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Local News
New Signs Mark Adopt-A-Mile Sites
The county’s Keep Cherokee Beautiful (KCB) organization is replacing current signs that mark the areas where volunteers are working to keep the county clean.
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KCB officials replaced signage for Peggy Simpson and Bo Wallace, who recently adopted a section of roadway in the Sutallee area, and currently are planning their third roadside cleanup event.
Simpson, who had participated in the old program with her children, Rocky and Ree, was given the old road signs by KCB officials. “I plan to give the old signs to my children for them to have as keepsakes, because the signs have their names on them,” she said.
The new Adopt-A-Mile program began earlier this year, and several local families and organizations have committed to keeping sections of roads across Cherokee clean. Those interested in adopting a mile will need to identify a section of county road they want to adopt and sign an agreement committing to maintain the section for 12 months and hold a minimum of four roadside cleanups.
Once a cleanup has been scheduled, volunteers will be provided with cleanup supplies from Keep Cherokee Beautiful and Cherokee County, which include safety vests and grabbers. Trash and litter retrievals can be scheduled with the Cherokee County Recycling Center, or volunteers also can arrange for the disposal of the litter in private dumpsters.
For additional information on adopting a mile, email cleancherokee@gmail.com.
Students and instructors take a minute out of the water. First Responders Earn Open Water Certification
Six Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services (CCFES) personnel recently were certified as Scuba Diver International (SDI) open water divers. The new divers are Capt. Jeff Adamek, Fire Apparatus Operator (FAO) Brad McDonald, FAO Drew Turner, Lt. Joe Ray, FAO Brandon Watkins and Lt. Philip Carlisle.
“The open water certification course is the initial step in becoming a CCFES public safety diver. This is the first time this course has been instructed in-house by fire department personnel. This new program will increase the number of trained divers available to respond to water emergencies,” said dive instructor chief Ricky Collett.
The course also consisted of online learning and more than 20 hours of in-water skills. The pool and classroom portions of the class were conducted at the Cherokee County Aquatic Center. The final certification dives were completed in Williston, Florida at the Blue Grotto Springs.
Retirement Ahead for Library System Director
Anita Summers, executive director of the Sequoyah Regional Library System (SRLS), has announced her plans to retire on Feb. 1. The new executive director, who is chosen by the board of trustees, will be named this month.
Summers joined the Sequoyah system in July 1989 as branch manager of the Gilmer County Library in Ellijay. She was named assistant director of the library system in 2008, and executive director in 2014. Anita Summers As executive director, she oversaw all aspects of public library operations in the three-county system, covering Cherokee, Pickens and Gilmer counties. Under her leadership, the system experienced growth in circulation and program attendance, expanded service hours and digital resources, increased staff pay, expanded staff development and training, increased library outreach and visibility, established new partnerships, began the growth of a Library of Things collection, and added new library technology.
During her tenure, the library system obtained state capital outlay grants to supplement special-purpose local-option sales tax funds for the upcoming expansion/renovation of the Hickory Flat Public Library. In 2020, Summers led the system’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which included virtual programming, outdoor Wi-Fi, sidewalk service, and a phased approach to the restoration of full library services and hours.
“I am very blessed to have been part of a forward-thinking system with supportive trustees, dedicated staff and library-loving communities,” Summers said.
Cherokee County Resident Appointed to ARC
Lifelong resident Steve Stancil will serve as Cherokee County’s citizen representative on the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), beginning Jan. 1. He will succeed Dennis Burnette, who has served as the District 15 representative for more than decade.
“Cherokee County greatly appreciates Dennis Burnette’s 14 years of faithful and diligent service as our citizen representative on the ARC Board. In particular, Dennis served on the Senior Services Committee of that board and ensured that Cherokee’s Senior Services programs have continued to be mostly funded through the ARC,” said County Commission Chairman Harry Johnston. Burnette began his service on the ARC Board in 2008. His professional life included 45 years in the banking Steve Stancil industry, with more than 30 years as a bank president. Before fully retiring, he worked as a certified mediator and arbitrator for businesses.
Stancil retired from the state of Georgia in 2019, following 11 years as a state property officer. Previous to that, he oversaw the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority Board, as its executive director, and served as a representative in the Georgia House of Representatives, including minority house leader.
Cherokee County is part of the 11-county Atlanta Regional Commission, a metropolitan planning organization that spearheads longrange planning from a regional perspective, disperses federal funding for transportation projects that impact the region, promotes a skilled workforce through training and skills development, and more.
Also during the November meeting of the ARC board, an updated at-large district boundary map was adopted that takes into account the population growth since the 2010 Census. District 15 includes the majority of Cherokee County and a portion of Fulton County. District 14 includes a small portion of Cherokee County and one-third of Cobb County.
A Cool Community Effort
Members of the Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program recently stepped in to help a local veteran who has had no heat or air conditioning in his home for six years. Coming to his rescue were veterans program volunteers and members of the St. Vincent De Paul organization at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Woodstock. Vito LaSelva, owner of Mercury Control Heating and Air, donated his services and a unit at cost. To learn how to help veterans through this program, contact Jim Lindenmayer at jimlindenmayer80@gmail.com.
Marshal’s office representatives present statement of support to Chief Tim Prather.
Agency Workers Bond After Tragedy
Representatives with the Cherokee County Marshal’s Office recently visited the offices of Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services to show their support for Jacob Hicks, the 2-year-old son of Justin and Amber Hicks, who tragically were killed by a shooter last month.
A letter from the Marshal’s Office was presented to Cherokee County Fire Chief Tim Prather: “We cannot put into words how heavy our hearts are for the loss of Justin and Amber Hicks. Nothing we say or do would ease your pain, but we wanted each of you to know that you have our support. The loss of two precious lives has changed our community forever.”
“In October of each year we make a donation to one charity or foundation in Cherokee County, but this year we were uncertain about where we wanted the money to go, so we held onto it,” Deputy Marshal First Class Renae Goggans said. “However, when this tragic incident took place, we all came together and decided the money should go to Jacob’s trust fund.”
The representatives from the Marshal’s Office told Prather that Cherokee County Probation, Animal Control and the Marshal’s Office made a donation of $1,050 to the LGE Credit Union trust fund for Jacob Hicks.
Help Save Lives
Resolve to Give Blood at a Red Cross Location Near You
National Blood Donor Month has been observed in January since 1970, and recognizes the importance of giving blood and platelets while honoring those who roll up a sleeve to help patients in need. The community is invited to help save lives by donating blood at the Cobb Red Cross Blood, Platelet and Plasma Donation Center at East Lake Shopping Center, 2145 Roswell Road in Marietta, or at another community blood drive scheduled in the area.
The winter months can be especially difficult to collect enough blood and platelets to meet patient needs. Inclement weather can result in blood drive cancellations, and seasonal illnesses, like the flu, can prevent some donors from making or keeping appointments to give. Blood donors with all blood types are encouraged to make an appointment to give.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions — including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status — have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.
How to Help
To make an appointment, or to learn more about blood drive locations, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire is encouraged to speed up the donation process. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass, or use the Blood Donor App.
A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at checkin. Individuals who are 17 years old (16 with parental consent), weight at least 110 pounds, and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood, according to Georgia’s regulations. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters, supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood, teaches skills that save lives, distributes international humanitarian aid and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
Blood from Black donors is needed urgently to help patients with sickle cell disease.
Key Messages
• If you’re feeling healthy and well, your blood donation is needed now to help meet the needs of hospital patients. • The Red Cross continues to address a nationwide blood shortage. Donors of all blood types are needed to give now, to ensure blood is available when patients need it. • A diverse blood supply is important. Donors of all ethnicities are needed. A patient is more likely to find a compatible blood match from a donor of the same race or a similar ethnic group. • Help ensure blood is available to those with sickle cell disease when they need it. Blood donations from individuals who are Black are needed urgently to help meet the needs of patients with sickle cell disease.
Find more information at
RedCrossBlood.org/OurBlood. • Eligibility questions?
Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit
RedCrossBlood.org.
Local Blood Drives
Jan. 3
Northstar Church
3413 Blue Springs Road, Kennesaw 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 4
Hillside United Methodist Church
4474 Towne Lake Parkway Woodstock 2:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 6
Cherokee Presbyterian Church
1498 Johnson Brady Road, Canton 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 7
Orange UMC
220 Orange Circle Road, Canton 2-7 p.m. Jan. 8
Good Shepherd Lutheran
1208 Rose Creek Blvd., Woodstock 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 10
Woodstock First Baptist
11905 Highway 92 2-7 p.m. Jan. 11
Kennesaw First Baptist
2958 N. Main St. 3-8 p.m.
Legacy Park
Jan. 11
Wellstar Cherokee Health Park
1120 Wellstar Way, Holly Springs 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 12
Kennesaw First UMC
1801 Ben King Road 2-7 p.m. Jan. 13
Hickory Flat Fellowship Church
5301 Hickory Flat Highway 2-7 p.m. Jan. 14
Canton City Hall
110 Academy St. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 18
Canton American Legion
150 McClure St. 12:30-5:30 p.m. Jan. 20
Hickory Flat Fellowship Church
5301 Hickory Flat Highway 2-7 p.m. Jan. 22
Woodstock Christian Church
7700 Highway 92 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 24
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Ava Grace performs in “The Dragon King,” February 2019. Right, Ava Grace in the spring 2019 production of “Newsies,” her favorite show with the Academy Street Theatre Group.
The Curtain Rises for 2022
Magic of Theatre Inspires Students
Cherokee County School District (CCSD) high schools present shows throughout the school year, as well as select middle schools and the districtwide Academy Street Theatre Group program for elementary through high school students. With the help of CCSD staff, and a student and parent, we learned how the theater program inspires students and further connects them to the community, and included a list of theater productions for the spring semester. “The theater is a magical place for students to grow and learn, trying their hands at many different aspects. They can learn tech and be the magicians behind the scenes, learn to build sets, become a prop master, help make or resource costumes, learn music and choreography, manage the stage, or completely transform into a different character and act! There is a place for everyone who desires to be a part of something bigger than they can imagine, a place where magic actually does exist.” — Jodi Burn, director of the Cherokee High
School theater program
The Curtain Rises for 2022
Kristi and Daniel Roberts with Ava Grace at the performance of “Something Rotten” last spring.
Onstage With Academy Street Theatre
The Academy Street Theatre Group (ASTG) is an arts in education extension of the Cherokee County School District, offering students in grades 2-12 onstage and offstage opportunities in theater production. ASTG has staged more than 50 productions, including 30 presentations of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” as well as “Music Man,” “Newsies” and “Singin’ in the Rain,” to name a few.
“Live theater requires an extremely diverse set of skills. My favorite part about theater is that the stage is where written word, music, dance, movement and visual arts come together with science and technology, to create something new every single time the curtain rises. It’s a space full of potential that allows students to gather together, to tell stories and learn about life. It’s a place where, regardless of your strength or strong suit, there is a way for you to shine and learn. As the director of the ASTG, a countywide program, I am unbelievably fortunate in that I get to work with students from every public school in the county. I get to see unlikely friendships forged and skills developed as students share what they’ve learned from their school directors and take some new ideas and skills from ASTG back to their home stages.” — Reed Christian, director of Academy Street Theatre Group
As a parent, it is a wonderful thing when your child finds his or her “thing,” or passion. My daughter, Ava Grace Roberts, fell in love with acting and performing onstage at a very young age. We have been so blessed that the Cherokee County School District has an arts in education program like ASTG! Ava Grace has been a part of ASTG since the second grade, and she has been able to perform in approximately 20 productions, so far. ASTG and the amazing director, Reed Christian, have given our daughter a creative outlet to explore and build on her talents and do what she loves.
All the experiences and wonderful opportunities she has had with ASTG have given her the confidence and helped catapult her into exploring acting and theater professionally. Ava Grace recently played Louisa von Trapp in “The Sound of Music” with City Springs Theatre Company, where she shared the stage with several Broadway actors, and was directed by Tony Award-winner Shuler Hensley. We are incredibly grateful to CCSD, Reed Christian and ASTG for providing such an amazing opportunity for our daughter, and all the CCSD theater-loving kids!
What a Difference a Play Makes
Kristi Roberts and daughter Ava Grace share their experiences with the Academy Street Theatre Group. Now a student at Sequoyah High School, Ava Grace has been a part of ASTG since second grade.
— Kristi Roberts
I discovered that I loved acting when I was 5 years old, after I took a local children’s theater class. I couldn’t wait to get into second grade, so that I could start auditioning for productions with ASTG. I have learned so much from our awesome director, Reed Christian, our talented choreographer, Cindi Bekas, and so many others. Most elementary and middle schools do not have drama programs, and that is why I am so grateful that our school system has ASTG. I have been able to perform in two to three productions a year with ASTG, and I have met so many friends from all over the county who love performing, too. ASTG is like a family to me, and I am so grateful for the opportunities I have had to do what I love with them.
The Academy Street Theatre Group 2020 production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”
The Curtain Rises
Productions in 2022
For many shows, advance tickets will be for sale online. Whenever there is a link, it will be posted to www.cherokeek12.net/ news/ccsdtheatre2122. Otherwise, anyone interested in purchasing tickets can contact the school front office for information. Performances are at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted.
Jan. 21-22, 24-26
“G2K Footloose”
River Ridge High School. There also is a 3 p.m. matinee on Jan. 22. Tickets are $7.
Jan. 28-29
Woodstock High School. There also is a 2 p.m. matinee on Jan. 28. Ticket price to be determined.
Feb. 10-11
Academy Street Theatre Group performs at River Ridge High School. Tickets are $5.
Feb. 10-13
“Xanadu Jr.” and “Legally Blonde Jr.”
Creekview High School. 7:30 p.m., and a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Feb. 13. Adult tickets are $15; student tickets are $12.
Feb. 16-17
“The Magic Treehouse: Pirates Past Noon”
Cherokee High School. Tickets are $5.
March 24-26
Sequoyah High School. Adult tickets are $15; student tickets are $12.
March 25-26
“Lost Girl”
Cherokee High School. Tickets are $5.
Etowah High School. There also is a 2 p.m. matinee on March 26. General admission tickets are $12. Tickets are $10 for senior citizens and children, age 12 and younger. Tickets are $8 for thespians and drama club members.
Creekland Middle School. 5 p.m. on March 26. Ticket price to be determined.
April 21-23
“Big Fish”
Cherokee High School. There also is a 2 p.m. matinee on April 23. Tickets are $10.
Woodstock High School. There also is a 2 p.m. matinee on April 23. Ticket price to be determined.
April 22-23
Dean Rusk Middle School. There also is a 1 p.m. matinee on April 23. Tickets are $5.
April 22-23, 25-27
River Ridge High School. There also is a 3 p.m. matinee on April 23. Tickets are $10.
May 6-7
Etowah High School. General admission tickets are $10. Tickets are $7 for thespians and drama club members, senior citizens and children, ages 12 and younger.
June 2-4
Academy Street Theatre Group performs at Cherokee High School. Tickets are $5.
