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- Twin Power & Spartan Glory: Smyrna’s Week of Heart, Hustle, and Home
Twin Power & Spartan Glory: Smyrna’s Week of Heart, Hustle, and Home
Local champions rise, seniors stay rooted, and neighbors unite for safety and service. See what’s blooming in your backyard.
Ravi Patel
May 20, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 9 minutes
Dear Stewards
Spring has fully embraced our little corner of Georgia, and so has the spirit of success! This week, we're witnessing local legends bloom alongside the dogwoods, reminding us that community growth happens one story at a time.
— Your Voice for Local Prosperity
In Today's Edition
⚽ Local Legend: Campbell HS Wins First-Ever Soccer State Title
🏅 Difference Makers: Love, Legacy, and a Little Help
🛡️ Steward’s Watch: A Wake-Up Call for CSX Rail Operations
💰 Job Board: Smyrna Lawn Care is Hiring
🏃♂️ Family Favorites: Food Trucks, Art, Clean-Ups & Ceremonies
👬 Twin Power, Yard Magic — Meet The Leisure Brothers
Not your average junk haulers. These Westminster students, Eagle Scouts, and Vinings locals are building something bigger than a business: a reputation.
From yard cleanups to junk removal to helping neighbors move without breaking a sweat, the Leisure Brothers work with precision, pride, and twin-level teamwork.
“We leave things better than we found them — it’s how we were raised.”
This isn’t just a summer gig — it’s a neighborhood mission.
Need an extra set of hands (or four)?
📍 Locally-based | Respectful | Hardworking
LOCAL LEGEND
⚽ Campbell HS Wins First-Ever Soccer State Title
Source: Campbell HS Soccer IG
The Campbell Spartans are state champions.
Stewards of Smyrna-Vinings, let’s give these Spartans their flowers: they’ve not just made school history, they’ve inspired a city.
With a clutch second-half goal by junior Gavin Banks, Campbell beat nationally-ranked Grayson 1–0 in the Class 6A final, earning the school’s first-ever soccer championship and its first state title in any sport since 2019.
Banks, stepping up after a teammate’s injury, capitalized on a rebound from Trey Cline and sealed the win. The Spartans' defense held strong as Grayson pressed late, securing a victory few predicted but the team always believed in.
👏 Congrats to the players, Coach Connolly, the staff, and all the families and fans who never stopped having faith.
Source: AJC News
DIFFERENCE MAKERS
🏠 Love, Legacy, and a Little Help: Smyrna Seniors’ Homes Get Lifesaving Repairs
In Rose Garden Hills, two Smyrna seniors just received the gift of staying in the homes they’ve loved for decades, thanks to a few hammers, a lot of heart, and a nonprofit you should know about.
Marion Bernice Livsey has called Smyrna home since 1955. She and her husband bought their two-bedroom brick house for $8,500, back when hydrangeas were still hand-watered and backyard gardens were family treasures.
They raised three daughters here. They raised tomatoes, too.
Now, at 91, Ms. Livsey still lives in that same home. And thanks to the work of Rebuilding Together Atlanta, the City of Smyrna, and their partner Renewal by Andersen, she’s not going anywhere.
“It makes it much easier for me to get in and out….my husband did a lot of work on this house. A lot of good vegetables. A lot of love.”
Livsey's story is one of two unfolding in Smyrna’s historic Rose Garden Hills neighborhood, where Rebuilding Together is quietly doing transformational work — repairing roofs, replacing plumbing, upgrading electrical systems, and ensuring seniors like her can safely “age in place.”
“The repairs that we do are crucial, they are not cosmetic…they’re about safety, dignity, and keeping people connected to their community.”
Toni Lee-Grissom of Renewal by Andersen echoed that heart-forward mission:
“We love working with homeowners in the community. It’s not just about windows or ramps, it’s about restoring freedom.”
City Councilmember Tim Gould says the City of Smyrna sets aside funds to support these efforts. And it’s not just about maintenance. It’s about meaning.
“It’s really an important part of the thread — the fabric — of the Smyrna community,” Gould said. “Helping people stay in the homes they grew up in, often. That’s what makes our city strong.”
Marion lost her husband over 40 years ago. But in the soil he tended, in the home they built, and now in the ramp newly installed by caring hands — his love still grows.
Because in Smyrna, we don’t just preserve houses. We preserve histories.
🛠️ What You Can Do
Want to help seniors stay in their homes?
Volunteer or donate to Rebuilding Together ATL:
👉 rebuildingtogether-atlanta.org
Source: WSB-TV ATL
STEWARDS WATCH
🚨 What the Train Derailment Means for Smyrna
On May 9th, Smyrna experienced something unsettling—a 115-car CSX train derailed right here in our city. Seventeen of those cars jumped the tracks.
Thankfully, no hazardous materials were released, and no injuries were reported. But the incident left neighbors rattled.
CSX has not been maintaining these tracks and nearby neighbors have been calling for them to take action. I hope this is a wake up call and the company takes responsibility and ensures they’re safe.
🏠 Close Call Near Homes
What makes this derailment especially alarming is proximity. The train tracks snake behind neighborhoods. A local resident explained it plainly:
“There are houses very close to these tracks. They could’ve derailed and fallen downhill onto a house.”
This isn’t fearmongering—it’s civic concern. The East Palestine, OH derailment led to long-term environmental and health issues after hazardous materials spilled and were later burned. That incident triggered lawsuits and nationwide scrutiny.
That didn’t happen here. But it could have.
🛠️ A Wake-Up Call for CSX?
The train was operated by CSX. Some neighbors say this derailment wasn’t a freak accident, but a failure of upkeep.
CSX has not been maintaining these tracks and nearby neighbors have been calling for them to take action. I hope this is a wake up call and the company takes responsibility and ensures they’re safe.
Others pointed out derailments, while rare, are often preventable—caused by track defects, human error, or equipment issues. That means there’s room for accountability and reform.
“Derailments are caused by things we can fix. Hurricanes aren’t. Not apples to apples.”
Fast Facts
📍 Location: Smyrna, near residential homes
🚂 Operator: CSX
🚃 Cars Involved: 17 of 115
🧪 Hazardous Materials?: None released
💬 Resident Response: Alarmed, frustrated, calling for CSX accountability
This is the moment for our city to ask hard questions—before something worse happens. Here's what you can do:
📲 Report Concerns to City Officials
If you live near the tracks and have noticed signs of poor maintenance or unsafe conditions, speak up. Contact City of Smyrna Public Works
📞 770-431-2850
📧 [email protected]
🧠 Know Your Rails
Want to learn more about rail safety and what to watch for? The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) maintains a public safety dashboard and resources for communities near rail lines.
JOB BOARD
🌿 Lead the Crew, Shape the Green: Now Hiring at Smyrna Lawn Care
A well-loved Smyrna lawn & hardscape company is hiring a Crew Leader: someone who’s not afraid to get their hands dirty, guide a team, and tow a trailer like a pro.
🛠️ Requirements:
At least 1 year of lawn care, landscaping & hardscaping experience
Ability to drive trailers
Spanish-speaking required
🕐 Full-Time | 👥 Leadership role
To apply, message Daniel at 📱 770-568-2066
EVENT HORIZON
🏞️ Step Into Smyrna’s Week of Wonder
From gourmet food trucks to historic moments and hands-on art, your week in Smyrna is packed with purpose, play, and discovery. Here's where to show up, connect, and make it memorable:
🚚 Food Truck Tuesday: Savor gourmet bites, sweets, and music every Tuesday night. 📍 Taylor-Brawner Park | 🗓 Tuesdays, May 20 | ⏰ 5 PM–9 PM (No events July 1 & Sept 2)
🎨 Summer Reading Kick-off: Color Our World: Explore artist styles through fun, kid-friendly coloring and craft stations. 📍 Smyrna Public Library, 100 Village Green Circle SE | 🗓 Friday, May 23 | ⏰ 10 AM–12 PM
🧹 Cemetery Clean-Up: Mt. Zion: Learn about this historic site and help preserve it through a guided tour and volunteer cleanup. 📍 Mt. Zion Cemetery, 1514 Hawthorne Avenue | 🗓 Saturday, May 24 | ⏰ 9 AM–12 PM
🛍️ Smyrna Market: Shop 60+ vendors with food, crafts, local goods, and fresh finds. 📍 City Hall, 2800 King Street | 🗓 Sunday, May 25 | ⏰ 10 AM–2 PM
🇺🇸 Memorial Day Ceremony: Join Smyrna’s community tribute with music, speakers, and a wreath-laying honoring those who served. 📍 Twentieth Century Veterans Memorial, 2800 King Street SE | 🗓 Monday, May 26 | ⏰ 9:30 AM–10:30 AM
Your Move, Smyrna-Vinings Residents!
💌 Share the Love: Forward this to someone who loves discovering local gems and celebrating the heart of Smyrna.
🧭 Support our local businesses! Visit our directories for Smyrna & Vinings
📣 Got a local gem or listing? Send it our way
💬 Chat with your neighbors: CobbTalk Forum
Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot.
📬 Stay in the loop: Sign up for Smyrna-Vinings news delivered right to your inbox every Tuesday @ 8 AM
We’re grateful you’re here. Same time next week?
— The Stewardship Group
💊 P.S. Stewardship Challenge of the Week.
If you see anything that feels off around town: loose ties, worn rails, poor signage, email it to city officials and cc your council rep. The more eyes on this, the safer we stay.