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In This Issue

CONTENTS

AUGUS T 2025

Featured Photographer

Anne Gibson........................................................................4

Health & Fitness Consistency is Key with Wholebody Systems.......................8

Talkin’ Sports

All Star action right down the road with Justin................11

Cover Story

Meet Dr. Peart and Cedarcrest Dental...................................15

Community Spotlight

Your Journey Starts Here, Kennesaw State University Journey Honors College...........................................................21

15

Cover Story

Cedarcrest Children’s Dentistry

Business

Helping our schools with the Cobb Chamber.......................24

Local News Sign up for the Race to SEE 5K................................................26

Food & Entertainment

Mark your Calendar for a delicious day out at Taste of Smyrna...................................................................27

Cobb’s Next Generation

Calling all Middle Schoolers-Cobb’s Next Generation knows a place where everyone is accepted...........................30

8

11

Talkin’ Sports

W

The All Star’s

elp- it’s August and I find myself in a new place, the mother of a freshman in college. As a matter of fact all 3 of my “babies” will begin new schools and a new journey this month.

Health & Fitness Consistency

30

Cobb’s Next Gen

Middle School Calling

21

Community Spotlight

KSU Journey Honor’s College

But that’s life, right? (Gulp) The only thing we can really expect is change. So, whether you are a new parent, parent of a graduate, empty nester or perhaps you are beginning a journey of your own, remember every day is a gift, wake up and face it with excitement.

Yesterday already happened, today starts at 0 - make it great, and tomorrow can be anything you can dream.

“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’!”

-Audrey Hepburn Follow and reach out:

27

6

Food & Entertainment Taste of Smyrna

IG@our_town_monthly & FB Our Town Monthly

#ourtownproud

Love,

Tara

FAMILY LIFESTYLE NEWS MAGAZINE

Our Town is published and direct mailed monthly to prestigious homes in Cobb County. Opinions expressed by the editorial staff are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher.

Our Town reserves the right to edit and or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our Town is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made by advertisers.

Entire contents copyright 2025 by Our Town.

Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without prior written permission from the publisher.

PUBLISHER/MANAGING EDITOR Tara Hill Hanover EDITOR/SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR Justin Hanover GRAPHICS AND DESIGN Jules Fandos ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES West Cobb Sara Young sara@ourtownmonthly.com

THE DALLAS THEATER 2025 events 208 Main Street, Dallas, GA 30132 / 770.445.5180

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FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHER Anne Gibson CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kimberly Brinson Amy Selby JRM Management Evie Love OTM Staff

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Consistency matters for beginners and beyond

C

onsistency is the secret sauce that makes all the difference. Whether you are just starting your fitness journey or you’ve been at it for a while, it is tempting to want fast results. It can be discouraging when we think we have made a massive effort, and we don’t see or feel immediate results.

The truth is fitness is a long-term commitment that leads to small but mighty changes over time, even when the progress feels slow.

your muscles, joints, and connective tissue become stronger and more resilient. We safely adapt to the stresses we put on our body and avoid some of the risks of overtraining, burnout and injury.

Consistency in exercise matters because even the smallest steps can lead to big results. Exercise needs to be a daily effort not a heroic act that leaves you so sore that you are unable to train again for multiple days. When we get to this daily effort, we develop an exercise habit which becomes a routine that you can stick with for the long haul.

1. Set small goals. Short-term goals that are realistic and manageable. Increase intensity or complexity when needed.

We can now build healthy habits into our existing busy schedule to move the needle on the whole program without it feeling like a chore. The more you make fitness part of your regular lifestyle, the less you have to think about it and because you do small things every day you are now more adaptable as well. Say you wanted to go for a 20-minute walk or jog but it is pouring outside, you can trade the outdoor cardio session for your indoor trigger workout of bodyweight squats, wall pushups, and stair climbing. No need to cancel! You just found some good movement in another way to keep you moving toward a healthy and fit life.

Of course there will be days when you don’t feel like working out, but consistency is what keeps you going even when motivation is low. The mental strength you build while keeping a fitness routine translates to all areas in life.

This version of mental toughness is truly transcending and transformational.

Consistency is also good for reducing injuries. When you exercise regularly,

8

Consistency is good for our brain, body, and busy schedules so how do we set ourselves up for success in the long game?

2. Create a workout schedule with some accountability. Put your workouts on your calendar just like an appointment or a meeting. This is a meeting with yourself!

Have some of your workouts with a friend or a trainer. They are waiting for you and will help you with your consistency goal.

3. Track your progress. Track the amount of weight you lift, the number of reps you do, the mileage you cover, how fast you go. Whatever baseline you started with, is it getting easier? Are you ready to make some changes to keep things challenging?

4. Acknowledge we can’t be perfect. There will be times that life gets in the way.

Don’t let a missed day derail the whole program. Consistency is about showing up most of the time, not being perfect all of the time.

Fitness, wellness, and health are the real riches of life. What are you going to do for yourself today to be well?!

Kimberly Brinson is the studio director and managing partner at Wholebody Systems Smyrna. She loves connecting with clients on their wellness journey. When she’s not in the studio, you can find her hiking, mountain biking and immersing herself in the latest wellness topics. Find her on Instagram @Kimatwholebody

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10

Our Town

Talkin’ Sports

By Justin Hanover

What an All-Star Week it was!

Did we do it again or did we do it again!?!?!?

O

ur beloved Cobb County has never shined brighter. Last month, Truist Park hosted the prestigious Major League Baseball All-Star game and all of its festivities. If you went to any of the events or even watched them on television, I bet you came away entertained and proud of what you saw.

It all began on Friday, July 11th with the HBCU Swingman Classic involving 50 HBCU players showcasing their talents. The National League won the game in the end, 7-4.

Then on Saturday through Tuesday there was the experience of walking the halls of the All-Star village at the Cobb Galleria. It was a something for everyone kind of a deal. The events ranged from swinging bats and throwing pitches to sponsors trying to advertise their products including Chevrolet trucks to autographs from All-Stars and former Braves like Fred McGriff, Tim Hudson and Terry Pendleton. DJ Mikeith and others spun tracks and the smiles on the young ones were all over the Galleria.

The futures game and celebrity softball took place on Saturday and was a two for one special. Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Josue De Paula smashed the game’s lone home run, en route to a 4-2 National League victory. Then came the celebrity softball game which featured a lot more offense (and errors) as Hall of Fame pitcher CC Sabathia belted his second homer of the game, a three-run game winning long ball in the final inning, as the American League rallied and prevailed, 17-15.

The Home Run Derby on Monday was won by coincidentally (or not) the man who has hit the most home runs so far this season with 38. Seattle’s Cal Raleigh became the first catcher to ever win this event as he outslugged Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero in winning the title.

Then on Tuesday night came the main event and it also turned out to be rather unique and the first of its kind. The National League jumped out to the 6-0, seemingly insurmountable, lead thanks to a three-run blast from New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso. But the American League, down to their final strike, rallied and tied the game up at 6 in the ninth inning.

The rules were changed back in 2022 meaning there would be a home run derby type swing-off instead of extra innings to determine the winner. Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber flexed his muscles drilling all three pitches over the fence giving the National League the dramatic 7-6 win.

What an awesome week in our hometown. Yup, we did it again!

Our Town

Justin Hanover is a sports reporter/ analyst who has worked in the business since 1996. His stops have included ESPN, CNN, 790 The Zone, 680 The Fan and the Atlanta Falcons.

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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Q&A

Introducing Dr. Michelle Peart of Cedarcrest Children’s Dentistry.

She and her team are honored to serve the youngest members of the Greater Atlanta communities and their families.

Our Town Monthly was thrilled to have a sit down with Dr. Peart.

What makes Cedarcrest Children’s Dentistry special?

O

ur dedicated team! We are always available to handle any dental emergencies, routine treatment, and preventive care. We are conveniently located on Cedarcrest Road, close to many restaurants, grocery stores and medical providers.

What ages are your patients?

We see patients from when the first tooth erupts all the way through age 18. For our valued patients who have been with us through childhood, we love to continue to provide dental care throughout the college years.

Why do children enjoy their experience at your office?

We try to make every visit special for all of our patients. From entering the office, our young patients can spend some time in the play area. We have tv screens so that they can choose something to watch during their treatment. And they always leave with a treat!

How do you and your team allay fears?

We have a number of options tailored to the needs of our patients. We offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and IV sedation options for those who may have extensive needs or feel anxious about their procedures. Sometimes we may choose to give shorter appointments for those patients who are unable to tolerate lengthy treatment plans. Whatever the need, we will partner with parents to choose what is best for their child.

Why did you choose to practice in Acworth?

Acworth is a friendly, family- centered community. When I joined Cedarcrest Children’s Dentistry I saw an opportunity to apply my skills in order to provide care for the youngest members of Acworth.

After meeting many of our young patients and their families at our annual Christmas party, I got to know many members of this welcoming community.

What experience do you bring?

I have 12 years of experience as a pediatric dentist. After completing rigorous training in New York City I obtained my board certification in pediatric dentistry. I have been practicing in Georgia for seven years and stay active with continuing education in order to provide the best standard of care for our patients. I am very happy with my chosen profession and love working with the little ones.

How would you describe your communication style?

I am very transparent in my communication. I am happy to review X-rays and discuss alternative treatment options. I also work closely with numerous orthodontic practices in the area and will guide patients through the process of referrals where necessary.

As a parent, will I be involved in decision-making for my child’s treatment?

I like to have parent input with treatment decisions to make sure my patients and parents feel heard.

One size does not fit all and we are flexible in order to ensure a positive experience.

Do you treat special needs patients? What is your treatment philosophy?

We love working with our patients with special needs! We try our best to keep patients with the same hygenist and doctor so that our providers become more familiar with our special patients’ tolerances and preferences. We also meet the patient where they are- if a cleaning is all that a patient can cope with during one visit we are happy to make accommodations. We have private treatment rooms to accommodate those who prefer more privacy during their appointment. I am fortunate to have a patient and kind team supporting me in our office. Our special patients often request their special hygenist and form a bond that we love to see!

Are you accepting new patients?

Yes, absolutely! Come one, come all. It is our privilege to treat your children!

2155 Cedarcrest Road l Acworth, GA 30101 l 770.439.9119

cedarcrestchildrensdentistry.com

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Our Town

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Academic Excellence, Opportunity, and Achievement — Right in Your Own Backyard

F

rom humble beginnings, Kennesaw State University (KSU) has grown into the third-largest public institution in Georgia and has reached Carnegie Research 2 status.

Home to cutting-edge programs, KSU boasts a vibrant campus community. However, one of the most exciting undergraduate opportunities for high-achieving students sometimes goes unnoticed: The Keeping Sights Upward Journey Honors College.

The Honors College offers a transformational experience academically, professionally, and personally for students looking to make the most out of their college career.

What Is the KSU Journey Honors College?

At its core, the Honors College deepens and enriches a student’s education. Each honors student begins with a set of core courses that build a strong foundation for success. These introductory classes are tailored to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills that benefit students in every discipline.

After those core experiences, students work closely with an Honors Student Success Advisor to chart a path through college that aligns with their goals and interests. From undergraduate research and study abroad to service-learning and internships, the honors experience is designed to provide an incredibly rich experience for students, while setting them up for success in the future—whether that is graduate school, professional school, or the workforce.

“The Honors College helped me take ownership of my academic journey.

Through honors contracts, I explored unique projects that deepened my engineering knowledge… Being surrounded by motivated, like-minded students made the experience even more meaningful.” - Eric Nzuki, Honors Alumnus

Exclusive Benefits

KSU Journey Honors College students enjoy exclusive benefits that set them apart from the crowd: • Priority registration, so they can get the classes they need, when they need them.

• Smaller, discussion-based classes, which means more engagement and personalized attention.

• Access to additional scholarships, reducing the financial burden on families.

• Special events and dedicated honors study spaces on both campuses, facilitating a strong and supportive community.

In a world that values global experience and academic distinction, these awards set students apart in competitive job and graduate school markets.

“As a student from Cobb County, receiving the Gilman Scholarship with support from the Honors College helped me achieve goals I didn’t think would be possible. I used to believe I had to reach my goals alone, but thanks to their guidance, I was able to study abroad in Japan for a year, more prepared and confident than ever.” - Jennifer Garcia Arreguin, Honors Student

Explore Community and Specialty Cohorts

A standout feature of the Honors College is its cohort programs, which bring together students with shared passions to learn and grow collaboratively over multiple semesters.

• Journey to Italy, a vibrant first-year cohort that combines academic excellence with international exploration by offering students the chance to learn on KSU’s international site in Montepulciano, Italy.

• Ancient & Modern Classics, a cohort for students eager to explore foundational works of literature, philosophy, science, and music in a tight-knit, discussion-based community with built-in study abroad opportunities.

• President’s Emerging Global Scholars (PEGS), a cohort program that combines academically rich courses with service-based leadership in a global context. Students in this cohort participate in two study abroad trips to broaden their global competency.

• Wellstar Tom & Betty Phillips Elite Honors Nursing Scholars, a four-year cohort for aspiring nurses that provides conditional acceptance into the School of Nursing, mentorship, shadowing in specialty areas, and special access to events with Wellstar Health System.

• Coles College Leadership Scholar, a two-year, selective cohort tailored for high-achieving business students that emphasizes real-world learning through consulting projects, company site visits, and networking events with business leaders.

A Community That Cares

The heartbeat of the KSU Journey Honors College is its dedicated faculty and staff. Under the leadership of Dean Karen Kornweibel, the college has grown into a thriving academic community that cultivates lifelong learners, collaborative leaders, and civic-minded scholars.

And here’s something every parent will love: there is no additional cost to participate in the Honors College. Nor does it extend the time it takes to graduate.

Dean Kornweibel describes the honors experience as “intellectually challenging, professionally enriching, and personally meaningful”—and every student who walks through the doors of the Honors College feels that commitment.

This isn’t just a program—it’s a launchpad for your student’s future.

Is the KSU Journey Honors College Right for Your Student?

Prestigious Opportunities

Also housed within the Honors College is an office that helps students identify and apply for prestigious awards like Fulbright, Goldwater, and Gilman scholarships. These awards can fund graduate school, international travel, and life-changing research opportunities.

If your student is curious, motivated, and eager to make the most of their time in college, the answer is yes. High school seniors with a 3.5 GPA or higher, or a score of at least 25 on the ACT or 1200 on the SAT, can apply to the honors college.

Current KSU students with strong academic records may also apply.

To learn more about the application process, scholarship opportunities, and cohort admissions requirements, visit kennesaw.edu/honors.

Giving Back

Creating these life-changing opportunities takes more than vision—it takes investment.

Many of our honors students are trailblazers; they are the first in their families to attend college, working hard to overcome financial barriers while striving for academic excellence. If you’re inspired to be part of their journey, please contact Samantha Rotunno at srotunno@kennesaw. edu to learn how you can make a meaningful difference.

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Cobb Chamber Connection

INSURED / EXCELLENT REFERENCES

T

he Cobb Chamber Connection is your go-to source for the latest Chamber events, business news, and opportunities designed to help your business thrive. Each month, we’ll highlight the benefits of Chamber membership, celebrate member achievements, and showcase the programs making a difference in our community. Stay connected, get inspired, and discover how the Cobb Chamber is working for you!

Support Local Schools & Educators

With the start of the school year, the Chamber is looking for new participants for its Partners in Education program. This program is a collective effort of the Cobb Chamber, Cobb County School District & Marietta City Schools that matches businesses and organizations with schools to provide extra funding, unique services and volunteer support.

The vision behind the Partners in Education Program is to enrich the learning experience of Cobb’s students so that they all develop a strong academic foundation, skills and core values that will benefit them in their community life and in a career.

Once enrolled, small and large businesses, civic groups and non-profits provide Cobb schools with volunteers, equipment, supplies, scholarships, in-kind services and monetary donations. Businesses can also use the program to increase awareness of present and future job needs, improve the education of future employees and customers, and better understand the needs of Cobb’s public school systems.

To find out more, contact us at partnersineducation@cobbchamber.org.

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ERICKSON CONSTRUCTION

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back in Smyrna!

Saturday August 23, 2025 Register today @ www.vrsga.org

Celebrating Over 10 Years in North Atlanta!

Mobile Dog Grooming

The waggin’ wagon provides professional mobile dog grooming services to the North Atlanta community.

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Nails Trimmed l Sanitary Trim l Basic De-matting l Full Brush & Blow Dry l Shave downs l Full cuts

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TASTE OF SMYRNA | SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 6TH, 2025 | 11AM-6PM

T

aste of Smyrna “Festival of Delectable” is coming to satisfy palates, quench your thirst, fill your soul with music & entertainment and please the kids, all in one day!!! We are very excited to announce that you will be able to sample a tasty array of amazing Smyrna restaurants on Saturday, September 6th from 11AM – 6PM around the beautiful Village Green in downtown Smyrna.

and listen to music all day long near the beautiful Village Green. Proceeds from soda and water sales benefit the Smyrna Education Foundation.

For more information about the 2025 Taste of Smyrna Festival, please contact Missy Miller at JRM Management Services, Inc. at 770-423-1330 or missy@jrmmanagement.com.

Admission is FREE and samples can be purchased for 1 to 10 dollars. We are expecting over 25 restaurants including – Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar, Williamson Brothers BBQ, The Melting Pot, Copelands, Mezza Luna Pasta and Seafood, and more to tempt your taste buds and fill your senses. Last year’s winners were:

1 / Best Entrée - Mezza Luna (Risotto in Amarone) 2 / Best Dessert - Copeland’s (White Chocolate Bread Pudding) 3 / Best Food Presentation - Rodney’s Jamaican (Jerk Lamb Chops) 4 / Best Decorated Tent - Atkins Park 5 / Best Appetizer - Zeke’s Kitchen (Griot Tacos) Enjoy great live music all day long as you sip and savor the day!

There will be a Kids Zone with interactive inflatables featuring a giant slide, obstacle courses, and much more. This is a great value for the whole family.

The anticipated attendance, weather permitting, is expected to be over 20,000 people. Plan to sample all Smyrna’s finest restaurants, visit the beer garden,

September 6, 2025 Presented by

11:00 AM - 6:00 PM

FREE ADMISSION

Local Restaurants - Kid’s Zone Music - Beer $1.00 - $10.00 Food Samples

770-423-1330 | Near Market Village | Smyrna Our Town

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alling all middle school students! Are you looking for a place to belong? A place where you fit in, with people who really care about YOU and see YOU for who you are?

As a new school year begins, lots of change happens as well. Some embrace change with excitement while others feel very anxious...especially when it comes to the middle school years.

I remember vividly the mix of emotions. Middle school is the age where everyone wants to fit in, but as we know peer pressure is high and sometimes hard to resist. This is even worse now with social media. The likes, the shares, the follows...talk about pressure! Blending in with the crowd is easy, but is it fulfilling? To be honest sometimes it makes you question who you really are. It can be exhausting to be like everyone else, because at the end of the day, we have all been created to be different. You should not have to change who you are to find community!

I am thrilled to be on staff with Smyrna First United Methodist Church, helping them create a place for everyone to belong. My focus will be middle school girls as I was just there not so long ago.

I started middle school as an excited, nervous, anxious gal watching from the sidelines. What I noticed was that many of the decisions I saw people making did not align with my “brand” and my love of Christ. I had to make some hard decisions. Did I want to be like everyone else or did I want to step into who God created me to be?

You see, I was not always invited to the parties and was definitely not part of “the cool kids club.” Sometimes it felt difficult to follow Christ over the crowd, but here’s the most amazing thing: by staying true to myself and more importantly staying true to God, everything fell into place. As time went on, my friend group opened up, I was voted onto homecoming court, captain of my varsity volleyball and soccer teams and nominated by my peers as Prom Queen! I don’t say this as a brag, I tell you this because I was not willing to compromise my beliefs just for an invite to the party...and had no idea what that would look like. But God- God finds a way to put you exactly where you are supposed to be. It’s not always easy, rarely easy as a matter of fact, but if you stay true to yourself and surround yourself with like minded friends, I have found everything falls into place.

Matthew 18:20 “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am with them.”

Join me at Smyrna First United Methodist Church for the Sunday School kick off August 10th! We have traditional and modern worship at 9am, another traditional service at 11am and Sunday school at 10am.

Also, be on the lookout for the community night of worship in October and Elevate Weekend 2026! Big things are happening for our youth and this is just the beginning- I can’t wait to see you there.

Sign up for Smyrna First Sunday School here!!!

1315 Concord Rd SE, Smyrna, GA 30080 (770) 436-4108 IG: @smyrnafirstyouth

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Evie is a rising college freshman and staff member at Smyrna First United Methodist. She loves spending time with friends, family and spreading the word of Jesus. Feel free to reach out: ehanover@ smyrnafumc.org ***photo credit: Aharon Hill

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