Landyn Shoots Hoops While Silver Executes

Landyn Miller’s bar mitzvah started at Temple Emanu-El with a later celebration at Dunwoody Country Club. Landyn, an eighth-grade student at Haynes Bridge Middle School, whose hobbies include Boy Scouts, football, basketball, swimming, and traveling, chose a mitzvah project collecting blankets for animal shelters in memory of Landyn’s first dog.

A vital part of the weekend was mom, Leslie’s, commitment to secure Elaine Silver, party planner, who was charged to create “a sporty themed event with a massive dance party.”

Landyn Miller and Leslie and Steve McAlpine wanted an event that was fun for all ages.

Leslie explained, “Silver flawlessly created Landyn’s love of sports while keeping the atmosphere lively for all ages. She incorporated disco balls throughout to ensure that details felt cohesive and vibrant. She prioritized creating a fun, high-energy event allocating much of the budget to an incredible DJ who kept the dance floor packed all night. She even inserted Landyn’s old-school music taste, including Queen’s ‘Don’t Stop Me Now.’ and special moments, like the mother-son dance, ‘Just the Two of Us,’ which brought tears to many eyes. She arranged airbrushed sports balls, coordinated hotel accommodations, and had a calm demeanor through it all. This bar mitzvah was not just a celebration of Landyn’s achievements but also a reflection of Elaine’s incredible ability to turn dreams into reality. Elaine didn’t just plan a party—she created memories to treasure for a lifetime.”

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The LSPN stage was a perfect setup for the DJ.

For Landyn’s d’var Torah, Parsha Behar Leviticus, he shared, “Being Jewish is more than just a label; it’s a source of pride and resilience that grounds me in who I am. In the spirit of tikkun olam, I see my role as a Jewish individual as particularly meaningful. Drawing from my heritage, I’m committed to advocating for justice, equality, and the well-being of all. Whether through activism or simple acts of kindness, I strive to leave a positive imprint on the world.”

His tallis was purchased in Israel by his uncle and aunt. Mom, Leslie, stated, “A beautiful aspect of the ceremony was seeing Landyn read Hebrew fluently as he is dyslexic and, just four years ago, he couldn’t read English, let alone Hebrew.”

Landyn and his friends spray painted names on their hoodies.

The celebration took place at the Dunwoody Country Club with 125 guests with Landyn’s Sports Programming Network (LSPN) and sports zone theme. The décor in the pre-function and outdoors were football and basketball players’ centerpieces, flowers and balloons. The tables in the ballroom had LSPN logo centerpieces. The table number stanchions were footballs and basketballs. Disco balls in various sizes sparkled above the dance floor.

Party planner Elaine Silver received hearty praise and roses from the family.

Landyn wore a custom LSPN jersey with his new Nike Reverse Grinch sneakers. The dinner for adults featured a Greek buffet and prime rib station. Kids’ food included Landyn’s favorites, “no healthy options,” which he requested: pretzels, sliders, chicken strips, curly fries, bagel bites, and mac and cheese. Desserts were cotton candy (the adults enjoyed more than the kids), hot brownies a la mode, and assorted adult desserts. Favors for the kids were sweatshirts with the LSPN Logo with the very cool option of having them personalized and airbrushed. Adults opted for trucker hats and had them airbrushed. There was also a photo booth with props.

Landyn and his parents wore Grinch shoes and changed clothes after the cocktail hour.

Elaine (Silver Lining Hospitality Services) concluded, “I listened to what was most important to Leslie and Landyn to make the weekend as special … assuring the décor reflected both the sports and dance theme. I was careful to not over decorate as I wanted the look to be elevated. Adding the ice sculpture (where adults leaned in to take shots) made for a wonderful dimension. My main goal for the weekend was for the experience to be memorable for Landyn, as he represents the future.”

Vendors:

• Centerpieces: JF&CS
• DJ: Jason Kagen, Kagen Entertainment
• Sweatshirts: Jen Immerman, J & D Engraving and Promotions
• Ice Sculpture: Ice Sculpture Inc.
• Airbrush: Ober Airbrush
• Hotel: Avalon
• Friday Night Dinner: Barleygarden Kitchen
• Kiddush: Bagel Boyz