Halloween Fun in Roswell

As much as we “grown-ups” hate to admit it, Halloween brings out the child in all of us. I remember fondly the costumes my mom made for me and the excitement of wondering what treats the neighbors would have each year. Even more fun were the parties. Between sipping on ice-cold cider, eating homemade popcorn balls, and bobbing for apples, I was in kid-heaven.

This Halloween season, Roswell has many Halloween treats for young and old.

Chattahoochee Nature Center Halloween Hikes:
Take your child on a well-lit hike through the forest to meet woodland and wetland creatures and hear about their lives. It's the perfect non-scary alternative to traditional Halloween events.

On these hikes, you will experience the mystery of a guided night hike! Each group of 20 - 25 people will have a guide lead them safely on a lighted trail where they will meet nature-costumed characters including everyone’s favorites, the Box Turtle and the Opossum. At the end of the hike, or while waiting for your hike to start, create fun crafts in the gym such as cat magnets, pumpkin headbands and sun catchers, spider mobiles and more. Crafts are prepared by crafts by Cadette Troop 2346 from Marietta!

For even more fun, show off your Halloween spirit by having your face painted with one of CNC’s “wild” Halloween designs. It’s also a great time to visit with some of the non-releasable wildlife in the pavilion and to explore the Discovery Center and take home a fun nature souvenir.

Don’t forget those Halloween treats: Purchase a cup of coffee or hot cocoa provided by Whole Foods and Harry’s Farmers Market and enjoy some popcorn and candy treats! Relax and enjoy your treat and the bonfire as you play along with world music provided by Scott Douglas

Ticket sales begin at 6:30 PM and end at 9:00 PM each evening. Hikes begin at 7 PM and run continuously throughout the evening. You will receive an approximate time that you will meet for your hike on your ticket.

Halloween Hikes:
Friday and Saturday, October 23, 24, 30
7:00 – 10:00 PM
No Pre-Registration Needed
Admission: $8 all ages, Children 2 and under are free (Trails are not suitable for strollers).
www.chattnaturecenter.org/halloween-hikes.html


The Manor Haunted House:
If you’re looking for screams and thrills this Halloween, visit the latest addition of Roswell’s spine-chilling and bloodcurdling adventures at The Manor Haunted House, sponsored by Roswell Recreation and Parks Department. The Manor will be open October 23-31 (closed on Sunday, October 25) beginning at 7:30 p.m. The Manor is located at 9100 Fouts Road in Roswell. Tickets are $10 per person.

The story of The Manor: In 1939, the Crawford family began a dream of a warm, welcoming Bed & Breakfast on the outskirts of a historic town in Georgia. Then, four years later, something happened, something went terribly, horrifyingly, grotesquely wrong. The family, their guest, their dream was never the same. Today, some of the Crawford family tries to continue the family business, but the spirits of the past lives.....on.

For the little ones, or those less brave, there will be a much less scary experience held from 4 p.m.-6:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 24. Tickets are $7 per person.

For more details, visit www.roswellgov.com/themanorhauntedhouse, or call 770-641-3705.


Roswell Ghost Tours:
Experience the charm and mystery of the Deep South while learning about Roswell’s deep history from Roswell Ghost Tours’ guides. In the heart of this historic village, one will be surprised by how many spirits reside behind the walls of the antebellum mansions which General Sherman never burned. The deep ravines with their ruined mills hold secrets of exiled mill workers whose toilsome moans may still be heard.

Your experienced guide will lead you on this approximately two hour tour through the historic district of Roswell. One of the highlights of the tour is a visit to Founders Cemetery, the burial site of the founder of Roswell, Roswell King. Grand Greek revival mansions and humble mill worker’s apartments are some of the haunted sites you’ll see on this mile of easy walking. All tour guides are active paranormal investigators who promise to thrill, educate and enlighten with this experience.

For more information or to reserve your tour, go to http://www.roswellghosttour.com/ or call 770-649-9922. Tours are held on weekends, year round, with additional tours scheduled during the month of October. Reservations are required for all tours.


Beasties at Barrington Hall:
Two nights of fun and slightly eerie folk tales at Barrington Hall. Stroll the grounds and encounter storytellers whose tales of old Roswell and of bygone days will delight the whole family! A great way to get into the Halloween spirit! Admission is $5 per person, October 30 & 31. Guides will take small groups every 15 minutes beginning at 7 p.m., last group will leave at 9 p.m. The tour is outside on the grounds of Barrington Hall and will consist of four stories. Allow one hour.

Taste of Roswell - October 17, noon - 5:30 pm

The annual Taste of Roswell is a great chance to enjoy a beautiful fall day while sampling yummy food from Roswell’s favorite restaurants. Throw in a radio station playing oldies and live music from local favorites and you have a great recipe for a fun afternoon.

On Saturday, October 17th from noon to 5:30 pm, over 25 Roswell eateries will be selling samples of some of the items on their menus on the square in downtown Roswell. Make the ticket tent your first stop to visit the smiling volunteers and purchase your food tickets for 50 cents each. Samples are one to six tickets (50 cents to $3 in value). I usually start with $5 worth of tickets, scope out the tents to see what each restaurant is selling, buy my samples and chow down. If I still have room left in my stomach (sometimes the “tastes” are so large that I’m already full), I figure out how many more tickets I need and purchase a few more and start the fun all over again.

After you’ve eaten your fill, make sure you stop back by the ticket tent and vote on your favorite restaurants. One restaurant has won the “best food” category each year so you know that the others will be vying to stop the winning streak. I’d tell you which restaurant this is, but that would spoil the fun!

While you’re digesting your food and deciding if you really need just one or two more “tastes,” grab a chair in front of the bandstand and enjoy the entertainment. In addition to the DJ spinning oldies from 106.7 Atlanta’s True Oldies Radio Station, the following will be performing:

The Reminiscents is a girl group that covers the music of the late 50’s, 60’s and early 70’s. Members have varied resumes, including degrees in Vocal Performance, experience in theatre arts, and dance. They entertain with music that will have audiences singing along and remembering earlier decades. A fun and delightful episode.

Barry Etris is a singer/songwriter recognized internationally as well as popular with Roswell audiences. He has been published by some of the nation’s leading publishers and his most famous song, Reuben James, has sold in excess of thirty million copies world-wide. Audiences enjoy his unassuming style as he leads them on a path of remembering some of their favorites from years gone by.

Adam Komesar is a professional vocalist who enthralls audiences with his one-man tribute to “old Blue Eyes,” Frank Sinatra. In addition to recreating the Sinatra sound and style, he often tells the story behind the songs.

The Taste of Roswell …. Food and Music You Will Remember!
Some of the participating restaurants:
Aqua blue Restaurant
Artisan Foods Café and Bakery
Artuzzi’s Italian Kitchen
Bella Italia
Brick House Pizza & Pasta
Bridge Mexican Gourmet
Brookwood Grill
Café Zest at DoubleTree Atlanta/Roswell
Da Cajun Kitchen
Diesel Pizza
Ethyl’s at Andretti’s
Froots
India Chef
Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee House
Magnolia Café at Holiday Inn Atlanta/Roswell
McAlister’s Deli
Moe’s Southwestern Grill
Moksha restaurant
Pollo Campero
Relish
Shallots Sushi and Thai
Shane’s Rib Shack
Spiced Right Ribhouse
Sugo Restaurant and Tapas
Taco Mac
Thai Emerald
The Fickle Pickle

Presented by:
Roswell Visitors Center
Roswell Restaurant Marketing Council
Roswell Recreation & Parks Department

And Our 2009 Sponsors:
106.7 Atlanta’s True Oldies Radio Station
Adler Family Chiropractic and Sudano Family Chiropractic
Bank of North Georgia
Dixie Homecrafters
Facelogic Spa
MetroPCS
The Home Depot #0146
Trader Joe’s

The annual Taste of Roswell is a promotional effort to elevate awareness of the many outstanding restaurants in Roswell and is an extension of the Roswell Convention & Visitors Bureau’s on-going promotions.

Find It All Roswell - Coming Soon!

What happens when a city and a convention and visitors bureau brainstorm ways to promote the local businesses in the city? In Roswell, Georgia, the “Find It All Roswell” campaign was born.

Small businesses are the lifeblood of a community. They give the community its special character. Successful businesses bring dollars into a community which funds growth opportunities for the residents, local causes, non-profits, and more city services which improve the quality of life for the residents.

Residents of Roswell will shop, dine, and purchase goods and services anyway. By becoming aware of and frequenting businesses within their own community, each and every purchase contributes to the community in which they live.

The official campaign rolls out on August 7th with an event in the Roswell town square. Roswell businesses will have an opportunity to become part of the program. Those that choose to participate will be listed on the http://www.finditallroswell.com/ webpage, have a special decal to display in the window of their business, and will be able to entice more residents to come to their business with specials for those with Find It All Roswell VIP Cards.

To get ready for the kick-off, the Convention and Visitors Bureau has set up a Facebook fan page called “FindItAll Roswell Georgia.” As the program progresses, updates will be made to the fan page as well as the http://www.finditallroswell.com/ webpage.

Additional information can be found in an article on the Eturbonews website http://www.eturbonews.com/10140/new-program-promotes-local-small-businesses

Help us as we create a prosperous community in Roswell! Find It All Roswell!

New Discovery Center at the Chattahoochee Nature Center

Georgia’s first Interpretive Center for the Chattahoochee River is now open. The Discovery Center houses exciting interactive exhibits for all ages, non-releasable wildlife, the Nature Exchange, and a rooftop terrace for community activities. From the Forests to the wetlands to the river, visitors discover what makes the Chattahoochee River Watershed so unique. More importantly, the new center helps visitors find their way to more adventures and ultimately how to become a part of this amazing environment.

The Nature Exchange concept started in Ontario, Canada about 10 years ago. All a child has to do to participate is to bring in anything that excites their curiosity – leaves, rocks, shells or other items found in nature. A naturalist will spend time explaining the object and then the child can trade their item for other cool items in the Exchange. Or, they can “bank” their points to trade for rare and unusual items like fossils, sharks teeth, gems and more! They get to take their new items home to keep. Trading can go on for ever.

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.

This weekend is the 10th Annual Flying Colors Butterfly Festival. Butterfly releases, insect scavenger hunt, butterfly parades, native plants, photography, arts & crafts, entomology exhibits, puppets, music, and much more. A great time to see the new Discovery Center and Lakeside Pavilion. 770-992-2055 or http://www.chattnaturecenter.com/ Sat: 9 - 2 pm, Sunday, 12 - 5 pm

Create your own Civil War Adventure

It wasn’t all moonlight and magnolias and there was nothing

‘civil’ about it

Roswell lets you see the Civil War your way with ‘Southern Belles to Rebel Yells’

No, there was nothing civil about the War Between the States—but that doesn’t mean you can’t be polite. Two historic Georgia gems, Roswell and Marietta, located north of Atlanta, have created a new guide and have the good manners to let visitors experience the Civil War as they like through a multitude of sites, sounds and stories. Download the “Southern Belles to Rebel Yells” guide (www.belles-rebels.com) and create your own adventure: antebellum house museums; ghost tours; a new giant mill wheel stationed in a Heritage Center; a Teaching Museum that is all about being hands-on. See the slave quarters of plantation farmers; and learn about the Southern ladies General Sherman arrested in Roswell.

Create your own Civil War Adventure: Roswell is a place where visitors can truly experience the authentic story of the American South by visiting its three historic house museums. At the circa 1839 Bulloch Hall, learn about the life and times of a real Southern Belle: Mittie Bulloch grew up to become the mother of President Teddy Roosevelt and the grandmother of Eleanor Roosevelt. Her childhood home is located among the historic sites, museums, monuments, churches and cemeteries of Roswell’s 640-acre historic district, 122 acres of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Bulloch Hall was the site of her celebrated 1853 wedding to northerner Theodore Roosevelt, Sr. See Mittie’s delicate little ivory hand fan, the oh-so feminine ladies parlor, and Cook’s beehive oven in the basement kitchen. Walk the grounds where reconstructed slave quarters narrate the story of “Slave Life in The Piedmont.”

Learn how a well-to-do farming family survived the (Civil) war years at Smith Plantation Home, a living history farm that looks today much as it did 164 years ago, right down to its original furnishings and 10 outbuildings that include corn crib, carriage house and slave quarters. See the circa 1842 home, Barrington Hall, that was built by the son of town founder Roswell King and is one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in the U.S. Purchase “A Southern Trilogy” pass (www.visitroswellga.com/triology-tours.html) to save money while experiencing the authentic story of the American South.

Download an audio tour of the “Roswell Mills Exhibit” (www.visitroswellga.com/roswell-mills.html), located in The Heritage Center at the Roswell Visitors Bureau and learn about the women who were charged with treason, removed from their homes on General Sherman’s order and packed up part and parcel and banished north to prison and an uncertain future. Then explore Roswell’s Antiques Alley or its hodgepodge of specialty shops and choose from a slew of original, chef-owned eateries for dinner before heading to one of 11 hotels.
Ghosts in the cemeteries and streets! Rebels retreating from the advancing Union troops!
Ghosts prowl the streets, historic sites, and cemeteries in Roswell. Unearth the bodies on an award-winning Roswell Ghost Tour (www.roswellghosttour.com) and hear the toilsome tales of the mill village and the spirits that reside behind the mansion walls. The tour traverses Founders Cemetery, the “better place” of some of the Bullochs and Roswell King, among others.

Pick up your Trilogy Pass and head to your Civil War adventurePick up a Roswell Trilogy Pass and you’re on your way to experiencing a most un-Civil War in an adventure you design. Living history museums and heritage sites, theatres, gardens, shopping and dining and special events, like re-enactments at the historic homes, plus a storytelling festival in June and special Christmas celebrations—any and all can be part of your Civil War adventure. Click on http://www.belles-rebels.com/ to get started on your planning.

Area hotels also offer packages:

Courtyard Atlanta Roswell “A Southern Trilogy Package”Enjoy a stay in a king or a double suite. Barrington Hall, Bulloch Hall and Smith Plantation celebrate their heritage: Tour each of the houses and learn about Roswell’s founding families.

Package includes:∙King or double suite accommodations∙Complimentary breakfast buffet for two adults daily∙One set of tickets for two adults to “A Southern Trilogy – The Authentic Story of the American South” per stay
Deal: Stay two consecutive nights and receive 50 percent off of your second night's room rate. Deal valid through August 31, 2009.

Courtyard Atlanta Roswell1500 Market BoulevardRoswell, GA 30076(770) 992-7200 http://www.marriott.com/

Holiday Inn’s “Southern Belles to Rebel Yells Southern Trilogy Package”Rest and relax in Roswell's newest lodging facility (flat screen TVs, WiFi, outdoor pool, full service restaurant and lounge and onsite health/fitness center) and tour its Historic Homes to experience the authentic story of the American South.

Package includes:∙Sleeping room for two (your choice of 2 Queens or 1 King)∙Full hot breakfast buffet for 2∙Trilogy Pass for 2 ∙2 Roswell Key Cards for discounts at participating restaurants and shops

Price: $149 plus applicable tax; an additional night of rest and relaxation may be added for $89 per night (plus applicable tax). Package valid through Dec. 31, 2009.

Holiday Inn Atlanta/Roswell909 Holcomb Bridge RoadRoswell, GA 30076770-817-1414 or 1-877-817-1414 www.holidayinn.com/roswellga

Ride Will Shut Down Georgia 400!

Be a part of history as GA 400 is temporarily shut down on Sunday, July 12 for the inaugural “Hospitality Highway Century” to benefit the Georgia Transplant Foundation (GTF).

Registered riders will promptly start at 6:30 a.m. from the former Home Depot parking lot in Roswell, at the intersection of Holcomb Bridge Rd. and Market Blvd., and pedal their way down GA 400 from exit 7 to exit 6. Cyclists will then wind through the cities of Roswell, Sandy Springs, Milton, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, and other scenic areas of north Fulton, Forsyth, and Cherokee counties. The route includes rest stops, complete with bathrooms, full technical support, and a variety of snacks and drinks. Whether it’s the 9-mile “I Did It” ride or the 35-mile, 62-mile, or 100-mile option, this event promises to be filled with fun, excitement, and the opportunity to say, “I closed down 400!”

“We’re excited about teaming up with the cities of Roswell, Sandy Springs, Johns Creek, Milton, and Alpharetta for this historic event,” said David Bakelman, Executive Director of the Georgia Transplant Foundation. “The funds raised through the Hospitality Highway Century will help us provide essential services to Georgia’s organ transplant community.”

Only registered cyclists, ready to go at 6:30 a.m., will be able to ride on GA 400 during the specific window of time allotted by the Department of Transportation. The early bird registration fee of $35 will be in effect until July 3 for all route options. The fee rises to $40 if received after July 3, including the day of the event. Registration includes a t-shirt, food, water, and full technical support along the way. The ride is open to anyone 14-years-of- age or older. To register for the “Hospitality Highway Century,” please visit http://www.400century.com/

For Roswell lodging special rates, check out www.visitroswellga.com/lodging-special-offers.html

Founded in Atlanta in 1992, the Georgia Transplant Foundation is a non-profit organization providing financial, educational, and emotional support to transplant candidates, recipients, living donors, and their families throughout the state of Georgia. GTF is funded through the generosity of the Carlos and Marguerite Mason Trust, corporations and individuals. Eighty-four percent of all funds raised directly supports Georgia’s organ transplant community. For more information, please visit http://www.gatransplant.org/

Roswell Magnolia Storytelling Festival

When someone mentions storytelling do you immediately think of the library lady reading a story to an eager group of preschoolers? Let’s see if I can broaden your perspective about storytelling!

Storytelling has roots that go back to the dawn of verbal communication. Stories were used to teach valuable lessons and to pass on culture long before words were written down. In many villages an elder in the village had the valued responsibility to be the teller of tales. Those stories were learned verbatim so that they could be passed down to future generations in their original form. Good speakers, today, use stories in their presentations, knowing that long after their audience forgets the exact opening and closing of the presentation, they will remember the main points of the presentation through the stories.

Each June, folks from throughout the southeastern United States gather in Roswell GA to honor this tradition with performances by nationally-known and regional storytellers. From under a tent on the grounds of historic Bulloch Hall, laughter and applause can be heard as audiences enjoy stories as varied as folk tales, personal stories, and an occasional tall tale. There are almost as many styles of telling stories as there are storytellers. Unless you came for the special Children’s Hour on Friday afternoon, almost the entire audience is adults. Are you getting the idea that stories aren’t just for children???

The Roswell Magnolia Storytelling Festival will be held Friday and Saturday, June 19-20. Workshops will be offered during the day, both days, and a special Mill Village storytelling tour will be offered Saturday morning. Both evenings, telling under the big tent begins around 5:45 pm and goes on until 9 pm. There’s even a ghost tour on Friday night at 9:15 pm.

This year, we are honored to have Sheila Kay Adams, Sheila Klein, and Randel McGee as our featured tellers plus an array of regional tellers and workshop leaders. More information about all of the tellers can be found at www.visitroswellga.com/storytelling-festival-tellers.html

Full registration information and the schedule of events is at www.visitroswellga.com/storytelling.html

For those coming from out of town, our host hotels are listed at the bottom of the registration page. All of our hotels are listed at www.visitroswellga.com/lodging2.html

Come join us and experience storytelling at its best. Warning, hearing great stories is addictive! Most folks come back year after year!