community

Neighbor
A WA LTON C OMMUNITIES MAGA ZINE 2016
Developing
Community
and Planning for the Future page 14
ALSO INSIDE
A YEAR OF AFFORDABLE FUN page 6
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN YOUR COMMUNITY page 18
CHATTAHOOCHEE COFFEE COMPANY: THE CITY'S BEST page 16
AND MUCH MORE
neighbor 2016 1
Coffee
Justice
Community
INSIDE
WHAT'S
NEIGHBOR 2016
In Every Issue
2
6
18
28
Thrive
Cultural Enrichment
Happening in Your Community
Single Parents
32 Legacy Centers
In This Issue
RIVERSIDE LOCATION
5 Walton CARES
10 Community Partners
29 Adventure Center
6640 Akers Mill Rd. SE
Atlanta, GA 30339
770.955.0788
WESTSIDE LOCATION
790 Huff Rd. NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
470.225.6981
chattahoocheecoffee.com
Features
12 BUILDING COMMUNITY
Learn how Walton plans and builds each
community. Hint: it's all in the details.
16 COFFEE WITH A VIEW
The Chattahoochee Coffee Company serves
hot brew and social consciousness.
20 PARKS AND RECREATION
Use our handy map and park descriptions to
plan your next adventure.
24 PARADE OF READERS
The Book Parade and
Five & Dime Book Sale
kicks off the Walton Reads! program.
34 THE BEST CHRISTMAS PARTY
The Walton Single Parent Christmas Party is
one of the biggest events of the year.
IN THIS PICTURE: The rooftop
patio at Walton Westside has one of the
best views in the city.
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thrive
Volunteer! There is a place for you.
You can use your time and talents to invest in the
lives of others by volunteering in the Adventure
Centers, Walton Teen Service Corps and Legacy
Centers of Walton Communities. Helping others
just feels good, and it builds strong communities.
To find out more about how you can be part of
helping to shape the lives of children or teens or
making life a little easier for seniors, contact Pat
Newman at pnewman@waltoncommunities.com.
By providing a wide range of educational, cultural and
recreational programs that are tailored to the hobbies, interests
and needs of the people who live in their neighborhoods, Walton
Communities is committed to helping their residents thrive.
Book of the
Month
Walton Communities
has been providing free
books to their residents
since opening their first
community in 1989, as
part of their Book of the
Month program. Every
month, more than 2,100
books are distributed.
“Our goal is to get good
literature into the hands
of residents,” said Ben
Teague, who is in charge
of the program. “We try
to provide a wide variety
of books, from the
classics to biographies,
inspirational books
and more. There’s
something for everyone
to enjoy.” Stop by your
Community Office
the first week of each
month to pick up your
complimentary book.
Teaching a children’s sewing class at Walton each week has become
one of the best uses of my time and one of the most enjoyable. Not
only do we get to teach the children a life skill, but they have someone
give them their undivided attention. Each week, I leave Walton
thankful for having been there and for the privilege of investing my
time in the lives of such precious children. —Joan Smith, volunteer
Inspiring Youth to
Serve Others
The teens in the Walton Teen
Service Corps (WTSC) are
spending the year learning, as
the old adage goes, that a picture is worth a thousand words.
The teens get together weekly to
discuss one of the images that
author Dr. Tim Elmore presents
in his book Habitudes©: Images
That Form Leadership Habits &
Attitudes. In the book, Elmore
provides an engaging approach
to teaching leadership through
the use of images. WTSC
director Claude Ball said that
this approach is really connecting with the students as
they apply these leadership
principles to their own lives.
The WTSC is a unique service
learning program available to
12-year-olds to 17-year-olds at
both Walton Ridenour and Walton Reserve with the goal of creating opportunities for personal
development and community
involvement. By partnering with
Hands on Atlanta, a nonprofit
volunteer placement organization, the teens participate in
weekly service projects that provide them with a great amount of
perspective while allowing them
to realize the potential that each
one of them has to influence and
impact the world around them.
For more information about
the Walton Teen Service Corps
contact Claude Ball at
cball@waltoncommunities.com.
Dedicated to your Health and Well-being
Walton Communities partners with several local counseling centers to
offer services to residents at greatly discounted prices. Just choose
a counselor from the list below, call to set up your appointment and
be sure to tell them you are a Walton resident. We will pay for up
to four visits per family per year (with a $10 per visit co-pay by the
resident). All counseling sessions are strictly confidential.
Legacy Strategy
1815 Old 41 Highway NW,
Suite 110, Kennesaw
678-468-9103
Summit Counseling
2750 Old Alabama Road,
Suite 200, Alpharetta,
678-893-5300
Laurie Chandler Counseling
1640 Powers Ferry Rd.,
Bldg. 17, Suite 300, Marietta
678-607-5755
Family Mosaic Counseling
7000 Peachtree-Dunwoody
Rd., Bldg 9, Suite 150,
Atlanta, 404-594-5389
(Spanish services available)
Care & Counseling Center
of Georgia
Lea McLees, Counselor,
will meet residents on-site
404-636-1457 ext. 418
Foundation Counseling
2655 Dallas Hwy., Suite 200,
Marietta
678-701-4034
Center for Care & Counseling
2330 Walton Way, Augusta
706-829-2489
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Walton CARES
thrive
Walton Communities is proud to partner with Apartment Life to bring
CARES teams to many of our neighborhoods. Bill Murray, currently a
program director for CARES, answers your questions.
Wellness Food Co-op Every year, food
costs continue to rise and take a bigger bite out of
a family’s budget. In an effort to help residents in
Walton’s affordable communities stretch their
family food budget and free up cash to pay for
other needed items, Walton partners with Food
Security for America to offer Wellness Food
Co-operatives at several Walton communities.* Nancy Yarnell, Executive Director
of Food Security for America, said that
residents who join the Co-op develop a
sense of ownership. They work as a team
to unload the truck filled with groceries
from the Atlanta Community Food Bank and
then distribute the food among each of the
members. Walton Village resident, Jean A.,
has been a member of the Food Co-op for three
years. “The food is great,” she said, “but what I
enjoy most is the fellowship. It is an opportunity to
come together as a community, and that has been such
a great blessing.”
What is a CARES team?
CARES is a team of two people that live in an
apartment community and plan events to provide opportunities for neighbors to meet. The desire of every
CARES team is to build a sense of community.
*This program is available at Walton Village, Walton Crossing, Walton Reserve,
Walton Ridenour and Walton Oaks.
A Foundation of Reading
Early learning success begins
with books at home
Educators say that the single most significant
factor influencing a child’s early educational
success is an introduction to books and being
read to at home prior to beginning in school. With
that in mind, Walton Communities has partnered
with the Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy
to bring free books for children, from birth to age
five, into their homes. All children who sign up for
this program receive a free book in the mail each
month until they are five-years-old. Contact the
Community Office to sign your child up today! This
program is available at all Walton communities.
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Why do you have a passion for the
CARES program?
I became involved with
Apartment Life nine
years ago when
my wife, Kitti,
and I moved in
as CARES team
members at an
apartment complex in Atlanta.
I quickly realized
the need for
community. One of my neighbors said she had lived in
her apartment for over a year and didn’t know a single
person. We all desire community and a sense of belonging and CARES teams create that opportunity to belong.
What can residents expect from their
CARES team?
First and foremost, residents will know that their CARES
teams are good neighbors. They are in place to support
and to engage. They foster community by planning
events with Property Managers and on-site teams to
give residents an opportunity to meet their neighbors.
This often is achieved through a variety of events
ranging from community-wide pancake breakfasts,
game nights and even karaoke to more intimate settings
like cooking demonstrations and book clubs. They want
to know everyone in the community. More importantly,
they want neighbors to get to know each other.
How can residents get the most out of the
CARES program?
If there is a resident event that sounds
interesting to you, just show up,
even if you don’t know anyone.
We will make sure that you
have fun and get the chance
to meet your neighbors.
Which communities
have CARES teams?
CARES teams are in
place at Walton on the
Chattahoochee, Walton
River, Walton Vinings,
Walton Riverwood,
Walton Westside,
Woodstock West
by Walton, Walton at Columns
Drive, Walton
Centennial and
Walton Grove.
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explore atlanta:
So Much
To Do!
Walton Communities Makes Visiting Local Attractions
Affordable through their cultural enrichment program
2016
The Cultural Enrichment Program is
just one of the unique ways that Walton
Communities adds value to the lives of
residents. Atlanta and the surrounding
area is teeming with local attractions
and cultural experiences that provide
opportunities for personal enrichment
and family fun. The goal of Walton
Communities’ Cultural Enrichment
Program is to help residents take
advantage of these opportunities by
subsidizing the cost of attractions. Each
month a specific Atlanta experience is
designated, and residents that attend the
attraction and provide copies of tickets and
receipts to their community office will be
reimbursed up to 90% of the ticket cost.
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“When we first moved into a Walton
community almost 10 years ago we
were new to the Atlanta area, and the
Cultural Enrichment Program made it
possible for us to experience so many of
the great venues in the area at a fraction
of the cost,” said one Walton resident.
“All these years later and we still take
advantage of this program. I take my
kids to Zoo Atlanta every April, and it
only costs us about $5 for our whole
family. If you are a Walton Communities
resident and you are not taking part in
the Cultural Enrichment program, then
you are missing out.”
Check out these listings to see what is
offered each month.
Zoo Atlanta
Center
for
World of Coke
APEX
Museum
High Museum
of Art
JANUARY
A walk through the
High Museum of Art’s
permanent collection is
a journey through time
and across continents.
Collections consist of
more than 15,000 pieces
and include 19th and
20th century American
and decorative art, significant European pieces,
modern and contemporary art, photography,
African art and folk art.
high.org
FEBRUARY
Located in the historic
Sweet Auburn district,
the APEX Museum
is devoted entirely to
African-American history
as a means of promoting
cultural awareness and
the social contributions
of African-Americans
in Georgia. The Atlanta
APEX Museum features
artifacts, photographs,
children’s shows, presentations and more – all
related to African-American culture, both past
and present.
apexmuseum.org
MARCH
Experience the history of
the world’s most famous
soft drink through fascinating exhibits, classic
ads and an imaginative
replica of the bottling
process. Get closer than
ever before to the World
of Coca-Cola vault containing the secret recipe
and tempt your taste
buds with more than 100
beverages from around
the globe.
worldofcoca-cola.com
APRIL
The only giant panda
twins in the U.S., Mei
Lun and Mei Huan,
are twice as adorable
and fluffy as you might
expect. Come see them
and the rest of the Zoo
Atlanta family in the
historic Grant Park
neighborhood. A funfilled exploration of the
animal kingdom awaits,
including the Scaly
Slimy Spectacular for
reptiles and amphibians.
zooatlanta.org
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In November
& December
Choose two of
these events and
receive up to $20
off the cost
of admission!
Yellow River
Game Ranch
Atlanta
History
Center
Tellus
Science
Center
Atlanta
Botanical
Garden
MAY
Explore more than 30
acres of breathtaking botanical bliss that include
the Fuqua Orchid Center,
the Children’s Garden
and the Kendeda Canopy
Walk, to name just a few.
Located next to Piedmont
Park in Midtown, the
Garden is ever-evolving,
making it a must-see for
any family in Atlanta.
atlantabotanicalgarden.org
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JUNE
The museum’s exhibits
open minds and ignite a
passion for science. See
minerals from all over
the world, stand under a
massive T-Rex and wonder what it was like when
the Wright brothers took
their first flight, pan for
gems and dig up fossils
to take home. There’s
something for everyone.
tellusmuseum.org
JULY
Located in the heart of
Buckhead, the History
Center consists of 32
acres of gardens, wildlife trails and woodland
areas and features one
of the South’s largest
history museums, two
historic houses (the
1928 Swan House
and the Smith Family
Farm), the Centennial
Olympic Games Museum, the Kenan Research
Center and more.
atlantahistorycenter.com
Fernbank
Museum of
Natural History
AUGUST
From the world’s largest
dinosaurs to Atlanta’s
biggest IMAX screen,
experience a world of
adventure. Hands on
exhibits, live animals,
archaeological artifacts
and other fun experiences make science come
alive for all ages.
fernbankmuseum.org
SEPTEMBER
A 24-acre wildlife park
filled with friendly
native Georgia animals.
Encounter highly sociable birds and animals
including white-tailed
deer, bunnies, buffalo,
sheep, goats, black
bears and a bevy of
newborn animals waiting
to be fed, admired and
petted on a “nose to
nose” basis.
yellowrivergameranch.com
Children’s
ImagineIt!
Museum
OCTOBER
The ultimate place for
kids, 0-8, to play, learn
and ignite their curiosity.
The only museum in
Atlanta designed
specifically for kids.
Exhibits are designed to
promote inventive problem solving, creative
thinking and artistic
expression.
childrensmuseumatlanta.org
Michael C. Carlos Museum
This art museum is located on the historic quadrangle of Emory University’s main
campus in Atlanta. The Museum houses the largest ancient art collections in the
Southeast, including objects from ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, the Near East,
Africa and the Ancient Americas. carlos.emory.edu
Atlanta Botanical Garden: Garden Lights/Holiday Nights
Experience the Garden as it is transformed into a twinkling winter wonderland.
Boasting nearly 1 million energy-efficient LED lights bedecking the 30-acre
garden in unusual colors, surprises greet you at every turn as you stroll through
this exceptionally artful show. The hot pink, funky fuschia and electric blue lights
illuminating the trees of Storza Woods demand a neck-craning double take, but
the Great Lawn is the unquestioned centerpiece, where some 150 fiberglass orbs
change hues to the beats of classic holiday songs. This is a must-see holiday
tradition. atlantabotanicalgarden.org
A Christmas Carol at Alliance Theatre
Join the Alliance Theatre for one of Atlanta’s most treasured holiday traditions.
On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by ghosts offering him a chance at a better
future, and who teach him it is never too late to change. With an all-Atlanta cast and
beautiful live music, this Broadway-style production will warm your heart with joy.
alliancetheatre.org
Nutcracker
This time-honored winter favorite, presented by the Georgia Ballet at the Jennie T.
Anderson Theatre in Marietta, is sure to enthrall all with dueling soldiers, enchanting fairies, exquisite dancing snowflakes and an absolutely magnificent growing
Christmas tree. georgiaballet.org
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Christmas Concert
Capture the spirit of the holidays with
the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s
iconic story of Christmas,
created by the legendary
Robert Shaw. A majestic
cast of over 400 musicians brings to life the
Greatest Story Ever Told.
atlantasymphony.org
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howdy partner
By partnering with local organizations Walton Communities is able to
provide even more quality programming for their residents.
Walton and KSU Partner to Help Kids
Adventure Center Director Yolanda
Shackelford always strives to meet
the needs of her students. Recently,
she became concerned about a student who was having behavior problems at school and was becoming
disruptive at the Adventure Center. At
the same time, Dr. Shannon Howrey,
an Associate Professor of Reading
and Literacy Instruction at Kennesaw
State University and a volunteer at
the Adventure Center, noticed the
student was significantly behind in
her reading skills.
Dr. Howrey began one-on-one
tutoring with her and the results
were incredible. In just a few weeks’
time, not only did her reading skills
improve but her confidence skyrocketed and her disruptive attitude
completely diminished.
“Of all that I do at the university,
this is what I am most proud of,” Dr.
Howrey said. “As professors we give
lectures, do research, write books; but
being able to see a child’s face light
up when they read their first book —
to gain confidence about themselves
— that is what it is all about.”
Dr. Howrey is not alone in her
volunteer efforts. Dr. Mark Warner,
Professor of Elementary Education at
KSU, has made a significant impact
on the students he tutors in math at
Free swim lessons for
the children that attend
the Adventure Centers.
The Drowning Prevention
Program teaches children
basic swimming and
water safety skills.
The YMCA and Walton
collaborate with several
other organizations to
provide a Farm Fresh
Market in specific
communities.
Supporting
the Arts
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the Adventure Center. He is always
finding innovative and interactive
ways for the students to not only
learn math concepts but to get
excited about it, too.
Yolanda and her team at the
Adventure Center at Walton Village
recognize the benefits of this unique
partnership with KSU and are so
thankful for the efforts of Dr. Howrey
and Dr. Warner and the impact
they are making on the students in
the community.
YMCA
Becky Shipley, Executive
Director at McCleskey-East
Cobb & Northeast Cobb
YMCA, said that it is very
evident that Walton
Communities wants the
very best for their
residents. She said that
Walton is always looking
for ways to partner with
them to provide quality
programming to their
communities. Here are
some they offer:
Residents of Walton Communities
enjoy attending all kinds of
events at the Cobb Energy
Performing Arts Centre, a premier cultural arts venue
located in Northwest Atlanta. As a sponsor of the Arts
Bridge Foundation, the education outreach arm of the
Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre,Walton helps school
children learn to appreciate the arts through field trips.
Through this partnership, Walton Communities receives
greatly discounted tickets so that residents can attend
Broadway shows, ballets, concerts, family performances
and so much more. cobbenergycentre.com
The YMCA brought a
sports program to the
children of Walton
Ridenour and Walton
Crossing encouraging
the kids to have fun while
staying active.
Through a partnership
with Creative Learning
Atlanta, the YMCA
provides dance
instruction for children.
Visit ymcaatlanta.org
On My Honor
I Will Do My Best...
If you visit Walton
Crossing on a Friday
afternoon you won’t
find Property Manager,
Paul Waters, in his
office. He will be at the
Adventure Center with
Cub Scout Troop 122.
Waters, along with
Property Monitor,
Kerry Ayana, and
Business Manager,
Janssen Tucker, are
having a blast leading
the Cub Scouts of
Walton Crossing.
In 2015, Waters was
the recipient of the
coveted Whitney Young
Award, awarded by
the Boy Scout Council
for his service. Waters
said that Scouting is all
about having fun and
learning new things,
and the second a kid
puts the uniform on
they feel like they belong to something.
One of the troop’s
highlights for the year is
camping at Bert Adams
Scout Camp in Covington, GA where they can
try out their newly acquired Scouting skills.
Walton Communities
is proud to partner with
Boy Scouts of America
and is looking to expand
their involvement at
more communities. If you
are interested in bringing
a Scout program to your
community, let them
know; they would love to
help make that happen.
scouting.org
“Walton and the YMCA have a common goal of wanting to
improve the lives of the people we serve.” —Becky Shipley
PARENTS WITH A PURPOSE MEETS NEEDS
Parents with a Purpose, a non-profit, faith-based
organization designed to help families with needs
has been partnering with Walton Communities
since the early 90’s. “It is a privilege to partner
with Walton,” said founder Grant Cole, “I have
never seen any other apartment company build
community the way that Walton does. They do
everything with excellence, and they serve their
residents well.”
Parents with a Purpose recently partnered with
another non-profit called One Need to help even
more people. Needs are submitted through
the Parents with a Purpose
website, where the One
Need team
works to qualify them. Needs can be anything
– from clothing, transportation, food, money
or simply prayer. Once a request has been
received and verified, One Need sends out the
Need Alert to “Deeders” who have expressed a
desire to help others.
If you have a need or if you wish to become
a “Deeder”, visit the Parents with a Purpose
website and click on the “One Need” tab.
parentswithapurpose.com.
The Details
Matter
Going beyond building places where
people live by creating
neighborhoods where
people thrive.
Walton Communities has a reputation of exceptional service,
and that service doesn’t begin when the first resident walks
through the leasing office door; it begins at the drawing board
when the next Walton community is still just an idea.
After finding a piece of land, the
development team imagines what a
Walton community would look like there
as well as how the residents that will
live in that community will best thrive.
David Knight, head of development at
Walton Communities, said that all of
the development team's conversations
boil down to two important questions –
Would I want to live there? And, would I
want my kids to grow up there?
If the answer is yes, then the
development team takes that idea
and breathes life into it. The team is
thoughtful in their development, always
keeping future residents in the forefront
of their minds. They are purposeful with
every decision made and are always
striving to make things better.
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It is rare to find a construction team
that mulls over and considers the tiniest
of details, like the swing of a closet door,
but the development team at Walton
Communities does that because they
know that details matter.
Details make all the difference. From
the wide sidewalks, walking trails,
flowers and shrubs that provide color
in every season, tree-lined streets and
abundant amenity areas – the focus
is on providing an enjoyable living
experience, both now and for years
to come.
An abundance of programs and
services round out this experience,
bringing neighbors together as friends.
After all, isn’t that what community is
all about?
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The Walton development team
is purposeful with every decision
made and always strives to
make things better.
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Coffee WITH A CONSCIENCE
The secret is out: the Chattahoochee Coffee Company is the
best setting for great coffee. Have you been yet?
The Chattahoochee Coffee
Company serves up coffee,
amazing views and a
generous heap of social
consciousness. With floor
to ceiling windows and
a private patio lined with
bistro tables at the Riverside
location, you can drink in
the astounding view while
you sip your latte. This is a
place to linger. Relax on one
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of the Adirondack chairs
near the water or walk along
one of several trails weaving
through wooded areas along
the river.
The Westside location,
tucked away in West
Midtown, is a hipster’s
paradise with an outdoorsy
vibe. With plenty of
comfortable seating and long
shared tables it’s the perfect
place for working, enjoying
a good book or some great
conversation.
In addition to coffee drinks
of all kinds, both locations
serve snacks (including
some delicious homemade
ones) and smoothies.
The Chattahoochee
Coffee Company is also
very dedicated to social
awareness. You can be sure
your coffee is direct trade,
and many items sold raise
money for charities around
the world.
With two locations in
Atlanta — one inside the
gates of Walton on the
Chattahoochee Apartments
(6640 Akers Mill Road in
Atlanta) and one next to
the leasing office at Walton
Westside (790 Huff Road,
NW, Atlanta) — these coffee
shops are truly unique.
Both Chattahoochee Coffee
Company locations are open
to the public (note that the
Riverside location is closed to
the public on weekends, but
is open to residents of Walton
on the Chattahoochee).
chattahoocheecoffee.com
“CHATTAHOOCHEE COFFEE COMPANY WESTSIDE
IS MY NEW GO-TO COFFEE SHOP. EVERYTHING
FROM THE QUIET, OPEN ATMOSPHERE TO THE
SUPER FRIENDLY, ATTENTIVE AND SKILLED
BARISTAS IS JUST SPOT ON.” —YELP REVIEW
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save the date
WALTON VININGS
There’s always great stuff happening at Walton Vinings…
Meet a neighbor and make a friend! Add these great dates to
your personal calendar and join us for fun!
Jan. 9th
Walton Night Out
Jul. 1st
Family Game Night
Sep. 25th
Craft/Wreath Making
Jul. 6th
Breakfast on the Go
Oct. 1st, 12 pm
Fall Festival at
Walton Village
Jan. 13th
Primetime Dinner
for Senior Adults
Apr. 29th, 7 pm
Single Parent Event
at Walton Reserve:
Recognizing Signs of
Trouble in Your Child
Jan. 22nd
S’mores at the Pool
Apr. 30th
Jazz Night
Jul. 15th, 7 pm
Single Parent Event
at Walton Reserve
Feb. 7th
Football Party and
Chili Contest
May 7th
Mother’s Day Brunch
Jul. 16th
Ice Cream at the Pool
Oct. 15th
Harvest Breakfast
Feb. 13th
Love Your Neighbor
Dessert Exchange
May 13th, 7 pm
Single Parent Event
at Walton Reserve:
Mothers’ Celebration
Aug. 6th
Back to School Bash
Oct. 15th
Single Parent Trip to
North Ga. Mountains
Feb. 17th
Teen Snacks to Go
May 18th
Passport Dinner
Mar. 10th
Irish Potato Bar
May 28th
Walton Walk
Mar. 11th, 7 pm
Single Parent Event
at Walton Reserve:
Helping Children
Deal with Anger
Jun. 3rd
Potluck Dinner
Mar. 15th
March Madness
Kickoff
Mar. 19th
Easter Egg Hunt
Apr. 1st
Teen Night
Apr. 22nd
Movie Night
Events subject to change
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Jun. 11th, 11 am
Book Parade and
Five & Dime Book
Sale at Walton
Village
Jun. 17th, 7 pm
Single Parent Event
at Walton Reserve:
Budgeting Seminar
Aug. 12th, 7 pm
Single Parent Event
at Walton Reserve:
Game Night!
Oct. 9th
Pumpkin Carving
Oct. 29th
Walton Vinings
Fall Festival
Aug. 19th
Midsummer Night’s
Dream Dinner
Nov. 6th
Bake-off and
Recipe Swap
Aug. 26th
Walton Night Out
(Young Adults)
Nov. 11th
S’mores at the Pool
Aug. 30th, 11:30 am
Legacy Luncheon
at Piedmont Church
(Adults 55+)
Sep. 2nd
Karaoke Night
Jun. 18th
Breakfast Waffle Bar
Sep. 9th, 7 pm
Single Parent Event
at Walton Reserve
Jun. 23rd
Pool Party/Cookout
Sep. 17th
Bingo Night
Nov. 17th
Thanksgiving Feast
Dec. 3rd, 11 am
Single Parent
Christmas Banquet
at Piedmont Church
Dec. 10th
Christmas Breakfast
Dec. 16th
White Elephant
Gift Exchange and
Christmas Carols
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Happy Trails
The Bob Callan Trail
connects to the Rottenwood Creek Trail and
West Pallisades Trail.
Trails inside Walton on
the Chattahoochee and
Walton River connect
directly to this trail.
TO YOU
Whether you crave adventure or enjoy relaxing and reconnecting
with the natural world, our area provides plenty of outdoor
recreational opportunities for all to enjoy. If you’re looking for
unspoiled outdoor offerings, residents of Walton Communities
need look no further than their own back yard for the best fishing,
camping and hiking spots around! “Just a half hour walk here will
refresh your mind. It’s a peaceful retreat and a great place to get
some exercise – right here in the city,” said one resident. For more
information on great Georgia trails, visit traillink.com. The following
pages highlight just a few great places to visit.
The Cochran Shoals Trail
is directly accessible to
Walton at Columns
Drive, and it's accessible
to Walton on the
Chattahoochee and
Walton River through
other connecting trails.
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Kennesaw
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Chattahoochee
Trail
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Big Creek Greenway
This flat, winding
trail offers plenty of
shade and runs
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The Augusta Canal Trail
This 7.5 mile trail
occupies a unique
historic and natural
setting in the heart
of Augusta. Mostly
a packed-dirt trail, it
runs along a strip of
green between the
canal and the Savannah River, where
small rapids cascade
over granite ledges
separating the
coastal plain from the
piedmont plateau.
Located near Walton
Oaks. (Not shown on
this map)
Win d
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Walton
at Columns
Drive
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Delk R
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Cochran Shoals Trail
One of the most
popular and
beautiful of the
Chattahoochee River
National Recreation
area trails, this trail
is located just north
of Atlanta’s I-285
perimeter highway. It
offers over 4 miles of
fantastic, wide graveled trails popular
with runners, walkers
and mountain bikers
along a wide shoal
and whitewater-filled
stretch of the Chattahoochee River. A
trail inside Walton
at Columns Drive
connects directly to
this trail.
Greenprints Trails
This collection of
trails, located in the
City of Woodstock,
includes the Noonday
Creek Trail, which
runs from Market
Street, continues
along Noonday
Creek among a heavily wooded natural
setting and connects
to the Woodstock
Dog Park. The Rubes
Creek Trail is located
off Arnold Mill Road
and will eventually be
part of the Downtown
Loop. Direct access
to this trail is available
at Woodstock West
by Walton. (Not
shown on this map)
C
ek
rt
Kennesaw Mountain
National Battlefield Park
This park preserves
the remnants of
one of the most
heated battles of the
Civil War and offers
miles of hiking trails
dotted with historic
earthworks, cannon
emplacements and
monuments. As
you walk the park,
you’re reminded
of the hard-fought
battle that occurred
here almost 150
years ago. Picnic
areas and lookout
points invite you to
take in the park’s
natural beauty. This
park is less than
one mile from
Walton Ridenour.
(Not shown on
this map)
Bob Callan/
Rottenwood Creek/
West Pallisades Trail
This network of three
running, walking and
biking trails travels
a path through
wooded, wildlife-rich
forest and riverine
ecosystems. With
trailheads just
off Cumberland
Boulevard and Cobb
Parkway in Marietta,
it provides easy
access and plenty
of parking. Smaller
trails inside Walton
on the Chattahoochee and Walton River
connect directly to
these trails.
P
through Roswell/
Alpharetta and on
into Forsyth County.
Look for turkeys,
green herons
and deer in this
nature-rich area. A
trail inside Walton
Bluegrass will soon
connect directly to
the Greenway. (Not
shown on this map)
So
Chattahoochee
River National
Recreation Area
The mighty river,
which flows right
through the Perimeter
area and beyond,
attracts fishermen
from all over the
Southeast with
its enticing misty
waters. Whether you
enjoy kayaking and
boating or picnicking
along the river’s shore,
the Chattahoochee
provides the perfect
setting for family fun.
The Silver Comet Trail
The Silver Comet
Trail follows the bed
of the old Seaboard
Rail Line and runs
from Smyrna all the
way to the Alabama
state line, where it
connects with the
Chief Ladiga Trail.
The well-maintained
61.5 mile trail is 12feet wide and paved.
Along the way are 17
wheelchair-accessible access points,
15 restrooms, 10
water fountains and
a variety of trailside
services.
Bob Callan
Trail
Silver Comet
Connector Trail
Kennesaw Mtn.
Chattahoochee Trail
Parade
c
of Readers
The achievement of reading is worth celebrating, and what better
way to celebrate than with a parade! It’s a beautiful day in the
neighborhood during the Book Parade and Five & Dime Book Sale!
Each year Walton Village hosts the
Book Parade and Five & Dime Book
Sale to kick off Walton’s Summer
Reading Program. Residents of all
Walton communities are invited to join
in the fun.
Both children and adults can dress up
as their favorite book characters and
march down Main Street to the beat of a
high school drum line. The top readers
from the Walton Reads! program and
the top Adventure Center volunteers
get the honor of riding on the back of
convertibles during the parade.
The fun doesn’t stop there. After the
parade, everyone is invited to shop at the
Five & Dime Book Sale where they can
purchase gently used books for 5 or 10
cents. That means you can load up on a
24 neighbor 2016
bag of books for just a couple of bucks.
There are over 15,000 books available
for purchase — books for children as
well as adults and books of all types
including fiction, non-fiction, cookbooks,
biographies, textbooks and more. All the
proceeds from the sale go to the Calvary
Children’s Home.
After your book shopping is complete,
stay for free food, entertainment, face
painting and bounce houses. It’s a
big celebration because reading is
worth celebrating.
The 2016 Book Parade and Five &
Dime Book Sale will be Saturday, June
11th, 11:00 am – 1 pm at Walton Village.
Residents of all Walton Communities are
encouraged to come. Don’t be late! The
parade begins promptly at 11 am!
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Don’t miss the 2016 Book Parade
and Five & Dime Book Sale
on June 11th!
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support
Adventure Center
WALTON COMMUNITIES’ ADVENTURE CENTERS ARE RUN BY PARENTS WITH
A PURPOSE, A NON-PROFIT, FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATION.
Having fun, connecting, encouraging and supporting each other
is what the Walton Single Parent Program is all about.
January 15, 7:00 pm
The Power of You
Feb. 12, 7:00 pm
Valentine Banquet
March 11, 7:00 pm
Helping Children Deal
with Anger
Fun with
a Purpose
April 29, 7:00 pm
Recognizing the Signs
of Trouble
May 13, 7:00 pm
Mothers’ Celebration
The Single Parent Program meets monthly at Walton Reserve.
Single parents from all Walton communities are invited.
“The Single Parent
Program is a
great way to meet
neighbors and get
out of the house. It’s
a great networking
opportunity.”
— Steschia C.
of Walton Village
“What I like best
about the Single
Parent Group is the
entertainment and
meeting people from
all over. They also
keep you informed of
things that are going
on, and ... great gifts,
food and fellowship.”
—Cassandra B.
of Walton Village
“I want to be positive
and support others
when I can because I
know how hard
life can be and we
need to be there for
each other.”
—Nickie P.
of Walton Reserve
June 17, 7:00 pm
Luau/Budgeting Seminar
July 15, 7:00 pm
Spa Night
August 12, 7:00 pm
Game Night
September 9, 7:00 pm
Topic To Be Determined
October 15, 8:00 am
Day Trip to the North Ga.
Mountains
December 3, 11:00-2:00
Single Parent Christmas
Banquet at Piedmont
Church, Marietta
Note: All activities take place at Walton Reserve unless otherwise noted
TONYA J. OF WALTON RESERVE WAS NAMED THE SINGLE PARENT OF THE YEAR at
last year’s Single Parent Christmas Banquet. Pat Newman, the Director of
Program Services for Walton Communities, said that Tonya was a clear choice.
This past summer Tonya used her time off as a school paraprofessional to
volunteer in the Adventure Center every day. Tonya said that the time she spends
volunteering in the community is her way of giving back and saying thank you. When Tonya first
moved into Walton Reserve, she quickly found that the programs that were in place eased the
burden of being a single parent, and she took advantage of every opportunity that was available
for her. She found the support and confidence she needed to make it on her own because she
came to understand that when you are part of a real community, you are never really alone.
28 neighbor 2016
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Adventure Center
People always remember where they grow up. Creating special
memories for children and instilling in them the importance of good
character is what the Adventure Center is all about. This quality
program that serves nearly 250 children, with its own unique customdesigned curriculum, provides a haven — and a warm, welcoming hug
— for children after school in select Walton communities.
At Walton Communities’ Adventure
Centers the coaches and directors have
unique talents and abilities that they
bring to their jobs. As Jayshawna Wilder,
an Adventure Center Coach said, “It
is like a puzzle. We all play a role and
are a piece of that puzzle. We all have
strengths and passions to share with the
kids, and it all comes together to make a
beautiful picture.”
The Directors and Coaches love
working with kids and desire to help
them grow emotionally, intellectually,
physically and spiritually. Adventure
Center Coach, Alicia Walters, said
that planting seeds of good character
and strong faith in the children is her
number one priority. “Seeing kids grow
and internalize the Biblical truth that we
teach — that is the most rewarding part
of my job,” she said.
Brittanie B.’s eight-year-old son,
Za’Kye, has attended the Adventure
Center since kindergarten, and she is
thankful for all that they do to help him.
“It is more than just helping him with
homework,” she said. “They partner with
me. They teach him about God, and they
provide a place where he gets to learn
and have fun.” Brittanie said that the
convenience of having a free after school
program located in the community
where she lives has been a gamechanger for her. “I know that when I am
at work I can have 100% confidence that
my son is at a place where he is well
cared for and cared about. It is such a
great feeling to have.”
The Adventure Centers at Walton
Reserve, Walton Crossing, Walton
Ridenour and Walton Village are run by
Parents with a Purpose, a non-profit,
faith-based organization. The Adventure
Center at Walton Oaks in Augusta is
a joint partnership between Hope for
Augusta, a non-profit, faith-based
organization and The Jessye Norman
School of the Arts.
1
Summer
Adventure
Camp
What can $10 buy you
these days? For kids that
live in a Walton community it can buy a summer
of fun. For only $10 your
child can attend camp
at an Adventure Center
for the entire summer.
With weekly field trips
to places like Centennial
Olympic Park, Children’s
Imagine It! Museum,
World of Coca-Cola,
aquatic centers, and
more, the kids discover
new adventures every
day. Camp culminates
with a Field Day extravaganza at Walton’s own
River Park with all kinds
of field day games,
water slides, swimming
and more. This exciting
summer camp opportunity is available to
all students who have
completed kindergarten
through fifth grade.*
*at select Walton Communities only
Camp Grace
Zip lining, canoeing and
horseback riding are
only a few of the many
activities that your child
will experience at Camp
Grace this summer.
Located in Roberta,
Georgia, Camp Grace
offers week-long overnight camp experiences
for children throughout
the state. Campers
spend the week
learning new skills like
archery and rock wall
climbing, worshipping
God together at Power
Hour and conquering
Wet Willie, the 30 foot
water slide that shoots
“I like coming to the
Adventure Center
because it has cool
activities, and the reason
I love the Adventure
Center is because it so
very, very awesome!”
30 neighbor 2016
— Joshua W., Walton Village
campers right into a
huge lake. Crud Wars,
a camp-wide food
fight, makes for fun
and messy memories.
A week at Camp Grace
is valued at over
$500, but as a Walton
resident, your child
(ages 7-12) can have
this incredible camp
experience for only
$60.* To find out more
information about
Camp Grace check
out their website at
www.thecampgrace.com.
2016 camp dates are
May 30th – June 4th
and space is limited.
*scholarships available at select
Walton Communities
Summer Camp
Scholarships
There is no doubt
about it, summer camp
is the best! Walton
Communities wants to
give every child in their
communities the chance
to have a summer camp
experience. School
age children that live in
any Walton community
can apply for a camp
scholarship to attend
camps sponsored by a
non-profit organization.
Camp scholarship applications can be picked
up at your Community
Office. All applications
must be submitted by
February 26, 2016.
Legacy
Walton’s Legacy Centers and Legacy Clubs provide a way for
residents 55 and up to build friendships that last a lifetime.
An Affair to Remember
Over 200 residents,
representing 12 Walton
communities, attended the
first ever Legacy Luncheon
last September. Held at
the Mansour Center in
Marietta, residents enjoyed
a lunch catered by Zeigler’s
Barbecue and entertainment
provided by Bill Gleeson,
a former New York City
Firefighter and 9/11 veteran.
Legacy at Walton
Overlook resident, Jane M.,
said that when Bill began
singing Neil Diamond’s
“Sweet Caroline”, she just
had to get up and sing along.
“I never thought I would get
up in front of a crowd like
that,” she said, “but everyone
was having so much fun
singing and dancing that I
just had to join in.”
Jane said that when
Walton Communities plans
an event like this they do it
well — from the decorations,
to the food, to the
entertainment — it is all top
notch. She is already looking
forward to this year’s
Legacy Luncheon scheduled
for August 30th at Piedmont
Church in Marietta.
MARGARET GREEN has called Walton Communities her home for close to
20 years, and she considers her neighbors and Walton team members
her family. Margaret is 96 years old and currently lives at The Legacy
at Walton Village. When she first moved to a Walton property in 1996,
she remembers being very shy and closed off, but she also remembers
how caringly the Walton team members at the community encouraged
her to meet her neighbors — and even provided opportunities for her
The
to do so. Today, just about everyone at The Legacy at Walton Village
Beauty of
knows Margaret Green. After all, the community theater, the Margaret
Community Green Theater, is named in her honor. She is the first to greet new residents and encourages each of them to become involved in the many
activities that the community provides. She has experienced first-hand the value of a caring
community and is eager to share the enormous impact that living at a Walton community
has made on her life. She loves spending her days sharing stories with her neighbors and,
with nine decades of life under her belt, she has got some stories to tell.
32 neighbor 2016
30
August
Mark your calendar
for this year's Legacy
Luncheon! Tuesday,
August 30th, 11:30 am
at Piedmont Church,
570 Piedmont Road,
Marietta 30066
“I could not have found a better place to live.
My neighbors are my people; we are dedicated
to each other, look out for each other, and get to enjoy great events like the
Legacy Luncheon together. I couldn’t have asked for more.” —Jane M.
BOBBI CARVER thinks she is the luckiest person in the world. She gets
paid to do something that she loves. She is the Lifestyle Coordinator
at The Legacy at Walton Village and has a passion for serving senior
adults. As a young girl, Bobbi found encouragement and support from
the senior members at her church, and she quickly recognized the value
of spending time with members of this generation. She believes that age
The Best
and experience are natural pathways to wisdom, and she loves to hear
Job in
the many stories that seniors have to share. As a Lifestyle Coordinator,
Bobbi said that her number one goal is to create a sense of community
the World
for her residents. Bobbi also builds community by organizing group excursions around town. She coordinates with local community senior centers so her residents
can take advantage of the many activities and seminars that are offered there. While Bobbi
does enjoy keeping a full calendar for her residents, what she loves most about her job is the
opportunity to support them with a listening ear and an encouraging hug.
neighbor 2016 33
It’s a Saturday morning in early December. A crowd is gathering at Piedmont
Church in Marietta. Everyone is dressed in their holiday finest with big smiles on
their faces; the children in tow are alive with excitement. Today is the day of the
Single Parent Christmas Banquet — something that many Walton single parents
look forward to all year, and Walton's biggest event of the year.
“I was overwhelmed by the love that was shared with all of us at the banquet,”
said Rachel S. of Walton Vinings. “It was unlike anything I have ever experienced.”
Good food, a festive atmosphere, inspiring speakers, great music and amazing
prizes are the order of the day. Why does Walton do it? Pat Newman, who
coordinates the program said, “We want to connect single parent residents with
other single parents in their neighborhood and in other communities, and to give
them a day just for them — where they feel special, inspired and encouraged for
the journey ahead.”
Clockwise from top: No
Christmas celebration is
complete without Santa! A
surprise live nativity was the
grand finale. So much to smile
about! Great prizes just in time
for the holiday — a welcome
surpise. Single Parent of
the Year, Tonya Jones, with
emcee Ike Reighard, pastor of
Piedmont Church.
Make plans to attend our next Single Parent Christmas Banquet!
34 neighbor 2016
S AT U R D AY, D E C E M B E R 3 R D , 1 1 : 0 0 - 2 : 0 0 , P I E D M O N T C H U R C H , M A R I E T TA
All Walton single parents with children high school age or younger are invited!
neighbor 2016 35
3rd Annual Walton Communities
I was overwhelmed by the love that was
shared with all of us on Saturday at
the Banquet...It was unlike anything I
have ever experienced.
– Rachel S.
Clockwise from top: Having a great
time at the luncheon. Over 325 guests
and 300 children attended the banquet.
Tony Van Dyke gave an inspiring
Christmas message. Over 350 Walton
employees and community volunteers
were eager to serve all the guests. An
exciting day...and one to remember.
Join us for some FREE family fun!
SATURDAY OCTOBER 1ST
FROM 12-2PM
The Festival is at Walton Village
1570 Roberta Drive, Marietta
36 neighbor 2016
Games, Live Music, Face Painting,
Pony Rides, Great Food, & More!
All residents are invited! Bring the
whole family — fun for all ages!
Neighborhoods that Matter
26 locations in the Atlanta & Augusta area
WaltonCommunities.com