June/July 2025
Summer Daze & Mahjong Craze
FEELS LIKE FEELS LIKE
at at TRUIST PARK TRUIST PARK
Check out all the upcoming promotions and giveaways this summer at
Check out all the upcoming promotions and giveaways this summer at
CL COBB LIFE
EXECUTIVE
PUBLISHER
Otis Brumby III
GENERAL MANAGER
Lee B. Garrett
V.P. OF CONTENT
J.K. Murphy
EDITORIAL STAFF
EDITOR
Skyler Heath
CONTRIBUTORS
Ashly Hospodka, Isabelle Manders, Lisa Mowry, Carley Taylor
PHOTOGRAPHY
Duncan Carter, Rick Diamond, Robin Rayne
LAYOUT AND DESIGN
Windsor Armour, Beth Poirier
Cobb Life is published nine times a year by the Marietta Daily Journal and distributed to more than 25,000 homes and businesses.
To subscribe, email circulation@cobblifemagazine.com or call 770-795-5001.
To advertise, contact Bob McCray at bob.mccray@scompapers.com.
Send letters to the editor, article pitches and any other content queries to Skyler Heath at sheath@mdjonline.com cobblifemagazine.com
ADVERTISING STAFF
V.P. OF SALES
Bob McCray
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Becky Opitz, Sydney Snyder, Mandy McQuay, Janie Roling, Paula Milton
GRAPHICS/LAYOUT COORDINATOR
Beth Poirier
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Windsor Armour, Erin Barkwell, Tona Deaton, Jennifer Hall
CIRCULATION DIRECTOR
Dave Gossett
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Our clients want to ensure financial stability for themselves, their families, employees and businesses. For several decades, we have studied our clients and listened to them and our mission is, simply put, to help them reach their goals.
A centuries-old tile game is getting a Southern spin in Cobb County, thanks to two social groups — Mahjong Social Marietta and Marietta Mahjong — bringing more visibility to the tradition. Learn about mahjong, its history and its growing presence here in metro Atlanta.
features
9 PLANTERS
“All things beautiful” is how Ashley Skandalakis describes Atlanta Planters, her landscape design business that doubles as a home and garden shop. Tucked inside a small, dark blue-green house just off Fairground Street in Marietta, the space offers lush greenery, planters and curated decor for an added touch of at-home color and charm.
14 DIAMOND Rick Diamond never imagined he’d photograph thousands of music legends, politicians and sports icons. He was just a teenager chasing concerts with his camera in the early ‘70s. By the time he retired 50 years later, he had toured with the Eagles, photographed several presidents and built an archive of subjects that reads like a hall-of-fame guest list.
33 TRAVEL From mountainous escapes to sandy white beaches to college town fun, Lookout Mountain, Pensacola and Athens offer full itineraries for a weekend getaway — all just a drive away.
38 WOW Candy Hunter grew up around motorcycles, but didn’t fall in love with them until she got to ride solo as a teen. Since then, she’s crisscrossed continents on two wheels, made friends with motorcyclists around the world and, most recently, became president and CEO of WOW Motorcycles, the country’s largest pre-owned motorcycle dealership right here in Marietta.
FF
Flooring & Design Center
GREETINGS, COBB LIFERS!
Summer’s here — and so is the itch to play, explore and remember what it feels like to be a kid again. If you grew up in Georgia, or anywhere in the South, I’m sure your summers looked a lot like mine: tanlines, sticky popsicles, scraped knees, sprinklers on the lawn and the hum of cicadas.
Most days, I’d race out of the house after breakfast and wouldn’t come home until the streetlights flickered on. My friends and I would spend hours exploring the creek that ran through our neighborhood, chasing crawfish, playing manhunt and running through the woods like it was a fulltime job. We’d cap off the day in my best friend’s pool, washing away the dirt, sweat and whatever mystery gunk we had picked up throughout the day.
Those were the simpler times. We didn’t know it then, but we were lucky.
In a similar spirit of friendship and connection, Cobb Life’s Summer 2025 cover story dives into the rise of mahjong — a centuries-old game that’s found new life in Cobb County thanks to two local groups: Mahjong Social Marietta and Marietta Mahjong. From the satisfying click of tiles to the steady hum of conversation, mahjong is creating a new space for friendship, joy and multigenerational community, all while supporting local businesses. And it’s more than just a game — it’s a movement.
Also in this issue, we feature Cobb County’s own Rick Diamond, a veteran photographer who spent five decades capturing some of the world’s biggest names: the Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama, to name a few. He shares what it was like to live life behind the lens — and the stories behind some of his most iconic shots.
Looking to brighten up your space this season? Be sure to check out our story on Atlanta Planters, a vibrant home-and-garden boutique tucked off Fairground Street in Marietta. Founder Ashley Skandalakis curates “all things beautiful,” from greenery to handmade goods.
Continuing our celebration of inspiring local women, you’ll also meet Candy Hunter, president and CEO of WOW Motorcycles — the largest pre-owned motorcycle dealership in the country, right here in Marietta.
If a summer escape is calling your name, travel columnist Lisa Mowry has the perfect list: three Southern destinations with totally different vibes — Lookout Mountain, Pensacola and Athens — all just a drive away.
Don’t forget to check out summer events around town, familiar faces in Cobb Scene, restaurant updates in Cobb Eats’ Dining Deets and our Now & Then photo segment.
As we dive into this season of sunshine and memory-making, I hope you find time to slow down, reconnect and play a little — whether that’s poolside, at the mahjong table or somewhere in between.
Cheers,
Skyler Heath, Cobb Life Editor
From Patents Planters to
Marietta store specializes in custom pots, landscaping
Written and photographed by ISABELLE MANDERS
Tucked inside a small, dark blue-green house just off Fairground Street in Marietta, sits Atlanta Planters — a landscape design business that doubles as a home and garden shop.
Every inch of the space is filled with what founder Ashley Skandalakis calls “all things beautiful”: lush greenery, curated home goods and planters galore.
The business specializes in seasonal landscaping, custom container planting and indoor plant compositions, serving clients across metro Atlanta and Lake Oconee.
Stepping outside into the backyard, shoppers are instantly surrounded by rows of planters in every shape, size and story, sourced from local artisans and European pickers alike. From traditional concrete planters to vintage Parisian trash cans
repurposed into chic containers, the space has something for everyone, Skandalakis said.
From Patents to Orchid Arrangements
Originally from the small town of Americus, Skandalakis has always had a love for design.
As a seventh grader, tagging along with her mother to an interior design firm in Columbus, she fell in love with the process — color swatches, wallpaper samples and the magic of pulling it all together.
“I remember walking out to the car that day and telling my mother, ‘I’m going to be an interior decorator,’” she said.
After studying interior design at the University of Georgia and working briefly in the field, Skandalakis pivoted to
Founder Ashley Skandalakis stands outside of Atlanta Planters in Marietta.
pharmaceuticals — a practical move that spanned 15 years. But her creative instincts never quieted. Then, on a sick day, an accident changed everything.
“I was in bed with a migraine, and my daughter brought me some soup on this bamboo tray. The soup slipped and spilled. The tray was dirty, the handles were broken—and I thought, ‘I hate these trays,’” Skandalakis said.
From that accident came Lappers — durable, non-slip melamine trays with recessed compartments and easy-grip handles.
Her invention went from sketches on paper to being featured regularly on QVC, as well as HGTV, Good Morning America, Coastal Living and Forbes Life.
Skandalakis got her utility patent, secured collegiate licensing and saw Lappers land in over 3,000 stores and 12 national catalogs.
“It was a huge success,” she said. Eventually, however, Skandalakis sold the patents and went back to pharmaceuticals — but her heart wasn’t in it.
“I was just miserable,” she said. “... So I quit.”
Back to Her Roots
In January 2020, Skandalakis was visiting a friend’s restaurant in Buckhead when she noticed the orchid arrangements were dead. Offering to help, she took the containers and redid the arrangements.
While returning with the revamped containers, several customers stopped her to ask for a business card. With no real plan, she signed up for an antique and garden show in Thomasville — and got a surprise call asking her to participate that coming week.
“I didn’t have a source of containers, no real source of orchids wholesale, no business cards,” Skandalakis said. “I had
nothing, but I dug my heels in again, and (said), ‘I’m going to make this work.’”
Within a week, she learned orchid arranging via YouTube, sourced wholesale containers and plants and worked 10-hour days to produce 45 arrangements.
“I rented a 16-foot box truck, drove to Thomasville, and sold 40. I thought—this is what I’m meant to do,” Skandalakis said.
Then the pandemic hit.
Skandalakis used the downtime to reimagine her business, pivoting to seasonal outdoor planters for residential clients.
Social media drove her early momentum and, by May, she was booked solid, she said.
“Finally, my husband said, ‘You’ve got to find a place to go. I feel like I’m living in a nursery,’” Skandalakis laughed.
One day, while stopped at a red light in Marietta, she saw a small house for sale near the intersection of Fairground and North Marietta Parkway. It was falling apart — holes in the floor and ceiling, mold on the walls, said Skandalakis.
“Nobody had been there for 10 years,” she said.
Still, Skandalakis bought the property, renovated it, and in August 2022, Atlanta Planters officially opened its doors.
‘A Great Eye’
Today, Atlanta Planters has grown into a full-time operation with four full-time and four part-time employees, planting for 154 clients this spring alone — a 15% jump from last fall, Skandalakis said.
Her team does seasonal landscaping and containers twice a year, planting for clients from April to the end of June and then October to mid November.
Skandalakis said she even returned to school, earning a landscape design degree from Emory University to better serve her clients.
Plants and pots of all kinds cover the backyard at Atlanta Planters in Marietta.
On a typical morning, the team meets at the shop, reviews the client list, loads up the van, and heads out. On average, they plant for six clients a day. And even on the busiest days, Skandalakis says it’s all worth it.
“It’s so rewarding on a day to day basis, to go to a client’s house, clean out planters that don’t look good and make them beautiful,” she said. “My clients are happy to see me coming, and they’re just ecstatic when I leave.”
In addition to landscaping, Atlanta Planters also offers indoor arrangements and — for the first time this spring — premade hanging baskets.
“People can bring their containers into us and we’ll do them or we have a huge assortment of containers that they
Above and Left: Atlanta Planters owner Ashley Skandalakis prepares an indoor composition for a customer at her Marietta storefront.
Various home goods and decor fill the shop at Atlanta Planters in Marietta.
Atlanta Planters sells a variety of planters and pots, including repurposed vintage Parisian trashcans (right).
can choose from,” Skandalakis said, pointing to one copper bowl a customer had recently dropped off.
Skandalakis said she’s “gotten to be really good friends” with a lot of her clients — who range from busy families to restaurants, retail shops and even a few well-known athletes and celebrities.
“I have to know their planters, their colors, their style,” she said.
Even a client’s lifestyle impacts the kinds of plants she puts in, Skandalakis said.
“Some people are very simple and just want easy care,” Skandalakis said. “...Then I put in plants that can tolerate heat and drought.”
Marietta resident Casey Jones has been a customer since the store’s opening weekend.
As a mother of four, Jones appreciates the team’s consideration of her busy lifestyle when picking out plants for her.
“They’re just so helpful, and they’re very knowledgeable,” Jones said. “They’re constantly getting new stuff in and (Skandalakis) has a great eye.”
What’s Trending
Right now, Skandalakis said customers are especially excited about “bringing some color back into their house.”
“People are excited about having compositions for their outdoor covered porches,” she said.
Outside, she’s had many clients wanting to incorporate purple, green and white plants, specifically.
“Everybody else wants as much color as we can get in there and they like a lot of their color to trail down the front of the pot,” Skandalakis said.
She added, “Green’s big this year,” when it comes to interior design.
As for popular gifts and decor, she pointed to the B’s Knees reed diffusers — shaped like large white blossoms and made in the United States — as well as soy candles that double as lotion when melted.
“I used to wonder — who gets to wake up and love what they do?” she said, smiling. “Now I know. It’s me.”
Atlanta Planters is at 324 North Fairground Street in Marietta. For more information on the store, visit https://atlantaplanters.net/.
TOP: Founder Ashley Skandalakis picks out plants for a custom planter at Atlanta Planters in Marietta.
BOTTOM: Atlanta Planters is a landscaping company, florist shop and retail store on North Fairground Street in Marietta.
LEGENDS IN FOCUS
THROUGH THE LENS OF RICK DIAMOND’S ICONIC PHOTOGRAPHY CAREER
Written by SKYLER HEATH
Photography by ROBIN RAYNE
Behind every great photograph is a story. For 50 years, Rick Diamond captured thousands — including one that began with Cher, a quiet backstage and a little white lie.
It was the 2008 Grammys. Diamond spotted Cher walking alone — a rare sight for stars usually flanked by bodyguards and an entourage. Just moments earlier, he had been in a dressing room with Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard, two longtime friends and rock ’n’ roll royalty.
“I had to get the three together somehow,” Diamond said.
Thinking on his feet, he told Cher that Lewis was looking for her — a fib, maybe, but a harmless one.
“The Killer? I’d love to see the Killer,” Cher replied.
While the three celebrities chatted, Diamond captured candid gold.
Cher, draped in one of her signature plunging
gowns, eventually turned to leave. Lewis gave her a smooth once-over and quipped, “Momma, you still got it.”
Without missing a beat, she tossed a smile over her shoulder: “Thank you, Killer.”
It was just another day for Diamond, who spent five decades turning fleeting moments like these into iconic photos with a backstory.
By the time he retired in 2020, he had toured the country with rockstars, served as the official campaign photographer for presidents and built an archive of work that reads like a hall-of-fame guest list: the Rolling Stones, Dolly Parton, Jimmy Carter, Hank Aaron and Barack Obama, to name a few.
Still, Diamond remains modest.
“It was all about being in the right place at the right time and knowing the right people,” Diamond, a longtime Cobb County resident, said.
LEFT: Christine McVie and Stevie Nicks, of Fleetwood Mac, at Omni in Atlanta, 1977. Photo credit Rick Diamond.
RIGHT: Angus Young and AC/DC at Omni Atlanta, 1996. Photo credit Rick Diamond.
Rick Diamond, a longtime Cobb resident, moved to Atlanta in 1974. He worked at a film processing plant by day and dove headfirst into Atlanta’s music scene by night, discovering iconic venues like Electric Ballroom, the Great Southeast Music Hall and the Fox Theatre (pictured above).
“ ”
It was all about being in the right place at the right time and knowing the right people
RICK DIAMOND
And it all began with a love for music.
JUST A FLORIDA KID WITH A CAMERA
Diamond grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His family owned a chain of liquor stores from Miami to Vero Beach — although no one in the family drank.
They poured their passions elsewhere. Diamond’s father, an aspiring magician and World War II army veteran, turned part of their main store into a makeshift magic shop. On weekends, Diamond’s mother and younger brother performed magic tricks at children’s birthday parties to fund his brother’s veterinary school.
Diamond wasn’t into card tricks, though. His magic was music — and a camera.
As a teenager, Diamond would spend his free time at a Pirates World, a local themed park that doubled as a concert venue for up-and-coming bands. He befriended staff, slipped backstage and eventually landed a security gig that paid $5 a night. But when the music started, Diamond turned his attention to the stage, shooting with two vintage Nikon cameras his dad won during a poker game overseas.
The fruit of Diamond’s labor was film, which he would develop after every show at a Kodak store down the street.
“I’d buy film with every penny I had,” he said.
Diamond wasn’t much of a scholar until he transferred to Nova High School, a Ford Foundation-funded school that offered a progressive curriculum and the perk of graduating early. He gravitated
toward the school’s art department and excelled in photography and advertising.
It was a connection at Nova High that would change everything for Diamond. His friend and fellow Key Club member, Bill Ruben, happened to be close with Duane and Gregg Allman — before they were the Allman Brothers.
“They were the Allman Joys back then,” Diamond told Cobb Life.
Ruben booked the group to play at a show across the street from Diamond’s family liquor store. He handed Diamond a stack of 100 tickets to sell for $3 each.
“We couldn’t give ‘em away,” Diamond laughed. Then, almost overnight, everything changed. One weekend, a local FM station played the Allman Brothers’ debut album at midnight.
The following Monday, Diamond’s tickets sold out before he could even park his car at school.
A month later, Diamond saw the Allman Brothers play again at Broward College. This time, he snuck backstage and met their tour manager, Twiggs Lyndon, who quickly became a friend.
Before long, Diamond was ditching school to follow the band across Florida, often hitchhiking and sleeping in Winnebagos to make their shows. Lyndon eventually gave him access backstage and cleared him to shoot their concerts in exchange for helping sweep and break down stages. At that point, the Allman Brothers weren’t just booking small venues — they were selling out stadiums.
‘THE CITY TOO BUSY TO HATE’
Diamond had always wanted to visit Atlanta to see baseball legend Hank Aaron play. In 1972, he and a couple friends made a weekend trip up north for a Braves ballgame. They never got to see Aaron play. By the time they arrived, the games had already sold out. They opted to explore the city instead, making pit stops at Six Flags Over Georgia and Greenbriar Mall on Atlanta’s westside.
By the end of their trip, Diamond was in love, not with a girl — with Atlanta.
On his way home, Diamond spotted a sign along Interstate 75 that read, “Atlanta, the city too busy to hate.”
He turned to his cousin and said, “See that, man? I’m going to move here.”
Two years later, his manifestations came true.
Diamond moved to Atlanta in 1974. Then 22, he worked at a film processing plant by day and dove headfirst into Atlanta’s music scene by night. He discovered iconic venues like Electric Ballroom, the Great Southeast Music Hall and Richard’s Nightclub. Atlanta concert promoters Alex Cooley and Rich Floyd gave him access to shoot at
TOP: Hall of Fame baseball legend Hank Aaron. Photo credit Rick Diamond.
BOTTOM LEFT: Gregg Allman of the Allman Brothers Band. Photo credit Rick Diamond.
BOTTOM RIGHT: Isaac Hayes and Whitney Houston. Photo credit Rick Diamond.
their venues, as well as shows at the Omni and Fox Theatre.
“Alex kind of took me under his wing and I had carte blanche to his club,” Diamond said. “He was the promoter in the South and had minimal competition. Rich was one of them.”
His connections paid off.
By the late ‘70s, Diamond had accounts with nearly every major record label with ties to Atlanta, including CBS, Sony, Warner, MCA and Polydor.
THE CARTERS
In 1975, Diamond had a fortuitous encounter with Chip Carter, the middle son of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, during a Young Democrats convention in Tallahassee. The two struck up a conversation, bonding over a shared love for music and the Allman Brothers.
“We just hit it off,” Diamond recalled. “He was a great guy.”
That connection led to a remarkable opportunity: photographing Jimmy Carter’s presidential campaign and, later, his inauguration.
President Carter sourced a military photographer during his term, but when he returned home to Georgia, he called on Diamond to take photos of the groundbreaking ceremony and opening of the Carter Center in Atlanta in 1982. He served as the Carters’ official family photographer until the end of 2003.
TOP: President Jimmy Carter, Michael Jackson and Emmanuel Lewis. Photo credit Rick Diamond.
BOTTOM: President Jimmy Carter and Gregg Allman. Photo credit Rick Diamond.
Through the years, Diamond said his relationship with the Carters grew into a true friendship. Jimmy Carter invited him to his home in Plains, Georgia a couple times, including a memorable trip for a fly fishing lesson with Diamond’s nephew, Kyle.
“We spent two and a half hours fishing with President Carter,” Diamond said. “It was just the three of us out there.”
Before heading back to Atlanta, Rosalynn Carter greeted them with a basket of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies for the ride home. As a parting gift, the former president handed Diamond’s nephew a small wooden box containing six handmade fishing flies. Inside, Carter penned his signature with a note: “When you catch a fish, I want you to send me a picture.”
“President and Mrs. Carter are — to this day — the most decent, honorable people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and working with,” Diamond said.
LIFE ON THE ROAD, BACKSTAGE
Diamond’s next big break in the music industry came in 1979, when he got a once-in-alifetime opportunity to tour with the Eagles. His friend Andrew Slater, a journalism student at Emory University, had scored a temporary gig with the band. Knowing Diamond’s talent behind the lens, Slater invited him to tag along. For three dates, Diamond got a taste of tour life: private jets, late-night concerts and backstage access with one of the biggest bands in the world.
“They were kind of testing us,” Diamond said. “They
wanted to make sure we were trustworthy.”
Apparently, they passed. Don Henley and Glenn Frey gave Slater and Diamond the green light to join them for the rest of the “The Long Run” tour. For the next year, Diamond captured the band’s life on the road, from candid action shots on stage to after-parties to impromptu hotel water fights at 2 a.m.
“Of course, there was sex, drugs, rock ‘n’ roll, but that goes without saying,” Diamond said laughing. “I was just honored to be here.”
Amid the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, Diamond managed to stay grounded. He didn’t drink or do drugs — a conscious choice that he said helped make up for the lack of sleep, and likely kept him going through the years.
He grinned, adding, “But I had plenty of friends who did. I was usually the guy driving the car. I was just totally into the music.”
Diamond worked with Sir Elton John on a number of occasions. He photographed a birthday party John threw for his now-husband David Furnish and a high-profile donation event at Neiman Marcus in Buckhead.
He describes the Rocketman as a consummate professional, always punctual and polite.
“If Elton said he was going to be somewhere at 7:02 a.m., he would be there at 7:02 a.m. Maybe early, but never late,” Diamond said. Through the years, Diamond also had the opportunity to meet all of the Beatles individually. Despite years spent rubbing elbows
TOP: President Barack Obama and Rick Diamond, 2010. Photo provided.
MIDDLE: B.B. King and Rick Diamond at Lakewood Amphitheatre in Atlanta, 1991. Photo provided.
BOTTOM: Rick Diamond poses with Sugar Ray Leonard. Photo provided.
Veteran photographer Rick Diamond spent 50 years capturing thousands of the world’s iconic names, including Bruce Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac, Beyoncé, Hank Aaron, Jimmy Carter and The Allman Brothers, to name a few.
Pictured is Diamond at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, one of the countless venues he’s visited and taken photos at throughout his career.
TOP: Rick Diamond and Tommy Shaw backstage at STYX concert. Photo provided.
BOTTOM: WIllie Nelson and Rick Diamond. Photo provided.
with rock legends, Diamond said John Lennon was one of the few to leave him truly starstruck.
“He’s everything to me,” he said.
MAKING IT
For Diamond, working with rockstars, record moguls and politicians were definitely career milestones, but they weren’t how he measured his success. It came down to something much simpler: his parents’ approval.
“The time I thought I made it was when I knew my parents would think I made it,” he explained.
That moment came in the early ‘80s, backstage at a Sammy Davis Jr. concert at the now-shuttered Atlanta Civic Center.
“He sang my dad and mom’s kind of music and he tap danced — he was the total entertainer,” Diamond said.
Diamond had been granted access to photograph an iconic lineup gathered in Frank Sinatra’s dressing room — Sinatra himself, Davis Jr., Harry Belafonte, Burt Reynolds, Jerry Reed and then Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson. He politely wandered through the room with his camera for about 10 minutes, capturing candid photos of the group.
After finishing the shoot, Diamond silently turned to leave when Sinatra placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Thank you,” Sinatra said.
“It just hit me and I thought, ‘Man, if my dad
Stevie Wonder, Coretta Scott King and Harry Belafonte during the MLK Gala at Atlanta Civic Center, 1982. Photo credit Rick Diamond.
From there, Diamond kept climbing the ladder.
Between 1986 and 1996, he worked as a photographer for several companies at the Super Show — then the world’s largest sports trade show — held annually in Atlanta. He photographed a roster of professional athletes, including Barry Bonds, Herschel Walker, Dan Marino, Mike Schmidt and Sugar Ray Leonard.
In 1990, two longtime friends — Rob Senn of Atlantic Records and Mike Greene, president and CEO of the Recording Academy — invited Diamond to shoot the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. He went on to serve as the
Recording Academy’s official photographer for the next decade.
Around 2002, Diamond joined WireImage and photographed several highprofile entertainment events. In 2007, Getty Images acquired WireImage, expanded its entertainment division and brought Diamond on board as a full-time staff photographer.
While with Getty, he spent more than 200 days a year in Nashville, covering major events like the CMT and ACM Awards, as well as concerts and performances at the Ryman Auditorium and Ascend Amphitheater. His work with Getty has appeared in thousands of media outlets around the world.
TOP: Coretta Scott King with Aretha Franklin. Photo credit Rick Diamond
MIDDLE: Waylon Jennings and Dolly Parton during the “Best Little Whorehouse” movie premiere in Nashville,1982. Photo credit Rick Diamond.
BOTTOM: Muhammad Ali, 1986. Photo credit Rick Diamond.
SLOWING DOWN, BUT NOT STOPPING
Diamond’s up-and-go lifestyle and lack of sleep eventually caught up with him in 2018.
“I thought, ‘Man, I just don’t want to feel like this anymore,’” Diamond, now 70, said.
He pushed through for another two years and took on some freelance gigs before hanging up his press pass in 2020. Though technically retired, Diamond’s camera is never far from reach. He still brings it along on his travels, capturing everything from sandy beaches to impromptu events for his musician friends.
“I like to say I’m semi-retired,” he clarified. Recently, he’s been sifting through old photos, scanning negatives and updating his archives, many of which are now available through his website, rickdiamondphoto.com.
Diamond said he feels a mix of nostalgia and awe at how quickly time has passed.
“I pulled a picture of Gregg Allman playing at Rose’s Cantina (in Atlanta) and it was dated 1978, 47 years ago,” he said, shaking his head. “I couldn’t believe it. It felt like yesterday. My memories from those days are still spot on.”
But he appreciates the cultural shift in music that has come with the passage of time. Looking back, he recalled how families once decorated their mantels with portraits or scenic landscapes. Now, Diamond’s photos are starting to hang in their place.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would get to this age that there would be a demand,” Diamond said. “People my age and younger have Jimi Hendrix up there. It’s cool how it’s developed and times have changed.”
Robin Williams at Chastain Park in Atlanta, 1986. Photo credit Rick Diamond.
SUPERIOR PLUMBING IS PROUD TO
MARIETTA
FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION
FRIDAY JULY 4, 2025
PARADE & FESTIVAL AT 10:00AM FIREWORKS SHOW AT DARK AT MARIETTA SQUARE
The Marietta Fourth of July Celebration is set on the beautiful Marietta Square. The celebration consists of 80 arts and crafts booths, children’s activities, all types of food, and entertainment throughout the day. The day concludes with an evening concert, followed by one of Metro Atlanta’s largest fireworks show.
ACWORTH
JULY 4TH CONCERT & FIREWORKS
FRIDAY JULY 4, 2025 | 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
AT CAUBLE PARK
Let freedom Ring! The City of Acworth and the Acworth Business Association are proud to present one of the largest fireworks extravaganzas in Metro Atlanta. Each year on July 4th, live music and fireworks take place at Cauble Park. Live music will start at 5:30 p.m. Fireworks will begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. (subject to change depending on weather). Admission to the event and concert is free!
PRESENT THESE GREAT FESTIVALS!
Superior Plumbing is growing and we’re looking for Experienced Plumbers
to join our team in Kennesaw, GA! If you’re ready to be part of a fun, energetic, and goal-oriented team serving our community with excellence, this is the opportunity for you.
WHY SUPERIOR PLUMBING?
• Full-Time Positions with the most family-oriented work schedule in the industry
• Great Benefits Package including health, dental, and more
• Company-Provided Stocked Van for plumbers – ready to go!
• Closed on Sundays – spend quality time with family • A Georgia Drug-Free Workplace ensuring a safe, professional environment
Plumbers: Call 678-410-5715 to speak directly with Jay, the owner of Superior Plumbing, or send your resume to hr@superiorplumbing.com. You can also apply online at SuperiorPlumbing.com/Careers. Join the best plumbing company in Georgia today!
The 8th Annual
Has helped raise
Marietta Meets Mahjong
Centuries-old tile game gets a Southern spin in Cobb
Written by ASHLY HOSPODKA | Photography by ROBIN RAYNE
In 1940s Oklahoma, Mitzi Wade would often sit in her family’s living room, watching her mother and friends gather around sets of handcrafted ivory and bamboo tiles. They were playing mahjong, and it was a ritual in their home.
Soon, Wade started playing mahjong, too — first with a junior set made for children and then with a group of friends from school.
It was these fond memories that drove Wade, now 93, to learn how to play again. Last year, she sought out lessons from
Marietta Majong, a local social club cofounded by Katie Green and Carson Wernz. Mahjong is a game steeped in tradition, and like Wade, most players are introduced to it through family or friends. The game made its way from China into the U.S. in the 1920s, and quickly became a popular pastime for high society women before becoming a staple in Jewish communities. Historically a women’s game, mahjong served as a way to socialize and sustain community bonds without having to spend money at every gathering.
Mahjong has once again spread like wildfire across the U.S., with a growing presence in the South, and Cobb County is no exception, thanks to two local groups: Marietta Mahjong and Mahjong Social Marietta, who have solidified the game’s presence locally.
Half strategy, half luck
Mahjong is played with domino-like tiles etched with different suits and numbers, similar to playing cards. Typically, four players are dealt 13 tiles each. The object of the game is to pick up a 14th tile that completes one of the 100 winning combinations on an official mahjong card. The card changes every year, keeping even veteran players on their toes.
“Matter of fact, we just switched over to the new card and we basically had the old one memorized,” Green said. “So now we’re back in the learning game.”
Laura Clotfelter, co-founder of Mahjong Social Marietta, said the best way to learn is to “just start playing,” because
Kate Hill and Laura Clotfelter, co-founders of Mahjong Social Marietta, enjoy a game on the porch of Hill’s historic Marietta home, using a custom set curated by The Mahjong Line.
understanding mahjong comes with practice and repetition.
“You’re making order out of chaos,” Green said. “It’s half strategy, half luck, so anybody can potentially be good at it.”
Modern mahjong revival
When it comes to mahjong, the rhythmic clacking of brightly-colored tiles is enough to pull even an observer into a trance, effectively hooking them into trying it themself.
Kate Hill, co-founder of Mahjong Social Marietta, said Georgia’s interest in mahjong has dramatically grown since 2024, when the first major mahjong social club came to Atlanta. Since then, numerous clubs have cropped up all over the state.
This modern revival emphasizes the aesthetics of the game’s accessories: decorative tiles, monogrammed mats, candy-colored trucker hats and other merchandise branded with MAHJ, short for mahjong, in a preppy font.
Both Marietta clubs partially attribute the game’s boom in Cobb County to the visual appeal — but mostly to its cognitive benefits and the opportunity it gives people of all ages to socialize within their community.
A report from the National Institute of Health found that adults with mild cognitive impairment can slow their decline by playing mahjong three times a week. In children, it can even increase IQ, according to a Frontiers in Psychology study.
Mahjong social clubs are also catalysts for new friendships, which make people feel more connected and increase their overall satisfaction, according to Psychological Science.
“It’s an organic friendship builder,” Hill said.
TOP: Magenta and neon-colored mahjong tiles propped on the newest National Mah Jongg card filled with this year’s winning combinations.
MIDDLE: Marietta native Laura Clotfelter helps a student during a Mahjong Social Marietta event at Saint + Goldie on Sessions Street.
BOTTOM: Laura Clotfelter, co-founder of Mahjong Social Marietta, stands with a table of five learning to play mahjong during an event at Saint + Goldie on Sessions Street.
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In the years after the COVID-19 pandemic, “I think what we’ve seen in the world is people are seeking community,” she added.
Multigenerational affair
Both Marietta Mahjong and Mahjong Social Marietta host game-playing events and lessons at businesses around Cobb County, further cementing the community’s connection to the game. These events have organically evolved into supporting local businesses, many of which are women-owned.
“We’re just trying to give everybody exposure and we want the Square to do well,” Hill said. “We love this town and we’re both from Marietta.”
Mahjong events are often described as buzzing with energy — from the quiet hum of conversation and steady clicks of tiles to the palpable sense of community.
“We have a lot of people that show up wanting to meet people,” said Clotfelter, of Mahjong Social Marietta. “And it’s multigenerational — people in their 20s all the way into their 80s.”
Through their time practicing and promoting mahjong in the South, Hill and Clotfelter of Mahjong Social Marietta see a special importance in recognizing the cultural roots of the game.
“We always honor the history and we emphasize that all the time,” they said.
Mahjong is a game passed down from mother to daughter, between friends, across borders and through time. One can only guess its fate, but in a world constantly craving personal connections, it seems mahjong will continue to thrive.
For more information on the Mahjong Social Marietta and Mahjong Marietta’s upcoming events and classes, visit their Instagram pages, @mahjongsocialmarietta and @ mariettamahjong.
Mitzi Wade, 93, wins a game of mahjong to a round of applause at an event hosted by Marietta Mahjong. Wade won using a set of tiles that are almost identical to the set she had as a young girl.
Photo by Marietta Mahjong.
Mahjong player chuckles with friends as she sorts through her tiles during a Mahjong Social Marietta event.
Cobb women visit, laugh and enjoy mahjong together during a Mahjong Social Marietta event at Saint + Goldie, a clothing boutique next to Sessions Stand in downtown Marietta.
LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE IDEAS FOR TRAVELING WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY
BY LISA MOWRY
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, GEORGIA: THE PLACE FOR ANNIVERSARIES AND BIRTHDAYS
Head northwest — and fortunately, not too far — for a mountain destination with all the things you need. Lookout Mountain is best known for the northern part of it near Chattanooga, anchored by Rock City, but the views and attractions in closer-by Dade County, Georgia have their own charms and vistas.
Start at the western side of Lookout Mountain with a day spent at Cloudland Canyon State Park. With its 3,500 acres, this is one of the largest state parks to explore, with 64 miles of hiking trails both easy and strenuous, water features and even yurts for an overnight stay. The popular Overlook Trail is full of the “money shots”: canyons descending thousands of feet, and a panorama of trees changing throughout the year. The steeper Waterfalls Trail rewards hikers with two waterfalls along the way.
by owners Alice and Bill Marrin to celebrate lavender and its by-products. June and July are when their acres of lavender bloom, and visitors can stroll among the beds of light-purple plants. Their Lav Shack on property is a charming farm store filled with lavenderthemed goodies.
BOTTOM: The tagline for McLemore Resort is “Golf Above the Clouds,” and indeed this northwest Georgia golf club and community has received accolades from Golf Digest, Forbes and Sports Illustrated, among others, for its stunning golf experience high up among the cliffs. Credit: McLemore Resort
Nearby in the little town of Rising Fawn is Lookout Lavender Farm, a labor-of-love
For your home base in the area, head to the acclaimed McLemore Resort, an upscale community and golf destination, now with its own hotel. Cloudland at McLemore Resort is all about the view, with rooms that overlook the mountains, an infinity pool on the cliff,and restaurants with sunset experiences (and amazing food). Our birthday visit with friends covered all the relaxing opportunities there: a spa treatment in their Selah Spa, lounging at the pool, sampling cocktails at the Scottish-themed Auld Alliance, then dinner at Croft, with its menu that’s elevated Georgia mountain cuisine (think local ice creams and cheeses mixed in with country ham and biscuits). Afterwards, find an Adirondack chair by the firepit and watch
TOP: The Waterfall Trail at Cloudland Canyon State Park offers a hike past two of the popular park’s waterfalls. Credit: Alliance of Dade County MIDDLE: With its setting overlooking Lookout Mountains, Croft restaurant at Cloudland at McLemore Resort is delightful for its all-day views as well as its farm-centric menu. Credit: Lisa Mowry
TOP: “Come as you are, leave happier” is the motto at Pensacola Beach Resort, a freshly remodeled hotel right along the turquoise ocean and steps from the lively pier area.
Credit: Visit Pensacola
MIDDLE: The soaring lobby at Cloudland at McLemore Resort has all the cozy things: stone and wood architecture, with nature-inspired furnishings and dramatic views.
Credit: Cloudland at McLemore
BOTTOM: Lookout
Lavender Farm draws all ages to its fragrant, colorful experience among the fields of lavender. Peak season is the summer, although the lavender store and classes about lavender extend the season. Credit: Alliance of Dade
the stars come out.
Even though McLemore has plenty to offer non-golfers, it has gained national attention as a foremost place to hit the links. Golf holes along the Highlands Course and The Keep offer cliff-side views with a big wow-factor. (Golf Digest called 18 on the Highlands Course “the best finishing hole in America since 2020.”) Stop for a meal at the neighborhood’s clubhouse restaurant, The Craeg, and you’ll get some of these same views.
Note that while McLemore has golf memberships, hotel guests are allowed playing privileges.
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PENSACOLA, FLORIDA:
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE ON A MULTI-GEN FAMILY VACATION
As one of the best twofers around, Pensacola has a best-ofboth-worlds scenario going on: its 50 miles of coastline and tropical-blue water is top-notch, but then there’s also a thriving downtown packed with restaurants, coffee shops and culture. My suggestion is to park your family on Pensacola Beach to enjoy the sand and surf, but then head over the bridge to all the city pleasures, so you’re never bored. There’s something for all ages, all interests.
Pensacola Beach — a five-hour drive from metro Atlanta — has been named one of the best beaches around, by USA Today, Dr. Beach and the Travel Channel, for starters. Its 8 miles of sugary sand and sun
are part of the charm, and because it’s an island, you’re never far from the calm bay area, as well. We set up home base at The Pensacola Beach Resort, newly remodeled and strategically located a few blocks from the pier (there’s a small fee to walk it, but worth the cost to see the view and which fish are being caught). The pier area is where you’ll find two of the handy restaurants to try: Casino Beach Bar and Grill on ocean level, where fish tacos and local beers are the thing to get, and its sister restaurant, the upscale Drift, which offers fine dining — small plates, fresh seafood, and cocktails — with a great sunset view.
We started our day two with breakfast at Native Café, a colorful and lively place where locals and visitors enjoy a hearty meal. A few miles away, we found ourselves driving through Gulf Islands National Seashore, miles of undeveloped beach, with hiking trails and Fort Pickens to explore. By setting up bike rental through Cycle Joint, we were able to ride e-bikes for a couple hours to cover more ground.
Pensacola downtown has so much to offer, as well. Palafox Street is a main thoroughfare for restaurants, shopping and the Saturday markets. Stop in Rex Café in the historic Rex Theatre for a cup of coffee, and then head
BOTTOM: With its walkable blocks of independent restaurants, nightlife, art galleries and culture, Palafox Street in downtown Pensacola is considered one of the most likable streets in America. Wrought-iron architectural features on buildings suggest other Gulf Coast towns like Mobile and New Orleans. Credit:
TOP: Known for its oceanside views and creative menus, Drift in Pensacola Beach brings an elevated approach to beach dining. Credit: Visit Pensacola
Visit Pensacola
travel
to the cultural part of downtown. Historic Pensacola Village (a way to see all the cultures and architectural styles dating back to early settlers) is a treat to stroll through, as well as the nearby Pensacola Museum of Art. For lunch, we sat bayside at the popular Jaco’s Bayfront Bar and Grill for fish tacos. Toward the end of the day, we enjoyed the laid-back Pensacola City Ferry, which runs sunset cruises on weekend nights, March through November.
Two culinary experiences stood out…and both had a vibe similar to Pensacola’s cultural cousin, New Orleans. Restaurant Iron has its own long list of accolades from publications, and rightfully so: its take on Southern dishes and local fish is a standout. We loved sitting at the chef’s table, bar seating that overlooks the open kitchen, so you can see all the action. On Sunday, the Five Sisters Blues Café — in the epicenter of African American daily life and the blues scene there — was a treat for brunch and jazz. Locals lined up for the doors to open right at 10 am, since seats are limited.
ATHENS, GEORGIA: A FRIENDS’ TRIP FOR COUPLES AND COLLEGE FRIENDS
Like any good college town, Athens is a mix of tried and true — football weekends, Mama’s Boy for brunch and beer at Creature Comforts — and fortunately, always evolving. New and expanded places make it worth a new trip, game day or otherwise.
The Akins Ford Arena is downtown’s newest venue for concerts and sports. It’s most well-known for being home to the Athens Rock Lobsters — a professional hockey team named for the B52’s famous song — but it’s also where the UGA Ice Dawgs perform, bands such as The Avett Brothers tour and where visitors can check out memorabilia celebrating the town’s musical history.
A couple new spots are open for business in downtown. Birdies, in a charming brick building on Prince Avenue, is a British-style gourmet market (think cheeses, wine and specialty items) with a lunch counter for ordering soups and sandwiches. Condor Chocolates, long dedicated to sustainable chocolates and coffee beans, now has a sister location on E. Washington Street, serving up
TOP: The new Osteria Olio restaurant blends refined Italian cuisine with industrial-chic interior design. Credit: Rivet House/Mali Azima
MIDDLE: If you’re a fan of professional hockey (or the B52s?), you might want to head to an Athens Rock Lobster game in the new Akins Ford Arena. Credit: Visit Athens
BOTTOM RIGHT: Pizza and Italianinspired appetizers are signature dishes at Osteria Olio. Credit: Rivet House/Andrew Thomas Lee
BOTTOM LEFT: Downtown Athens now has its own Condor Chocolates on East Washington Street. Credit: Condor Chocolates
coffee treats with gourmet sweets. Several new boutique hotels have opened for stylish and historic places to stay in Athens, including The Bell and The Athenian. If you like brick walls, an industrial vibe and a buzzy new restaurant, check out Rivet House, a former textile mill-turned-boutique hotel. I loved sleeping in a room that felt like my own private loft apartment, then exploring the great artwork and architecture elsewhere in the building. Their upscale Italian restaurant Osteria Olio is popular and rightfully so, with its creative approach to the menu (homemade pastas, fresh fish specials, incredible desserts) and a light-filled decor. The hotel is in an industrial section of town, so note that it’s not walkable to downtown, but they will be offering free shuttles to Sanford Stadium on game days as a handy perk.
We want to host your next event! From weddings and showers to mitzvahs and parties, we can do it all. Call us now to schedule a tour! 770-794-5576
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The outdoor patio at the new Rivet House hotel shows off this former textile mill, with its brick façade and steel windows.
Credit: Visit Athens/Mali Azima
WOW:
It’s Woman-Owned
Inside Candy Hunter’s motorcycle empire in Cobb
Written by CARLEY TAYLOR | Photography by DUNCAN CARTER
Candy Hunter fondly remembers the first time she got behind the handlebars of a motorcycle. She had grown up around bikes — often perched on the tank of her father’s or uncle’s as they did slow laps around the yard — but she truly fell in love with riding as a teen, when a friend let her take theirs for a spin.
From then on, whether it was the feeling of flying or the community that came along with riding, she was hooked.
In 1992, Hunter took her first job at a motorcycle dealership in Roswell. Since then, she’s crisscrossed continents on two wheels, forged friendships with riders around the globe and turned her passion for motorcycles into a profession.
Hunter is the president and CEO of WOW Motorcycles, the largest independent preowned motorcycle dealership in the country. The 65,000-square-foot dealership on Cobb Parkway in Marietta boasts a showroom of over 600 new and preowned motorcycles and street carts sourced from around the world.
“We’re the only woman-owned motorcycle place in the U.S. that I know of, but no one has argued to say otherwise,” Hunter laughs. “Because this is what I’ve done for over 30 years, it’s a natural evolution for me and the people that I work with know I’m super capable.”
WOW Motorcycles began in the late 1980s under a different name: World on Wheels International. Founder Belgian-born Guido Adriaenssens rebranded the business and opened a brick-and-mortar store in Marietta in 2002, when Hunter joined the team.
Full throttle
There’s not much inside WOW Motorcycles that Hunter can’t do. From tuning bikes to managing logistics, she does it all. Still, it’s not uncommon for customers to walk right past her, assuming the owner must be a man.
“I think once people find out that I’m the CEO it’s a shock to them because I guess I don’t look like a ‘biker’ but I’m more of a motorcyclist through and through,” Hunter tells Cobb Life. “... There’s maybe been one or two occasions where I’ve had somebody with a sour attitude about it, but most of the time people are just like ‘Wow, really that’s so cool.’ And I say, ‘See, that’s why we call it WOW.’” Hunter says being a CEO in a maledominated industry comes with its challenges, but she can’t imagine doing anything else. For Hunter, successful leadership comes from knowing her team on a personal level and creating an environment that fosters trust and respect. That sense of family is applied to every aspect of her business — even the simple things like a fully stocked kitchen and daily chef-prepared lunches for her staff.
Last year, Hunter bought the company and took over as president and CEO.
“Currently, our full-service local business includes selling new and preowned motorcycles and powersports, parts and repairs and motorcycle rentals,” Hunter explains. “Our international business includes selling motorcycles to Asia, Europe and South Africa.”
On the customer side, WOW Motorcycles isn’t just looking to make a quick sale — Hunter says they’re looking to develop longstanding relationships and put customers onto motorcycles for life.
“We have, probably, 10 or more people over the last 30 years that have bought upwards of like 20 to 30 motorcycles from us,” Hunter says. “Because it’s a hobby, people will change out their motorcycles way faster than they would cars. It’s really, really cool since I’ve been in the industry for so long to see that whole life cycle of people — where they start off on the basic beginner bike and then they move to a sport bike and then they go to an adventure bike. Just seeing them try out all the different styles of riding too is always a very interesting thing.”
Candy Hunter, president and CEO of WOW Motorcycles, poses on a T100 Triumph Bonneville, a motorcycle brand available at the 68,000-squarefoot dealership on Cobb Parkway.
We’re the only woman-owned motorcycle place in the U.S. that I know of, but no one has argued to say otherwise...
CANDY HUNTER ” “
Candy Hunter, president and CEO of WOW Motorcycles, says she’s been hooked on riding since her teens — drawn in by the feeling of flying and the sense of community that comes with life on a motorcycle.
Building community, avoiding traffic
Hunter’s goal as CEO is to shift the public perception of motorcycles, showing that they’re practical modes of transportation. In other countries, she says motorcycles and scooters are primary means of getting from point A to point B — a shift that would benefit congested cities like Atlanta.
“I want people to know that motorcycles can be daily transportation,” she said. “It’s not just a toy and it can be a very fun way of dealing with traffic and transportation.”
She acknowledges that many riders go through a phase of pushing limits, but believes that stage is often a stepping stone to something deeper — becoming the kind of rider who travels the world. And no matter where you go, Hunter says motorcyclists have a way of finding each other.
“You start talking and it gives you this commonality and it doesn’t matter where they work, what they do or where they’re from, you are instant friends,” Hunter tells Cobb Life. “I have made some of the best lifelong friends through motorcycling. The camaraderie and the community that the motorcycle industry has together around the world is another thing that I really want to emphasize to people.”
For more information on WOW Motorcycles, their inventory or upcoming events, visit wowmotorcycles. com.
WOW Motorcycles President and CEO Candy Hunter, center, with staff Trey Gay, Brandon Harris, Glen Hausenstein, Zach Benoy, Dakota Walker, Brodie Beasley, Bill Lavigne, Donnie Hill, Sean Helemeczy, Cayd Rich and Brenda Hollink.
The showroom of WOW Motorcycles on Cobb Parkway boasts hundreds of motorcycles and accessories from brands, including BMW, HarleyDavidson, Kawasaki, Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Triumph and Polaris, to name a few.
A stuntman pops a wheelie at WOW Motorcycles’ open house stunt show celebration.
Meet Caroline Eubanks, author of “A Boozy History of Atlanta: People, Places & Drinks that Made a City”
Eubanks is an award-winning writer and author born and raised in Marietta. Her work focuses mostly on travel, food and drink of the Southern United States, including stories for Bon Appetit, Garden & Gun, Travel + Leisure and the Washington Post. She’s contributed to several guidebooks and is also the author of “This Is My South: The Essential Travel Guide to the Southern States” (2018) and winner of a Lowell Thomas Award. She’s a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and the Author’s Guild. When she’s not working or traveling, you’ll probably find her at a cocktail bar or antique mall. Learn more at CarolineEubanks.com.
CL: How did the idea for “A Boozy History of Atlanta” come about?
CE: I write a lot about the cocktail culture of other places and I realized that while there were some great ones covering Atlanta beer and Prohibition history, there wasn’t one book that told the story of the city through its drinks. The South has this reputation of being very conservative with blue laws and the like, but there are some wild things that have happened since Atlanta’s founding. I don’t want to give too much away, but the first mayoral race was between political colonies for and against alcohol. The owners of the city’s most famous bars are fascinating characters including one with a pet crocodile and another who is an artist and former seminary student. Two others traded cases of beer for a Rolls Royce. These are just a few of the interesting stories you can read about.
CL: What separates this book from other pieces you’ve written? What connects it?
CE: During the research process, I was able to hone in on different parts of the larger story and write about them further like the history of Underground Atlanta, the new location of MJQ, the histories of different watering holes, and the role rum played in colonial Georgia. But this is probably the most research-heavy project I’ve done in my career. I think the biggest connection between my previous book and this one is my affection for the region.
CL: What can readers expect from your second book?
CE: This book is much more history and research focused, with several interesting threads that connect the city’s legacy. Readers can expect to see many of the same places and people come up in the course of the book’s 200 or so years of history. And, of course, it’s specific to Atlanta, not the South as a whole.
CL: How does inspiration strike you?
CE: Inspiration comes to me in the oddest of ways sometimes. I have dozens of notes on my phone about topics I’d like to cover or do some more digging into. Sometimes it’s a meal I have or something I see on TV. Lots of times it’s from traveling and visiting places away from my own backyard. And, of course, this book was inspired by trips to bars and cocktails I enjoyed.
CL: Do you have any rituals/best practices for writing?
CE: I do most of my writing in the same place, my home office, so there’s a bit of routine and ritual there. I like to start by checking emails and then launching into writing once my coffee has had time to kick in. When I get stuck, I like to take a walk around the block to clear my head.
CL: What advice can you share with other local aspiring authors?
CE: Getting to know each other is great for having people to bounce ideas off of. But becoming a customer of your local bookstores is also great! You don’t have to have something coming out soon to pop in and introduce yourself.
CL: How has your environment influenced your work?
CE: I get endless inspiration from my surroundings. I think I could never run out of things to write about the South, especially.
CL: What’s your favorite part about writing? Your least favorite?
CE: My favorite thing about writing is seeing something from inside my head actually come to life on the page. My least favorite would be the business side, mostly chasing down invoices to make sure I get paid and taxes. Unfortunately, that’s an equal part of the business.
CL: Who are you currently reading?
CE: I have a massive stack going at all times because I’m addicted to buying them at the thrift store and swapping them out at my Little Free Library. I’m on my second Ann Patchett of the year so she’s a favorite. I also like memoirs and nonfiction books.
CL: Why did you start writing? What made you take the plunge?
CE: I always loved writing in school and English and language arts were my favorite subjects. But it wasn’t until I was almost done with college that I took a communications class and fell in love. I worked at newspapers but after graduation I started my freelance career, first as a side hustle
and eventually building up to making the plunge full time. Even when it’s difficult, there’s nothing I’d rather be doing.
CL: What/who is your favorite book/author of all time? Why?
CE: There are so many I could name. I’ve always been a big reader, ever since I got my first library card. I love Donna Tartt and The Secret History is probably the book that stuck with me the most in recent years. I couldn’t put it down.
CL: What makes your work stand out from other authors in the same genre?
CE: Not to say other authors don’t do the same, but I feel very connected to the people I write about. I like finding characters in everything I write.
The following is an excerpt from Caroline Eubanks’ book,
“A Boozy History of Atlanta: People, Places & Drinks that Made a City”
In the mid-1700s, the Muscogee (Creek) village of Standing Peachtree sat where the Chattahoochee River and Peachtree Creek met. European settlers moved inland from the coast, settling in the area, some for the short term and others for long thanks to a series of land lotteries starting in 1805. Little by little, the Creek and Cherokee were forced out through treaties and forced removal in 1838 on the “Trail of Tears.”
The city that would become Atlanta was established in 1837, given the name “Terminus,” which was initially assigned because there was no certainty that anyone would want to live there permanently. In the words of the Western and Atlantic railroad’s chief engineer, it was “a good place for one tavern, a blacksmith shop, a grocery store, and nothing else.”
For travelers taking the stagecoach routes through the South before the official
establishment of the city, he was right. That place was the Whitehall Tavern, which was then
the only place to spend the night between parts of Georgia and Tennessee. Named for its white-
painted walls, a novelty in its time, it opened in 1835 at Newnan and Sandtown roads and was used as a landmark. A stay at the eight room-accommodation also came with a daily meal.
Owner Charner Humphries ran the two-story inn and tavern, which also became the area’s post office, gambling hub, and later a voting precinct. His daughter Elizabeth married Joshua Gilbert, the city’s first doctor.
It continued to operate for the next twenty years until Humphries’ death in 1855. Charner and his wife were interred near the tavern and later relocated to the historic Westview Cemetery. A community popped up around the tavern, with two breweries operating by the 1860s and a burgeoning liquor trade. While the tavern was later torn down, Whitehall lent its name to a street that became a part of Atlanta’s drinking culture for many years to come.
From barbecue and cheesesteaks to coffee and smoothies, a slate of new restaurants have joined Cobb County’s bustling dining scene, just in time for summer. Check out Cobb’s local restaurant news and get to eatin’! Heavenly BBQ opened in Sprayberry Square Shopping Center, occupying the former space of Willie Jewell’s Old School Bar-B-Q, which closed last year. The restaurant provides a blend of traditional barbecue lunch and dinner options, serving customers the “finest smoked meats,” according to owner Daryl Stewart. Popular orders, Stewart said, are the brisket and pulled pork sandwiches,
which can be topped with four specialty sauces: chipotle, Georgia sweet, habanero and Carolina mustard.
Popular Atlanta staple Woody’s Cheesesteaks opened a new location on Church Street in downtown Marietta, marking its fourth location in metro Atlanta. In addition to its famous
cheesesteaks, consisting of thinly sliced steak, grilled onions and white American cheese and additional toppings available, the restaurant offers cold subs, hot dogs, sausages, milkshakes and hand dipped ice cream. Its flagship location opened in 1975 in Midtown across the street from Piedmont Park.
Caribou Coffee, a national coffee shop chain, is scheduled to open a new location in Smyrna as part of an ongoing expansion plan in Georgia. The new store will be on the corner of Windy Hill Road and South Cobb Drive, at 2410 South Cobb Drive SE, and will take over a former Checker’s restaurant. The opening
Top Left: Heavenly BBQ Chef Michelle Nesmith puts the finishing touches on a smoked pulled chicken sandwich.
Top Right: Caribou Coffee will open a new store on the corner of Windy Hill Road and South Cobb Drive in Smyrna, as part of a major expansion effort throughout Georgia.
Bottom: Co-owners Matt Porcelli and Steven Renner stand outside Woody’s Cheesesteaks in Marietta.
Smyrna Market Village has a new addition to its food scene with the opening of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue. The national chain is a popular staple in Hawaii, with over 200 locations throughout the islands and the mainland. Smyrna’s location, owned by local couple Mike and Ruth Kervin, is the fifth restaurant to open in Georgia and the first in Cobb, with other stores in Peachtree City, Mulberry, Hinesville and Savannah. Eden Smoothies opened on Church Street, just off Marietta Square. The quick-service restaurant — with additional locations in Woodstock and Morningside in Atlanta — offers smoothies, bowls and juices using all natural ingredients. Eden also offers “warm things” — like a hummus turmeric rice bowl and veggie, avocado or fruit toasts.
2400 Cobb Parkway SE, Smyrna 30080 Close to Cumberland Mall, Truist Park, and right off of I-75 470-308-3333 www.chowkingcobb.com
Featuring 17 bars, 250 items, jumbo shrimp, catfish, sushi bar, hibachi bar, salad bar, dessert bar, hot bbq grill & open kitchen.
Come sample our Japanese sushi, Hibachi, and a variety of salads. With 250 items, we have a great selection of both Chinese & American food. Celebrate your
Top: L&L Hawaiian Barbecue’s Chef Richard pours a spoonful of curry sauce over top of a chicken katsu plate lunch.
Bottom: An Eden Smoothies employee tops the OG Bowl, which has a pitaya, strawberry and banana base, with shredded coconut.
June Events
Juneteenth Celebration
When: June 13, 14 and 15
Where: Marietta Square
Cost: Free
Enjoy a Juneteenth celebration with the city of Marietta and the Cobb NAACP in Marietta Square. On Friday, there will be a block party from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., where guests have to wear all white.
cobb life events
June/July Events
On Saturday, a cultural festival, including entertainment and vendors, will take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sunday Salute to Our Heroes, a Fathers Day celebration will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. Free to the public, there are activities for the whole family, including live entertainment, 150 vendors offering food, music, information booths, voter registration, raffles, health screenings, NAACP Juneteenth T-shirts and memberships, fellowship and networking for attendees.
Food Truck Tuesdays
When: Every Tuesday from 5 to 9 p.m.
Where: Taylor-Brawner Park
Cost: Free
Enjoy Smyrna Food Truck Tuesdays every Tuesday at TaylorBrawner Park from 5 to 9 p.m. There will be gourmet foods trucks, sweets and music.
Concert on the Green: A Juneteenth Celebration
When: June 21 from 5 to 10 p.m.
Where: Logan Farm Park
Cost: Free
Concert on the Green: A Juneteenth Celebration will take place at Logan Farm Park. The event opens at 5 p.m. with live music taking place from 7 to 10 p.m. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase. The city of Acworth invites the whole community to bring blankets and folding chairs and join this celebration of freedom and respect for all cultures.
Glover
Park Concert Series
When: June 27, July 25 at 8 p.m.
Where: Glover Park
Cost: Free
The Glover Park Concert Series takes place the last Friday of each month from April to September. The June 27 concert will feature performances from Smokey Jones and the 3 Dollar Pistols, followed by the Stranger featuring Mike Santoro (A Billy Joel Tribute Band) July 25.
cobb life events
Last Podcast on the Left: JK Ultra Tour
When: June 28, 6 p.m.
Where: Coca-Cola Roxy
Cost: Start at $54
Marcus Parks, Ed Larson and Henry Zebrowski are coming to Coca-Cola Roxy on Saturday, June 28 for a live recording of their horror podcast “Last Podcast on the Left.” Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $54 plus applicable fees.
July Events
Southern Spirits
When: July 3 from 7 to 10 p.m.
Where: The Southern Museum
Cost: $30 for museum members and $40 for nonmembers
Southern Spirits, hosted by The Kennesaw Museum Foundation and the Southern Museum, coincides with the city of Kennesaw’s Salute to America on Thursday, July 3. Taking place at the Southern Museum, the event will be both indoors and outdoors with beer, wine, spirits, food and live music being offered from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. At 10 p.m. there will be a firework display. Tickets are $30 for museum members and $40 for nonmembers which includes three beverages, food, admission to the museum and lawn seating for the fireworks display.
Marietta’s Fourth in the Park Festival
When: July 4 from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Where: Marietta Square
Cost: Free
Join the city of Marietta for its 4th in the Park celebration Thursday, July 4 from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., featuring a parade, free live concerts, arts and crafts show, food, carnival games and fireworks finale.
cobb life events
July 4th Fest at Six Flags Over Georgia
When: July 3, 4, 5 and 6
Where: Six Flags Over Georgia
Cost: One-Day ticket is $35 If there was ever a time to celebrate the thrill of freedom, this is it. Say Happy Birthday America with screamin’ rides, and spectacular fireworks July 3 through 6 at Six Flags Over Georgia.
Parks and Recreation Celebration
When: July 18 from 4 to 8 p.m.
Where: Glover Park
Cost: Free
Join the city of Marietta for its annual Parks and Recreation Celebration at Glover Park in the Historic Marietta Square. The National Recreation and Parks Association promotes this month annually with a different theme relating to the positive impact made by parks professionals. This year the theme is “Build Together, Play Together.”
Lights, Camera, Avenue! Outdoor Movies
When: July 24 at 6 p.m.
Where: Avenue East Cobb
Cost: Free
The Avenue East Cobb will host a free movie night as the plaza transforms into an outdoor cinema at 6 p.m. Check on Avenue East Cobb’s Instagram to vote on the movie, invite friends or family to come along, grab food from the plaza and relax and enjoy a film on a jumbo LED screen under the evening sky.
Acworth Easter Egg Hunt
Photography by ROBIN RAYNE
Thousands flooded the Acworth Sports Complex April 4 for the city’s annual Easter egg hunt.
Kids aged zero to 10 were able to participate in five rounds of hunting on the different fields, collecting over 50,000 eggs filled with treats and toys. Attendees also perused various family-friendly activities, like bouncy houses, face painting, a caricature artist and other crafts, thanks to the Freedom Church.
2. Hallie Holloway, 18 months, of Acworth, collects her eggs at the city’s annual Easter Egg Hunt at Acworth Sports Complex.
3. Akeiah Wesley, 3, Kennesaw, sports colorful ears as she waits for the start of city of Acworth’s annual Easter Egg Hunt at Acworth’s Sports Complex.
4. Roland Noeske, 3, of Kennesaw, takes a moment during Acworth’s annual Easter Egg Hunt at Acworth’s Sports Complex.
5. Scenes from the city of Acworth’s annual Easter egg hunt.
Cobb Library Foundation hosts 14th annual Booked for the Evening Gala
Photography by ROBIN RAYNE
The Cobb Library Foundation held its 2025 Booked for the Evening Gala, bringing bookworms and library lovers together for an elegant evening for the 14th year in a row.
1. Author Jennifer Nielsen greets Cobb Library.
1. Thousands flooded the Acworth Sports Complex for the city’s annual Easter egg hunt.
Jerry
Susan
Steve
and Diane Mundy enjoy the social time before the Cobb Library Foundation’s Annual Booked for the Evening Gala at the Atlanta Country Club.
3. Lilly and Kellen Denny chat with James Coleman before the Cobb Library Foundation’s annual Booked for the Evening Gala at the Atlanta Country Club.
2.
Lacy,
Flinn,
Hughes
4. Author Jennifer Nielsen shares stories with the Cobb Library Foundation at its annual Booked for the Evening Gala.
5. Author Jennifer Nielsen, left, greets Cobb Library Foundation members at its annual Booked for the Evening Gala, held at the Atlanta Country Club.
Now: “Woodstock on the Water” may be no longer, but shootin’ the ‘Hooch will always be a popular rite of passage for Atlantans. Visit nps.gov/ chat/index.htm for a full list of river amenities, floating tips and tubing rental companies in and around Cobb County.
Then: For more than a decade, the Ramblin’ Raft Race was a Memorial Day Weekend tradition in Atlanta. It began in 1969 as a Georgia Tech fraternity social event and quickly ballooned into a massive annual spectacle, known as “Woodstock on the Water.” The race began at Morgan Falls Dam in Sandy Springs and ended just north of I-285 in Vinings. After a death by drowning in 1980, the withdrawal of support from the American Rafting Association and a growing crackdown on public intoxication, the once-iconic event drifted into history.
Then photos courtesy of the MDJ, Old Marietta Facebook Page, Davis McCollum and the Marietta History Center.
Transformation is on the Horizon
Big changes are coming!
The Cobb Galleria Centre is undergoing a major expansion and renovation, elevating the experience for tradeshows, meetings, and special events. The transformation project breaks ground this fall and is slated for completion in early 2027.
Get ready for a reimagined and immersive event space right in the heart of Cobb.
