invoke often as Irush to work in the morning or eye a deadline looming on the cal-endar. It is also a phrase I muse on from a more relaxed viewpointat the end of each year. 2010 has been quite the year for me, for ushere at Cobb Life and for our world in general. Indulge me as Ireflect on ten random reflections from the last 365 days.

1.Keeping the spirit alive: One of my favorite memoriesfrom this year was listening to my oldest son Patrick, then 3, con-tinue to wish everyone a “Merry Christmas” all the way throughMarch. Every time we went on a walk in the park, to the hardwarestore or just saw people at church, he belted out “MerryChristmas!” The kid just loves Christmas and being an indulgentfather, I couldn’t bear correcting him. Finally, herealized when the leaves began emerging from thetrees again and his birthday was just around thecorner it was no longer Christmas. Who knowshow he will address the first few months of 201 1?By late September he was already singing aboutThanksgiving and telling me what he was going tobuy me for Christmas. (Which by the way is thesame red pick-up truck he also said he would buyme for my birthday and for last Christmas. I have high hopes hewill get it for me by the time I retire.)

2.Tomato Glory: The weather this year was beyond bizarreeven by Southern standards: Three weeks of drought, then adrenching tropical rain for three days, beyond cold for a fewmonths, then right into the 90s for several weeks straight, etc. etc.The one good thing, though, was the bountiful crop of cherrytomatoes I harvested from my garden. Thanks to the long summerand hot fall, I picked tomatoes from early May all the way to mid-November.

3.Stocked with talent: I continue to be impressed at thewealth of talent in the arts and cultural community here. We profilean artist in almost every issue and the breadth and scope of thework here is quite amazing. I was particularly knocked out by thepaintings of William Entrekin. His Wyeth-like watercolors flooredme. It is no wonder his work hangs in galleries across the country .

4.The elections are over: I love our nation and appreciateour privilege to vote. However, I must say — like the outcome ornot — I’m glad the elections are done. For at least a little bit,we’re spared from the assault of TV ads.

5.Travis Tritt isn’t lazy: Cobb Life sponsored the Travis Trittconcert when he performed at the Mable House BarnesAmphitheatre in June. At this point in his career, I wouldn’t have

F R O M T H E D I R E C T O R

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Cobb resident Al Horford, who has been featured as one of our 20 risingstars under 40, just signed a five-year contract with the Atlanta Hawks.

Horford has been a bright spot for the Hawks. Last year he was named tothe NBA All-Star team and this year he is captain of the Hawks alongside

Joe Johnson and Josh Smith. The 24-year-old’s contract will pay a whopping $60 million over the next five years. Here’s hoping the

Hawks have a strong season.

Vinings’ Hor ford sewn up as Hawk

We penned a blog about Pinkberry onour website, www.cobblifemagazine,

when it opened its first Atlanta locationat Cumberland several months ago. Then we ran a piece on Yogli Mogli

and its location in East Cobb — photoabove — in the October edition. A

blurb on Menchie’s was in theNovember issue and now, lo and

behold, another frozen yogurt store iscoming to Cobb County.

Pinkberry opened its second CobbCounty location in East Cobb at 1281

Johnson Ferry Road. Why do Cobb countians have a pen-

chant for frozen yogurt? Have an idea?Tell us about it on facebook!

Cobb becoming a gourmet frozen yogurt

mecca

COBB LIFE December 201010


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Here’s something you don’t read everyday. Four Kennesaw Mountain High School magnet

program alums and current Georgia Tech studentsare going to play the video game ‘Legend of Zelda’in a marathon match to get into the Guinness Book

of World Records. The event takes place Dec. 20. Here is how it works: The four students will attempt to beat their previousrecord of playing the game for 41 hours. The event

will be broadcast live online, and has previouslyattracted thousands of viewers from around the world

to watch as the team of four plays through all themajor releases in the Zelda series of video games,

dating back to 1986. The quartet is also taking donations during the

tourney to benefit Child's Play Charity, a nonprofit thatprovides toys, books, and games to patients of chil-

drens' hospitals worldwide.“Zelda is one of the most recognizable names in

gaming,” says Peter Sohl, event coordinator. “Peopleof all ages have played and love the series, and

something like The 4/48 Zelda Marathon is a greatway for those individuals to interact with each other

while raising money for a good cause.” Those who want to learn more about the event and

donate to Child’s Play can do so atwww.zelda448.com.

Kennesaw Mountain alumlead Zelda marathon

Patti Pearlberg, vice president of Asset Management,Coro Realty Advisors, LLC was recently named chair-

man of the board of trustees of The Georgia Ballet,Inc., a nonprofit organization headquartered in

Marietta. Mrs. Pearlberg, wife of Marietta City council-man, Van Pearlberg, assumes the reins from Sam

Hensley, Jr., son of the institution's founder, IrisHensley. She has been a board member of the balletsince 2007 and has previously served on the fundrais-ing committee of the High Museum and on the Boardof Directors of Cobb Landmarks and Historic Society.

Pearlburg named chairman

The Tile Shop opened a new location in Kennesaw lastmonth. The shop offers dozens upon dozens of uniquetiles for mosaics, backsplashes and just about every-

thing else tile-related for your home.The store, at 162 Ernest Barrett Parkway, is The Tile

Shop's first retail location in the metropolitan Atlantaarea. Founded in 1984, The Tile Shop is based inMinneapolis-St. Paul and operates 50 stores in 19

states. For more information, visit www.tileshop.com.

Tile Shop opens here

COBB LIFE December 2010 11


Dr. Laungani offers dermatological care for the

entire family. Dr. Laungani is a board-certified dermatologist

with years of experience. She is a diplomat of the American

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Dermatology Consultants is pleased to welcome

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One of the hottest local art gal-leries, dk Gallery recently celebrat-ed its second year in business on

the Marietta Square. Located at 25 West Park Square inMarietta, the gallery has become amajor part of the local arts sceneand been profiled in several localand national magazines, including

this one. The gallery already has several big

shows lined up for 2011. Congrats to owner Donna Kruege,

left!Regular gallery hours are

Tuesdays through Saturdays from11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Fridays from

11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Information: www.dkgallery.us.

770.427.5377

dk Galler y celebrates two years

The Southern Museum of Civil Warand Locomotive History announcednew hours. The facility will now beopen Sundays from 1 to 5:30 p.m.A Smithsonian Institution affiliate,the Southern Museum of Civil War

and Locomotive History(www.southernmuseum.org) fea-tures collections of rare Civil War

weapons, uniforms, and other per-sonal items; an exciting exhibit

about the Great Locomotive Chase,including the General locomotive;

and a full-scale replica of a locomo-tive factory that helped rebuild the

South after the war. The JolleyEducation Center features a variety

of hands-on exhibits to inspire alove of learning in children.

Information:www.southernmuseum.org

770.427.2117


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The Vinings Historic Preservation Society recent-ly announced it has formed a partnership withSaratoga Event Group to manage the specialevents at the Pace House and Old Pavilion.Saratoga Event Group is a full-service event

company that provides award-winning cuisine,event design, professional beverage services and

comprehensive event planning. Information: www.vinings.org


Renowned painter and East Cobb residentThomas Arvid recently celebrated his tenth annualhomecoming with an exclusive one-man show andlive painting performance at The Vinings Gallery. "Each year, the Arvid event ranks as one of ourmost exciting shows and something our patrons

look forward to all year long,” said Vinings Galleryowner Gary Handler. “Thomas has a natural, unas-

suming ability to connect with collectors andengage art lovers who may be new to his work. Hispaintings, that embrace the exuberance of fine liv-ing and of loving wine, are riveting, and watching

him paint live is a great thrill for everyone."The Vinings Gallery events kick off a month-longexhibition and sale of Arvid's work, which will run

through Dec. 31.For more information about the Thomas Arvid

show, call the Gallery at 404.794.7762. The Galleryis located at 4686 South Atlanta Road, Suite F, in

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Arvid celebrates tenthanniversary show

VHPS forms new partnership


SantaA peek into the life of theman inside the big red suit

Claus


T ed Jackson snaps open the latch-es on his small black suitcase toreveal a colorful collage of looseitems rolling around inside. Hisgrandchildren, Gabriel, 2, andRose, 8, look on as he rifles

through the toppled assortment including ahairbrush, lint roller, book, tiny plastic toys,jingle bells and a bottle of aspirin to take outa case of bright pink rouge. He removes hiswhite gloves, lifts the plastic lid and with hislarge fingers grasping the delicate brush gen-erously applies the blushing powder to hisfleshy cheeks.

“Santa’s cheeks hurt by the end of the sea-son,” he said, laughing as he snapped theblush closed and replaced his white gloves.

Folded behind the copy of “The Nightbefore Christmas” are letters written by kidsto Santa Claus.

“They often bring me notes like that and Ialways take them with me,” he said, gentlyunfolding a crayon drawing of a reindeer andChristmas tree. “To me that’s the kids’ hopesand dreams and I treat them with respect.”

Jackson, a Marietta resident, never intend-ed to become a full-time Santa, even thoughthe Oakridge, Tenn. native and his wife Vickihad made a hobby of handcrafting woodentoys to sell at craft fairs a decade before heput on the suit for the first time.

Marietta resident TedJackson has beenimpersonating Santa for15 years. Top, SantaTed chuckles as he revsup the engine. Left,Santa Ted takes hisdogs for a walk aroundthe neighborhood.When out in public, heoften gets stares andwhispers as he passes.

BY LAURA BRADDICK � PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN GRAY


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“I guess I got started in Santa’s work-shop,” he said.

But in 1995, as a favor to his wife’ s boss,Jackson sealed his fate by agreeing to playSanta for a children’s holiday party at CobbCounty-based American Adventures.

“I went out to Eddie’s Trick Shop orsomewhere like that and bought a cheap suitand beard,” said Jackson, recalling his firstexperience. “After that, I decided I reallyliked it and said ‘If I’m going to do this, I’mgoing to do it right.’”

So, the IT warehouse specialist found anicer costume and quit shaving so he couldgrow a real beard.

But Jackson found that his mane did notmagically grow out white like good oldChris Cringle’s, a problem solved eachautumn with a ritual bleaching.

“People will often ask me about my beardand I tell them I play Santa Claus,” the 56-year old said. “Most of the time they say‘Hey, that’s neat. What mall do you workat?’ You get used to it.”

In his 15 years of playing Santa, Jacksonhas been through 14 suits and about thesame number of boots. He keeps a stash ofgloves in his closet that range from whiteand furry to thick black leather. He currentlyrotates through three different suits and

True to his Santa charac-ter, Ted Jackson loves to

spend time with children,especially his grandchil-

dren. Top lef t, he readsa story to Rose, 8 and

Gabriel, 2. Top right, heshares a laugh with hiswife Vicki as grandsonGabriel sits on his lap.




makes weekly dry-cleaning trips during December.Beginning the day after Thanksgiving, he straps on his

boots and buttons his velvety coat for at least one eventevery day until after Christmas Eve. He is usually bookedbefore Halloween with private parties, of fice parties,community gatherings, in-home photography sessionsand nonprofit work. He rarely works the mall circuit.

“Working malls are long hours,” he said. “A few yearsago I did a mall in Albuquerque. I left the day afterThanksgiving and landed in Atlanta and was at home in

Santa takes a minute to chow down on hisfavorite meal, cookies and milk, but grandsonGabriel, 2, swoops in and steals some.


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my chair on Christmas Eve. I didn’ t see anything but theinside of the mall and my hotel room for nearly 30 days.”

Because of his busy schedule and conspicuous appear-ance, Jackson misses out on one of the more stressful aspectsof the holidays.

“I don’t do Christmas shopping,” he laughed. “I try toavoid malls during that time. I don’ t want to confuse kids.”

Much like a celebrity, when Jackson goes out in public,strangers stare and whisper behind his back as he passes.

Even without the signature getup of black boots and redsuit or the entourage of elves, his round cheeks, long frillybeard and jolly presence reminds people of the iconic S t.Nicholas.

At home watching college football and cheering for theVols, he is “Dad” to his daughter S tephanie and son Joseph.In his Pigeon Forge chalet on a last-minute mountain get-away he is “Teddy” to his wife. He is “Papaw” when he putshis grand kids on each knee to read them a bedtime storyevery night, but to all the rest of the world as well as hisfamily he is Santa Claus.

“One time, not during the holidays, my wife and I werewalking through the mall and there’s a child just screamingbloody murder and crying — until he saw me. I went rightup to him and said ‘I’ve been checking on you. You better begood,’” said Jackson, pointing a stern but gentle finger . “Heshut his mouth and just stared at me. As we walked away theparents said ‘Thank you, Santa! See you at Christmas!’”

Information: visit www.atlantassantas.com.


spread Christmas cheer

It’s that time of year.The time when we celebrate and, yet at the same time, can get

lost in the flurry of activ ity. It is a time when we are supposed tobe celebrating peace on earth and goodwill to all, but, insteadwe usually, well, forget. We get busy. We get overwhelmed. In a

cliché, we forget the reason for the season.

You may not have the time or energy to don a red hat andspread good tidings like good ol’ St. Nick, but we thought

of five simple ways you can



BRING IN BREAKFAST: Depending on

where you work, co-workers bringing

in breakfast is either a monthly treat or

an annual occurrence. Granted, during

the holidays baked goods tend to find

the way to the of fice more than any

other time of year. But this year, beat

the rush. Tote in breakfast for the folks

you work with. Write a note on it.

Serve them. Wish them well.

TO: Office Staff

FROM: Your Co-worker

WORK ON SOMEONE’S LAWN: The old, theshut-ins and the disabled don’t have theenergy or the facility to get their lawn alwayslooking tidy. Take a few hours one af ternoonand devote yourself to helping someone gettheir lawn in shape. Rake it. W eed it. Plant afew pansies. Whatever it takes.

TO: Elderly Neighbors

FROM: Your Neighbor

WRITE A THANK YOU NOTE TOYOUR FIRE STATION: Talk aboutunappreciated. These men andwomen work tirelessly in dangerousconditions for little money. Take afew minutes and write them a thank-you note. And, of course, a thank-you note might be served best witha gift certificate to a local bakery ora pan of brownies.

TO: Local Heroes

FROM: A Thankful Citizen


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VISIT THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST: The ill…the

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jail…Fact is, these really are the least of these.

Take a few hours and go visit. Set up Christmas

caroling in a local nursing home, say some

prayers, bring in candy canes or just give some of

your time and encouragement.

TO: The Least of These

FROM: Someone Who Cares

PAY FOR COFFEE AT A DRIVE-THRU: There’s nothing likerandom acts of kindness from a stranger to brighten anyone’ sday. Paying for a cup of cof fee or fast-food order of the personin line behind you at a drive-thru will surely put a smile on theirface and perhaps touch them enough so they p ay it forward,and give a random act of kindness to another person.

TO: Person in Line at a Dr ive-thru

FROM: Someone Spreading Cheer


Beyond cliches

clenched fistsand

-BY ADAM MILLER �PHOTOGRAPHY BY

ERIN GRAY


C.J. Mar tin, above, walks with his son,Jackson and wife, Amanda on thegrounds. C.J. was once a resident ofthe home and now ser ves as a houseparent. Opposite page: Kaela shows offher room she helped decorate.


But this isn’t a church parking lot, a random meeting place or a booster club loading upfrom a school campus.

Instead, this scene takes place at Calvary Children’ s Home, a nonprofit faith-based cam-pus for children beset by death of parents, abuse or extreme poverty . Located in West Cobbon a bucolic 25 acres, the home has been caring for and nurturing children since 1966.

Founded by late Rev. Ben F. Turner, Calvary Children’s Home started form humble begin-nings with only six children and one building in Smyrna. Now , Turner’s 63-year-old son,Snyder, heads the home which has dozens of children enrolled. Through generous donations,especially from the late Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Vaughn, the home relocated to the West Cobbcampus in 1997 where it has been able to expand its services and features several homes, aplayground, a cafeteria and more.

The parking lot is full of chatter and

soon will be deserted by teens headed to a football gameat Hillgrove High School in Powder Springs.

It is early fall and an 18-passenger van is parked with the doors open, awaitingthe stragglers to finish their primping and don their new outfits as they head to oneof the South’s oldest traditions.


From lef t,Calvary

Children’sHome

ExecutiveDirector Rev.

C. SnyderTurner plays

a game otfootball withthe children

on a fallafternoon.



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The work at the home defines the cliché, labor oflove.

“We nearly had to help rebuild some of these kidsfrom the ground up,” said Turner.

But if you’re looking for sad stories riddled withdespair, look somewhere else. While every story thatcomes out of Calvary is not decorated with gold, thereis more success here than the average observer wouldguess.

Take C.J. Martin for example.He moved to Calvary when he was eight-years-old

with his brothers Jeremy and Brandon. For years, C.J.said, he walked around with clenched fists. The memo-ry of his real dad would haunt him in his dreams.

“I was an angry child,” he says. “I think I still holdthe record for the number of fist fights at VarnerElementary.”

But through the love, compassion and help of houseparents Brian and Melita Busby he was able to turnthings around.

He graduated high school, pursued a degree fromTennessee Temple University, got married and now, ina strange, yet beautiful turn of events is one of thehouse parents at the home.

“You can’t change the past, but you can learn toaccept it,” C.J. says.

The other Martin brothers have done well. Jeremy isa decorated Iraq War veteran living in south Georgia.Brandon still lives at Calvary while enrolled in collegelocally.

Director of Calvar y Children’s Home Rev. SnyderTurner and wife Marsha hold a por trait of thehome’s founder and Snyder ’s father, the lateRev. Ben Turner.



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THE STRENGTH OF CALVARY isthat it seeks to keep families togetherby keeping siblings together and by try-ing to encourage parents and family tointeract with kids as much as possible.

“When my dad [the late Rev. Ben F.Turner] started the home back in 1966,he did it partly because he didn’ t wantto see kids separated from their brothersand sisters,” says Turner. “A couplehad died in a car accident and hewatched the kids spread among grand-parents and aunts and uncles. They notonly lost their parents but they lost theirsiblings, too.”

“Some kids say ‘Why did God put mehere?’” says Turner. “We always remindthem that God didn’t put the kids here.He put us here for the kids so we couldhelp them see that while they can’ tchange their pasts, they could see a dif-ferent future. That the way things wereis not the way things have to be.Choices have consequences. You tellme what you want to happen, and we’lltell you what you have to do to getthere.”

The 63-year-old Turner, who alsoserves as pastor of Calvary BaptistChurch in Smyrna, shares his father ’spassion for second chances, for rebuild-ing lives and for hope. A tall man with

Children play on the playground,but also work hard in school.Volunteers from the communitydevote their time to such activitiesas tutoring. Here, lef t, MichaelHadely helps Charles with his home-work.


a warm manner and an easy laugh, he has nurtured rela-tionships with the home’s children that have lasted farbeyond their stay here.

Through the years, Snyder has continued to play a rolein the lives of former home residents. He’ s been invitedto graduate school graduations, to perform weddings, ormany times just to meet the growing families of formerCalvary residents who have moved into futures outshin-ing dark and distant pasts.

��

THE EARLY FALL EVENING RECEDES TO DARKand C.J plops down in a recliner . One of the children atthe house is quietly watching the big screen TV. Anotherlistens to music in a distant room.

“One thing I offer these kids is my experience,” saysC.J. “When they come in from the bus stop crying orthey sit at the table and are silent for no apparent reason,I know where they’re coming from, because I was thatkid. But like we constantly constantly tell these kids,‘You can’t change the past. You can only learn to acceptit.’ And our job as house parents to help them see that wereally love them and more importantly that God reallyloves them and that we’ve all been brought [to Calvary]for a specific purpose.” �

want to help?Calvary Children’s Home subsists solely on

donations. No federal or government fundscover the home’s expenses, which includesalaries for house parents and staff, mainte-nance of the organization’s four brick homesand nearly any expense characteristic of thistype of facility.

The Home is Evangelical Christian with anemphasis on the Christian Gospel’s role indrawing kids out of difficult pasts. More than400 children have been a part of CalvaryChildren’s Home since it was founded.

www.calvarykids.org770.794.1500Calvary Children's Home1430 Lost Mountain Rd.Powder Springs, GA 30127



chill utHour 1: Go back to bed. It’s your day off. You

can sleep in at least one extra hour .

Hour 2: Usually start the morning with a quickshower before work? Today take the time to pamperyour skin and ease your mind with a bath soak. Trulypamper yourself with one of Marietta company LaDolce Diva’s divine bath spa products. The Bath SpaTake Out package includes a body wash, lotion, TreviFountain Bath Coin and soy candle, for $28. You canfind the products at local boutiques or online atwww.ladolcedivainc.com. Don’t forget to press playon a soothing sounds CD before you step in the tub.

You’ve said goodbye to your last guests, placed the last piece of wrappingpaper in the recycling bin and given your child his 1,000th push on a shinynew bicycle. After almost two months of planning, hosting and toasting, it’sno surprise you may be worn out by sundown on Christmas Day. And you’re

expected to be ready to party again just six days later. To ensure you’reringing in the New Year stress-free and relaxed, take a day to yourself to

recover, relax and replenish. You deserve a break.

Here’s our idea of a perfect day of relaxation.BY STACEY L. EVANS � PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN GRAY

Recover from the holidayswith an after-Christmas



You can also soak up someserenity with scrumptious scrubsand soaks sold at Whole Foodsby the ounce. Try the soothingPacific Mist, which contains rose-mary, grapefruit frankincenseamong its ingredients or theSeaweed Scrub, which containslavender, lemon and oat bran.


Hour 5: Breathe insome fresh air and enjoynature. Take a short walk inyour neighborhood, sit outon your patio and birdwatch or better yet, hike atrail in the Chattahoocheeforest with a friend.Reconnecting with naturecan do wonders for innerpeace and serenity.

Hours 3 and 4: Watchan old black and white movie.There’s nothing like an oldblack and white film to take youback to a slower pace of life. Asopposed to say, a modern actionfilm that will hype you up, anold classic will calm you withits monotone colors, tones andslow, even dialogue. You cantruly get lost in these films.

Enjoy your film with a glassof red wine and bite of darkchocolate. Both are great tonicsfor reducing stress. Chocolatecontains tryptophan, an essentialamino acid that increases the pro-duction of serotonin, a naturalstress-reducer.

If you’re not a wine drinker ,herbal tea such as chamomilewill do the trick. Purchase tealeaves from Seven Springs TeaRoom in Powder Springs.For lunch, gorge on thestockpiles of leftoversin the fridge.



Hour 6: Now that you’ve gottensome exercise in, it’s time to take anap. Nappingis great forthe body, yetadults rarelyindulge. Spraysome lavenderspray on yourpillow for asoothingsleep. Thesmell oflavender has acalming effectand boosts the brain’s production ofserotonin. You can get lavender prod-ucts from Whole Foods or MissScarlet’s Emporium in Acworth.

Hour 7: Wake up from yournap and refresh with an hour ofyoga and meditation. In addition tomaking you feel calm and peaceful,yoga poses and breathing tech-niques actually rejuvenate and ener-gize your body and mind.

You can stream an online yogavideo from www.thepostureprojectyoga.com or take a class at a localstudio.

A herbal rice pillow,also known as a“dream pillow” ,shown above, canalso aid in having apeaceful sleep. Thelavender-infused pil-low can be war med.Find them at a localhealth store or makeone on your own.

Tingshas are of ten used to preparefor meditation. The vibration of thechimes and clear sound producedwhen struck together is said tohelp focus the mind.



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Hour 9: Enough with the leftover holiday foodand cooking. For dinner, order in from a local restau-rant, and enjoy having your food delivered to you whileyou relax in comfy pajamas. Top Spice at Akers Millmakes a mean Pad Thai and the Tom Kha soup is deli-ciously smooth and comforting. Craving something thatdoesn’t deliver in your area? Why not splurge a bit andorder from www.food-shuttle.com, a food delivery serv-ice that will get food from any restaurant in Cobb,Atlanta or Gwinnett and bring it right to you for $15.

Hour 10: and more: After a day toyourself, an evening cuddled up with yourloved ones, watching classic comedies, yourfavorite TV shows, or playing board games isthe perfect way to end the day. And a littlemore wine and chocolate won’t hurt either.

Hour 8: Spend some time with your pet. If youdon’t have one, try bird watching or even watchingAnimal Planet (only shows of the cute, cuddly variety—beware of shows like River Monsters). S tudies haveshown animals tend to have a calming ef fect on peopleand pets make people feel better.



BY KEVIN HAZZARD � PHOTOGRAPHY SUBMITTED BY RYAN WATERS


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Walking away isnot easy. To do sois to accept thatharshest of humanpreoccupations: fail-

ure. Above 8,000 meters, however,failure must compete for your atten-tion.

Oxygen deprivation, frostbite, ava-lanches. The quiet but ever-presentthreat of death from exposure. It isrespect for these competing forces –along with the superlative competen-cy that keeps mountaineers alive –that has Ryan Waters rooted in place.

It’s mid-August 2006 and Waters,an experienced high-altitude climber,guide and Wheeler graduate, is atCamp 3 on K2. At 8,611 meters, K2is the world’s second tallest moun-tain and arguably the most difficultto climb. Waters and his team havelong trained for this moment andnow find themselves one day awayfrom a push to the summit. But noth-ing is going right.

After an assault of Broad Peak, another ofPakistan’s 8,000-plus-meter peaks, the team isexhausted. During the climb of Broad Peak, theyreached the summit ridge before deciding theycould go no further. In one of the most poignantmoments of his career, Waters decided to pushon.

Alone. Hours later he stood on top of one of the

world’s great peaks, a young man in completecontrol of his element.

Such exuberance, however, must be tempered.Those who know say mountaineers either growbold or grow old, but not both. That fortunes canchange is something Waters knows all too well.In 2005, after two previous successful summitsof Everest, he was forced of f the world’s tallestmountain by a severe respiratory infection. Tospend five days walking away from a trip thathad dominated months of his life was more thana stinging slap.

And therein lies the crux of high-altitudeclimbing: tempering the audacity to push aheadwith the wisdom to walk away when defeatcomes calling. Because sooner or later it will.

As such, K2 perfectly sums up the dizzying,oxygen-depleted world of high-altitude climb-ing. Despite its highly-technical and challengingfinal stages, it remains unknown to the world at-large.COBB LIFE December 201042


As attention and accolades are heapedon its slightly taller but less challengingcousin, Everest, K2 waits for the unsus-pecting, the unprepared. K2 has thepatience of Job and a voice from hellitself can be heard in the winds whistlingoff its peak. Underestimate me, it croons,at your own peril.

The decision to turn back or push on isnever easy and, after a tortuous night,Waters and his team decide to continue.Ignoring their screaming muscles andseared lungs, they make a run at Camp 4.But extreme conditions rarely send subtlesigns and shortly after they get underwaya falling rock tumbles toward them,smashing into Waters’ knee.

Still, it’s never an easy decision.“There is always a piece of you that says‘what if’,” Waters says. “But you gotta beable to walk away.” And so, under themountain’s indifferent glare, the teamdescends. They are beaten but not bro-ken. K2 will always be there.

Waters will move on to other moun-tains, other feats. He and a friend willcomplete the first unassisted ski traverseof Antarctica. But the allure of the uncon-quered is strong and in 2008 members ofthe failed expedition, minus Waters, willmake a second challenge of K2. Onceagain things will go horribly wrong and,after spending two nights above 8,000meters – the fabled death zone – some ofthem will die. Acknowledging the tragedyhas cast a shadow over the mountain, headds, “but it’s certainly a risk I haveaccepted.”

Risk, reward, failure, death. These arethe constants of high-altitude moun-taineering. They are truths to be acceptedand, for the bold, they are rewarded withgifts that time or loss cannot tarnish.

But those rewards, in mountaineeringas in life, can be collected only by thosewith the wisdom, on occasion, to walkaway. �


- 1992 Wheeler grad- Grew up in Sibley Forest off of Paper Mill Road- Graduated from Ole Miss with a BS in Geology- Founder and Guide for Colorado-based MountainProfessionals- Spends half of his time in Stavanger, Norway iceclimbing- Has climbed in the Himalayas, Nepal, Argentina,Chile, Ecuador, Tibet, Pakistan, Mexico, Russia,Tanzania, Greenland, Antarctica, and all over the U.S.- Waters has climbed the highest peak in each of theseven continents except for Mount Vinson inAntarctica, which he will attempt in winter 2011- Mt. Everest named for Sir George Everest, SurveyorGeneral of India from 1830 to 1843- In 1952, Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillarycomplete the first summit of Everest- Height of Everest: 29,035 feet- K2: 28,251 feet- K2 is part of the Karakoram Range- First successful summit of K2 made by Italian expedi-tion in 1954- K2 is the second deadliest peak in the world


RYAN WATERS and his climbing:


Town Center at Cobb770.427.7810


Pumpkin pie, fudge, Yule logs, ginger-bread and sugar cookies with colorfulsprinkles and frosting all make appear-ances at my house this time of year .

Even fruitcake does a command per-formance, since I am one of those rareindividuals who adore it.

These classics are always welcomed byfriends and family. But this year, I wassearching for something a bit dif ferent toadd to the traditional roster.

With so many outstanding bakeries inCobb, I decided to contact a few and ask

their pastry chefs to guide me to a sweettreat that was elegant enough forChristmas and Hanukkah celebrations, butwithout chocolate of any kind. That caveatwas important, as it’s easy to find spectac-ular chocolate desserts any time of theyear. For the holidays, I wanted to serve aconfection less commonplace.

The desserts the chefs spotlighted forme are either already offered in theirshops on a regular basis or are availableby special order a day or so in advance ofpick-up.

BY JOAN DURBIN � PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN GRAY

We asked four Cobb chefs to give us fresh ideasfor holiday desserts — no chocolate allowed.

YUMMYYULETIDE



A lemon meringue tar t topped withlemons and fresh raspber ries at SugarCakes Patisserie. Left, a brown buttertart topped with cranber ries andglazed figs from Canvas Bak ery.


Crispy gingercookies toppedwith glazedcrabapples and avanilla pannacotta, at Canvas.


Anna Gatti met her hus-band, Chris, when they werestudents at the CulinaryInstitute of America, the goldstandard for U.S. cookingschools. Together they nowown and operate Canvas, withChris as executive chef andAnna supplying all the sweettreats.

Not content to limit herrecommendations to just one,Anna created three dessertswith fruit as a theme.

First up was panna cottawith fresh-sliced crabapplesglaceed in a sugar syrupimbued with orange juice andnatural vanilla bean. The tart-ness of the crabapples is soft-ened by the glaze and is agood counterpoint to the silkypanna cotta, which in Italianmeans “cooked cream.”

To top a fresh-bakedsweet-crusted tart filled withbrown butter cake, Anna dust-ed fresh figs with sugar,bruleéd them and mixed themwith cranberries cooked withlemon, orange and vanillabean.

Last but by no means least,she constructed a lusciouscranberry cassata cake. A tra-ditional Sicilian dessert, it’scomposed of layers of spongecake alternated with sweet-ened ricotta cheese and cran-berries. In Italy, the cake lay-ers normally would be soakedin liqueur, but to make it fam-ily friendly, Anna skipped thealcohol in favor of cranberrysyrup.

Other special order holidaydesserts at Canvas includecroquembouche, which is aholiday wreath of profiterolesfilled with pastry cream fes-tooned with candy canes, andhand-decorated Christmas treeornaments made of ginger-bread.

Canvas724 Cherokee StreetMarietta(678) 213-2268www.canvasfoods.com

Canvas ownerand pastry chefAnna Gattiserves up acranberrysponge cake.



A Southern pecan tar t, atSugar Cakes Patisserie.


With the French word for bakery apart of its name, you might think SugarCakes is helmed by a French-born pas-try chef.

That’s why Ted Arpon is such apleasant surprise. Born in Bangkok,Thailand, where his mother used tohave a bakery, Ted grew up in the foodindustry. Nineteen when he immigratedto the U.S., Ted studied internationalbusiness in college, but gravitated torestaurant cooking as a career.

His path took him to the FrenchPastry School in Chicago and a stint aspastry chef at the Buckhead RitzCarlton before he and his wife Judyopened Sugar Cakes on the MariettaSquare five years ago.

Ted’s European-style pastries haveplenty of butter, sugar and cream tomake them rich and luxuriant.Chocolate mousses are one of his spe-cialties, but around holiday time, cus-tomers clamor for his lemon meringuetart.

The filling for the tart is very tradi-tional, which means the lemon curd hasa sparkling piquancy that is just sweetenough to complement the citrus.

The curd is simply egg yolks, sugarand, butter, simmered with plenty offresh lemon juice until thick andcreamy. To bump up the lemony flavoreven more, Ted adds some of the citruszest to the mixture. The balancebetween tangy and sweet is perfect.

Other big seasonal sellers at SugarCakes are pumpkin cheesecake andSouthern pecan tart.

Sugar Cakes Patisserie101 N. Park Square NE, Marietta(770) 218-9994www.sugarcakespatisserie.com

Chef Ted Arpon of Sugar Cak esPatisserie mix es ingredients fora lemon meringue tar t toppedwith fresh raspber ries andblackberries, top right.



A bourbon poundcake with orangeglaze at Theo’sBrother ’s Bakery.


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Created to provide breads andother baked goods for the SedgwickRestaurant Group, which among oth-ers owns Aspens Steak House innortheast Cobb, Theo’s Brother’sBakery in Avenue West Cobb is awonderland of cookies, pastries, bars,sweet rolls and breads.

Aisha Cheeks, a poised youngwoman with a warm smile, presidesover the baking of all of the sweettreats. Her original passion was cakedecorating, but as she learned moreabout the art of pastry making shediscovered she had a knack withdough.

She’s been a pastry chef for 15years, the last three of them at Theo’s.

For a holiday treat, Aisha recom-mended bourbon pound cake. Mini-desserts are very popular, she said,

and these little cakes are baked insmall Bundt cups for single servings.

The vanilla-infused batter containspecans and a smattering of orangejuice and bourbon, just half a cup ofthe liquor for three dozen of thecakes. It’s enough to impart rich fla-vor without being overwhelming.

Before she poured the batter intothe pans, she sprinkled cinnamonsugar on the bottom to fuse with thecake. Hot out of the oven, Aishabrushed on an orange glaze.

Moist and deeply satisfying ontheir own, these mini cakes would beterrific dressed up with fresh fruit andvanilla ice cream.

Aisha also makes seasonal cob-blers, and at the holidays she usesGranny Smith apples for a mouth-watering apple crisp version.

Theo’s Brother’s3625 Dallas Highway SW,Marietta(770) 419-0345www.knowwheretogogh.com/theos_cobb.html

Aisha Cheeks, a bak er atTheo’s Brother ’s, mak esmini bourbon cakes, right,and seasonal cobblers,above, for the holidays.


Chris Buckman, the creative culi-nary force at this cozy café in thePublix shopping center, never

intended to make his living as a chef. Though he worked in professional kitchens

while going to college, Chris spent a few yearsin the mortgage industry before culinary schoolbeckoned.

Now in charge of his own kitchen, Chris doesthe desserts as well as the lunch and dinnerentrees. Not formally trained as a pastry chef,he’s picked up techniques that serve him well.

This time of year, figs are in season, and theyare one of his favorite fruits. Inspired by someopulent Brown Turkey figs, a quintessentiallySouthern variety, Chris whipped up a tempurabatter-laced with ginger ale and coated the figs

with it before dropping them into hot oil to flashfry.

Biting into one of these while it was stillwarm was a very pleasurable experience. Thepale red, almost buttery interior of the fig con-trasts with the slight crunch of the tempura for abalanced textual experience. The hint of gingerin the coating played nicely with the naturalsugar in the fruit.

To ramp up the subtle sweetness, Chrisserved the fried figs with raspberry coulis.

For a heartier dessert, Chris of fered breadpudding with raisins and nuts. Cubes of Frenchbaguettes are baked in heavy cream, sugar , eggyolks, vanilla and Southern Comfort. Chris’shouse-made caramel sauce completes this deca-dent treat.

Café Paris1100 Johnson FerryRoad, Marietta770-977-4945www.thecafeparis.net

Chef Chris Buckman of Cafe P arismakes a treat with one of his favoritefruits, figs, which are in season duringthe holidays. Left, his ginger ale tem-pura-battered and deep-fried figs withraspberry coulis. Top, bread puddingwith raisins and pecans, topped withvanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.



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Marietta resident Kim Greshat home with her dogChancey. Each year she fillsher home with over 700Santas and much moreChristmas decor.


a house full of ChristmasMarietta resident’s eyes twinkle in

BY DONNA ESPY � PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE JACOBY AND ERIN GRAY



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There’s a twinkle in the eyesof children at Christmastime.If you look closely, you’ll seethat same twinkle in the eyesof Cobb resident Kim Gresh.

Gresh has a wonderful fascinationwith one aspect of Christmas – SantaClaus. She annually displays 700 dif fer-ent Santas throughout her 55-year-oldMarietta home, and then sits back andwatches as visitors take in the sightsand sounds of that jolly old elf.

“It started with an office party andhas grown into a ten-day event with atent outside and parties all week long,”says Gresh, president of S.A. White OilCompany in Marietta. She is the thirdpresident of the company, which wasstarted in 1926 by her grandfather andlater led by her father, Wally Gresh.

The holiday decorating processbegins for Gresh in late October when atemperature-controlled storage contain-er arrives at her home with all of theSantas inside. She gives herself a Dec.1 deadline to clean off her shelves andwalls and replace her décor with Santasand 13 tall, individually themedChristmas trees.

Gresh said she found just one tree“boring” and began adding trees withthemed ornaments — Santa, Barbie,fishing, dogs, kitchen, cars — you getthe idea. But it’s the Santa collectionthat steals the show, she says.

Many of the trees and rooms in KimGresh’s home have themes. L eft, Greshshows one of the Christmas editionBarbies displayed near the Barbie tree.Above, the “cooking” tree.



“One more Santa and I could go overthe edge to tacky,” says Gresh with achuckle, adding she loves to watch thefaces of kids and adults alike when theyvisit her home. “I love the whole process,but I enjoy everyone else enjoying it.”

And then there are the parties for non-profit community organizations. Lastyear, with the help of Carriage Catering,she hosted eight gatherings in all, includ-ing the Earl Smith Strand Theatre, theYWCA of Northwest Georgia, MUSTMinistries, the WellStar Foundation andthe Marietta-Metro Rotary Club. It’s herway of giving back to her community,she says.

“This community has been very goodto me,” says Gresh, whose grandmotherwas a Cobb native as well. “I want toleave it better than it was before.” Andshe knows about community. She wasnamed Marietta’s 2007 “Citizen of theYear,” a Cobb Life magazine PowerWoman and the YWCA of NorthwestGeorgia’s 2009 “Woman of the Year.”She is on the board of the YWCA and theEarl Smith Strand Theatre and is chair ofthe Board of Trustees of the WellStarFoundation.

Gresh admits that this “Ho-Ho-Ho”home couldn’t happen without the helpof her husband, George Hartzog. Hehelps unpack the Santas and stands all 13of the trees.

“Then he’ll say, ‘Do you need any-thing else? If not, I’m going to Ellijay ,’”says Gresh. He then travels to the cou-ple’s second home in the foothills ofnorth Georgia until the decorating iscomplete.

Is the Ellijay homestead a holidaywonderland as well? No, says Gresh,with that twinkle in her eye. It is sansSantas and Christmas trees, and that’s theway husband George wants it. “I’m notallowed to have anything up there —that’s our deal.”

Kim Gresh and her husband George Har tzog. George helpsunpack all the Santas and stands the trees, but gets out oftown while the decorating frenzy commences.



SANTA SUPERSIZED:Kim Gresh has atotal of 13 themedChristmas trees, butit’s the 700 Santasthat garner the mostattention. Clockwisefrom far lef t: A life-size Santa welcomesvisitors into theGresh home. Greshadds an ornamentto the Santa tree.The Santa in the tubalways gets smiles.



T h r e e r e a d e r s s h a r e t h e i r f a v o r i t e s

January 1, 1981Georgia vs. Notre Dame

We’ve got the tail back and you’vegot the Hunchback!!!

The battle for the NationalChampionship in New Orleans!

Georgia had an undefeated seasongoing into the Sugar Bowl game andwould be battling against the storiedIrish from Notre Dame.

Several hundred Bulldogs, includingme, took the train from Atlanta toNew Orleans to support the Dawgs inthe Sugar Bowl which took place onNew Year’s Day 1981. That trainstopped in every town and hamletbetween Atlanta and the CrescentCity.

By the time the train arrived, theBulldog Nation was ready to partyand to throw itself into the life of theFrench Quarter. We joined masses ofthe Red & Black who were already onhand to experience the City as onlyBulldogs can.

By game time, I had worked myselfinto a nervous frenzy, which onlyImodium could settle. Early in thegame the Dawgs led by taking advan-tage of some Irish miscues. Howeveras the battle went on, Georgia strug-gled offensively and first downs werehard to come by.

During the heat of the battle, a nun,sitting in my row, pulling for Ol’ NotreDame, and shaking her pom poms,was starting to annoy me. Finally, Ihad to yell at her to SHUT UP!Because of this act, I am pretty nerv-ous about the outcome when I arriveat the Pearly Gates one day in thefuture.

However, my reprimand workedand Georgia pulled away to eventual-ly beat Notre Dame 17-10 and becrowned as Undefeated &Undisputed National Champions!

The train ride back to Atlanta was asweet one — you can’t spell S-U-G-A-R without UGA!!!

- as told to Cobb Life

KIT TRENSCH

Southern Polytechnic StateUniversity Director ofDevelopment

There is no better way to celebrate holidays thanwith close friends. Some years ago we had the pleas-ure of spending the New Years holiday weekend atBrasstown Valley with three other couples. The week-end began with a marvelous time of fellowship on NewYear’s Eve and a most delightful evening with dinnerand dancing until the stroke of midnight. New Year’sDay began with brunch and more fellowship and laugh-ter. To this day, I have photos of that memorable week-end in my office as a daily reminder of the value offriendship.

- as told to Cobb Life

Smyrna’s GAY LOWRY

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RUPERT RAINES

Marietta

For Marietta’s Rupert Raines, it was asort of homecoming for his favorite NewYear’s Eve memory.

Just three years ago Raines’ longtimefriend and local music legend Billy JoeRoyal came to The Earl Smith StrandTheatre to perform a New Year’s Eveshow to help raise funds for the facility.

“I went out and started selling tickets.It was a complete sellout. He put on agreat performance. It was a great time.”

What made the evening extra specialfor Raines was he recalled the first timehe saw Royal at The Strand – a night inthe late 1950s.

The theatre will host Royal again thisyear when he performs on New Year’sEve.

The performance is rumored to beRoyal’s last as his retirement is expect-ed soon therafter.


snapshots

During the past three decadesI have traveled the world’s wineroad, tasted thousands of exam-ples of this fascinating beverageand met countless extraordinarypeople whose passion and dedi-cation to the vine, wine andMother Nature is played outthrough the rhythm of the sea-sons. Each vintage offers theunique opportunity to craft fromgrapes an expression of creationdifferent from all those whichcome before, rooted in the earthwith the promise of another vin-tage in the future.

As we approach 2011, newwine adventures await, butbefore the year comes to aclose, I’d like to share somememorable vinous experiencesof 2010. For me it clearly bringsinto focus that the next finewine is just a glass away.

Michael Venezia30 YEARS ON THE WINE ROAD

JanuaryBoot Camp for Wine Lovers — Paper Mill Grill

A passionate and committed group of East Cobbersbegin the journey of seeing, swirling, sipping andsavoring an international selection of wines with thegoal of increasing their knowledge and expertise. Astheir drill instructor they embrace my regime withdedication and enthusiasm.

February Israwine Expo

As a guest of the Israeli Trade commission an interna-tional team of wine professionals visit the Judean Hills,Upper Galilee and the Golan Heights to taste the winesof this ancient land. The agenda takes me to Jerusalem,Masada, the Dead Sea and Tel Aviv. The land, the peo-ple, the food and the wines are extraordinary .


MarchHigh Museum of Ar t Atlanta Wine Auction

The wine world comes to Atlanta. Celebrating its18th year I am honored to conduct a tasting at theSt. Regis Atlanta with Alessia Antinori, the 26thgeneration of this renowned Tuscan family. Fromrenaissance Florence to 21st Century Atlanta, wineconnects in time and space.

AprilCecil B. Day School of Hospitality AdministrationJ Mack Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University

Completed the 7th year of my tenure as a member of thefaculty of this dynamic hospitality program. Introducing mystudents to wine as well as spirits, beer and the business ofmanaging beverages in the industry is very rewarding. Oneclass and one glass at a time!

Wineguru Michael

Venezia has logged 30years traveling near and farto sample thousands of wines.Here he shares his memorable

moments from 2010, including a tripto Israel, where he took this photo

of men playing chess andenjoyed a bottle of Teperberg

Reserve CabernetSauvignon, at left.

� PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN GRAY



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May California DreamingAccompany former Lt. Gov.

Mark Taylor and his wife Sachaon a behind-the-scenes tour ofselected Napa Valley Vineyardsand wineries. Mark and Sachawere the last paddle standing atthe 2009 Jeffrey Fashion Caresbenefit with proceeds going tothe Susan G. Komen BreastCancer Foundation. Some of themost generous people I knoware wine lovers.

June Atlanta BravesFoundation Diamond Gala

A Sunday celebration andLas Vegas night held at theLoews Atlanta Hotel in mid-town. Talk wine with JohnSchuerholz, Braves president,Mike Plant, Braves executivevice president and member ofthe 1980 U.S./Olympic speedskating team. Play Blackjackwith Brian Snitker, 3rd basecoach and meet my favoriteBrave All-Star catcher, BrianMcCann.

August Field Trip to Eastern WashingtonVisits to Northstar, Col Solare, Canoe Ridge and

Columbia Crest Vineyards with a group of UnitedDistributors, Inc. associates. After flying from Seattle overthe Cascade Mountains to Walla Walla tour, taste and enjoythe dramatically beautiful and viticultural landscape ofEastern Washington. Trip ends in Seattle with a morningstroll through Pike Place Market and an evening concert atChateau Ste. Michelle winery with snow capped MountRainer looming on the horizon.

September Napa Valley CallingTo Napa for pre-harvest tour of Opus One, S tags’ Leap

Winery and lunch with friends at Antica Napa, the mountainestate of Marchese Piero Antinori atop Atlas Peak. Enjoyedtheir chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon from Montalcino inTuscany the Brunello from the Pian delle Vigne. A contrastof old-world tradition and new-world innovation.

October Georgia Tech Homecoming Wine TastingHosted 125 techies for a “thinking outside the barrel” fea-

turing wines from Portugal, Greece, New Zealand, Chile,Argentina and Spain. Engineers, rocket scientists, and PhDsare wine lovers too.

November “A Meal to Remember”Enjoyed the 23rd annual Meal to Remember , a benefit for

senior citizens and the Meals on Wheels program Atlanta.More than $350,000 was raised for this important communityservice. An international team of culinary art, the S t. RegisHotel staff and wines and spirits selected to accompany thisexciting menu was truly a meal to remember .

DecemberMerry Christmas to all and to all a good wine!

Planning time with family and friends, a glass or two offine wine, a few days vacation, cooking meals at home withmy wife Patti and a glance into the crystal ball for a happyand healthy 2011.

A toast to health and happiness!

Michael A. Venezia MA, CSW, CSS is Corporate Directorof Education of United Distributors, Inc. and AdjunctProfessor of Hospitality at Georgia State University. COBB LIFE December 201068

JulyBobby Cox commemorative bottleapproved for production

A three liter etched bot-tle depicting Braves manag-er and East Cobb residentBobby Cox commissionedby the Atlanta Braves.Produced by TrincheroFamily Estates of NapaValley, Calif., 50 bottleswere blended exclusivelyfor the team and given toBobby as well as playerand coach associates onOctober 2nd, 2010 duringBobby Cox’s Day atTurner Field. A fittingtribute to a great baseballgentleman, wine loverand friend.

Bobby Cox and Michael Venezia.

The Bobby Cox commemorative bottle.


It’s that time againCobb County. Breakout your top hats,bow ties and bestblack-tie apparelbecause the third

annual Hearts & DreamsGala, benefitting the HumaneSociety of Cobb County, isback this February 12 atThe Earl Smith StrandTheatre.

This year’s event,called Puttin’ on the Ritz, brings backall the elements of the variety show andblack-tie optional gala you’ve come tolove, including the local talent showcasefeaturing Dance Stop Studios andPebblebrook High School students. Therewill also be food courtesy of CarriageHouse Catering and a cash bar. But thisyear, the event’s founder, Steve Imler, hasupped the ante with the more formal theme,which perfectly encapsulates the upscale1920s, 30s and 40s.

“We like to see this event as the focus ofthe winter season,” Imler said. “It’s aninteresting intersection of two things I’minvolved with, so it’s great to see thingscome together for a good cause.

Imler, who is on the board of both TheStrand and the Humane Society, said theevent is about awareness and bringing thetwo already beloved institutions into thespotlight for another year. Earl Reece,executive director of The Strand and localphilanthropist, is emceeing the event againthis year.

“Earl has been a great colleague,” Imlersaid. “I hope he’ll participate for years tocome.”

For more information, or to purchasetickets, visit www.earlsmithstrand.org.

BY MEREDITH PRUDEN �PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN GRAY

GLITZY GALAHumane Society’s ‘Hearts & Dreams’ benefit waltzes into The Strand with 20s-era theme

Steve Imler, a board member of the Humane Society andfounder of the event, stands with Earl R eece, executivedirector of The Strand, who will be emceeing the event.



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F R O M T H E W E B

Our Web site, 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 and blogs.

More than 300 Girl Scouts in Cobb Count y’sChattahoochee Service Unit mark ed going back toschool by giving back to the community. Troops pri-marily from Timber Ridge Elm, Mount Bethel Elm,Dickerson and Dodgen Middle schools spent Augustand September collecting school supplies to supportFaithbridge F oster Care progr am in Mariet ta. InOctober, Junior Troop 2292 and Brownie Troop 2045(pictured) sorted, deliv ered, and stock ed shelv eswith items including o ver 300 notebooks, 14 back-packs and 124 boxes of crayons

From the blogs: Online reader KristenDodd posted this article.

From the photo gallery: Cobb Life photographer Erin Gray went behindthe scenes as the Atlanta Ballet prepared for their performance of “Moulin Rouge” at theCobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.

Cobb Life Magazine How is it mid-October and we pickedtomatoes from our garden last night?

Louanne Wirth Rozek One of the luxuries of living in the South!

From facebook: See what we’re up to andget updates on upcoming issues of the magazine,new stories and more by ‘liking’ us on facebook.


High lightsA closer look at events and activities throughout Cobb County in December

ATLANTA BALLET'S NUTCRACKERIt features exquisite fairies, handsome princes, and dancing

snowflakes. It is the magic of the holiday season, alive again at theFabulous Fox Theatre. Share the tradition and experience the joy of the

holiday extravaganza that’s been enchanting audiences for over 50years. Choreographed by John McFall, performances of Atlanta Ballet’s

“Nutcracker” are Nov. 27 through Dec. 26. Performance times vary.Ticket prices range from $29.55 to $103.75.

Information: 404.873.5811 or www.atlantaballet.com

STRAIGHT NO CHASERRecording group Straight No Chaser recently released a new album

“With a Twist,” which debuted at 29 on the Billboard charts. After cele-brating the release of their album with an appearance on “Late Nightwith Jimmy Fallon,” the group is on three-month national concert tour.

Straight No Chaser performs Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the John A.Williams Theatre at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Ticket prices

range from $40 to $45.Information: 770.916.2800 or www.cobbenergycentre.com

SANDERS FAMILY CHRISTMASBack again for the twelfth holiday season, the ever-loving, sunny-

voiced Sanders clan once again celebrates the joyous season withsome of the best-loved music around. The show is family-friendly forages 10 and up. Written by Alan Bailey and Connie Ray, “SandersFamily Christmas” is directed by Karen Howell and Alan Kilpatrick.Performances are Nov. 23 through Jan. 2. Performance times are

Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m., Wednesday and Sunday at 2:30p.m., with a special Christmas Eve show at 2:30 p.m. and a New Year’s

Eve show at 2:30 p.m. Ticket prices vary.Information: 770.422.8369 or www.theatreinthesquare.com

LOUIS C.K.With more than twenty years as a

stand-up comedian, Louis C.K. is oneof the most honest and respected

comedic voices of his generation, find-ing success in television and film, aswell as the live stage. Louis’ new FX

series, “Louie,” premiered to ravereviews. The series is based on his lifeas a stand-up comic and single fatherof two living in New York City. Louis’stand-up concert film, “Louis C.K.:

Hilarious,” premiered at The SundanceFilm Festival in January as the firststand-up concert film presented at

Sundance. In July, Louis was nominat-ed for an Emmy Award for OutstandingWriting for a Variety, Music or Comedy

Special for his second hour special,“Louis C.K.: Chewed Up.” Louis recent-ly starred in the film, “The Invention ofLying,” alongside Ricky Gervais andJennifer Garner and was seen in arecurring role on the NBC series,

“Parks & Recreation.” Louis C.K. per-forms on Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. in the John

A. Williams Theatre at Cobb EnergyPerforming Arts Centre. Tickets are

$32.50.Information: 770.916.2800 orwww.cobbenergycentre.com


A TUNA CHRISTMASA remount of last season's holidayhit, the play tells the story of two

radio announcers who portray withloving care and hilarious effective-ness the many characters of quirky

Tuna, Texas, as they try to sortthrough the mystery of the ChristmasPhantom. Recommended for ages 16

and up due to language. “A TunaChristmas” stars William S. Murphey

and Bryan Mercer. Performancedates are Nov. 16 through Jan. 2,

Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m.,Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.,

with a special Christmas Eve show at2:30 p.m. Ticket prices vary.

Information: 770.422.8369 orwww.theatreinthesquare.com

MARIETTA/COBB MUSEUM OFART

The Marietta/Cobb Museum of Artpresents two exhibitions this fall.

“Parallax” features work created by oilpainter Katherine Taylor from 2001 to2010. Taylor is an Assistant Professor

of Studio Art at Kennesaw StateUniversity. Her work is exhibited andcollected nationally and her paintingshave been displayed in museum exhi-

bitions in Georgia and Florida.“Parallax” is on display through Dec.19. Also this fall, the museum pres-

ents an exhibit of work by the PortraitSociety of Atlanta from through Dec.

18. The Marietta/Cobb Museum of Artis located in downtown Marietta at 30

Atlanta Street. Museum hours areTuesday through Friday, 11 am to 5pm, and Saturday, 11 am to 4 pm.

Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for sen-iors and students, free for children

younger than six years old, and freefor members.

Information: 770.528.1444 orwww.mariettacobbartmuseum.org

NEW YEAR’S EVE WITHBILLY JOE ROYAL

Spend New Year’s Eve with Billy JoeRoyal at The Earl Smith Strand

Theatre on the evening of Dec. 31.The band Paradocs opens at 8 p.m.Billy Joe Royal plays from 10 p.m.until midnight to bring in the New

Year. Ticket prices range from $35 to$45.

Information: 770.293.0080 orwww.earlsmithstrand.org




High lights

DRUMLINE LIVE! “Drumline Live!” is a show-stopping attraction

created by the music team behind the hit movie“Drumline.” The show brings show-style march-

ing bands to the theatrical stage with a 39-mem-ber cast of high-energy performers. The live

show presents the rousing and rhythmic soundsof the great brass past including Earth, Wind,and Fire and Tower of Power side by side with

the hottest contemporary hip hop and R&B. Thestirring sound of trumpets, explosive choreogra-phy, and incredible feats of athleticism from thesteppers and dancers will bring the audience toits feet. “Drumline Live!” will appear on January12 at 8 p.m. in the John A. Williams Theatre atCobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Ticket

prices range from $13 to $63.Information: 770.916.2800 orwww.cobbenergycentre.com

HOLIDAY ICE SPECTACULAR“Holiday Ice Spectacular” is a fun-filled, joyousjourney into the winter holidays, with somethingto fulfill everyone’s holiday entertainment wish-es. It’s a combination of music, skating, dance,and comedy – all presented in the context of awarm, humorous story that the whole family will

enjoy. And the fact that it’s performed on icegives it a special, thrilling edge. “Holiday Ice

Spectacular” is Dec. 16 through 24 in the JohnA. Williams Theatre at Cobb Energy Performing

Arts Centre. Performance times vary. Ticketprices range from $20 to $69.Information: 770.916.2800 or

RUSSELL PETERS – THE GREEN CARD TOURAs much a humorist as a comedian, Russell doesn’t really telljokes. Rather, he uses his wry observations on the subjects ofrace, class and culture to illuminate our human shortcomingswith the sizzling accuracy of a well-aimed laser. His quick witand ability to mimic language and accents allows Russell to

create characters of all races and cultures and forge an imme-diate bond with his audiences, regardless of their racial and

cultural background. His comedy album “Outsourced” has goneeleven times Platinum in his home country of Canada. He's

performed sold-out tours of China, South Africa, Australia, SriLanka, Vietnam, Jamaica, St. Marten, Trinidad, Singapore and

the United Arab Emirates, and in 2007 was the first NorthAmerican comic to tour India. Russell Peters performs on Dec.10 at 8 p.m. in the John A. Williams Theatre at Cobb EnergyPerforming Arts Centre. Ticket prices range from $45 to $60.Information: 770.916.2800 or www.cobbenergycentre.com

A RADIO DAYS CHRISTMAS“A Radio Days Christmas” features the Big Chicken Chorus &

Quartets, as well as special guests Savannah Storm YouthBarbershop Chorus & Santa Clause. They perform on Dec. 11at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 12 at 3 p.m. in the Jennie T.Anderson Theatre at 548 South Marietta Parkway in Marietta.Ticket prices are $17 for adults, $15 for students and seniors

Information: 770.438.6283 or www.bigchickenchorus.org


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HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS“Home for the Holidays” is a holiday show for the entire fami-ly, with beautiful costumes, outstanding and creative chore-ography, plus outstanding holiday music. A show you defi-nitely do not want to miss, you will leave with a wonderful

holiday feeling. “Home for the Holidays” is Dec. 17 and 18 at8 p.m. and Dec. 19 at 3 p.m. in the Jennie T. Anderson

Theatre at 548 South Marietta Parkway in Marietta. Ticketprices are $15.

Information: 770.528.8490 orprca.cobbcountyga.gov/anderson_theatre.htm

42ND STREET Atlanta Lyric Theatre presents “42nd Street” from Dec. 3

through 19 at The Earl Smith Strand Theatre. Performancetimes vary. Ticket prices range from $28 to $49.

Information: 404.377.9948 or www.atlantalyrictheatre.com

WHITE CHRISTMASAfter WWII, Army veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis team

up to become a top song-and-dance act in “WhiteChristmas.” Davis plays matchmaker and introduces Wallace

to a pair of beautiful sisters who also have a stage act.When Betty and Judy travel to a Vermont lodge for a

Christmas show, Wallace and Davis follow, only to find theirformer commander, General Waverly, owns the lodge. A

series of romantic mix-ups ensue. “White Christmas” is Dec.21 at 7 p.m. in The Earl Smith Strand Theatre. A live organpops variety show and sing-along will precede the show at6:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $7 for children, stu-

dents, and seniors.Information: 770.293.0080 or www.earlsmithstrand.org

NBC’S LAST COMIC STANDING LIVE TOUREnjoy an evening of great stand-up comedy, featuring the five finalists from

NBC's popular laughfest "Last Comic Standing." Performers include RoyWood, Jr., Tommy Johnagin, Myq Kaplan, Felipe Esparza and Mike

DeStefano, as the official NBC tour comes to the Cobb Energy PerformingArts Centre on Dec. 31 at 8 pm. Ticket prices range from $25 to $47.

Information: 770.916.2800 or www.cobbenergycentre.com




e d i t o r i a l c a l e n d a r

JAN/FEB. Best Of Issue

MARCH 20 rising stars under 40

APRIL Home and Garden

IN APRIL! HOME AND GARDEN

We’ve got another exciting yearplanned for Cobb Life in 2011.Here is a quick look ahead atsome of the features we havecoming up. If you have an arti-

cle idea, scene event or just want to say hello,email us at [email protected]

(678) 631-1700

Multi-Millon Dollar Producer(678) 631-1713 Direct LineVisit my website @ www.suehilton.com

An Independent Member Broker


4

The Junior League of Cobb-Mariettaheld its annual Preview Party for theMistletoe Market, a shopping eventwhich raises funds for charities the

league supports. The event took place atthe Cobb Civic Center.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN GRAY

1

1. Alison and Tammy Brannon of Smyrna. 2. Rachel and Deb Hettinger of Marietta. 3. Fromleft, Nikita Lynn of Atlanta with Marietta residentsKappy Lawandales and Pendy Linter. 4. From left,Kendall Andrews of Marietta, Angie Green ofMarietta and Amy Cowart of Dallas. 5. From left,Haley Kelly of Marietta, Laurie Cates of Mariettaand Acworth resident Diane Bolen.

Mis t l e toe Marke t P rev iew Par t y

SCENE

2

3

5


6


Mis t l e toe Marke t P rev iew Par t y

SCENE

6. Marietta residents Judi Curtis and Taya Danz. 7. Fromleft, Kathy and Adrienne Summer of Mobile, Ala. withShannon Bridges of Marietta. 8. From left, CaryRichardson of Marietta, Jennifer Johnson-Lynch ofKennesaw and Mary Koronkowski of East Cobb. 9. Fromleft, Karen Whaley of Alpharetta, Caroline Whaley ofMarietta and Beth Simpson of Birmingham, Ala.

7

8

9


The You th Museum BBQ

SCENE


The CobbCounty YouthMuseum cel-ebrated its

40th anniversarywith its annual BBQand Silent Auction.The fundraiser washeld at the museumin Marietta and fea-tured live music,food from DavePoe’s BBQ and asilent auction.


1

1. From left, Mark Elsberry of Marietta with Chloe, Terri and Randal Couvrette of Marietta.


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adjoining our current takeout facility. Celebrate with us as we continue tooffer Georgia’s finest wood pit and award-winning barbeque.

EXPANDED MENU • NEW DISHES

Lost Mountain BBQ CompanyOur professional competition Cooking Team. See our schedule on our website.

Barbecue Cooking Classes - Pork U11-hour classes with hands-on cooking. Covers all aspects of barbecue cookery.See website for application.

In Zagat’s Best Restaurants in America 2010

22. From left, Executive Director of the Cobb County Youth Museum Anita Barton, of Marietta, and Youth Museum PresidentJuvenile Court Judge Joanne Elsey of Marietta. 3. Sheriff Neil Warren and wife, Youth Museum Board Member PennyWarren of West Cobb. 4. Chris Bethel and Dr. Carrie Friedewaldof Marietta. 5. President-Elect of Cobb-Marietta Junior LeagueCaroline Whaley with husband Adam of East Cobb. 6. CobbSuperior Court Judge Jim Bodiford and wife Nancy of Marietta.


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7. Chris and Sarah Hobson of Acworth. 2. CobbCounty Superior Court Judge Mary Staley with hus-band Chuck Clark, along with their dog Bandit, ofMarietta. 3. From left, Katherine Watson of Marietta,with Youth Museum Administrative Assistant EleanorWatson and her husband Ferrell of Acworth.

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Martinis & Music is held one Friday nighteach month at the Marietta/CobbMuseum of Art. Patrons enjoy cocktailsand music while mingling and viewing

the museum’s art. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNIFER CARTER

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1. From left, Sam Lengen of Marietta, KathyLengen of Canton and Mazi Mazloom of Marietta.2. Smyrna residents David and Pat Mackay. 3.Kennesaw residents Craig and Jane Shoemaker.

Mar t i n i s & Mus i c

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Statewide

C��A��M��P��A��I��G��N

T.V. Actor Dr. Bo and Model OliviaCo-chaired a Committee responsible for

encouraging citizens to vote in theNovember 2nd Election.


4. From left, Marietta residents Thomas Wold and Bert Reeves. 5.Marietta residents Dean and Sheila Wilson.


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ON THELOOKOUT

Got a SCENE event? Letus know. Email us at cobblifemagazine@

cobblifemagazine.com.And you can always post

photos on our websitewww.cobblifemagazine.com or on our facebook

page.


Our dealership is one of 8,000 reasons. We’re proud tobe one in a legion of independent STIHL dealersnationwide.You can count on us to give you a productdemonstration, straight talk and genuine advic eabout STIHL ® products. We off er fast and exper t on-site ser vice. And t o stand behind ev ery pr oduct w ecarry, always fully assembled . You see , we w on’t sell

you a chainsaw in a box, not even a big one.

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WE, HAVE BEEN AROUND SELLING AND SERVICING STIHL ® PRODUCTS A LONG TIME!


66. Marietta residents Collin Cash and LyndaGramlin. 7. Marietta residents Pat Garrett and MarcyGriffin.


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Rock-N-Hor ro r

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1. KarenPinner ofMarietta

and SusieCone

ofWoodstock.2. CharlesColeman ofKennesawwith Gail

Evilsizor ofMarietta.

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The Earl Smith Strand Theatre was host to the Rock-N-Horror Music Show bene-fitting the Humane Society of Cobb County. the event was part masqueradeparty and part music show featuring the band Prime.



Rock-N-Hor ro r

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3. Lauren Tinker of Woodstock with EmoryPeacock of Kennesaw. 2. Kennesaw residentsJordan Wilson and Branden Hollifield. 3. Ryanand Pamela Ingram of Acworth. 4. BettyRutledge of Canton with Bill Crowe of Marietta.

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Dec. 17th & 18th • 8pm ~ Dec. 19th • 3pmCobb County Civic Center

CA L L F O R M O R E I N F O R M A T I O N:

770.528.8490 548 S. M A R I E T T A PA R K W A Y • M A R I E T T A , GA 30060

Encore SeriesJanuary 27-30 ............Pebblebrook MusicalFebruary 3-6 ..............Pebblebrook MusicalFebruary 12..............................The Four LadsMarch 5 ............................Chubby CheckerMarch 19 ................................Lorrie MorganApril 2 ..........................................Brenda LeeApril 16 ....Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers

Jennie T. Anderson TheatrePRESENTS

Jennie T. Anderson TheatrePRESENTS

The Earl Smith Strand Theatre and Town CenterMall worked together to produce the secondannual Role Models Fashion Show, a fundraiserthat highlights professionals involved in the com-

munity. PHOTOGRAPHY BY

ERIN GRAY


Ro le Mode l s Fash ion Show

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1. Marietta residents Janet Salisbury andDutch Krair. 2. Will Goodman with daugh-ter Katie of Marietta.3. Marietta residentsRoland Castellanos and Debbie Ponder.

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I’m applying someadvice from mytwo-year-old to theholidays this year.

Scheduling, shopping, decorating,cooking. This year, I’m going to keep mydaughter’s produce aisle wisdom fresh inmy mind. In fact, she may have saved theholidays for us.

It happened a few months back, duringour weekly grocery shopping trip.

Many of the moms reading this willrecognize this outing as the routinely har-rowing experience of dragging your kidsdown aisles of food, candy and toys whilesaying “No” at least 40 times.

The Vinings Publix really tries to make shopping easyfor Mom, and enjoyable for kids. And they’re almost suc-cessful. The free cookie, a balloon and the race-car -shaped shopping cart usually get us at least two-thirds ofthe way through the store before the melt down happens.

But for several weeks prior to this visit, we escapedthe inevitable produce-aisle melt down. We were rescuedby a new friend. A produce worker, with a twinkle in hiseye and a mischievous grin. Week after week this manhad captivated my twin toddler duo.

He is always behind the counter cutting fresh fruitwhen he spots us. My nerves are usually fried. I’m pryingan apple we haven’t paid for yet from my daughter ’steeth or trying to u-turn our enormous cart without hittingthe garlic display.

He always spears a couple of watermelon bites on twoforks and delivers them to my girls, quelling the two-year-old barbarians who, by that point, are uniting toembarrass me as we barrel toward the vegetables.

Over the weeks, bit by bit, he shared with us in hisheavy accent that he also is a twin. He misses his identi-cal twin brother who still lives in South Africa. He toldmy girls how he loved to eat that very same fruit with hisbrother many years ago.

That particular week it appeared that our SouthAfrican friend was in a meeting with his supervisor whenwe rounded the produce aisle. My girls started leaningout of the cart. They were straining to catch the attention

of their produce aislefriend.

Although I was (asusual) in a hurry, and(too often) slightlyannoyed, I slowed thecart so the girls couldsay hello. With hissupervisor watching, hestole away to pat thegirls on the head andsend us off with forkspiled high with pineap-ple slices.

That’s when shestarted.

“Mama….”“Just a minute,

honey. We need somebroccoli.”

“Mamma, the man.”“Hmmmm? Yes, just a minute baby. Let me get Diet

Cokes for your daddy.”“Maaaamaaaa. The man, that man….”“Shoot. I forgot detergent. Hold on girls, we gotta turn

around.” At the checkout aisle I finally stopped long enough to

listen to her. “The man. That man. He is good. That man is good,”

she smiled.As I unloaded our cart, I pondered the simple and pure

thoughts of a happy two-year-old with pineapple juicerunning down her chin.

She was right. That man is good. My toddler twinsinvoked thoughts of his own family thousands of milesaway.

He remembered us week after week. He was cheerful.He shared fruit. He made my children happy .

I guess if you try, a lot of things can be that simple. Aquiet house with napping toddlers. Sleepy smiles whenthey wake up. A thoughtful gift that makes someonehappy. The generosity of a stranger.

This Christmas, I’m going to try to be like my two-year-old. I’m going to try not to be irritated by slowingdown. I’m going to lean and strain to catch the eye ofsomeone I like. And I’m going to notice and stop toappreciate the people, places, and things around me thatare simple and good.

Lessons from the produce aisle

s l i c e o f c o b b by Heather Te i lhet



Cobb Life December 2010

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Transcript of Cobb Life December 2010