Enjoy Cherokee Magazine — March/April 2023

Enjoy Cherokee Team

Randy Gravley, CEO/President

Jodi Drinkard, COO/Publisher

Laurie Parente,

Designer

Leana Conway, Writer Rebecca Johnston, Writer Shannon Sickmon, Writer Tom Stratton, Writer Emma Tyler, Writer Ashley Velez,

Susan Overcash

Walker, Writer

Meet Monica Hall, founder of Keza Boutique: a passion project combining fashion, traditional African art, and Monica's heart for uplifting others.

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Art for Hearts’ Sake Art brightens any environment and enhances the folks who make it. The Foundation for Hospital Art does both with preprinted panels for volunteers to paint.

From the stage to behind the scenes, Woodstock Arts Board of Directors President Katie Caldwell is instrumental in cultivating arts programming in Woodstock.

Madam President, Katie Caldwell

6 [table of contents] Chattahoochee Technical College 8 Cherokee Film Summit 2023 31 Darby Funeral Home 20 FORE The Children Golf Tournament 49 Goshen Homes 47 History Cherokee 44 J. Thompson Ross Investments 4 Kitchen Tune Up 38 Magnetize.Me 5

18 36 [special Nia Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics 51 Northside Hospital inside front cover Taste of Canton 17 The Falany at Reinhardt 12 The Mill on Etowah 3, back cover The Westcott Apartments 40 Wellstar Kennestone OB/GYN 32 Woodstock Funeral Home 24

Woodstock Arts

The Woodstock Arts

Lantern Series concerts and Repertory Touring Troupe performances bring tunes and tall tales to the stage for audiences of all ages.

Art

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Spotlight on Cherokee County

From North Georgia's mountains to the Hollywood hills, bright lights of Broadway, and beyond, Cherokee County performers and artists shine bright worldwide.

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Filming in Cherokee

Local filmmaker Ken Merritt's feature film debut, Jesse's Gift, stars his brother and son, turning his lifelong dream of filmmaking into a family business.

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Gift Guide

Cherokee County creatives are crafting the perfect gifts for everyone on your springtime shopping list.

Stitched by Heart:

FASHION STEEPED IN TRADITION

By Leana Conway, Woodstock Resident

Inspiration from the Other Side of the World

Monica Hall was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and at the age of two, her family returned to Kampala, Uganda. Her father passed away the following year when Monica was only three, leaving her mother to raise her and her sisters alone. Monica recalls the apartment complex where she, her mother, and her sisters lived. Among their neighbors were quite a few single mothers, and the women supported each other both emotionally and financially.

The early experiences of watching women helping each other made a strong impression on Monica.

From Sunny Uganda to Wintry Minnesota

After spending her formative years in Africa, Monica returned to the United States to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing at the University of Minnesota. While working as a nurse, Monica had her first child, Alexander.

Monica thrived in pregnancy and motherhood, as she says, “Having a child is a wonderful time; there is nothing like it, and you are never the same after your child is born.” With a desire to help and mentor expectant mothers, Monica returned to school and earned her master’s in nurse midwifery.

Professional and Personal Fulfillment in Cherokee

Nine years ago Monica came to Georgia to escape the harsh winters of Minnesota. Here she found better weather and also the love of her life, Anthony Hall. Anthony works at Goshen Valley Boys Ranch and is an artist who has also been featured in Enjoy Cherokee. The couple met at The Factory Church in Woodstock and have been married for six years. When asked what attracted Monica to Anthony, she blushes a bit and says, “He is just wonderful.” They live in Canton with their three sons: Alexander, thirteen; Malachi, four; and Josiah, who is fifteen months old.

Accessories such as headbands, backpacks, tote bags, and crossbody bags made in rotating fabrics sell out quickly.

The earrings Monica offers are as unique and exciting as the countries they represent on faraway continents.

Monica custom-made coordinating outfits for fashionable mother-daughter duo Angelena and McKinley to celebrate McKinley’s birthday.

Keza means beautiful in the melodic language of Kinyarawanda, a Bantu language spoken in parts of East Africa. Keza is also the name of Cherokee County resident Monica Hall’s boutique. No one is more surprised than Monica that she is a small business owner selling vibrant clothes and handmade African earrings. Keza Boutique evolved organically from Monica’s heart—her connection to Africa, women, her children, and her desire to empower mothers, especially single mothers. She also had a yearning to create beautiful things.

Monica models an eye-catching multicolored Ankara skirt. Ankara fabric is the most common African fabric throughout the continent; it is known for its bold color and design.

Anthony, a big supporter of Monica’s creative endeavor, says, “Keza has definitely brought Monica a sense of joy and pride. Once she learned how to transform fabric into beautiful garments, she realized she could also bring others joy. I enjoy watching her interact with her clients and share a part of who she is through her clothing.”

After Monica gave birth to Malachi in 2019, the creativity muse hit her. While folding one of his baby blankets, she looked more carefully and thought, “It’s just four lines of stitches; I can do that.” Feeling spontaneous, she jumped into the car with her son, drove to Walmart, and bought a sewing machine. Monica says sewing and creating was much more challenging than she expected; however, with trial and error and YouTube’s help, she was soon producing useful things. She then started incorporating into her clothing line some traditional African fabrics that friends and family members brought to the United States. Monica lights up talking about the material. “The bold colors and patterns are familiar, and they give me a sense of pride in my heritage.”

At Christmastime, a friend of Monica’s was going to a market to sell what she had been making, and she encouraged Monica to come along and do the same. Although apprehensive, Monica went to the market and ended up selling out all she brought then taking orders for more. Monica says, “I was happy and excited and felt fulfilled that I had made those things and people really wanted them.” Sewing had tapped into a creative part of Monica she did not know existed.

The Hall family—Alexander, Malachi, Monica, Josiah, and Anthony— splashed in Monica’s designs.

As Monica’s skills improved, she began taking her offerings to the Marietta Square Artisan Market. After customers asked for custom orders and the business grew more, Monica built her own website. Although most Keza Boutique business is now handled online, Monica still sometimes brings her wares to the Marietta Square Artisan Market.

Keza Boutique is a passion project for Monica, she says. “I have no words for the sense of pride and fulfillment I feel when I look at something and think, ‘I made this.’ I ensure that everything is perfect and follow up to see if the order meets customer expectations. That is my name out there, and that matters to me.”

The Future for Keza

The Hall family is directed by their faith. Monica never saw herself selling clothing, but she and her husband say God keeps opening doors, and Monica is prepared to follow God wherever the journey takes her. Anthony believes “it’s more than just clothing,” and is excited to see what the future holds.

Indeed, Monica’s vibrant clothes are lovely, and they also represent Africa and the beautiful people and customs that come from the continent. While Monica is pleased to say that many customers who have never been to Africa like the clothes, she notes that many people worry about cultural appropriation. Wearing a shirt or headband because you admire the beauty of African print is not cultural appropriation, she says, it is actually positive as it is cultural appreciation.

Looking to the future, Monica says if God continues to make her small business prosper, she would like to use it to empower women in Uganda and Georgia. Currently the earrings and some clothing for sale in her online boutique are from artisans worldwide, including Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, and India.

Monica reports that the most powerful lesson she has learned in her business venture is that she has discovered “Whatever I put my mind to, I can do. It can be hard and frustrating and take many tries, but I just have to take that first step and keep going.”

Sousou: Women Empowering Women in Africa

Sousou, or asue, from the Yoruba term esesu, originated in West Africa but is practiced in many African and Caribbean countries. Sousou is an informal rotating savings club formed by women and practiced for generations. Because of the exchange of cash, sousou requires trust. Alicia Wallace from Insider Personal Finance says, “Many members of the African diaspora practice sousou all over the world because it is simple, it is tradition, it is rooted in a culture of community, and we have seen our parents do it over and over again. Today it is important to remain connected to our ancestors, maintain or work toward financial health, and ensure that the reputation of our practices is not sullied by thieves and scammers. Asue, for many of us, has given us a university education, used cars, down payments, computers, the discipline to save, and development of trust. The riches of our communities will always be its legacy.”

Source: Insider Personal Finance August 19, 2020

The Pearl of Africa

Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa about the size of Great Britain. Winston Churchill called it the Pearl of Africa in his book My African Journey. He was referring to its diverse cultures and abundant wildlife, flora, and fauna as well as its vivid colors, snow-capped mountains, and massive Lake Victoria, the largest lake on the continent. Uganda is also famous for being home to the highest number of mountain gorillas worldwide.

Source: Britannica Encyclopedia

SHOP ONLINE

Shop Keza Boutique’s range of African-inspired tops, dresses, skirts, kids’ clothing, and accessories online at Keza.shop and follow Keza Boutique on Instagram (@keza_atlanta) for updates.

An Ankara crossover bag is carried by one of Monica’s smallest fashionistas.

From an office building almost hidden behind a small supermarket in Woodstock, the Foundation for Hospital Art transforms the lives of distressed people around the world.

By Bobbie Christmas, Woodstock Resident

STUDIES have shown that art and the expression of it can help relieve depression, anxiety, and stress. Art has also been linked to improved memory, reasoning, and resilience. The Foundation for Hospital Art therefore produces art that enhances the lives of those who view it as well as the volunteers who produce it.

Executive Director Scott Feight explains that through the foundation, volunteers paint murals the nonprofit then donates to hospitals, homeless shelters, nursing homes, drug-treatment facilities, and more. As a result formerly drab walls instead feature bright turtles, birds, bears, frogs, and even a whale with a colorful underbelly. In a partnership with the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam the foundation has also created a collection of six Van Gogh-inspired murals, including various flowers, a seascape, a landscape, and even Van Gogh’s bedroom.

Van Gogh isn’t the only artist that has inspired works that the foundation produces. Peanuts Worldwide, the company that owns the rights to Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Woodstock, Lucy, and Linus, has given the foundation the right to create and distribute art based on Snoopy and Woodstock, perfect for walls in children’s hospitals.

The operation is the brainchild of Founder John Feight, an artist who originally painted in his spare time. In 1975 he offered to paint a mural in the pediatric department at Northside Hospital to brighten its walls.

When a young patient joined him in the process, he saw how art enhances the lives of people going through difficult times. In 1984 he created the National Foundation for Hospital Art to change how hospitals look and feel by adding colorful art to otherwise sterile environments. He fashioned outlines on panels that when painted create murals that brighten the walls, days, and lives of viewers. Most of the murals are formed from six panels, although four panels are in kits intended for patients themselves to paint.

A stroll through the Woodstock facility takes you to a huge room capable of holding up to forty folks joyfully painting, including volunteers, interns, and groups of outside employees involved in team-building exercises.

Art transforms a place,” Scott says while we wander through the building.

“It leads to better attitudes of the residents and better cure rates in patients.

While you walk around, you’ll see completed samples on the walls as well as photographs of people proudly participating in what the foundation calls PaintFests. One photographic montage shows couples—current and former patients—from all fifty states painting together. On a back wall you’ll find photos of celebrities painting murals marked for later distribution. Even General Norman Schwarzkopf is painting a panel in one of the photos.

Patients and staff in Tufts Medical Center in Boston start work on panels that will be made into a mural for the hospital.

Staff members and patients joyfully display the mural they painted at Tufts Medical Center, a teaching hospital in downtown Boston. The finished mural will be hung in sections separated by one inch, creating a completed picture of a vase of purple irises.

Executive Director Scott Feight stands in front of a completed mural. He says it’s a joy to see the outpouring of volunteer support in Cherokee County.

Volunteers from Deloitte in Chicago show a carousel mural they’ve painted which will be installed at hospitals throughout Illinois.

Volunteers and workers in Cherokee County have embraced the mission of the Foundation for Hospital Art and help produce murals to

be sent free-of-charge to brighten places such as hospitals, treatment centers, and homeless shelters around the world. Helping at the offices

in Woodstock are, from left to right, Jim Ridley, Senior Artist Barbara

Banta, Shelley Russell, Meghan Black, Susan Westbrook, Jennifer Ridley, and Rhonda Garson.

Circle farther around the room and you’ll encounter stacks of preprinted panels waiting to be transformed into colorful murals. The foundation sends these kits to any folks interested in painting the panels and returning them to Woodstock. Workers in Woodstock such as Senior Artist Barbara Banta examine and touch up the art, if necessary, before it is shipped to its final destination.

To oversee PaintFests, Scott has traveled to about sixty countries, from Cuba to Zambia and beyond. His hope is to start an art project in Indonesia next.

Each section is color coded, so almost anyone can clearly see what color to paint it.

Since its inception the Foundation for Hospital Art has donated more than 50,000 paintings to more than 7,500 healthcare facilities and uplifted millions of people and patients. In addition, more than a million folks around the world have picked up a brush and helped, including the famous, the not-so-famous, and people with various challenges and abilities. Schools, businesses, charities, and even athletic teams have participated in PaintFests.

Volunteers are essential to the success of the foundation. They don’t have to be artists; they simply need to be willing to spend about two hours at a time painting. Stephanie Amey explains her reason for being a volunteer. “I love the impact the foundation has made, not just here, but around the world,” she says. A retired school principal, Amey adds, “Art brings joy to people in difficult situations.”

While Amey paints near Senior Artist Barbara, across the room a group of four men and women paint together, laughing and enjoying themselves. Several other tables are empty, awaiting more volunteers to show up.

Sit down for a few minutes with Scott in the large break room suitable for team-building events, and you’ll learn much more about the man who oversees the international operation. The West Point graduate served as an officer in the military and then worked for General Electric. He admits he had concerns when his father asked him to take over the foundation. Scott was familiar with the Foundation for Hospital Art. “I was on the board and grew up around the foundation,” he explains. “Dad wanted to make art functional, and that’s what we’ve done, but when Dad asked me to take over, I wondered, ‘Am I following Dad’s legacy out of expectations or out of passion?’” To help him figure out what he should do, he spoke with his pastor, who told him his heart would guide him.

Scott says that while trying to decide whether to follow in his father’s footsteps, he recalled a time he was helping his father work with a group of abused children. One of the young girls had been mute for weeks, unable to speak to anyone about anything, much less speak to a counselor about her trauma. After working on a mural, however, she opened up and was able to speak with counselors and begin her healing process.

I wanted to dedicate my life to something that did that. I was passionate about how much difference art can make in people’s lives,” Scott says. With a contented sigh he adds, “I feel much more purpose in what I was called to do.

Art can enhance the life of anyone of any age. Jaye Grimes, the managing editor of Enjoy Cherokee magazine, relates how art at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta helped her then-four-year-old when he was recuperating from surgery. “The first thing that cheered him up enough to make him get out of his hospital bed and room was to participate in an arts and crafts event in the lobby. He made a crown and then wore it home the day he was discharged. That arts and crafts event aided his recovery,” Jaye says. Although Archer has since undergone several more surgeries, today he is a much healthier thirteen-year-old.

As to the work the foundation does with the homeless, the Salvation Army, and veterans, Scott notes, “Art is another way to help people get back on their feet.” Scott ensures that people in the military also get involved in the foundation’s art projects.

The foundation relies and thrives on volunteers. Scott says, “Since we moved to Woodstock in 2018, it’s a joy to see the outpouring of support of volunteers in this area.” In addition to volunteers, the foundation offers a limited number of eight-week paid internships to college students.

Always evolving, the foundation has an arrangement with Disney to provide artwork for its parks and cruise ships.

Although it must charge for its paint kits, which are costly to manufacture, the nonprofit could not survive without grants as well as corporate and individual donations. To volunteer your time, make a donation, order a PaintFest Kit, or learn more about the Foundation for Hospital Art, go to HospitalArt.org.

The Details

THE MISSION OF THE FOUNDATION FOR HOSPITAL ART, BASED IN WOODSTOCK AT 131 VILLAGE CENTER WEST, IS TO BRING COMFORT AND HOPE THROUGH ART TO PEOPLE IN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES. ITS VISION IS TO MAKE HOSPITALS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE FOR HEALING.

ITS QUEST IS TO DONATE AT LEAST ONE PAINTING TO EVERY HOSPITAL IN THE WORLD.

THE KITS

• PaintFest® Event Kits include six pre-drawn eighteen-by-twenty-four-inch canvases, complete instructions, the number of necessary bottles of acrylic paint, black permanent markers, paint brushes, disposable aprons, plastic table covers, and even a prepaid UPS return label, if the shipment is within the United States. Small dots of color are already applied to the appropriate places on the canvases so everyone knows what color to paint each section.

• Ten to twelve people can typically paint one kit within an hour and a half to three hours. The norm is two hours.

• The canvases are designed to hang one inch apart on a wall.

• PaintFest® Patient Packs are designed to encourage and uplift patients. These packs are targeted for patient rooms and involve patients themselves. In addition to the necessary supplies, PaintFest® Patient Packs feature four panels, rather than six.

Big Blue Whale PaintFest® Event Kit

Kangaroos PaintFest® Event Kit

Samples

Music in

SPARKLES

Downtown Woodstock

By Ashley Velez, Woodstock Resident

The Woodstock Arts Lantern Series shines a light on performers who give listeners a butterfly-in-the-gut feeling of experiencing an artist for the first time, performers who deliver music from other regions and even other countries.

When you walk down Main Street in downtown Woodstock, a mingling of sounds may enter your ears–some blues or maybe a bit of country streaming from Reformation Brewery’s elm tree stage, some jazzy notes from Rootstock’s Listening Room, or a little bit of rock and roll from MadLife Stage & Studios. No matter your musical tastes and preferences, you can catch a live show any weekend featuring some of the area’s most skilled performers.

Our community’s connection to live music is evident. We share a love of experiencing our favorite artists time and again. Importing new talent to Cherokee, however, is where the Woodstock Arts Lantern Series shines.

An Amalgam of Cultures, Backgrounds, and Ideologies

Woodstock Arts, the nonprofit formerly known as Elm Street Cultural Arts, dedicates itself to engaging the community with relevant art experiences every day. It began as a local nonprofit theater program in 2002. Since then the organization has grown to offer live theater, visual arts, a thriving education program, and the Lantern Series: a sequence of outdoor concerts that bring world-renowned artists to our community.

The Woodstock Arts team artfully crafted the Lantern Series to immerse guests in various genres, backgrounds, and ideologies to unite the community and find a literal and figurative common ground.

Lighting the Way

The idea for the Lantern Series name came from Christopher Brazelton, executive director for Woodstock Arts. He shares, “I thought the Lantern Series would be a great name, as many cultures have different lanterns as a part of their identity, and music would be a great vehicle for our local community to learn

about those cultures more deeply. Plus I liked the idea of guests being able to place lanterns on their table during the concert under the night sky.”

In the early years of planning the Lantern Series, many obstacles made putting on even four concerts a year challenging. Logistically and financially the series halted until a generous posthumous gift from former patron and dear friend Margaret Jenkins alleviated many of the obstacles. Margaret had a fierce passion for travel, learning about different cultures, and sharing those cultures with friends and family. Her generosity allowed the organization to continue her legacy of shared cultures through a new program designed to bring worldly experiences to downtown Woodstock.

The Series Takes Shape

On June 2, 2018, Woodstock Arts held its first Lantern Series concert with The Barefoot Movement, an Americana group that performs traditional Appalachian bluegrass. By the third show, which featured Louisiana native Marc Broussard whose “Bayou soul” set became wildly popular, the Lantern Series team knew it had something special.

The Woodstock Arts staff and board of directors work hard to extend the horizons of what can be done with the Lantern Series. What started as a “small experiment” for Christopher and his team has become an annual twelve-concert series built to enrich the community. “What we need is a place for different cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies to come together and find common ground. If the arts cannot do this, what can?” he notes.

Dan White, lead saxophonist of Brooklyn-based band Huntertones, shares memories from his group’s first concert during the first year of the series: “What you guys are doing is crucial for a venue. There are no limitations for the artist to come and play or the audience to experience; this venue is pure celebration. You don’t see it often, but no matter the music, you celebrate it hard. We need more venues doing what you are doing.” Huntertones return to the Lantern Series stage on Saturday, March 25.

The Woodstock Arts team has seen some inspiring moments from the series. Since the first time Huntertones graced the local stage, the group has gained significant fame, as has Sammy Rae & The Friends, a seven-piece funk-infused rock and roll band that performed here in 2020. Other popular concerts include The Lone Bellow and singer-songwriter A.J. Croce, the son of folk singer-songwriter Jim Croce. A.J., who typically performs his own original music, commemorated the fiftieth anniversary of his father’s You Don’t Mess Around with Jim album by performing a special show—Croce Plays Croce—during which he played some of his father’s music in front of an audience for the very first time.

For the fifth year, the Woodstock Arts Lantern Series brings new experiences and opportunities for connection this spring with a new lineup of artists at the Woodstock Arts Event Green. Save the dates for the newest artists to be welcomed to downtown Woodstock’s starry night sky. Individual tickets and tables are available now at WoodstockArts.org.

UPCOMING LANTERN SERIES PERFORMANCES

Horn-driven Jazz New York HUNTERTONES

March 25

Arabic Flamenco Morocco

SEFFARINE

April 15

Vietnamese Jazz Vietnam

HUU BAC QUINTET

April 29

R&B, Future Soul New Zealand

NGAIIRE

May 6

Classical Pop New York

SONS OF SERENDIP

May 20

Swingin’ Jazz Canada

LAILA BIALI

June 17

Folk Looper Canada

IAN SHERWOOD

July 22

“Ourgoal with RepTouR is to promote literacy and creative writing through performing arts by dramatizing the students’ stories and staging stories they may already know,” says Kyle Eason, Woodstock Arts theatre education manager and RepTouR troupe director.

Siobhan Brumbelow, the previous Woodstock Arts education manager, developed RepTouR after spending a year touring with the Missoula Children’s Theatre. She explains, “I wanted a way to bring arts to the schools through storytelling and provide it for free. All students needed was to bring their imagination.”

With grants from sources such as the National Endowment for the Arts, Siobhan began the troupe as a subsidiary of the Towne Lake Arts Center Improv Troupe, now Woodstock Improv Troupe, and then spun off as RepTouR in 2016. Prior to the show, RepTouR provides teachers with a standards-based “story builder” that allows students to write creative stories. When RepTouR arrives, the actors first perform a show and then take previously unseen student stories and perform them improv-style.

Kristina Gault is the longest-standing troupe member and has seen firsthand the impact RepTouR has on students. “Even just seeing us unload [equipment], the kids are excited,” says Kristina. “When we [perform] their stories, it’s almost like their minds are blown that they’re able to write something and then see it. We bring the visual to them.”

Siobhan adds, “The students are welcoming of whoever’s story it is. Kids have the craziest imaginations.”

By Susan Overcash Walker, Woodstock Resident

Something magical happens each spring in Cherokee County elementary schools. Cafeterias and gymnasiums become the stage for imagination and whimsy. The Lorax arrives, followed by Pecos Bill and Paul Bunyan. Through RepTouR— the Woodstock Arts Repertory Touring Troupe—students also get to watch their own creative visions come to life.

Riley Rawson

Ashley Hartwig

Max Rounsaville Kristina Gault

Anna Pyron

Faina Khibkin Troupe Swing

Taylor Mancil Tour Manager

Bringing the Lorax to life

RepTouR performed at thirteen schools last year, timed to tie in with Read Across America. This spring the troupe is staging The Lorax and a tall-tale mash-up.

“The Lorax is a show with strong artistic merit and a story we want to tell the kids time and time again,” says Kyle. “The tall-tale adaptation is about the ways we use language to exaggerate, to stretch the truth of a person that became larger than one singular person by telling and retelling [the person’s story]. This speaks strongly to what we do as a touring theater program.”

We have a good mixture of actors and educators who are actors on the team,” says Kristina. “As an educator I know how to talk to the kids, and as an actor I know how to bring [stories] to life.

Kyle intends to expand RepTouR to cover a full semester, bring the tour to more schools, and develop a program aimed at older students. For now, RepTouR is still taking reservations for the 2023 spring season.

“Making something you thought about real is the magic of theater and the arts,” says Kyle. “It’s really special to wake up and start the day doing theater for really excited kids.”

“I love that theatre gives another platform for students to display what they have learned and express their emotions. I have seen classrooms transform with arts integration; the depth of knowledge that can be achieved by using an art medium is very impactful. We value partnerships like the one we have with Woodstock Arts and RepTouR to help our students connect our standards and content with the fine arts and opportunities of performances.”

— Principal Ashley Polito, Holly Springs Elementary STEM Academy

“Our fourth and fifth grade teachers look forward to this experience as much as our students do! It is so much fun to see our fourth graders watch RepTouR for the first time, and our fifth graders enjoy the opportunity to see the group again. They laugh out loud, and the teachers do too … The excitement that they show when their writing has been selected is always a wonderful moment!”

— Amy VanFossen, Media Specialist, Woodstock Elementary School

“RepTouR provides an opportunity for students to see their stories come to life. It allows for a real-world application to story writing and imaginative storytelling. It is a great way to connect the arts to English language arts as well as social studies.”

— Joe Lemmo, teacher, Holly Springs Elementary STEM Academy

performances in Cherokee County schools begin March 1 and conclude April 28. Reservations are still available for the 2023 season through kyle@woodstockarts.org. The troupe will offer two open-to-the-public performance dates at the Woodstock Arts Theatre: Wednesday, April 5, and Friday, April 7, at 10:00 a.m.

“It’s not about what it is; it’s about what it can become.”

– The Lorax, Dr. Seuss

Madam President:

Arts Board President Sings Praises For The Arts

By Tom Stratton, Woodstock Resident

Many people work behind the scenes to bring the magic of arts to us. One of the most influential advocates for the arts is Katie Caldwell, president of the Woodstock Arts board of directors. The nonprofit organization provides performing arts productions, outdoor concerts, visual arts exhibits, cultural events, classes, and camps featuring theatrical arts, visual arts, music, dance, and culinary arts.

Thanks to Kathryn Archer Caldwell, better known as Katie, and a host of other dedicated workers, art is almost everywhere in our city, whether it’s the vibrant colors of an arts show or a performance on stage at the Woodstock Arts Event Green and the Lantern Series. Art brings us together. Local, regional, and sometimes national creations are available for viewing throughout Woodstock. Our community grows closer in mutual moments of shared emotion and artistic appreciation. We are fortunate to have current examples as well as a clear projected path of growth for the arts in Woodstock, and much of it is thanks to Katie.

Planting Roots in Cherokee County

The oldest of three siblings and the daughter of Edward and Lisa Archer, Katie spent her youngest years on the move. Her father was in the military, and in the short span of three years her family moved from Louisiana to Texas and then South Dakota. The family finally landed in Georgia.

After Katie’s parents raised her in Woodstock, they moved to Calhoun, where her father is now an ordained minister and her mother teaches math at Calhoun High School.

Woodstock had been home to Katie since she was three, so she remained here with her husband, Michael, raising their own family while both became influential and vital leaders in the Woodstock community.

A Passion for the Arts

Although Katie has never enjoyed being the center of attention, she enjoyed singing with the chorus. Learning to play the piano and reading sheet music led to her passion for performing. They were also crucial components and valuable assets in her artistic field.

At Etowah High School Katie was voted Most Talented and received multiple certificates for her achievements in vocal arts. Katie next attended Kennesaw State, where she says several of her professors during her first year in the vocal studies program were not as supportive of her passion. Katie recalls, “They were not exactly selling or promoting any opera careers.” Disheartened, Katie changed her major from vocal studies to early childhood education and later received her degree.

I believe that the arts are vital to any community, providing shared experiences and meaningful connections.

– Katie Caldwell ’’

Katie’s passion for the arts shines through in her role as chair of the board of directors. Under her guidance, the organization has brought art to new heights and has had a significant impact on the community.  Katie has a unique ability to see the bigger picture and make strategic decisions that leverage a symbiotic relationship between artists, art, and the community as a whole. It is always a pleasure working with her, and it is evident that her dedication will have an impact for years to come.

Christopher Brazelton Executive Director, Woodstock Arts

The change in her major delayed Katie from continuing down the path of the arts, but it did not extinguish the passion she developed at a young age. Katie began singing with Woodstock Arts (formerly Elm Street Cultural Arts). She was cast as part of the ensemble in The Secret Garden, the musical. She also performed as an actress and singer in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Little Women, Guys and Dolls, Sunday in the Park with George, and at least thirty other productions. What began as a volunteer performer showcasing her natural abilities blossomed into a more active role in the Woodstock Arts programs.

Now, like a compass, Katie guides the arts program. She envisions a bright and even more diverse spectrum of events in Woodstock’s future.

Katie’s dedication to the arts has led her not only to being the president of the Woodstock Arts Board, but also holding seats on the Development Committee fundraising board and the Community Engagement board. Although Katie says, “I would rather stay at the back and not speak in front of people,” her passion for the arts has propelled her to the front. Katie expanded the Lantern Series and other

remembering A LIFE WELL LIVED...

Where it all began: Katie, in her first role with Woodstock Arts, and the cast of The Secret Garden.

Katie (fifth from right, white alongside other Little Women

Woodstock Arts programs, including events at the Reeves House Visual Arts Center and stage productions of Woodstock Arts. Both venues have grown in numbers and quality of events with her in the lead. Katie says, “My mission is to create relevant art experiences in Woodstock and engage the community every day through art.”

Balancing Act

With seeming superpowers Katie juggles her artistic performances, negotiates all the board meetings and planning, raises funds to support arts projects, and homeschools her three children: Oliver, eight; Elizabeth, four; and Charlotte (Char), almost one. To top it all off Katie is the First Lady of Woodstock. Her husband, Mayor Michael Caldwell, charmingly referred to by colleagues as “Mr. Woodstock,” is also a former state representative. As the wife of a politician, she admits the demands of travel and social engagements were also challenging. When asked how she manages all these tasks she explains, “What motivates me is that I have a cause and a passion, and that is where I find strength. Any of the things that would make me pause don’t enter my mind. I am engaged in and believe in what I am doing, all the things I am most passionate about. Sure, there are low times when I get tired, but I keep going because I love my family, love the people I work with, and love the community we live with. It is all an opportunity for the community, and that is the reward.”

Meeting Mike

A romantic would say Katie and Michael’s relationship was predestined. Mike also grew up in Woodstock, though the two didn’t know each other until high school. They had the same friends, went to the same schools, and even lived in the same neighborhood, but on opposite sides of it. Katie’s father was the den leader for Mike’s brother’s Scout troop. Mike and Katie had been crossing paths since they arrived in Woodstock, so it seems only right they would become high school sweethearts before marrying in 2011. Because Mike is often called “Mr. Woodstock,” it seems fitting to refer to Katie as “Mrs. Woodstock.” With both contributing so much effort and loyalty toward the betterment of our community it’s easy to label them the Woodstock Dynamic Duo.

Vision for the Future

Music, visual arts, and performing arts are all available to residents of Cherokee County through the variety of programming organized by the team at Woodstock Arts. The days of driving hours to a faraway show are over. Now neighbors are catching local events with neighbors. More than fifty events are currently on the Woodstock Arts calendar through August, and that list doesn’t include city events or small-venue events dotted throughout Woodstock’s vibrant downtown area. The selection of plays, musicals, comedies, art exhibits, and interactive events for both adults and children keeps growing.

‘‘Few have done more to build a vibrant arts presence here in our city than Katie. She’s a proven leader, and the dedication and passion she has brought to building a sustainable, exciting arts organization with the Woodstock Arts team is a legacy she will leave in our city for years to come.

– Michael Caldwell

As a member of the ensemble for The Secret Garden, Katie let her vocal talents shine.

In May 2021 Katie and other community leaders in the arts cut the ribbon for the Reeves House Visual Arts Center, which features gallery space, art classes, and a coffee/wine bar.

(Pictured L-R, front row: Tim Cibene, Juanita Hughes, Debbie Tidwell, Katie O'Connor, Woodstock Arts cofounder Ann Litrel, Katie Caldwell, Christopher Brazelton, former Woodstock Mayor Donnie Henriques, Charlice Byrd, John Wieland, Melissa Cantrell, and Kenny Kligman)

white dress) performs as Clarissa Women cast members.

LIGHT

SPOT

Cherokee County Awakens the Creative Muse

ON CHEROKEE COUNTY

By Shannon Sickmon, Woodstock Resident

The word fame has been around since Roman times. Back then fama meant rumor, and it evolved to refer to great deeds that would live on for millennia.

Historical studies found that even the earliest human societies had celebrities. The strongest hunter became the object of envy and respect from other men in the tribe and could choose as a mate whoever struck his fancy. In ancient Greece Plato and Aristotle had a bevy of admirers who hung on their every word. In late nineteenth-century Europe, pianist Franz Liszt so captured the public’s attention that his female admirers ripped his clothes, fought over his broken piano strings, and stole his discarded cigar stubs.

Despite our technological advancements, humans have not changed much. If anything the internet has made celebrity news and gossip ubiquitous. We see everything luminaries eat, wear, and do. We develop bonds with celebrities, and if we’re lucky enough to have a star in our hometown, the bonds go even deeper. We watched those achievers grow up, and we feel we have a share in their success.

Cherokee County has produced a wealth of talent, from actors to singers to writers and every kind of creative talent in between. Let us highlight some of the gifted folks who first stepped into the limelight in Cherokee County.

Singers and Musicians

Of course the name Bryce Leatherwood has been on everyone’s tongue lately, and for good reason—the Woodstock native recently won NBC’s long-running talent contest The Voice after a series of heartfelt performances. Also representing Cherokee County on The Voice, Jason Wilkes of Waleska, known professionally as WILKES, was featured on season 14 of the singing competition as part of coach Blake Shelton’s team. Wilkes placed among the top twenty-four contestants for the season when he showcased his country-rock sound.

Lee Roy Abernathy, a Gospel Music Association

Hall of Fame inductee who passed away in 1993, was a singer, songwriter, and pianist from Canton. Beau Cooper is a keyboardist, singer, and songwriter with The Vegabonds. Creekview alum Beau initially hails from Canton, as does Victoria Hill, an opera singer, former Miss Georgia 2019, and current Miss Georgia Volunteer. When asked how Cherokee County played in role in her love of the arts, Victoria says, “It truly was such an honor to represent Cherokee County on a national stage like [the Miss America pageant], because so much of who I am is due to the people in this community: from my piano, voice, dance, and drama teachers to customers at Publix who encouraged me while I bagged their groceries. I’m a product of an engaged community where I was able to hone my acting skills at places such as Woodstock Arts, the drama ministry at First Baptist Woodstock, and, of course, several years at Cherokee County’s own Reinhardt University also gave me a strong foundation in music.” Violinist and Grammy-award-winner Maggie Dixon O’Connor and operatic tenor Christopher Oglesby both hail from Woodstock.

PHOTO CREDITS: Abernathy, Lee Roy—History Cherokee Akins, Claude—Hulton Archive Cooper, Beau—Samarrakaton-flickr Hill, Victoria—Matt Boyd Photography Holloway, Josh—Shawn Ehlers-WireImage Leatherwood, Bryce—Nicole Weingart-NBC Oconnor, Maggie Dixon—Music Teacher Gifts Phillips, Jeanie—Invision-AP Poor, Frank—Poornima Apte Rich The Kid—Frank Schwichtenberg-Commonist Riggs, Chandler—Sven Mandel Wilkes—Brian Hall Photography Williams, Zach—Erik Ryan Anderson

LEE ROY Abernathy

CLAUDE Akins

KEITH Brooks

DAVID Bottoms

BEAU Cooper

JOSH Holloway

DELIA Hattendorf Fine

WILLIAM Diehl

VICTORIA Hill

ALLEN Hooper

BRYCE Leatherwood

GORDON Danniels

KATELYN Nacon

SONNY Landham

MAGGIE Dixon O'Connor

CHRISTOPHER Oglesby

Cherokee also boasts gifted rappers: Rich the Kid, originally known as Dimitri Roger, and Russell Vitale, better known as Russ, both attended Woodstock High School. Russ’s 2022 release Are You Entertained featured a collaboration with singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. Rapper Andre Burt, Jr., known professionally as SoFaygo, attended Etowah High School. His debut studio album Pink Heartz was released in November.

Woodstock native Zach Williams formed, sings in, and tours with the now-Brooklyn-based indie-folk, Americana, and alt-country band The Lone Bellow. Before stirring up the music industry, Zach was stirring up Cherokee County. He fondly recalls, “I’m honored to represent Cherokee County. Falling asleep every Saturday night to the roar of Dixie Speedway, scary stories about catfish the size of school buses by the Allatoona Dam, getting lost out by SCRA [South Cherokee Recreation Association] … and hey, ask for the wolf man!”

On Stage and Screen

Renowned character actor Claude Akins, who starred in classic films such as Battle for the Planet of the Apes and Rio Bravo, was born in Nelson. With more than 230 acting credits, Claude was also well-known for his television roles in B. J. and the Bear and its spin-off, The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo. Gordon Danniels hails from Pea Ridge in Canton. Gordon has been featured on television in House of Cards and Marvel’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and on the big screen, including a role in The Great Debaters directed by and starring Denzel Washington.

Actor Josh Holloway was raised in Free Home. Josh began his career as a model before moving on to acting. He starred in Mission: Impossible–Ghost Protocol and Paranoia. His most prominent role was in Lost, wherein he played James “Sawyer” Ford throughout the series. Most recently Josh completed a ten-episode arc on Paramount’s Yellowstone

FRANK Poor

CHANDLER Riggs

SOFAYGO

RICH The Kid

JEANIE Phillips

RUSS

BLAIR Redford

WILKES

ZACH Williams

Native American actor Sonny Landham, known for his booming voice and impeccable work as a stuntman, is from Canton. Sonny starred in action classics 48 Hours, Predator, and alongside Sylvester Stallone in Lock Up. Also of Native American ancestry, actor Blair Redford found his breakthrough role on the soap opera The Young and The Restless and later starred as superhero Thunderbird a.k.a. John Proudstar on The Gifted. Blair graduated from Sequoyah High School.

Filmed in Senoia, Georgia, The Walking Dead featured several performers from Cherokee County, including Chandler Riggs in a starring role as Carl Grimes and Katelyn Nacon in the recurring role of Enid. Both actors were nominated for Young Artist Awards for their performances on the show, with Chandler winning in 2014 for Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama)—Leading Young Actor. Keith Brooks, a Cherokee High School graduate, also appeared on The Walking Dead and Stranger Things

Visual Arts and Literature

Cherokee County also boasts some notable writing and artistic talents. Poet David Bottoms has won countless awards, including the Walt Whitman Award, the Levinson Prize, and American Academy of Arts and Letters Award. Born and raised in Canton, David holds the honor of being named the poet laureate of Georgia from 2000 to 2012. William Diehl of Woodstock was an author and photojournalist whose gripping thriller Primal Fear was made into a movie in 1996. Sculptor and photographer Frank Poor, also from Woodstock, formed his interest in architecture as art when he was inspired by the boom in the development of Woodstock in the 1970s and 1980s. His work now incorporates architectural forms found throughout the South.

Behind the Scenes

Cherokee County is home to Emmy-Award-winning television producer Delia Hattendorf Fine, who was instrumental in launching Regis Philbin’s The Morning Show. Delia was a sixteen-year Emmy-Award-winning television producer with The Arts & Entertainment Network [A&E]. Her career credits include Pride and Prejudice and Horatio Hornblower. Delia, who passed away in 2016, grew up in Canton. Jeanie Phillips, a graduate of Cherokee High School, recently won an Emmy Award for her editing work on the Amazon Prime reality competition show Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls starring Grammy Award winner Lizzo. Fellow Cherokee alum Allen Hooper is a noted casting director known for his work on the Emmy-award-winning series Modern Family throughout its eleven-year run. He received multiple Casting Society of America Artios Award nominations for his work on the wildly popular sitcom.

Talking and gossiping about celebrities allows us to live vicariously through them and bring some excitement into our lives. Such conversations connect us. Even introverts open up when you ask about their favorite performer. We are social animals, and bonding over celebrity gossip or swapping stories about “I knew him when…” fuels our innate desire to connect with others.

Background information takes superstars out of the stratosphere and brings them down to earth, which is why we love celebrities who stay humble and kind. Not all famous folks buy into their own hype; most remember their roots. And here in Cherokee, those roots flourish in rich soil.

By Emma Tyler, Waleska Resident

A star has emerged from Canton, and his name is Himie Freeman. Starring in a slew of independent productions, Himie displays a range of emotions from hot-tempered to vulnerable and even portrays characters who perform cold but calculated acts. Himie performed in Rules to Rule, The Ultimatum, and Momma’s Boy, and his next project marks his debut on Disney+ alongside Daveed Diggs and Derek Luke in the upcoming sports drama The Crossover.

Former Woodstock resident Leela Owen is a teenager accumulating big accomplishments. She garnered recognition for her breakout role in Doom Patrol, an HBO Max series. She also earned a lead role in the short film Bear Creek and a lead-guest starring role in the 2021 Disney+ anthology series Just Beyond Leela has also been featured in several of MattyBRaps’s music videos.

Ava Grace Roberts, a young actor from Woodstock with a lifelong love of the stage, is at the start of a bright future as she takes on a growing list of acting roles. Like Leela Owen, Ava Grace appeared in HBO Max’s Doom Patrol. She also costarred in the Peacock original miniseries

A Friend of the Family alongside Colin Hanks, Anna Paquin, and fellow young actor Mckenna Grace. Ava Grace also made her professional theater debut in The Sound of Music directed by Tony Award winner Shuler Hensley, also a Georgia native.

Woodstock native Presley Coley scored her breakthrough role in the 2016 comedy The Boss, which also starred Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Bell, and Peter Dinklage. She has since worked on the 2022 Netflix original film Do Revenge. Since she debuted with her first onscreen role at the age of fourteen, her desire to act has soared. Her next project is a dramatic short film titled Saturday, Sunday, Monday

After Grant Pfost appeared on stage in productions for the Department of Theatre and Film Studies at the University of Georgia and then attended the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in New York, the Hickory Flat native’s on-screen career is taking off with supporting roles in Love Hurts and Interview with the Vampire as well as a starring role in the upcoming short film 6 Miles Under

HIMIE Freeman

LEELA Owen

AVA GRACE Roberts

PRESLEY Coley

GRANT Pfost

MEET THE EXPERTS

Dr. Daniel McMahon

Northside Primary Care Associates

Dr. Daniel McMahon is a board-certified family medicine physician specializing in primary care. He practices with Northside Primary Care Associates in Holly Springs, Georgia. As a primary care doctor, Dr. McMahon prides himself on providing long-term care to patients and their families. To him, the best approach is always a comprehensive one–promoting lasting good health and happiness through preventative strategies and control of chronic conditions.

Dana Hickman

MSN, FNP-C at Northside

Dana Hickman is a Post-Acute Care Nurse

Practitioner for Northside Hospital focused on care for the chronically ill. She provides clinical oversight for the complex needs of patients discharged to a network of preferred post-acute care providers. To help ensure that patients continue to have their health managed most effectively, she collaborates on condition-specific pathways for consistent, evidencedbased care post discharge.

MANAGING YOUR MEDICATIONS

Asking for all the medications you’re currently taking isn’t just a formality. This gives your health care team valuable insight into how, why, and when you’re being treated. But unfortunately, studies have shown that about two-thirds of patients are unable to give a full medication list that matches their pharmacy-filled prescriptions. How can you best keep track of your medications and share the right information? Let’s explore it with tips from two of our Northside experts.

pm

Daniel McMahon Northside Primary Care Associates Holly Springs - 684 Sixes Rd, Suite 105, Holly Springs, GA 30115 • 678-388-5170

Dr.

Can I take my medications with me to an appointment?

Absolutely! One of the most direct and effective methods of completely sharing your medication list is what’s called a “Brown Bag Review.” Simply pack up all medication bottles that you take regularly or as needed, and bring them to your appointments. Include all prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal medicines. Don’t forget topical creams/gels, liquids/drops, injectables, and inhaled medicines.

How do I ensure the most current info is with every provider?

With any medication change (new prescription, dose change, or stoppage), update your list promptly. The best list is the one that you find easiest to set up and maintain. This list can be handwritten, from an online template, or created with a medication reminder application on your smartphone. When asked if there have been any changes to your medications, take the time to compare your home list with what your health care providers have on file.

What kind of details should I include in a medicine list?

You should always carry a current medication list in your wallet, purse or on your smartphone. It’s a good idea to share this list with a trusted contact in the event of an emergency. For the list itself, you should include the following: medication name, provider name, purpose/reason for taking, dose/strength, directions (times of day and frequency), form (liquid, tablet, etc.), any special instructions (with food, etc.), drug or food allergies, and the pharmacy name.

When (and how) should I reevaluate what all I’m taking?

As we age, we tend to accumulate medications as well as over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and supplements. More medications can result in higher incidence of drug interactions. To determine if there is anything you no longer need to take or can reduce dosage of, talk to your health care provider. You can ask questions about whether any symptoms are a possible side effect, if everything you’re taking is still beneficial, or if there are any milder options for a medication.

What are some ways I can stay on schedule with my prescriptions?

Even with keeping a good list to reference as we’ve discussed, there can be a lot to remember. To help, you can use memory aids, medication organizers, and/or blister packs to take your medicines as scheduled. If the medication schedule gets too complex to follow, alert your provider or pharmacist.

A Family Business

By Emma Tyler, Waleska Resident

Filmmaking, for many people, is a distant dream, one unable to be fulfilled. To Ken Merritt, this lifelong “crazy dream” has become reality. The dream of being a filmmaker emerged in him at an early age, but Ken initially pushed the idea aside. It seemed too far-fetched. Not until he reconnected with his son, Gabe, did Ken decide to pursue a career in film.

Anative of Warner Robins and self-described “preacher’s kid,” Ken graduated from Northside High School and attended Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City, Tennessee, where he majored in communication arts with an emphasis on drama, theater, and broadcast journalism. At Carson-Newman he fell in love and got married. The couple had three children before going through a contentious divorce.

The divorce took a tremendous emotional toll on Ken, who was not in contact with his children for nearly ten years. Ken was persistent in reaching out to them, though, and was thrilled to receive a call from his son Gabe in what Ken describes as a watershed moment. In attempts to rebuild a relationship they met for dinner, and before long, Ken offered his son the opportunity to work for his commercial cleaning business. After accepting the proposal, Gabe worked in the cleaning business for nearly a year before he expressed interest in a new career: acting.

Hello, Hollywood

Gabe’s idea of moving to Los Angeles to work in the film industry devastated Ken at first, since he had only recently reconnected with his son. Regardless, Ken pushed aside his inclination to keep his son behind and instead supported him throughout the journey. They took a road trip to Los Angeles to spend time together and bond, after which Ken flew back to his then-home in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Los Angeles was much tougher than Gabe anticipated. He spent his first year living in his car, often parked in a Walmart lot. He couldn’t even afford meals at times. In an effort to help from afar, Ken called restaurants near Gabe and ordered meals so Gabe could pick them up. Through perseverance and determination, Gabe eventually landed his first commercial role in a series of commercials for a Beverly Hills construction company. He then booked roles with Nintendo, Samsung, Reese’s Puffs, and Fujifilm. Gabe is now also an accomplished producer and cinematographer.

Inspired by Gabe’s determination and accomplishments, Ken pursued the lifelong passion for filmmaking that he shares with his son. Taking an enormous leap of faith, Ken, who had since remarried, moved with his wife to Canton in 2018 to pursue a career in film.

(top) In addition to his work as director, producer, actor, and screenwriter, Ken Merritt is the CEO of Off the Rail Productions.

(middle) Ken directs his brother, Michael Merritt, in the role of Jesse on the set of Jesse's Gift. The two enjoy collaborating and make a perfect duo.

(bottom) Ken cites his son, Gabe, as his inspiration for pursuing his lifelong dream of working in the film industry. Now the two are working together on Jesse's Gift.

In his role as Jesse, Michael Merritt delivered not only a stellar acting performance, but also worked as both a singer and songwriter on the film. He received the Best Soundtrack award at the 2021 Cobb International Film Fest.

Learning His Craft

While Ken was attending the Georgia Film Academy, a classmate asked if he’d like to play the role of a father in her sister’s short film, and Ken agreed. Throughout the making of the film, the sisters explained that they learned most of their in-depth evaluation of filmmaking through Clayton State University. To take another large leap, Ken reached out to its department and took a screenwriting class.

A company working with the university hosted a contest wherein students pitched film ideas, and the winner would get assistance in production. After creating a twenty-eight-minute short film titled Jesse’s Gift, Ken won the competition and was then tasked with transforming it into a feature-length film. Gabe assisted Ken in the creation of the film, and Ken’s brother, Michael, played the lead role in the soon-to-be released film.

The story of a washed-up musician on the brink of losing everything that matters, in Jesse’s Gift the musician finds new hope through a gift from his dying father. Both dramatic and inspirational, the film touches on many issues affecting families everywhere.

Boot Hill tells the story of a widowed pioneer woman as she embarks on a journey through the hostile wilderness to find medical aid and food for her sick child. But will she make it to Boot Hill before it's too late?

One of the settings in the film is called Timber City, and according to Ken, “Timber City is Canton. [We] thought about using the name Canton but decided to go with Timber City. We show a lot of the iconic images that Canton is known for.”

Cherokee County, a Natural Ken was drawn to Cherokee for filming and says Canton is “not only a supportive community in the filmmaking realm, but it also holds beauty in its vast locations that provide many options for shooting scenes.”

The Cherokee Office of Economic Development proves his statement, showcasing Cherokee County as a rising star in terms of broadening selections for filmmaking. Georgia offers free scouting assistance for films, videos, and movies and has assisted in the production of more than one hundred films, television series, and video projects in Cherokee County alone. More than a thousand production suppliers and support vendors are in Georgia’s deep crew base, and eighty-eight film and media establishments are in Cherokee County.

Wes Hagan, supervising locations manager for the Netflix series Ozark, states, “Cherokee has been a fantastic place for us to work. We’ve been well assisted with permitting, and the local law enforcement understands our needs. When we returned for season two, they didn’t miss a beat. It was seamless.”

One of Ken’s next projects is a western anthology, Boot Hill, the bulk of which is being filmed in Canton near the Etowah River Trail.

AMONG THE LOCAL FILMING LOCATIONS FOR JESSE’S GIFT ARE GREEN LINE BREWERY AND THE MILL ON ETOWAH IN DOWNTOWN CANTON, REINHARDT UNIVERSITY IN WALESKA, BEDOE'S BAR & GRILL IN CANTON, AND MADLIFE STAGE & STUDIOS IN DOWNTOWN WOODSTOCK.

Jesse is a talented musician that falls into a downward spiral of failure after blaming himself for the death of his wife and the estrangement of his daughter and only child, Brooke. Cracking under pressure, Jesse takes to the bottle and leaves the small town of Timber City, becoming homeless in the streets of Atlanta. That is, until his father William is stricken with a terminal illness. William petitions his younger son, Gabe, to find out if Jesse is still alive and to bring him back by his side before he dies. William has high hopes for Jesse to reconnect with Brooke and fulfill his destiny as a gifted musician. He gifts Jesse with a family heirloom that gives him hope and strength to face his battles. But is it enough to overcome the demons that have haunted him for life?

NEW FRONTIERS IN ART

INCLUSIVE PROGRAMMING WELCOMES ALL AGES AND ABILITIES

FFEATURING 120,000 square feet of classic American imagery, the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville is the world’s largest permanent exhibition space for Western art. The Smithsonian-affiliated museum also features the most rotating art exhibitions in all of Georgia. The museum lives up to its mission to “educate, entertain, and inspire guests through the exploration of Western art, popular culture, and American heritage in a welcoming environment” by providing specialized programming and inclusive elements that allow every visitor to see America’s story.

SENSORY-FRIENDLY PROGRAMS

In consultation with Emory Autism Center and the Bartow County School District Exceptional Education Department, the museum developed programs and special features for neurodiverse audiences. Among the events offered are Sensory-Friendly Mornings, two hours dedicated to providing quiet spaces for neurodiverse visitors to explore art in a calm, welcoming environment. Visitors receive a sensoryfriendly goody bag with items like fidget spinners and stress balls. They can also participate in art activities developed especially for sensory sensitivities.

The museum welcomes visitors to ask for a quiet space anytime it’s needed. On the museum website, sensory-friendly maps in English and Spanish highlight high- and low-noise-level areas in the museum. The next Sensory-Friendly Morning event is planned for Saturday, March 25.

ART WITH MERIT

The museum offers programs for Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA to experience the American West with informative, hands-on activities based on the Scout curriculum and developed in partnership with local district councils. Participation in these events allows Scouts BSA to earn merit badges and Cub Scouts to earn the STEM Nova badge.

A one-time Cub Scout himself, museum educator Sam Harris understands the values of the organization and works closely with BSA leaders to facilitate learning opportunities for scouts of all ages. Led by trained museum educators, the next Merit Badge Clinic is planned for Saturday, May 20, during which scouts earn merit badges in Indian Lore, Art, and Pottery. On Saturday, July 22, the next Cub Scout Day allows scouts to discover “science, technology, engineering, art, and math behind westward expansion from stagecoaches to steam engines.” Girl Scouts who visit the museum can access a special scavenger hunt on the museum website for a chance to earn a patch.

This fall the museum will host an inaugural Scouting the West event for Scouts to taste food from a chuck wagon, view artisan demonstrations,

and listen to stories about the history of the American cowboy, all while earning a special patch.

HOMESCHOOL PROGRAMMING

Grace Adams, director of marketing, shares that the museum regularly offers programs designed for homeschool students and families to learn art techniques in a classroom setting with other children, letting them “make friends and be kids” while exploring art and creativity inspired by current exhibits. Mark your calendars for Friday, March 3, and Friday, May 5, for these events.

HANDS-ON LEARNING

Among the activities featured in the three-story building—itself a work of art constructed with Bulgarian limestone and inspired by characteristics of Pueblo architecture—is Sagebrush Ranch, an interactive area for children to discover art through play. Organized like a working ranch, the play area allows little cowpokes to explore more than thirty interactive stations in the farmhouse, barn, bunkhouse, and corral.

Taking hands-on learning to a new level, the museum offers visually impaired visitors the chance to discover art through items specifically designed for touch. Included are representations of sculptures and paintings that guests can hold, touch, and feel.

MUSEUM CITY

Executive Director Seth Hopkins credits community support. “Without member support from our community we would not be able to offer all the rich programming. Membership is a tremendous value when you look at the discounts and exclusive opportunities to attend gallery walks and lectures, as well as special events that provide the community with entertaining and engaging cultural experiences. We also see great social connections being made among our members who enjoy interacting with like-minded people and being exposed to the arts,” he shares. Grace also recognizes the importance of community in making events at the museum possible. She says many locals refer to Cartersville as “Museum City,” a source of great community pride. Indeed Cartersville boasts a wealth of rich cultural resources, including The Booth Museum and its sister museums, Tellus Science Museum (also a Smithsonian affiliate), Savoy Automobile Museum, and Bartow History Museum. Celebrating twenty years in 2023, The Booth Museum has welcomed nearly a million visitors, and with its inclusive and special programs, the museum is sure to continue its legacy of bringing the American West to life here in Georgia.

BOOTH WESTERN ART MUSEUM is located at 501 Museum Drive in Cartersville. Learn more at BoothMuseum.org.

Public Art CANTON

TheCanton Cultural Arts Commission is painting the town with an array of public art to celebrate all the city has to offer in nature, culture, and history.

The Cultural Arts Commission’s Public Art Master Plan celebrates the history and community of Canton through the use of art. Canton Theatre Events and Facilities Director Kristin Norton Green explains that the commission creates places and opportunities for community interaction and engagement throughout the city. “In 2023 our most exciting project will be the adoption of our Public Art Master Plan,” Kristin shares. “This is an exciting time for Canton because we have the opportunity to build this public art program in the way that best reflects the unique character of our city.”

The Cultural Arts Commission is working with Amanda Golden of Designing Local to create the public art program. The plan will also give recommendations for public art projects using data sourced through numerous interviews and public input sessions.

Art has the power not only to beautify, but also to unite and tell a story. Each project that the Cultural Arts Commission undertakes has the goal of sharing who we are and what makes Canton such a special place, Kristin says.

with

Cultural Arts

Commission Reveals

Creative Vision

Canton Mayor Bill Grant applauds the efforts of the Cultural Arts Commission. “Cultural and public art helps humanize our community and enrich Canton’s narrative between the past, present, and future. Freely accessible to all, a unique, yet strategic, approach to public art will help create a destination and add meaning to our city,” Mayor Grant offers. “I applaud our Cultural Arts Commission for its efforts on this important initiative, as our Canton Public Art Master Plan will work within our roadmap to activate our many communities to enjoy public art while also celebrating Canton’s spirit and artistic expressions.”

Members of the commission are selecting a finalist for the mural that will be installed on the new downtown parking deck next to City Hall. Kristin explains that the parking deck mural is especially exciting because it is a capital project designed with the addition of public art in mind. The mural project is scheduled to be completed this summer.

Kristin adds more: “We are working on an exciting mural project on the basketball court at Boling Park.” The Boling Park mural is a collaboration between Cherokee High School student Emily Hamilton, local artist and Cultural Arts Commission member Rob Walker-Bunda, and Atlanta-based nonprofit Art in the Paint. Emily worked with Rob to refine the idea and scale it to size for the basketball court. Art in the Paint, founded by former professional basketball player Arelious Cooper, is executing the design. Arelious and his organization work across Atlanta to

’’

By Rebecca Johnston, Canton Resident

BLOOMS

Muralartist Mad i s o n ueiluaeB

improve basketball courts in underserved communities and have recently been featured in Southern Living, Essence, and VoyageATL.

Another neighborhood can expect to see art in its future. The arts commission plans a mural in the Sunnyside community that will coincide with the expansion and redevelopment of Harmon Park.

Sunnyside is one of Canton’s most diverse and historic neighborhoods and is on the road to a new era of success as city leaders have joined forces with community members to bring the area a renewed sense of place and purpose.

Harmon Park, one of Canton’s oldest city parks, is set to receive a $1.2 million update that will include a mini-pitch soccer field* as part of the city’s commitment to better serve the diverse community.

In addition to Rob, other members of the arts commission include Amy Kesler, Elaine Federico, Jamie Foreman, Theresa Shampine, and Bryan White.

Previous projects for the Canton Cultural Arts Commission include the Legs Through Time mural along Railroad Street, completed in 2020. It tells the story of the history of Canton, from prehistoric times all the way to modern day, on a three-foot-high wall. Shanna Coulter, a local art teacher, created the concept and worked with other Cherokee County teachers to complete the project.

The commission has also completed the popular Canton Wildflower mural on North Street in the alley between Masterpiece Framer and Stout’s Growlers designed and painted by local artist Madison Beaulieu. It depicts wildflowers native to Georgia and is a great place to stop for a photograph or a selfie, Kristin explains.

*Mini-pitch soccer fields are surrounded by a rebound board system. In mini-pitch games the ball remains constantly in play, creating more ball contact, decisions, and goals and a faster, more intensive experience than games played on a regular pitch field.

Art in the Paint’s mission is “to renovate public outdoor basketball courts and install murals to strengthen communities, promote safety, inspire creativity, and encourage play.” Learn more about Art in the Paint at PlanPaintPlay.com

Railroad Street Mural "Legs Through Time"

Lead Artist Shanna Coulter

Historic North Street Mural Artist Scott McIntyre

Native American Sculpture Artist Jiovnni Tallington

East Garden Sculpture at History Cherokee "You Are Here" Artist Huelani Mei Fogelman

The Art Edition

We invited local artists of all ages and talents to submit their work for the first Enjoy Cherokee Arts Edition Contest, and we were impressed by the talent reflected in the submissions. A panel of judges voted on the entries, which were divided into the following six categories:

Oil/Acrylic/Watercolor Paintings, Mixed Media, Alternative Media, Sketches in Pen or Pencil, Digital Art, and Photography. Join us in congratulating all of the talented artists who submitted their works for consideration. And special congratulations to the overall contest winner, artist Kristina Laurendi Havens.

Oil, acrylic & Watercolor

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Mixed media

Kristina Laurendi Havens, Woodstock

Shayla McLarty, Canton

Shayla says she searches for “beauty in day-today scenes” and draws on her life experiences for inspiration. This piece was created using acrylic and mixed media on canvas.

Patty DelValle, Woodstock

Cheryl Parish, Canton

Grace Adams is the director of marketing at the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville. She has called Cartersville home all her life and dearly loves all of Northwest Georgia. She holds an art studies degree from Georgia Highlands College. Her favorite styles of art are Impressionism and Realism.

Rochelle Allen, Woodstock

Demi Velasquez, Woodstock

This piece, an oil painting on panel, was inspired by Kristina’s niece. In addition to her paintings, multitalented artist Kristina also sells one-of-a-kind clothing and furniture at the Woodstock Market. 1 2 3

Jamie Foreman is a local resident and business owner of Menagerie on Main, an art gallery and artisan boutique in the heart of Downtown Canton that features more than fifty local artists and makers and also hosts classes, workshops, art exhibits, live music performances, and a variety of other events and gatherings. She is a supporter of all things creative and is also a Canton Cultural Arts Commission board member.

Oil/Acrylic/Watercolor

Winner: Kristina Laurendi Havens

Grace Adams Director of Marketing, The Booth Museum

Jamie Foreman Owner, Menagerie on Main

Mixed Media Winner: Shayla McLarty

Sketches in pen & Pencil

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Sketches in Pen/Pencil Winner: Wyatt Darnell

THANKS TO OUR JUDGES

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Blake Chester, Canton

For Blake, woodworking became an outlet to escape the stress of school during the COVID-19 pandemic. He now sells wooden bowls and décor at the annual Riverfest Arts & Crafts Festival presented by the Service League of Cherokee County.

Jennifer McDougal, Canton

Monica Mercer, Canton

Anthony Hall Artist, Lydell Arts

Anthony Hall has channeled his creative energy into acting, stand-up comedy, photography, and painting anything that will sit still for him— shoes, sofas, hats, or giant canvases.

Anthony’s art is featured at Whole Soul Shop at The Mill on Etowah in Canton. He also has a booth each week at the Marietta Square Artisan Market.

Wyatt Darnell, Canton

Wyatt draws inspiration from the works of comic book artists such as Alex Ross and Jim Lee as well as French painter Claude Monet. His piece depicting the legendary Elvis Presley was created using pencil, ink, marker, and paint.

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 Alternative media

Alex Ramirez, Woodstock

Kahlil Lock, Canton

Jerry King Photographer, J. King Images

Jerry King is a professional headshot photographer based in Woodstock and serving metro Atlanta. He specializes in great headshots and professional portrait photography. His goal is to provide his clients with all the necessary images they need to market themselves successfully in this day and age. He enjoys teaching and helping people look their best in front of the lens.

Alternative Media Winner: Blake Chester

DIGITAL ART

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Photography

1

OUR JUDGES

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Emily Danielle Cumana, Canton

Emily says, “It’s important to do what you love despite what other people may think. This is a different avenue compared to a lot of the photography I see around me.” She is a media and entertainment major at Kennesaw State University.

Cade Boling, Woodstock

Grace Moody, Canton

Nicole Lampl is the director and curator of the Woodstock Arts Reeves House Visual Arts Center. She curates exhibits featuring artists from around the corner and around the world. She also worked with the city of Woodstock to bring in the public art sculptures installed around the Woodstock Arts Event Green on Elm Street.

Shanda McCloskey, Ball Ground

Shanda is a children's literature author and illustrator who comes from a creative family of artists and entrepreneurs. This piece, made using watercolor and digital technology, is featured in the book Nubby by Dan Richards.

Sylvia Smith, Woodstock

Heather Leach, Acworth

Maria Londoño has a degree in art education from Kennesaw State University. Maria is an artist and art educator in the Cherokee County School District. She specializes in drawing, mixed media, photography, and collaborative projects. Maria loves creating fun and engaging art experiences for her students, enjoying art in the community, and being an advocate for the arts.

Digital Art Winner: Shanda McCloskey

Nicole Lampl Director/Curator, Reeves House Visual Arts Center

Maria Londoño Art Teacher, Woodstock Elementary School

Photography Winner: Emily Danielle Cumana

SERIES

By Rebecca Johnston, Canton Resident

HISTORY CENTER GALLERY ONE FEATURES EARLIEST TIMES

The new Cherokee County History Center in downtown Canton offers visitors a chance to browse through artifacts and information from each era of the county’s rich and varied past. The History Center includes five galleries with exhibits in chronological order and a sixth gallery used for rotating exhibits.

Gallery One is home to our county’s earliest time period, covering Cherokee County’s indigenous peoples and their cultures. Gallery One includes the Paleoindian, Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian periods of local history as well as the Muscogee/Creek peoples and Cherokee peoples.

The archaeological objects on display in Gallery One largely come from a collection Lamar and Mary Fowler Holcomb donated. This collection contains a significant number of artifacts from the Long Swamp archaeology site in Ball Ground. Kaylee Johnson, History Cherokee’s exhibits and collections manager, points out that the collection contains several pottery bowls and jars, earspools, pipes, carved pottery figurine fragments, beads, and many other items.

The large glass case in the gallery displays several impressive unearthed archaeological artifacts. Drawers offer a more in-depth look into the History Center’s vast collection of artifacts. Native peoples hundreds and sometimes thousands of years ago created and used the objects, Kaylee elaborates.

“It is very rare to have such a large and diverse group of objects from a single site. Displaying these artifacts allows the historical society to share thousands of years of different Native American cultures in Cherokee County,” she explains.

Children and visitors of all ages enjoy the interactive exhibits, according to Kaylee.

“One of the highlights of this gallery is the touch-table interactive. It has various animal pelts, shells, and bones that would have been hunted and used for food by native peoples. The touch-table lets visitors interact with these natural resources directly and is meant to spur curiosity and discovery for our younger visitors.”

Gallery One is named for Carolyn Smith Galt, a member of one of Canton’s oldest families, through a naming gift from her family to the capital campaign for the Cherokee County History Canter.

Gallery SMITH GALTCarolyn

Carolyn moved to Canton in 1958 after graduating from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, where she earned her bachelor of arts degree in English, and marrying Canton native Odian Putnam Galt, Jr. She spent the next fifty-seven years in Canton raising her family. Carolyn lived in a Victorian home built by the first mayor of Canton, her husband’s ancestor, Odian Wilson Putnam, in the late 1800s. Her husband, Odie, also served as mayor of Canton, like his illustrious ancestor. She died in 2021 at the age of eighty-four.

While Carolyn lived here in Canton she was involved in many efforts, including helping Canton and other cities in Cherokee to become aware of the importance of trees and to be a Tree City USA. Carolyn enjoyed traveling, reading, her pets, and the arts, especially theatre. Carolyn Smith Galt left a living legacy in Canton.

THE CHEROKEE COUNTY HISTORY CENTER is open Wednesdays to Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5:00 p.m. Located at 221 East Marietta Street in Canton, History Cherokee provides free parking for guests. There is also a free public-use parking garage across from the History Center at 200 West Marietta Street. Admission to the museum is $9 for adults and $7 for children ages five to fourteen as well as seniors over sixty-five. Admission for children ages four and under is free. All History Cherokee members also receive free admission. For more information visit HistoryCherokee.org.

Easter Egg Nests

Ingredients

2 thick slices deli ham (about 4 oz. total)

16 oz. frozen shredded hashbrowns, thawed (about half of a 30 oz. bag, or 3 ½ cups)

16 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature

2 tbsp. milk

½ cup frozen peas

2 tbsp. chopped chives (half-inch pieces)

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Finely grated zest of 1 lemon Paprika, for serving

Begin the Fun

1. Position two racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat to 425°. Spray a 12-cup and a 24-cup mini muffin tin with cooking spray and set aside.

2. Cut the ham into small matchsticks similar in size to the hashbrowns. Set aside and reserve 1/3 cup of the ham. Mix the remaining ham, hashbrowns, 1 teaspoon salt and some pepper in a large bowl. Divide the mixture evenly among the sprayed cups, using about 1 rounded tablespoon each. Press the mixture in a thin layer across the bottom and up the sides of each cup to make a nest, leaving the edges uneven and jagged.

3. Bake, rotating the pans halfway through, until the nests are dark brown around the tips and golden and crisp on the outside, about 25 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, beat the cream cheese, lemon zest, milk, ½ teaspoon salt, and some pepper together in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed. Scrape the mixture into a resealable plastic bag, cut off the tip, and set the bag aside.

Easter Salad

Ingredients

For the Salad

1 cup walnuts

12 oz. mixed spring greens

16 oz. strawberries, washed, hulled, and sliced

4 oz. crumbled goat cheese

For the Lemon Honey Vinaigrette

½ cup sunflower, safflower, or extra virgin olive oil (neutral-flavored)

5 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 tbsp. honey

¼ tsp. sea salt (may add more to taste)

1 tsp. poppy seeds

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Begin the Fun

1. Adjust the rack to the center position and preheat the oven to 350°. Spread walnuts on a sheet pan and bake for 5 to 7 minutes or until fragrant and light brown, watching carefully to prevent burning. Set aside and allow them to cool.

2. To prepare the vinaigrette, measure all the ingredients into a Mason jar. Tightly screw on the lid and shake vigorously until everything is thoroughly combined. Alternatively, you may whisk the ingredients together in a medium bowl or blend them in a mini food processor or blender.

3. To assemble the salad, layer the mixed greens, sliced strawberries, toasted walnuts, and crumbled goat cheese in a large bowl. Just before serving, dress with your desired amount of lemon honey vinaigrette and toss until the salad ingredients are evenly coated.

5. When the nests are ready, remove them from the oven and let sit until they are cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes. Carefully lift the nests out of the tins using a small spatula or butter knife and transfer to a cookie sheet. Using the filled plastic bag, pipe the filling evenly among the nests. This may be done ahead; the nests can be set aside at room temperature until ready to serve, up to two hours.

6. When ready to serve, heat the filled nests until the cream cheese is warm and the potatoes are crisp, about 7 minutes. Meanwhile, bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add the frozen peas and cook until they are warm but not shriveled, 5 to 6 minutes. Drain the peas in a colander, shaking to remove excess water.

7. Transfer the nests to a serving platter. Top each with ¼ teaspoon of the reserved ham, a few peas, and about ¼ teaspoon chopped chives. Sprinkle with paprika and serve immediately.

Leprechaun’s Spinach Quiche

Ingredients

1 9-inch deep-dish frozen pie crust

4 large eggs

1 tbsp. butter

½ cup thinly sliced shallots

1¼ cups heavy cream

¾ tsp. salt

⅛ tsp. cayenne pepper

1 cup finely shredded Gruyère, packed 10 oz. package frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and wrung free of water

Pinch of ground nutmeg

Begin the Fun

1. Preheat the oven to 400° and set a rack in the middle position. Remove the pie crust from freezer and thaw until just soft enough to prick with a fork easily, about 10 minutes. Prick the bottom and sides all over with a fork (pricking about an inch apart). Bake until fully cooked and lightly golden, 10 to 15 minutes. (Keep an eye on it. If it puffs up while cooking, gently prick it with a fork so it deflates.) Set aside and turn oven down to 325°.

2. Heat the butter in a small skillet over mediumlow heat. Cook the shallots until soft and translucent, about 8 minutes. Do not brown. Set aside to cool.

3. In a medium bowl whisk together eggs, heavy cream, nutmeg, salt, and cayenne pepper.

4. Place the cooked pie crust on a baking sheet (makes it easy to move it in and out of oven). Spread the shallots over the bottom of the cooked crust and sprinkle the shredded Gruyère on top. Scatter the spinach evenly over cheese, breaking up clumps as best you can. Pour the egg and cream mixture over the top.

5. Bake at 325° for 50 to 55 minutes until the custard is set and top is lightly golden. Serve hot or warm.

Drunken LEPRECHAUN

Ingredients

4 oz. orange juice

2 oz. James Irish Whiskey

1 oz. Blue Curacao

1 orange slice

Egg Hunt Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

1 egg

½ cup unsalted butter

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. vanilla extract

½ tsp. baking powder

¼ tsp. salt

Cupcake Icing

Gel Food Coloring

Begin the Fun

1. In a large mixing bowl, mix cream, butter, and sugar together using a hand mixer (or stand mixer) on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg and vanilla and beat until combined. Turn the mixer to low speed and add baking powder and salt. Gradually add flour and mix until combined. Form the dough into a ball and wrap it tightly in plastic cling wrap. Freeze for 30 minutes or refrigerate until firm (at least 1 hour, up to overnight).

2. Remove the dough from refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes. On a lightly floured surface, use a rolling pin to roll the dough out until it is ¼-inch thick. Use an egg-shaped cookie cutter, preferably about 2 inches in size, to cut out egg shapes. Transfer the cookies onto a half-sheet baking pan lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, placing them an inch apart. Reroll any scraps and repeat to cut out more cookies.

3. Bake the cookies at 350o in a preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, until the edges start to turn golden brown. Let the cookies cool for a couple minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

4. Use a number-5 round tip to outline the base color on the sugar cookie, leaving about ⅛-inch from the edge, and fill in the inside. Use the back of a spoon to spread the icing to the edge.

5. Allow the base to dry enough so that when you add icing on top, it won’t smudge or blend into it. It doesn’t have to be fully set, but set enough, about 20-30 minutes.

6. Use a thin number-1 round tip to decorate the Easter egg cookies in cute patterns such as lines, squiggles, and dots.

Begin the Fun

1. Add orange juice, whiskey, and Blue Curacao to a highball glass with ice.

2. Stir and garnish with an orange slice.

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Celebrate Locally with

The Smokin' Texan

South Texas BBQ Restaurant Opening

2864 East Cherokee Drive, Suite A, Canton 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. TheSmokinTexanGA.com

Homeschool Friday Wildlife Character Theme

The Booth Museum, Cartersville

1:00–2:30 p.m. | Learn more on page 33 BoothMuseum.org

CCSD Certified Job Fair River Ridge High School

400 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 9:00 a.m.–Noon CherokeeK12.net

Sip & Support Fundraiser

Benefiting Wipe Every Tear

Fermented Wine Boutique, Canton 3:00–5:00 p.m. | $35 FermentedATL.com

5 Sunday Caleb Guy Fundraiser Special Olympics Team USA Canton First UMC, Canton Noon–2:00 p.m. CantonFirstUMC.com

7 Tuesday

Music Trivia Fundraiser TRIVIA Rock Solid Brewing Co. 345 Gilmer Ferry Road, Ball Ground

6:00–10:00 p.m. | $10 RockSolidBrewingCo.com

Adult Painting Workshop

WORKSHOP Watercolor Pet Portraits

The Buzz Recreation Center, Canton

6:30–8:30 p.m. | $40

PlayCherokee.org

Community Cleanup Day Meet at JD's on the Lake 6979 Bells Ferry Road, Canton 8:30–11:00 a.m. | Volunteer LakeAllatoonaAssoc.com

2 Thursday

NYX Open Gym

FREE for First-Time Visitors

NYX Training Center, Woodstock 4:00–6:00 p.m. | Kid-Friendly NYXTrainingCenter.com

Palmetto Moon

Canton Marketplace Opening

1810 Cumming Highway, Canton

10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | Prizes PalmettoMoonOnline.com

Exclusive Wine Tasting

Lora Mae's 420 Old Canton Road, Ball Ground

4:00–6:00 p.m. | Ages 21+ LoraMaes.com

Good Shot Judy

MUSIC The Falany at Reinhardt

7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska

3:00 p.m. | Tickets Reinhardt.edu/Falany

Winter Lecture Series with William Isom II

7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska

2:00 p.m. | $10 Reinhardt.edu/FunkHeritage

Locals Night Reception

VISUAL ARTS with Harmony Reid Reeves House, Woodstock

6:00–9:00 p.m. WoodstockArts.org

Sequoyah-Con: Pokémon

R.T. Jones Memorial Library

116 Brown Industrial Pkwy, Canton 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. | FREE SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

The Lasting Laugh

COMEDY Woodstock Arts 8534 Main Street, Woodstock

p.m. | Ages 12+ WoodstockArts.org

Women's Networking Dinner with guest speaker Monica Mercer Thrive Coworking, Canton

6:30–8:30 p.m. | Register by 3/5 TheCuratedProject.org/Events

Cherokee County Bruins Signing Day

Meet the new Semi-Pro Football Team! The Daily Draft, Woodstock

7:00 p.m. | Family-Friendly Event

E Cherokee County Bruins: Semi-Pro Football

Menagerie is 3!

VISUAL ARTS Menagerie on Main 351 West Main Street, Canton 1:00–8:00 p.m. MenagerieOnMain.com

Pint-wood Derby for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

The Mill on Etowah, Canton

p.m. | $75 EtowahMill.com/Events

Rich Gunderlock MUSIC PURE Taqueria

405 Chambers Street, Woodstock 6:00–10:00 p.m. PUREtaqueria.com/Woodstock

2023 Opening Day vs. Washington Nationals

March

Thomas Fountain MUSIC Canton Theatre 171 East Main Street, Canton 7:00 p.m. | Tickets Eventbrite.com

12 Sunday Car-B-Que at the Flat Old Country Place BBQ 6764 Hickory Flat Highway, Canton

16

Thursday

a.m.–2:00 p.m. | Cruise-in

E Car-B-Que at the Flat

Distinguished Songwriters MUSIC with Tony Arata

The Booth Museum, Cartersville 2:00 p.m. | $5–15 BoothMuseum.org

4th Annual Cherokee Film Summit FILM Cherokee Office of Economic Development

YANMAR Evo Center, 5889 Old Alabama Road, Acworth 5:00–9:00 p.m. | Learn more on page 28 CherokeeGA.org

Mountain Trail Run

Shamrock Pub Crawl

Downtown Woodstock Main Street, Woodstock

2:00–6:00 p.m.

VisitWoodstockGA.com

Goat Yoga on The Green with Hidden Acres Animal Sanctuary

The Mill on Etowah, Canton

11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | $34

HiddenAcresAnimalSanctuary.org

PoBoys Cruise-in with PoBoys Car Club

The Mill on Etowah, Canton

3:00 p.m. | Fundraiser PoBoysCarClub.com

WILKES

MUSIC The Listening Room

Rootstock, Woodstock

6:00–8:00 p.m. | Learn more on page 22 RootstockNow.com

Spring Fashion Sip + Shop

Downtown Woodstock 8588 Main Street, Woodstock

5:00–9:00 p.m. | $10

VisitWoodstockGA.com

Mid-Month Market

MARKET RockSolid Brewing Co. 345 Gilmer Ferry Road, Ball Ground Noon–3:00 p.m. | All ages

E Ball Ground Farmers Market

Business is Blooming

VISUAL ARTS Menagerie on Main

West Main Street, Canton

Live Music Thursdays MUSIC Ball Ground Tavern

Film Showcase FILM Woodstock Arts Event Green

Once Upon a Mattress THEATER Canton Theatre 171 East Main Street, Canton 7:30–9:30 p.m. | Tickets LoleksStorytellers.com

Art Contest Submission by Brenda Pinnick, Woodstock

T HEMILL ON ETOWAH TWODAYEVENT

2nd Annual Etowah Wildlife Expo

March 25-26, 2023

FREE ADMISSION

Bass Fishing Demonstrations

Dock Diving Dogs

Live Music on Outdoor Stage

Falconry Show

100+ Wildlife Vendors Reptile Show

3D Archer Range

Retriever Exhibition

Wildlife Art Show

Kids Fun Zone