FORSYTH
School Board, Sheriff’s Office make deal on training facility ► PAGE 4
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Massive crowd gathers for annual tree lighting By LUKE GARDNER newsroom@appenmedia.com
By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Planning Commission recommended approval of a new 28,800-square-foot gymnasium off Ga. 20 and Aaron Sosebee Road. The Planning Commission unanimously approved the rezoning of the 7.6-acre agricultural lot to a commercial business district at a formal meeting Nov. 14. The decision now faces the County Commission for final approval. Project attorney Ethan Underwood said the Olympic gymnasium will host classes at 10 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., but there may be some stragglers who come for early morning or late-night practice. “You could have as many as 40 or 50 cars coming in at one time,” he said. The proposal follows new commercial growth along Ga. 20, or Canton Highway, which is due for a Georgia Department of Transportation widening. Although Underwood emphasized the gymnasium will have lower impact than other uses a commercial business district allows, neighboring property owners said the proposed access to Aaron Sosebee Road on the lot will make traffic conditions dangerous.
CUMMING, Ga. — The Cumming City Center filled with hundreds of people for the city’s second annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. Nov. 18. The event included a Christmas concert at the Lou Sobh Amphitheater and the ceremonial lighting of the outdoor Christmas tree, which stands over two stories tall. “The whole hour is jam-packed with great music and lots of family fun,” Cumming Public Information Assistant Crystal Ledford said. “The best part is that big moment when the lights on the giant tree come on for the first time.” Hordes of people came, filling the grassy seats of the amphitheater, the paved area behind those seats, the outdoor patios and second-story balconies of several restaurants and even the large staircase leading from the lower pavilion to the street level. As people danced and celebrated, restaurants facing the amphitheater kept their doors and patios open, and a few pop-up tents offered selections of warm drinks and snacks. Several families brought their small children, who took pictures with Santa and danced joyfully while waving around flashing glow sticks and blowing bubbles.
See LIGHTING, Page 9 LUKE GARDNER/APPEN MEDIA
Artist Mary Negron paints the tree as people compliment her work Nov. 18 at the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Cumming City Center. Hundreds of guests filled the seats of the Lou Sobh Amphitheater while enjoying warm drinks and live music.
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Planners approve gymnasium to spur Ga. 20 development
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