Roswell Remembers

Memorial Day is a great time to stop and remember all of the men and women who gave their all in our Armed Forces to ensure that American continues to have the freedoms and liberties that we often take for granted.

Roswell, Georgia hosts the largest Memorial Day Ceremony in Georgia on the grounds of City Hall. The grassy lawn between City Hall and the Faces of War Memorial is a fitting location for the ceremony. It’s hard not to shed a tear or two when veterans who are normally bent with age, stand at attention proudly saluting as the service hymn for their branch of the service is played.

From its beginnings in 1997, this ceremony has grown to over 7,000 people from all over Georgia and the southeast in attendance, each year.

Program:
10:00 am Displays Open to the Public
10:15 am Pre-Ceremony Music
11:00 am Official Start of Program
12:30 pm Conclusion of Program

This year’s key note speaker is  Sergeant George Lingefelt. He was born Feb 27, 1923 in Silver City, GA. He entered the Army in December 1942 and officially sworn into service in 1943. Following boot camp, at Camp Howze in Gainesville, Texas, Sergeant Lingefelt was assigned to the 81st Wildcat Division as an infantryman machine gunner. Known as the oldest Division in the Army, the 81st was the first Division to be decorated with a shoulder patch, which depicted a fighting black wildcat. Following maneuvers in Louisiana, the 81st was sent to the South Pacific to secure a group of islands including New Caledonia, New Guinea, Palau, and Angeur as part of a larger offensive campaign known as “Operation Forager.” Following the securing of a B29 base, the 81st Division was sent back to New Caledonia for re-supplying the Division prior to leaving for the Philippines. Rising to the rank of #1 Gunner, Sgt. Lingefelt and the 81st Wildcat Division were deployed to clear the Philippine mountains of the Japanese. During these maneuvers, 80% of his Division contracted dysentery and Sgt. Lingefelt himself lost 60 lbs. Machine Gun Sgt. Lingefelt’s 81st Wildcat Division was scheduled to join with the 77th Infantry Division to make the first beach landings invading Japan when WW2 came to an end. Sgt. George Lingefelt proudly served his Country with two brothers who thankfully survived. Mr. Lingefelt’s current passion, in retirement, is as Scout Master Emeritus of Troop 465 – Hickory Flat, where he has helped develop boys into young men for more than 50 years.

Help! My kids are Bored!

 Spring Break means that children are out of school and looking to you for something to do.  Back in the day, a new board game, clothes to play dress up, or paints, clay, and other craft items would keep them occupied for hours and when the newness wore off, you’d just send them outside to play with their friends.  Today, those activities will work for a couple of hours and then your children are looking to you for something else to do.

Walking in our Roswell Parks and watching children squeal with laughter when they swing or race each other to see who will be first to climb the slide, shows that playgrounds are still high on children’s lists of fun places.  Ten of the parks in Roswell have playgrounds just waiting for children to enjoy them.  Nine of those ten parks have picnic areas so you can bring lunch and have a place to relax after working up a great appetite.

Have a furry friend that wants to be part of the action? East Roswell Park, Leita Thompson Park and the Woodstock Soccer Complex all have dog parks. 

One of my favorite places to take children is the Chattahoochee Nature Center.  In addition to all of the animals on display (my favorite part), children of all ages enjoy the hands-on displays and exhibits in the Discovery Center.   Full details about the Nature Center and all of their events is at chattnaturecenter.org

Prepare for the thrill of the ride! Gear up in your Andretti racing suit, slip behind the wheel of a Superkart and prepare to take on the Andretti designed indoor track at Andretti Indoor Karting and Games. There are also classic arcade and prize games, laser tag, high ropes obstacle course and bowling.  Full information on Andretti’s can be found at www.andrettikarting.com/roswell  

Ready for more?  Area 51 is located off of Commerce Parkway, behind Roswell Towne Center.  Enjoy first-run movies at the Aurora Cineplex featuring 10 screens, digital sound, 3D capabilities, stadium-style, and high-back-rocker seating. While you’re there, check out The Fringe miniature golf with two courses and 36 holes providing amusing surprises and adventures throughout each course.  Full details are at www.a51fun.com

There are lots more FREE things to do in Roswell, too!  www.visitroswellga.com/free-things-roswell

Roswell has so many great things to do that it’s a great Spring Break destination.  Check out one of our wonderful lodging facilities to rest and relax before heading out for more fun.   www.visitroswellga.com/what-to-do/lodging 

Spring in Roswell

Spring is definitely showing her true colors in Roswell, this year.  Early blooming daffodils, forsythia, Bradford pear trees and tulip trees are almost finished but dogwoods and azaleas are just starting.  As you drive along the street in Roswell, you can see Mother Nature at her finest.

Have you ever wondered where you can find some heirloom or native species for your yard?  You are in luck because there are three upcoming opportunities for plant lovers.

Spring Native Plant Sale at the Chattahoochee Nature Center:  March 30-31 and April 6-7, 10 am – 5 pm. Over 120 species of plants available, and Horticulturists and knowledgeable volunteers on site to help you plant the garden of your dreams. Herbs and veggies for the edible garden and more.

Pop-Up Sale at Mimosa Hall: April 22, 1-4 pm.  At the front gate of Mimosa Hall, artwork, mini azaleas, hostas, ferns, and more will be on sale to raise money for the restoration of Roswell’s Historic Mimosa Hall.

Garden Faire at Bulloch Hall:  April 28, 9 am – 4 pm.  Each year the North Fulton Master Gardeners sell perennials, herbs, veggies, ferns, shrubs, trees and more to enhance your landscape. Since most of the plants come from the gardens and greenhouses of NFMGs themselves, the sale also offers the opportunity to have gardening questions answered by the people who know the plants best. In addition, there are all kinds of vendors offering goodies for your home and garden. There is even an “Ask a Master Gardener” Booth.

Family Reunion Fun in Roswell

How long has it been since your family had a reunion?  Face it, some of your most treasured family members are not getting any younger.  A family reunion is a great opportunity to get everyone together to share in the joys that make your family unique.

My family has a tradition of reunions.  Ours have run the gamut from gathering for a single meal or picnic to multiple day events where we have fun experiencing the restaurants and attractions of the area where we held the event.  The common thread that runs through the gathering is getting to know our ever-expanding family and hearing our grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles share their stories.

If this sounds like a great idea but you’re just not sure how to start, VISIT ROSWELL GA has a solution for you.  Our staff has helped countless families plan reunions, working with each group to determine their unique needs.  Some just need help getting quotes for hotel rooms or with site selection.  Others need catering, a source for t-shirts, memorabilia, or assistance in having the event recorded in audio or video format.  For multi-day events, we can help secure restaurants, and schedule tours.  Welcome bags and special family buttons are also available.    

Here is what one family had to say:  “Everyone, from ages 7 to 91, had a great time. As the sole planner for the first family reunion in 20 years, I felt overwhelmed and had no idea where to begin. You were so supportive, holding my hand along the way. Thank you for showing me hotels and menus and staying neutral. Thank you for asking questions that steered me in directions to make the reunion even more successful.”

Reunions aren’t only for families.  Visit Roswell has helped plan High School reunions (even for schools not in Roswell), “Girls-Only” Get-Aways for friends who get together every few years, and even activities for spouse and family groups to keep them busy while one family member attends a local convention.

Roswell has it all:

. One-of-a-kind restaurants

. Spa packages

. The natural side – miles of walking trails, rafting or canoeing down the Chattahoochee River, and the Chattahoochee Nature Center

. Walking Tours of the Historic District

. Historic Museum House tours

. Arts – plays at our local theatre, art galleries galore, an annual Arts Festival and many other art-focused events throughout the year

. Shopping - antiques, collectibles, and many unique shops

. Family Fun –Andretti Indoor Karting and Games, Area 51 Fun, Brunswick Bowling, Sky Zone and more

To get started just contact Marsha Saum (reunions@visitroswellga.com) 800-776-7935, or 770-640-3253) and she will help you every step of the way.

So Much to Do in Roswell Georgia!

Chattahoochee Nature Center – 9135 Willeo Road:  Chattahoochee Nature Center is the oldest and largest private non-profit natural science learning center in the Southeast. This environmental sanctuary encompasses 27 species of native wildlife and 127 acres of native plants and gardens. The Center grows more than 50% of the rare and endangered plant species found in Georgia, in their gardens. Some gardens reflect Georgia's Living Wetlands, depicting 5 different wetland habitats that are threatened throughout the State of Georgia. A Butterfly Garden, Bog Garden with carnivorous plants, river boardwalk, and woodland trails add to the experience.  This place is a bargain - $10 for adults, $7 Seniors (Ages 65+) & Students (Ages 13 -18), $6 for children ages 3 to 12 and free for children 2 and under.  During the year, it offers hikes with guides, canoeing trips, and other fun events. www.chattnaturecenter.org

Roswell Visitors Center – 617 Atlanta Street:  The Visitors Center has a free video that give you an overview of the town and its history.  While in the Visitors Center, take advantage of the “Roswell Mills and Mill Life” exhibit, including a recreation of the mill wheel that powered the cotton mills and displays that explain the importance of cotton and woolen mills to the development of Georgia.  There’s even a large display case of Civil War artifacts for Civil War buffs. 

While in the Visitors Center, be sure to get your FREE copy of the walking tour map of the Historic District.  You can create your own at-your-pace tour of the historic buildings that played a part in Roswell’s history. 

Plan your trip to Roswell at www.visitroswellga.com

Roswell Mills and Mill Life:  FREE walking tour that gives you a glimpse into the lives of the Mill Workers in Roswell just before the Civil War and lets you in on the mystery of the 400 women and children who were charged with treason and deported during the war.  Download the free “Roswell Mills and Civil War Tour” app from the Google store or from ITunes. 

Trilogy Pass to Bulloch Hall, Barrington Hall, and Smith Plantation House Museums:  The pass is $18 for adults, $15 for children which saves you $2 per house off of the normal admission price.  Passes may be purchased at the Roswell Visitors Center or at the first house you visit.  At this time, the pass does not expire, so you can see one house on one day and then save your pass and see the other home(s) on another day.

Hike the Trails in Roswell:  Sixteen miles of trails wind through the city. Vickery Creek Park, with an interpretive walk highlighting the old mill ruins, allows visitors to get close to Vickery Creek and its dam. The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is linked to the trail by the Old Mill Covered Pedestrian Bridge.  Enjoy the beauty of the Chattahoochee River at Azalea Park on Azalea Drive; Don White Memorial Park on Riverside Rd; Riverside Park on Riverside Road; and the new Riverwalk boardwalk that connects Azalea Park to the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Maps and information about the trails are available at the Roswell Visitors Center.

Riverside Sounds:  These outdoor concerts occur the first Saturday of the month, from May through October at Riverside Park (575 Riverside Road).  A great gathering of family, friends and young people. Bring chairs or blanket and a picnic and enjoy some of the area’s best musical artists. FREE www.roswellgov.com  or 770-641-3705.

Alive In Roswell:  Every third Thursday from April through October, Canton Street and the Historic Square in Beautiful Historic Roswell celebrates Alive In Roswell from 5:00 PM till 9:00 PM, You will find music, storefront merchants and street vendors with specials for the evening, restaurants ready to serve your favorite meal, galleries with fabulous art and craft, and nonprofit organizations to inform and educate!  Check out www.aliveinroswell.com for full details.

For more Roswell events, check out www.visitroswellga.com/community-calendar