Letter from the EDITOR
8 COBB LIFE | APRIL 2019
of their corn tortillas are made in-house and every ingredient is
authentic. The green sauce is the jam but be careful because it has
a bite! Hmm, bites…I wonder if they’re still open…
• Oil change with a squirt of humor: Eagle Oil Change in
Marietta near the Marietta Square. Right next to Hoppy’s Car
Wash in Marietta is Eagle Oil Change, a fast, friendly and easy
spot to get your oil changed. Nearly every time I go there to get
my oil changed, I’m in and out within 15 minutes and I don’t
even have to get out of my car. Years ago, I was driving up when I
realized I was about to miss my right-turn into the lot. I whipped
my little red Mazda into the entrance and, when I pulled in, all of
the workers were bent over, laughing. “Girl, you’re gonna give
yourself whiplash!” one of them cackled to me, making me laugh
in return. Two cars later and they still give me smile, laugh and
shake their heads when I pull into get my oil changed. I’m
sometimes tempted to repeat my little Mazda maneuver just to
give us a good laugh!
• Thank goodness trail: Mountain to River Trail in
Marietta. I wrote about this special trail in our January/February
issue of Cobb Life, and a photograph taken by the talented Justin
and Rickelle Hadley of HADLEY(S) Photography captured a
great shot of Miss Cobb County Alexa Gilomen running the trail
near the MARIETTA mural, which graced our cover. I live along
the trail so I have loved seeing all of the new businesses, art and
interest pop up in our little city because of it. The M2R Trail also
the perfect way to bike or walk to the Marietta Square without
risking my life while crossing a busy road. I can’t wait to see
what’s ahead for it, including the 2019 Trailfest, an immersive
arts festival that will take place on the trail on Saturday, May 11.
• Singer: Barry Lancaster. If you’ve been to a funeral or
wedding in Marietta, or a concert at the Earl and Rachel Smith
Strand Theatre, you no doubt have heard Barry belting his
beautiful voice at some point. Not only does Barry have one of
the most incredible voices in Cobb, he also has one of the most
beautiful hearts. He donates his gift ut of his love of God and
community and that love is evident each time he sings. But Barry
also has a wicked sense of humor. During last year’s Strand Ole
Opry Christmas concert, Barry was introducing me before I was
to sing Brenda Lee’s “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree” when
he said: “Brenda Lee was 14 when she recorded this song, so we
had to fi d someone who looked and sounded just like a 14-yearold
to sing it. Welcome that perfect fit, Katy Ruth Camp, to the
stage!” Thi gs looked promising during his introduction of me
in the last Strand Ole Opry, when I was singing Hank Williams’
“Alone and Forsaken” and he called me one of his favorite people
in the world. Then came: “Th s is a song about desperation, so we
had to fi d someone desperate. Take the stage, Katy Ruth!”
Maybe this little writeup will get me a nice introduction next
time!
Congratulations to all of our 2019 Best of Cobb winners. Keep
your eyes peeled this summer as we roll out the 2020 nomination
and voting timelines and be sure to do what you can to be in next
year’s issue.
Living in Cobb County (and in downtown Marietta, in my
case) really is a blessing. The community rallies around
each other, residents are always eager to fi d out what that
new restaurant is going to be and the mix of historic buildings
and homes with new people and energy moving to the area
everyday keeps things interesting.
Speaking of new energy, this year’s 2019 Best of Cobb
contest was far different than the Best Of contests we have run in
the past after we completely revamped it to include more
categories, an extended and easier nomination and voting
process and incredible community involvement.
If I had to make a list of my Best Of ’s, here are a few:
• Hidden gem tacos: Taco T’s in Smyrna. There aren’t many
bells and whistles when it comes to Taco T’s exterior – the drive
thru sign looks like it’s weathered more than its fair share of
storms, there’s seating for only about a dozen people inside and
the parking lot could use a few repairs. But it’s like a little gem in
the rough and I honestly get cravings for their chicken tacos. All