Don’t Forget Mom!

Calling all husbands, fathers, and children, this is your warning that Mother’s Day will be here in less than two weeks. Unless you’re of an age where the Tooth Fairy regularly visits, you probably have outgrown simply giving Mom a great big kiss to go with the card you made in school. Husbands – as much as your wife might let you think that a new washing machine or vacuum cleaner is just what she wanted, take it from me, your stock will rise measurably if you’re a little more creative.

If picking out gifts for Mom isn’t your thing, don’t worry - Roswell has you covered!

19th Annual Colors Festival of Arts is Saturday and Sunday, May 9th and 10th. Admission to the show is free. The festival is held on the Historic Town Square, which is located at the intersection of Highways 9 & 120, 10 am. - 6 pm. Historic Town Square will be filled with fine arts, original crafts, children’s activities, fun food, and entertainment.

Entertainment will be provided by Elkins Pointe Middle School Chamber Orchestra, the Peggy Still School of Music, Adam Komesar and the Inflatable Zoo/Magic Show, Jessie O’Sullivan & The Irish Dancers, vocalist Haley Tucker, Rhythm and Shoes Dance Team, RISPA Dance Group, and more.

Treat Mom to a day off from cooking! We have many unique and fun restaurants in Roswell. Mother’s Day lunch can be a very busy time so reservations are recommended. For restaurant ideas, check out www.visitroswellga.com/restaurants.html

Let Mom Shop Until She Drops – This is easy for you and fun for her! Take your wife or mom to visit the unique shops on Canton Street and SoCA (that’s “South of Canton” street for the uninformed). Better yet, partner with some fellow husbands or your siblings and make it a “Girls Day Out” for all of the wives/moms. With so many interesting shops and fun eating opportunities, I’ve known ladies to have a great time looking, eating, and shopping for hours. Check out the shops at www.visitroswellga.com/specialty-shopping.html and www.visitroswellga.com/antique-alleys.html

Treat Mom to a Make-Over or Spa Day – Hmm, wonder if my husband is reading this blog because this is so me! A little pampering can go a long way to making Mom feel special. We have a lot of great spas and salons that are ready to work their magic on Mom. Check the out under the Beauty tab on www.visitroswellga.com/weddings.html

Treat Mom to a mini-Getaway – Book a babysitter and whisk Mom away to one of our hotels for a weekend where the two of you can unwind and get re-acquainted. We have lodging options to fit all budgets. Check out www.visitroswellga.com/lodging.html and book your favorite. During the day, there are many, many attractions for you that Mom would just love. www.visitroswellga.com/attractions-tours.html has lots to keep you busy.

You can Find It All in Roswell, GA!

Another Criterium Article

Another great article on the Historic Roswell Criterium: www.northfulton.com/Articles-c-2009-04-15-177444.114126-sub_Roswell_Criterium_ready_to_roll_April_26.html

It's going to be a great day in Roswell!

Roswell Criterium Article

Great article in 4/22/2009 Roswell Neighbor -
Bicycle Event Wheels Through Historic Roswell

“Some of the nation’s best bicycle racers will be in Roswell on Sunday for the 8th annual Historic Roswell Criterium, one of the top single-day races in the country.”

To see the entire article, go to: www.neighbornewspapers.com/detail/147916.html?content_source=&category_id=&search_filter=criterium&event_mode=&event_ts_from=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=&sub_type=&town_id=&page=

For information, go to http://www.roswellcriterium.com/

For great hotel deals for the race, go to www.visitroswellga.com/lodging-special-offers.html

Walk on the Wild Side

Tired of cookie-cutter restaurants and attractions? Ready to get back to nature, but still enjoy the amenities of a city? Roswell, Georgia, is just the place for you to “Walk on the Wild Side.”

One of the most beautiful areas in Roswell is the City's Vickery Creek Park. This park has an interpretive walk highlighting the old mill ruins of Roswell and allows visitors to get close to Vickery Creek and its dam. The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is linked by the Vickery Creek Covered Pedestrian Bridge.Throughout Roswell you will find numerous trails that allow you to enjoy the history and the natural beauty of the area.The 7-mile linear park along the Chattahoochee River provides the opportunity to follow one of Georgia's most unique resources as it winds its way through Roswell. Playgrounds, picnic areas, boat ramps, fishing, and more. To enjoy the Chattahoochee River visit Azalea Park on Azalea Drive, Don White Memorial Park on Riverside Road; and Riverside Park on Riverside Road.

Some fun places to visit while you’re walking the trails in Roswell include:
Lover's Rock
This rock shelter is a scenic and cultural resource similar to others found along the Chattahoochee & its tributaries. The shelters were used by Native American inhabitants as living quarters. Located at the end of the old railroad cut.

Vickery Creek & Dam
A 30-foot dam and millrace were constructed on Vickery Creek in the mid-to-late 1830s to supply power for the mills. The trail to view the dam and the old mill ruins begins at the old Machine Shop and the Vickery Creek Covered Pedestrian Bridge. It is recommended you wear proper hiking shoes.

Machine Shop
The 1853 Machine Shop is the only extant building left of the original 1839 Roswell Manufacturing Company. The building is a two story brick building and is late Georgian in style. The trail to the left of the Machine Shop will lead to the old mill ruins and the dam.

Vickery Creek Covered Pedestrian Bridge
This bridge was constructed in 2005 to connect Vickery Creek Park and the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, just across the creek. The National Park property contains Allenbrook, an antebellum home constructed between 1845 and1857.

Laurel/Ivy Mill
These remains are located on Big Creek near its confluence with the Chattahoochee River. The woolen mill was burned by federal troops in 1864, during the Atlanta Campaign. Mill workers, mainly women and children, were sent north after Roswell's capture so that their skills would not benefit the Confederacy. The mill stood from about 1855 until 1864 and then was rebuilt by Barrington King and his son, James Roswell King.

Trail maps are available at the Roswell Visitors Center, 617 Atlanta Street, Roswell, GA 30075.

But wait, there’s more:

Chattahoochee Nature Center – 9135 Willeo Road: The 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. During the year, guided hikes are offered, canoeing trips, and other fun events.

Roswell Skate Park – 830 Grimes Bridge Road: Skateboarders and in-line skaters can experience half pipes, quarter pipes, ramps, and rails. Helmets, knee pads (or long pants), shirts and shoes (skateboarders) are required. Elbow and wrist pads are encouraged. Park is open seven days a week with the exception of rain or other wet weather conditions. Skate park hours are subject to change so call 770-641-3996 for daily hours. Daily rates and quarterly passes are available.

Canoes - Kayaks - Rafts
Jump in a raft, canoe, kayak, tube or pedal boat and take a fun and relaxing trip down the Chattahoochee River. Choose from ½ mile, 3-mile or 6-mile trips. Shuttle service is available. A concession stand is also available for your convenience. Call 770-650-1008 for more information.

Trail Bikes
Trail Bikes are available to rent for the entire family. For more information call 770-650-1008.

The East Roswell Park Disc Golf Course – 9000 Fouts Road
This course is a wooded 18-hole course that provides challenging and fun play for all ages and abilities. We have 3 sets of tees per hole to allow enjoyment from the beginner to the professional. This course is rapidly gaining a reputation as one of the top places to play in the area. Come experience what many touring pros and local players consider the most fun and challenging layout around.

Hembree Park Campsite – 850 Hembree Road, 770-569-9746
Make reservations now for your family, group or organization to spend the night at Hembree Park. Located just off the trail, this camping area features multiple tent pads of various sizes as well as a designated campfire site. Enjoy sing-a longs, roasting marshmallows, ghost stories and sleeping under stars!

Lodging - Roswell has a room for you
Whether you seek quiet, easy-going convenience or modern, business-friendly pampering of a quality hotel, Roswell has a room for you. Our safe, clean and inviting accommodations are perfect for families and business travelers alike. Stay a week, or just a day-enjoy all of the modern amenities we have to offer. The Roswell Convention & Visitors Bureau will be happy to assist you in planning your next stay in Roswell. 770-640-3253 or toll-free: 800-776-7935

Check out all of your lodging options at www.visitroswellga.com/lodging.html

Reunion Time in Roswell

How long has it been since your family had a reunion? Let’s 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 to multiple day events where we have fun experiencing the restaurants and attractions of the area where the event is held. The common thread that runs through all of the events 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, Roswell GA has a solution for you. Our Marketing Director has helped countless families plan reunions. She works with each family to determine what unique needs their reunion will have. Some just need help getting quotes for hotel rooms. Others need catering. For multi-day events, she has helped secure restaurants and scheduled tours.

One of those reunions was held this past month. Here’s what the family had to say: “Our 2009 Family Reunion was wonderful! 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. Your workshop got me started. 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 just for families. 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, and the Chattahoochee Nature Center
. Walking Tours of the Historic District
. Ghost Tours on the weekend
. Antebellum House tours
. Arts – plays at our 3 local theatres, art galleries galore, two major annual Arts Festivals and many other art-focused events throughout the year
. Shopping - antiques, collectibles, and many unique shops
. Family Fun – skate park, Andretti Indoor Karting and Games, Professional Disc Golf course, StarTime

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

Historic Roswell Criterium

Speed, spectators, scenery – Historic Roswell Criterium has it all. 4/26/2009 in downtown Historic Roswell. Check out http://www.roswellcriterium.com/ for full details on the races.

Never heard of a Criterium? According to the Criterium’s website, a Criterium is: The most common form of American racing, the criterium, is a multi-lap race of 25 to 60 miles held on a closed course generally a mile or less in length. These races, which usually last one to two hours, are extremely fast -- 30 mph and up -- as the cyclists jockey for position and sprint for lap “primes” (cash or merchandise prizes, pronounced “preems”). The short closed course, generally with both right- and left-hand corners, makes this type of racing easy to watch for spectators and more accessible for the media.In criteriums, it’s “go” from the gun as the strong riders force the pace and the weaker ones struggle to hang on. Quick acceleration and bike-handling ability are paramount -- a successful criterium rider will be able to dive into a tight corner at high speed, leaning the bike over at a gravity-defying angle, then power out of the turn and instantly set up for the next. It’s important to stay near the front; the first few riders in a pack can take a corner with little or no braking. Those toward the back jockey for the best “line” through the turn, brake, then sprint to catch up with the pack as it accelerates, developing an “accordion” effect.

Race Times: Races begin at 11 am and the last race of the day is an 80 minute professional race that begins at 6 pm. There is even a children’s race where children who complete the 3-5 pm Bicycle Safety Rodeo come out on the professional track for a 200 yard race.

Spectators will gather all along the route so bring your chairs and come prepared for a fun day. For those who prefer retail therapy over sports, part of the race route is right next to a quaint shopping district on Canton Street. Art, antiques, gifts, clothing, and many one of a kind items are found in the shops in the area, as well as fun restaurants, coffee houses, and tea rooms. There’s something for all ages to enjoy.

Special Hotel Rates: Five Roswell Hotels (Best Western Roswell Suites, Comfort Suites, Country Inns & Suites, DoubleTree Hotel Atlanta / Roswell, and Holiday Inn Atlanta/Roswell) are all offering special rates for the race. Check out www.visitroswellga.com/lodging-special-offers.html for rates and reservation information.