Marietta Stories | Crazy Cool Stories From The Community Builders Of Marietta, Georgia

The Marietta Pilgrimage is a huge part of Marietta. Every first weekend in December, thousands come to see some of . This year is no different. Forest Hills neighborhood is the choice for 2019. This neighborhood began in 1928 and continues as an area of cute homes that were homes for Marietta merchants. Get this special behind the scenes glimpse into the process of creating the pilgrimage tour. http://www.mariettapilgrimage.com    

We at Marietta Stories are obsessed with maintaining a sense of community in our crazy social media world. Well, Jean Parker, Sarah Bullington, Emily Hogarth, her husband Wes, Robin Plett and a bunch of other folks allowed me to tag along to one of their progressive dinners. They also made the night of “the giving kitchen” (https://thegivingkitchen.org) a non-profit created to help people in the restaurant service industry, with a $1000 check.   Enjoy the journey from appetizers to dessert and learn about this community of people that make Maple Ave one of the gems of the Marietta.

Bill catches up with all the dance teams prior to the Dancing with the Stars of Marietta show. He also meets some of the young dancers from Georgia Metro Dance Theatre (did I mention this was a fundraiser for this worthy cause), as well as witnessing some behind the scenes jitters from the teams.   Bill also catches up with the artistic director for the theatre, Ashleigh Whitworth and we discuss the importance of dance in children’s development.    Who won? You will just have to listen.   Send your tax deductible contribution to: http://www.georgiametrodance.org

You know Sam Rambo from Rambo Nursery and Glover Park Brewery, but did you know Sam and his wife Hannah volunteered to be contestants on Dancing with the Stars of Marietta?   Well they did and Marietta Stories Podcast got a special sneak peak of the practice. Gray Stoner, the assistant artistic director of Georgia Metro Dance Theatre led Team #5 with her choreography.   Will they win? Come to the competition on Saturday, 2/9/19 at the Marietta Strand and support the Georgia Metro Dance Theatre to find out!   Tickets are available at: http://gmdtdwts.com

Michael Shaffer traveled to rural southwest Virginia for a church history talk; the story of a Methodist church that was built a year after the Civil War ended. Afterwards, an older lady presented a trunk full of papers and letters from Tom Colley, her relative who spent years as a member of the 1st Virginia Cavalry. She asked Michael to take the materials and create a book. Michael agreed on the spot.    From that trunk of materials, Michael Shaffer began piecing together Tom Colley’s story into the book, “Of Memory of Self and Comrades.” This collection of letters recounts Tom Colley’s service in the including his near death experience on the battlefield as well as the demons that appeared long after the bullets stopped.   Michael and Bill also discuss ways to tell the story of the South and the recent controversy over Confederate monuments.    Michael’s Website http://www.civilwarhistorian.net   Amazon book link https://www.amazon.com/Memory-Self-Comrades-Recollections-Virginia/dp/162190430X/ref=sr_1_1?ie

Theresa Jenkins started the Marietta Pilgrimage in 1987, and has grown from 700 visitors the first year to over 4,000 this year.    I caught up with her at the Pilgrimage Gala, a black tie fundraiser on the Friday evening before the two-day tour event. 

Terri Hendricks and Patricia Kapotes found themselves at a crossroads. They divorced around the same time and realized their financial support was running out. They both decided that running a local shop that celebrates good design and local pride was what they needed to do.    They were lucky in finding a spot on the Marietta Square on Church Street and took the leap, worrying not if they failed, but what if they didn’t try it.   Their were several challenges along the way: a building that was not in good shape, finding stuff that people wanted to buy and foot traffic on the Square was not where it needed to be.    That was three years ago.    Today, Market with a B is a thriving business that brings together people and businesses that give back and makes folks smile.    marketwithab.com

Sherry and Dee podcast about topics that everyone should be discussing, but aren’t. It all started when, as co-workers, they found themselves engaged in hysterical and unusual conversation about research on fecal transplants and poop.    That discussion was confirmation for the two that their mutual shared interest in all things health and wellness and comfortable banter would be fun for others too.    They started the Southern Fried Girlfriends podcast last year and are having those discussions between themselves and with experts in different fields. Season 1 featured emotional health topics including modern mothering, divorce and loss, nutrition and health topics like dietary fats and healthy cooking, and they end every show with the question, “what’s one thing you’re going to do today to be healthier?” Sherry and Dee are ready for season 2 with plans to tackle subjects like sex trafficking, abuse and alcohol. Listen up…

Kristen Beaudin and Natalie Wilson are remaking they way they educate kids at Hickory Hills Elementary School. Their passion and strong relationship allowed them to ask, how can we better serve the needs of our children?    Armed with ideas and a supportive front office (thanks superintendent Grant Rivera), they embarked on Hickory Corner, a 4 step way to serve the 387 children.    You can help! Volunteer today and spread the word about this outstanding program.    Hickory Hills Office 770-429-3125   Website https://www.marietta-city.org/hickoryhills   Kristen’s Email kbeaudin@marietta-city.k12.ga.us   Natalie’s Email nwilson@marietta-city.k12.ga.us

One of Hank DuPre’s ancestor on his Mom's side was the first mayor of Marietta. On his Dad's side were business owners on the square. Now along with another OM (Old Marietta) Sam Rambo, they opened a brewery and social gathering place named after Hank’s ancestor, Glover Park Brewery. This episode is full of stories: Hank and Sam's relationship, the building’s fascinating history, and Hank and Sam's beer brewing journey (thanks to brewmaster, Kevin McNerney). Hank and Sam are lifelong friends that created a gathering place where all Mariettians can watch a game, have a brew, play with your dog or just hang out. 

I catch up with Raul Thomas of Marietta Theatre in the Square and Blaine Clotfelter of Marietta Theatre Company. They give us the low down on the latest shows and the upcoming season. Please support live theatre in Marietta!    https://www.theatreinthesquare.net   https://mariettatheatre.com

How does a small town girl end up in commercial banking and owning her own small business? Christal McNair worked hard, that's how. She also paid attention from her commercial banker contacts and learned how to build a business. Studio Bungee was born from all the lessons she learned. Her business makes sure their clients get a great workout, regardless of their limitations (she has a bad back) in only 30 minutes. Christal doesn't stop with being a small business owner. She volunteers and is a member of Cobb Chamber, Board chair of Center for Family Resources, Cobb Executive Women, Kiwanis and Marietta Business Association.  Address: 999 Whitlock Ave, Suite 3 Marietta, GA 30064 Phone 770-693-2630 studiobungee.com  

Shahid Hussain is working it. He made the USA his home 3 years ago, from England. Marietta was chosen as a spot close (but not too close) to his in-laws in Charleston, South Carolina. He started a small business, Kvalito and has adapted it from a knick-knack store to more of a design studio. T-shirts, monograms, car wraps (yeah that's a thing) pretty much anything you need to help your local business get noticed. Shahid also helps the community. He sponsored a local football and recently sponsored an anti-bullying event at the store.  I think he is on to something. I like to be able to discuss my designs with someone instead of just ordering online and hoping it looks good! http://www.tshirtsnsigns.net  

Kaaren Tramonte of Blendin Georgia followed her curiosity. She knows everything about Powder Springs’ history, but she was intrigued with Hangman’s Hill off of Kennesaw Avenue in Marietta.    So she did her research (it’s in a private homes yard) and went on newspaper.com and found the details to area where convicted criminals were hanged in Cobb County.    Albert Lingo’s story was really cool and I followed up my interview with Christa McCay of Marietta Museum of History. Why kill his brother-in-law in broad daylight? Why did he want to take his sister’s husband away?Why did he want to be buried in a walnut casket?    Interesting stuff…   Kaaren Tramonte Website https://www.blendinga.com   Christa McCay’s October Cemetery Tours https://www.eventbrite.com/e/touchstones-to-the-past-city-cemetery-tours-tickets-48801377233

Megan can now see the beauty in her everyday life, but there was a time when that was a struggle. 11 years ago, when her daughter and first child was born with severe allergies, she struggled to make it through each day.    During this time of being a new mom to a child with elevated needs, she began capturing photos in the every day moments with her daughter. Through this passion she realized she was capturing so much beauty in the hard moments.   As she continued to push herself artistically as a documentary storyteller, she began her photography business after she lost her mom to a terminal illness. Her work began to receive recognition in photography groups, publications and was featured in art gallery shows.    After taking time to plant roots in Marietta and spending more time with her family, Megan is back taking photos with a new passion for film photography and has started a healthy living business.     Website http://www.megancarswellgladden.com   Instagram https://www.instagram.com/megancarswellgla

JC Curlee had a lot to figure out on her own. She had a son that wanted to go to college, but needed money. Through hard work and a lot of google searches and forms, her son had over one million in scholarships and several college acceptance letters. She knows how hard it was and people started reaching out to her for help. Then she realized she could create resources to help others. She started the parent resources network and is adding a podcast soon.   

Bill came upon a caricature artist, Ashley Roland and he chose to get a drawing done with his podcast equipment he always kept handy. So he started a podcast episode…   He spoke to Victoria Scales and her long term friends Dee Williams and Lissa Miller. Victoria happened to be doing her caricature next to Bill.   Magic ensued…   Then Bill turns his attention to the artist doing his drawing, Ashley Roland. We talk traveling and living on the road.   Checkout their online businesses below.      Ashley Roland, artist Youtube Page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHbkq56Wx6AcgkvFz_ox0zw   Victoria Scales radio and other links https://cwrnetwork.org/album/welcome-to-wholeness-podcast/   http://ssb523.com/ministry/index.html   Other business mentioned   https://www.eddiestrickshop.com

Chuck McPhilamy makes an impassioned plea to have those tough conversations between the community and the police. Marietta Police Department has invested into training above what is required to help police deal with growing problems.  For example, every officer went through a 40 hour crisis intervention training (CIT). That training is a game changer for everyone involved. From the officer who does not know what it is like to hear voices, to the citizen with the issue that gets to see these officers face-to-face to the loved ones of the mentally ill that do not want to see their loved ones hurt.  Get involved though the pastor's police academy to the citizen police academy, there are ways to learn more about the police in Marietta.  mariettaga.gov Police link http://ga-marietta.civicplus.com/150/Police NAMI Cobb CIT more information https://namicobb.org NAMI Walks Fundraiser https://www.namiwalks.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=23138  

I caught up with Blaine Clotfelter, Stephanie Earl and Jeff Cooper of Marietta Theatre just before the play Nunsense started. We also talked about Johnny Pizza and the special food he brought along for opening night... Auditions for the Toxic Avenger are going on right now. https://mariettatheatre.com https://www.hobokencafega.com    

Beverly McAfee is my favorite interview. There I said it. She has a great combination of caring and hutzpah that is quite frankly, endearing.    How did Marietta get a concert series, why does the First United Methodist have a park and replica of their first church, why is their a mentoring program at Marietta High School — you guessed it Beverly. She is the first to admit that she had a lot of help, but her way of getting things done is powerful.   Enjoy our own Marietta gem, Beverly McAfee!