Around Canton

Letter From the Editor

It may come as no surprise that this February issue is filled with love. After all, you know we love (there I go again!) themes, and this is the month to celebrate Valentine’s Day. However, there are more subtle references to love that you’ll see in these pages.

Yes, we do have a cute feature with the youngest members of our community sharing their views of Valentine’s Day (Page 32) and a mouth-watering collection of pie recipes, in honor of Great American Pie Month, starting on Page 24. With baking tips from everyone’s favorite Goddess of Pie, Lauren Bolden, your family and friends will be so happy with your mad piebaking skills!

Yet, there are other less tangible ways that love is expressed throughout our county. That’s something I hope you can see in each issue of Around Canton - not just February - even if you have to squint hard to read between the lines.

February is Black History Month, a time we pay tribute to those who loved their fellow man and their county enough to make advancements and help others. Chuck McGhee gives back year after year through the golf fundraiser he hosts to raise scholarship money to help Black youth attend college. (Page 16)

The idea to celebrate Black History Month began in 1915 by historian Carter G. Woodston and other prominent African American figures of his day. Read more at www.history.com. And to learn more about our African American ancestors, and their achievements in Cherokee County, see Page 18. We’re grateful to Stefanie Joyner and her staff at History Cherokee for sharing such an important aspect of our county’s history.

It’s clear that Diane and Glenn Keen have tremendous love for parents and their children with unique needs, including their son Haden. The Keens founded Circle of Friends, a community that creates connection and purpose for individuals with disabilities. Read about their nonprofit on Page 52, and be sure to visit the new Circuit Cafe at The Circuit in Woodstock, staffed by the Circle of Friends.

Now that you’re feeling all lovey-dovey, here is your February challenge. Remember our mission to share kindness? This works well during the Month of Love.

Kindness Challenge of the Month

Bake and Take. Bake a pie (duh!), cookies, brownies, treats, etc. for a neighbor, elderly person, the local fire or police station. Be sure to wear a mask and gloves while you’re baking, and call ahead to make sure treats from an outside source are welcome.

Candi Hannigan is the executive editor of Aroundabout Local Media. She has lived in Cherokee County since 1987. Send your comments or questions to Candi@AroundaboutMagazines.com.

Voting begins March 1!

More information on Page 10.

What’s New

NAVA taqueria a Spanish restaurant, has opened at 225 Reformation Parkway, Suite 106, Canton. Follow on Facebook. “Who doesn’t love a flash mob? Have you ever wondered what would happen if a flash mob turned into a Cash Mob? The concept behind all this is to love on, support and provide concentrated spending of $20 (or more) with a selected downtown business during a two-week time frame,” Canton’s Downtown Development Manager Velinda Hardy said. A new business to be Cash Mobbed will be drawn every two weeks. With this slow and steady approach, the promotion will take more than a year to focus on each small downtown business. The goal is to support small businesses through focused group spending. This type of cash influx can be a big boost for a small business, and stimulating small businesses helps our economy. Join the Downtown Canton Cash Mob Facebook page for updates, or email velinda.hardy@ cantonga.gov.

Canton officials have announced that a Wi-Fi infrastructure project, funded through federal funds from the CARES Act, is up and working at the following city parks: Boling, Brown, Burge, Cannon, Etowah River and Harmon. Signage will be placed in the parks, where residents can go for internet connectivity.

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ALM President Patty Ponder 770-615-3322 Patty@AroundaboutMagazines.com Market Manager Jennifer Coleman 678-279-5502 Jennifer@AroundaboutMagazines.com Executive Editor Candi Hannigan 770-615-3309 Candi@AroundaboutMagazines.com Managing Editor/Social Media Strategist Jackie Loudin 770-615-3318 Jackie@AroundaboutMagazines.com Art Director Michelle McCulloch 770-615-3307 Michelle@AroundaboutMagazines.com Page Designer Laura Latchford Laura@AroundaboutMagazines.com Controller Denise Griffin 770-615-3315 Denise@AroundaboutMagazin”es.com Market & Advertising Specialist Michelle Smith Michelle.Smith@AroundaboutMagazines.com Copy Editors Bill King, Eliza Somers Community Board Pat Gold, Dr. Christopher Alvey, Sonia Carruthers, Chantel Adams, Dr. Oliver "Ollie" Evans

Around Canton, a publication of Aroundabout Local Media, Inc., is a monthly magazine created to help local businesses grow and prosper by offering affordable advertising opportunities in a quality publication that provides positive, relevant information to our readers.

A total of 25,000 free copies are distributed monthly; approximately 24,100 are mailed to homes and businesses, with an additional 900 placed in racks around the community. Many readers catch the latest edition online each month.

Around Canton welcomes your comments, stories and advertisements. The deadline is the 10th of each month.

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The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists and submissions are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher and the publisher makes no claims about the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. Around Canton is not responsible for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved. Copyright 2021.

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Volume 8, Issue 11

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