Wendy Parker

Editor/publisher, East Cobb News, hyperlocal site serving the East Cobb community of metro Atlanta with 24/7 news, events and information.

Cobb veterans to lay wreaths at Marietta National Cemetery

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Georgia National Cemetery wreaths

The Cobb Veterans Memorial Foundation will be laying wreaths at Marietta National Cemetery to honor those buried there for the Christmas holiday.

It’s part of the Wreaths Across America program and will take place on Saturday, Dec. 13.

The foundation is seeking donations and sponsorships, as well as volunteers, and is inviting the public to take part in the ceremony. The event begins at 12 p.m. and the wreath placements will follow.

The Marietta National Cemetery is located at 500 Washington St., Marietta.

For more information and to sponsor a wreath (the cost is $17), please click here.

Send Us Your News!

Let East Cobb News know what your organization is doing for our community events calendar.

Pass along your details to: editor@eastcobbnews.com, and please observe the following guidelines to ensure we get everything properly and can post it promptly.

Send the body of your announcement, calendar item or news release IN TEXT FORM ONLY in the text field of your e-mail template. Reformatting text from PDF, JPG and doc files takes us longer to prepare your message for publication.

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Church withdraws variance request in East Cobb neighborhbood

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Church withdraws variance request in East Cobb neighborhbood
Grace Resurrection proposed a site plan for a new church facility on Oak Lane.

Grace Resurrection Methodist Church has withdrawn a request for two variances for its plans to build a new campus in an East Cobb neighborhood.

According to an agenda for Wednesday’s Cobb Board of Zoning Appeals meeting, the request was withdrawn without prejudice, meaning it can be brought back at any time.

The agenda item and related documents didn’t include filings to indicate a reason for the withdrawal; East Cobb News has left a message with Grace Resurrection seeking more information.

The church had been seeking variances to build a 15,000-square-foot building and a 286-space parking lot on Oak Lane, near the intersections of Casteel Road and Bill Murdock Road.

They hired prominent zoning attorney Kevin Moore to represent them before the BZA, a five-member appointed body that hears requests for zoning variances and appeals for waivers to county zoning ordinances.

The church didn’t need to get rezoning for the 6.49-acre Oak Lane property, since it’s zoned for residential use, as are worship facilities.

Oak Lane is a minor or local road, and the Cobb County Code requires churches located in residential areas to have direct access to a major or collector road.

The church also was requesting a variance to reduce a required 50-foot setback to eight feet for an accessory structure, a 6,200-square-foot playground (case filing here).

But community opposition built as the plans were revealed, and church leaders have said the Oak Lane property is one of several options they’re considering.

Grace Resurrection, which formed in 2022 out of what is now Mt. Bethel Church in 2023, currently operates in a former Lutheran church building on Indian Hills Parkway at Roswell Road.

But church leaders said they’ve outgrown the space that’s leased from the adjacent Congregation Etz Chaim synagogue.

Residents said traffic in the Oak Lane area is already a problem with narrow, curvy roads, and they’re concerned about noise, light and environmental issues.

An online petition said that 22 proposed LED light poles for the potential church property “will cause excessive light pollution affecting the tranquility of our area. Coupled with the anticipated noise from regular playground activities and numerous events, the peace and quiet we currently enjoy will likely be shattered.”

Editor’s Note: Rev. James Williams, the Grace Resurrection senior pastor, responded on social media after this story was published that “Yes, Oak Lane Community, there is a Santa Claus! Seriously, we appreciate all of the good and kind feedback. Keep us in your prayers.”

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East Cobb high school athletes sign college scholarships

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East Cobb high school athletes sign college scholarships
Jorden Edmonds (left) and Kaelan Jones starred for Sprayberry as defensive backs, and will be headed to big-time college programs. CCSD photo.

High school athletes from East Cobb and around the country officially made their college choices on Wednesday on what’s known as National Signing Day.

That’s when they officially signed letters-of-intent to receive scholarship aid to the college or university of their choice.

Some athletes will be receiving full-ride scholarships—all expenses paid—and others partial scholarships. That depends on the sport and the number of scholarships available.

In football, most scholarships are full-ride. For two football players at Sprayberry, they will be heading to two of the top college programs in the country.

The Yellow Jackets had another outstanding season finishing 9-2, and reaching the first round of the Georgia High School Association Class 5A playoffs.

Defensive back Jorden Edmonds committed to the University of Alabama, and made it official in a signing ceremony Wednesday at Sprayberry.

Kealan Jones, another Sprayberry defensive back, had committed to the University of Georgia, but at the last minute decided to sign a scholarship offer from Georgia Tech.

“This is a summation of 18 years of really hard work for these young men,” said Dr. Pete Fominaya, Sprayberry’s head football coach, in a release issued by the Cobb County School District.

“Not only do you have to be great on the field, but you have to be great in the classroom and be a great leader to have an opportunity to sign in December. This is a really special group of young men. They’re high-character kids. They do the right thing, and I am proud to have been able to coach them.”

Five other Yellow Jackets signed their letters on Wednesday as well:

  • Lineman Taylen Swinney (Georgia Military College)
  • Defensive end Gabe Clarke (University of West Georgia)
  • Defensive back Noah Voltaire (Austin Peay University),
  • Offensive lineman Cash Barowsky (Berry College)
  • Quarterback Jaden Duckett (The Citadel)

The Kell football team was eliminated in the GHSA Class 5A semifinals on Friday at Creekside of Fairburn, the last Cobb football team standing. But before that on Wednesday, eight Longhorns signed their college letters:

  • Tight end Nathan Agyemang (Georgia Tech)
  • Defensive back Jowell Combay (Tennessee)
  • Linebacker Michael Domanik (Charlotte)
  • Defensive back Tony Forney (Pittsburgh)
  • Quarterback Kaleb Narcisse (East Tennessee State)
  • Linebacker Brayden Rouse (Tennessee)
  • Athlete Bryce Shelton (William & Mary)
  • Defensive back Jalen Williams (Arizona State)

The Cobb school district compiled the following college signees from other high schools:

Pope High School

  • Baseball: Drew Abney (Jacksonville State), Nick Bobrowski (Georgia Southern), Kayden Campbell (Ohio State), Ben Hill (LaGrange)
  • Lacrosse: Ashley Anne Braun (Delaware), Colby Brennan (Mars Hill), Lauren Ebersole (Pittsburgh), Cooper Heintzelman (Lincoln Memorial), Talia Olshansky (St. Bonaventure), Daniel Wahn (New Jersey Institute of Technology)
  • Swimming: Addison Clark (Florida Atlantic)
  • Volleyball: Jahan Lalli (Rhode Island)
  • Fencing: Joshua Riggins (Ohio State)
  • Softball: Emma Santamaria (Georgia State College and University)

Walton High School

  • Football: tight end Jude Cascone (Alabama) and linebacker Noah LaVallee (Florida State)

Wheeler High School

  • Football: Defensive back Brock Adams (Austin Peay), defensive back Landon Harper (Point University)
  • Swimming: Caroline Hughes (North Florida)
  • Softball: Rhea Karmacharya (Augusta)

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Indivisible Cobb begins holiday coat and toy collections

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Submitted information:Indivisible Cobb begins holiday coat and toy collections

Dramatic temperature drops this week reminds us that, for some Cobb County residents, a warm winter coat becomes a must-have. And with cuts in federal aid dollars and social service programs, as well as escalating healthcare and food costs, the prospect of an empty Christmas stocking is very real for many of our neighbors’ children.

Indivisible Cobb wants to change that for at least some local families.

Over the next two weeks, the group will be collecting new/gently used coats and toys at several functions and they welcome others in our community to join in and make this cause part of their holiday season giving.

“A key aspect to what we do as an organization is to create and sponsor programs focused on the needs of Cobb County residents,” said Stacey Parlotto, a leader of  Indivisible Cobb. “While our focus remains on advocating for progressive changes in our government, taking care of our neighbors has become a natural offshoot from our efforts. Our recent holiday meal initiative with GLAHR, a program from paying down school luncheon debts and an ongoing food drive in collaboration with the East Cobb Y are benefitting a number of families. So why not bring attention to this as well?”

Indivisible Cobb will be collecting items during several get-togethers this month on December 9, 10 and 13. For details on how you can participate, send an email to indivisiblecobb@proton.me and we can coordinate including your donation. Let us work together to help others stay warm this winter and help make kids’ Christmas a bit brighter!

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Cobb Library Foundation starts fundraising merchandise shop

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Submitted by the Cobb County Public Library System:Cobb Library Foundation starts fundraising merchandise shop

The Cobb Library Foundation is proud to announce the launch of The Cobb Library Shop, a groundbreaking merchandise store with a mission-driven purpose: to strategically fund marketing and outreach initiatives for the Cobb County Public Library. This first-of-its-kind fundraising concept uses merchandise sales not only to generate revenue, but also to expand the library’s brand into new industries and strengthen its presence in the community.

Founded in 2003, the Cobb Library Foundation is a tax-exempt nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the library experience for over 700,000 residents through funding critical programs and infrastructure. The Foundation has consistently stepped in to provide financial support to marketing and outreach initiatives— ensuring the library remains visible, relevant, and deeply engaged with the community. Recognizing the need for a sustainable, ongoing source of funding for these efforts, Slone Williams, (CUE) Community and User Engagement Division Manager, Cobb County Library, advocated for a dynamic solution— establish a permanent, virtual-inventory merchandise store designed to generate ongoing funding for this essential mission.

“This project reflects the Cobb Library Foundation’s commitment to investing in innovative partnerships that strengthen the library and our community. Together, we’ve transformed a vision into a meaningful way to support the library’s mission, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished,” said Sandra Morris, Executive Director, Cobb Library Foundation.

All revenue generated by The Cobb Library Shop flows directly back into the Foundation, fueling initiatives that elevate the library’s visibility, deepen community engagement, and strengthen connections.

“With over 400,000 active library card holders, our community’s passion for the library is undeniable—and we’re equally committed to serving them. What started as a passion project has blossomed into a dynamic platform that goes far beyond merchandise sales. We are building a vital bridge between the library and our community, opening fresh opportunities to celebrate our shared love of reading and lifelong learning. To ensure sustainability and impact, I’ve requested a 6-month trial period with less than a $700 investment in startup costs. The shop represents a bold, innovative marketing channel that amplifies our brand, reinforces the library’s forward-thinking spirit, and extends our reach like never before,” said Slone Williams.

The Cobb Library Shop will debut with six themed collections that celebrate the library’s culture, community, and creativity. Featured collections include: Library Holiday Market, a curated holiday collection of library-inspired gifts; Once Upon a Fam’, a family-centered line; Bookmobile Buddies, inspired by the library’s beloved mobile outreach; Librarian Said What?!, a playful nod to the wit and wisdom of library life; Legacy: Unleashed, blending Georgia’s shifting seasons with bold, modern design; and The Legacy Collection, showcasing staff favorites with the signature Cobb Library logo. 

In addition to staff-designed collections, the shop welcomes community participation. Anyone can submit designs for consideration, and if selected, the store will give full credit to the artist in product descriptions and may feature them in promotions. This initiative ensures the shop reflects not only the library’s identity but also the creative spirit of the people it serves.

The shop offers a diverse range of fashion-forward, library-themed apparel, accessories, and home essentials emblazoned with the library’s signature logos and department mascots, Dewey Decimal and Rita Book. Community members and staff are invited to contribute designs and ideas, fueling an ever-expanding lineup of creative products that inspire pride and connection.

“These collections were created by dedicated library staff: Katherine Zavala, who provided creative input and designed promotional materials; Kristin Gwin, Jordan Graham and Kami Greene, whose illustrations bring the Once Upon a Fam’ and Bookmobile Buddies collection to life; and Slone Williams, whose vision led to building the website, developing the inventory, and designing the Legacy: Unleashed line. Together, they created a one-of-a-kind product line we’re proud to present and confident will be embraced by the community,” Morris added.

Looking ahead, The Cobb Library Shop has ambitious plans to further elevate library engagement. Upcoming initiatives include fashion shows, limited-edition collections created with community partners, community design competitions, and exclusive merchandise tied to signature library events.

“We’re proud to set a new standard for library fundraising that’s creative, sustainable, and deeply connected to our community’s culture and spirit—pioneering an innovative model that blends merchandise, marketing, and community engagement in ways that redefine how libraries engage and fundraise,” Williams added. 

For more information or to shop the exclusive collections, please visit cobblibrary.shop. Have a design idea or artwork you’d love to see on our products?

Submit your artwork to the Cobb Library Shop. For more questions, contact the Cobb Library Shop at cobblibraryshop@cobbcat.org.  

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East Cobb Weekend Events: Apple Annie; Holiday Lights; more

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2022 East Cobb Park Holiday Lights
Santa and Mrs. Claus will return once again to Holiday Lights at East Cobb Park on Sunday.

The Christmas season moves into full swing with several East Cobb holiday events, culminating with the lighting of a community tree Sunday night at East Cobb Park.

But first up is the long-standing Apple Annie Arts and Crafts Show Friday and Saturday at the Catholic Church of St. Ann (4905 Roswell Road).

More than 100 artisan vendors will be selling crafts, pottery, jewelry, decor and more. Regular features include a bake sale and cafe, handmade quilt raffles and live music.

Hours are 9-6 Friday and 10-5 Saturday, and admission is $5. All proceeds benefit local charities. A free shuttle runs from the Episcopal Church of St. Peter and St. Paul (1795 Johnson Ferry Road).

Another holiday artisan market takes place all weekend. It’s the Cobb Holiday Artisan Market at the Cobb Civic Center (548 S. Mariett Parkway) features holiday performers, craft-making experiences, and unique gifts.

Hours are Friday 4-8, Saturday 10-5 and Sunday noon-5. Admission and parking are free.

Also Friday-Sunday is the annual presentation of “A Christmas Carol” at The Art Place-Mountain View (3330 Sandy Plains Road).

Scrooge, the Cratchits, and all the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come will return for a timeless tale of redemption, joy, and holiday spirit. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $22 and may be purchased here.

The first-ever Christmas Wonderland takes place Saturday at Fullers Recreational Center (3499 Robinson Road). It’s a Cobb PARKS-sponsored family festival from 10-2 that includes a Christmas brunch, arts and crafts, face-painting, storytelling, bouncy houses, games and prizes and more.

Admission is $6 a person but children three and under are free. Registration is required and can by done by clicking here.

Take in some holiday music on Saturday with the sounds of the Cobb New Horizons Symphony Band Holiday Concert.

They’re senior musicians who perform around the Cobb community, and they’ll begin tooting their horns Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Lassiter Concert Hall (2601 Shallowford Road).

The concert is free but goodwill donations are accepted.

And finally, the 20th edition of Holiday Lights takes place Sunday at East Cobb Park (3822 Roswell Road). Music from the Dodgen Middle School band, and East Side ES choir will start things off, followed by a visit from Santa Claus and the lighting of the tree.

Apple Annie
The Apple Annie Arts and Crafts Show returns to the Catholic Church of St. Ann.

Sweet treats also will be available from Cafe Rivkah. The sponsors are Wellstar Health System and Friends of the East Cobb Park.

The event is free and lasts from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Overflow parking is available at Wellstar East Cobb Healthpark.

One other ongoing holiday event to mention here, that goes through the start of the New Year: The Fox Family Holiday Light Display, in the Clary Lakes subdivision. The dazzling 100,000+ lights are turned on every night fron 6-11 p.m.

And please check our calendar listings for more events, holiday-related and otherwise. If you’d like to send us yours, you can learn how just below.

Send Us Your News!

Let East Cobb News know what your organization is doing for our community events calendar.

Pass along your details to: editor@eastcobbnews.com, and please observe the following guidelines to ensure we get everything properly and can post it promptly.

Send the body of your announcement, calendar item or news release IN TEXT FORM ONLY in the text field of your e-mail template. Reformatting text from PDF, JPG and doc files takes us longer to prepare your message for publication.

We accept PDFs as an accompaniment to your item. Images are fine too, but we prefer those to be JPG files (more than jpeg and png). PLEASE DO NOT send photos inside a PDF or text or any other kind of file. Of course, send us links that are relevant to your message so we can direct people to your website.

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East Cobb Food Scores: McCray’s; Bradley’s; Sakura; more

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McCray's Tavern, East Cobb food scores

The following food scores have been compiled by the Georgia Department of Public Health. Click the link under each listing for inspection details:

Atlanta Ice House
2600 Prado Lane
Dec. 1, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Bradley’s Bar and Grill
4961 Lower Roswell Road, Suite 117
Dec. 2, 2025, Score: 93, Grade: A

Chaska
1836 Lower Roswell Road
Dec. 4, 2025, Score: 96, Grade: A

Chipotle Mexican Grill
3606 Sandy Plains Road
Dec. 2, 2025, Score: 83, Grade: B

Domino’s Pizza
3545 Canton Road
Dec. 4, 2025, Score: 97, Grade: A

Hoyle’s Kitchen and Bar
1440 Roswell Road, Suite A
Dec. 4, 2025, Score: 92, Grade: A

KBBQ Spot
3000 Windy Hill Road, Suite 136
Dec. 3, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

La Bella Pizza
2635 Sandy Plains Road, Suite A-7
Dec. 2, 2025, Score: 90, Grade: A

McCray’s Tavern
4880 Lower Roswell Road, Suite 850
Dec. 2, 2025, Score: 80, Grade: B

Mediterranean Express
3162 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 100
Dec. 3, 2025, Score: 90, Grade: A

The Patty Wagon (Mobile)
4796 Canton Road, Suite 500
Dec. 2, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

The Place
700 Sandy Plains Road, Suite A
Dec. 4, 2025, Score: 82, Grade: B

Sakura Restaurant
4880 Lower Roswell Road, Suite 130
Dec. 2, 2025, Score: 92, Grade: A

Starbucks
4648 Woodstock Road, Suite 100
Dec. 2, 2025, Score: 93, Grade: A

Studio Movie Grill
40 Powers Ferry Road, Suite 400
Dec. 4, 2025, Score: 91, Grade: A

Vatica Indian Cuisine
1475 Terrell Mill Road, Suite 105
Dec. 2, 2025, Score: 80, Grade: B

Waffle House
1176 Roswell Road
Dec. 4, 2025, Score: 90, Grade: A

Wellstar East Cobb Healthpark Parkside Bistro
3747 Roswell Road
Dec. 1, 2025, Score: 94, Grade: A

Windy City Grill
4017 Canton Road
Dec. 4, 2025, Score: 86, Grade: B

Zama Latin Flavor Mobile
2550 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 300
Dec. 2. 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

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Hightower Trail MS celebrates three generations of educators

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Hightower Trail MS celebrates three generations of educators

Submitted by the Cobb County School District:

At Hightower Trail Middle School, one family is finding an extra reason to be thankful this holiday season. 

Three generations of the same family have found common ground through a shared experience— they’ve all taught and worked at Hightower Trail. 

It started with Shari Tarter, a history teacher at Hightower Trail for 12 years until she retired in 2005. Although not currently a staff member, she is still well-known around the school. Her daughter, Amy Pease, is currently the Media Specialist at the school and has served there for more than 25 years. 

The mother-daughter duo of Tarter and Pease worked together for six years. 

Amy’s daughter, Mackenzie Pease, has continued the family tradition this year by starting to teach sixth-grade history at Hightower Trail. It’s the same subject her grandmother taught more than 20 years ago, as she now works alongside her mom every day.

“My mom is my best friend and role model, so it was a no-brainer that I would want to work alongside her. Having her here with me is so special, and it has made this school feel like a home…again,” said Mackenzie Pease. 

“I think I am the most fortunate of the three of us in the fact that I had the opportunity to work with both my mom and my daughter at some point here at the Trail. I was raised by one of my favorite social studies teachers, and I think it is so cool that I raised my other favorite,” said Amy Pease.

As we approach the holidays, many will have the opportunity to take extra time away from work to spend with family. 

For this family, the setting may be different, but they’ll continue to do what they’ve done for more than 25 years—spend time together. 

The sense of community, quality of life, and principles that Cobb Schools stands for have been a big part of why this family has continued to stay loyal to Hightower Trail and Cobb. 

“When we moved to Georgia, we chose Cobb because of the schools. I went back to teaching when our kids were in high school because of the quality of their education. Working alongside them has been such a blessing,” said Tarter.

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Mt. Bethel Christian Academy expansion gets Cobb hearing

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A proposal to expand Mt. Bethel Christian Academy to include all grade levels and greatly increase enrollment on its Post Oak Tritt Road campus got its first hearing Tuesday.

The Cobb Planning Commission voted 4-0 to recommend approval of the proposal, which will be considered by Cobb commissioners later this month.

Mt. Bethel Christian has operated a high school campus on Post Oak Tritt Road near Holly Springs Road since 2014 and is making plans to add middle school grades.

But the latest proposal before the county to alter an existing site plan and renew a special land-use permit would also would relocate the school’s K-5 classes there.

The school wants to purchase 9.7 acres of land at the northwest corner of Post Oak Tritt and Holly Springs Road, and add a right-in, right-out access point on Holly Springs.

The Cobb Zoning Division recommended approval of the application, which you can read by clicking here.

Cobb Planning Commission member Deborah Dance

But local residents opposed to the request said existing traffic issues would grow worse. Mt. Bethel Christian said its long-term enrollment projections would have 1,100 students, which concerned nearby residents.

The school was started by Mt. Bethel Church in 1998 but became a separate entity in 2021, right before before the church’s departure from the United Methodist Church. Since then, the academy has leased space from the church for Grades K-8 on its grounds on Lower Roswell Road.

In 2023, Mt. Bethel Church decided to terminate the school’s lease by 2028, prompting the academy to find new facilities.

Late last year, Cobb commissioners approved a master plan for the school. But since then, Mt. Bethel Christian has revised the site plan contingent on the special land-use permit renewal and after planning to acquire the 9.7-acre tract from Dodgen Farms, LLC.

That land was sold by John Dodgen in June for $1.393 million, according to Cobb property tax records, and would bring the school’s property to 42 acres, including sports facilities and parking.

On Tuesday, nearby residents said they haven’t been informed of traffic impacts and said a vote should be delayed until a full traffic study can be studied by Cobb DOT.

“Without it, the county cannot properly assess” what those impacts may be, said Mabry Manor resident Neil Dougherty, especially as Cobb DOT is conducting engineering design for Post Oak Tritt-Holly Springs intersectdions improvements.

He said he was speaking on behalf of nearly 75 residents in his community, which is located across Holly Springs Road from the Dodgen property.

A revised Mt. Bethel Christian Academy site plan includes an additional access point on Holly Springs Road (at right).

Another Mabry Manor resident, Heather Tolley-Bauer, said that “dropping a regional school in a neighborhood area” is “going to impact us for decades.”

Kevin Moore, Mt. Bethel Christian’s attorney, responded that “Pope High School was dropped into residential neighborhood with 1,800 students.

“Cobb County [schools] doesn’t have to go through this process. Only private schools have to do this.”

He said Mt. Bethel Christian’s enrollment projections of 1,100 total students is a long-range number, and it’s not arbitrary. The school currently has a total enrollment of around 700 students.

Moore added that the school “doesn’t have to go there,” meaning to get to 1,100 students, only that that figure would be an enrollment cap.

Richard Grome of the East Cobb Civic Association said a new master plan should be redone and approved again by the county, and said the enrollment projections are “premature” until more detailed traffic information can be evaluated.

But Moore said “the master plan stays as the master plan.”

In her motion recommend approval, Planning Commission member Deborah Dance of District 3 in East Cobb didn’t include a recommendation for a master plan update, saying that’s something that appointed body hasn’t delved into.

Cobb commissioners will hear the Mt. Bethel Christian application on Dec. 17.

The master plan for the Mt. Bethel Christian Academy campus.

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Cobb finance director to become deputy county manager

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Cobb finance director to become deputy county manager
Bill Volckmann

Submitted information:

Cobb County’s Chief Financial Officer will take on new duties after County Manager Dr. Jackie McMorris named him the county’s next Deputy County Manager. Bill Volckmann will assume the role currently held by Jimmy Gisi, who retires later this month.

Volckmann has served with Cobb County government for two decades and was named CFO in 2017. He has guided the county through multiple budget cycles, and under his leadership, the Finance Department has received numerous accolades for financial reporting and presentation standards.

“Because of an excellent group of candidates, this was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve had to make,” said County Manager Dr. Jackie McMorris. “As our CFO, Bill has been involved in every significant aspect of county government. He has developed a stellar reputation among our elected officials and department managers and will be able to immediately step into the role in the midst of several critical projects.”

Volckmann has already been working closely with Gisi on preparations for the renewal of the 2028 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), which will go before Cobb voters next November.

“I thank Dr. McMorris for her confidence in me, and I look forward to continuing to work with her for years to come,” said Volckmann. “We have a tremendous leadership team in place, and I look forward to working with them to continue Cobb’s reputation as a great place to live, work, and play.”

Gisi retires from Cobb County after more than 35 years in government service. He departs as Deputy County Manager following a long tenure as PARKS Director and previous service as Executive Director of the Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA). He was inducted into the GRPA Hall of Fame in 2023.

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Registration underway for 2026 Noonday Shanty 5K/10K

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Registration underway for 2026 Noonday Shanty 5K/10K

Submitted information:

Registration is now open for Town Center Community’s 2026 Noonday Shanty 5K/10K, presented by Avonlea Apartments. Set to take place along the scenic Noonday Creek Trail on Saturday, March 28, 2026, the annual Peachtree Road Race qualifier is a USA Track and Field-certified event managed by Start2Finish.

Throughout the course, participants of all ages and experience levels will experience Noonday Creek’s natural landscapes, including bird habitats, greenspaces and wetlands, and pass landmarks such as Aviation Park, Cobb International Airport, Fifth Third Stadium and art installations, including the newest Tiny Doors ATL, and the Chimney Swift Tower. 10K runners will also get a glimpse of the district’s vibrant new murals.

“The Noonday Shanty 5K/10 is a staple in our community because it gets people moving and brings our community closer,” Jennifer Hogan, director of community engagement at Town Center Community, said. “The race not only allows us to invest back into our community through greenspace and trail projects, but it also gives us the opportunity to meet new faces, support local businesses and celebrate our beautiful trails.”

To register or become a sponsor for the Noonday Shanty 5K/10K race, please visit the Town Center Community website. 

Local artists are encouraged to submit artwork for the annual race poster contest, which offers participants the chance to have their work featured on the official event poster and in promotional materials. Runners will receive the selected poster during packet pickup as a unique keepsake to commemorate the race. Artists may submit up to three digitally created or hand-drawn designs, and cash prizes will be awarded for first and second place. The overall winning artwork will serve as the official race poster. Submissions are due February 12, 2026. Full contest details are available on the Town Center Community website.

The 2026 event will also include a new tradition: the first-ever community-designed race shirt. Community members can vote on the inaugural shirt design, and to kick things off, this year’s nominees will include past winning poster designs from 2022-2025 races with the winner inspiring the 2026 race shirt. Moving forward, each year’s winning poster design will be used for the race shirt. Voting closes on January 13, 2026. Past posters and the voting link are available on the Town Center Community website.

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Fox Family Holiday Lights Display lasts through Jan. 7, 2026

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East Cobb home holiday lights

Over the weekend the lights were turned on for one of East Cobb’s most notable holiday displays.

The 18th edition of the Fox Family holiday lights display continues every night (roughly 6-11 p.m.) through Jan. 7 at 2994 Clary Hill Court, in the Clary Lakes subdivision.

As we’ve noted previously, the continues into the new year due to the Orthodox Christmas as the Foxes are of the Greek Orthodox faith.

As in previous years, the display includes more than 100,000 lights synchronized to music. Visitors can tune in to 88.3FM to listen and watch the lights.

“The interactive display has many handmade animated features, two snow machines, a memorial tree, and an ornament and letters to Santa craft station,” noted a message on the display’s special Facebook page. which will be updated throughout the display period. “The Santa and Frozen characters visit on select evenings for photo ops and treats.”

There’s no charge to view the display, but donations are accepted for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church.

Here’s the playlist for this year’s display:

    • 1. Amazing Grace-Yule
    • 2. Christmas Canon-Trans-Siberian Orchestra
    • 3. Christmas Eve Sarajevo-Trans-Siberian Orchestra
    • 4. Deck the Halls-Mannheim Steamroller
    • 5. Let It Snow-Dean Martin
    • 6. Light of Christmas-Owl City
    • 7. Little Drummer Boy-King and Country
    • 8. Mad Russian Christmas – Trans-Siberian Orchestra
    • 9. Miracle on 34th Street Overture-Bruce Broughton
    • 10. Linus and Lucy-Vince Guaraldi
    • 11. Queen of the Winter Night-Trans-Siberian Orchestra
    • 12. Sleigh Ride-The Ronettes
    • 13. Wizard in Winter-Trans-Siberian Orchestra
    • 14. Candy Cane Lane-Sia
    • 15. Merry Christmas-Ed Sheehan & Elton John

The Fox display also is included in the Cobb EMC holiday light contest, with voting through December 26 at midnight at the Cobb EMC Facebook page.

The top 3 homes that have the most votes will win $500 for a charity of their choice.

Fox Family Christmas Light Display

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East Cobb real estate update: Mansion sells for nearly $8M

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Paper Mill Road, East Cobb real estate sales

A 16,000-square-foot home on Paper Mill Road sold for nearly $8 million in November, the highest price for a residential property in Cobb County in 2025, according to county tax records.

The eight-bedroom, 11-bathroom home on more than two acres near Atlanta Country Club includes a fireside salon, a banquet-sized dining room and a champagne room, along with a great room, a floating curved staircase and a master bedroom suite on the main floor.

That’s according to the home’s real estate listing, which added that six upstairs bedrooms also are ensuite. The home features two open living lounges, a wine cellar and tasting room, a cinema and gym, a recreation room and entertainment areas.

There’s also a separate apartment on the terrace level, a 30-inch gold dome in the foyer ceiling and an elevator.

The outdoor area includes a tennis court, pool, open-air kitchen pavilion and fireplace. The home sold on Nov. 20 for $7.9 million, according to county records.

Only three other properties in the county have sold for a higher price this year, all of them commercial. When the Paper Mill Road home was last sold in 2022, it was for $4.7 million, which also was a county high price for a residential home at the time.

The following East Cobb residential real estate sales were compiled from agency reports and Cobb County property records.

They include the street address, subdivision name and sales price listed under their respective high school attendance zones:

Kell

1850 Thomas Drive, 30066 (Lakewood Colony): $405,000

4365 Reef Road, 30066 (Lamplighter): $370,000

5068 Ravenwood Drive, 30066 (Ravenwood): $400,000

Lassiter

3820 Havenrock Drive, 30066 (Lassiter Cove): $1.3 million

3314 Chimney Lane, 30075 (The Estates of Chimney Lakes): $1 million

3669 Outlook Court, 30066 (Highland Ridge): $810,000

3534 Clemont Circle, 30062 (Edenton): $850,000

2315 Rocky Mountain Road, 30066: $605,000

3005 Creekside Way, 30066 (Creekside Oaks): $785,000

4219 North Mountain Road, 30066 (Highland Pointe): $754,900

Marietta

613 Maple Grove Way, 30062 (Hamilton Grove): $599,900

Pope

2528 Chimney Springs Drive, 30062 (Chimney Springs): $510,000

61 Tracy Lane, 30062 (Heartwood): $580,000

3160 Running Cedar Drive, 30062 (Chestnut Creek): $560,000

Sprayberry

2607 Alcovy Trail, 30066 (East Cobb Walk): $518,000

3330 Ranch Road, 30066 (North Forty): $452,500

433 Kelly Drive, 30066 (Addison Heights): $496,000

3630 Autumn Ridge Parkway, 30066 (Blackwell Chase): $475,000

2320 Ventana Crossing, 30062 (Keswyck Commons): $475,000

1870 Kinridge Road, 30062 (Sandy Plains Estates): $335,000

3418 Chastain Glen Lane, 30066 (Chastain Glen): $440,000

3760 Apple Way, 30066 (North Ridge): $469,000

Walton

3572 High Green Drive, 30068 (Indian Hills): $622,000

5228 Forest Brook Parkway, 30068 (Forest Brook): $620,000

645 Serramonte Drive, 30068 (Villas at Parkaire): $360,000

2206 Heritage Trace Drive, 30068 (Heritage Trace): $605,000

914 Saints Court, 30068 (St. Andrews Court): $1.2 million

3562 Clubland Drive, 30068 (Indian Hills): $2.2 million

3761 Oak Lane, 30062 (Baywater): $780,000

4573 Fountain Drive, 30067 (The Fountain at Woodlawn): $920,000

807 Snider Walk, 30068 (The Reserve at Olde Towne): $765,000

4340 Paper Mill Road, 30067: $7.9 million

857 Chestnut Lake Drive, 30068 (Hampton Woods): $1.27 million

870 Muirfield Trace, 30068 (Pinecrest): $528,000

4037 Fawn Run, 30068 (Fawn Ridge): $385,000

1426 Brookcliff Drive, 30062 (Brookcliff): $560,000

1826 Jacksons Creek Drive, 30068 (Jacksons Creek): $746,600

Wheeler

652 Wind Grove Road, 30067 (Grovemeade): $625,000

51 Holt Road, 30068: $390,000

1686 Grist Mill Drive, 30062 (Barnes Mill Lake): $287,000

774 Mary Ann Drive, 30068 (Valley Brook): $675,000

410 Pebblestone Circle, 30067 (Fox Hills): $835,000

2910 Phillips Court, 30068 (Country Place East): $475,000

3201 Palisades Court, 30067 (Park Place): $620,000

3265 Beechwood Drive, 30067 (Terrell Mill Estates): $745,000

583 Spring Creek Way, 30068 (Spring Creek): $510,000

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Lassiter Bands Christmas tree sale continues through Dec. 14

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Lassiter Band Christmas tree sale

The sale continues daily through Dec. 14 in the portion of the parking lot at Highland Plaza Shopping Center (3605 Sandy Plains Road) along Gordy Parkway.

Send us your holiday event news!

If your organization or entity is holding such an event that’s open to the public, please send East Cobb News your information and we’ll be glad to post it!

This can include festivals, pumpkin patches, Thanksgiving activities, holiday concerts, Christmas tree and Menorah lightings, New Year’s celebrations and fundraisers.

Pass along your details to: editor@eastcobbnews.com, and please observe the following guidelines to ensure we get everything properly and can post it promptly.

Send the body of your announcement, calendar item or news release IN TEXT FORM ONLY in the text field of your e-mail template. Reformatting text from PDF, JPG and doc files takes us longer to prepare your message for publication.

We accept PDFs as an accompaniment to your item. Images are fine too, but we prefer those to be JPG files (more than jpeg and png). PLEASE DO NOT send photos inside a PDF or text or any other kind of file. Of course, send us links that are relevant to your message so we can direct people to your website.

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Jim Ellis partners with MUST for 2025 holiday giving campaign

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Jim Ellis partners with MUST for 2025 holiday giving campaign

Submitted information:

The Jim Ellis Automotive Group is proud to announce its ninth annual Holiday Giving Campaign, continuing its tradition of giving back to the Atlanta community. This year, Jim Ellis Automotive will partner with MUST Ministries, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing food, shelter, clothing, job assistance, mental and primary healthcare services and more to our local neighbors in need.

Together, Jim Ellis Automotive and MUST Ministries aim to spread hope and care throughout this holiday season, helping those who need it most.

Every year, Jim Ellis Automotive selects a local charity to support with a Holiday Giving Campaign. MUST Ministries (MUST) is its 2025 recipient. From Nov. 29, 2025 to Jan. 2, 2026, a portion of every new or pre-owned vehicle sold at any of the 21 Jim Ellis family-owned-and-operated dealerships will be donated to MUST. Through campaigns like this, Jim Ellis Automotive has provided over $525,000 in support to community-focused organizations.

MUST has been supporting the metro Atlanta community since 1971, helping individuals and families experiencing homelessness and poverty across nine metro Atlanta counties. Through 54 years of service, MUST meets the needs of more than 55,000 people a year through food, housing, mental and primary healthcare, workforce development, clothing and other programs.

The organization believes that there is no one service that brings people out of poverty or homelessness, so instead, they aim to treat the root causes along with the urgent symptoms of poverty. This means providing critical resources for immediate family needs as well as long-time support for a lasting path to stability.

“At Jim Ellis Automotive, caring for our community is part of who we are,” said Stacey Ellis Hodges, vice president of the Jim Ellis Automotive Group. “The holiday season reminds us of the importance of compassion and generosity, and partnering with MUST Ministries gives us the opportunity to help bring hope and support to those who need it most. Together, we’re working to make a positive difference and strengthen families across our community.”

“MUST Ministries is incredibly proud and grateful for this partnership with Jim Ellis Automative. Also celebrating 54 years of serving our community, Jim Ellis Automotive and MUST Ministries both believe in the power of giving back. This campaign will help fund MUST’s life-changing and often life-saving mission of making sure no one – from a young child to an elderly veteran – is without basic needs nor hope for stability,” said MUST Ministries President & CEO Dr. Ike Reighard.

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Longtime Cobb lawyer and philanthropist Jim Ney dies at 82

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Jim Ney, the founder of a prominent Cobb County law firm who was long involved in local civic and community affairs, has died at 82, after an eight-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Longtime Cobb lawyer and philanthropist Jim Ney dies at 82

According to his obituary, he was living an assisted living facility in Charlotte, N.C., near his family, where he had moved from East Cobb earlier this year.

Ney was involved with Mt. Bethel Church and was active in the Cobb Library Foundation. The art gallery at the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center in East Cobb is named after Ney and his wife Carol, who were among those leading the ribbon-cutting festivities when the facility opened in 2018.

Survivors include Carol, his wife of 64 years, three daughters and six grandchildren.

A visitation for Ney will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday at H.M. Patterson & Son Arlington Chapel (173 Allen Road, Sandy Springs, Ga.), and a celebration of life service will be there Tuesday at 1 p.m.

A native of Atlanta, Ney graduated from Northside High School and Furman University. He earned a law degree from the University of Georgia.

In 1984, Ney co-founded Holt Ney Zatcoff and Wasserman, a law firm based in the Cumberland area that specializes in commercial real estate, health care, taxation, business litigation and eminent domain law.

He had been with Alston and Bird, a well-known Atlanta law firm, after serving as a law clerk on the Supreme Court of Georgia.

His obituary noted that he was named to the “Best Lawyers in America” every year until his retirement in 2020. “Jimmy embraced the practice of land use and commercial real estate law, zoning variances and the like. Everyone agreed, his booming voice made him an effective orator in the courtroom,” the obituary stated.

A gift in his memory can be made to Cobb Library Foundation (www.cobblibraryfoundation.org) or Furman University (http://www.furman.edu/giving/).

 

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East Cobb Library holiday gift wrap headlines December events

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Cobb Parks holiday market sale
The Sewell Mill Holiday Artisan Market returns Dec. 13.

Cobb County government, parks and Cobb Travel and Tourism have collected a variety of holiday-related events taking place throughout the month of December.

They include a holiday gift wrapping station at East Cobb Library that runs from Dec. 1-23. It’s designed for parents to “wrap gifts without being seen by little eyes.”

The station is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and wrapping supplies will be provided for free as long as they last.

Other events in the East Cobb area include the Christmas Wonderland Dec. 6 at Fullers Recreation Center, the Sewell Mill Library Winter Festival on Dec. 13 from 10-5 and a Holiday Craft-A-Thon Dec. 18 at Gritters Library from 3:30-5 p.m.

There also will be a number of holiday workshops at The Art Place-Mountain View.

The signature event is the Cobb Holiday Artisan Market, from Dec. 5-7 at the Cobb Civic Center. Featured will be holiday performers, craftmaking and unique gifts from local artisans. There will be a special Merry Marketplace pop-up shop featuring young entrepreneurs ages 10 – 17 showcasing and selling their homemade goods on Saturday, Dec. 6.

Find other holiday happenings around Cobb here.

Send Us Your News!

Let East Cobb News know what’s going on with your organization, or about any recognitions, to share with the community, as well as calendar event listings.

We want to be the go-to source for all the many ways people in East Cobb are involved in the community, especially with the holidays coming up!

It’s what we call The Power of Local, and we’d love for you to take part!

Pass along your details/photos/videos/information to: editor@eastcobbnews.com, and please observe the following guidelines to ensure we get everything properly and can post it promptly.

Send the body of your announcement, calendar item or news release IN TEXT FORM ONLY in the text field of your e-mail template. Reformatting text from PDF, JPG and doc files takes us longer to prepare your message for publication.

We accept PDFs as an accompaniment to your item. Images are fine too, but we prefer those to be JPG files (more than jpeg and png). PLEASE DO NOT send photos inside a PDF or text or any other kind of file, but d0 send them as attachments to your email.

Of course, send us links that are relevant to your message so we can direct people to your website.

Thanks for your cooperation and we look forward to hearing from you!

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Grace Resurrection Methodist names new associate pastor

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Grace Resurrection Methodist names new associate pastor

Submitted information and photo:

Grace Resurrection Methodist Church is delighted to announce the appointment of Rev. Taylor Bacon as its new Associate Pastor, joining Senior Pastor Rev. James Williams in ministry leadership. Pastor Bacon officially began his role on November 9.

Rev. Bacon brings a deep passion for discipleship and a strong background in youth ministry leadership. He holds a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary and a Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies from Louisiana State University. Most recently, he served as Associate Pastor at Centenary Church in Lexington, Kentucky, where he led children’s, youth, and family ministries and oversaw broader discipleship programs. His ministry has been marked by both spiritual and numerical growth across diverse congregations.

At Grace Resurrection, Pastor Bacon will focus on youth, family, and discipleship ministries, helping people of all ages grow as followers of Jesus through Scripture, community, and worship.

“Our leadership prayed faithfully throughout this process,” said Rev. James Williams, Senior Pastor. “We believe God has clearly led Taylor and his family to Grace Resurrection for this next season of ministry.” Rev. Williams stepped into his senior pastor role a year ago and has seen an extraordinary expansion of the church’s ministry, membership and mission initiatives during that time.

The congregation invites the community to join in welcoming Pastor Taylor and the Bacon family to Marietta by attending in-person worship services every Sunday at 11 a.m. Grace Resurrection Methodist Church is excited for the exciting new season ahead.

About Grace Resurrection Methodist Church

Grace Resurrection Methodist Church is a vibrant, welcoming congregation dedicated to “Living in Grace, Sharing God’s Love.” Located at 1200 Indian Hills Parkway in Marietta, Ga., the church is a place for spiritual growth, connection, and impact. For more information, visit www.graceresurrection.org or call 678 653 9790.

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Veterans service organization raises $15K in Cobb golf event

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Veterans service organization raises $15K in Cobb golf event

Submitted information and photos:

Connecting Georgia Veterans is pleased to announce the outstanding success of its inaugural Golf Tournament, held at the scenic Bentwater Golf Course in Acworth, Georgia. The event brought together community members, partners, and supporters for a meaningful day of camaraderie, competition, and purpose- all dedicated to strengthening services for Veterans across Georgia.

Over 40 golfers participated in the tournament, enjoying a full 18-hole course, friendly putting contests, and a lively auction featuring donated items that helped boost fundraising efforts. Thanks to the generosity and engagement of participants andsponsors, the event raised nearly $15,000, which will directly support programs and resources for Veterans experiencing hardship.

Tyler Bowser, Program Director of Connecting Georgia Veterans shared, “We are proud to share that this year’s golf tournament raised enough funds to provide emergency lodging for 30 Veteran families. We are deeply grateful to our sponsors and every golfer who participated and made this impact possible. We look forward to teeing off again next year for another outstanding event.” It’s not too late to support the cause. Community members can still contribute by visiting www.cgvets.org to make a donation and help strengthen the network of care for Georgia Veterans.

Veterans service organization raises $15K in Cobb golf event

Veterans service organization raises $15K in Cobb golf event

Veterans service organization raises $15K in Cobb golf event

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Cobb schools celebrate Thanksgiving with special events

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Cobb schools celebrate Thanksgiving with special events
Powers Ferry ES students take part in a Turkey Bingo game to celebrate Thanksgiving. CCSD photo.

Submitted information and photo:

As Cobb Schools headed into Thanksgiving break, schools across the District embraced the holiday with unique celebrations that brought together students, staff, and families.

Dozens of schools, including Pine Mountain Middle, Addison Elementary, and King Springs Elementary, hosted Thanksgiving lunches featuring meals prepared by the Cobb Schools Food and Nutrition Services team. Families filled cafeterias to share special moments together.

“It brings in the community, our hearts are all in the same place, and we’re all thankful,” said Cobb Schools Board Chair David Chastain, who joined families at Addison Elementary.

Other schools celebrated in their own distinctive ways. Powers Ferry and Nickajack Elementary Schools hosted lively Turkey Bingo events, drawing family’s eager for a chance to take home turkeys, pies, gift cards, and more.

At Smitha Middle School, students helped assemble food baskets to ensure families in need had the supplies to prepare a Thanksgiving meal at home this holiday season.

These celebrations serve as reminders of the gratitude felt throughout the district. “When I walk down the halls, I feel empowered every minute I’m there,” said Pine Mountain Principal Dr. David Nelson. “Seeing how excited the kids are about something happening or something they’re learning is truly a blessing.”

As students depart for the break, Cobb Schools leadership expressed appreciation for the educators who make these moments possible. “We have so much to be thankful for at the district level and the board level, but it all boils down to being thankful for our teachers for creating an environment where students can learn, thrive, grow, and succeed,” said Chastain.

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