MABLE HOUSE HARVEST FESTIVAL SET FOR OCTOBER 9

The Mable House Harvest Festival is set for October 9 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The festival is presented by Cobb PARKS, and sponsored by Friends of the Mable House. It will be held at the Mable House, 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton. This family-friendly festival offers free parking and free admission.  

There will be lots of activities, including storytelling, children’s crafts, petting farm, old time games, a visit from Mother Goose and her helper, hayrides, tours and demonstrations in the Historic House: spinning, weaving, quilting and a blacksmith.  South Cobb Lions Club will be selling BBQ.  There will be live music all afternoon:  Strand Ole Opry, Katy Ruth Camp & Friends, Travis Cottle, Possum ‘n Taters, a bagpiper and Scottish dancers.

Fall Book Sale

ANNUAL PUMPKIN SALE BEGINS AT SMYRNA FUMC

Photo by Cathy Lipsett

Pumpkins as far as the eye can see. The lot adjacent to First United Methodist Church, Concord Road, Smyrna, is filled with pumpkins large, small and in-between. The church youth are selling the pumpkins as part of their annual fundraiser for their Youth Ministries at SFUMC.

There is an honor box for payments outside of those times when staff is present and payments can also be made at Smyrnafumc.org

This Sunday, October 10, will celebrate a faith and blue initiative from 1 – 4 p.m. The police officers will be accepting donations of baby items for Tillman House. Donate two or more baby items and the police will buy the donor a pumpkin to decorate or keep. There will be a pumpkin contest for the best decorated pumpkin.

IMPORTANT DATES & ABSENTEE BALLOT INFORMATION ABOUT THE UPCOMING ELECTION IN NOVEMBER

Cobb County voters can now apply to vote absentee in the November 2021 election. Many had applied too early under new elections laws recently passed, and those applications were rejected, 

  • All precincts will have an education SPLOST question on the ballot.   
  • Precincts within incorporated cities will also have municipal offices on the ballot.
  • Voters must register to vote or update their address by Oct. 4 at MVP.sos.ga.gov.
  • Voters may submit an absentee ballot application only between Aug. 16 and Oct. 22.
  • Absentee ballots will be mailed to voters beginning Oct. 11.
  • Voted absentee ballots must be received by Cobb Elections staff before 7 pm on Nov. 2, 2021. 
    • Ballots can be returned by postal mail, or
    • hand-delivered to the ballot box inside the Cobb Elections office, or
    • hand-delivered to any early voting location during voting hours.
  • In a pilot program, Cobb Elections staff will also accept voted ballots at certain libraries starting on Oct. 25.  A schedule of dates, times, and locations will be published soon.
  • Early voting will begin on Oct. 12. A schedule of dates, times, and locations will be published no later than Sept. 27.

For questions and for more information, visit cobbcounty.org/electionsemail info@cobbelections.orgor call 770-528-2581.

DIAPER DRIVE TO ASSIST FAMILIES

Cobb & Douglas Public Health is hosting a diaper drive to benefit the Healthy Start program. Diapers can be dropped off from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 14, at the South Cobb Public Health Center. The address is 875 Riverside Parkway, Austell GA 30168. 

The Healthy Start program promotes positive birth outcomes in an effort to reduce low weight births and infant mortality. The program is in need of diapers to distribute to the families they are serving. If you have any questions please contact the program director Sara Harmelin at sara.harmelin@dph.ga.gov

SUNTRUST PARK BECOMES TRUIST PARK

The Braves ballpark, originally known as SunTrust Park, has a new name. In mid-January Truist and the Atlanta Braves revealed the new name and look of our ballpark. We are excited to share the new logo and a few renderings with you so you can see what the new name will look like inside and outside of the park, said a Braves executive. 

            During the renaming event,Truist also announced that they will refurbish one youth baseball/softball field a year for the next ten years and dedicate them to our home run king, Hank Aaron.

            It was also announced that for the month of April (except for Opening Day) kids can come to a Braves game for free, courtesy of Truist. Beginning March 2, fans can come by the OnUp Experience in The Battery Atlanta to sign up and then go to the Braves ticket windows to redeem (more details to come).

            For full information about the Truist Park experience visit braves.com/truistpark.

WellStar Vinings Health Place Is VBA Business of Year

WellStar Vinings Health Park was named the Vinings Business Association’s “2019 Vinings Business or Organization of the Year.” The award was presented Dec. 3.

WellStar and the three other finalists were presented at the November luncheon to their business ideas and successes. Other finalists include Cobb Community Foundation, Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID), and Crispina Ristorante & Pizzeria.

“All of these nominees are winners,” said Chairman Glenn Christian. “We have been working to get the word out that Vinings is a special place.”

Loretta Usry, executive director, Health Parks South, thanked the VBA. We have everything yunder one roof.

 “We have been in the running for this quite a while and we are thrilled to be in the community. We provide many services to the community and we give back to the community in part through our indigent care fun,” she said.

The Vinings Health Park has been open for two years and its 162,000 sq. ft. building at Atlanta Road near I-285 is fully occupied.

“The whole concept is one stop shopping,” said Joe Brywczynski, senior vice president of WellStar Health Park Development. “We hope you are wowed by your experience.”

The third of five WellStar Health Parks, Vinings saw 200,000 patients the first year and some 250,000 the second.

The three other nominees include:

Andriano Djula and Raffaele Crispino opened Crispina Ristorante & Pizzeria at Paces Mill and Cobb Parkway some five years ago.

The restaurant and the newly opened Crispina Grill in the same shopping center provide a traditional Neapolitan style, southern Italian menu.

Djula said, “We work together and provide excellent family tradition recipes.”

 When we opened it would not have been possible without working with local schools and supporting the local businesses.

The Cobb Community Foundation works with some 500 non-profits, using a donor advised funding model to collect and disperse contributions. Currently it oversees some $550,000 in funds.

“We have one purpose and that’s to support the nonprofits in Cobb and encourage giving,” said Bruce Clayton, board chairman.

The Cumberland area has grown since the Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID) was formed some 31 years ago.

Kyethea Clark, Director of Operations for the CID, said this was the first CID in Georgia as commercial property owners agreed to tax themselves to fund transportation and community improvements.

Three decades ago the area was retail and office/commercial but has added many residential properties in the past several years. “Jobs and  Housing has balanced out to make this a more vibrant area,” she said. “Now you have people who stay here to do things, such as go to the Battery.”

WellStar Cobb Celebrates 50 Years

WellStar Cobb Hospital, one of the premier healthcare providers offering top quality, community-based professional healthcare services to the residents of Austell and South Cobb communities, marked the 50th Anniversary of its opening on June 3.

What began as a 50-acre peach orchard is now a nationally recognized campus for hope and healing with 382 licensed beds and 2,200 staff members who care for more than 104,000 patients annually. From the first patient treated 50 years ago, to the millions seeking care and comfort since, WellStar Cobb Hospital continues to fulfill its founding vision of being there for patients every minute of every hour of every day.

“For 50 years, this hospital has been a proud example of what a community can accomplish when they come together for the better of all,” said Callie Andrews, president of WellStar Cobb Hospital. “This year isn’t just a celebration of the hospital and our team, but also for the surrounding communities as we reflect on what we’ve been able to accomplish together. As we look toward the future, we will continue the hospital’s legacy of focusing on patient experience and quality care to create a healthier, hope-filled community.”

No history of WellStar Cobb Hospital would be complete without recognizing the tireless dedication and support of Charles “Pete” Wood. From his participation in 1962 as founding Trustee of the Hospital Authority of Cobb County, to his leadership as Chairman of the WellStar Board of Trustees, Wood gave freely of his talents and time to ensure quality healthcare for Cobb County residents. WellStar Cobb Hospital’s Therapeutic Horticulture Garden – completed in 1993 for recovering patients and their families – was dedicated and renamed the Charles “Pete” Wood Garden in 2000 to honor him for his many decades of service.

The 50-year history of the hospital is filled with many milestones, most notably its merger with Kennestone, Douglas, Paulding and Windy Hill hospitals in 1993 to form a robust health system, Northwest Georgia Health System, Inc. On March 6, 1998, the name WellStar was introduced as the umbrella for these community hospitals. The words “Well” represent the mission of providing for the health of the community, and “Star” represents leadership, innovation and commitment to excellence.

“WellStar Cobb Hospital has a longstanding history of providing high-quality healthcare services focused on improving the health and wellbeing of the individuals and communities served. For the past 50 years, the physicians, caregivers and team members at WellStar Cobb have strived to exceed the expectations of our patients and consumers by creating an outstanding hospital and medical community that has expanded and thrived,” said Candice L. Saunders, president and CEO of WellStar Health System. “We are excited to celebrate this milestone and look forward to building upon our legacy as the healthcare partner of choice for greater South Cobb and its surrounding communities.”

Dedicated physicians work hand-in-hand with nurses and others to bring the best in modern medicine at WellStar Cobb Hospital. The hospital offers several exemplary programs, including a recently renovated burn and wound unit, a state-of-the-art cardiac program and women’s center and a leading cancer program that will have a new facility unveiled in late 2018.

“Physician leadership was instrumental in the hospital’s early history,” said Thomas Gearhard, MD, family medicine for WellStar Cobb Hospital and member of WellStar Cobb regional health board. “Dedicated medical staff provided family care, delivered newborns and served those in need in Cobb County where healthcare services were warmly welcomed in 1968. As the hospital has grown, it’s always enjoyed a close relationship with the community, through local governance, staff outreach, vibrant volunteer support and events.”

From the July 2018 issue of The Bright Side, Cobb County Georgia’s Newspaper covering Smyrna, Vinings, Mableton, Powder Springs and Austell, GA.

Vinings Hosts Ice Cream Social

The Vinings Ice Cream Social on Sunday, July 15 salutes “National Ice Cream Day” with fun for the whole family.

The event, sponsored by the Vinings Historic Preservation Society, will be held at from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Historic Pace House and Pavilion on Paces Mill Road. There are certain to be some surprises and fun for all ages is guaranteed. Come on out and bring your family and friends for a day of good old fashioned summer fun.

Admission is free to VHPS members and children under 12. Admission for non-VHPS members over the age of 12 is $5 at the door. Please park across the street in the Piedmont Medical and Fidelity Bank parking lot.

From the July 2018 issue of The Bright Side, Cobb County Georgia’s Newspaper covering Smyrna, Vinings, Mableton, Powder Springs and Austell, GA.

Whitefield Student Is Chess Champ

Drew Justice, a Whitefield Academy Sixth grader, recently represented his school in the National Elementary Chess Championship held in Nashville, Tennessee.

The tournament, sponsored by the U.S. Chess Federation, draws more than 2,000 players from around the country in a four-day event that begins with a 6-round blitz (fast chess) tournament and concluding with a 7-round standard tournament. Justice had an outstanding performance in the K-6 blitz tournament, claiming first place.

Overall, Justice holds four national titles in chess: 2013 K-1 Co-Champion, 2015 K-3 Blitz Co-Champion, 2017 K-6 Bughouse Champion, 2018 K-6 Blitz Co-Champion (1st place on tiebreaks). In the 2018 regular tournament, Justice came close to securing another national title. After winning his first five matches, he played very well in round 6 to earn a draw. Then, still tied for first place going into the final round, he was outplayed by a strong opponent from California and ended the regular tournament in 8th place. There are three types of chess championships: regular (90 minutes per player), blitz (5 minutes per player), and bughouse (partner chess).

Justice is a chess “Expert” (2000 U.S. rating), and hopes to get to “National Master” (2200 rating) by the end of middle school. He has been an avid chess player since he was three years old. In addition to chess, Justice enjoys playing basketball, football, and looks forward to being in the marching band next school year. He enjoys the challenge of playing other top players from around the country, and also teaching chess to younger children at Whitefield through after school programs and summer camps.

Whitefield Academy is a Christ-centered, college preparatory school serving more than 800 students in PreK4 through 12th grade. For more information, visit whitefieldacademy.com.

From the June 2018 issue of The Bright Side, Cobb County Georgia’s Newspaper covering Smyrna, Vinings, Mableton,  and Austell, GA.