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K-12 Personalized Instruction Interdisciplinary Team of Experts State-of-the-Art Assistive Technology Spacious 17-acre campus in the heart of Atlanta’s vibrant Westside district For more information about The Howard School, please visit howardschool.org. 1192 Foster Street, N.W. • Atlanta, GA 30318 • 404.377.7436
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STERLING ESTATES
Senior Living Communities
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2022 Voted Again, Cobb’s Best Retirement, Assisted Living & Memory Care “We’re honored that both Sterling Estates Communities have been recognized as ‘Best of Cobb’ for Retirement Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care again in 2022. I’m proud to say that it’s the 4th year in a row we’ve won these awards and an awesome tribute to our staff members. We’ve been serving seniors in greater Atlanta for over 25+ years now...we invite you to come and experience what sets us apart.” - Marshall Gill, COO & Partner, Sterling Estates Senior Living Communities
• Large living and outdoor areas to gather with friends and loved ones • Life enrichment center for residents to gather for art classes, lectures, games, etc. • Certified Parkinson’s Delay the Disease Programs
COME SEE WHAT SETS US APART! The time has never been better to join the Sterling Estates Family!
• Wellness Centers & Programs On Site
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• Award Winning food. Spacious dining areas overlooking courtyards WEST COBB 3105 Dallas Hwy Marietta, GA 770-255-7000 Our Town Lacey & Sherry
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PAGE 5
In This Issue
Cover Photographer: M. Jae Photography..........................................8
AUGUS T 2022
A Much Better Gaming Experience: Justin learns about the inclusivity of eSports, an option for all to participate in Talkin’ Sports...12 Cover Story: Welcome to Gracepoint School, US accredited by Orton Gillingham Academy.......................15
Cover Story Gracepoint School
Travel Expert Heather Meliski has some advice for how to make flying to your destination a little less painful......................................................18
15
Home Town Heroes! Pocket Hugs for the new school year.............21 When Will Prices Drop? Our Town’s very own Real Estate expert Deborah Ratchford provides insight..............30
12 Talkin’ Sports eSports
21 Home Town Heroes Pocket Hugs
Friends, Was this the shortest summer in history, or what? It’s Back to School time...I know my neighbors have enjoyed the break of my big mouth shouting my daily encouraging words of wisdom as we load the car and pull out of the cul-de-sac.
18 Travel Navigating Air Travel
Those who know me, are fully aware that I believe in the power of positivity, daily prayer and positive affirmations!
30 Real Estate Housing Market Insight
PAGE 6
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” - Eleanor Roosevelt Now, let’s go into this new season with big dreams!
Tara
Our Town onthly M
in this issue
F A M I LY L I F E S T Y L E N EW S M AG A Z I N E
Publishers/Editors Our Town is published and direct mailed monthly to prestigious homes in the West Cobb Area. Opinions expressed by the editorial staff are their own and do not Linda Demery & Lori McLinden Our Town is published and direct mailed monthly to prestigious homes necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Our Town reserves the right to
in Cobb County. the editorial staff are their own Graphics Opinions and Designexpressededitby and or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our Town is not responsible Terry Tanner reflect the opinions and do not necessarily of beyond thethe publisher. Our Town for errors in advertising cost of the space or for the validity of claims made Tanner Graphics, Inc. by advertisers. reserves the right to edit and or reject any editorial or advertising Account Executive content. Our sara@ourtownmonthly.com Town is not responsible advertising Entirefor contentserrors copyright 2018in by Our Town. Reproduction inbeyond whole or in Sara Young, part is forbidden in any media without prior writtenby permission from the publisher. the cost Feature of the Photographer space or for the validity of claims made advertisers. Entire contents copyright 2022 by Our Town. in whole Our Reproduction Town Monthly or in part is forbidden in any media without prior written 109 Anderson Street from the publisher. Suite 109 Contributingpermission Writers Marietta, GA 30060
678-337-7844 PUBLISHER/MANAGING EDITOR Fax: 678-337-7825 Tara Hill Hanover
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EDITOR/SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR Justin Hanover DIGITAL EDITOR Kimberly Watkins-Swenk GRAPHICS AND DESIGN Jules Fandos ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES West Cobb Sara Young sara@ourtownmonthly.com Smyrna/Vinings/Galleria/Cumberland Misty Flanders-White misty@ourtownmonthly.com FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHER M. Jae Photography CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Heather Meliski Deborah Ratchford
PO Box 813610 Smyrna, GA 30081-8610 (678)337-7844 info@ourtownmonthly.com www.ourtownmonthly.com FB: Our Town Monthly
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Our Town
Home is where the heart is at Dogwood Forest Acworth Assisted Living & Memory Care and so is the CARE. We love our residents like family and you can visit our website and hear from family members why they love us, too.
WE OFFER: • Short Term Stays • Studio & 1BR Apartments • On-site Rehab • Robust Activities & Programs • 3 Miles from Local Hospitals • Pastoral Chaplain as we are a Faith-based Company
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4461 South Main St. l Acworth, GA 30101 PAGE 9
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PAGE 11
Talkin’ Sports By Justin Hanover
The Booming Business of eSports
F
or the first 50 years of my life, I have pretty much lived, breathed and eaten sports. It’s just what has come naturally to me. But along has come a beast in this realm that I know very little about, eSports, or electronic sports. I’m not sure if I will ever become an eSports expert but I did at least want to get to know what in the world is going on with this exploding industry. According to Statista.com, revenue in the eSports market is projected to reach $310.8 million this year. The number of users is expected to amount to 58 million by 2026 and user penetration is expected to hit 16.9% by that same year. Currently, more than 200 colleges and universities offer nearly $10 million in scholarship money to high school gamers, and this number continues to grow as more schools add an eSports program. Those are some pretty big and intriguing numbers for sure. So, I decided to stop by the recently opened “Contender eSports Gaming Center” in the Cumberland Crossing Shopping Center and speak with the owners, Dr. Mitchell Tepper and his son Jeremy. Dr. Tepper, who is the Vice President of the United Spinal Association of Atlanta, believes greatly in the inclusivity of eSports for all to participate, whether able bodied or not, “as we need an option for everybody”, he said.
Meanwhile, who better to bring into the mix then his son, Jeremy, a gamer of sorts, who recently became a Georgia State Graduate, and a young man who is also very much into film and post production videos. Dr. Tepper and Jeremy decided to take a shot opening up their new gaming center this past May. But what exactly is a gaming center? After all, theoretically, one can game at home. Dr. Tepper explained, “People used to bring their stuff into the garage or basement. You can do this virtually but getting together is the difference between sitting across from somebody in a meeting and the (dreaded) Zoom call. It’s a totally different energy and a much better gaming experience.” As for their physical space itself it is very well lit, open and clean and has 35 Professional Gaming PC’s with a very expensive graphic card along with 5 Xboxes and 8 switches. The computers can render images fast and smooth with an Enterprise level ISP that ensures faster internet, with no slowing down at busy times. The refresh rate (per second) has 280 Hertz which is far better than most professional ones of 240. I personally put the Tepper’s to the test and brought my two youngest children (a boy and a girl, 8 and 11 years old) in to “Contender eSports” as they love to play Minecraft at home on their phones. The result? They were blown away by the speed and clarity and all of the little nuances that suddenly came about in their developing minds. My son kept asking to see new games as his brain was moving a million miles a minute. It was like my amazement back in 1977 when Atari launched. Little did we realize back then, huh!?!?!?!
EVERYONE
But this all begged the question, what in the world are the benefits for me to have my kids staring at a screen and doing basically what we have been told for years not to do? Without hesitation and very interestingly they made some great points.
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“eSports promotes community, communication and problem solving (among other essential skills). These are some very valuable skill sets and an entry way into a career, whether it be in broadcasting, coding, video production, music, etc. It’s all blended and touches on all of those things and goes hand in hand with the STEM programs in schools. Video games have a bad rap because of some violent occurrences and because kids love them and parents want them off of them. But studies have shown that, done the right way, there are some very positive impacts on the kids’ social and emotional involvement. Done with guidance,” proclaimed Dr. Tepper. This father and son duo are more than generous and will allow anybody to come into their “Contender eSports” location and try it out with an hour of free game play. As the elder Tepper summed things up, “It’s all of the benefits of sports, without the injuries!”
2790 CUMBERLAND BLVD SE, SMYRNA GA 30080 WWW.CONTENDERCUMBERLAND.COM
PAGE 12
Justin Hanover is a sports reporter/analyst who has worked in the business since 1996. His stops have included ESPN, CNN, 790 The Zone and 680 The Fan. He has also done play-by-play analysis and color commentary ranging from the high school level all the way through the professional level. Justin lives in Smyrna with his wife and three children.
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Purchase of $25 or More
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PAGE 13
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Our Town
COVER STORY
5:1
A
s a young child, your life is waiting like an open book to be filled with your amazing story and fantastic accomplishments. For as many as 1 out of 5 students, dyslexia seemingly closes the book before the story begins. Dyslexic students struggle and can go undiagnosed, often labeled as low achievers and unmotivated. Suddenly their amazing story begins to fade as students try to keep up or stop trying altogether.
STUDENT/ TEACHER RATIO
in Reading & Math
75min
In 2012, two second-grade boys in Marietta felt their “books” were slowly being closed. Their mothers knew they were struggling in school and desperately wanted to help them. After trying to find a school to meet their needs, they discovered there were very few educational opportunities available specifically for dyslexic learners and decided to create a school for their children. As overwhelming as the pioneering work of starting a school seemed at the time, with the guidance of the Executive Director of the Georgia Educational Training Agency, Brenda Fitzgerald, the doors of GRACEPOINT School opened with 4 students. Under the leadership of the Head of School, Joy Wood, GRACEPOINT School is now celebrating its 10th anniversary with an enrollment of 132 students in grades 1-8.
OG INSTRUCTION PER DAY
1:1
When students first arrive at GRACEPOINT, they tell stories of defeat, frustration, and being filled with anxiety. GRACEPOINT understands that dyslexia is not a disability but a learning difference. As an accredited program through the Academy of Orton Gillingham Practitioners and Educators, their teachers, led by the Director of Curriculum, Kendra Lashley, provide an explicit, systematic, and multisensory approach to learning, which allows their students to successfully meet their academic goals. While remediating their academic weaknesses, GRACEPOINT identifies and exploits their students’ strengths, viewing dyslexia as a gift to embrace and celebrate. The school helps foster their self-confidence and self-advocacy skills while creating positive work habits and study skills.
STUDENT TO LAPTOP-IPAD RATIO
GRACEPOINT School created a unique program that increases their students’ understanding of morphology. Morphology and OG are intertwined from the beginning of the remediation process and continue to advanced morphology classes. Morphology is the study of words, their meanings, and how words are built. Morphemes are the smallest unit of meaning (bases, prefixes and suffixes). One common strength of the dyslexic learner is their ability to see these patterns, or morphemes, in words. Angie Strack, Director of Morphology, created special characters to creatively introduce morphology to a school wide audience. GRACEPOINT School’s schoolwide, morphological initiative empowers, enriches, and equips its students to attack vocabulary, which strengthens reading comprehension and develops a deeper understanding of word meaning. At the heart of GRACEPOINT school is its desire for students to have a personal relationship with God while growing into servant leaders who put others before themselves, sharing their Christian faith. In addition to school wide gatherings for pledge and prayer and a weekly chapel, the students participate in a “House” program. Each student is assigned to one of four houses where individuals across grade levels work together and learn from each other. The House program promotes leadership, school spirit, and comradery. At GRACEPOINT School we recognize our students are “fearfully and wonderfully made” differently by God for His plan, His purpose, and His story. GRACEPOINT opens a whole new book for these students with a teaching style that meets the academic and spiritual needs of the dyslexic learner bringing out their God glorifying brilliance.
570 PIEDMONT RD. / MARIETTA, GA 30066 / 678-756-8897
Our Town
CELEBRATING
10
YEARS
2012-2022 Serving the Dyslexic Learner
The mission of GRACEPOINT
is to equip dyslexic students with the skills needed to become independent and confident learners. They strive to instill a lifelong desire for their students to grow in wisdom and knowledge of the Lord, so each will fulfill God’s purpose and bring Him glory.
gracepointschool.org PAGE 15
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PAGE 17
air travel tips
L
ately it seems there’s news everywhere about issues with air travel. From strikes at major airports, to lost luggage, to cancelled or delayed flights, it’s been a challenging year in the friendly skies.
flight cancellation, change, etc. This will save a lot of time since they tend to answer chat messages faster. This is especially important if there’s a weather event since the volume of passengers with issues increases. Delta’s app will even text your phone so you will receive notifications whenever there is a new message (super helpful so you don’t have to keep the app open while chatting).
Here’s some advice for how to make flying to your destination a little less painful. Arrive earlier than usual at the airport – long gone are the days of arriving close to your scheduled flight and having plenty of time before take-off. These days long lines at airline check in and security are the norm so you need to plan accordingly. Even TSA pre-check lines have been surprisingly long. I recommend arriving at least 2.5 hours prior to departure for domestic flights and at least 3.5 hours prior for international flights. Always assume that the lines will be long. Worst case, you have extra time to relax before your flight.
Bring snacks/drinks with you onto the plane – if your flight is delayed after everyone is seated, the airline will not provide food and beverage service. Sometimes you can be stuck in this limbo for hours. I always bring a couple of bottles of water and some snacks with me in case of a delay. Carry on your bags when possible – if you are someone who can pack for an entire trip in your carry-on luggage, now is the time to utilize that skill. Checking luggage right now is a game of roulette so carrying your luggage onto the plane is the best way to ensure that your things arrive with you.
Check in online – always use the airline’s app to check in online ahead of your flight. You can also check baggage (and pay fees, if applicable) so all you need to do once you arrive at the airport is tag and drop your bags. This saves a ton of time and since you’ll already have your boarding pass and seat assignment, you don’t have to worry about the flight being oversold and getting bumped.
Use AirTags for checked bags – if you must check your luggage, utilize AirTags. AirTags send out a Bluetooth signal that pings nearby devices, and your iPhone or Apple Watch can detect the location from those pings. They are about the size of a quarter and cost about $25 each – which is way less than it would cost to replace everything in your checked luggage. These can provide location accuracy down to a few feet and are a must-have if you are checking luggage.
Use the airline app to communicate – phone wait times for all travel suppliers are incredibly long and the airlines are no exception. Whenever possible utilize the chat feature in your airline’s app to communicate if you have a
Flying right now doesn’t have to be stressful. Give yourself plenty of time, plan ahead, and make sure to pack your patience!
Heather Meliski is a travel agent specializing in the Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico, Europe, Australia, the South Pacific, cruises, theme parks, and more. She lives in Smyrna with her husband two sons. Heather@yellowshoetravel.com FB @heatheryellowshoetravel IG @yellowshoetravelheather
PAGE 18
Our Town
Still Accepting Applications for Fall! ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Where Children Thrive in Faith and Learning! • 69 years of faith-based education • Pre-K4 to 8th grade • Financial Aid available • Student led weekly Mass • iPad or computer for every student • Average class size 22 • Fully accredited
stjosephschool.org
81 Lacy Street, Marietta 770-428-3328
Our Town
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Our Town
COBB’S
Home Town Heroes POCKET HUGS
M
ia Cossick and Evelyn Rose Aquilino, rising 7th graders at North Cobb Christian School, have been trying to think of ways to spread kindness in their grade level. They thought of the idea of making small hearts out of felt and adding encouraging tags for anyone who might need a little encouragement when they return to school in August. They spent an afternoon hand cutting hearts out of felt, stuffing them with batting, stitching them up, and attaching affirming Bible verses and messages. “If someone is sitting alone at lunch or something, we could take them a heart and sit with them. It might make them feel uplifted,” says Mia. “And it might help them spread kindness to someone else, too.”
Evelyn Rose & Mia
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PAGE 21
The only thing we’re missing is you!
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Our Town
Kyra
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“Walker, with its teachers and community, is the place where I finally feel free. Free to say what I believe. Free to learn about what I care about. Free to not just be myself, but to find myself.”
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“Walker has shown me how to form relationships with lots of different people and encouraged me to get involved in many activities ranging from athletics to the arts, to student leadership.”
RANKED #1 PRIVATE SCHOOL IN COBB COUNTY Walker is open for small group tours. We are accepting applications for the 2022-23 school year in certain grades. Visit thewalkerschool.org/admission or call (678) 540-7229.
PAGE 23
Make time for yourself, and Stretch!
Did you know that “sitting is the new smoking”? That’s right! For the last two years people have become more sedentary due to Covid. Sitting is a silent killer and reports show that it causes more illness than HIV, Type 2 Diabetes, and others.
Stretching is the best anti-aging remedy possible. Stiffness is not a normal aging process. We can help reverse stiffness, gain more flexibility, range of motion for athletic performance, relieve pain and stiffness, or even if your goal is to tie your shoes while standing, we can help!
First Stretch is FREE!
Register at www.stretchzone.com and we will reach out to schedule you! Stay FLEXIBLE!
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Our Town
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Our Town
A Christ-Centered College Preparatory School for PreK - 12th Grade Located in Smyrna, GA
TOGETHER we are more
At Whitefield, we understand the importance of community. That is why we are dedicated to bolstering Christian families in rearing young people who go on to college and life with a passion for learning, for others ahead of self, and for the living and active Jesus.
Get to know us at www.whitefieldacademy.com
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Expires Aug. 31, 2022
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PAGE 29
Housing Market Predictions 2022: When Will Prices Drop?
L
ow inventory, fervid competition and massive price gains have battered buyers since 2020, but now rapidly rising mortgage rates are making it even harder to purchase an affordable home. For many buyers, higher mortgage rates mean they can no longer afford homes in specific price ranges. The problem is that even modest single-family homes cost as much as lavish pads did a few years ago, so buyers are stuck either waiting for more inventory to come online or moving to a more affordable area. And there are many more who are hoping prices will drop, but that might not happen anytime soon. If you are thinking, hoping and waiting for prices to suddenly drop to what they were in the past, then you are mistaken. I’ve heard that the Fed has promised another interest rate boost. If you’re ready to buy, don’t wait because prices aren’t headed dramatically downwards to what our parents paid. Asking prices might come down a little bit, but there’s no price slashing that’s going to happen. Housing Inventory Predictions for 2022 Home prices might expand, but the options will too. As housing costs remain high which pushes home shoppers to make tough choices about their budget priorities, the number of homes for sale is expected to continue to grow. As more homeowners look to make adjustments to fit changing personal needs and take advantage of favorable market conditions to access the significant amount of equity they have likely accumulated, home shoppers should have more choices as we move to the Fall season.
Should You Buy a Home Now or Wait? Buying a house in any market is a highly personal decision. Because homes represent the largest single purchase most people will make in their lifetime, it’s crucial to be in a solid financial position before starting the process. Use a mortgage calculator to find out how much your monthly housing costs will be based on your down payment and interest rate. I recommend using a mortgage calculator that allows you to enter estimated taxes and insurance amount which will give you a more accurate monthly payment figure. Trying to time the market or predict what might happen next year is not the best strategy. Instead, it’s better to buy based on your budget and needs. If you find a home you love in an area that works for you and it also fits your budget, then chances are it might be right for you. However, if you make too many sacrifices just to get a house, you may end up with buyer’s remorse and an expensive Money Pit that you have to now offload. Tips for Buying in a Hot Housing Market Start with a budget and make a pact with yourself to stick with it. Even with a slight uptick in the number of homes for sale, buyers are still facing steep prices and mortgage rates in the 5% range. Some buyers are deciding to slow down and be wise on their purchase not to make fast decisions, which can quickly turn into buyer’s remorse. The problem is you can’t return the house if you realize you overpaid or just bought a place you don’t like. The seller’s costs can run up to 6% or 7% of the home’s sale price, so you could end up losing money if you turn around and sell it. Tips for Selling in a Hot Housing Market The first step for a successful sale is to find a listing agent who knows the area and comes highly recommended. A good agent will work closely with you to price your home competitively while fielding questions and offers from prospective buyers. Meanwhile, present your home in the best possible light. Not everyone has cash dedicated to renovations and repairs, but a little sweat equity can go a long way. The first step is to declutter, organize and clean. Tuck away stacks of bills and receipts, store toys and make sure your kitchen is tidy. Bright lighting is also a great way to make your home feel spacious and light. Even if your home is outdated, a clean space gives buyers a chance to envision the potential of the new home. Deborah Ratchford Keller Williams Realty Cityside 678-570-4779 / Debratchford@kw.com
Serving Cobb, Cherokee, Paulding, Bartow & Douglas Counties
Vicky Bates-Owner 770-427-4448
MaidinAmericaGa.com PAGE 30
Our Town
Our Town
PAGE 31
Deborah M Ratchford
Keller Williams Cityside 3350 Atlanta Road Smyrna, GA 30080
DebD id it
I Want To Sell Your Home Today!
C: 678-570-4779 O: 770-874-6205
Again!
NEW LISTING IN MABLETON
NEW LISTING IN SMYRNA
NEW LISTING IN SMYRNA
JUST SOLD IN SMYRNA!
JUST SOLD IN SMYRNA!
JUST SOLD IN SMYRNA!
Finished Basement!
15k Above Asking Price!
Finished Basement - New Roof!
18k Above Asking Price!
Great Location! Must See!
36k Above Asking Price!
Looking for Listings and Buyers! Call Today! 678-570-4779 Call the agent that knows the market and how to get over the asking price. Results Driven!!! Call today for your FREE market analysis. All information PAGE 32 is believed to be accurate, but not warranted. Each Keller Williams Realty Office is individually owned and operated.
www.guaranteedrate.com/barrybutler
Barry Butler
Branch Manager/VP of Mortgage Lending NMLS ID: 658820
barry.butler@rate.com / O 404.474.3974 C 770.365.7179 Our Town 125 Townpark Drive Suite 300, Office 23 / Kennesaw, GA. 30144
