Last Saturday I had the privilege of profiling one of East Cobb’s longest-running businesses.
As we published earlier this week, Dance Stop Studios has begun its 50th year of offering dance instruction for youth and adults alike—from jazz and tap and classical ballet to yoga and Zumba.
Keeping people on the move, and in a healthy way, has been at the core of owner Lynette Strickland’s work.
As she told us, she started out in a small converted home in 1974 on the outskirts of East Marietta—the original East Cobb, if you will—and moved around as she needed more space.
Along the way, she taught a generation of young people about a love for dance that is obvious as soon as you step inside the studio space at the Merchants Exchange Shopping Center on Roswell Road.
Some of those former students are now among her teaching staff, including a woman whose own daughter is taking classes there.
The family atmosphere of many small businesses in our community is authentic, as I have learned in speaking with many of these entrepreneurs.
I admire their tenacity, resilience and vision, and their ability to adapt to trying conditions.
Most of all, I admire the sheer passion that continues to underline the work that they do.
They’ll tell you doing what they love doesn’t seem like work at all, despite the grind, tribulations and challenges that come with it.
That’s my outlook on what I have done with East Cobb News, as we enter our seventh year of giving you the local news that you love.
Many of you tell me this, and it’s so energizing to get this feedback on a regular basis.
I just got a note from someone sending in a calendar listing: “Thanks for your commitment to local news. There aren’t enough people like you—we need this info!”
The truth is, I love telling stories of people like these in our community as much as they do in sharing them with me.
That’s because this comes from the heart, and it’s about much more than just reporting the news.
It’s about building a sense of community that becomes more special with each new story I am honored to tell.
Last month East Cobb News began asking readers for financial support to continue the work that we’re doing. It’s called the “6 for 6” campaign, in honor of our 6th anniversary.
We’re asking readers to donate $6 a month, but any amount will be greatly appreciated. We have a few dozen individuals who have done that thus far, and we’re asking more of you to consider making a financial contribution.
We have set up a special page with more information and a link to donate to our crowdfunding platform, Press Patron, or. you can contribute directly below.
Press Patron is specially set up for local publishers like me who solicit support from readers. It’s encrypted and secure, and it’s flexible for any amount you’d like to give.
Contribute what you like, whether it’s monthly, yearly or a one-time basis. Here are some suggested levels of support:
- $6/month or $60/year
- $12/month or $125/year
- $30/month or $300/year
- $50/month or $500/year
- Custom amount
- One-time donation
Donate Today!
Your support will help us continue to grow and expand and serve a community of nearly 200,000 people—that’s a lot of folks!
While this kind of community journalism does come from the heart, it also takes some resources to do as well as we would like.
Most of all, we want to continue telling the stories of the people that make East Cobb a special place to call home.
I explained all this and more recently in an interview (video below) with Atlanta public relations professional Mitch Leff, who also champions the work of local journalists and lets us tell our stories.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with questions about using Press Patron and contributing to our “6 for 6” campaign, as well as general inquiries about East Cobb News: wendy@eastcobbnews.com.
From the bottom of my heart, thanks for your readership!
Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
