Brick by colorful miniature brick, LEGO has been fostering children’s creativity and imagination for more than ninety years, and its impact is undeniable. With a handful of bricks LEGO architects can build little universes with everything from castles to rocket ships and even entire cities. The ability to create in such a free and open way is one of LEGO’s most important characteristics. It’s a toy that allows children and adults to explore their imagination while subtly learning valuable skills such as patience, problem-solving, and creativity.
The modest toy has the power to shape childhoods, and the interests it sparks could potentially grow into
Small Bricks, Huge Possibilities
Woodstock native Jordan Quackenbush is a dedicated LEGO enthusiast whose experience, in his own words, “has come full circle.” He says, “I really loved building things, tearing them apart, and then rebuilding them into different things, so naturally my parents got me LEGO sets.” His favorite LEGO experiences include throwing marble “cannonballs” at pirate ships with his brother, Jason, and later building sets with his daughters, Zoey and Zelda.
The exhilarating cycle of construction, deconstruction, and reconstruction became a core part of his life, and as he grew, so did his enthusiasm for creating things. Jordan eventually went through what he playfully refers to as his LEGO “dark age,” during which he developed an affinity for video games. Through video games he learned how to mod—or modify—to create a more personalized gaming experience.
Through his modding skills Jordan learned 3D modeling and animation. The process, which started with LEGO bricks, led him down his career path to become a senior art director at Synchrony Bank. Jordan jokes, “As a teen I sold the LEGO to get the video games, and then I used the video games to get into modding and animation, that can pay for LEGO.”
Because some childhood dreams require a budget, Jordan had to wait until he had the financial means to buy more LEGO sets, but at last he was ready to dive back into the world of little bricks.
Jordan Quackenbush's in-progress LEGO skyline of Woodstock depicts recognizable downtown landmarks, including the Park at City Center gazebo and fountain, the historic train depot building, The Chambers at City Center, and a number of storefronts that line Main Street.
He reacquired some of his favorite childhood sets, and the simple act of holding the familiar pieces gave him a glimmer of nostalgia.
Jordan’s journey didn’t stop there. As his LEGO collection grew, he began using his skills to create his own sets. He started with the skyline that meant the most to him—his hometown of Woodstock.
When asked why he chose to build a detailed recreation of downtown Woodstock, Jordan emphasizes the importance of creating things that are close to your heart. He shares one of his favorite memories from the downtown park, saying, “My wife and I had our first kiss at the fountain, and I proposed to her in the gazebo. That little park has been a huge landmark in our lives.”
On the horizon Jordan plans to recreate other Cherokee County landmarks and hopes someday to display his builds or develop them into sets for purchase.
The Next Generation of Builders
An impressive builder in her own right, Jordan’s daughter Zoey expresses pride in her father’s work, stating a particular fondness for an in-progress steampunk-inspired version of Atlanta that Jordan is developing for Atlanta Brick Con, a two-day LEGO fan event in February.
When asked her favorite thing about LEGO, Zoey says, “My favorite thing about LEGO is how creative you can be with them!”
Jordan hopes to own his own LEGO store someday, a place where he can inspire young minds with the same creative energy that has helped shape his own journey and career. Through LEGO he wants to create a space where kids can do more than build castles and dragons—they can also build confidence, develop problem-solving skills, and learn that anything is possible with a little imagination and effort.
ATLANTA BRICK CON
Experience the fun and creativity of the largest LEGO fan event in the South with over 70,000 square feet of large LEGO displays, games, contests, and more at the Gas South Convention Center in Duluth. This family-friendly event takes place Saturday, February 8, and Sunday, February 9, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. Visit AtlantaBrickCon.com for tickets.
STORY BY Jaye Grimes, Holly Springs
LEGO is more than a toy—it’s a portal to iconic worlds and endless creativity. From the magical halls of Hogwarts and the action-packed Marvel Cinematic Universe to the cozy orange couch of Central Perk, LEGO brings icons of pop culture to life for builders of all ages. The brand’s broad reach and seemingly infinite possibilities of brick-building have turned LEGO into a pop culture icon in its own right.
A World of Imagination and Connection
LEGO has become a powerful storytelling tool, expanding its presence across screens big and small. On the silver screen The LEGO Movie, its sequel, and The LEGO Batman Movie have added new layers to LEGO’s imaginative universe, and more films are in the works. Meanwhile, the recently released Piece by Piece documentary uses LEGO as an innovative lens to explore the life and career of singer, songwriter, and producer Pharrell Williams.
Across the pond, British television personality James May, best known for his time as cohost of BBC’s Top Gear and Amazon’s Grand Tour alongside Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, made headlines in 2009 when he built the world’s first full-size LEGO house for an episode of his standalone series, James May’s Toy Stories. On television Fox’s LEGO Masters—hosted by Will Arnett, the voice of LEGO Batman—brings teams of creative competitors together to test their skills in brick-building challenges. The show’s fifth season is expected to premiere this year.
The Local LEGO Scene
For aspiring builders, Cherokee County offers a wealth of opportunities to get hands-on with LEGO. Sequoyah Regional Library branches host LEGO Lab events for younger enthusiasts, while Cherokee Recreation and Parks offers interactive summer LEGO camps. Additionally, First LEGO League robotics teams are active in several local elementary and middle schools, with Teasley Middle School’s Scott Reece—an educator passionate about inspiring students through LEGO learning activities— recognized as a LEGO education ambassador by the LEGO Master Educator program.
Revisit the golden days of play through History Cherokee’s latest temporary exhibit, A Century of Toys: 100 Years of Play, curated by Canton resident Chuck Douglas.
Local mom Amber Jones attended the A Century of Toys: 100 Years of Play exhibit opening with her son, Trenton, a fourth grader at Avery Elementary School.
Amber says, “The toy exhibit was so incredible. Trenton and I enjoyed seeing the evolution of toys over the different generations.” During the opening Trenton could be spotted taking pictures of items on display so he could recreate them in LEGO when he got home. On display through February, the collection includes vintage LEGO creations alongside G. I. Joes, Hot Wheels, Cabbage Patch dolls, Lincoln Logs, Tinkertoys, Barbies, and more decades-spanning toys sure to make you feel wistful for simpler times.
LEGO’s impact connects fans of all ages through creativity, nostalgia, and imagination. Whether through the magic of movies, competitive building, or local community events, LEGO sparks creativity and celebrates the joy of play, uniting people across generations and cultures through the timeless appeal of its colorful bricks. In Cherokee County and beyond, the LEGO community offers opportunities for novice builders and seasoned experts alike to explore, create, and celebrate the boundless possibilities that come with every brick.
Relay for Life Drive Out Cancer
STORY BY Jackie B. Watson, Canton
CELEBRATE, REMEMBER, FIGHT BACK
‘‘ People don’t understand that we have so many resources available.
— Lynn Ziner with
Cherokee County’s Relay for Life will be held April 26. Plans are underway to make it an impactful event to celebrate, remember, and fight back against cancer. With a goal of raising $125,000 for the American Cancer Society, event organizers are hoping to double the amount raised last year. Bonny Spears, volunteer chair for Cherokee County Relay for Life, encourages residents to volunteer, start a team, fundraise, or simply come out to this free, family-friendly community event.
Benefiting Cherokee Cancer Patients
The money raised at Cherokee County Relay for Life funds the American Cancer Society of Georgia, and residents of Cherokee County directly benefit from those proceeds.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Doug Frazier
TOP LEFT At Etowah River Park in Canton, Relay for Life displays love and support alongside the various cancer ribbons. TOP RIGHT The Survivor Lap celebrates the brave cancer survivors as they walk in the 2024 Relay. BOTTOM LEFT Northside Hospital's dedicated team, including Brett Kneisel (far right), shows its support for those battling cancer and the families standing by their side every step of the way. BOTTOM CENTER Luminarias are decorated and dedicated in memory of loved ones lost to cancer. BOTTOM RIGHT Team Reinhardt University shows off school spirit and community support.
“Some ways these proceeds benefit people locally is the Hope House for families to stay in while their loved ones are receiving treatment,” explains Bonny, a survivor diagnosed with cancer in 2018. “There is also a program through which the American Cancer Society provides free rides to drive patients to and from chemo.”
Families battling cancer in Cherokee County also benefit from around-theclock American Cancer Society support services through which they can speak to a doctor, nurse, mental health professional, or support person at any hour, seven days a week. American Cancer Society representatives also assist with negotiating billing, health insurance advocacy, and finding support groups.
“People don’t understand that we have so many resources available,” says Lynn Ziner, American Cancer Society senior community development manager and staff partner for Cherokee County. “You don’t pay for it. It’s part of the American Cancer Society support services we offer. Fundraising from Relay for Life goes to support all these efforts.”
Driving Out Cancer
In its second year since Relay for Life was revived in the county post-COVID, the event provides a myriad of fun-filled family activities. While some people walk laps in memory of loved ones who lost their battles or in support of those fighting the disease, there are other things to do at the event. Organizers hope to “drive out cancer,” so a Touch-a-Truck exhibit and a car show will be highlights of the event. Touch-a-Truck will feature Cherokee County Sheriff vehicles, fire trucks, S.W.A.T. vehicles, and motorcycles, plus lots of food trucks will be on site for participants to grab a bite. Entertainment consists of local dance troupes, martial arts demonstrations, and more.
“The track is always occupied with people walking, but there are plenty of other things to do if you don’t want to walk,” says Bonny. “There are kids’ activities like jump houses and exhibit areas with educational information, giveaways, and activities. It’s like a festival.”
Get Involved
Bonny says the planning committee is looking for volunteers to help with this
year’s event, and she is hopeful Cherokee residents will get involved. Another top need is for people to create their own fundraising teams with family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and schools.
With a goal of twenty-five registered relay teams, only eleven teams had signed by the end of 2024. There is no money required and no deadline to start a team. Signing up sooner provides more time to raise funds. While most teams engage in tried-and-true fundraisers like yard sales, raffles, and T-shirt sales, Bonny has seen teams also get creative. “People do their own events with creativity. One team did a Shoot Out Cancer night and hosted range time at a local gun range last year,” she says.
The American Cancer Society recently launched a fundraising app that makes fundraising easy and efficient. Teams can accept donations on their phones with Apple Pay or Venmo and by check or credit card.
It’s Personal
Cherokee County Relay for Life’s presenting sponsor, Northside Cancer Institute, is one of the nation’s largest community cancer programs and Georgia’s largest cancer network. For Brett Kneisel, community health advocate with Northside Cancer Institute, his involvement in Relay for Life is more than just business as usual—it’s personal.
“It became much more personal for me once I lost my mom,” recalls Brett, who lost his mother, Cindy, to ovarian cancer. “I always enjoyed supporting Relay for Life before that, because my heart goes out to anyone who is affected by cancer. After experiencing this loss myself, it’s so much more personal for me to share my message and experience with everyone and hopefully prevent anyone from going through what my family went through.”
Even those who have not yet been affected by cancer should come to Relay for Life, says Lynn. “Come support those who are fighting the good fight. Come remember those who have lost their battle,” she states. “Come out just to hope it doesn’t happen to you, and if it does, you have some tools and resources.”
GET SUPPORT
If you or someone you know is battling cancer, call 800-227-2345 to get free resources and support at any hour, 365 days a year with American Cancer Society doctors, nurses, mental health professionals, and support teams.
IF YOU ATTEND
EVENT Cherokee County Relay for Life
WHEN Saturday, April 26 4:00-9:00 p.m.
WHERE Etowah River Park, 600 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton
ADMISSION Free
GET INVOLVED
To start a team or volunteer, call Bonny Spears at 404-936-6990 or email CherokeeCountyRelayForLife@gmail.com.
Join the Cherokee County Relay for Life 2025 kick-off event—The First Lap— on Saturday, January 11, with a special breakfast for survivors.
Follow Relay For Life of Cherokee County, GA on Facebook for more information.
Kenneth
BACK ROW, L-R:
Kenny “International” Walker, Saxophone
“Buzzard” Ford, Baritone Saxophone
Kelvin Holly, Guitar
Wayne Chaney, Vocals & Horns
LEFT SIDE: Daryl Davis, Piano
Charles “King C” Glenn, Bass
RIGHT SIDE:
Mark “One” Holland, Drums
Shawn “Swift Andre” Johnson, Vocals
CENTER:
James “Big Jayé” Nelson, Vocals
Photo Credit: Jack Tuszynski/PhotoJack
Little Richard
STORY BY Leana Conway, Woodstock
THE SOUND OF LITTLE RICHARD LIVES ON
The iconic Little Richard, pictured here at the University of Texas Forty Acres Festival in 2007, was born Richard Wayne Penniman on December 5, 1932, in Macon, Georgia, where he was later discovered by gospel artist Sister Rosetta Tharpe in 1947 at just fourteen years old. Richard's performing career took him around the world and even right here to Cherokee County. Little Richard once performed at the Swingtime Café in the historic Black community of Stumptown in Canton. Mrs. Elma Watts, now eighty-six years old, lived on Crisler Street at the time. She recalls, “They put up a big poster at the front of the neighborhood announcing Little Richard was coming to the Swingtime Café. Everybody was talking about it, and we were all so excited. Of course I wasn’t allowed to go, but I could hear the music out my back door.” Elma’s cousin Ezekial Powell attended the show; she recalls Ezekial remarking that “Little Richard was so fast and shiny.”
Little Richard’s Band, a significant part of music history, has reunited to recreate the magic and excitement the band experienced with the legendary performer for many memory-filled decades. It may be more accurate to call the group Little Richard’s family band, as the members were indeed part of his chosen family. And just like any family, when members pass, their spirit lives on, leading the family to carry on.
When the surviving members of the band—brothers, as they fondly refer to themselves—gathered at Little Richard’s funeral in 2020, they felt deeply emotional being back together. Despite being busy with their projects, writing, singing, producing, and playing in other bands, they felt an awakening to preserve and share Little Richard’s memory and legacy as a testament to their deep respect and dedication.
Enjoy Cherokee has exclusive first interviews with four members of Little Richard’s Band who performed with him for more than a quarter of a century. The members reveled in sharing memories of their journey with the legendary Little Richard, whom they called King.
Band of Brothers
Shawn “Swift Andre” Johnson of Canton and James “Big Jayé” Nelson of Marietta are both as cool as their nicknames—coined by Little Richard himself—imply and have spearheaded the effort to put the band back together.
Shawn is a renaissance man: singer, dancer, former worship leader at Revolution Church, and more, who has the biggest warm, sweet smile. Singer and dancer James “Big Jayé” Nelson’s disarming charm makes you feel like you’ve known him forever.
We also spoke to Kelvin Holly, a laid-back, gentle soul and world-renowned guitar player. The unassuming guy was part of the famous Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, a collective of session musicians whose distinctive sound was born in the heart of the soulful Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Kelvin played with all the big names in the music business, including Neil Young, Gregg Allman, and Demi Lovato and continues to do session work with distinguished artists in the industry.
Coming in to chat from Los Angeles was Charles Glenn, “King C,” a tall drink of water. Watching him play bass guitar is a treat. He produced a children’s album of Little Richard’s, Shake It All About, and works in his own recording studio.
These men, who have played with legends like Jimi Hendrix, Mick Jagger, Sly & the Family Stone, The Beatles, and Michael Jackson, are all polite, kind, and generous with their time. They love talking about King.
Although the guys have rock ‘n’ rolled with the wildest of the breed, they describe themselves as “mama’s boys,” reflecting the family-oriented band culture Little Richard fostered.
The Match that Lit Rock ‘N’
Roll on Fire
Much has been documented on Little Richard and his influence on artists such as Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney, Queen, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, John Fogerty, Liberace, Harry Styles, Janelle Monáe, Elton John, and Otis Redding. Redding also shared Richard’s hometown of Macon, Georgia.
Swift explains, “King made the blueprint for rock ‘n’ roll. When he started, people were wearing suits, standing still, having stage lighting come from below, and the tempo was slower. King said, ‘I tore down the curtain, made a cape, and added sequins.’” He wore makeup and wigs, ran all over the stage to a ferocious beat, and added lighting from above. He pushed gender and racial boundaries and, as Big Jayé explains, “set other artists free to be who they are.”
Stories about the flamboyant and controversial Little Richard abound, but the man Swift Andre, Big Jayé, Kelvin, and Charles knew offers a different and intimate perspective.
Before their days as Swift Andre and Big Jayé, Shawn Johnson and his best friend, James Nelson, were just two skinny young Black kids from the
wrong side of Knoxville, Tennessee. The young men lived in the projects, singing and dancing in an aspiring boy band. With the naivete only teenagers can have, those two boys and their fellow band members decided to go to Hollywood to find fame and fortune as the next Boys II Men, as if it would be easy. Nervous about the rumors of temptation and sin in Los Angeles, the church-raised guys “got saved” before boarding a Greyhound bus that took three days to reach the land of dreams and sometimes nightmares.
The odds of being “discovered” were slim to none. On their first day in Hollywood, they left their hotel, turned left, and ended up in Beverly Hills. Their mouths hung open when they saw the massive homes, expensive cars, and high-end restaurants and stores there. The affluent world shook the young men from Knoxville. They decided to ask God for guidance, protection, and help in pursuing their dreams.
On their second day in Hollywood, the group turned right when exiting the hotel. They walked two blocks and stopped in front of the Hyatt on Sunset Boulevard. A familiar voice drifted down from a third-floor balcony. “Hello down there!”
The young men went wild with excitement, jumping up and down and pointing, “It’s Little Richard, it’s Little Richard!”
Jayé says, “I yelled up and asked if I could please get an autograph for my mother.” Richard told them to go to the lobby and wait, someone would come down and get them. The boys would soon learn that Little Richard always took his sweet time getting ready, after which he pronounced himself “The Beauty on Duty.” Jayé couldn’t know then that way down the road, Little Richard would go far beyond offering an autograph for his mother: Richard later paid for an extraordinary funeral for Jayé’s mother.
Charles “King C” Glenn
Photo Credit: Daniel Shaver
The band, including vocalist Shawn “Swift Andre” Johnson, signed autographs and took photos with fans during a special VIP experience inside Thrive Coworking at The Mill on Etowah.
Photo Credit: Jack Tuszynski/PhotoJack
MUSIC THAT CAPTURES YOUR ATTENTION
At the beginning of Little Richard’s career in the 1950s, audiences were segregated by a rope. In The Life and Times of Little Richard, an authorized biography, producer H. B. Barnum told author Charles White, “At Little Richard’s concerts, most times by the end of the night [the Blacks and Whites] would be all mixed. They were so caught up in the music they forgot all about the rope and danced right over it.”
During their time waiting, Jayé and Swift put together a routine, and when they entered Little Richard’s room, Swift recalls, “I counted us in singing and dancing ‘Are You Ready?’ We were spinning and popping, and King loved it.” Later Little Richard told them that the Lord had told him to go out onto the balcony, and Swift reminded him of a younger version of himself, so he called out to them. Swift, Jayé, and Little Richard all credited God with their serendipitous meeting.
Little Richard asked about them, talked about their dreams, and the next day, took them on a tour of Los Angeles in his chauffeured limousine. That encounter began the dream for Jayé and Swift. They would join Charles, Kelvin, and the rest of the band performing all over the country and worldwide, on talk shows, and more as The Little Richard Band.
The words the band members often repeat when discussing King are kind, patient, family, and teacher
Little Richard, a devout Seventh-day Adventist, refused to play from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday. He always kept the sabbath and attended church wherever the band performed. His demand was inconvenient for concert bookers, but Little Richard didn’t budge.
Although most bands stay in less expensive hotels than the headliner, according to Charles, Little Richard made an exception. “King treated us well, paid us well, and took care of us. He knew us and our families, especially our mothers. He kept up with how everybody was doing in case he needed to step in and help.”
Each band member seemed to have a unique familial relationship with King.
Band members Charles "King C" Glenn, Shawn "Swift Andre" Johnson, James "Big Jayé" Nelson, and Kelvin Holly ignite the stage at The Mill on Etowah during the Tutti Frutti Music Festival, captured on film for the upcoming Little Richard documentary.
Photo Credit: Amecia Matlock
Swift said when asked about his relationship with Little Richard, “I am going to quote King, ‘It is like I am everyone’s grandmother,’ and that’s how it was, he felt like my grandmother.”
Jayé says, “He felt like family, like a parent who could be stern when we were screwing up, but so kind. He genuinely loved us.”
Kelvin says King was the greatest teacher he ever worked with, and shares, “The electricity we produced as a band with him is nothing I have ever experienced anywhere else. It was one of the greatest joys of my life.”
Not long after Charles’s father passed, Little Richard called him and said, “Charles, now the Lord has told me I need to make you my son. Nothing against your father. He was a good daddy, but from now on, you are my son.” Charles says, “At the next band meeting, King introduced me to the band as his son, and in every performance after that, I was known as Little Richard’s son. He already had a son he loved, and that didn’t take anything away from him.” Charles’s face glows when he speaks about his surrogate dad.
Honoring A Legacy
The group gathered at the funeral when Little Richard died in 2020 from bone cancer and collectively felt the legend’s presence. When Swift and Jayé later called the other band members to see who might be interested in getting back together, every living member said yes
Swift and Jayé formed Boogie Woogie Productions to film the recording process for a tribute song, which they developed into a documentary. The film includes footage from the band’s first live performance back together during the Tutti Frutti Music Festival, presented by Boogie Woogie Productions at The Mill on Etowah in Canton, a night of classic rock ‘n’ roll dedicated to Little Richard’s memory and legacy.
Charles says that at their performance at the September 2024 festival, the guys who had played worldwide with the biggest names in the business were surprised to feel nervous. “I wasn’t, though; I just felt like King was there, and we couldn’t go wrong in doing what we always do. I even cried three times. We were all emotional.” He adds, “People don’t use their phones
as much at our concerts because they’re having such a good time dancing and clapping. You can’t hold a phone and do those things.”
That is the magic of the music of the singular Little Richard; it eliminates the other distractions from the world, and the beat goes on.
The documentary, currently untitled, is expected to premiere on select streaming platforms later this year.
The Tutti Frutti Music Festival also featured performances from Buddy Red, All Talk, Jesse Owen Astin, Hello My Name Is, and Big Dog Blues Band.
Lucas Mather, bass guitarist for pop and alt-rock band All Talk, rocks the stage at Tutti Frutti Music Festival, laying down infectious bass lines and rocking a kilt.
Photo Credit: Rori Owen/Zoom in Bloom Photography
Leading lady Allison Rhine of rock band Hello My Name Is delivers an electrifying performance, captivating the crowd with her powerhouse vocals and energy.
Photo Credit: Rori Owen/Zoom in Bloom Photography
Country blues artist Messiah "Buddy Red" Harris graced the stage during the festival, later joining the band for the unforgettable final song of the night, Tutti Frutti.
Photo Credit: Jack Tuszynski/PhotoJack
INAUGURAL 5K HONORS LAKEN RILEY
Laken’s Legacy
STORY BY Jose Barrera Bales, Woodstock PHOTOGRAPHY BY Tim Nettleton
Laken Hope Riley was a twenty-two-year-old nursing student at Augusta University and a native of Woodstock. Her life was cut short in a tragic act of violence on February 22, 2024.
On the morning of October 26, the inaugural Live Like Laken 5K took place in picturesque Hobgood Park, nestled in the heart of Laken Riley’s hometown of Woodstock. The event drew a vibrant crowd of runners, volunteers, and small businesses, all coming together to honor Laken’s legacy and ensure the race was a memorable success. The park became a gathering place for the community, united in support of a meaningful cause.
At eight o’clock in the morning 731 people of all ages and backgrounds crossed the starting line for the inaugural run honoring Laken’s memory and helping the Laken Hope Foundation raise more than $29,000 for women’s safety awareness and tuition aid for nursing students.
Many volunteers aided in this effort. One such volunteer was Patty Pergl, who shares her motivation for volunteering at the run: “I have a friend who has had a similar experience, and this was near and dear to her heart.” She adds, “I found out about the race through social media and thought, ‘This was something that I can do, one little thing I can do to make a difference.’”
Uniformed and plainclothes officers staffed the event to ensure participants were well-protected. At the event Sheriff Frank Reynolds explained, “We are here in support of the Laken Hope Foundation. Her family members are residents of Cherokee County, so we want to provide law enforcement support and ensure everyone here has a fun
event.” He emphasized the sheriff’s office’s role in maintaining a safe environment for community events like this one.
Nathanael Spivey and Isabella Kennison, both of Woodstock, won with run times of 18:18 and 20:47 respectively. Nathanael shares, “I wanted to support Laken. She ran at my school [River Ridge High School], so I wanted to support her and her sister and come out here and run this race to give to her foundation.”
A central intent of the race was to bring people together and create a sense of community. By coming together to honor Laken, the event reminded everyone that even during difficult times, there is power in collective unity and support. Expressing the sentiment well, Cherokee County Communications Director Erika Neldner explains why she personally attended the run. “I want to experience what I’ve seen our community do so many different times. Cherokee is special; our community comes together for all kinds of causes and all sorts of reasons.” Erika shares how the community united specifically for the race. “A member of our county reached out to Cherokee Parks and Recreation and asked if we could organize a memorial race for Laken.” Needless to say, the answer was a resounding yes.
From an early age Laken, an avid runner, loved to exercise and run. Her childhood neighbor Victor DeCamargo shares many
fond memories of Laken and explains what made her stand out: “She was very kind, a very sweet person— someone you could just talk to about anything. She was also very intelligent, always at the top of her class, always taking AP courses. Just a very sweet and humble person.” Victor explains, “Laken was my neighbor for the longest time. We started hanging out in the summers, at the pool or riding our bikes. We ended up going to the same high school, so we rode the bus together. We got even closer that way.”
The Live Like Laken 5K succeeded in bringing our community together and raising nearly $30,000 for charitable causes. The race was much more than just that, though. It ensured we remember Laken for who she was, not just how she left us.
‘‘ I wanted to support Laken. She ran at my school, so I wanted to support her and her sister and come out here and run this race to give to her foundation.”
— Nathanael Spivey
Isabella Kennison
Alexandra Lindsey & Leslie Reyes
Scott Manwaring
Izabelle Cool
Erica Ribley
Justin Mason Cole Hasty
Kendall & McKenzie Parks
Tania Tedesco
Hillary Asid, Craig Mitchell, Parents John & Allyson Phillips, Christina & Charles Pruitt
2025K
On Your Mark, Get Set ...
Run a Mile in Her Shoes
Presented by Serenade Heights
Date: February 1
Location: First Baptist Church of Woodstock 11905 Highway 92, Woodstock
19th Annual Guns & Hoses Run/Walk 5K
Presented by Cherokee Recreation & Parks
Date: February 8
Location: Hobgood Park
6688 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock
Dashing in the Dark 5K
Presented by Five Star NTP
Date: March 1
Location: Etowah River Park
600 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton
Lucky 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon
Presented by Five Star NTP
Date: March 8
Location: Etowah River Park
600 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton
Butterfly Run ATL
Presented by The Amber Brown Family Support Fund
Date: March 23
Location: Woodstock Arts Event Green
111 Elm Street, Woodstock
Upriver Fest 5K
Presented by Goshen Valley
Date: April 26
Location: The Mill on Etowah
225 Reformation Parkway, Canton
Street Dog Dash 5K
Presented by Street Dog Dash
Date: April 26
Location: Etowah River Park
600 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton
CURATED BY Katherine
Hopson, Holly Springs
3rd Annual Cherokee Chase 5K & Fun Run
Presented by Cherokee Christian Schools
Date: May 3
Location: Etowah River Park
600 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton
12th Annual Cherokee County Chick-fil-A Moo’ve It 5K
Presented by Chick-fil-A
Date: August 16
Location: Etowah River Park
600 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton
Hickory Flat Out 5K
Presented by Hide and Seek Day Camp
Date: September 1 (Labor Day)
Location: Mount Zion Baptist Church
4096 East Cherokee Drive, Canton
2nd Annual Cancer Sucks 5K
Presented by The Shelley Foundation
Date: September 20
Location: Etowah River Park
600 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton
12th Annual Run, Walk, or Roll 5K
Presented by Next Step Ministries
Date: October 4
Location: First Baptist Church of Woodstock 11905 Highway 92, Woodstock
8th Annual Tina’s Cat Run
Presented by Cat Run Inc.
Date: October 18
Location: Ball Ground City Park
250 Civic Drive, Ball Ground
Bizarre Dash + Bash
Presented by Bizarre Coffee
Date: November 15
Location: Bizarre Coffee
121 East Marietta Street, Canton
Acworth Turkey Chase
Presented by City of Acworth Parks, Recreation, and Community Resource Department
Date: November 22
Location: Center Street, Acworth
22nd Annual Reindeer Run for the Children
Presented by Service League of Cherokee County
Date: December 6
Location: Etowah River Park
600 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton
There are more finish lines to be crossed! Keep a lookout for these 2025 events:
Cork & Slog 5K
Presented by The Holler
Running His Race
Presented by Cherokee Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Limitless 5K: Run, Stroll, Roll
Presented by Limitless Disability Services
Woodstock Freedom Run
Presented by City of Woodstock
BEATS Gallop & Go 5K
Presented by BEATS, Inc.
Express Your Superpower 5K & 10K
Presented by Northwest Georgia
Breastfeeding Coalition
Live Like Laken 5K
Presented by Cherokee Recreation & Parks
Georgia Zombie Fest
Presented by Cherokee FOCUS
Big Door Wine Run Turkey Trot
Presented by Big Door Vineyards
Holiday Lights 5K
Presented by Holiday Lights of Georgia
The importance of women’s sports cannot be emphasized enough. Female athletes, like their male counterparts, need an outlet that matches their personalities and shapes who they grow to be. Many girls ride horses, dance, or play sports their entire lives for personal satisfaction, no matter where life takes them. Cherokee County high schools offer seventeen sports for female athletes, and on Girls & Women in Sports Day, these young women receive the recognition they’ve earned for their talent and dedication.
Breaking Barriers
Tonya Sebring, student athletics and activities supervisor for the Cherokee County School District, knows the importance of women’s sports well, having grown up playing softball at the high school and collegiate levels. She was the first fast-pitch recruit at Kennesaw State University when the program transitioned from slow-pitch to fast-pitch.
Tonya’s collegiate athletic career was greatly influenced by coaches Scott and Susan Whitlock.
Susan Whitlock has spent decades at the forefront of female athletics, from her time as a collegiate athlete to a storied coaching career spanning tennis, volleyball, and basketball, even working alongside legendary women’s college basketball coach Pat Summitt. Susan shares, “I played three sports for four years in college and felt fortunate to be able to do that.” She reminisces that times were different back then, and after games both teams socialized together with water and orange slices before going home: “Our coaches expected that of us.” Susan adds that while things have changed quite a bit, “The good is the growth of women’s sports and the number of teams, like flag football.” Susan explains that flag football is a natural fit for girls, recalling that when she was in school, students played one powder-puff game a year and loved it. Susan’s extensive career and athletic background have positioned her as a sought-after guest speaker, where she shares her insights on leadership, the dynamics of effective teamwork, and women in sports.
Another influential coach for Tonya Sebring was Dr. Debbie Ball at Shaw High School in Columbus, Georgia, who had a huge impact on Tonya’s formative years.
STORY BY Heather Thompson, Canton
Tonya had the opportunity to return to the school and speak during a Girls & Women in Sports Day event, which inspired her to pick up the mantel and pioneer the national program locally in Cherokee County twenty years ago.
Of being the keynote at her alma mater, Tonya recalls, “It was just an awesome experience to get in front of those girls and tell my story of what sports have done for me, such as all the avenues and opportunities I’ve had because of sports.”
A Woodstock High School teacher at the time, Tonya had the idea to honor young Cherokee County women in sports and teach them about Title IX and what it means. Enacted as part of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title IX prevents sex-based discrimination in education programs and activities that receive federal funding.
After pitching the idea to the Cherokee County School District, Tonya hosted its first annual Girls & Women in Sports Day in 2006.
“It’s evolved over the years,” Tonya says with a chuckle. “We turned it into a celebration to show the girls how far we’ve come.”
Cherokee County School District’s Girls & Women in Sports Day, sponsored in part by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, takes place on February 3 at Woodstock High School.
Lasting Legacy
Once upon a time women’s sports weren’t considered important. Many teams had hand-me-down uniforms from men’s teams or could use only community fields to practice. The history of women’s sports is important for all young women to understand, which is what Tonya strives to show through celebrating Girls & Women in Sports Day.
The Women’s Sports Foundation launched the national program in 1987 in Washington, D.C., in memory of Olympian Flo Hyman. Flo, a champion for equality in women’s sports, succumbed to the effects of Marfan syndrome in 1986. Since the inaugural event the program has branched out into all fifty states, celebrating an estimated 200,000 female athletes nationwide annually.
Locally the Girls & Women in Sports Day is a production that incorporates students throughout the schools. For example, students studying audio/video technology and communications create promotional videos, and graphic design and graphic communications students create T-shirts, giving students practical experience they can take with them after graduation.
Victoria Brown, head varsity softball coach at Etowah, participated as a student in 2006 and now helps plan the event with Tonya.
“It’s given me a rewarding opportunity to reach out to different alumni and give coaches the chance to elevate their players each year,” Victoria says. She appreciates the cross-school collaboration to honor players and their teams.
In 2006 Girls & Women in Sports Day began with two hundred attendees. Organizers anticipate an estimated seven hundred students at the 2025 event, including Cherokee High School’s flag football team.
Game Changer
Flag football debuted in Cherokee County in 2019 as a club sport and gained varsity status in 2020. Started as a pilot program in Gwinnett County through the Arthur Blank Foundation in 2018, flag football opened to other counties the following year, which is when Tonya jumped on the opportunity and recruited Coach Tom Stringfellow at Cherokee High School. “I had been out of tackle football for two days when I was asked to lead the team,” Tom says with a laugh. When he hosted tryouts, Tom says he had “the very quick realization that this could be a lot of fun.” He praises his team for how well the members play and how well all the teams in Cherokee County have picked up the sport. “It has been absolutely the most fun thing I’ve done.”
A new varsity sport doesn’t come without challenges. Cherokee High School’s flag football team has seen plenty of bumps in the road as girls continue to earn their space within varsity activities. The team finally received its own locker room in 2024, previously having to share with other girls’ sports teams or use bathrooms.
Additionally there isn’t as much buy-in from peers in other established sports such as basketball or football, making it an uphill battle as players pioneer to make flag football a viable program in their school—and indeed the county.
Cherokee High School provided the girls’ flag-football team access to the school’s athletic activity bus in 2024. Assistant Coach Thomas Latimer took Commercial Driver’s License courses to become a licensed bus driver, allowing the team to attend games together, demonstrating the kind of dedication that women’s sports needs. When your coach believes in you, you believe in yourself.
Keaton Booth, a senior at Cherokee High, says, “What makes flag football unique is that we all came from different sports, and now we play a new one together.”
Many of the young women switched from their primary sports after experiencing burnout.
Freshman Bella Jane Holcomb played basketball for much of her life, and after experiencing her own burnout, she decided to switch sports. She admits, “I look forward to practice like I never did with basketball.”
Junior Lila Tash explains, “Growing up my dad and grandpa played football. I’ve watched my brother play as well, so when I got this chance, I jumped on it. It’s been the best experience I could have asked for.”
Many of the girls have similar stories of family legacies in sports and how they wanted to be part of that tradition. Now they are also creating their own family. “When you play flag, the family aspect comes naturally because the sport is hyper-dependent on the team, and you play as a unit. You can’t play this sport as an individual,” Camille Bruu, a senior and the team’s captain, shares.
Senior Carly Burke, among others, attended Girls & Women in Sports Day events in previous years and shares that it’s “a chance for us and other flag teams to bond over some of the mutual challenges we’ve faced, despite our differences and rivalries.” She explains that coming together to create an entirely new sport is what makes flag football and Girls & Women in Sports Day beautiful.
Here’s to decades more of celebrating amazing young women who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty for the love of the game.
Turn to page 32 for a firsthand account of a day in the life of multi-sport athlete Taylor Haymore, a senior at Cherokee High School.
STORY BY Taylor Haymore, Canton
It’s five o’clock in the morning. and my alarm goes off, kickstarting a busy yet exciting day. I get ready for cross country practice and grab my three backpacks, lunchbox, water bottle, and keys. I fight with my brother’s bike when I try to load everything into my car.
Cross country practice, defensive film, work, school, flag football games, and then I hope to finish my homework and sleep, all in twenty-four fast and frantic hours.
At around 7:30 I am free from cross country and off to the showers to get ready for the day. I have twenty minutes until film starts. I quickly get ready and head to Coach Lat’s room with my hair dripping, but a genuine smile on my face. We study our opponents’ offensive style so we can perform our best on defense.
Coach Thomas Latimer is affectionately called “Coach Lat” by the team.
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY Marina Federico
My regular routine then begins: work, school, learn, do classwork, keep striving to improve. Being a student athlete requires balance. Being a female student athlete requires poise. I must stay focused, trying my hardest not to let distractions throw me off.
At 3:30 school is out, and I run by my car to switch bags and then head to the locker room to prepare for our double-header at Roswell High School.
The energy is high while all thirty girls scramble to fix their hair and find their jerseys, flags, and cleats, all while trying to eat pregame meals. Multitasking is a necessity. We have limited time and endless tasks before the bus arrives. We plead for gameday to go smoothly, knowing there’s no turning back once we’re on the bus.
At 4:15 we get on the bus, ready for two tough games against Pope and Roswell High Schools. We prepared; we are ready to take the field. We compartmentalize the night, taking it one game, one half, one drive, and one play at a time.
We defeat Pope, the defending state champions, in a headto-head battle. We have fewer than ten minutes until the next game starts, so we quickly celebrate our win, move to the other sideline, and shift our focus to Roswell High School—a team that halted our playoff hopes the previous year. One more game down, and one more win on the night. After a rocky start to the season, we officially ignite our playoff run.
After celebrating our season-shifting wins, we arrive in the locker room by ten at night and have our post-game talk. I am beyond grateful for the experience, wins, and camaraderie with my teammates. After seventeen hours at school, I head home for a few precious hours of sleep before another early morning practice.
I will always be grateful for this life. Each day I have the opportunity to learn, grow, and build relationships in ways I enjoy. Although my busy days are challenging, they are more fun and beneficial than I could ever wish for, and that makes each hour worth it.
Taylor Haymore is a senior multisport athlete at Cherokee High School and an editorial intern for Enjoy Cherokee Magazine. She thrives on time with her family, sports, church, and community. With aspirations to become a sports broadcaster—particularly basketball courtside reporting—Taylor has her sights set on Brigham Young University in the fall.
Historic Canton Theatre filmUnitingthrough at the
LIFT is currently streaming on Peacock and is available for rent on YouTube, Apple TV, Prime Video, and Google Play.
The curtains close, the lights dim, and you are transported through the screen to a different town surrounded by people of your own. You experience the highs and the lows together as a community while perceiving the film through different lenses that add more layers of meaning and depth to the piece. As the film draws to a close you pause in awe, reflect, and commune with your neighbors. This is the experience of many Cherokee County residents during the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers in the beloved and historic Canton Theatre. The goal is to enrich communities with access to art and culture. Southern Circuit, a program of South Arts, is made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. The tour brings a cinematic screening experience to Canton Theatre nearly every month from September 2024 through March 2025.
LIFT Explores Art, Community, and Homelessness
LIFT, a film from director David Petersen, shines a spotlight on the often-invisible story of homelessness in America through the eyes of a group of young homeless and home-insecure ballet dancers in New York City. The film screened at the Canton Theatre on Sunday, October 20.
Award-winning producer Mary Recine shares that a unique quality of the Southern Circuit tour is that it brings films to independent cinemas. Mary explains, “We knew when we were making [LIFT] that screening to audiences in all different places across the U.S. was really important to us.”
In the film, protagonist and world-traveling ballet dancer Steven Melendez returns to the Bronx shelter where he grew up to give back to his community, offering a New York Theatre Ballet workshop to youth. He shares Mary’s sentiment of wanting LIFT to be part of outreach screenings rather than solely in larger cities and on streaming platforms.
Steven says, “The idea of community engagement through the genre of film—bringing people together to have conversations about it—is part of the mission of the film.” He explains that although the filmmakers bring people together through ballet rather than film in LIFT, the intentions of community engagement are the same. The film also encompasses themes centered on ballet, homelessness, art education, and philanthropy. Steven notes that the aspect that will resonate the most varies, depending on what is most important to each audience member. This multiplicity allows LIFT to speak to a wide and diverse audience.
Steven Melendez
Photo Credit:
Amecia Matlock
STORY BY Amecia Matlock, Canton
Mary adds, “One of the takeaways from the film is when you really see the accessibility of art for all communities, not certain communities. It’s something that comes out in the story in the film, and we were hoping to bring that to audiences of the film as well.”
LIFT was filmed over a period of ten years, which Steven highlights as helping display the holistic value of the process. Mary concurs with the importance of showcasing the process of art education saying, “The strength of this film is that not every dancer goes on to have a professional career, but they are changed profoundly by the process of being part of it, and they contribute something profound to an artistic process.”
Bridging Communities Through Film
Concluding the film screening, Mary and Steven participated in a Q&A panel, moderated by Peaberry Film Festival founder Brent LambertZaffino, to further engage with audience members. A group of youth dancers from Theodora Dance Conservatory—home to Canton City Ballet and Cherokee County’s first pre-professional dance program—had the opportunity to speak with world-class dancer Steven after the panel as well.
Kristin Norton Green, Canton’s theater events and facilities director for six years, says, “Events like this are important because they give our community a chance to come together and speak thoughtfully about the human experience.” She is hopeful that people will leave “having learned a little bit more about their neighbor and the world.”
She shares Steven and Mary’s belief that the film unites people of various interests and backgrounds. “Some people who attended LIFT may have come because they are passionate about dance, some may have been interested in film, and some may have felt compelled by the storyline of children experiencing homelessness. No matter their reason
for attending, I think everyone who participated was moved in some way by the experience.”
Local Love
The historic Canton Theatre has been bringing stories from local and traveling productions to Cherokee County audiences for more than a century. Atlanta’s Fox Theatre recognizes the value of preserving the cultural epicenter, recently awarding the Canton Theatre $20,000 through Fox Gives, its community partnerships initiative program. The funding helps renovate the exterior paint and trim as well as restore the neon signs.
Kristin reflects on her time at Canton Theatre: “It’s not only beautiful, but it also reminds us of times that we have come together as a community to celebrate art. Some of my happiest memories have also happened here, and I am grateful that I get to be a part of continuing that tradition for other generations.”
Jamie Foreman of Canton attended the theater’s Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers screening of Family Tree, a film by Jennifer MacArthur, on Sunday, November 17. She shares, “I love documentaries anyway, but watching them in this quaint, historic setting—free movie, dollar popcorn and drinks—while also getting the experience of hearing the director share her inspirations and intentions is something you don’t get every day. I don’t think people realize how cool it is to have this happening in downtown Canton.”
Kristin hopes the community will embrace the contributions of South Arts and Fox Theatre as gifts. She advises that the best way to bring additional valuable events to Canton is to come and be a part of the action.
Upcoming Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers events at Canton Theatre: Home is a Hotel, February 16 — This World is Not My Own, March 30 — North Putnam, April 13
Each screening and Q&A panel event takes place from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and is free to attend.
Golden-Age Glamour
For a Cause
STORY BY Ana Markosi, Canton
The Children’s Haven is gearing up for its highly anticipated fourth annual Adult Prom this February. It promises to be a night of glamour, fun, and giving back to support children and families in the Cherokee County community.
A Night of Music, Dancing, and Elegance
This year’s theme, Roaring Twenties, follows the tradition of previous years’ decadeinspired themes. Prom guests can expect a fun-filled night of music, dancing, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and themed photo opportunities. Whether you choose to channel your inner flapper girl, don golden-age menswear, or sport classic prom attire, guests are encouraged to dress to impress.
In addition to traditional prom festivities, guests can look forward to 1920s-style dance instruction, themed cocktails, a silent auction, a live auction, and a wine pull.
For a special soiree before the prom,
The Children’s Haven is offering a limited number of tickets to an exclusive Speakeasy Experience: a 1920s-inspired lounge where guests can sip a signature cocktail, enjoy an appetizer, and take in the ambiance before the main event.
A highlight of the evening is the annual crowning of The Children’s Haven’s Prom King and Queen. Leading up to prom night three to four couples are chosen from the community each year to raise funds and awareness for The Children’s Haven. Last year’s royalty, Chris and Amber Harden, will crown one lucky couple this year’s King and Queen.
Supporting a Worthy Cause
The mission of The Children’s Haven is to promote the health and happiness of children impacted by abuse and neglect through programs that ensure children’s safety and improve their educational, social, and emotional development.
Funds raised from the event support The Children’s Haven’s programs, which include the following:
• Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
• Wellstar Family Visitation Center
• Prevent Child Abuse Cherokee
• Chin Up Mentoring
• Caregivers’ Closet
Event participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the organization’s programs firsthand from The Children’s Haven team.
With proceeds from this event, The Children’s Haven aims to expand its Caregivers’ Closet, a resource offering free children’s clothing, toys, diapers, school supplies, and more for parents and caregivers in need. Stocked entirely through community funding and donations, Caregivers’ Closet is housed at The Children’s Haven’s Marietta Highway location.
Together We Can Make a Difference
To learn more about the event or find out how you can contribute to The Children’s Haven’s life-changing programs, visit CherokeeChildrensHaven.org.
The Roaring Twenties Adult Prom takes place at Timbers at The Mill on Saturday, February 8, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. with the exclusive Speakeasy Experience from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Thrive Coworking. General admission tickets are $100 for singles and $190 for couples, plus an additional $25 per person for the VIP Speakeasy Experience. VIP tables for eight are available for $1,000.
DSTORY BY Katy Townsend, Woodstock
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Daniel Shaver
at
Resource Coordinator Deanna “De” Gale
A Silver Anniversary of Senior Care
edicated to improving the lives of local seniors, nonprofit organization Stand Up for Seniors is about to reach an exciting milestone: its twentyfifth anniversary. Volunteers created Stand Up for Seniors, originally called the Volunteer Aging Council, to promote awareness of and solutions for the needs of low-income senior citizens and veterans throughout Cherokee County.
Whether providing emergency financial aid through its Last Stop program, making wheelchair ramps and minor home repairs to improve the lives of house-bound seniors, helping homeless seniors find extended accommodations, or supporting the Meals on Wheels program, the nonprofit has programs and services tailored to the many needs of low-income seniors and veterans. “We help build a bridge,” board member Tracie Ashley explains, “and then we also give them resources to help themselves.”
According to Cherokee County Senior Services Director Tim Morris, Stand Up for Seniors is a valuable partner in assisting the county’s thousands of seniors. “I don’t like to think where we would be without them,” Tim insists. “They’re an outstanding group. I can’t say good enough things about them.”
Resource Coordinator Deanna “De” Gale works with Cherokee County Senior Services and Stand Up for Seniors, and according to all who work with her, De is the face and heart of the Stand Up for Seniors organization. Passionate, selfless, and organized are just a few of the words that others use to describe De and her dedication to Stand Up for Seniors. “It’s her baby,” board member Mary Mendes shares. “We’re very grateful to have De.”
Since it is a volunteer-based organization, Stand Up for Seniors holds various fundraising efforts throughout the year, including a monthly Senior Benefit Luncheon. On the third Friday of each month at various local assisted living facilities, meals are provided at the price of a $10 donation, and all proceeds go to Stand Up for Seniors and its efforts to support Cherokee County’s low-income seniors. It is a wonderful way to meet all of the hard-working people in the field of supporting seniors. “We’re all here for the same reason,” says owner of Home Helpers Home Care of Canton, César Alonso González. “Everything helps.”
Stand Up for Seniors also holds charity tournaments, including the Tee Off Fore Seniors golf tournament and a recently started pickleball tournament.
Anyone can enter the tournaments and play. The organization’s 2024 golf tournament raised an astonishing $31,000, while its inaugural pickleball tournament raised more than $5,000. The first pickleball tournament was such a huge success that the tournament will now be held biannually in the spring and fall.
Last year Stand Up for Seniors introduced a Senior Education Symposium series. With speakers from various senior-related businesses such as senior real estate and elder-care law, the series offers free courses to seniors and their adult children to create an open discussion about elder-care planning. Dinner is provided. The next symposium is set for March 13 at Canton First Baptist.
To celebrate the organization’s silver anniversary, Stand Up for Seniors will host a gala on April 24 at Fendley Farmstead in Canton. The event is a way to say thank you to the community for its support as the nonprofit continues to strive for the betterment of the lives of Cherokee County’s seniors. All involved are excited about this significant milestone in the nonprofit’s history. “I’m happy to be a part of it,” Tracie remarks. “Our seniors are our forgotten ones. They need us when they’re seniors more than ever.”
ABOVE Stand Up for Seniors Resource Coordinator De Gale and board members received a warm welcome from Manor Lake Assisted Living & Memory Care at Hickory Flat in November. L-R Mary Mendes, Christian Kuswita, Kate Linn, De Gale, Janice Kimber, and Tracie Ashley
RIGHT When asked about Stand Up for Seniors reaching its silver anniversary, Clark Nickerson says, “It’s great that it’s gotten that far. It’s a credit to De… she’s certainly sustained [Stand Up for Seniors] throughout all of this. She’s a workhorse, and most people have a great admiration for her, including myself.”
To volunteer or contribute to the Stand Up for Seniors organization,contact De Gale at dlgale@cherokeecountyga.gov or 678-230-4067 or visit VAC-CherokeeGA.org.
Comfort Food with Global Twists Seven Acre BarNGrill
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY Raymond Werner & Daniel Shaver
oused in a century-old building at Birmingham Crossroads on Hickory Flat Highway, Seven Acre BarNGrill offers a charming setting with a menu that highlights natural, authentic flavors. Inside the rustic red building, you’ll find a well-stocked bar and two spacious dining areas that create a warm and homey atmosphere.
Chris Sedgwick of Sedgwick Restaurant Group developed the restaurant and dreamed of a team at Seven Acre BarNGrill that would be dedicated to using top-quality, simple ingredients to craft dishes on an expertly curated menu. Executive Chef Ian Quinn is making Chris’s dream a reality. “We bake all the bread, we make all the dressings, we butcher everything, [and] we grind the meat for the burger. Pretty much everything we can do feasibly with the space we have, we try to make ourselves,” Ian explains. The culinary team hopes to add house-made pastas to the menu
The food is locally sourced as often as possible, with much of the produce coming from partner farms Sweetwater Urban Farms in Ball Ground and Tucker Farms in Rome. All the meat on the menu is prime, and the seafood is freshly caught from sources around the world. “What we try to do is bring in some of that eclectic kind of world cuisine, then put an American twist on it, like a southern American twist on global cuisine,” Ian adds.
Menu Says: Romesco Dip
Hayden Says: The Spanish-style romesco dip is a balanced blend of flavors: smoked almonds, roasted red peppers, onions, tomatoes, Calabrian chiles imported from Italy, and a touch of olive oil. The rich, refreshing dip pairs perfectly with the soft za’atar flatbread and juicy, roasted heirloom carrots infused with ginger and turmeric in a sous vide technique. The scrumptiously sharable starter sets the stage for the main dish.
Menu Says: Charred Octopus
Hayden Says: The octopus, cooked for hours to ensure its tenderness, is served with romesco dip, roman artichokes, and a smoked almond gremolata. Poached in court bouillon with white wine, chicken stock, and pickling spice, the spear-caught octopus brings an explosion of Korean-inspired flavor that lingers. A gochujang miso sauce gives the octopus an extra zing while the Napa cabbage slaw and a crispy crumble of toasted nori, nicknamed “nori crunchies,” add a satisfactory crunch.
Menu Says: Four Decades Crabcake
Hayden Says: A tried-and-true recipe Chris Sedgwick has perfected over forty years, the crabcake has a balanced texture: crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. The jumbo lump Maryland Blue Crab is steamed, a process that preserves its natural flavors and probiotics. With the subtle but savory taste of the steam-cooked crab, the light smokiness of the roasted red pepper beurre blanc, and sweet oniony flavor of the pickled corn and pepper relish garnish, the seafood taste experience will resonate on your palate.
Menu Says: New Zealand Lamb Chops
Hayden Says: Marinated in green garlic chimichurri, the moist, juicy, and tender seared lamb chops are served with beef-fat potatoes and butter-braised cabbage. The potatoes especially deliver a perfectly seasoned combination of creamy and crunchy flavors that flawlessly complement the savory tenderness of the lamb chop.
The lamb chops are gluten-free, as are the other dishes in the From the Butcher section of the dinner menu: Duroc Pork Chop, Scottish Salmon Filet, Japanese A5 Wagyu, and Filet Mignon.
Menu Says: Primal Short Ribs
Hayden Says: Prepared in a rosemary demi-glace, these short ribs are certainly not short on flavor. With the savory seasoning of garlic confit, the ribs practically melt in your mouth. The side of braised red cabbage complements the savoriness of the short rib with its sweetness. With a vibrant look and taste, the short ribs are a feast for the eyes and taste buds. You’ll devour all your vegetables here because they burst with flavor.
Primal Short Ribs
Four Decades Crabcake
Charred Octopus
Romesco Dip
Menu Says: Carrot Cake
Hayden Says: Save room for dessert! The gluten-free carrot cake is exceptionally moist, and the satisfying crunch of candied pecans supplements its light, fluffy texture. With the gentle sweetness of the cream cheese frosting and the warm, autumnal spices of the cake, it’s the perfect sweet yet light treat.
With complex flavors made from simple ingredients, Seven Acre BarNGrill is a superb culinary experience that warms the heart and soul. Regardless of what you order, you’re sure to find elevated comfort foods and cozy vibes here.
Hayden Says: This deceptively simple cocktail—a gin-infused twist on a traditional whiskey sour—will linger on your mind as well as your tongue. The Roots of Ruin gin by Castle & Key and house-made sage syrup gives a refreshing and cool taste followed by a nice warming sensation, while the blood orange juice and lemon add a citrusy zing. For a peaceful drink with the perfect balance of smoothness and zest, the Sage Advice cocktail is a wise choice.
Menu Says: Champagne Supernova
Ketel One Botanical Grapefruit & Rose vodka, Lillet rosé, grapefruit, lemon, champagne
Hayden Says: For a sweet drink indulge in Champagne Supernova. A cocktail that tastes as pretty as it looks, the Champagne Supernova mixes the floral notes of rose vermouth with the tang of grapefruit and rose vodka and lemon, topping it all with sweet champagne. The refreshingly light and dreamy drink ensures there are no champagne problems to be found.
The drink menu also includes a selection of mocktails, wines, and locally brewed beers on draft.
Seven Acre BarNGrill is located at 850 Hickory Flat Highway in Milton.
Champagne Supernova
Sage Advice
Gluten-Free Carrot Cake
Old-Fashioned Tea Cakes Recipes and Recollections:
STORY BY Rebecca Johnston, Canton
TPHOTOGRAPHY BY Marina Federico
he history of cooking in Cherokee County is tastefully celebrated in Cherokee County Recipes & Recollections, a cookbook published by the Cherokee County Historical Society in 1993.
Featuring heritage recipes of days gone by, the cookbook offers a glimpse of the past when the sound of butter being churned and the smell of bread baking in wood-burning stoves were part of everyday life in Cherokee County.
Becky Buice of Canton, who served as chair of the cookbook committee, recalls the joys of compiling the recipes. “The most rewarding part was the recollections, being able to talk with people about their parents and grandparents and learning the stories and the history of the actual recipes,” Becky remembers. “Whether or not it was something we would make in modern times, it was fun to hear about the way our grandparents cooked and some of their favorite recipes when they were growing up.”
Among the treasures in this book is a recipe from Becky’s grandmother, Oma Lee Hester Buice, for old-fashioned tea cakes.
Tea cakes were such a popular treat that the cookbook contains a dozen recipes for the cookies that had their origins on the tea table and became a staple in Southern kitchens. Before the popularity of store-bought cookies, almost every household had a favorite recipe for tea cakes. Back in those days tea cakes were sent to school in lunch pails and served as afternoon snacks for school children.
Oma Buice was born in 1906 and raised in the Union Hill community of Cherokee County. She and her husband, Seldon, raised four children—A. J., Henry, Martha Jane, and Mildred— on the fresh and preserved foods from their farm.
Becky and her sister, Susan, continue the tradition of baking the family recipe for tea cakes and emphasize the importance of keeping family recipes alive. Becky explains, “We love tea cakes, and we keep some at our house all the time. We spent so much time at Grandmother Buice’s house, and that was one of the things she would make for us in the summer when we stayed with her.”
Becky remembers the cookbook project with fondness: “It was an honor to be asked to be involved. It was neat to get to work with so many members of the historical society, working together to showcase the recipes and recollections of our families.”
No cookie cutters in the kitchen?
The Buice family has always used a shot glass to shape tea cakes.
For fluffier tea cakes, use self-rising flour. For thinner, crispier tea cakes, use all-purpose flour.
For this recipe and more, pick up a copy of Cherokee County Recipes & Recollections inside the History Cherokee gift shop at 221 East Marietta Street in Canton.
Old-Fashioned Tea Cake Recipe
Ingredients
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
¼ cup milk
½ cup Crisco
½ cup margarine
Approximately 6 cups of flour
Instructions
Pour flour into a bowl, making a well in the middle, as with biscuits. Add ingredients to well. Fold in as much flour as needed to make the dough stiff enough to roll. Roll to desired thickness
The year 2025 marks the of the Cherokee County Historical Society, now known as
Becky and Susan Buice in the kitchen of their impeccably designed Canton home.
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CAR SHOW CAR COMMuNITY CONNECTION 915 RIDgEWALK PARKWAY, WOODSTOCK 11:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M. | FUNDRAISER CARCOMMuNITYCONNECTION.COM
WORKSHOP TAvERN AT TOWNE LAKE 1003 TOWNE LAKE HILLS EAST, WOODSTOCK 7:00 P.M.
TAvERNATTOWNELAKE COM wednesday 5 NFL TRIVIA NIGHT TRIVIA BALL gROuND PuBLIC LIBRARY 435 OLD CANTON ROAD, BALL gROuND 6:00-7:00 P.M. SEquOYAHREgIONALLIBRARY ORg thursday 6
UPTOWN
MUSIC THE FALANY AT REINHARDT 7300 REINHARDT CIRCLE, WALESKA
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UPTOWN
THE FALANY AT REINHARDT | FEBRuARY 1 | 7:30 P.M.
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BALL gROuND PuBLIC LIBRARY 435 OLD CANTON ROAD, BALL gROuND 5:00-7:00 P.M. | FREE SEquOYAHREgIONALLIBRARY ORg tuesday
27
SWEETHEART DINNER
WORKSHOP WITH CHEF JOANNA LEANINg LADDER, WOODSTOCK
3:30-5:30 P.M. | $40 LEANINgLADDEROLIvEOIL COM sunday
friday 14
LOVERS: TAYLOR SWIFT TRIBUTE
MUSIC THE MILL ON ETOWAH 225 REFORMATION PARKWAY, CANTON 6:00-9:00 P.M. | TICKETS gOINSOCIALEvENTS COM
15
saturday
WICKS AND SIPS
WORKSHOP MADE MERCANTILE
8636 MAIN STREET, WOODSTOCK 10:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M. MADEMERCANTILE COM
DOWNTOWN
WALK PARTICIPATINg LOCATIONS MAIN STREET, CANTON 11:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. EXPLORECANTON COM
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MUSIC MADLIFE STAgE AND STuDIOS 8722 MAIN STREET, WOODSTOCK
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22
ALZHEIMER’S MUSIC FEST
MUSIC SMITH'S OLDE BAR 1578 PIEDMONT AvENuE NE, ATLANTA 6:00-11:15 P.M. | FUNDRAISER SOBATL COM saturday
thursday
BINGO NIGHT
LA CATRINA 2247 CuMMINg HIgHWAY, CANTON 6:30-8:00 P.M. | FREE LACATRINATACOS COM
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DOWNTOWN CANTON CHOCOLATE WALK
DOWNTOWN
TSTORY BY Cindy Pope, Woodstock PHOTOGRAPHY BY Jack Tuszynski
HAPPINESS BEGINS IN THE HOME
he kitchen is the heart of the home, and the bathroom is the soul,” says Theo Ciupitu, manager and CEO of Kitchen Tune-Up and Bath Tune-Up. Kitchens and bathrooms impact the quality of people’s lives. “We want to help you improve your quality of life,” he says.
After a life-changing, near-fatal event in 2019 that resulted in some memory loss, Theo appreciates the importance of quality of life more than ever.
Building on Purpose and Profits
In 2023 Theo purchased an existing franchise of Kitchen Tune-Up in Canton so he and his team could create dream kitchens and bathrooms for customers and improve customers’ lifestyles. The company services Canton, Woodstock, Alpharetta, Cumming, Johns Creek, and Milton.
Locally owned and operated, Kitchen Tune-Up specializes in a range of kitchen remodeling services, offering five core solutions: The Original Tune-Up wood restoration (which inspired the company’s name), cabinet painting, cabinet re-dooring, cabinet refacing, and custom cabinetry for a completely new kitchen layout. For bathroom remodels, Bath Tune-Up provides services
such as vanity updates, bathtub and shower upgrades, conversion projects, and full bathroom makeovers. Pricing is based on the size and complexity of each project, ensuring tailored solutions to meet every client’s needs.
“The joy that you see in people’s eyes and how they celebrate—that makes us happy,” Theo says with a smile. “Because we know how exciting it is for them and how that will change their quality of life, it truly is a joy and makes us proud.”
Strategies for Success
Theo strives to foster confidence in his teammates by coaching them toward obtaining their full potential. “I am truly wanting to build an employee-ownership culture and allow people to become the best version of themselves.” His current team of design consultants, project managers, and support staff provides a one-stopshop for kitchen and bathroom upgrades. “Our A-Team can do it all,” Theo reports.
The sales team includes Design Consultants Anthony Bunetta and Matt Wallace, along with Sales and Marketing Assistant Jessica Reynolds. The operations team includes Operations Manager Dylan Sanders and Project Manager and Field Supervisor Jeff Johnson.
L-R Jessica Reynolds, Anthony Bunetta, Matt Wallace, Theo Ciupitu, Dylan Sanders, and Jeff Johnson
A Work-Life Legacy
Outside of work, Theo and his wife, Debora, a top real estate agent with Atlanta Fine Homes, enjoy spending quality time with their two young children, Christian and Alyssa. Together they cherish moments with family and friends and have a passion for exploring new cultures. “We enjoy traveling and experiencing different cultures,” Theo shares, adding that he’s particularly fond of sampling the diverse cuisines they encounter. As a family they are avid sports fans, proudly cheering for the Atlanta Falcons, Braves, and United teams.
A work-life legacy for Theo, he feels Kitchen Tune-Up and Bath Tune-Up provide a positive uplift to the community. “When I’m eighty years old and looking back at my life and seeing that I actually helped people—that I positively impacted people—I won’t have any major regrets.”
CHARITABLE CAUSES
Veteran’s Kitchen Makeover Project
Theo firmly believes in supporting those who have served and sacrificed so much for our country. As a special thank you, Kitchen Tune-Up is offering a free kitchen makeover contest benefiting a winning military veteran in our community. Deadline for submissions is Sunday, January 19. Winner to be announced on Tuesday, January 28. Nominations are accepted online at ktucwckitchenmakeover.com.
Supporting Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
In August 2019 Theo and Debora welcomed their first child, Christian, into their lives. Just two years later, in 2021, Christian was diagnosed with level-three autism spectrum disorder. He is now nonverbal. “Helping families with children [diagnosed with] autism spectrum disorder will be a lifelong effort for my wife and me,” Theo explains. Theo and Debora have focused on finding solutions for and learning about autism spectrum disorder and how to best help their son. The Ciupitus plan to establish a foundation eventually, and they hope to begin helping other families living with autism as early as this year.
Theo Ciupitu, owner of Kitchen Tune-Up and Bath Tune-Up of Canton, blends expert craftsmanship with a healthy work-life balance.
Design Consultant Anthony Bunetta and Sales & Marketing Assistant Jessica Reynolds collaborate on sales strategy and growth.
BRING NEW LIFE TO YOUR LIVING SPACE WITH QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP AND PERSONALIZED SOLUTIONS FROM KITCHEN TUNE-UP AND BATH TUNE-UP OF CANTON
Theo Ciupitu, owner of Kitchen Tune-Up and Bath Tune-Up
