March 2024

Don’t let storm damage or seasonal growth stop you from enjoying your property, call AKA Tree Service! We’re the one-stop shop for tree health, removal, and maintenance, providing the safest, highest-quality care to all our service areas.

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• A Variety of Large Floor Plans to Meet Any Need

• Diverse Amenities Inspiring Our Residents to Live a Social, “Sterling” life

• Certified Parkinson’s Programs - Emphasizing Balance & Maintaining Strength

• State of the art Wellness Centers & Programs, led by Sterling Recreation Therapists and Exercise Specialists

• Award Winning Food

• Beautifully Landscaped Campuses,

Neighborhood Settings

“We sold our home of 20+ years earlier this year, above our asking price, and moved into our beautiful cottage home at Sterling Estates, freeing us from all the responsibilities of homeownership. We freed up cash, traded in property taxes and constant maintenance for the many benefits we’ve discovered living here at Sterling. We exercise more than ever. I love to walk through the grounds and enjoy the large wellness center, while my wife swims almost daily in the indoor heated pool. She is fond of her weekly art classes. A day here is much more fulfilling for us, we wished we had moved sooner. We encourage you to come see what we mean.” -

and

Personalized Care for All Stages of Aging NOW OPEN!

varenita.com/westcobb

AGE IN PLACE

At Varenita, residents can “age in place” comfortably and securely. One of the main benefits of choosing Varenita of West Cobb is that residents can stay in the same community and, in many cases, the same “living area” even as their health care requirements change. This means that once you or your loved one moves into our beautiful community, it’s home. No matter how much needs to change over time.

ASSISTED LIVING

The perfect option for independent seniors who want support with daily tasks and personal care.

Varenita of West Cobb’s personalized assisted living care is designed for primarily independent seniors looking for a rich and rewarding lifestyle with an enhanced level of support. Guided by compassion and clinical expertise, our highly trained team members offer residents the gentle, individually focused support they need to flourish while retaining their independence.

ASSISTED PLUS

This specialized program is ideal for those living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early memory loss. Our industry-leading transitional care program is built around an inclusive “open campus” model. It is specifically designed for residents experiencing the early symptoms of memory loss or MCI but may not require the full attention or secure environment of a traditional memory program. Residents who are appropriate for transitional care continue to reside in the Assisted Living area of the community while receiving additional support with daily activities.

MEMORY CARE

An enriching and supportive program designed for those living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias.

Based on the latest research, Varenita’s memory care program offers a truly compassionate approach to care designed for those residents living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. This living option combines an engaging, secure memory care neighborhood with a stimulating, person-centered lifestyle often missing from other cognitive care programs.

ON-SITE THERAPY SERVICES

Unlike many other senior living communities, Varenita offers comprehensive physical, occupational, and speech therapy services for all our residents without the hassel of having to leave the community.

FIVE-STAR RESTAURANT-STYLE DINING

Varenita offers residents and their families an impressive mix of delicious cuisine and rich dining experiences. Our accomplished chef and culinary team create an ever-changing menu of delicious entrees made with organic, locally sourced ingredients across three beautiful dining venues. These include vegetarian, gluten-free, and specially designed dishes for residents with specific dietary needs. In addition, we have a registered dietitian available to help with residents’ nutritional needs.

THE VALUE OF CONNECTION

At Varenita, we offer an impressive mix of activities, classes, and events that foster engagement, stimulate the mind, and provide a rewarding sense of purpose.

• Arts & Crafts

• Daily Gardening

• Group Outings

• Move & Dance

• Animal Activities

• Cooking Classes

• Music & Song

• Live Concerts

• Exercise Classes

• Family Events

• Guest Speakers

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 2024 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

Smyrna/Vinings/Galleria/Cumberland

Amy Knight amy@ourtownmonthly.com

Anna Margaret Wilson

Kelley Young

Heather

Structured learning for children ages 6 weeks - 12 years

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Accredited Kindergarten & 1st grade programs

Talkin’ Sports

By Justin Hanover

The Madness of March

The calendar has turned to March and that means one thing for any college basketball fan, March Madness!

Terms like “Cinderella”, “the bubble”, “Final 4”, “Sweet 16” and “At-large” have become synonymous with this time of the year. It’s college basketball’s final tournament, the NCAA Tournament, which begins in midMarch and this year will crown a champion in Glendale, Arizona on a dramatic Monday night, April the 8th.

The format has changed throughout the years with play-in games recently added allowing 68 teams to enter but for the most part it’s still a 62-team field and one that normally only has about eight to 10 legitimate title contenders. Last season ended with UCONN winning it all, as the Huskies outclassed San Diego State, 76-59.

pros. But then in 2005 came “the one and done rule” where NBA athletes must be at least 19 years of age and at least one year removed from the graduation date of their high school class.

The end result of this rule has actually meant rougher sledding for the giants of the college basketball world. Schools like Duke and North Carolina and Kentucky, perennial powerhouses, are the ones recruiting these one and done 5* blue chip studs. The problem, though, is these players are fleeing after their year and creating little to no continuity in the program which results in more losses and a worse overall product. Add in the newly installed NIL deals and all bets are off. Players are now basically hired nomadic assassins looking to make a quick buck and brushing aside any allegiance whatsoever.

The college basketball landscape has gone through changes over the past 15-20 years as the elite players have been leaving early for the NBA. Many guys, including Future Hall of Famers like Lebron James and Kevin Garnett, did not even have to play college ball and were allowed to go straight to the

The evolution has helped the smaller Division one programs gain some parity, no not equal footing but some parity, thanks to the fact that they have more players sticking around for the full four years, constantly growing their game and the overall team’s game. This togetherness creates chemistry and better overall team play as the gap shrinks between the smaller and bigger programs. Don’t get me wrong, the better and far more talented teams are still, for the most part, the same, as the Tar Heels and Jayhawks and a few others are pretty much always the favorites to win it all. But the dynamic has shifted a little bit as the usual dominant programs are now changing personnel yearly instead of every four years when legends like Christian Laettner and Patrick Ewing and Akeem Olajuwon stayed in school for the duration.

So, what does it all mean for this 2024 tournament?

I truly have no idea. It’s “March Madness”!?!?!?!

Introducing Dr. Jeremiah Cook

Dr. Chris Shim and The Oakdale Family Dental team is excited to introduce Dr. Jeremiah Cook!

A native of the Smyrna area, Dr. Cook has been in the field of dentistry for over 13 years, first as an assistant, then as a dental hygienist for 8 years. Dr. Cook recently received his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from The Dental College of Georgia in 2023. As an associate dentist, Dr. Cook is looking forward to providing excellent and gentle dental care for all our patients at Oakdale Family Dental. He has been married to his wife Kim for 6 years. Dr. Cook enjoys spending time outdoors with his family and friends, along with fishing and playing soccer.

We can’t believe it’s been over 23 years since we started helping our community and neighbors achieve their goals. It’s been an incredible journey, and we’re just getting started! While we have several services that improve our patients’ lives daily, today we want to talk about our life enhancing (and for many life saving) weight loss programs.

Together with our amazing Medical Director, we are committed to always staying up-to-date on the latest techniques and research to ensure our weight loss program is safe, effective and personalized just for you. We know weight loss isn’t just about the numbers on a scale- it’s about making sustainable lifestyle changes and understanding what may be in the way of achieving a healthy weight. Being overweight is a medical condition and we treat it as one.

We’ve seen firsthand how our medically based weight loss program has transformed lives – from getting off their blood pressure meds to feeling more confident and vibrant every single day. We love hearing all of the stories of how lives have been positively impacted in all forms. It’s amazing to know we’ve contributed to that, and it has driven our desire to help as many people as possible.

That’s why we are thrilled to introduce our new virtual program, bringing our proven approach right to your doorstep. Starting a program can be intimidating, and we are all busy. We want to make it easy for everyone to learn more and, more importantly, begin their transformative journey. Life can get busy, and we get it – now patients can get their care from the comfort of their home or on the run, whatever is best for them. No need to worry about distance or scheduling conflicts – we’re here for you whenever you need us.

Our family of patients grows mainly through referrals, which shows how much our patients trust and love our program. They’ve wanted to share with oth ers, and now they can. With our virtual option, we’re break ing down barriers and ensuring everyone can access the support and guidance they need to reach their personal goals. And we can continue to do our part in helping more people live healthier lives.

“My experience was wonderful and my transformation has been amazing! All of the staff was friendly, caring and knowledgeable. It felt good to know they cared about me meeting my goal weight as much as I wanted to. For any stalls I was given helpful advice. I lost over 50 pounds and my A1C level went down significantly. I have a whole new outlook on life. My confidence level is 1,000. Thank you so much!” - KC

“First off I want to thank the staff. They were so polite in helping me on my weight loss venture. I couldn’t have done this alone. I needed medical help to jump start my weight loss. I feel so much better. I am about to be off these meds soon. Thank you so much Bubolo Medical - you saved my life and extended my years. Thanks again!” - KS

“My experience at Bubolo has been nothing short of amazing. When I first started the program I was the heaviest I’ve been. The staff and wellness coaches motivated me every single week to keep working towards my goal weight. Between the B12 shots, supplements and maintaining a calorie deficit, I was able to reach my goal weight of 150lbs, and have lost a total of 30 pounds since starting the program at the end of May. Lauren, Savannah, Brooke and the rest of the staff have truly made a lasting impact on my life by helping to motivate and coach me until I reached my goal weight. I’m forever grateful and so happy with my weight and how good I feel in my clothes again!” - GD

“My Mom has been living at Holbrook since November and we are thrilled with everything about this amazing, family-owned company. Especially because my Mom has improved so much, in so many different ways, since she moved in. They do so many "little" things to make my Mom and my family feel special. I live in Philadelphia and came down to see my Mom for 4 days and stayed at one of the apartments on site. It was wonderful! I can't recommend Holbrook more highly. If I could give it 10 stars, I would.”

– TIM O.

www.myposhandpampered.com

770 742 5248

Sprinter Limousine Service for:

Special Occasions, Birthdays, Prom, Quinceañera, Wedding, Date Night, Charter, Corporate, Real Estate House Showing, Airport-Doctor's appointment

THE DALLAS THEATER events

2024

THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL

Presented by THE MAIN STREET TEENS

SIX SHOWS!

FRI & SAT MAR 1st & 2nd - 7PM SUN MAR 3rd - 3PM

FRI & SAT MAR 8th & 9th - 7PM

SUN MAR 10th - 3PM / $12 -$14

GOT ELVIS? starring CHAD GIBSON

FRI MAR 22nd - 7:30PM

SAT MAR 23rd - 7PM

$20 - $22

Chad Gibson returns for two nights with his wildly entertaining tribute to Elvis. You will not be disappointed by Chad’s all encompassing likeness to the King himself! Both shows will include Elvis’s beloved but rarely performed live, Gospel music. Get your tickets early as Got Elvis always sells out!

INTERSTELLAR ECHOES

A Tribute to Pink Floyd

SAT APR 13th 7 PM / $20 -$22

SPRING CLASSES + WORKSHOPS

MAR 20 - Yes, And! Improv Workshop (18-adult)

MAR 25 - Summer Drama Camp Registration Opens!

MAR 26 - Puppetry for Kids (Ages 8-14)

APR 8 - MAY 8 - Intro to Tech Theater + Design (Ages 13-17)

APR 27 - Creative Movement (Ages 13-17)

Open Phone camera, aim at the QR code, tap the banner.

OUR TOWN’s Community Spotlight

A ‘Couple’ of Stars

Kelly and David Silverman are longtime residents of Cobb County. First, enjoying their time in Smyrna and now living with their daughter, Evelyn, in Marietta. They were excited when Our Town Monthly asked them to talk about their lives in the arts and education.

Kelly is a kindergarten teacher at the Lovett School and children’s book author of three books, the latest being released this month through Pelican Publishing. She was happy to talk about her book since it is all about the great state of Georgia, family and good ol’ southern food! Kelly got the idea to write about Georgia from local author Rosalind Bunn who asked if she had ever thought of writing a book about the south. The idea quickly started to bubble in her brain thinking of all the great places she had visited and still wanted to visit in the Peach State with her husband and daughter. Thus how the story, Hot Boiled Peanuts:AGeorgiaFoodTourwas born! The book is about a child who visits her grandparents in Plains, Georgia and samples hot boiled peanuts for the very first time. Soon they are off to discover what else the state has to offer, from the coast to the mountains to the bustling capital. Young readers will experience all the famous tastes of Georgia in this delicious picture book. Kelly loved learning about all 5 regions of the state and the state’s rich history. The book is scheduled to be released on March 18th online and in bookstores. Kelly will be starting her book tour on March 23rd at Foxtale Books in Woodstock, and The Gifting Tree in Smyrna on Sunday, March 24th. You can find out all about Kelly, her books and upcoming book signings by visiting her website: www.kellyyoungsilverman.com

David is a veteran actor of stage and screen. Locals may remember him from decades of live performances at the Alliance Theater, Theatrical Outfit, Actors Express, Georgia Ensemble Theater and Theatre in the Square. David has co-starred in episodes of the hit shows Stranger Things, Cobra Kai, The Staircase, The Resident, Atlanta and The Walking Dead among many others. His film roles have given him the opportunity to work alongside some of the biggest names in the business: with Harrison Ford and Will Ferrell in Anchorman 2, opposite Micheal Keaton in The Founder, alongside Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland in The Leisure Seeker, with Tom Cruise in American Made, Channing Tatum in Magic Mike XXL, Amy Adams in Ron Howard’s Hillbilly Elegy and most recently Oscar-winner Jessica Lange in the soon-to-be-released Places, Please and Dennis Quaid in the baseball-themed family classic, The Hill. David teaches film studies and video production at The Lovett School.

Kelly and David also collaborate. In 2009, the Silvermans formed Cakebaby Productions and together they have produced a dozen or so award-winning short films that have enjoyed successful runs at film festivals nationwide. Their most recent project, It’s Almost The End Of The World, Probably, is currently on the festival circuit, an Official Selection of the Love Your Shorts film festival and named Best Short Film by the Toronto Comedy Film and Screenplay Festival.

Kelly and David love being residents of Cobb and sharing their love of arts, education and family with the community!

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Book Club

This month’s book falls into the Dark Academia category: it is a moody book set at an exclusive boarding school, with an air of darkness hovering over the characters. This is a category of book you may have read before, and it is one our club has tried as well. We read Vladimir by Julia May Jonas in 2022, and although it was solidly in the Dark Academia genre, it wasn’t a resounding favorite. Popular examples in this category also include Donna Tartt’s The Secret History (a favorite of Myra’s) and N.H. Kleinbaum’s Dead Poet’s Society. Books like these often include idealized depictions of elite schools (think gothic buildings, tweed blazers, and old libraries) and are frequently set in New England during autumn or winter, so this month’s pick was a good one for cozy indoor winter reading.

A quick note on where we get our books. Sometimes it is so easy to just buy a book online and have it delivered automatically, but there are so many other options for getting books locally. We want to encourage you to explore different options for acquiring your books. This month, we got our books from the following sources:

Allison (Book of the Month Club)

Jennifer, Laura H., and Myra (Smyrna and Cobb County Libraries)

Laura B. (SecondSale.com)

Shannon (Local Bookstore)

Other options we like are thrift stores and Little Free Libraries. In fact, the Goodwill on South Cobb has an excellent book section! We are also big proponents of passing our books to friends after we read them, so our special activity for February was setting each other up on a Blind Date with a Book. Read below for details on how we arranged our exchange!

Our Scene: We met at Laura H’s home this month. Inspired by an early scene in the book, we enjoyed chicken enchilada soup, veggie tacos, and margaritas, all with a hope that we would wake up feeling slightly better than main character Bodie did after her margarita-fueled reunion with high school bestie, Fran.

In addition to veggie tacos, Laura H. whipped up Ina Garten’s guacamole recipe, which may be one of the best out there! See if you agree: https://www.foodnet work.com/recipes/ina-gartens-guacamole-2268686

Myra rounded out our dinner menu with Valentine’s cupcakes from everyone’s favorite bakery, McEntyre’s, to share for dessert.

We even had a party favor this month! Laura H.’s oldest daughter made us each an adorable friendship bracelet to take home. She incorporated this sweet surprise as part of her beautiful table setting.

As we mentioned, we enjoyed a Blind Date with a Book-style book exchange in celebration of Valentine’s Day. This kind of book exchange ups the excitement of trading good books with a surprise element. Each person wraps their book in paper and writes hints about its characters, plot, setting, or other elements on the wrapping. Then, each attendee takes turns choosing a book for a “blind date.” Maybe it is love at first sight? Maybe immediate rejection? Maybe it takes a few chapters to decide? There’s always fun in the surprise and in sharing with the rest of the group when you’re done reading.

Our Synopsis:

I Have Some Questions for You opens with main character and narrator Bodie Kane, a 1990s graduate of a New Hampshire boarding school and well-known crime podcaster, returning to her alma mater to teach a two-week course on podcasting. The visit refreshes old memories and surfaces new questions surrounding the murder of her one-time Granby School roommate, Thalia Keith. Throughout the sto ry, our narrator Bodie explores a variety of scenarios about how Thalia was killed and by whom, revisiting the past as she simultaneously grapples with the far-reaching impact of Thalia’s death on those around her.

As most high school experiences are, Bodie’s was complex: navigating social circles, finding her own identity, and building relationships with peers and faculty. Returning to Granby brings all of the emotions to the surface for Bodie, a 40-something divorced mom who is also navigating a new love interest, the loss of an old friend, and the day-to-day struggles of adulthood.

During her two-week stint at Granby, Bodie’s passion to solve the mystery of Thalia’s death is reignited thanks to her podcasting students who believe the wrong person was charged for Thalia’s murder.

The book goes on to tackle many tough issues from racism to the “Me Too” movement, all while Bodie and her students work to reverse a potential wrongful conviction.

Our Favorite Questions:

1. Bodie is flooded with memories when she returns to her boarding school, Granby, as an adult. From this vantage point, her memories take on new dimensions, and she recalls details she had forgotten. What factors account for the newfound clarity Bodie has as an adult?

2. What are examples of justice served, justice delayed, and justice denied in the book? Which examples frustrated or surprised you most?

3. Bodie goes to a clothing shop in town and runs into former classmate Robbie Serneho’s wife, who asks if she can hug Bodie after telling her how difficult her family’s life has become since the podcast. What does Bodie make of this? Why do you think the wife was so eager to speak to-and embrace--Bodie?

Our Key Takeaway: No matter how old you get, certain places can take you right back to younger days, good or bad. It’s a reminder that if something keeps you up at night, it may be worth examining in the daylight. I Have Some Questions for You is an exploration of how our perception of events changes over time, and how that accumulated experience along with current events can alter our lens.

Our Stars: 3.5 stars

Our Next Book: In March we are reading Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See. Go borrow or buy a copy and let us know what you think. We would love to hear from you!

Georgia Food and Wine Festival

JIM R. MILLER PARK, MARIETTA, GEORGIA

Celebrate the best culinary superstars and beverage experts, farmers, artisans, live musicians and more from Georgia and the South. Experience a variety of events including: Cobb Life Magazine’s “Best of Cobb”, “Fired-Up” an all-inclusive, food and drink tasting event, “Savor” featuring unlimited beer, wine and spirits tastings, a Georgia Celebrity Chef Stage, VIP Lounge, artisans, and live music and finally, “Sunday/Funday” with a Kids Zone, VIP Lounge Oyster Roast, live music and more!

Tips for Last-Minute5Travel

Lately, I have seen an uptick in requests for last-minute vacations. Last-minute travel can be very fun – the spontaneity alone is very exciting - but there are some things to keep in mind to maximize your enjoyment of a last-minute vacation.

Know Your Personality

1 2 3 4

If you are the type of person that likes to have your vacation planned out in detail prior to traveling, then a last-minute vacation may not be the best choice for you. Much of the vacation –from the destination to the hotel to the activities – will be spur-ofthe-moment, so letting go of detailed planning is key to enjoying your trip. Plus, the not knowing is half of the fun!

Travel Mid-Week

Prices and availability for flights are typically best if you’re traveling mid-week rather than over the weekend. Hotel availability may also be better during the week. If your travel dates allow for it, try to travel on a Tuesday or Wednesday to maximize your choices and minimize your expenses.

Act Quickly

Last-minute inventory is fleeting – whether you’re talking flights, resorts, or activities – so make sure that you book everything as quickly as possible. There may only be one room remaining at a property or a few seats remaining on a flight, so once you’ve determined what you want to book, book it as fast as possible. I have had last-minute vacation requests where from the time I sent a client their quote until they made their choice only an hour later, the resort completely booked up.

Call a Travel Advisor

Travel advisors are experts so take advantage of our resources and connections. We will recommend the best destinations and hotels for a last-minute getaway, know insider tips to save you money, and have access to suppliers and hotels that the average person does

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not. For example, that sold out resort you’re dying to stay at may have some inventory held back and a travel advisor will have the connections with the property to give you the best shot at snagging a room.

Be Flexible

My number one piece of advice is to be flexible! During the planning process be as flexible as possible – from the destination to the travel dates to how you’re going to get there, be open-minded to all of your options. Also, have realistic expectations with the planning process and during your vacation. That hot, new resort you’ve been dreaming about has probably been booked for months. You most likely will not be able to get the exact dates or hotel or even destination you initially wanted – you may even find that your first, second, or even third choices aren’t available – but don’t be discouraged. Also, be open to the unexpected during your vacation when it comes to activities, tours, and excursions. Often the experience you’ll end up loving the most is one you never even thought of doing.

Last-minute travel can be a fantastic experience and one of your best vacations ever!

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

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