Around Towne
by Cherryl Greenman

The holidays are upon us and The TowneLaker has filled this issue with many special holiday events. Some are listed in Arts & Entertainment on page 26. We also have listed charities in Cherokee County that are looking to you to help make the holidays brighter for needy families in our community (see Helping Hands on page 44). And of course, every boy and girl wants to tell Santa what's on his or her wish list this year. We have prepared a list of all the places Santa's helpers will be visiting here in the Towne Lake area on page 50.

The Wild Honeysuckle, (featured on our cover and pages 54 and 55) could give you some suggestions. For more gift giving ideas, check out our Advertiser Index on page 104. You may just find that special gift you're looking for right here in the Towne Lake area.

What's New

Planet Suntan in the Kroger shopping center on Towne Lake Parkway has been purchased by Sherry Duke, owner of Tan Lake located in the Towne Lake Village Center.

If you've driven down Bells Ferry Road lately, you probably have noticed the grading at Red Barn Road (between Highway 92 and Eagle Drive). A 248-unit apartment complex, called the Peaks at Bells Ferry is scheduled to begin construction here in early spring with units being available by September.

TLBA president Wayne Kosbe asks what you would like to see added to our community. Let your voice be heard. Send an email to us or to the TLBA and give us your thoughts.

Crystal Carr and Katrina Iacovacci are organizing a tornado disaster relief program for the victims of the recent tornadoes in Dawson, Pickens and Cherokee counties. Help some folks who are really in need!!! Some of them lost everything, so anything will help. Clothing, toiletry items and perhaps Christmas presents for the kids will be much appreciated. Furniture in good condition also would be extremely helpful. Drop off location for smaller items is CENTURY 21 Advantage (next to Wendy's). Call Crystal Carr at (770) 516-5600 ext. 350 for more details.

If you haven't been to Donato's Pizza lately, they are now closed. All the Atlanta area Donato's have been closed by corporate management as a result of weaker than projected sales performance. Donato's employees were given severance packages, and job fairs are planned to assist displaced employees with their transition.

If you love one-of-a-kind, hand carved imported furniture, SMS Trading Co. may have just what you've been looking for to finish your home decorating. They also carry unique home decor items and accessories.

Calling all animal lovers!! The Animal EmPAWrium will definitely satisfy your "animal craving" to complete your collection. The EmPAWrium is the direct result of Gina Carr and other Towne Lake area animals lovers who were always looking for "animal stuff" and could never find them in conventional stores. The EmPAWrium carries animal art, collectibles, pillows, knick-knacks and many other great items for you or that special animal lover in your life! Both the Animal EmPAWrium and SMS Trading Co. are located in the CENTURY 21 Advantage office on Towne Lake Parkway, next to Wendy's (through December 31).

We at The TowneLaker wish each of you a very special Holiday Season!

Cherryl is the Editor of The TowneLaker magazine. She lives in southwest Cherokee with her son Dale and daughter Lori.

Towne Lake Diner
Towne Lake Cafe Diner
by Kara Kiefer

This month, the Towne Lake diner is featuring the Towne Lake Café Diner. I've been there when it was the Hot Rod Café, the Landmark Diner and then the Hilltop Grill, and I have to say, the Towne Lake Café Diner has them all beat. The Diner opened in early November and touts itself as a "New York-style diner." Not experiencing a true New York diner myself, I'm assuming it means "extreme variety." The Towne Lake Café Diner has an extensive menu with a real international flavor. Depending on your mood, you can get American, Italian, Mexican or authentic Greek cuisine, and be sure to bring a friend. The portions are huge! Leave room at the end because the desserts are not to be missed.

The Café is owned by John Sidaris and Vissilis Patridis, which explains the Greek influence. According to the manager, George, the Towne Lake Café Diner "strives for excellent service, cleanliness, a good value and a great product."

The Diner will have its liquor license after the first of the year, and they will experiment with later hours and possibly live entertainment. It's open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and is a great place to head for dessert after the movies.

It's Time to Enter
The TowneLaker's 2003
Tournament of Roses
Have you or someone you know been married a long, long time? If so, enter The TowneLaker's Tournament of Roses Contest!

he TowneLaker is looking for the Towne Lake area couple that has been married the longest. If you've been married a long, long time, you could be the winner of the seventh annual Tournament of Roses Contest! Winners will be featured in the February issue of The TowneLaker.

Last year's winners were Nelda and Barney Johnson who had been married 60 years then.

If you or someone you know could be a contender in the Tournament of Roses Contest, send us a nomination, including the names of the couple and their wedding date, including year. Also include your name, address and phone numbers, as well as a phone number for the couple you are nominating.

Nominations may be submitted by e-mail to editor@townelaker.com, faxed to (770) 516-4809 or mailed to The TowneLaker, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 340, Woodstock, GA 30189.

The deadline for
nominations is Friday, January 10, at 5 p.m.