3-23 Around Canton webfinal.pdf

On the Cover

Co-owner Leticia Hutchins is a fifth-generation coffee farmer and runs the Holly Springs-based cafe, roastery, e-commerce business and wholesale division with her husband Harry. The product comes directly to Canton from Honduras.

Pages 28 & 29

Cover photo by Kevin Nordeste

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Around Canton

Readers’ Choice 2023!

Nominations are open!

See Page 17 for more details.

What’s New

The Westcott , an active adult apartment complex for ages 55 and older, has opened at 137 Reinhardt College Parkway. The community consists of 120 one- and two-bedroom units. 470-761-4226. https://westcottliving.com

Cherokee Recreation and Parks’ second indoor recreation center has opened at 7345 Cumming Highway in Veterans Park. The L.B. “Buzz” Ahrens Recreation Center, nicknamed “The Buzz,” is 30,000 square feet and has full- and youth-size basketball courts and a rock-climbing wall, as well as an aerobics and dance studio, open fitness area and two classrooms. For more details, visit www.playcherokee.org.

Palmetto Moon has opened in the Canton Marketplace at 1810 Cumming Highway, Suite 825. The new 6,100-square-foot store is the ninth to open in Georgia. www.palmettomoononline.com

What’s Closing

The Canton Marketplace Bed Bath and Beyond store, at 1810 Cumming Highway, is one of 149 stores being closed, according to a recent announcement by the parent company. Sales are taking place until the anticipated closing date of mid-April.

jen@aroundaboutmagazines.com

Kudos!

The Rotary Club of Canton recently honored two community leaders with top awards for professional excellence. The Robert S. (Bob) Stubbs II Guardian of Ethics Award was presented to Cherokee County School Board member Susan Padgett-Harrison . The W. Lee Arrendale Vocational Excellence Award was presented to Cherokee County Acting District Attorney Susan Treadaway . Both now advance for consideration for the regional awards presented by Rotary District 6910. www.therotaryclubofcantonga.org

Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting

www.aroundcantonmagazine.com

LIVING WISER IN RETIREMENT

Never underestimate the impact that a wise decision can have over time. Even in retirement, our choices can determine how well we continue to live in the future.

If you’re considering moving to a retirement community, it’s never been more important to make a wise decision — one that takes into consideration all of the aspects that contribute to a happy, healthy lifestyle. At St. George Village, we take pride in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, with a wide range of activities, services and amenities to address individual needs. Additionally, our LifePlan structure offers the peace of mind that comes with protection of financial assets, as well as the assurance of continuing care. A decision to move to St. George Village is a choice to live confidently and independently in retirement.

Learn more about how St. George Village can be a wise investment for your retirement. Call 678-987-0409 for details. (Visit us at stgeorgevillage.org, and on Facebook to get a closer look at our lifestyle of active engagement.)

Letter From the Editor

Throughout the month, we receive many press releases from Cherokee’s county and city governments. These are great resources for our editorial staff as we look for relevant and uplifting content to share with you. It also satisfies my journalistic desire to get a scoop! Since we aren’t a daily paper, I just impress my family and friends with my inside knowledge.

Recently, I found one bit of news especially refreshing. Holly Springs, Woodstock and Cherokee County are coming together to carefully plan development on Sixes Road near the Interstate 575 interchange. Nearly 100 acres in the southeast quadrant of the interchange are prime for strong commercial and employment opportunities, but city and county leaders have agreed to take a collaborative look and plan together to make sure quality development comes to that area.

Cherokee County and Holly Springs officials have approved separate moratoriums to temporarily pause development in the area while a joint plan is created. Woodstock is expected to approve a moratorium as well but had not done so at press time.

In fact, Cherokee County’s public hearing on the moratorium begins at 6 p.m. March 21 at the Cherokee County Administrative Complex, at 1130 Bluffs Parkway in Canton. This is evidence

that our government officials are keeping residents in mind as they make plans to grow our county.

Because of our deadlines, we aren’t able to include information we receive right before our press dates. That doesn’t matter, though, because our focus is to take the news and dive a little deeper to tell the story behind the story. When the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce announced that our friend Kendall Jones was chosen First Citizen, we wanted you to get to know him a little better. Meet Kendall on Pages 12-13.

In an effort to cover all the good things our youth are doing, Content Editor Jessica Forrester caught up with the Firestorm Robotics team, which is open to all Cherokee and Cobb County high school students. On Pages 24-25, read how this team has positively impacted students.

My personal long-term plan involves making better food choices. I thought you’d be happy to know I’m not eating anything as I’m writing this letter. The truth is there are no sweets in the cupboard now, so I have no choice. In case y’all started to worry about my appetite, never fear. Our upcoming May cruise has Glenn and me in delayed-gratification mode. Here’s to the gratification that will come with that first buffet meal on the ship!

America’s Community Magazine

Volume 10, Issue 11

PUBLISHER

Aroundabout Local Media, Inc. www.aroundaboutlocalmedia.com

PRESIDENT Kim Dahnke | 770-778-5314 kim@aroundaboutmagazines.com

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES

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EXECUTIVE EDITOR Candi Hannigan | 770-615-3309 candi@aroundaboutmagazines.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Donna Harris | 770-852-8481 donna@aroundaboutmagazines.com

CONTENT EDITOR

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COPY EDITORS

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Aroundabout Local Media, Inc. (ALM) publishes five hyperlocal magazines serving the communities of Canton, Woodstock, Towne Lake, Acworth and Kennesaw. Approximately 16,000 free copies are distributed monthly in each community, through direct bulk mail and first class mail; approximately 500 copies are available in magazine racks placed around each community.

Around Canton welcomes your comments, stories, and advertisements. Editorial deadline is the first and advertising deadline is the fifth of the previous month. Subscriptions are available for $24 per year. Send check or money order to: Around Canton, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, PMB 380, Suite 620, Woodstock, GA 30189. The viewpoints of the advertisers, writers and other submissions do not necessarily reflect those of the editor/publisher. And the publisher makes no claims

to the validity of any opinions expressed by charitable, business or civic organizations mentioned, or statements made within the editorial content. The cover and inside related article, and other editorial-type submissions labeled SPONSORED CONTENT, are paid content. The publisher neither guarantees nor supports any product or service mentioned in this magazine, nor does it guarantee any assertions made by the manufacturers or providers of such products or services, or claims regarding the status of such businesses.

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 2023.

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.

Canton IN town

MARCH

9 Trivia Night on the Green begins at 7 p.m. Thursdays at The Mill on Etowah. Gather your dream team and compete for first-, second- and thirdplace prizes. www.etowahmill.com/events

11 Thomas Fountain, with Will Tipton and Mary Kate Farmer, will be performing at the Canton Theatre, 7 p.m. cantonga.gov/events

R.T. JONES MEMORIAL LIBRARY

www.sequoyahregionallibrary.org

March 15

Help your child build confidence by scheduling a 15-minute appointment to read to a reading dog, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Register online.

March 23-25

The Friends of the Cherokee County Public Libraries Book Sale will be 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. There will be a preview sale on Thursday from 3-6 p.m. Donations of new and gently used materials will be accepted at the library, 3-6 p.m. March 17 and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 18. To make donation arrangements, contact staff@cherokeefol.org.

March 24

The Crafters’ Club will meet to work on their projects and socialize, 3-5 p.m. Registration is not required.

March 28

The Tween Book Club meets the last Tuesday of the month, 4:45-5:45 p.m., to go over books through discussion, games and more. This month’s book is “Lalani of the Distant Sea” by Erin Entrada Kelly. This club is best suited for ages 10 and older, or for those at a fifth-grade reading level or higher. Registration is required.

CANTON BUSINESS CLUB

Meets weekly, 8-9 a.m. Wednesdays at Reformation Brewery, 125 Railroad St. Check Facebook for an optional Zoom link, and other club news and events.

17-19, 25, 26

“Once Upon a Mattress,” presented by Lolek’s Storytellers, is based on the fairytale, “The Princess and the Pea.” Performances are 7:30-9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3-5 p.m. Sundays. cantonga.gov/events

18 PoBoys Car Club cruise-in events now will be held at 3 p.m. at The Mill on Etowah. https://poboyscarclub.weebly.com

19 Shop locally made goods at Maker’s Mash , a pop-up shop featuring local artisans, 1-6 p.m. every third Sunday, at Reformation Brewery. www.etowahmill.com/events

25-26

The 16th annual Wing & Rock Fest will be held noon-7 p.m. Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday at Etowah River Park. The free, familyfriendly event will feature a variety of chicken wings with bold sauces, as well as live music. www.wingandrockfest.com

The 2023 Etowah Wildlife Expo will be noon-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at The Mill on Etowah. www.etowahmill.com/events

APRIL

15 Georgia Players Guild will be performing Champions — A Queen Tribute, 8:30-10 p.m., at the Canton Theatre. http://bit.ly/3HR7OyT

29 The fifth annual Street Dog Dash 5K begins at 8 a.m. at Etowah River Park. Bring your dog, and put your paws to the pavement for a great cause. Proceeds from the race go to the Humane Society International and Soi Dog Foundation, with a percentage of the profits benefiting local shelters. www.streetdogdash5k.org

Garden in the Park , featuring handmade art, flowers, plants and more, will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in Cannon Park. https://bit.ly/3RP7iGr

LIVE MUSIC AT THE MILL

Stop by the Green for live music on Fridays, 7-9 p.m. www.etowahmill.com/events

March 17: Bent to Fly

March 24: TBA

March 31: TBA

Alicia, Jericho and Josh Hicks at the 2021 Wing & Rock Fest. Photo by Teena Coogle Photography.

FINANCIAL ADVISOR

Melissa Forrester Get to Know

Canton’s Finance Director

What is your background?

I joined the city in 2008 after working in public accounting and the construction, real estate and health care industries. I’m a certified public accountant with a bachelor of business administration in accounting from Kennesaw State University and an MBA from Reinhardt University. I also hold certifications with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia and the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University.

What is your main responsibility?

I’m charged with maintaining the government’s fiscal strength and integrity, anticipating trends, and facilitating change for the benefit of the city’s residents, businesses and community partners.

Describe a typical day on the job.

While some tasks are recurring (payroll, debt service, tax reporting, annual audit, etc.), each day is remarkably different. The Finance Department works collaboratively with all other city departments, so our work depends on the current financial needs of Public Works, the Police Department, Utility Billing, Engineering, Building & Safety Services, Code Enforcement, Municipal Court, Parks & Recreation, and Administrative Services. We monitor or manage revenue collections, vendor payments, capital asset acquisitions/dispositions, general ledger adjustments, budgeting and monthly reporting. This variety keeps things interesting!

Where did you grow up?

I was born and spent my early years in the suburbs of St. Louis. I still have family there, and across the country. Nearly every school holiday involved a road trip to visit relatives in different states when I was a kid. My mom had a career with a Fortune 500 company, and Dad was in the Navy when I was young, so I learned the importance of working hard and making the most of family time.

What do you like most about your job?

I love serving the people who keep Canton safe by paving roads, cleaning up debris, patrolling our neighborhoods, providing us with clean water, rendering building and fire inspections, and giving us outlets for fitness and entertainment. My family shops, works and attends school in Canton, and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.

Describe a memorable work experience. Training and working with multiple jurisdictions to understand and report on the financial aspects of emergency management has been one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had with the city. I’ve served in the Canton Emergency Operations Center during winter weather events and large-crowd festivals, assisted with cleanup activities after tornados and trained for catastrophic incidents. Seeing the planning efforts, coordination and dedication local and state government personnel (and even the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport) invest to keep our communities safe has been eye-opening.

What are you looking forward to this year?

My family and I enjoy kayaking on the Etowah River and at the reservoir (Lake Canton), and we’re looking forward to the council’s plans to make these water features more visible and accessible.

What are your goals?

After spending many years raising a family and building a career, it’s time to prioritize my spiritual and physical well-being.

Describe your family and hobbies.

I married my high school sweetheart, and we bought our first home in Canton in 2001. We have three amazing sons and an energetic German shepherd. Together, we enjoy outdoor entertainment and active vacations. I relish free time outside, especially gardening/yard work since my job requires so much screen time.

Kendall Jones

MUST Ministries

Community Liaison — Cherokee

Kendall Jones moved to Cherokee County 35 years ago. He was born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida, and he graduated from Florida State University. Jones volunteers with the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, Cherokee’s Homeless Coalition, Cherokee FOCUS and the Canton Housing Authority. He recently was recognized as the 48th recipient of the Chamber of Commerce’s First Citizen of Cherokee County Award, an annual honor given to a resident who has lived in the county for a minimum of five years and has shown significant meritorious service to the community through family, civic and/or religious involvement.

Tell us about your recognition.

Where do I even begin to express my thanks?

Receiving this award and the ensuing well-wishes and kind comments have been overwhelming, humbling, amazing and gratifying. My reaction to all of this is akin to the comment you sometimes hear from firefighters or law enforcement officers when they are commended for some heroic act — they remark, “I was just doing my job.” It is only through God’s mercy, grace and love that I am in my position with MUST, am involved in so many areas in the community, and that I have so many dear and wonderful friendships. So my “job,” my joy, my privilege is to share his mercy, grace and love with all I meet, from the heads of government and business to the people living in homelessness.

When did you begin volunteering?

I was a teacher at the time, and I volunteered in the summers of the late ’80s and early ’90s. I first volunteered at the location at the old Ford building in downtown Canton, and then in the food pantry on Marietta Street. I got to see the operations side of the organization from there, as well as have interaction with donors, volunteers and clients.

My first position with MUST was working with food as the part-time summer lunch coordinator for Cherokee County. I then spent several months as special-projects coordinator, overseeing the build out of the employment services area and helping with the administration of a financial assistance program for local flood victims. That experience helped me transition into the full-time role of volunteer/client intake coordinator, and then to program director as we moved into our new facility at Brown Industrial Parkway in 2013. Being in charge of the daily operations of the facility limited the amount of community involvement. So, in 2019, I moved into my current role of community liaison.

What is your main responsibility?

Simply put, to connect MUST to the community and the community to MUST. It sometimes involves developing resources, monetary and in-kind donations, to help MUST serve our neighbors in need. But, my role also involves enabling people to fulfill the calling they feel in their heart to serve those in need. People will say, “I want to help those in need, but I’m not sure how.” So, we provide an avenue for them to do so.

My responsibility also is to serve as a resource to the community and other nonprofits, to be a sounding board for possible initiatives to help MUST and the community. Lastly, I represent MUST in community issues that affect our clients, such as transportation, housing, medical care, etc., so that resources in those areas are available. The intent is to make sure all the tools are there and a continuum of care is in place for those who are willing to do the work it takes to move from crisis to stability.

Chamber Board Chair Trey Ragsdale, right, congratulates Kendall Jones on receiving the 2023 First Citizen of Cherokee County Award.

What do you like most about your job?

To paraphrase the old real estate adage — people, people and people! There are so many wonderful people in this community, in the volunteers and donors at MUST and in all the different groups of which I am a part. This community has an incredible capacity to care about others, to lend a helping hand and to support organizations that are ministering to those for whom life has taken a detour or a fall.

I have the best job in the world — I get to serve alongside all those wonderful people, supported by an incredible organization. MUST provides the resources to serve God’s precious children as he would serve them, and love them so that they would know his presence and leave our presence in a better place in their life than when they entered it.

What are you looking forward to this year?

Personally, I look forward to every time I can be outside in nature, so I look forward to possible trips to the beach and to Alaska, and getting to the mountains of north Georgia. I look forward to every precious time I get to spend with my family — my wife, children and grandchildren. We also hope to get together with other family members — brothers, sisters, cousins.

Professionally, I am excited about the housing projects that are in the works, being planned or contemplated in the county and cities, as well as the Canton Housing Authority expansion plans. There is such a need for housing in which people can afford to live, for their sakes and for the businesses in our community, and for the businesses that will come to our community that need workers. I also am excited to see what God has in store for MUST as it continues to expand and to find ways to serve our neighbors in need. Lastly, I look forward to every day, a new chance to celebrate, to serve, to find joy and to give joy.

Describe your hobbies and family.

I enjoy running (more walking than running these days!), hiking and backpacking. I enjoy reading, doing crossword puzzles, listening to and making music, watching Florida State University sports (go Noles!) and spending quiet time with God. I am incredibly blessed by my wife of 41 years, Carol, our two sons (of whom I am so proud) and their wonderful wives, and our five precious grandchildren. Currently, we have no pets. In the past, we had dogs we adopted and a cat that adopted us. We now have a granddog and grandcats that we can love on and be amused by.

First Citizen Kendall Jones celebrates with his family.

Women’s Professional Soccer Is Coming to Canton

BY SHAWN TOLAN

Starting in May, a new metro Atlanta women’s professional soccer team, the Georgia Impact, will be competing in the largest women’s soccer league in the world, the WPSL (Women’s Premier Soccer League). Many players are current college soccer players who participate in the WPSL as a means to keep

their skills sharp and stay in good physical condition. (Current or potential college players are not paid, in order to stay in accordance with college soccer eligibility requirements.)

The WPSL is made up of more than 135 teams from 35 states. The Georgia Impact will compete in the Southeast division, along with Alabama FC, Chattanooga FC, Nashville Rhythm FC, North Alabama SC and TN Force FC. The team will play five home matches this year at the Cherokee High School stadium, aka Tommy Baker Field. (For more information on the team, visit www.gaimpactwpsl.com.)

Georgia Impact is partnering with the city of Canton, Northside Hospital and Cherokee High School, among others. The team is planning gameday events at Reformation Brewery. And, before game time, fans will be encouraged to walk across the soonto-be completed trail from The Mill

on Etowah to Cherokee High School. The team also is considering pregame events at the new Harmon Park.

Georgia Impact has a long history of supporting youth soccer in Cherokee County. Shane Moore, executive director of Cherokee Soccer Association and CEO of Georgia Impact WPSL, said: “We recently celebrated our organization’s 50th anniversary and are looking forward to launching another great program for the north Atlanta community. Our organization, along with many key partners, are excited to bring the WPSL to Canton. The Georgia Impact WPSL team will help promote soccer and be a fun family activity for our community. It will also serve to empower women by giving them a chance to play the game they love at the next level.”

The WPSL serves as a feeder league for the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League — the top division for women’s professional soccer). In the most recent college draft for admission into the NWSL, 190 players were selected, and 85 of those players were WPSL alumni. Tryouts for the Georgia Impact WPSL team were held Jan. 7 for females ages 17 and older at Cherokee High School. From that event, Georgia Impact identified the players to include on the 2023 team roster. Among the players drafted are several that have made commitments to play Division 1 soccer at universities throughout the U.S.

The National Premier Soccer League, the WPSL’s counterpart for men’s players, expanded into the area last year with Apotheos FC, which played its games at North Cobb Christian School in Kennesaw. Georgia Impact hopes to bring a men’s team to Cherokee County in the near future.

Tryouts for the Georgia Impact team were held at Cherokee High’s Tommy Baker Field.

Offering women’s professional soccer locally will have a positive impact on the community.

Shawn Tolan has served on Canton’s City Council since January 2020. He focuses on matters related to housing. He and his wife, Shari, have two adult children and three grandsons.

Fall in Love With Your Problems

BY JASON GERDES

I heard a business axiom recently that caught my attention: “Fall in love with the problem, not the solution.”

As a communicator, I am a sucker for pithy phrases. In fact, I keep a note on my phone to write them down whenever I hear them. Occasionally, one will come along that really makes me think, because it seems to defy conventional wisdom.

This was one such phrase. Fall in love with the problem? I never have thought about doing that, because I always am trying to eliminate the problem.

I am an idea guy, and I love thinking about problems and coming up with ideas to solve them. I like to say, “I have never had an idea that I didn’t like.” But, therein lies the problem. I can fall in love with an idea and become so enamored with it that I can become presumptuous about it.

The reason there is wisdom in “fall in love with the problem” is not because we should become comfortable with our problems and not try to solve them. The thing to learn here is always to be learning and not make the potentially devastating assumption that we understand the problem or the best solution.

Albert Einstein said: “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”

This is the essence of what it means to fall in love with the problem. We must continue to stay in a posture of learning, where we remain curious about new ways of thinking about our problems.

If we are willing to fall in love with the problem, then we develop a mindset where we fall in love with the process of finding a better solution to the problem. Many businesses, institutions, churches, families and individuals provide solutions to problems that fundamentally have changed over time. And, therefore, their solutions no longer are relevant.

We so easily fall in love with the solutions we create. When a solution no longer solves the problem we intentionally created it for, we have a hard time adopting a new solution. However, if we can fall in love with the problem, and hold our solutions loosely, we remain in a position to continue improving our ability to solve it.

Don’t Face Income Tax Problems Alone

BY DENSON PEPPER

Do you or your company need to catch up on the required filing of income tax returns to the U.S. Treasury or the Georgia Department of Revenue? For peace of mind, reach out to a trusted tax professional, specializing in nonfiled returns. If you have a tax liability, a tax professional can represent you to tax authorities and negotiate the best available settlement.

Generally, the IRS only requires you to file the most recent six years of returns, from 2017 to 2022 this year. The IRS will not consider a repayment plan for prior years’ taxes unless all required returns have been filed.

Why Do I Have to File?

• The IRS can file your return for you and send you the bill. Usually, the tax will be greater than it would have been if you filed it yourself. Plus, if you don’t file a return, the statute of limitations never begins to run.

• People in their 50s and 60s who haven’t filed their returns, or have tax liabilities for multiple years and haven’t contacted the IRS to arrange a repayment plan, often have tax liens placed on their home.

• If you are due a refund, you must file within three years of the return’s original due date, or the IRS can keep your money.

• Once again, the IRS is using software to find nonfilers. Enforcement labor shortages will dictate more of its usage in our foreseeable future.

• The IRS can take up to 15% of your Social Security each month, and it’s possible that this attachment can extend beyond the statute of limitations.

If you’re worried about going it alone, a tax professional can help you navigate a confusing maze of laws, to protect your appeal rights after returns have been filed and assessed.

CPA Denson Pepper is your neighbor, with 30-plus years of IRS experience. He is an expert at helping people resolve their income tax problems. 678-797-5241.

Jason Gerdes is the lead pastor of Revolution Church (www.revolution.church). He is married to Lindsey and has two children, Jackson and Natalie.

Annual Retreat Moves County Forward

BY HARRY JOHNSTON

The Cherokee Board of Commissioners (BOC) held its annual planning retreat in Canton in January. The meeting was open to the public. Here’s a report on some of our discussions.

Regarding taxes, Cherokee County remains conservatively managed and financially healthy. Total BOC-controlled taxes per capita remain the lowest in the metro Atlanta region and among the lowest of all 159 Georgia counties.

We believe we can reduce the county maintenance and operations (M&O) and park bond tax rates again this year to partly offset a projected 13% average increase in property value assessments. County tax assessors are required by law to keep assessments at or near market value.

Homeowners with the homestead exemption are sheltered from assessment increases for the M&O tax, so they should see a small net reduction in that element of their tax bills. We expect the park bond tax rate to decrease enough to keep that dollar amount flat or lower. We may not be able to decrease the fire tax rate, and the homestead exemption doesn’t apply to it. So, taxpayers could see an increase in that tax equal to the increase in assessed value. The BOC doesn’t control the school tax.

The updated County Transportation Plan is substantially complete, after 2,400 citizen inputs and hundreds of hours of engineering analysis. It includes all city, county and state road improvement projects the road engineers and planners believe are necessary to support a conservative growth plan over the next 30 years. The good news is, local funding over that time appears sufficient to complete all of the identified county and city road projects. The bad news

is, state funding will be short of the amount needed for state highway improvements, largely due to the yearlong suspension of the gas tax. There could be some delays to state projects, but we hope they will be minor in Cherokee.

We agreed we need more workforce housing, and discussed forming a joint city-county team to look for ways to meet the need. The target would be to provide some additional housing, affordable for households with incomes less than $60,000. Those families need rent of less than $1,500 per month or a purchase price less than $270,000.

We talked about the ongoing update to the county’s Comprehensive Growth & Development Plan. I’ve been advocating for changes that would hold Cherokee’s expected population in 30 years to about 400,000 versus about 542,000, if we continue to grow at the current rate. The planners believe that with natural declines in the growth rate and sticking to the current plan, we can stay close to that reduced amount. That’s encouraging, but I’m willing to pursue changes to zoning and development regulations, if necessary, to get there.

We discussed modest strengthening to the noise ordinance to prohibit exploding fireworks after 9 p.m., except on state-designated holidays. There doesn’t appear to be an appetite on the BOC for a significantly stronger, decibel-based ordinance.

Harry Johnston is chairman of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners. He’s a retired CPA and accounting manager, and a former district commissioner. Email him

Promgoers dance the night away in ’50s-themed attire.

Cherokee County Commission Chairman Harry and Rebecca Johnston are dressed to the nines.

Hungry participants in poodle skirts and letterman jackets enjoy a spread of fruits and vegetables, egg rolls, chips and dip, chicken tenders and hamburger sliders.

Adult Prom Raises Funds for Children

PHOTOS BY HOLCOMB CREATIVE CO.

On Feb. 4, the second annual Children’s Haven Adult Prom featured a deejay, food, drinks, a silent auction, ’50s-themed photo station and more at Timbers on Etowah. More than $42,000 was raised for the Children’s Haven and its programs, to support children who have experienced abuse and neglect.

The Children’s Haven is a nonprofit organization committed to building successful children through programs that increase their safety and improve educational, social and emotional functioning. https://cherokeechildrenshaven.org

A photo booth was set up for couples and groups to remake high school prom photos.

Prom queen and king, Meredith and Andy Slanina.

Building for

Firestorm Robotics Students Design, Construct, Test 120-Pound Robots

BY JESSICA FORRESTER

In January, the annual FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition season began, with 3,300 teams from 32 countries competing. This year’s challenge is to build a robot to retrieve and place cones and cubes on pegs and shelves, as well as parking robots on “charging stations” on a playing field. Since January, the Cherokee and Cobb County high school students, who make up the Firestorm Robotics team, based in Cherokee Makerspace in Acworth, have been working on strategizing, sketching ideas and creating designs and prototypes for their robot.

Teams have about two months to prepare for competitions, which end in April. Firestorm Robotics team members include Kennesaw State University dual-enrollment students Maura Zaccagnino, Elijah Wells and Tyler Clarke, Etowah High sophomore Alexis Cua, Marietta High sophomore Beatrix Bosak, junior Everette Slade (homeschooler), Chattahoochee Tech dual-enrollment student Alexander Bouchard, as well as middle schoolers who have shown an interest in the program.

During the competition season, team members put in long hours. Each team member is assigned a subteam and role, so every part of the robot is worked on. However, Firestorm is a year-round team, and, outside of competition season, students learn and expand their skills on platforms such as OnShape CAD,

Alexis Cua solders a circuit board at Cherokee Makerspace.

Alexis Cua, left, and Maura Zaccagnino prepare their robot at the 2022 Georgia Robotics Invitation Tournament and Showcase.

for the Future

MasterCAM, VCarve Pro and Lightburn. They also are trained to use the equipment in their shop (Cherokee Makerspace — also a center of innovation for community makers of all ages), which includes a manual mill and lathe, CNC router, CNC plasma table, 3D printers, laser cutters and various power tools.

“I have grown and learned so much in my time on the team. Robotics increased my knowledge of all the different aspects of STEM,” Zaccagnino said. “When I first joined the team (two years ago), I was the shy girl who barely talked. We went to a competition, and I watched on the side as my brother and other teammates drove the robot and qualified for state championships. Being at a competition inspired me.”

The current team designed and built their first robot during the offseason, for the Georgia Robotics Invitation Tournament and Showcase. At this event, the game was to design a robot to quickly pick up tennis balls, aim and shoot them at a goal 15 feet away. At the competition, the game lasted approximately two minutes, with the first 15 seconds being devoted to autonomous operation. Then, the team took control to drive the robot. During the last 30 seconds, the robot had to climb monkey bars. The team named the robot Amaurable, as a tribute to Zaccagnino, one of the lead designers.

“This was the first robot we designed and built. A year ago, we didn’t know much about building a robot. Now, we are the drivers, too! This was an amazing experience for both of us. It’s hard to imagine how far we’ve come,” Zaccagnino and Cua said.

Cua joined the team two years ago as a freshman, although she had been introduced to the team

in sixth grade. Her dad, Alexander, is one of the creators of Firestorm Robotics. And, her brother was on the team before graduating from Etowah High. Alexander is a mentor as well, and, this year, the Firestorm Robotics lead mentors are Christie Clarke and Terri Talton. Zaccagnino and Cua recognize the importance of increasing the number of women in STEM fields, and they hope to inspire other girls to become involved in robotics and engineering.

FIRST is a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators, and the Firestorm Robotics team helps drive that mission by educating students on STEM opportunities. Prior to joining the team, Zaccagnino and Cua were unsure of what they wanted to pursue in college. Now, Zaccagnino said she and her teammates want to pursue careers in engineering.

“I used to want to be a physical

therapist. But, after the build on Amaurable, I decided I wanted to be in the engineering field, too, specifically biomechanical,” Cua said. “I love this team. I have made lifelong friends and will have lasting memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life.”

The team competes in the Peachtree (PCH) District, which encompasses Georgia and South Carolina. The events can change yearly, and this year, there are a few venues for competitions. This month, district qualifiers are in Albany, Dalton, Gwinnett, Carrollton and Macon. In April, the PCH State Championship will be held at the LakePoint Sports complex in Emerson, and the FIRST Worlds Championship will be in Houston and Detroit.

To learn more about Cherokee Makerspace, Firestorm Robotics and FIRST, visit www.cherokeemakerspace.org, www.firestormrobotics.org and www.firstinspires.org.

Terri Talton, mentor, shows the Firestorm Robotics team how to operate a drill press.

One Sharp Fellow WANDERER

How John J.A. Sharp Left an Education Legacy

BY THE WANDERER

John James Augustus Sharp was not only sharp in name. In fact, he left a lasting legacy of intelligence and education in Cherokee and surrounding counties. Born in South Carolina in March 1828, John was one of 14 children. At the age of 27, he and two of his brothers, Joseph and White Sharp, moved to Cherokee County. Finding a convenient crossroads in what we today know as Waleska, they opened a store, a cotton gin and a tobacco factory, and settled down. Six years later, the South seceded from the Union, and the three siblings joined the Confederate Army.

John was an intelligent man, well-read, and he possessed a large library. So, it comes as little surprise he was able to raise a company of men, known as the 23rd Georgia, and enter the Civil War at the rank of captain. The group was annexed to Colquitt’s Brigade, joining the army of Northern Virginia, and John and his men saw action in several battles, including Seven Pines, Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg and Antietam.

Antietam stands as having the single bloodiest day in the war, with 23,000 men killed or wounded, and it was there the Georgia 23rd took heavy losses. The commander of the regiment, Col. William P. Barclay, was killed, and Lt. Col. Emory Best assumed command, with John also rising through the ranks. In 1863, at Chancellorsville, while serving as the rear guard of Stonewall Jackson’s retreating column, they found themselves horrendously outnumbered by an attacking Union infantry. And, all but a handful of men were captured, including John.

Best was one of the few not captured, and he was later court-martialed for dereliction of duty. John, however, found himself the fortunate recipient of a prisoner exchange 20 days later, and rejoined his regiment. He was seriously wounded at Bentonville, North Carolina, in March 1865. So, he was not on hand a month later when his men, along with the rest of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston’s army, surrendered at Durham Station.

John, who left the war with the rank of lieutenant colonel, survived some of the bloodiest battles between the states, as well as being captured by the enemy and a very serious wound just before the war ended. He returned home to find his wife of only a few years had not survived, and to a Cherokee County that was in a very bad economic condition (as was most of the South by war’s end).

By most accounts, John was intelligent, hardworking and fair. He twice served in the Georgia state legislature.

In 1868, he remarried, and by the mid-1870s, he was editor of a Canton newspaper called The Cherokee Georgian. When Waleska received a state charter in 1889, John served as the town’s first mayor.

John and his brothers took an active role in the moral development of the young men living in their area, helping to start a Sunday school. He also saw to the education of many local young men and women, lending them books from his sizable collection. His love of learning and book collection served his community in a way that continues to this day. In 1883, John and his brother-in-law, Augustus M. Reinhardt, petitioned the North Georgia Methodist Conference to provide a teacher and a preacher for the children of Cherokee County. Then, they opened a one-room schoolhouse on Cartersville Street, called Reinhardt Normal College, which we today know as Reinhardt University. John died Oct. 16, 1896, having changed this county forever.

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The Wanderer has been a resident of Cherokee County for nearly 20 years, and constantly is learning about his community on daily walks, which totaled a little more than 2,000 miles in 2022. Send questions or comments to wanderingga@gmail.com.

The Sharp family Bible. Photo courtesy of Jennell Bryan.

John J.A. Sharp family. Photo courtesy of Jennell Bryan.

The Entrepreneurial Coffee BusinessTakes Root

Written by Ashley LaBossiere

Nestled at what could be considered the midpoint between Woodstock and Canton is Alma Coffee. "Alma," in Spanish, translates to "soul." That's what is at the center of Alma Coffee.

Behind every bag of coffee beans, every roast, every drink, every in-house syrup, is soul. Along with its farm-to-cup philosophy, the soul behind Alma is what sets it apart. Co-owner Leticia Hutchins is a fifth-generation coffee farmer and runs the Holly Springs-based cafe, roastery, e-commerce business and wholesale division with her husband, Harry, while her father, Al Lopez, a service-disabled Army veteran, oversees their family coffee farms in Honduras.

From the start, direct trade has been a leading motivator in Alma's story. This

vertical integration of working directly with its family farms is what makes Alma unique. Vertical integration means coffee from the family farms never leaves the family’s care; family members are responsible for every step of the process, from planting, nurturing and harvesting to wet processing, dry milling, exporting, importing and, finally, warehousing, roasting, grinding and even brewing! It is a rare treat to find a genuine farm-to-cup experience like the one at Alma Coffee.

To expand its coffee offerings and support fellow farmers, Alma also purchases coffee beans directly from other farms — a process referred to as "Alma-doption." Alma buys the entire crop from the farm, brings the coffee beans back to the roastery, and roasts them for purchase. That's as "direct trade" as you'll ever get.

In the four years since Alma Coffee opened its doors, a lot has changed. What was once just a roastery now also houses a full-scale coffee shop that's open seven days a week. The family has added a second, larger Loring roaster, making Alma the only roastery in the state of Georgia to own two Lorings. This also allows Alma to keep its promise of coffee roasted fresh daily to

PHOTOS BY KEVIN NORDESTE.

Al Lopez and Marcial, farm director, in Honduras.

Double Loring roasters.

Latte art poured fresh at Alma Coffee HQ.

Entrepreneurial Grind Root in Cherokee County

order. In 2022, Alma was voted Best Coffee Shop in the Around Canton Readers' Choice contest, proving that there is a need and desire for ethically sourced, high-quality coffee right here in Cherokee County — and Harry and Leticia are just getting started!

As high school sweethearts in Cherokee County, they wanted to lay down roots in their beloved community. The moment you walk into Alma, you’re met with the aroma of fresh coffee, the sound of the roasters purring, and smiles on customers’ and employees’ faces. As you peruse the menu, you’ll find more than 19 different roast offerings that you can watch being freshly bagged by the fulfillment team. A glance at the drink options reveals all the coffee classics, plus the in-house syrups developed by the Alma baristas to complement the coffee.

The Alma team constantly is making upgrades to the cafe and adding new roasts to the menu, to keep things exciting and fresh. To stay in the know, follow the team on social media (@myalmacoffee) and subscribe to the email list. They’re always posting goofy TikToks and incredibly entertaining YouTube videos. Following and watching their content is a great way to get to know the team and support the business. If you’re more of a reader, every Sunday they send out The Weekly Drip email to provide you with a rundown of the previous week’s happenings.

The Alma Coffee team takes pride in its transparency. They invite you to pull up a seat at the cafe’s 40-foot bar to watch as they roast coffee. Let them show you what it means to roast coffee with soul. The proof is in the beans.

Open concept seating at Alma Coffee HQ.

2023 Service League Gala and Benefit

The Service League of Cherokee County Gala and Benefit was held on Jan. 28 at Timbers on Etowah in Canton. A portion of the proceeds benefited The Children’s Haven, and the second annual Heritage of Hope Award was presented to Cherokee County Juvenile Court Judge Jennifer Davis. The award honors a person who is making significant contributions to children in Cherokee County through his or her time, actions, talents and dedication. Davis started the first Juvenile Drug Treatment Court to intervene with children who abuse drugs and alcohol.

PHOTOS BY SCOTT MAZARKY, 8EIGHTY MEDIA.

Tickets included hors d’oeuvres, a drink, buffet dinner and dessert.

Members Gwen Green, Erika Bryant and Stephanie Barber.

Service League members who have dedicated 10 years of service are honored with 10 roses.

President-elect Marcey Stein and Jennifer Davis. Attendance at the gala helps raise money for children.

March is National Kidney Month, and Canton residents Jason and Meghan Brunette share their new life’s purpose as they prayerfully wait for a kidney transplant for Jason.

In 2011, Jason learned what he believed was a hernia from heavy lifting was, in fact, a symptom of the disease that took the life of his mother, aunt and grandmother. He was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a genetic disorder that causes fluid-filled cysts to grow in the kidneys.

PKD cysts can change the shape of kidneys, often making them much larger. It is a chronic disease that reduces kidney function and may lead to kidney failure.

In 90% of PKD cases, the person inherits the mutation from one affected parent. Jason, the youngest of five children, was the first to be diagnosed, until his twin brother, Josh, joined the fight several years later. However, Jason’s illness is more advanced.

Meghan is a registered nurse and knew what they needed to do to preserve her husband’s kidney function.

“Jason never drank alcohol or smoked, which is helpful, but he must adhere to a strict diet. He cannot have most of the foods he loves that are high in potassium and phosphorus, because they are hard for your kidneys to break down,” Meghan said.

In January 2021, Jason received an early-stage cancer diagnosis, which added to the young couple’s stress. “Thankfully, surgery was successful in removing the cancer, and no chemo was necessary. His kidneys could not have endured chemotherapy, and we are grateful to have dodged that bullet,” Meghan said.

“After COVID-19, I was offered a position with Lifelink of Georgia, an organ procurement organization that assists families with their loved ones who want to be organ donors. One of my managers put me in contact with a transplant coordinator at Piedmont Atlanta, to see if Jason would be a candidate for a donated kidney. The thorough evaluation determined that Jason’s kidney function was low enough to be a candidate. The stress from cancer left him with 19% kidney function,” Meghan said.

“Every 14 seconds in America, a new person is added to the list. There are over 100,000 people currently waiting for a kidney in the U.S., and 5,000 people a year die waiting for an organ. I wanted to do whatever I could to prevent my husband from being one of the 5,000 people,” Meghan said.

“I made the decision to start my evaluation process to be a living donor for Jason. I lost 25 pounds in three months to meet the necessary body mass index requirements to be a donor. I learned in January that I was approved, but I am sadly not a match for my husband. I have a rare blood type that will help someone who has probably been waiting a while for a lifesaving kidney. I will participate in the kidney swap program where I donate to a stranger, and a stranger that is a match for Jason will donate to him. As an advanced donor in honor of my husband, he will then be placed at the top of the living donor list. This program also ensures that, should I need a kidney during my lifetime, I will not have a long wait since I donated to help someone in the past,” she said.

“My passion is very personal, and it is my mission to educate others on all of the programs available to those who are in need of organ transplant and to those who may consider being a living donor. The transplant list gets longer every year, and we need more living donors to save lives.”

Jason, 37, and Meghan, 36, are facing many challenges. Due to his genetic disposition, they decided against starting a family, and are giving great purpose to their story as they advocate to shorten the lifesaving list for others. Meanwhile, Meghan will be donating a kidney this month; she will be out of work at least eight weeks. They are fundraising to help offset the loss of income and costs of deductibles, copays and medications.

“I am grateful that I can give life to someone who desperately needs my kidney, while also helping my husband,” Meghan said.

A gofundme account has been set up for this sweet couple (www.gofundme.com/f/help-support-jays-kidneytransplant). Or, you may contribute through Everyday Angels — 100% goes to the Brunette family.

To learn more about living donor programs, visit www.kidneyregistry.org.

people in need in our community.

Jason and Meghan Brunette

CREATING BEAUTIFUL SPACES, One Design at a Time

Stepping into DM Interiors and Design is a feast for the senses. Every corner of the bright and spacious 12,000-square-foot showroom is filled with home furnishings, fabrics, wallpaper, accent decor, artwork, rugs and more.

Owners Jared and Dawn Marcom are especially excited about the Hunter Douglas section of the store with expanded offerings of automated window coverings.

Designers and do-it-yourselfers are sure to find whatever is needed to update their homes, no matter how simple or extensive.

Want new blinds or shutters?

A 1,000-square-foot space is dedicated to Hunter Douglas products, complete with fullsize demonstration versions of customizable window-covering systems.

Need a designer to come to your home or business? The team of design professionals has more than 60 years of combined experience and works with each client to incorporate his or her individual design tastes with current trends.

Interested in wall coverings? Browse the extensive collection of more than 250 wallpaper books, with more than 50 selections in stock.

Confused about fabric choices? Rows of racks loaded with colorful fabrics are easy to view; and if needed, in-store design help is available at no charge, to help you make the right selection.

“Using our designers will actually save money by helping you avoid costly mistakes and providing you high-quality products at affordable prices,” said Dawn, who opened DM Interiors with Jared in late spring 2020, at the onset of COVID-19 restrictions. “Fortunately, staying home caused lots of people to decide it was time for a change in their surroundings — and we were poised to serve them.”

™ DM Interiors is a Centurion-Level Gallery Dealer for Hunter Douglas, the world’s premier powered window -coverings manufacturer. This is the highest-level recognition in the company’s global network; Jared said there are just a few others in the Southeast with this distinction.

™ The full-service interior design studio has a team, led by Dawn, that can visit the home or office and create magazineworthy rooms. Projects range from simple room updates to full-scale renovations. Rather than steer clients to a repeated signature look, DM Interiors designers’ focus is to combine their client’s individual tastes with in-style trends.

™ In-store design assistance is available at no charge. Custom window treatments and reupholstered sofas and chairs are created in the off-site workroom.

™ With a large selection of in stock or special-ordered furniture, DM Interiors offers custom fabrics and styles from highquality vendors like Hooker, Rowe, Sam Moore, Universal, Four Hands, Dovetail, Uttermost and more.

™ One of the largest collections of wallpaper books in the Southeast, according to Dawn, features selections from all of the most notable manufacturers and several unique international providers. Wall murals, a popular option now, also are available.

™ Customers can shop from hundreds of bolts of in-stock fabrics or thousands of swatches of special order fabrics that can often be delivered within a week or two.

Jared consults with a customer in the Hunter Douglas design center.

Dawn has everything to design a home at her fingertips.

The furniture gallery has a large selection of customizable options.

PHOTO BY LARUCHE PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO BY RORIE KIRK

How Will I Know if I’m Really in Labor?

BY CHEROKEE WOMEN’S HEALTH SPECIALISTS, PC

Every woman’s experience with labor is different, so knowing if it’s active labor or simply false labor pains can be tricky. Being as prepared as possible will help reduce anxiety when those first signs appear. Here are tips to know when it’s time to head to the hospital.

False Labor

False labor, also known as Braxton Hicks contractions, can feel very much like active labor. But, unlike true labor, they are irregular in frequency, less intense and usually go away if you change positions.

Active Labor

Active labor can range from four to eight hours, and, sometimes, longer. Your cervix most likely will be dilated 6 to 10 centimeters, and you will notice stronger symptoms as time passes. Symptoms include back pain, leg cramps and nausea. This also is when your water will break.

You will feel strong and consistent contractions that are five to 10 minutes apart. They will become stronger and more frequent. Walking will become impossible, and changing positions to relieve the pain will not help.

This is when you should begin timing the contractions. When they consistently are five minutes apart, it is time to call your OB-GYN and/or head to the hospital. Be sure to explain all your symptoms and concerns to your OB-GYN.

Early Labor

Early labor easily can feel like active labor, especially if it is your first baby. In terms of duration, it is up to your baby and body to decide. Until you notice more consistent contractions, try your best to stay relaxed.

When early labor begins, your cervix begins to dilate, which can occur hours or even days before the onset of labor. It’s not unusual for women not to notice this. Breathing becomes easier again as it feels like your baby has “dropped,” relieving pressure on your diaphragm. Mild or irregular contractions may occur in intervals of 10 minutes, then five minutes, then two minutes, etc.

Be Prepared

Rest assured that it is unlikely that you will go into labor without warning as your body will let you know when you’re approaching the big day. Stay prepared and have your hospital bag packed, so, when the time is right, you’re ready to leave. If you’re unsure, always be safe, call your doctor or go to the hospital to be checked.

Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists, PC has seven OB-GYNs and five advanced practice providers, with offices in Canton and Woodstock.

The Not-So-Subtle Dangers of English Ivy

BY CAROLYN PUCKETT

After the loss of habitat, the encroachment of nonnative invasive plants is the greatest threat to our native plants and critters. One of the really nasty plant invaders is English ivy.

Not long ago, most garden books would name two primary ground covers for shade: English ivy and periwinkle. However, just as we have learned that many old health remedies really are not medically sound, old garden advice can be out of date. Far from recommending English ivy for your landscape, we now know that planting ivy is a huge mistake. In fact, some states have banned its sale.

The Georgia Exotic Plant Pest Council has designated English ivy as Category 1 invasive: “An exotic plant that is a serious problem in Georgia natural areas by extensively invading native plant communities and displacing native species.”

The problem is that English ivy is too aggressive. Its spread is infinite, and it is very difficult to restrain, or even to kill. It covers not only the floor of forests, out-competing and smothering native plants, but also covers the canopy level in the treetops. Ivy’s evergreen foliage covers a tree’s own foliage, restricting photosynthesis and causing the tree gradually to go into decline. The added weight of the ivy foliage can cause the tree to blow over in a windstorm. In addition, the evergreen foliage catches snow or ice, which can cause the weakened tree to come down during a winter storm.

Falling trees can damage homes and other property severely. Insurance claims for such damage can be denied if the homeowner is found responsible for allowing the tree to topple by not removing the ivy.

Ivy can cause other damage to your property, as well. An ivy-covered house might look nostalgic, but ivy can damage a structure seriously, even pulling it down. When climbing a surface, the ivy produces root-like structures that exude a glue-like substance. The ivy’s roots move into cracks and crevices, making it difficult to remove, and likely to cause

permanent damage. Ivy even has been known to climb in windows.

While English ivy crawling over the ground does not bloom or produce seed, once it starts growing vertically on a surface, it will develop blooms and seeds that birds carry great distances, thus spreading the infestation to additional natural areas.

If you are unfortunate enough to have English ivy on your property already, we recommend that you get rid of it. Pull up what you can, and cut the rest back as far as possible. Apply a systemic herbicide, such as triclopyr, to the remaining ground-dwelling stems and foliage. Cut vines growing up a tree a short distance from the ground, and then apply triclopyr to the rooted portion of the stem. Be careful not to spray your tree bark. The herbicide is most effective if you apply it to the stump of the cut stem immediately after cutting it. You probably will need to

make several herbicide applications over time to kill the ivy.

There are many lovely and wellbehaved alternatives to English ivy as a ground cover for shade, and also as a climbing vine. Your ground cover need not be composed of all one plant. In fact, your landscape will be healthier and less inviting to insect pests and diseases if you plant groupings of three or more plants, each of multiple species, over the area. Stay tuned for next month’s issue, where I will detail nine native alternatives.

Dig Deeper:

• www.gaeppc.org/alternatives

• http://bit.ly/3la3aEt

• https://bit.ly/3X2em3s

Trees covered in ivy. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Ruscilli.

Carolyn Puckett is a Cherokee County master gardener and a master naturalist.

3 Ways to Sow Seeds

of Service

BY SUSANNAH MACKAY

I love this time of year. The first flowers peek up from the soil, and blossoms magically appear on trees. Color comes back into the forests as leaves fill the trees. It’s like the whole world is starting to wake up. Spring is in the air!

For people like me, it’s a time to watch for beauty and surprises, but for avid gardeners, this is a time for planning and preparation. Time to prepare soil, take care of any remaining winter debris and choose your plantings. It’s an art form that those of us with green thumbs understand, and the rest of us at least can admire.

Even if you don’t have the greenest of thumbs, you still can enjoy getting out in the garden by sowing seeds of service. There are several garden opportunities in our area; here are three to check out on justserve.org:

1. Help maintain the SmileUp! Happy Garden. Visit the G. Cecil Pruett YMCA to weed, water and tidy things up at the Smile Up! Happy Garden. Then, pick as many herbs as you would like. Come once a week, according to your availability (http://bit.ly/3DsWZlr).

2. Grow Next Step’s Butterfly Garden. Help maintain this inspiring space for those with physical and cognitive challenges. Only light manual work needed, and no expert knowledge required! Volunteer at the Butterfly Garden from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday (http://bit.ly/3Jq6fup).

3. Volunteer at the Allatoona Resource Center (ARC) Community Garden. The ARC Community Garden needs volunteers to help weed and water. And, classes and training are provided, as well. Shifts are available on Tuesday and Friday evenings, and every third Saturday morning. Volunteer groups are welcome (http://bit.ly/3Y71wSm).

Be sure to check out these great opportunities — and more! — on the JustServe website. Or, for additional ideas, join the JustServe Georgia Volunteers public Facebook group. Get out and enjoy this beautiful season while helping the community.

Justserve.org is a free, nationwide website and app that works to match volunteers with nonprofit organizations and service opportunities. If you run a nonprofit, or are looking for ways to make service a regular part of your life, check out justserve.org. You can sign up for regular updates and learn more about organizations nearby, too. JustServe makes it easy to just go out and serve!

MacKay is a local JustServe specialist. She grew up in Marietta and loves helping strengthen her community through service! Follow her on Facebook @JustServeGeorgia.

Last month, Anthony Sant’Anselmo detailed what inspired him to turn his basement into an ’80s video “store.” If you missed Part 1, read it at https:// aroundcantonmagazine. com/archives.

How I Transformed My Basement Into an ’80s Video Store

BY ANTHONY SANT’ANSELMO

During summer 2018, I started sketching the floor plan of my dream ’80s video store. The idea was to utilize the wall space for shelving and have standing aisle racks in the center of the room for VHS tapes. I asked myself: What about those old video stores did I miss, and how could I merge my personality into the project, so that it would be more meaningful to me? I surveyed my collection of tapes and knew that I needed a lot more to flesh out the store. I took to the local Goodwills and thrift shops in Woodstock, and on Craigslist, eBay and in VHS social media groups, and I chose films that I loved, liked or hadn’t yet seen.

I ripped out carpet from four rooms and prepped it for flooring. I chose vinyl composite tiles, for practicality. (Choosing checkered flooring was the easy part; I wanted the video store to have a certain energy.) They were peeland-stick tiles, and I also used flooring adhesive on the concrete. So, it really became part of the floor, which just made things trickier — and annoyingly stickier!

The flooring was the most tedious part of the project, along with the custom cutting of trim for the room’s perimeter. But, piece by piece, failure by failure,

I got through it. Once the main room and small hallway were done, I swore I’d never lay tile again, as long as I lived.

I placed blue painter’s tape on the floors and walls, where I visualized the shelves, the counter, future posters, etc. That was key to seeing the project through. I’d rip off the tape as I acquired certain items. Thankfully, I scored wire movie racks and grid walls from Lee’s Discount in Douglasville, when they were closing down. Once I installed the wire shelving, it was much easier to see it as a “shop.”

Initially, I had a kids shelf on one of the racks, but felt I couldn’t really celebrate it, since they were just bookended tapes. That’s when the mud room was absorbed and dedicated 100% to kids movies, ’80s toys, posters and more. It was a chance for me to build a shrine to the movies I loved growing up and introduce these gems to my kids. (Remember when I said I’d never lay flooring again?) Of course, I couldn’t allow the main video store’s checkered flooring to just stop at the threshold of Mondo Kideo! So, the flooring

nightmare began again, and I got better as I went. Still, I was done with flooring forevermore.

I knew I’d need custom shelving for the kids section, and it required a skilled carpenter to help me realize this vision. I turned to my friend, Woodstock resident Jeff McCall. This guy can build anything — and has. The shelving produced was naked wood and had to be painted. (Big shout-out to the paint department at the Holly Springs Home Depot, as I must’ve visited more than 50 times with paint orders. Morgan’s Ace Hardware also helped with any additional tools and such acquired along the way.)

I painfully pored over every detail of this project, and it became an obsession to reach my goal. (And, moving to a state where you don’t know anyone really frees up your evenings and weekends.) Faux brick paneling was installed down the stairwell and into the video store. My intention was to make it feel like you’re descending down backalley stairs under the night sky above and into a hidden video store shop. So,

The kitchen houses food-related movies, with sections like Comfort Food and Culinary Horror.

Anthony’s wife, Fabienne, also enjoys reminiscing about videos they enjoyed as children. Photo by Michael A. Martinez.

it was important for me to distress the bricks on the stairs, to appear as if they had been weather-beaten for years. As you step into the shop, the bricks show less age, due to being sheltered.

Painting various bricks different colors, smearing plaster here and there, hand squeezing mortar in between every brick — one could go on forever, giving it little touches, and I kind of did. The whole “aging” process took a few months, from pristine brick paneling to the state it’s in now. My main goals were to focus on details, never cut corners and to finish.

Once 2020 hit, I started working remotely from home, so the video store build continued! As the project was inching into other rooms, the home gym couldn’t just be a gym, of course — it had to be an ’80s gym! In all the neon glory that the ’80s brought us, we celebrate the workout craze, wrestling, skateboard films, beach movies and more.

I mentioned that I was done with flooring forevermore? (Facepalm.) The basement kitchen had laminate flooring, which I ripped out, and,

yeah, I laid more checkered tiles. The kitchen area is a fun one, as it houses food-related movies, with sections like Comfort Food and Culinary Horror. Lots of cheesy movies from yesteryear — pun intended. And, the diner-like checkered flooring doesn’t hurt for that area, either. Having a master carpenter as a friend can be dangerous, because I also asked him to build me a secret door to the kitchen, which houses VHS tapes.

As the shop was coming together, I needed genre signs for each section: Comedy, Drama, Action, Horror, Sci-Fi, Special Interest, etc. John Hotaling at Signarama on Highway 92 helped tremendously. For the shop’s logo, I asked myself what kind of video store could even compete in today’s streaming world. So, I designed a sort of pizza delivery girl on a Pee-wee-Herman-inspired Vespa scooter, delivering VHS rentals in 30 minutes or less! My good friend Andy Bernet in Los Angeles brilliantly did the illustration off my sketch, and Signarama produced the large,

color Mondo Video! logo behind the “employee” counter.

Over the course of the project, I certainly lost a lot of sleep, probably put my health in jeopardy by overextending myself and, many a time, could be found on the floor painting quarter-round trim. There isn’t one section of this basement project that I didn’t alter in some way. Fabienne calls it “One More Thing Video!” since I’m never really done with the place. Thankfully, she really enjoys it and thinks it’s something special to reminisce about our own childhood while sharing it with our children.

Once I revealed this project online, I didn’t anticipate the level of response I’ve received. It has been pretty surreal. I’ve read some incredibly humbling comments and, thankfully, the video store has helped people remember some of their own youthful experiences a bit more. I’ve received questions asking what the operating hours are, as many people think it’s open to the public. (It’s not, as it’s not a real store. But, every now and again, I will give a tour.)

It’s kind of weird, however, to head downstairs every morning, flip on lights and there’s a functional video “store” from the ’80s just staring at me. There is one unfinished room in our basement, and I have designs on finishing it out with drywall and the like, because, of course, an ’80s Home Video Store isn’t complete without an ’80s arcade.

P.S. To anyone who wishes to donate their old physical media — VHS, Beta, CEDs, Laserdiscs or VCRs — I’d love to give them a forever home. A friend of mine calls Mondo Video! a “no-kill shelter for VHS.” And, for any local actors, producers or camera crew, if you’d like to link up on some projects and make some fun stuff in the video store together, let me know! (You can connect with Anthony via email at goondocksainter@gmail.com or on Instagram (@mondo_video) and Facebook/Twitter/Youtube: @ mondovideostore.)

Woodstock resident Anthony Sant’Anselmo works as a “South Park” animator, and he is a writer and director.

The bright, neon lighting outlining the shop is reminiscent of “Tron” or “Blade Runner.”

A New Circle of Friends

Connecting Actors, Film Crew With Local Nonprofit

BY CHERYL MCKAY PRICE

When the opportunity came to write the freshman season of a six-episode TV series, “These Stones,” it opened the door for me to feature a variety of landmarks in Cherokee County. (If you missed last month’s article, visit https://aroundcantonmagazine. com/archives. You can read more about “These Stones” at stoneimpactmedia.com.)

“These Stones” is a faith-based fictional series of half-hour episodes; each one features a present-day character being helped by a Bible character who shares a parallel experience as the person he or she is trying to help. The show gave us a chance to highlight relatable challenges like loss, grief, opioid addiction, alcoholism, how to face broken dreams and selfesteem issues.

Cast and crew with Circle of Friends staff after filming.

Cherokee Office of Economic Development’s Film Project Manager Molly Mercer, left, on set with Cheryl McKay Price.

When I first started meeting with others about the series, I had most of my meetings with actors and crew at the coffee shop, Circle of Friends. It’s nestled inside The Circuit, the coworking space at Chattahoochee Technical College in downtown Woodstock. Circle of Friends is run by adults with disabilities, and, since my first visit, I wanted to work it into a script. I talked to Glenn and Diane Keen, co-founders of Circle of Friends. Thankfully, they were very supportive of the idea of us doing a story in their cafe.

In the second episode, I wrote about a young man, Jimmy, with Down syndrome, who aches to have friends. He’s lonely because his mother is overprotective and keeps him home, for fear he’ll be made fun of or get hurt. Resistant to outsiders, she’s visited by a Bible character whose mother had to choose to give him up so he could impact the world. When a friendly 911 operator, played by Dexter Masland, shows up to do a wellness check on Jimmy, his mother finds out he’s been repeatedly calling the 911 dispatcher because he wants friends. The 911 operator tells her about Circle of Friends, suggesting her son get a job there where he will be accepted by others, make friends and have a chance to share the gift he can be to others in the world.

Out of the 25 days we filmed the series, the day we filmed the scene when Jimmy gets a job at the cafe became the favorite of the cast and crew. We had members of the Circle of Friends staff in the scene. They welcomed our actor playing Jimmy, David DeSanctis of “Where Hope Grows” and Hallmark’s “Color My World With Love,” into their fold.

Diane, Kaitie, Nick and the rest of the Circle of Friends staff were incredible and patient with all of us as we took over the space for a few hours to film.

We hung around the rest of the day to film additional scenes from the same episode. To do so, we staged the 911 call center in the Cherokee Office of Economic Development’s film office. We’re so thankful to the cafe staff, Cindy Holland of Chattahoochee Tech, Molly Mercer of Cherokee Office of Economic Development and her coworkers for their support and hospitality.

We hope featuring Circle of Friends on an episode will bring awareness to the outreach, as well as inspire others to start ventures like this all over the world.

My hope for the future is that we can make many seasons and grow our “These Stones” circle of friends — all those who are involved in our show — right here at home.

Cheryl McKay Price writes faith-based movies, TV shows and novels. She and her husband, Chris, have called Woodstock home since 2015. Their Woodstock-based production companies are Roads & Rivers Media and Stone Impact Media.

“These Stones” cast members at Circle of Friends Coffee Shop, from left: Madeline Carroll, David DeSanctis and Dexter Masland.

Cherokee Office of Economic Development’s film office is transformed into a 911 call center during filming.

Cheryl McKay Price with actor David DeSanctis, who plays Jimmy in “These Stones.”

Creekview’s Beth Garriques Realized a Dream

BY GRACE DICKSON

Creekview High School has its fair share of talented people, in sports and academics, featured in its weekly newsletter. But, behind the screen sits an aspiring writer and published author in the Creekview community.

Beth Garriques, administrative assistant to assistant principal Nancy Henson, works on the right side of the 1200 hallway. She is tasked with special education paperwork and document filing, managing the textbook inventory and authoring Creekview’s weekly newsletter, “What’s Happening at the View.” Although she has worked in the school system since 2014, Garriques did not always imagine herself in an education career.

“I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was a child. That’s what I always wanted to do,” Garriques said.

Throughout her college career, Garriques fell into her passion for writing after realizing her disinterest in math and science. Many years after college, when she became a mother, Garriques wrote her first adaptation of a children’s book “Something,” which started as a poem, and was published as a book, 20 years later.

“I didn’t really sit down to write it. It was more, you know, I’d be washing the dishes or doing the laundry, and I’d think of an idea of something. So, I’d just jot down notes here and there, and, then, finally it all came together as a story,” Garriques said.

The idea of publishing “Something” came in early 2020 as a bucket list wish, and with the COVID-19 quarantine, it was a perfect time to work on the book.

Garriques reached out to Yawn’s

Publishing, and after being put in touch with an illustrator, the difficult part started.

“While her (the illustrator’s) work was beautiful, it just wasn’t what I was looking for,” Garriques said.

After much searching, Garriques discovered a friend of a friend who worked as an illustrator and was able to bring Garriques’s vision to life. She requested her children be drawn as the main characters, but had no preference for the other characters. After much back and forth, Garriques finally settled on her perfect design, and “Something” hit the market in July 2021.

“When you write something,

you’re really kind of putting yourself out there, and it puts you in a very vulnerable position. Because, if people don’t like something, they are not shy about telling you,” Garriques said.

As Garriques navigates the world of being an author, she finds the positive responses she has received from her children’s book keeps her motivated, and she hopes to publish more in the future.

Beth Garriques’ book “Something” began as a poem that she wrote 20 years ago.

Grace Dickson is a junior at Creekview High School. This is her second year on The Clawprint staff. She joined journalism to expand her writing capabilities.

Georgia Food +Wine Festival

MARCH 23 - 26, 2023

JIM R. MILLER PARK, MARIETTA, GEORGIA

The Georgia Food + Wine Festival presented by Georgia Grown celebrates the best of Georgia and the South, from its culinary superstars and beverage experts to its farmers, artisans, live musicians and more. A variety of events for all taste buds starting with Cobb Life Magazine’s “Best of Cobb” event and the legendary barbecue event, “Fired-Up” an all-inclusive, food and drink tasting event. Saturday’s main event, “Savor” offers hundreds of unlimited beer, wine and spirits tastings, a Georgia Celebrity Chef Stage, VIP Lounge, artisans, and live music. “Sunday/ Funday” is the budget friendly and family-friendly day, with Kids Zone, VIP Lounge Oyster Roast, live music and more. Savor the Flavors!

Celebrations!

ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE FREE!

Email: edit@aroundaboutmagazines.com

April deadline is March 10. Word limit: 25. Please specify Around Canton.

Age 31 on March 17

Happy birthday to our St. Patrick’s Day baby!

Love, Mom and Dad

Leah Age 11 on March 21

Happy 11th birthday, Leah! Hope you have an amazing day! We all love you so very much.

Happy fourth birthday, sweet girl! We love you!

Mommy, Daddy and Elliott

March 29

Happy birthday!

We love you to the moon and back. Mom, Dad, and Sophia

Anthony Falkowski

Dillon Harrington

Addison

Fostering Change: Adoption Timeline

BY CHARLICE BYRD

In Cherokee County, we rely on the Division of Family & Children Services and many private agencies to complete open and closed adoptions and give children a more permanent living arrangement. Although the process can be lengthy and highly challenging, in simpler times finding a baby in a basket and providing it with a home was straightforward. The Bible speaks of adoption with a Hebrew woman named Jochebed, who placed her infant son in a basket and sent him down the river to save him from death. The baby was found by one of Pharaoh’s daughters, who “adopted” the child into the royal family and named him Moses.

In America, the adoption timeline began in the mid-1800s:

• 1851 – The first modern adoption law, the Massachusetts Adoption of Children Act, was passed.

• 1891 – Michigan judges began investigating before entering final adoption decrees, a practice later known as a home study.

• 1910-30 – The first specialized adoption agencies were founded.

• 1948 – The first recorded transracial adoption of an African American child into a Caucasian home.

• 1950s – Home studies became common, although investigations of potential foster and adoptive homes had been going on for many years.

• 1960s – Closed adoptions become more prevalent.

• 1970 – Twentieth century adoption peaked, with approximately 175,000 adoptions finalized annually.

• 1978 – Congress passed the Indian Child Welfare Act, designed to protect Native American children from being removed from their families by public and private agencies.

• 1979 – A gay couple in California became the first in the country known to have adopted a child jointly.

• 2000 – The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 was passed, allowing foreign-born adoptees to become automatic American citizens upon entering the country.

• Today – About 135,000 children are adopted in the U.S. each year. Approximately 95% of adoptions involve some degree of openness or contact between birth parents and adoptive families.

To learn more about adoption, visit http://bit.ly/3X1IVX4.

Rep. Charlice Byrd represents Georgia House District 20. If you have any feedback, call 404-557-2218, email charlice.byrd@house.ga.gov or engage on Facebook.

Around & About Around & About

19 Cherokee Chorale presents “Poetry and Light,” featuring Frostiana and Lux, with special guest Creekview High School Camerata, at 4 p.m. at the Falany Performing Arts Center. Tickets available at the door and online at www.cherokeechorale.org.

MARCH

9 An Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group meets at 11 a.m. the second Thursday of the month at Little River Methodist Church in Woodstock. Wheelchair-accessible. 770-926-2495

11 The Cherokee County Educational Foundation Gala begins with cocktails and a silent auction at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and a program at 7 p.m. www.cherokeecountyeducationalfoundation.org

The Cherokee Music Teachers Association will hold a meeting at 10 a.m. at Reinhardt’s Falany Performing Arts Center, followed by a program presented by Jerico Vasquez, professor of music at Shorter University. The public is welcome at the free event. For more information, contact Linda Lokey at linda@lokey.net.

16

The 2023 Cherokee Film Summit, hosted by the Cherokee Office of Economic Development, is set for 5-9 p.m. at the Yanmar Evo Center in Acworth. cherokeega.org/film-media

18

Registration is open for the Garland Mountain Trail Run, 6-mile and 13-mile races, in Waleska. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Friends of Garland Mountain Trails. https://mountaingoatadventures.com

18-19 The Luck of the Pickle Tournament will be held at the Brookshire subdivision pickleball courts, in Woodstock, to benefit Never Alone. This tournament is open to players of all skill levels, and there will be snacks and drinks available. https://bit.ly/3REH8pR

22, 29

Join Timothy Lutheran Church in Woodstock for midweek Lenten services at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Family supper at 6 p.m. preceding the 7 p.m. service. tlcwoodstock.org

23-26

The Georgia Food + Wine Festival is back at Jim R. Miller Park in Marietta. Celebrate the best of Georgia and the South, from its culinary superstars and beverage experts, to farmers, artisans, musicians and more. georgiafoodandwinefestival.com

24 Bascomb’s Spring Carnival begins at 6 p.m. at Bascomb Elementary School in Woodstock. Keep a watch for volunteer sign-up information and details at https://bit.ly/3WL8hsq.

25 Breakfast With the Bunny begins at 10 a.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Woodstock. Enjoy a free pancake bar with your family and friends, then take a picture with the Easter Bunny. Email youthfamministry@gslutheran.org with questions.

27 Registration is open for the inaugural Golf2Grow Golf Tournament, at Fairways of Canton. Proceeds will help send four kids to summer golf camp. www.golf2grow.com

APRIL

1

Registration is open for Blankets Creek Trail Run, 5-mile and 9-mile races. A portion of the proceeds will benefit SORBA Woodstock, for the continued maintenance of the Blankets Creek and Olde Rope Mill Park trails. http://mountaingoatadventures.com/blanketsrun

8

Little River Methodist Church’s annual community Easter egg hunt, for children in pre-K through fifth grade, begins at 10 a.m. at 12455 Highway 92, in Woodstock. The free event will feature refreshments and fun for all.

13 Save the date for the Rotary Club of Woodstock’s Imagine Rotary Gala at Rootstock, downtown. For more information about tickets and a silent auction, visit https://bit.ly/3ih3r7G.

15 City residents can recycle electronics, tires, paint and more at the Peace, Love and Recycle event, 7 a.m.-noon, at 2525 Ridge Road.

2022 Cherokee Film Summit. Photo by Christopher Price.

CHEROKEE RECREATION AND PARKS AGENCY

www.playcherokee.org // Recreation Center: 770-924-7768, Aquatic Center: 678-880-4760

March 1-April 4

Filled Easter baskets for the Some Bunny Special program can be delivered to the Rec Center during regular business hours. Baskets need to be filled with only Easter-related items — sealed candy, stuffed animals, toys, coloring books, etc.

April 8

Eggs-traordinary Extravaganza is back at the Cherokee County Aquatic Center. For ages 4-12, time slots are available for the underwater egg hunt from 2:30-4:45 p.m. For children age 3 or younger, the outside egg hunt is 2-2:30 p.m.

Flashlight Egg Hunt begins at 6 p.m. at Cherokee Veterans Park in Canton. $10 per child. Event includes food trucks, vendors, music, face painting, crafts, a kids zone and a visit with the Easter Bunny.

CHEROKEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

https://bit.ly/3CeUdPf. Contact the school’s front office for information. Performances are at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

March 10, 11

“Junie B. Jones Jr.” Academy Street Theatre Group performs at River Ridge High School. Tickets: $5

“Mamma Mia” Etowah High School. There also is a 2 p.m. matinee March 11. Tickets: $10

March 23-25

“Chicago: Teen Edition” Sequoyah High School. Tickets: $15

March 23-26

“The Sound of Music” Creekview High School. There also is a 2 p.m. matinee March 26. Tickets: $10

March 31, April 1

“Radium Girls” Cherokee High School. Tickets: $7

April 13-15

“The Addams Family” Cherokee High School. There also is a 2 p.m. matinee April 15. Tickets: $15

April 14, 15

“Annie Jr.” Creekland Middle School students perform at Creekview High, 7:30 p.m. Friday and 6 p.m. Saturday. There is a sensory-friendly performance at 3 p.m. Saturday. Tickets: $10

STAND UP FOR SENIORS

Luncheons are 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. the third Friday of each month, and are a $10 donation. https://vac-cherokeega.org

March 17: Oaks at Towne Lake, 4580 Towne Lake Parkway

April 21: Cedarhurst of Canton, 3100 Hidden Valley Drive

May 19: Camellia Place, 294 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock

MADLIFE STAGE & STUDIOS

Events listed are held monthly at 8722 Main St., Woodstock. http://madlifestageandstudios.com

March 4: The Jett HeartsA Tribute to Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, 10 p.m.

March 17: The Troubadour

Project: ’70s Rock RevivalQueen, Zeppelin, Bowie and more, 7 p.m.

March 25: R.E.M. Tribute - Dead Letter Office, 7 p.m

April 8: Cougar Town - John Mellencamp Tribute, 7 p.m.

April 11: Undiscovered Artist Showcase, 7 p.m.

April 15: Sabbath - Black Sabbath Tribute, 7 p.m..

WOODSTOCK ARTS

www.woodstockarts.org

March 2-April 23

“Art + Science” is an exhibit at the Reeves House that brings together the arts and sciences in a way that delights and excites audiences.

March 3

The Woodstock Arts Improv Troupe is ready to get its audiences rolling down the aisles with laughter. Recommended for ages 10-plus (content).

March 4

The Lasting Laugh is a monthly comedy series that brings in Atlanta-based comedians, with Jessica It’s All Good as the host. Recommended for ages 12-plus (content).

March 10-26

“Company” follows confirmed bachelor, Robert, who contemplates his unmarried state over the course of dinners, drinks and a wedding. Recommended for ages 13-plus (content).

LANTERN SERIES

At the Woodstock Arts Event Green; shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Check for updates at www.woodstockarts.org.

March 25: Huntertones

April 15: Seffarine

April 29: Huu Bac Quintet

Sequoyah-Con to Feature Fandoms, Panels and Programs

BY KARA RUMBLE

March brings even more to explore at your dynamic destination for discovery — the Sequoyah Regional Library System! Whether you’re looking for your next favorite read, the perfect resource for a research project or a fun program to brighten your day, there is something for everyone.

Every March, our libraries host Sequoyah-Con — a free mini-convention featuring popular fandoms, panels, activities and programs. All ages are welcome to participate in scheduled events at the Woodstock, R.T. Jones and Gilmer libraries.

This year, each branch will have its own day of festivities. R.T. Jones Memorial Library will hold Pokemon-themed events on March 4, featuring crafts, trivia and a costume contest. Gilmer County Library will hold gaming-themed events on March 11, featuring a craft market, tabletop gaming and virtual reality. And Woodstock Public Library will hold cryptid-themed events on March 18, featuring a special Bigfoot storytime with Tracy Walker, tabletop role-playing games and a presentation from professional paranormal investigators. There will be activities that appeal to all ages, so grab a friend, or the whole family, for a fun-filled day. See the full schedule at www.sequoyahregionallibrary.org.

When it comes to early literacy, your public library continues to be a place that offers a wealth of support and resources. Community members now can check our new Launchpads, which are preloaded tablets that provide users with educational games and apps, geared toward supporting early literacy development, without the need for internet connectivity. This project was assisted through a grant from the Georgia Public Library Service, with federal pandemic funding from the Georgia Governor’s Office.

Our library system also is unveiling new digitizing equipment at the Rose Creek Public Library, free to use for any library card holder. Digitize photos or materials up to 12 by 17 inches, or digitize home videos from a variety of formats. Visit the website to find out how you can get your next digitizing project started.

Whether you’re using the library from the comfort of your home, or regularly visiting one (or more) of our library locations, we enjoy providing you and our community with what you need to explore, learn and create.

Kara Rumble is the deputy director of the Sequoyah Regional Library System.

Patrons participate in an Art Night program at Woodstock Public Library.

A child reads to George the dog at an R.T. Jones Memorial Library Reading Dog program.

Marching Into 2023 With the Arts

BY LIBBY WILLIAMS

Does it feel like this year is flying by? We already have done three shows — with a fourth show, “Company,” opening March 10 — a solo exhibit at The Reeves House and a film festival, and we are just warming up. As the seasons change, The Lantern Series returns. We are so excited to welcome back the Huntertones to the Woodstock Arts Event Green downtown. They were so nice, we are having them twice! On March 25, they will be serenading downtown Woodstock with their powerful horn-driven jazz.

We continue marching into 2023. Believe it or not, summer camp registration already is live. As wild as it seems, now is the time to grab your spot. If you are looking for a great way to help your child develop his or her creativity, self-confidence and an appreciation for the arts, Woodstock Arts’ summer camps are the perfect place to start. Your child will have the chance to try something new, make friends and learn about theater or art in a fun environment. Our summer camps are designed to help campers grow in confidence and self-expression, while making friendships and learning something new.

As you are planning your summer, we have been busy planning all of next year! Our departments are putting the finishing touches on our grand plan for 2023-24 season, and we cannot wait to shout it from the rooftops. Mark your calendars for our Season Reveal Party on April 16. Join us in the Woodstock Arts Theatre to be the first to know what we have up our sleeves. No spoilers, but next season will be our best one yet! If you are looking for a sign to get involved with the arts this year, this is it. By immersing yourself in your vibrant community of local art, you not only will support those who create art, but also grow personally with each experience.

Libby Williams is the marketing manager for Woodstock Arts. Look for @woodstockgaarts on social media.

Seffarine | Arabic Flamenco

Cherokee Photography Club

First, Russ Miller “Eye, Eye, Captain”

Color Print

Digital Projection

The Cherokee Photography Club meets on the fourth Monday of the month, and for those participating in the monthly contest, that meeting is held on the second Monday of the month. Both meetings are 7-9 p.m. and held at the Cherokee County Arts Center, 94 North St., Canton. Please contact Kim Bates at 770-6177595 or email him at kbphotoart@comcast.net for more information.

First, Tom Crowe “Frog”

First, Dayle Geroski “Incognito”

Second, Russ Miller “It is Eye”

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Rob’s Rescues

This month, I met with Sam Shelton, CEO of Furkids. Headquartered in Cumming, Furkids is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization that operates the largest cage-free, no-kill shelter in the Southeast for rescued cats, as well as Sadie’s Place, a no-kill shelter for dogs. Furkids also operates one of the few facilities in the Southeast dedicated to the care of feline immunodeficiency virus-positive cats.

Tell us about what Furkids does. We save lives — more than 5,000 dogs and cats each year. We get some of the most at-risk animals, the sick and injured. Animal Control (AC) often will call us before euthanasia. We seek to restore health and find loving homes.

Describe your new facility.

This dog needs urgent help, and his name is Fushi. He is a 13-year-old Shar-Pei. He was an owner-surrender, turned in with a tumor at a very old age. He is a very sweet dog who really needs a home. It would be amazing if someone would adopt and help this dog.

In 2018, we bought 9 acres in Cumming, the original Wakoola Water Gardens. We renovated the existing buildings and now have our headquarters there. The land gives us an opportunity to expand, and we are getting ready to break ground on a new medical facility and cat and dog shelter. We will also have a special events venue in our beautiful setting. We welcome the community to the campus.

How many cats get help each year?

We help more than 3,000 per year. The majority come from AC or are strays that people find. On the dog side, we help about 1,200. Our Community Cat Program helps more than 100 cats each month. We have brought the Cobb County Animal Services euthanasia rate down substantially, and are focused on making Cobb County cats non-kill.

Do you transport out of Georgia?

In 2018, we started transporting cats and dogs north to no-kill partners in Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maine.

What did you do before you started Furkids?

This cat’s name is Princess. She is a medium-sized white cat. She is very friendly and very soft, as well. She was a stray and would be a very chill cat that would love you.

I have always loved animals and children. Before I started Furkids, I worked in the corporate world for Turner and Equifax. One day, I found a mother cat and kittens in my backyard. I called Fulton County AC, and they told me they had no space, and, if I brought them in, they would be euthanized. I then went to an adoption center in Buckhead, Friends of Animals. I learned so much. I started Furkids by just putting a “Volunteers Needed” sign up, and the rest is history.

What do you want people to know?

We love animals. We love placing them in loving homes. If you are looking to adopt, visit us. If you want to volunteer, we have opportunities for adults, and for kids, too. The FurTales Program for children allows them to read to cats. And, children can help their parents volunteer.

We have kids that help out in our thrift stores, too. We want to help the community. We have vaccine clinics, and we are working on a food pantry for struggling families.

You can make a difference. Apply yourself. Don’t turn your back on an animal in the street.

How can the community help you?

Fix your pets. Adopt. Support the work we do by donating and volunteering. We truly appreciate community support. Donate to one of our thrift stores based in Marietta, Johns Creek, Peachtree Corners and Lawrenceville. For more information, visit Furkids.org.

Rob Macmillan is on a mission to help shelter dogs and cats. On Facebook @robsrescues. www.robsrescues.com.

These animals are at Cobb County Animal Services, waiting for homes.

Rob and Sam Shelton, CEO of Furkids.