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Pathfinder of the Month

"Do not go where the path may lead,
go instead where there is no path
and leave a trail."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Familiar Faces
Wayne Kosbe

How You Know Him: He's originally from the land of the Great Lakes (Michigan) and was a former Wolverine at the University of Michigan. He loves playing ice hockey, golf and working out. He has two teenage children and became a father again at the age of 45. He is the owner of The Club at Towne Lake and the Past President of the Towne Lake Business Association. Meet our Familiar Face for August - Wayne Kosbe.

From Food to Fitness: Wayne came to Georgia via Sara Lee. He had been working for Cisco foods when he got recruited by Sara Lee as a Vice President of Sales. Wayne had also owned and sold two health clubs - one in Detroit and one in Charlotte. Eight years ago he saw the opportunity to open a health club in Towne Lake, and Towne Lake Fitness was born. Wayne eventually got out of the food business when Sara Lee offered him a severance package, and going forward, he devoted his energies and time to Towne Lake Fitness and now The Club at Towne Lake.

Hockey and Other Hobbies: One look at Wayne, and you know he is not a couch potato. Being from Michigan, Wayne grew up playing hockey and received a scholarship from the University of Michigan. He still plays on a Hockey Time recreational league, where he plays center. He also enjoys golf and has a nine handicap. He hopes to get his kids involved in golf because as he puts it, "It's four hours of time we can spend together as a family." His wife, April, is trying to get him into tennis, and he's trying to get her into golf. That story is to be continued, but you can bet we will see Wayne with a tennis racquet very soon!

You Might be Surprised if You Knew: Wayne thinks most people are surprised that at 47, he has a two year-old. He often gets the question, "what were you thinking?" considering he has Kendall, age 18 and Zachary, age 13. But he thoroughly enjoys parenting young Emma and spending time with her. Wayne is also the co-owner of two restaurants called Pepperoni's in Atlanta and Charlotte. Food and Fitness - he's still connected to both. Nice to know you better, familiar face!

Lynne Saunders

Lynne Saunders knows what it means to be in need and wondering where to turn for help. She has helped several in our community in circumstances that she found herself in at one time. Lynne's experiences opened new doors for her, one of which was Papa's Pantry. Her work with the Pantry makes Lynne our Pathfinder for August.

Lynne founded Papa's Pantry after returning from a mission trip to India. She witnessed the daily struggle for survival that families went through, and when she returned to the states and saw the abundance here she stated, "No one should ever go hungry with all the resources available to us."

There was a time in Lynne's life where she was in need of help. After being abused by her first husband, Lynne left that marriage with her eleven month-old child - escaping only by changing her identity and relocating to another city. Lynne met and married Bill Saunders 23 years ago. Lynne was just getting back on her feet when she became ill and missed several days of work. Bill's father was a minister whom people referred to as Papa, and he unexpectedly brought her a bag of groceries. Thinking it was charity, Lynne was a little taken back but his response was "someday you'll do this for someone else." And as time reveals she has done that and more through Papa's Pantry, which she began in their basement.

Lynne and Bill moved to Woodstock from Charlotte, NC where Lynne had developed three real estate magazines and a real estate consulting firm. After the move, Lynne worked for the corporate office of Home Depot and helped with several charity events.

Bill and Lynne attend Mt. Paran Church, and Lynne has helped several families in need through referrals of the church and other community organizations who know about Papa's Pantry. Last year, Lynne decided to leave Home Depot because Papa's Pantry had expanded so rapidly and she was constantly taking food to someone in need. After six years, Lynne has expanded Papa's Pantry to Canton and has partnered with Family Solutions. This partnership is able to offer not only food for needy families but also counseling and family learning skills. Helping families get back on their feet and regain their self-respect is what it is all about according to Lynne. Through her Christian foundation, she will always be there to help families in need.

Thank you, Lynne, for all you do to make our community a better place to live!