Enjoy Cherokee Magazine, Vol. 12, Issue 2, March/April 2024

Enjoy Cherokee Team

Randy Gravley, CEO/President

Jodi Drinkard, COO/Publisher

Bill West, Vice President of Sales

Jaye Grimes, Managing Editor

Raymond Werner, Digital Media Specialist

Bobbie Christmas, Senior Editor

Laurie Parente, Designer

Bruce Baker, Writer

Larry Cavender, Writer

Abigail Hayman, Writer

Charlotte Johnson, Writer

Rebecca Johnston, Writer

Amira Menkara, Writer

Cindy Pope, Writer

Brooke Schmidt, Writer

Emma Tyler, Writer

Ashley Velez, Writer

Jennifer Allen, Account Executive

Makenzie Bird, Intern

Nick Feehery, Intern

Suzy Alstrin, Guest Contributor

Emily Danielle Cumana, Guest Photographer

Katie Johnson, Guest Photographer

Copyright

2024

SimplyTheBest@EnjoyCherokee.com

P.O. Box 4666 I Canton, GA 30114 I 678-454-9552 @EnjoyCherokee

[advertisers index]

Atlanta’s Event Specialists / 49

Bear Claw Vineyards / 28

Camellia Place Assisted

Living & Memory Care / 41

Canton Funeral Home / 38

Century House / 28

Chattahoochee Technical College / 18

Cherokee Film Summit / 14

Cherokee Floor Covering / 18

Darby Funeral Home / 28

Em Danielle Photography / 36

Explore Canton / 3

Falany Performing Arts Center / 51

Great Sky Canton / 3

Harmony Orthodontics / 51

Heller Law / 36

History Cherokee / 33

J. Thompson Ross Investments / 10-11

Kitchen Tune-Up & Bath Tune-Up / back cover

KT Johnson Photography / 9

Magnetize.Me / 45

Molly & Margie’s / 28

Northside Hospital / inside front cover

Northside Hospital: Ask the Doctor / 26-27

Safety Town 2024 / 51

Sheriff Frank Reynolds / 20-21

Street Dog Dash 5K / 33

Sweety’s Café & Ice Cream Bar / 49

Tranquility Fine Arts / 38

Wellstar Health System / 8

Woodstock Funeral Home / 45

best FACE forward

RAYMOND PICKENS’S EVOCATIVE WORKS STIR EMOTIONS

STORY BY Brooke Schmidt, Canton |

PHOTOGRAPHY

BY Katie Johnson

SEE

351 West Main Street, Canton Gallery Anderson Smith

294 Buckhead Avenue, Atlanta

Most of us are taught never to stare, but for Canton-based artist Raymond Pickens, staring at faces allows him to make large-scale magic.

A self-declared people watcher, Raymond captures his one-of-a-kind perspective on the shadows and highlights of facial features and expressions, often bringing notable celebrities and musical icons to larger-than-life canvases. As much about identity and communication as the subjects themselves, Raymond’s works include the famous faces of Muhammad Ali, Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson, Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse, Bob Marley, and many others.

Anyone following the growing Cherokee County arts scene over the past few years has likely seen at least one of Raymond’s bold and beautiful paintings, as his acrylic masterpieces are difficult to miss.

From Points to Portraits

With deep Cherokee roots, Raymond attended Reinhardt University in Waleska as a basketball player after gaining notoriety as a talented three-point shooter for the Cherokee High School Warriors. While supported by family and art teachers throughout his early years, Raymond says he never took his own artistic talent seriously. “I loved art from an early age,” Raymond says. “I started creating as a toddler, but for me, there’s always been a disconnect between turning something that’s so fun for me into a true career.” Reserved and charming, Raymond still is not comfortable with calling himself an artist. “I resist the idea of myself as a professional creator,” he says. “Comparison tends to trip me up.”

Raymond’s humility is sincere. He laughs at the fact that all his staring and noticing people over the years has resulted in a few awkward conversations. Other than sometimes having to reassure loved ones why he’s got his eyes on a passerby, no real downside has come from Raymond’s ability to see the details in faces that others may miss.

Pursuing His Passion

When Raymond started painting seriously just a few years ago, he focused on personalized commission pieces. Longtime friend William Carlan, now a Cherokee County associate magistrate judge, was the catalyst Raymond

needed to believe in himself more and consider selling non-commissioned pieces. William, insistent that his friend explore what could come of sharing his works more broadly, connected Raymond with Menagerie on Main gallery owner and art curator Jamie Foreman, and the journey began.

Always looking for talented and outstanding North Georgia-based artists to showcase in her down-to-earth art shop, Jamie has been impressed with Raymond’s ability to stretch himself as a painter. “Raymond has embraced being open,” she says. “He has a way of just letting his art take him over. He’s able to let his talent speak for him, which isn’t easy for everyone to do. While the size and style of his work certainly stands out physically, I think it’s his way of pouring individuality into faces all of us recognize that creates a real human connection for people.”

Creative Connections

Creating a meaningful connection in each piece is a process that varies when Raymond breaks out his brushes. For his first Amy Winehouse work, he says he had never even heard her music. “I saw her; I read about her, and I knew I had to paint her,” he says. Raymond says that later, when he listened to her soulful, jazzy expressions, he became a big fan. Today he makes a practice of listening to musicians’ selections prior to painting their portraits and always while creating them.

When asked about what holds him back from being a full-time professional artist, Raymond shrugs and smiles sheepishly. “Consistency. That’s my block,” he says. As a hardworking warehouse supervisor with long hours, Raymond says he sees himself taking his artwork to the next level eventually. “I am focusing on getting outside of my comfort zone,” he says. “I want to stop putting myself in a box, stop being hesitant to paint certain topics because of the fear it won’t be my best.”

Ready to branch out, Raymond has transitioned from painting exclusively in black and white to portraits that incorporate more color and texture. Always learning and experimenting as he goes, he says his next projects may be the faces of wild animals rather than just humans. “I’m curious,” Raymond continues, “about how I can combine animals and people.”

Raymond Pickens: Made to Order

‘‘I’m grateful to have this incredible work that pushes me each day and inspires me to keep going.”

— Rhiannon Turner, Canton

Follow Raymond (@raypicks.art) on Instagram to keep with new pieces and more. Website coming soon.

When Cherokee-based entrepreneur Rhiannon Turner was looking for a specific type of artwork for her new Lightyear Funding office at Thrive Canton in the historic Jones Mercantile building, she contacted art curator Jamie Foreman for assistance. The owner of art gallery Menagerie on Main, Jamie often acts as an art matchmaker for clients seeking just the right piece.

When Jamie shared Raymond’s bold pieces with Rhiannon, she immediately recognized his ability to capture emotion in his works. “For our new space I really wanted a statement piece that represented imagination and played off the ‘Lightyear’ in our company name,” Rhiannon says. “Raymond and I talked about the logistics of the painting and about how the facial expressions should communicate. When Raymond

suggested that the characters in the piece actually hold our logo, his understanding of what the work meant to me moved me to tears. This has been the first time art really connected with me. To have Raymond capture something deeper than cartoon characters and expertly create what I wanted the piece to evoke was really special.” The piece primarily depicts Buzz Lightyear from the Disney/Pixar Toy Story films. The character is the inspiration behind Rhiannon’s company name because her children loved the character for many years.

“Each time I look at the painting, I’m amazed that it looks like a digital photograph, but it’s all paint,” Rhiannon reports. “I’m grateful to have this incredible work that pushes me each day and inspires me to keep going.”

STORY BY Charlotte Johnson, Canton

What does a car do? Its simplest purpose is to take us from one location to another. If we’re lucky we can use our cars to get away. Maybe we seek to find great comfort and familiarity in our chosen destination. Perhaps we choose places with a bit of intrigue or a touch of the unexpected.

Cars can also take us to another time. It might be a car from our childhood that inspires nostalgia—station wagons for some, minivans for others. Cars can even remind us of entire decades that we never experienced firsthand, like spotting a pristine antique car as it glides through town.

1952 Oldsmobile 88

Jeff Chattin, owner of JC Picture Cars, speaks with attendees of the 2023 Cherokee Film Summit.

Picture-perfect Automobiles

Enter Jeff and Angie Chattin, a Cherokee County couple who put their antique cars to work and founded JC Picture Cars. A self-described car guy since early childhood, Jeff is a lifetime member of the Horseless Carriage Club of America and serves on its board of directors. Angie was a senior executive at CarMax until retiring in 2015. Although corporate life is in Angie’s rear-view mirror, retirement doesn’t always mean hitting the brakes.

Jeff and Angie enjoy sharing their collection of historic vehicles, now more than 130 of them to be exact. Whether driving around town or across the country, Jeff feels the increased visibility helps bolster acquisition and encourage preservation in others. Since 2007 the Chattins’ collection has gained visibility in an uncommon way. As Jeff recalls, “We were approached by someone who needed some period vehicles and machinery. That was in 2007 for the Get Low picture.”

Released in 2009, Get Low is a dramatic film starring Robert Duvall, Bill Murray, and Sissy Spacek. Although set in Tennessee during the 1930s, filming took place entirely in Georgia and prompted a new way for Jeff and Angie to bring historical automobiles to the masses. Among their early projects, described by Jeff as “sporadic,” the Chattins provided Ford Model Ts for flashback sequences on The Vampire Diaries. Filmed southeast of Atlanta in Covington, Georgia, the show has a considerable fan base that persists since its cancellation in 2017.

The demand for cars has since swelled so much that Jeff and Angie began sourcing vehicles that weren’t in their collection. As Jeff describes the experience, “Eventually it got to the point that we were renting other cars, and then we had to go out and purchase vehicles. That’s when we stood up the company because we were going beyond our collection.” The Chattins established JC Picture Cars in 2019 and since have furnished films, commercials, and photo shoots with pristine historical automobiles.

Car Star

Bruce Patton, curator of Savoy Automobile Museum in Cartersville, believes the use and accuracy of historical cars while filming benefits the production as well as car enthusiasts. He explains, “While not all people watching the film may know the difference between a car from the 1930s versus one from the 1940s, it can severely impact some viewers’ opinion of the film.” He notes that for some movies, “the car actually becomes one of the stars of the film.”

When asked to discuss any considerations involved in preserving automobiles for film, Bruce offers an insightful reply. “Many of our older generation that grew up with these cars are aging out of working on them, and we need them to mentor the younger generation. This comes down to getting younger people excited about the vehicles.”

Angie agrees, adding “We truly feel like we are caretakers for a season and love to share them with others to inspire them to one day be a caretaker themselves.” Jeff elaborates on this idea by explaining that there are nostalgic cars or “memory cars,” as he calls them, and cars that are purely collectible. “The only way to get people to understand what they are is in the context of film or an experience.”

The Chattins are certainly doing their part to contribute captivating historical automobiles to notable productions. They have supplied cars for such recent projects as Disney’s Jungle Cruise (2021), Devotion (2022), The Color Purple (2023), and current Best Picture Oscar nominee Killers of the Flower Moon (2023). The films they have worked on appeal to diverse audiences, and their cars contribute to the immersive experiences that keep box offices and viewers happy.

Generations of Entertainment

What does a film do? Its simplest purpose is to entertain us. Films can enlighten us and evoke powerful emotions. Maybe we seek to find great comfort and familiarity in our movie of choice. Perhaps we choose stories with a bit of intrigue or a touch of the unexpected.

Can you spot

JC Picture Cars in these films and shows?

2009

• Get Low

• The Vampire Diaries

2013

• The Originals

2015

• Bessie

2016

• Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love

• Macgyver

• Stranger Things

2017

• Dynasty

2018

• Legacies

2019

• Doom Patrol

2020

• First Ladies

• Lovecraft Country

2021

• Genius: Aretha

• Jungle Cruise

• Red Notice

• Respect

• The Innocent

• The Underground Railroad

2022

• Candy

• Devotion

• Till

• Tom Swift

• Women of the Movement

2023

• Dashing Through the Snow

• Haunted Mansion

• Killers of the Flower Moon

• May December

• Origin

• Rustin

• Southern Gospel

• The Bike Riders

• The Color Purple

2024

• Alto Knights

• A Man in Full

• Descendants: The Rise of Red

• Genius: MLK/X

• Hysteria!

• Project Artemis

• The Piano Lesson

Movies can also take us to another time. It might be a film from our childhood: Mary Poppins for some, Matilda for others. Movies can remind us of entire decades that we never experienced firsthand. The notion of filmmaking might transport us to a bygone era that turned Hollywood into Tinseltown, veiled in black and white.

Although far from the bright lights of Hollywood, the Cherokee Office of Economic Development [COED] and its film project manager, Molly Mercer, are rewriting the script to ensure burgeoning local talent has a chance to make a claim to fame.

Lights, Camera, Action

In 2011 COED committed to designate resources to support Georgia’s growing film production industry, making it one of the earliest Camera Ready Communities. As such, COED operates as an arm of the Georgia Film Office to efficiently respond to the needs of both regional and local film professionals, of which there are many. An estimated 11,700 industry workers reside in the market area, ranging from award-winning screenwriters to on-set snake wranglers.

to the film industry. The Cherokee Film Summit started with a strategic plan “to connect film professionals, businesses, creatives, and our community” and inform them of the roles they could play in Georgia’s Film Production industry. Working hard “to build relationships with regional industry professionals” allows COED to recruit qualified speakers for the event’s opening and closing presentations and breakout sessions.

These speakers detail their routes to success, including the speed bumps, providing attendees an opportunity to learn more about the film industry beyond the screen.

Cruising toward the celebration of five years of its flagship effort, the COED film and media team has announced the theme for 2024: “Connect with Tomorrow.” The event takes place Thursday, March 14, at the Yanmar EVO Center in Acworth from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.

To Infinity

Since 2019 COED has organized the Cherokee Film Summit, an event offering the community a front-row seat

Cherokee County filming locations have taken viewers from the Ozarks to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and deep within the mind of Stephen King. JC Picture Cars is one of the companies that chauffeurs moviegoers into the past as the Cherokee Film Summit gears up to steer this year’s attendees into the future. As we welcome more projects to the area it’s an exciting time to live in the present.

ETOWAH EAGLE USES TALENTS TO GIVE BACK

STORY BY Makenzie Bird, Canton

Peace, Purpose, and Paintbrushes

Marissa Migneco is a star on the rise. The Etowah High School senior recently led a community mural project and is a two-time Cherokee Student Film Festival award recipient. Marissa has established her name in the Cherokee County art community at an early age, and her talents have added color to our community as a whole.

Marissa says she’s been drawing ever since she could hold a pencil, and when she experimented with animation in middle school, her talent and artistic style flourished. She has since established a strong physical and digital sketchbook. Marissa notes that she does most of her artwork independently and with various media. Her style focuses on colors and rendering, opposing shapes, and a combination of smooth and harsh line work.

Creativity with a Cause

Using her talents from film to painting, Marissa has found ways to involve herself and give back to the community. As a member of the Etowah High School Art Club, she helped paint Little Free Libraries around Cherokee County. Additionally Marissa has participated in the Audio/Visual Pathway at her school, which afforded her the opportunity to participate in the Cherokee Student Film Festival. In 2022 she participated in the Best Use of Prop winning team and in 2023 led a team that placed third in Best in Show. In the fall of 2023 Marissa headed a large mural project for Goshen Valley Boys Ranch.

In her most recent project, Marissa led a team of nine other students from across Cherokee County to paint a mural for Goshen Valley Boys Ranch. Featuring a brightly colored watering can pouring water over a variety of plants, the mural took around a month to complete.

Marissa attributes the quick progress to the motivation and skill of her team. “After I saw how much progress we made on the first day of painting at Goshen Valley and the sheer size of the project, it hit me how amazing the project really was and how blessed I was to have this opportunity,” Marissa remarks. “I was able to connect with some of the fellow student artists from my school, and all the adults were involved and motivated with the project as well.”

Goshen Valley selected Marissa’s artwork for the mural in a competition against fifteen other student concepts. After the completion of the large mural, Marissa and her team decided to paint a second mural on a smaller fence nearby. The second mural includes the same vibrant colors and stark contrast as the original and features Goshen Valley’s slogan “Peace and Purpose” in letters splashing out of a garden hose.

Marissa says, “Ultimately my dream project would be to do something like the Goshen Valley mural project all over again. I would love to find a place that gives back to the community and use my artistic abilities to contribute to another good cause.”

Etowah High School art teacher Joshua Saye comments, “The quality I admire most about Marissa is her bravery. As a teacher it is refreshing to have a student that doesn’t secondguess herself and doesn’t fear failure. Marissa holds on to that child-like curiosity that allowed us all to create masterpieces for the refrigerator door without being concerned with judgment.”

The mural painted outside the Family Resource Center at Goshen Valley has a plaque that acknowledges Marissa and the other students and teachers involved in completing the mural.

While Marissa doesn’t yet have any formal plans for art after graduation, she intends to keep pursuing her passion and building her digital and physical portfolio. Her art teacher adds, “In the future I hope Marissa applies her bravery and curiosity to whatever direction in life she chooses. I hope she has adventures. I hope she is happy.”

The mural committee includes students Jenna Cuomo and Ella Nichols of Cherokee High School; Sydney Allen, Madison Fowler, Reagan Kadlub, Loveah Martinez, and Megan Torres of Etowah High School; Avery King of i-Grad Virtual Academy; and Mishkat Abdullahi of Sequoyah High School. The project was monitored by Cherokee High School art teacher Morgan

Clifton and Cherokee County School District Administrator on Special Assignment for Humanities & Fine Arts Jennifer Jones.

Marissa Migneco

STORY BY Cindy Pope, Woodstock

When Dr. Eric Richards first purchased lots in what is now downtown Woodstock’s newest neighborhood space, Adair Park, he wanted to keep the existing trees for their aesthetic beauty at the planned building sites. He abandoned that notion, however, upon learning that the trees and root systems would take up more space than the buildings, making development impossible. Pivoting instead to preserving the cleared timber, Eric reached out to Leh Meriwether of Meriwether Millworks for advice on reusing the trees. Leh milled the raw timber and encouraged Eric to find a master woodworker to finish the lumber and assemble furniture. One of Eric’s Adair Park partners, Gary Peacock, introduced him to Michael Nixon of Woodstock & Iron Woodworking. Together Michael and Eric, with Gary’s help, crafted a vision to repurpose the trees into innovative desktops, workstations, reception desks, and conference room tables for Eric’s company, Collaborate Coworking.

Cherokee County Collaboration

After a local tree company harvested the trees, Leh Meriwether and his crew loaded and transported the usable logs to Meriwether Millworks in Canton. After the lumber was milled, some was naturally seasoned (air dried) for several months, and some went into a huge onsite kiln that finished drying it and sterilized it, removing any insects and eggs. Next the Meriwether crew fashioned each log into the best boards for the projects and delivered the rough-cut boards back to Collaborate Coworking. Because of the scope of the project, Eric welcomed Michael to set up a makeshift woodworking shop in the Collaborate Coworking basement in mid-June 2023. “This was the first project where I worked with rough-cut lumber, and there were piles of it stored in several locations,” Michael recalls.

Photo Courtesy of A. Lewis Films

Michael can be reached at michael@woodstockandiron.com for project inquiries.

With some boards bordering on three inches thick and up to fifteen feet long, the size of the planks created a learning curve for Michael, as the pieces were much larger than anything he had worked with previously. Before the woodworking began, Michael calculated the space required for the completed project and then picked the types of wood with careful attention to grain, quality, and age. He also noted unique aspects of each piece of wood. “I could tell Michael was meticulous from our first meeting, which is something that is hard to find today,” Eric says proudly.

The Beauty of Skilled Craftsmanship

Today guests at Collaborate Coworking are greeted at the raised reception desk that Michael designed and crafted. Clients use workspaces furnished with Michael’s handcrafted wooden desktops and workstation tabletops, each exceptional because he designed it from specific pieces of wood and then measured, cut, crafted, sanded, and protected it for each space.

For Collaborate Coworking’s largest conference room, The Summit, Michael measured the center of the room and then considered the overhead lighting source, traffic flow, seating arrangement, and the position of the windows. He calculated that the conference room called for a fourteen-foot-long, five-and-half-foot-wide walnut conference table. Given its size after construction, moving and positioning the massive tabletop from the basement to the fourth floor required five men, multiple hand trucks, and, ultimately, a crane.

Eric interjects, “That table is cool because it’s not overwhelming—it’s the perfect size for that space. When [we] saw it in the woodworking shop [we] couldn’t help but wonder ‘how will this fit?’ but once it landed in the room, it was perfect.” The next project was The Magellan conference room table at Collaborate Coworking. When Michael measured the long, narrow room, he imagined a “boat table” for the space and constructed a long, narrow table with a wider center, allowing occupants to better see around the table. He thoughtfully gauged the wood coloring to be brown down the center with yellow stripes at the table’s widest points.

Eric adds, “I knew the products would be good, but they’ve been fabulous.”

Uniquely Distinctive Style

After learning woodworking skills from his father, Michael took on one of his first projects in 2019, creating trophies for the National High School Mock Trial Championship held in Athens, Georgia. As the director of the Georgia High School Mock Trial Competition and host director for Nationals, he relates, “I wanted something unique and set about designing the trophies to fit our mock trial case.” Over the course of five months, he built the trophies using wood and iron, connecting the trophies directly to the case.

The distinctive awards were a hit and led to other projects. Former teacher Michael officially launched Woodstock and Iron Woodworking in 2022.

In his first few months of business, Michael crafted custom banquette benches for a veterinarian’s office in Florida, an eight-foot round table for the common area at His Hands Church in Woodstock, and a dinette table for a neighbor. “It’s been an evolution that I never saw coming.” Other projects Michael has completed include custom pantry buildouts, custom furniture builds, a kitchen island, barn-door installations, and even a custom playroom.

What’s Next?

Michael has moved in to new shop space just across the county line in Marietta and is working on several projects for other clients. For future plans at Adair Park, Eric shares, “I bought more property around Adair Park that contained a dilapidated shed built of salvaged wood possibly from the original 1868 Woodstock train depot.” Eric reached out to Woodstock historian Juanita Hughes for authentication, who responded that it may indeed be authentic, as the shed has the same rafter pattern as the train depot. Eric and Michael plan to repurpose the wood into a future portion of Adair Park with a bronze commemorative plaque bearing Juanita’s historical insights.

Collaborate Coworking

is located at 61 Linton Street, Suite 2400, in Woodstock.

‘‘ I knew the products would be good, but they’ve been fabulous.”

— Dr. Eric Richards

Photo Courtesy of A. Lewis Films

The timber included several species of wood, such as yellow pine, red oak, various types of hickory, American black walnut, and ambrosia maple.

Michael Nixon and Dr. Eric Richards

STORY BY Larry Cavender, Ball Ground

Gracing the Grand Ole Opry stage, where musical legends have stood in its iconic circle, is a pinnacle to which many musicians aspire, yet few achieve. For one Canton musician, that dream recently came true.

Linda Autry, Canton resident and piano teacher for nearly fifty years, performed live at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, this past December, accompanying nationally renowned band Brothers of the Heart. Of her Opry appearance, Linda says, “I can honestly say that it was the most exciting feeling to be on the same stage where so many of my country music heroes have stood.” Referring to some of those heroes, legends like Hank Williams and Patsy Cline, she adds, “It was awesome.”

Early Start

Linda began playing piano at the age of seven and honed her talent throughout her formative years and into her early adult life by taking lessons from a number of teachers.

A native of Alpharetta, Linda had close ties to Cherokee County even as a child. Her father was a longtime pastor at New Hope Baptist Church. At the age of twelve, following in the footsteps of many other musicians, she started performing by playing piano in church, not yet knowing the events that would lead her to the stage of the Grand Ole Opry.

A Rise Up

The dawn of Linda’s journey to Nashville happened a few years ago at a dinner party that Tim Moxley, a Woodstock businessman and gospel music promoter, hosted. One of Tim’s guests was Ben Isaacs, vocalist and bass player for the gospel group The Isaacs as well as four-part harmony band Brothers of the Heart. Another guest was Linda.

According to Ben’s recollection, “We were having dinner at Tim’s house when Linda sat down at the piano and played ‘How Great Thou Art.’” Ben was impressed, so much so that he invited Linda to open some tour dates for The Isaacs. As a result the two became close friends.

Tim, who promoted some of the gospel group’s concerts, was also impressed, so he set out to expose Linda to a wider audience. He introduced Linda to Asa Jones, a producer at WLJA, a gospel music radio station with studios in nearby Jasper. The station has a large fan following in North Georgia, including Cherokee County. Because of that introduction, Asa featured Linda on the air several times. He says of Linda, “For someone who has so recently been discovered to be on such a legendary stage in such a short period of time speaks volumes as to the degree of her talent.”

All of her mentors have become fans, and all have high praise for Linda. As a gospel promoter, Tim says, “Linda is not one of my favorite piano players; she is my favorite. She could play at any studio in Nashville. Her feel for music is superb.” He adds, “Yes, I called in some favors to get her noticed,” but then he stresses, “she got to play at the Opry because of her talent.” Tim also credits Linda’s success to her many years of perseverance and dedication to sitting on the piano bench mastering the keys and also to her parents’ guidance and encouragement.

Ben invited Linda to perform on the Grand Ole Opry’s stage with Brothers of the Heart, a country, gospel, and bluegrass super-group that includes Jimmy Fortune of The Statler Brothers, award-winning bluegrass and gospel vocalist Bradley Walker, and Kentucky Thunder band member Mike Rogers. He adds, “She is one of the most incredible, kind, sweet persons I have ever known in my life. I love her, I’m grateful for her, and I think she is one of the most talented performers I have ever met.”

Linda’s talent has indeed carried her far, to the point that she reached a dream performance at the Grand Ole Opry. Are any other Opry appearances in Linda’s future? “I don’t really know,” she says. “They like to surprise me, because I didn’t learn of my previous Opry performance until just six days before it happened.”

Whether at the home of country music or right here at home in Canton, Linda Autry’s music is a gift to all who listen.

Linda Autry performs with Brothers of the Heart on December 13, 2023, on stage at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee.

Photo Credit: Lisa Thomas/Grand Ole Opry

The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, opened in 1925.

ART contest 2024

Enjoy Cherokee Magazine congratulates the winners of our second annual Art Contest. We received entries from truly talented artists of all ages throughout the community and curated a panel of judges to decide the winners. Plus, we’re giving you a chance to meet the artists and see the winning pieces on exhibit.

In partnership with History Cherokee, we’re proud to present an exhibit featuring selected artwork on display from Friday, March 15, through Monday, April 15.

You’re invited to a special opening reception on Friday, March 15, at the Cherokee County History Center, located at 221 East Marietta Street in Canton. Join us at 5:30 p.m. to meet the artists and enjoy the artwork.

Join us in congratulating our winning artists in each category, and a special congratulations to our overall winning artist: Camille Baker of Waleska.

Oil, acrylic and watercolor

CAMILLE BAKER, WALESKA

One of the youngest artists in our 2024 Art Contest, Camille Baker is currently in her junior year of high school. She finds inspiration in the colors of nature. She has honed her natural talent through lessons over the past three years. She will begin selling select pieces of artwork at the Waleska Farmers Market beginning in May.

SECOND PLACE

Dorothy Reavis, Acworth

THIRD PLACE

Nancy Rose, Woodstock

Tropical Toco by Camille Baker, Waleska

Handcrafted artisan works with nontraditional mediums including woodworking, jewelry-making, working with glass, and more

KAREN SASINE, CANTON

Artist Karen Sasine found special inspiration at Gibbs Gardens in Ball Ground during a difficult time in her life and shares, “I found my outside sanctuary for peace and serenity. I was drawn to create a mosaic, Sacred Interlude, that captured the tremendous beauty of this world-class garden.” The mosaic is made from smalti—a handmade glass made in Venice, Italy, and Cuernavaca, Mexico—with 24-karat gold and marble incorporated into the design.

SECOND PLACE

Fred Talley, Ball Ground

THIRD PLACE

Brittany Petish, Woodstock

sketches in pen & pencil

CAROL MAROTTA, BALL GROUND

Even in her early years growing up in Miami, Florida, Carol Marotta was drawn to the arts. Carol’s works often feature themes of history, nature, and animals. This piece, depicting American Indian Chief Painted Horse, was made using charcoal pencils. Having studied fine arts in college, Carol now offers commissioned pieces.

SECOND PLACE

Avery Wilkins, Woodstock

THIRD PLACE

Finn Simons, Marietta

Sacred Interlude by Karen Sasine, Canton

American Indian Painted Horse by Carol Marotta, Ball Ground

My Heart by Jennifer Griffin, Woodstock

JENNIFER GRIFFIN, WOODSTOCK

Photographs for Jennifer Griffin’s magical creation were shot at Olde Rope Mill Park in Woodstock. She then used Adobe Photoshop to create the composite image. Jennifer’s artwork is available for purchase at The Market on Bells Ferry Road in Acworth.

SECOND PLACE

Natalie Whitlow, Canton

THIRD PLACE

Lois Songster, Canton

SKYLAR SPERIN, CANTON

A wedding photographer by trade, Skylar Sperin began exploring still-life photography to transcend the limits of his creative abilities and to experiment with light and composition. He says, “I take pictures of things that are personal to me based on my own interactions and experiences. The selected work I chose to submit is about how we respond differently to grief and loss.”

SECOND PLACE

Jackson McPhetridge, Canton

THIRD PLACE

Michelle McCulloch, Acworth

Photography by Skylar Sperin, Canton

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR JUDGES

JENNIFER GRIFFIN, WOODSTOCK

Artist Jennifer Griffin was involved in all aspects of creating this fantastical imagery featuring a headdress she made from new and vintage elements. She estimates that roughly 80 percent of the materials she uses in her projects are vintage or recycled materials. “Combining my love of the earth and forest with recycling materials just seems to make sense,” she says.

SECOND PLACE

Amy Tieman, Canton

THIRD PLACE

N. Masani Landfair, Canton

Tiffany Bird

Tiffany Bird is a communication specialist and photographer specializing in journalism and public relations. Her photography and press releases have been published in newspapers, magazines, and online newsrooms. She loves to express her creativity in various forms of arts and crafts.

Shannah Dean

Shannah Dean is an art teacher at Etowah High School, where she is the current Teacher of the Year. She teaches various classes, including visual arts, drawing, painting, ceramics, and AP art. She has a bachelor’s degree in studio art and an MAT in art education. When she isn’t teaching, she enjoys painting and supporting the arts in the community.

Kristin Norton Green

Kristin Norton Green serves as the City of Canton theatre events and facilities director. She supports the Canton Cultural Arts Commission as staff liaison and facilitated the development of the City’s Public Art Master Plan. In 2022 Atlanta Regional Commission named her as an Arts Leader of Metro Atlanta.

Steven Lester

A native of Atlanta and a resident of Canton, Steven spent four decades as an art director and creative director for corporations and agencies, winning national and international awards. Steven is a contemporary narrative artist whose work is in demand across the globe. He received the United States Sports Academy’s prestigious International Sports Artist of the Year award. He also earned the American Sport Art Museum’s Zhenliang He Culture Medallion.

Monica Mercer

Monica Mercer is the owner of M&M Mercantile Co. nestled in the heart of Canton inside The Mill on Etowah. She is dedicated to the joy of creating and connecting by offering handcrafted items curated by local artists along with art supplies, paint parties, workshops, and an art journal group. Monica is a selftaught artist and began her art journey as a furniture artist. Her favorite place to be is in the classroom inspiring creativity.

Harvee White

Harvee White is the current education and programs manager at History Cherokee. An advocate and supporter of the arts, she dabbles in watercolor, pen and ink, and paper art. Most recently she served as a Reeves House Exhibition committee member.

Cherokee

Daughter of the Wood by Jennifer Griffin, Woodstock

Tiffany Bird

Shannah Dean

Kristin Norton Green

Steven Lester

Monica Mercer Harvee White

WOODSTOCK BALL GROUND VINEYARDS

From canvases and art gallery walls to thinking outside the box and on the stage, the arts in Cherokee County are growing and thriving. In honor of Women’s History Month in March we’re celebrating some of the talented women making history in the arts in Cherokee County.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY Emily Danielle Cumana

THE WOMEN SHAPING ART IN CHEROKEE COUNTY

Showrunner

Enjoyment of the arts often hinges on the people behind the scenes creating those opportunities. Being a curator of performing arts is a critical role sometimes taken for granted, but not here in Cherokee County, where Jessica Akers is recognized for her ability to create impactful and inclusive experiences.

Bringing Big Events to a Small Town

Ask any regular visitor to the Falany Performing Arts Center [FPAC] on the Reinhardt University campus, and they likely know Executive Director Jessica Akers and her enthusiasm for performing arts. Jessica brings music, theater, and dance to the Waleska stage and fills seats with excited attendees. She scouts professional artists, books shows, publicizes events, engages with ticket holders, and tends to every fine detail.

Forming connections with FPAC’s patrons, volunteers, and community and seeing them embrace the arts inspires Jessica to do what she does. She strives to have everyone who walks through the doors receive a small-town welcome and discover that high-quality experiences can be found outside a big city.

Jessica Akers

PROFILE BY Suzy Alstrin, Guest Contributor

Passions Shared

Since birth Jessica bonded with the arts, first from hearing her father sing, and then taking lessons in piano, dance, and voice. Her passion for performing publicly grew, including singing at the 1996 Summer Olympics. She then earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Reinhardt in 2005, an MBA in 2011, and took on her current role in 2013.

Jessica’s energetic and outgoing personality pours into her efforts to touch as many lives as possible. She developed what she affectionately calls “Falany on the Road,” organizing off-site events such as clubhouse performances and community concerts. Her intentions are consistent: to help people of all ages discover a love for the arts and enrich their lives.

The Next Generation of Artists

Thanks to Jessica’s efforts, over the past year more than 1,500 children received free opportunities to experience the arts through music theater summer camps, holiday experiences, and field trips to see performances.

During Youth Art Month in March, R. M. Moore Elementary School STEM Academy students are displaying their art in the FPAC gallery and performing a concert on the professional stage. Jessica explains, “Our goal is to grow and become an art experience hub for schools in Cherokee County.”

Moving Forward and Making Memories

JoEllen Wilson, 1961 Reinhardt graduate and emerita vice president of advancement, credits Jessica with FPAC’s success, “Until Jessica became our director, we had hard times getting folks to drive ‘way up to Waleska.’ Enter Jess. She made the rounds, letting communities know what a jewel for the arts had been established at the Falany. The rest is history.”

Jessica strives to keep learning and progressing, “We’re always looking inward and working to improve experiences and what we provide. Being able to evolve will allow us to continue to supply a space for the people to come and embrace the arts.”

Thanks to Jessica and her team, FPAC visitors feel the warm spirit of the people of Cherokee County and the excitement of experiencing performing arts. Jessica describes the venue as being for people to share in joyful moments. “We provide a place for people to make lasting memories and build connections with one another. Whether it be with friends or a date night, it’s an opportunity to have a casual moment in a comfortable environment. I enjoy that we are memory makers.”

Imagine a desk with a mosaic of donated tiles covering it, barn doors with bright colors, and a set of tables where artists make projects, passing ideas back and forth, and encouraging others. This is the inviting atmosphere of Local Color Studio. Shanna Coulter, the imagination behind and owner of the studio, is just like the other artists: encouraging, welcoming, and compassionate. Family friend Jaime Roberts describes Shanna as “someone living out who they are authentically and unapologetically.” With her fun and friendly personality, Shanna has built a space any artist can feel comfortable in.

Shanna best describes her younger self as “the kid who drew on the walls, on myself, and everything.” She has been making art since the very start and was blessed with a supportive family. Like many artists, art is a method for Shanna to share her thoughts and feelings. She mostly draws and paints, but she dabbles with any material she can, including photography, ceramics, and even mixed media. Jaime says of Shanna that art virtually “oozes from her pores.”

When Shanna was in her twenties, art became her source of income. She painted portraits, sketched houses, and painted murals to help support her family. She received a bachelor of arts from Kennesaw State University [KSU]. However, with a large family she struggled to continue her personal art, as she felt she had little time or space to create.

Shanna returned to KSU and received a degree in art education, crafting her return to the arts as well. She became a beloved art teacher at Cherokee High School but found that the publicschool setting did not fulfill her goals as an artist. The end of May 2022 marked the start of a new chapter.

Finding a spot for a studio was easier said than done. Shanna had the help of Dana Cox of Penn Hodge Properties, who developed the renovated Mill on Etowah. While finding space in Canton was nearly impossible, Shanna knew that it had to be in Canton.

The stars aligned when the basement of the former Audio Intersection became available. Shanna signed the lease on February 2, 2023, and got straight to work. The creation of Local Color Studio was crucial, as she reasons, “Art is important, and culture is important. The creative people of Canton need a place to do their important work.”

The coworking space has become an area for artists to come together, share ideas, and build each other up. “Creativity creates more creativity. Creativity is not exhaustive,” Shanna explains. For her, the best thing for an aspiring artist to do is “make art every day” and find support in a mentor or creative group.

New Kid

The on the Block

PROFILE

BY Nick Feehery, Acworth

Local Color Studio celebrated its grand opening on February 2, 2024, a year to the date of signing the lease. The space is just starting out, and community response directs the studio more than Shanna does. To her, the town says, “We’re open to the arts, and the artists just have to fill those spaces.” She hopes to make Canton a pin on the map of Southeastern art with her studio and with events like Barnaroo, an annual fall music festival at her family farm lovingly dubbed Coulterville.

Shanna Coulter

The

Pioneers

PROFILE BY Rebecca Johnston, Canton

For Woodstock Arts founders Ann Litrel and Shawn McLeod the reality is even better than the dream. The dynamic duo first conceived the idea of a place to provide the community with performing and visual arts experiences fifteen years ago, and together they were the spark that brought that dream to life.

Woodstock Arts is now flourishing with performing arts productions, outdoor concerts, visual arts exhibits, cultural events, classes, and camps. What started with two employees and a $100,000 annual budget now has twenty staff members and a $1.5 million annual budget, much of it earned income from classes and performances.

Woodstock Arts Board of Directors President Katie Caldwell credits Ann and Shawn with where the organization is today.

“The vision for Woodstock Arts originated with Ann and Shawn, who saw a need for arts engagement in our community and gave much of their time, talent, and heart to ensure the legacy of a thriving arts presence that continues to grow and inspire,” Katie shares.

The dream began in 2008 when Shawn and Ann started looking for a path to provide a performing and visual arts center for the city. They teamed up with Gay Grooms, founder of the Towne Lake Art Center. At the time, Shawn owned an art gallery in the city and Ann had an art studio in downtown Woodstock.

“Ann and I were approached about saving an old house, the original Reeves House. We were introduced to Gay, who was looking to move her theater into downtown Woodstock, and a crazy plan of creating a full arts center and theater was born,” Shawn remembers. “Being a visual artist and having owned an art gallery in downtown Woodstock, I knew, as they say, ‘build it and they will come.’ Having a home for all artists was my motivation.”

Ann remembers that the support was almost immediate when the three approached local governments, businesses, and community leaders.

“The three of us made a presentation to both the city and the county, and there was an agreement for the four acres of land where the Reeves House was located,” Ann points out. “Shawn and Gay and I worked together, and the city allowed us to use

City Center and convert that facility into an arts center so that Towne Lake could move into downtown.”

Shawn is grateful that the community stepped up to help with the project to buy the Reeves property. “We met with a lot of important people who heard what we wanted to do, understood how it would benefit our city, county, and community, and helped make it happen.”

“The vision has always been to engage community, and only then could it be successful,” Ann adds. “Very few small towns have what we now have in Woodstock. We have garnered national attention for what has been accomplished here for arts.”

In the beginning development of the Reeves property started as an outdoor stage and performance area, Ann remembers. “It was a beautiful green space, and we envisioned a garden, a place where people could paint, perform, or sculpt. I loved the idea of bringing the community together to make beautiful works of art.”

The women complemented each other’s abilities and strengths. Shawn recalls, “It was a natural fit from the very beginning with Ann and me. Meeting her for the first time I realized we both had a passion for the arts, for our city, and [we had the] tenacity for getting things done. That natural connection was the main reason we worked well together. We balanced our strengths and weaknesses so that together, and with Gay Grooms, we just never gave up.”

Ann praises Shawn for her contributions and says the two were able to divide up what needed to be done to make the project successful. What they didn’t know, they quickly learned. “We had to learn about budgets, hiring a staff, building a board, governance, and board relations, just a few small things,” Ann says with a laugh. “Shawn had a ton of managerial experience, and she was president of the board for several years. She was very much about the development and staff management. She is a very talented manager. My areas were public relations, board recruitment, fundraising, and governance, as well as [ensuring] that the board had cohesion and that there was a vision and direction.”

Gay was the artistic director of the theater, Ann explains. The next goal was to hire an operations manager, and after a national search, Christopher Brazelton was chosen out of eighty-five applicants. Gay later retired in 2015, and today Christopher leads Woodstock Arts as executive director.

“We needed to find someone who could take us where we wanted to go. He was the perfect choice because of his entrepreneurial spirit and his interest in performing arts,” Ann says.

Ann is also grateful to developer John Weiland, who donated to the project early on and helped finish The Reeves House.

When asked how she feels about where Woodstock Arts is today, Shawn replies, “So proud. Christopher Brazelton and his staff continue to make what we dreamed a reality. I am not involved like I once was; time for another generation,” she says with a chuckle. “But those things we dreamed about, the ideas of what could we do? I see them [brought] to reality. So exciting!”

Both women continue to be vibrant forces in their community. “I haven’t stopped being a part of downtown Woodstock,” Shawn says. “I got involved with Reformation Brewery before it opened its doors and now I am director of administration for the company. Being part of something that is bigger than just me is in my blood.”

Ann has continued her career as an artist and is working on a book with well-known journalist and author Charles Seabrook for the University of Georgia Press expected to come out in late 2024 or early 2025.

Ann Litrel

Warrior The

PROFILE BY Abigail Hayman, Canton

Although it’s cold and rainy on the Monday that we meet, Cherokee County artist Madison Taylor is a ray of sunshine. Madison is celebrated in her community of Woodstock as an inspiration and a guiding light to others.

Madison’s parents, Lori and Jeff, note she had an artistic childhood, often drawing clothes for her dolls and otherwise expressing her creativity. As a student at Etowah High School, Madison’s creative passion led her to a bake shop. “I worked as a lead decorator for Great American Cookie,” she says. “Frosting and painting have always been my jam.” After high school, Madison attended Kennesaw State University.

Madison Taylor

Everything changed for Madison on August 9, 2019, when a diving accident injured her spinal cord and rendered her paralyzed. That November she withdrew from college to focus on recovery. “I had to find things to help me with my fine motor skills and creativity. I’ve heard of people who paint with their feet because they lost their hands,” Madison says. “Just because you are going through something challenging or have a limitation doesn’t mean you just give up. You need to harness that power or mindset at some point and do it for you.”

Fresh Perspective

Following her injury Madison met artist Debbie Veith, who became her mentor. Nicole Lampl, curator for The Reeves House, notes, “Debbie worked with Madison to figure out how best to accommodate the limited use of her hands by figuring out a way to attach paintbrushes onto her wrists.” Madison appreciates Debbie’s guidance in her early art journey. Through painting classes and occupational therapy, Madison learned that art was a peaceful process and didn’t have to be perfect.

In October 2022 Madison’s work was featured in an exhibit at The Reeves House that welcomed more than one hundred attendees at its opening. “My community is my source of empowerment as a female artist,” Madison says. “The outcome from everyone who showed up at my art show was incredible.”

Woman Warrior

She says of her painting, Woman Warrior, “You go through hardships, and armor forms around you. By controlling your mindset, positivity radiates from you. It’s more powerful than any of the challenges in your life.”

Madison also relates to the works of her favorite artist, Pablo Picasso. “The evolution of Picasso’s face paintings resonates with how I’ve seen myself over the years. I used to think that I was just a person in a wheelchair. Now I’ve got new wheels and better parking,” Madison jokes. “There are people with a golden attitude who are going through a terrible situation, but some people have it all and aren’t grateful for anything,” Madison says.

Her father, Jeff Johnson, finds himself inspired by his daughter and her outlook on life. “She puts her heart and emotions on a canvas,” he says.

Making a Difference

Madison plans to attend fashion school to make a difference for individuals with disabilities. “People like me, in wheelchairs, have to find functional and comfortable clothes. You have to have something that works on your body so you can sit, but also outfits you can dress up in. I believe I could make a difference there. I’ve always been fashion-forward, and I think that would be awesome. I could help people from that perspective,” she says. “I hope people see that I have a great attitude. Maybe they can change the way they live their life.” Madison adds with a smile. Madison resides in downtown Woodstock with her support dog, Brody.

Art has always been a part of Jamie Foreman’s life. Her mother, Sue Foster, is an artist who encouraged her daughter to be creative. Eventually Sue opened an art gallery that was later sold to the local art guild when she retired. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Jamie was recognized for her artistic accomplishments in high school, but she didn’t believe she could support herself as an artist. When it came time to attend the University of Delaware, she studied education. Upon graduation Jamie became a teacher, later transitioning into an administrative position in the school. Her need for creative expression wasn’t being met, though, and she felt disillusioned. In a conversation with her mother, Jamie expressed how unhappy she was, so her mother asked, “Why don’t you open an art gallery?”

Right then and there, the concept for Menagerie on Main was born.

Menagerie Comes to Life

Jamie defines art as “the process of bringing an idea into reality via creation,” and by that definition Menagerie on Main is itself a work of art. She started developing the project in 2018 and opened the art gallery in March 2020, just as the pandemic struck. With the ensuing shutdown, Jamie persevered by selling art through Facebook until she could reopen the gallery.

Menagerie on Main is an extension of Jamie and her tastes. “It’s a place for the public to interact with art that is professional but not pretentious,” she explains. Menagerie focuses on North Georgia artists, as another part of Jamie’s vision is for it to be a place that brings artists and the community together. She envisions Menagerie as a place where customers can describe a piece they’d like commissioned and she can pair them with a local artist best able to create it.

Jamie’s passion for the arts extends far beyond the walls of the gallery. She advocates for the arts in the community in many other ways. From appearing in the Conversations on Canton panel during Mayor Bill Grant’s 2024 State of the City address to planning the first annual West Main Arts Festival, Jamie’s name is synonymous with the art scene in Canton. The aim of the inaugural West Main Arts Festival on Saturday, March 2, is to showcase forty local artists and their works in the heart of downtown Canton’s historic corridor.

Being around other artists feeds Jamie’s own creativity. She paints—acrylics mostly—and designs, creates, and sells jewelry both at Menagerie and online through Black Butterfly Designs.

When asked about the state of art in Cherokee County, Jamie sees clear preferences for traditional art over abstract art and says art is becoming more supported. One example: the recent inclusion in the master plan for the city of Canton that 2 percent of all capital investment projects will support public art. Another example: the recent opening of Local Color Studio that provides space for artists to create. She hopes to collaborate with Local

Curator The

PROFILE BY Bruce Baker, Canton

Color Studio in the future. She’d also like to bring in more fiber art to Menagerie, as she sees a strong interest in it.

Jamie loves what she does and credits her mother for inspiration, example, encouragement, and guidance. She wants Menagerie on Main to be the same force for the creative community in Canton that Sue’s gallery was in her community. The mother-daughter duo’s latest endeavor is an expression of a mother and a daughter each creating her own rendition of identical subject matter for the It’s All Relative exhibition at Menagerie opening Friday, March 1, with a reception at 6:00 p.m.

Jamie Foreman

Lover The

PROFILE BY Bobbie Christmas, Woodstock

Chastised and threatened with expulsion from school for the opinions she expressed through her art and plays, Sanaz Mousavi Dillard has come a long way, literally and figuratively, from her homeland in Iran. After waiting fourteen years to get a green card, Sanaz, also known as Sunny, found the freedom to express her love, passion, and compassion in America. In the land of the free, her artistic expressions have won her honors, and she’s happy she and her husband, Phillip, call Woodstock their home.

Teenaged Sanaz, determined to gain a broad education, had to sneak around to study with a mentor who exposed her to philosophy and comparative religion. Some of her finest treasures

Sanaz

Mousavi Dillard

became books by Plato and Aristotle that she secured from a Tehran library that was going to send the books to be locked away from the public. In her studies of religion she says she came to realize, “Most religions have a basis of love.”

Love wasn’t easy in Iran, though. Sanaz was forced into an arranged marriage, plus, she says, “The government and politics were a nightmare for anyone with a sense of freedom. There was too much suppression for anyone striving for a better life.”

After leaving her marriage, single-mom Sanaz and her son arrived in America in 2014 to join her mother, Fatima. Having received a bachelor’s degree in English literature in Tehran, she next pursued her master’s at Kennesaw State University.

At work Sanaz scheduled appointments and surgeries for a large medical association. “I saw what women go through when they have breast cancer,” she relates. “I saw their shame, pain, and embarrassment of feeling they weren’t good enough. I saw men who weren’t supportive or understanding of what their wives were going through. I wanted my art to encourage and celebrate women who are marginalized.” Her artworks express heartfelt messages amid symbolism.

Phillip encouraged her to leave the medical industry and follow her passion for art. “I’d studied watercolor under a master in Iran, so I poured my expression for literature, philosophy, and American culture into my art, combining it with the deep and beautiful Persian culture.” She chose AsheqArt for the name of her company, because asheq means lover. “I chose that word because it is the theme of my life. Our mission should be to love each other.”

Sanaz’s works have brought her honors, the latest of which was that the City of Woodstock 2023 Christmas card featured her watercolors. One shows the city’s thirty-foot Christmas tree with a full moon overhead; the other features the Park at City Center gazebo decorated for Christmas. It’s no mystery why Sanaz was chosen to be the artist for the city’s holiday cards. Madison Beaulieu, economic development operations manager for the City of Woodstock, praises Sanaz and her work. “She is a gift to our community. Her bright, encouraging spirit shines in all she does. Her colorful artwork, watercolor classes, and beautiful tea blends have been a hit at Made Mercantile, and I’m excited to see her continue to grow her business.”

At Made Mercantile, Sanaz teaches watercolor classes and sells her original acrylic paintings and watercolors as well as calendars and blank note cards illustrated with prints of her watercolors. She’s also a calligrapher, and here’s the surprise: she sells tea she creates by combining a variety of unique ingredients. “Tea has been my passion since I was a kid,” Sanaz reveals. “Drinking tea is a social activity and a good excuse to discuss subjects related to love. The aromas and tastes make people relax and remember where they came from. We all came from heaven and we all return to heaven. When we drink tea we can remember our roots and forget about our troubles.”

STORY BY Rebecca Johnston, Canton

The talents of two gifted local women bring an important part of Cherokee County’s history to life in an engaging new children’s book sure to delight readers of all ages. Award-winning Canton screenwriter Jennifer Dunn wrote Salty Dog Goes to Denim Day, and it features captivating illustrations by watercolor artist Elly Hobgood, known for her beautiful paintings of Cherokee County.

Published by History Cherokee to benefit the Cherokee County History Center and museum in downtown Canton, the book tells the story of the droopy-eared mascot of Canton Cotton Mills named for the scrubbed denim product it marketed in the 1960s under the name Salty Dog.

Both Jennifer and Elly have a personal history with Canton Cotton Mills, which was the economic lifeblood of the county from the time it opened in the early 1900s until 1981 when the mills closed. The original Mill #1 was built in 1900 and Mill #2 in North Canton opened in 1923.

Salty Dog Goes to Denim Day weaves in historic facts and visits to local Canton landmarks as it takes readers on a delightful journey through the heart of 1960s downtown Canton and into the daily bustle of the Canton Cotton Mills and the mill village where many of the workers lived.

In the book, Salty Dog’s mother works at the Canton Cotton Mills. One day she accidentally leaves her lunchbox at home when she leaves for work. Salty Dog spots the forgotten lunchbox and heads out on a mission to bring Mama her lunch.

History Cherokee Executive Director Stefanie Joyner says, “We were fortunate to have the talented team of Elly and Jennifer working on the project. They appreciated the history of the mill and animated the story with beautiful drawings and a creative storyline.”

Facts and Memories

As the author of the book, Jennifer drew on family memories. “My whole family has worked at the cotton mill. My grandmother has worked at the mill. Just having a chance to be a part of something about the mills was a nice continuity for my family and me,” Jennifer offers. “We wanted to introduce children to what a mill village was like, so we focused on the different way of life that kids these days don’t know.”

Elly consulted friends and family, including her husband, former Canton Mayor Gene Hobgood, who also worked in the mills, while she researched the project. She also drew on her own memories of the mills. “I worked at the mill as the last nurse before it closed down. I had personal contact. Gene worked at the mill, Gene’s parents worked at the mill, and his grandparents worked at the mill.” About the production, Elly recalls, “When

I started my drawings I worked from pictures from inside the mill. I went to a friend who used to work at the mill. I asked him to doublecheck some of my work.”

Elly continues, “Knowing the book would help raise funds for the History Center was my motivation for undertaking the project. I spent the entire summer on that project. Each day I would tweak it some more. It was a lot of work, but it was a pleasant project.”

Working on the book for children also brought back memories of Elly’s own childhood. “Once I got into it I remembered that I had a dog when I was a child, a basset hound that would wait for me to come home from school. He would watch the clock and go to meet the bus when it was time. Here I am seventy-five years old and still remember him.” For the book Elly says, “I channeled that dog.”

The book appeals to children with its universal meaning and the adorable central character of Salty Dog, who is proving a hit. “I have this theory that everyone wants to be asked to help. Salty Dog just saw a way to help his mom, and that resonates with kids. They want to be helpful. I think that is what is universal about this book,” Jennifer explains.

A Cherokee County native, Jennifer has written screenplays for several successful projects, is a genealogist, and has a passion for storytelling.

Since retiring from a career in nursing in 2003, Elly has pursued her passion as a watercolor artist, exhibiting her work throughout the Southeast and garnering many awards. She has achieved Lifetime Signature status with the Georgia Watercolor Society and Signature Status with the Southern Watercolor Society. Her work has earned a place in many homes and collections across the country and Canada.

for more information or to plan your visit to the Cherokee County

TOP History Cherokee Education & Programs Manager Harvee White reads Salty Dog Goes to Denim Day to little listeners at R.T. Jones Memorial Library, including Beverly Dubow and her mother, Faith (pictured below).

Salty Dog Goes to Denim Day is available at the Cherokee County History Center and the Cotton Mill Exchange at The Mill on Etowah. Visit HistoryCherokee.org or call 770-345-3288

History Center.

HSTORY BY Ashley Velez, Woodstock

arlequin, a tall sculpture in downtown Woodstock, offers a twist on community connection. Corrina Sephora, an Atlanta-based sculptor and blacksmith with a heart for creating public art that connects to the community, gathered donated scrap metal and turned it into public art.

The leggy Harlequin, which stands between the Mary F. Kish Center and The Reeves House Visual Arts Center, became part of Woodstock’s public art through a generous grant from South Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. The piece was unveiled and celebrated on February 26, 2023, during the closing reception of Corrina’s connected exhibit at The Reeves House titled Echoes of Ecology: Prayers and Rituals.

Corrina’s Connections

Corrina admits, “As an artist one of my confirmations of success is being invited to speak or showcase my work. Nicole [Lampl, curator for The Reeves House] reached out with an opportunity for a grant with South Arts, and I’m grateful to them for their contributions.” Grants help artists immensely, Corrina shares. “It was wonderful to have a grant to subsidize the project, especially when you can create a community-centered piece and teach people how to do what you do.”

In the months before beginning the work, Corrina and Nicole connected and discussed the grant that would help fund the exhibit and workshop intended to create the sculpture. The exhibition debuted as the first in 2023 and featured new sculptures, paintings, drawings, and immersive installations focusing on earth, air, water, and fire.

Inspiration for Harlequin

Much like the sculpture itself, the inspiration for Harlequin is multifaceted. Corrina gained inspiration from an artist and blacksmith named Tom Joyce, who made a baptismal font for a church in New Mexico using metal from the parishioners’ homes. Describing herself as a spiritual person, Corrina believes in the energy in metals mined from the earth. “There’s an alchemical process when you’re heating up the metal, imbuing a new life form into it, and essentially breathing your energy into your work.”

Using Tom’s piece as a starting point, Corrina brainstormed on what to create that would accompany the exhibit.

A permanent piece of the Woodstock Arts collection, Harlequin will be relocated to a concrete plinth behind the Mary F. Kish Center, near the Woodstock Arts Event Green, in the future.

She says she thought, “What if I were to take that same principle of creating with the community and invite them to bring metal and share in the creation?”

Volunteers placed a wheelbarrow outside The Reeves House to collect the metal to prepare for the workshop. Individual contributions included old metal curtain rods, curtain rod rings, and metal from old ice skates. Corrina brought in other contributing pieces from her workshop in Atlanta, including the boat shape at the top, a piece she started in graduate school. She decided that donating it fit aesthetically and conceptually into the overall idea for the structure. The boat is made of recycled metal using papyrus leaves that she previously cast in iron. The thin metal pieces gently curve and form the ribs of the structure. Additionally some of the smaller pieces for Harlequin were pre-forged before Corrina brought them back to Woodstock for the workshop where attendees—and anyone walking by—could observe and help create the structure.

The title, Harlequin, comes from an Italian children’s story Corrina heard as a young girl. The story features a poor young boy, the harlequin, who desperately wishes to attend the town carnival but has no costume to wear. To help, his friends pitch in and offer him fabric scraps, and his mother spends all night stitching them together to create a beautiful handmade cape. When he awakes the following day, he can attend the carnival thanks to his mother’s love and the generosity of his friends.

About the Artist

Corrina Sephora, a mixed-media artist and blacksmith, specializes in metal sculpture, painting, and installation. Her work explores universal and personal themes of loss and transformation within the contexts of contemporary society, with recurring motifs of ladders, boats, and celestial atmospheres. Corrina earned her bachelor of arts degree in metals and sculpture at Massachusetts College of Art, Boston, in 1995. She received her master of arts degree in sculpture in 2005 from Georgia State University, and she has participated in residencies throughout the United States and abroad.

Locally her work will appear at the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art in April. Corrina’s work will also be featured internationally in an upcoming show at Palazzo Benbo in Venice, Italy. For more information about upcoming shows or Corrina’s previous exhibits, visit CorrinaSephora.com.

Public Art Fosters Inclusion

Corrina has many public art pieces on display nationwide and throughout metro Atlanta, including Decatur, Marietta, Kennesaw, and Smyrna. Her first public art piece was placed at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens in 1997. Additional pieces of her work can be found at Atlanta’s Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Greenfield Hebrew Academy, and Freedom Park.

Regarding the positive impact of public art, Corrina says, “One of my beliefs about public art is that it’s art for everyone. Not everyone will go inside a museum or a gallery, but public art is there for people to enjoy and interact with. If they can relate to it in some way, if they can connect, it fosters creativity and a connection to art. It makes people feel included.”

Food, drinks, and art. Can you name a better combination than that? Surrounded by the serenity of trees and nature beside the Noonday Creek Trail, The Reeves House Visual Arts Center sits just beyond the hustle and bustle of downtown Woodstock’s Main Street.

Built from the ground up using the floor plan and look of the 1897 Reeves family house, the renovated Reeves House opened in May 2021. The front porch features bricks with names of supporters who helped The Reeves House come to life. The bright white walls are the perfect blank canvas for the visual arts center’s rotating exhibits.

Home of regular art classes and workshops, artist events, and exciting exhibits, the venue also features a coffee shop and wine bar offering coffees, teas, lattes, wines, mimosas, and light bites to enjoy as you savor the art on display. Next to the main exhibition and dining area is an art education studio.

Menu Says: Rawson’s Lighthouse (Earl Grey Tea Latte with Blackberry and Honey)

Hayden Says: This creamy and light iced tea latte mixes the floral flavors of Earl Grey with the fruitiness of blackberry syrup made in house. Each subtle flavor adds to a light and refreshing feeling with each sip. Honey adds the perfect amount of natural sweetener.

Menu Says: Lox on Everything Bagel

Hayden Says: The soft everything bagel contains the perfect amount of chewiness. Soft cream cheese balances out the smooth and smoky lox. The sweet pickled red

Rawson’s Lighthouse

onions on top with a hint of vinegar bring a satisfying crunch to each bite. The balance of flavors brings a new taste every time you chew. Even if you’re not a fan of salmon, this lox could change your mind.

Menu Says: Old Bear (Raspberry White Mocha Latte)

Hayden Says: This drink is available both hot and cold. The cold option features espresso that seeps into the sweet cream at the bottom, creating a silky gradient. Subtle raspberry snuggles up to the strong white mocha. Sweetness prevails in the cold option. The hot option features elegant latte art while the milk foam adds an extra layer to the creamy texture. A little less sweetness allows the bold flavors of espresso and raspberry to come on strong. Hot is the option for lovers of a classic latte.

Menu Says: Peachy Keen Sandwich

Hayden Says: The croissant is crispy, warm, and golden. The bacon gives a balancing crunch to the rich eggs. Peach preserves bring a sweet kick that complements the savory breakfast sandwich with an unexpected and delicious twist to this brunch classic.

Menu Says: Lightly Used Book (Lavender Chai Latte)

Hayden Says: The super-sweet iced version includes a shot of espresso that brings out the cinnamon and spice of the chai with floral notes of lavender. The cream keeps the flavor balanced and makes the cold version a great choice for sweet-chai lovers. The chai flavor is stronger in the hot version and the lavender more obvious. The cream foam on top makes this chai latte rich and filling, the perfect drink to sip periodically while you read a book outside or stay inside to admire the art.

Menu Says: Bananas + Beehives Cinnamon Roll

Hayden Says: From the bakers at Bananas + Beehives is this delightfully delicious cinnamon roll. Croissant dough lends a flaky, crispy texture along with a buttery flavor to the cinnamon roll. The sweet liquid icing soaks deep into the layers of the pastry.

The visual arts center rotates exhibits every eight weeks. On display through March 24 is Please Touch the Art, which encourages visitors to break the common rules of viewing art and feel the art as well.

The next exhibit, opening March 28, is Life in Miniature with art so tiny you’ll need a magnifying glass to see it. The gallery’s most popular exhibit took place in the winter of 2022, Coded Realities: Art + Technology, which introduced viewers to electronic arts.

Lightly Used Book

Lox on Everything Bagel with Pickled Red Onions

Peachy Keen Sandwich on Croissant

Old Bear

The Reeves House Director and Curator Nicole Lampl says she considers an exhibit a success when visitors walk out feeling “inspired, challenged, and enriched by their experience.”

A calm place to study, an entertaining place to take friends, a spot to meet fellow artists, and a tasty place for brunch, The Reeves House Visual Arts Center offers it all. Nicole explains, “The art center’s main goal is to encourage appreciation of the visual arts and expand the visitor’s definition of what art is.” Woodstock Arts brings together artists from Cherokee County and artists from around the globe to show everyone the ever-expanding world of art.

from the

BAR

Menu Says: Grapefruit Rosemary Mimosa

Hayden Says: This isn’t your mama’s mimosa. The Reeves House mimosas use Gambino sparkling wine instead of the typical champagne, turning up the sweetness. Garnished with a stem of rosemary that adds a fragrant herbal scent, this coral pink drink has a sweet opening taste followed by a mild tartness from the citrusy grapefruit. Not a fan of grapefruit? Try a cranberry mimosa or the classic with orange juice.

Menu Says: Jude Lemonade

Hayden Says: Can’t wait for summer? Jude Lemonade brings you a taste of summer any time of the year. The Jude is a Belgian-style tripel (9.2% ABV) brewed locally at Reformation Brewery. Its flavors of floral and citrus mix with The Reeves House house-made lemonade, creating a refreshing taste reminiscent of a classic shandy or a German radler. This golden drink lets you shine in your golden hour.

Menu Says: Torresella Pinot Grigio and Big Bad Cab Cabernet Sauvignon

Hayden Says: Among others, the selections at The Reeves House wine bar include Torresella pinot grigio, a crisp white wine imported from Italy, and Big Bad Cab, a 2020 cabernet sauvignon from the Lodi wine country in California. The refreshing pinot grigio pairs well with poultry- and seafoodbased entrees, plus young cheeses, shellfish, and fresh salads.

The Big Bad Cab is a full-bodied red wine with an almost smoky sweetness. Even those who typically stick to white wines enjoy this rich, smooth red.

Also available on The Reeves House wine menu are Washington Hills Riesling and Urban Riesling, EOS pinot grigio, Bonterra Chardonnay, J. Lohr Chardonnay, Coppola Chardonnay, and Overstone sauvignon blanc.

Torresella Pinot Grigio and Big Bad Cab Cabernet Sauvignon

Jude Lemonade

Grapefruit Rosemary Mimosa

STORY BY Amira Menkara, Canton

In 2020 the spark that led to Crocheting Love for the Homeless was ignited in Rhonda Vaughan’s living room. Since then Rhonda and her team have donated hundreds of crocheted items, from hats to scarves to sleeping mats, to the homeless community in Cherokee County. We spoke with Rhonda Vaughan about her creative service and had the opportunity to meet another member of the Crocheting Love for the Homeless group, Amanda Rogers, the organization’s digital creator for its Facebook page.

What’s Your Why?

What inspired you to create a crocheting charity? What motivates you to keep moving forward and helping the community? Rhonda says it started at home when she asked God, “What can I do for my community?” While she waited for her answer, she noticed that she had her crocheting supplies and her skills. “That was when my question was answered. My gift is to crochet,” she explains.

Getting Hooked on Crocheting

Do people who don’t crochet participate? Are there lessons for participants? “There are places for everybody,” exclaims Rhonda. “Amanda creates posts to keep our followers updated on what we are doing in the community. Amanda’s gift is to help with our digital marketing. Other members help with picking up donations from Artifact Market + Studio. It is a community [in which] we work together.”

The Crocheting Love for the Homeless group has welcomed participants ranging in age from eleven to eighty. Amanda adds, “People can do volunteer drop-offs or help make the yarn, like putting plastic bags in a yarn ball to create the mats.” The sleeping mats, made in part from recycled plastic bags, are quite soft. Amanda continues, “We teach and train members who want to come. We always need experienced crocheters to help [and] teach our growing community.”

The Impact of Giving Back

How many members of the homeless community have received items from Crocheting Love for the Homeless? Rhonda explains, “From October to December 2023, we [donated] 160 hats, ninetyfour scarves, and twenty-six sleeping mats. We still have boxes and bags filled with hats and scarves that are ready to go for our next drop-off. We have plenty of goods on hand to continue for the rest of the season. We crochet all year round, which is why we have extra.” She adds, “We have thousands of homeless people in Cherokee County, and we stay local to Cherokee.”

Read more at EnjoyCherokee.com/Crocheting-Love

The recipe makes a delicious sauce that is great over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

1½ cups broccoli and/or arugula microgreens

1½ cups clover and/or radish microgreens

½ cup chopped pineapple

½ cup halved green grapes

¼ cup plain Greek yogurt

2 tbsp. mayonnaise

1 tsp. Dijon-style mustard

1 tsp. fresh lemon juice

½ tsp. tamari (naturally brewed soy sauce)

¼ cup raw sunflower seeds, optional

Begin the Fun

Mag Mushrooms and Microgreens Sweet and Spicy Microgreens Slaw

Mag Mushrooms and Microgreens Chicken Marsala

Ingredients

3 tbsp. flour ¾ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. black pepper

1 tsp. umami seasoning

8 small chicken breast cutlets (1 lb.)

1 tbsp. olive oil

2-3 tbsp. butter

1 shallot, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

8 oz. sliced shiitake mushrooms

½ cup Marsala cooking wine

1 cup chicken broth

⅔ cup heavy cream

3 tbsp. chopped parsley

Begin the Fun

1. Place the flour, ¾ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, and 1 teaspoon umami seasoning in a Ziploc bag. Add the chicken to the bag. Seal bag tightly and shake to coat chicken evenly. Set aside.

2. Heat oil in a large nonstick pan on medium-high. Cook chicken in batches, 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Remove from pan.

3. Add butter, shallots, garlic, and shiitake mushrooms in same pan. Cook 8-10 minutes on medium-high, stirring frequently until liquid is mostly evaporated. Add wine, broth, and heavy cream. Bring to boil, scraping up any brown bits from bottom of pan. Cook 5-7 minutes or until liquid is slightly reduced.

4. Return chicken and any juices to pan. Coat with sauce, cook 2-3 minutes or until heated through and the sauce is thickened a bit more. Top with parsley. [MagMushrooms.com]

6 MAKES SERV INGS

Combine microgreens, pineapple, and grapes in a large bowl. Combine yogurt, mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, and tamari. Pour over microgreens and fruit mixture. Toss and serve

Mag Mushrooms and Microgreens Mushroom Pasta with Pea Microgreens

Ingredients

3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

½ tsp. umami seasoning

½ pkg. mushrooms, sliced

½ pkg. fresh pea microgreens, chopped

2 tsp. lemon zest, freshly grated

2 tbsp. lemon juice

Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

10 oz. of any pasta of your choice

1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated ¼ cup fresh basil chopped

Begin the Fun

1. Bring a 4-quart pot of salted water to a boil for cooking pasta noodles.

2. Cook pasta, stirring occasionally, until just tender, according to package directions.

3. Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cook while stirring, until fragrant but not browned, about 30 seconds. Add mushrooms and umami seasoning and increase heat to medium-high. Cook the mushrooms until tender and lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Add pea microgreens and cook for 1 additional minute.

4. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

5. Add the pasta, Parmesan, and basil. Toss to coat well.

6. Serve immediately, garnished with more pea microgreens and Parmesan cheese, if desired.

When Lynda Greene’s youngest daughter, Tiffany, began selling gourmet mushrooms for a local grower at a Saturday farmers market, Lynda and her husband, Kenneth, were inspired to try their hand at growing and selling gourmet mushrooms.

Three years ago the Canton-based couple purchased their first mushroom block, a fully colonized sawdust block that sprouts mushrooms.

Kenneth exclaims, “We were hooked! Curiosity grew from that one mushroom block into growing mushrooms in a grow room we built into our basement.” Encouraged by the success of their mushroom growth, Lynda added nutrient-rich microgreens to the grow room. Microgreens are vegetables and herbs grown from seeds and harvested at the seedling stage.

The Greenes currently grow three types of gourmet mushrooms—shiitake, oyster, and lion’s mane—which they sell dehydrated or fresh. They also sell mushroom extracts, mushroom (umami) seasonings, grow kits, and mushroom tinctures, with the tinctures being some of the bestselling items

on the website. Lynda expresses her delight for the tinctures she uses every day, beginning with lion’s mane, which reportedly clears brain fog and helps her focus better. She takes a cordyceps tincture as a replacement for caffeine and believes it provides her with more natural energy. Lynda also takes a reishi tincture. Although known for its numerous health benefits, reishi tincture should be taken with care because it may interact with some medications.

If microgreens are your thing, Mag Mushrooms and Microgreens regularly has broccoli, cabbage, radish, sunflower, pea, and salad mix microgreens available. The company’s special edition or seasonal microgreens include cantaloupe, beets, and basil.

Lynda says the most popular Mag Mushrooms and Microgreens products sold at farmers markets are the fresh mushrooms, because of their appealing features and culinary versatility. You can find Mag Mushrooms and Microgreens at the following local farmers markets throughout the upcoming season: Acworth Farmers Market on Fridays, season opening on April 5, and Canton Farmers Market on Saturdays, season opening in June.

The stems of shiitake mushrooms are tough and take longer to cook.

to make broth later.

This is a vegetarian dish, but if you want to add meat, add cooked chicken and/or bacon bits to the mushroom mixture right before adding pasta.

Emergence in Green

Dorothy Reavis, Acworth Oil/Acrylic/Watercolor, Second Place

1 Friday

Friday Fun Day Workshop

WORKSHOP M&M Mercantile Co.

The Mill on Etowah, Canton 1:00–3:30 p.m. | $40 MMMercantileCo.org

Serenade Heights 5K

First Baptist Church Woodstock

11905 Highway 92, Woodstock 9:00–11:00 a.m. | Register

SerenadeHeights.org

March

Horizon Ability Gala

Horizon League

Tanyard Creek Overlook, Acworth 6:00–8:00 p.m. | Cocktail Attire HorizonAbilityGala.org

CCSD Job Fair

River Ridge High School

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

4

Monday

8 Friday

9 Saturday

MilVet Veterans Meetup

Reformation Brewery 105 Elm Street, Woodstock 6:00–8:00 p.m.

MilVetCommunity.com

Homeschool Meetup

NYX Training Center 103 Smokehill Lane, Woodstock 1:45–3:45 p.m. | $10/child NYXTrainingCenter.com

The Bloom Mini Market

MARKET Alma Coffee 3448 Holly Springs Parkway, Canton 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

TheBloomExchangeCo.com

It’s All Relative

VISUAL ARTS Exhibit Opening

351 West Main Street, Canton 6:00–8:00 p.m.

MenagerieOnMain.com

Bus Stop

THEATER Canton Theatre

171 East Main Street, Canton 8:00 p.m. | Tickets CherokeeTheatre.org

2 Saturday 12

10 Sunday

14 Thursday

15 Friday

Beginner Chicken Class

WORKSHOP Pleasant Union Farm

1994 Pleasant Union Road, Canton 10:00–11:30 a.m. | $20

PleasantUnionFarm.com

West Main Arts Festival 2024

FESTIVAL Menagerie on Main

351 West Main Street, Canton Noon–6:00 p.m. | All ages

MenagerieOnMain.com

Featuring live music, art, food vendors, wine tent, and more. Entertainment includes Artist Ctrl Music, Gem, Caleb Wilkie and the Privateers, Magnolia, Beyond the Classics, Kurt Lee Wheeler, Wyatt Bernhard, Andre Davis, and street performers throughout the day.

Monday Night Team Trivia

TRIVIA The Holler

301 West Main Street, Canton 7:00–8:15 p.m. | Free to play TheHollerCanton.com

8th Annual Glowball

Towne Lake Hills Golf Club

1003 Towne Lake Hills E, Woodstock 5:00–11:00 p.m. | Fundraiser TowneLakeRotary.org

Sequoyah-Con: Nintendo

R.T. Jones Memorial Library

116 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton 10:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | All ages SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

Car-B-Que at the Flat

Old Country Place BBQ 6764 Hickory Flat Highway, Canton 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | All ages

Cherokee Film Summit 2024

Yanmar EVO Center 5889 Old Alabama Road, Acworth 5:00–9:00 p.m. | Tickets

CherokeeGA.org/Cherokee-Film-Summit

Tuesday 16 Saturday

Meet the Artists: Enjoy Cherokee Art Exhibit Opening

Cherokee County History Center 221 East Marietta Street, Canton 5:30–7:00 p.m. | All ages

EnjoyCherokee.com/Art-Contest-2024

Etowah Wildlife Expo

TWO-DAY FESTIVAL The Mill on Etowah 225 Reformation Parkway, Canton Noon–8:00 p.m. | All ages

EtowahWildlifeExpo.com 17

Sunday

5 Tuesday

Circle of Friends Gala

His Hands Church

550 Molly Lane, Woodstock 6:00–9:00 p.m. | Fundraiser CircleOfFriendsInc.org

Daddy-Daughter Date Night

Chick-fil-A Hickory Flat 6114 Hickory Flat Highway, Canton 5:00–7:30 p.m. | Register online CFAcanton.com/DDDN

Paint and Sip Workshop

WORKSHOP Stout’s Growlers 188 North Street, Canton 6:00–8:30 p.m. | $40 MMMercantileCo.org

Little Shop of Horrors

THEATER Etowah High School 6565 Putnam Ford Drive, Woodstock 7:00–9:00 p.m. | Ages 10+ CherokeeK12.net

Flashlight Egg Hunt

In partnership with

Easter Eggstravaganza

Presented by Northside Hospital Etowah River Park, Canton 1:00–3:00 p.m. | Register

Give.Northside.com/Easter

Yoga on Tap

Reformation Brewery

105 Elm Street, Woodstock 10:00–11:30 a.m. | $20

ReformationBrewery.com

Glow Night

Cannon Park

130 East Main Street, Canton 6:00–9:00 p.m. | All ages ExploreCantonGA.com

The Lasting Laugh

COMEDY Woodstock Arts 8534 Main Street, Woodstock 7:30–9:00 p.m. | Ages 12+ WoodstockArts.org

Friends Trivia Night

TRIVIA Reformation Brewery 225 Reformation Parkway, Canton 7:00–9:00 p.m. | Free to play ReformationBrewery.com

Wizard of Oz

THEATER Ball Ground ES STEM Academy 321 Valley Street, Ball Ground 7:00 p.m. | All ages CherokeeK12.net

The Lettermen

MUSIC The Falany at Reinhardt 7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska 7:30–9:00 p.m. | Tickets Reinhardt.edu/Falany

Music Bingo with Casey

Jekyll Brewing 8634 Main Street, Woodstock 7:00–9:00 p.m. | Free to play JekyllBrewing.com

Jonathan & Abigail Peyton

MUSIC Album Release Party MadLife Stage & Studios, Woodstock 7:30–9:00 p.m. | Tickets MadLifeStageAndStudios.com

Carrollton Jazz Orchestra

Cherokee Recreation and Parks 7345 Cumming Highway, Canton 6:00–9:00 p.m. | Ages 12 & under PlayCherokee.org

Shamrock Pub Crawl

Presented by Visit Woodstock

Downtown Woodstock 2:00–6:00 p.m. | Family Friendly

VisitWoodstockGA.com/ShamrockCrawl

MUSIC The Falany at Reinhardt 7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska 7:30–9:00 p.m. | Tickets Reinhardt.edu/Falany

Matilda Jr.

THEATER Creekland Middle School 1555 Owens Store Road, Canton 3:00 p.m. | $10

CherokeeK12.net

Maker’s Mash

MARKET Reformation Brewery 225 Reformation Parkway, Canton 1:00–6:00 p.m.

MadAndDusty.com

Taylor Dayne

MUSIC MadLife Stage & Studios 8722 Main Street, Woodstock 7:30–9:30 p.m. | Tickets

MadLifeStageAndStudios.com Taylor Dayne

Sensory-friendly performance of Matilda Jr.

Creekland Middle School

Ghostly Spirits

Jackson McPhetridge, Canton Photography, Second Place

22

Friday

23

Local Underground

MUSIC Unplugged Artist Night

Local Color Studio, Canton

7:00–9:00 p.m.

LocalColor.Studio

Kid Biz Expo

MARKET The Mill on Etowah

225 Reformation Parkway, Canton

Miss You Like Hell

THEATER Woodstock Arts

8534 Main Street, Woodstock

7:30–9:00 p.m. | Ages 13+ WoodstockArts.org

Sequoyah-Con: LEGO

Woodstock Public Library

7735 Main Street, Woodstock

Tribute: Allman Brothers

MUSIC West Milford Farm

7938 Ball Ground Road, Cumming 7:50–10:00 p.m. | Ages 21+ WestMilfordFarm.com

Wing & Rock Fest

TWO-DAY FESTIVAL Etowah River Park

24

Sunday

27

Wednesday

Saturday 30

Saturday

10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. | All ages KidBizExpo.com

Woodstock Arts Film Festival

FILM Screen on the Green

111 Elm Street, Woodstock

Noon–9:00 p.m. | Screening WoodstockArts.org

Career Connection Expo

James & Sis Brown Athletic Center

9416 Fincher Road, Waleska 5:00–8:00 p.m. | Register Reinhardt.edu

Storytime Live!

The Day the Crayons Quit

The Park at City Center, Woodstock 11:00–11:45 a.m. | Free Admission FoxTaleBookShoppe.com

10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | All ages SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

Hiking Scavenger Hunt

Cherokee Recreation and Parks

7345 Cumming Highway, Canton 6:00–9:00 p.m. | All ages PlayCherokee.org

28

Thursday

500 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton Noon–6:00 p.m. | All ages WingAndRockFest.com

Life in Miniature

VISUAL ARTS Exhibit Opening

734 Reeves Street, Woodstock 6:00–9:00 p.m. | Free Admission WoodstockArts.org

Special Olympics DanceSport Showcase

PERFORMING ARTS River Ridge High School

400 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 1:00 p.m. | Free Admission CherokeeSO.com

The Beauty of Nature

Michelle McCulloch, Acworth Photography, Third Place

4 Thursday

5 Friday

6

First Free Thursday

Booth Western Art Museum

501 North Museum Drive, Cartersville 4:00–8:00 p.m. | Free Admission BoothMuseum.org

Acworth Farmers Market

MARKET Season Opening Day

Logan Farm Park, Acworth 8:00 a.m.–Noon | Rain or Shine AcworthParksAndRec.org

Lattice Planter Workshop

WORKSHOP Kids DIY Workshop

Tie-In Talk

April

VISUAL ARTS The Reeves House

734 Reeves Street, Woodstock 6:30–7:30 p.m. | Free Admission WoodstockArts.org

Hunter Flanagan

MUSIC Big Door Vineyards

125 Clearwater Trail, White 4:30 p.m. | 21+ BigDoorVineyards.com

Junior Lifeguarding

WORKSHOP Red Cross Workshop

Soundcheck Music Bingo

RockSolid Brewing Co. 345 Gilmer Ferry Road, Ball Ground 7:00–9:00 p.m. | All ages

RockSolidBrewingCo.com

First Friday Artist Market

MARKET Local Color Studio

85 North Street, Canton 6:00–8:00 p.m. LocalColor.Studio

BBQ and Brews Festival

FESTIVAL Downtown Ball Ground

Live Music Thursday

MUSIC Truck & Tap

8640 Main Street, Woodstock 7:30–10:00 p.m. | Tickets TruckAndTap.com

Big Toe Mojo

MUSIC Woodstock Beer Market

240 Chambers Street, Woodstock 7:00 p.m. TheStoutBrothers.com

Akropolis Reed Quintet

MUSIC Woodstock Arts Event Green

Home Depot, Holly Springs 9:00 a.m.–Noon | Ages 4-12 HomeDepot.com/Kids

1200 Wellstar Way, Canton 9:00 a.m.–Noon | Ages 11-14 PlayCherokee.org

177 Old Dawsonville Road, Ball Ground Noon–8:00 p.m. | Free Admission BBQandBrews.com

111 Elm Street, Woodstock 7:30 p.m. | Tickets WoodstockArts.org

7

Brandon Reeves

MUSIC Keegan’s Public House 1085 Buckhead Crossing, Woodstock

Sunday 8

10

Wednesday

13

Saturday

17 Wednesday

Saturday 19

Friday

Saturday

Storytime Live! with Bluey 11:00 a.m.

Sunday

Noon–3:00 p.m. BrandonReevesMusic.com

Coffee & Connections

Cherokee Chamber of Commerce 3605 Marietta Highway, Canton 8:00–10:00 a.m. CherokeeChamber.com

Lake Allatoona Boat Show

Saturday, April 13–Sunday, April 14 Little River Marina, Canton 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Find on Facebook

BridgeMill Farmers Market

MARKET Season Opening Day 1190 BridgeMill Avenue, Canton 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Find on Facebook

Art on the Spot

VISUAL ARTS The Reeves House 734 Reeves Street, Woodstock 6:00–9:00 p.m. | Raffle WoodstockArts.org

City Wide Yard Sale

Woodstock Parks and Recreation Multiple Participating Locations 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

WoodstockParksAndRec.com

Greenstock Day Recycling

Woodstock Elementary School 230 Rope Mill Road, Woodstock 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

WoodstockParksAndRec.com

Pork & Torque Car Show

First Baptist Church of Woodstock 11905 Highway 92, Woodstock 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. | $5 Admission ShiftAtlanta.org

Monday

12 Friday

Relay for Life 2024

Etowah River Park

600 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton 4:00–8:30 p.m. | Register RelayForLife.org/CherokeeGA

18 Thursday

Reformation’s Books and Brews

Reformation Brewery Book Club Meeting 105 Elm Street, Woodstock 7:00–8:00 p.m. Find on Facebook

Serpent & Dove

MUSIC Woodstock Beer Market 240 Chambers Street, Woodstock 7:00–9:00 p.m. TheStoutBrothers.com

14

Sunday

Safety Town 2024

Registration open for Summer 2024

Open to rising K–1st Graders

SafeKidsCherokeeCounty.org

Kurt Thomas Band

MUSIC Falany Performing Arts Center 7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska 7:30 p.m. | Tickets Reinhardt.edu/Falany

SORBA Woodstock Social Ride Blankets Creek Mountain Bike Trails 2261 Sixes Road, Canton 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

SORBAwoodstock.org

Adult Children of Aging Parents

Cobb-Cherokee Chapter 2881 Canton Road, Marietta 6:30–8:00 p.m. | Support Group CobbCherokee@ACAPcommunity.org

Grease

THEATER Cherokee High School 930 Marietta Highway, Canton 7:00–9:00 p.m. | $15 CherokeeK12.net

Farm Fresh Market

MARKET Season Opening Day Market Street, Woodstock 8:30 a.m.–Noon VisitWoodstockGA.com

Garden in the Park

MARKET Cannon Park 130 East Main Street, Canton 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

ExploreCantonGA.com

Author Allison Pataki

FoxTale Book Shoppe

105 East Main Street, Woodstock 2:00–3:30 p.m.

FoxTaleBookShoppe.com

First Aid, CPR, AED Training

WORKSHOP Red Cross Workshop

1200 Wellstar Way, Canton 1:00–3:00 p.m. | Ages 15+

PlayCherokee.org

Thursday

Big Blue Dogs Band

MUSIC The Holler

301 West Main Street, Canton 7:00–10:00 p.m. TheHollerCanton.com

Recycle Truck

Waleska City Hall 8891 Fincher Road, Waleska 9:00 a.m.–Noon

WaleskaGA.Sophicity.com

Storytime Live! with Bluey

The Park at City Center 101 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 11:00–11:45 a.m. | Free Admission

FoxTaleBookShoppe.com

No Diggity

MUSIC 90s R&B, Hip Hop, & Pop Tribute

MadLife Stage & Studios, Woodstock 7:00–8:30 p.m. | Ages 15+

MadLifeStageAndStudios.com

Teacher Appreciation Night

The Holler

301 West Main Street, Canton 6:30–8:00 p.m.

TheHollerCanton.com

Cup O’ Joe

MUSIC Falany Performing Arts Center 7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska 7:30 p.m. | Tickets Reinhardt.edu/Falany

AMPED in the Park

Northside Hospital Cherokee Amphitheater 103 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 9:00–10:00 a.m. | Free Admission WoodstockParksAndRec.com

Healthy Kids Day

G. Cecil Pruett Community Center 151 Waleska Street, Canton 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. | Free Admission YMCAatlanta.org

The Lone Bellow

MUSIC Woodstock Arts Event Green

111 Elm Street, Woodstock 7:30 p.m. | Tickets WoodstockArts.org

26

Friday

27

Saturday 28

Sunday

30

Tuesday

Peaberry Film Festival

FILM Friday, April 26–Sunday, April 28

Canton Theatre, Canton Three-Day Festival | Tickets PeaberryFest.org

REI Clinic

Mamma Mia!

THEATER Sequoyah High School

4485 Hickory Road, Canton 7:00 p.m. | $20 CherokeeK12.net

Street Dog Dash 5K

Etowah River Park

600 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton 9:00 a.m. | Register StreetDogDash5K.org

Upriver Festival & 5K

Kenn Kington

COMEDY Rally Point Grille 10009 Highway 92, Woodstock 8:00–10:00 p.m. | Tickets RallyPointGrille.com

Cut Flower Gardening WORKSHOP The Buzz

7345 Cumming Highway, Canton 10:00 a.m.–Noon | $5 PlayCherokee.org

Blankets Creek Mountain Bike Trails 2261 Sixes Road, Canton 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. SORBAwoodstock.org

FESTIVAL The Mill on Etowah

225 Reformation Parkway, Canton 3:00–8:00 p.m. | Register EtowahMill.com/Events

North Georgia Chamber Symphony

MUSIC Falany Performing Arts Center 7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska 3:00 p.m. | Tickets Reinhardt.edu/Falany

Children’s Entrepreneur Market MARKET Tuesdays in the Park

J.J. Biello Park, Woodstock 5:00–8:00 p.m. | Free Admission ChildrensEntrepreneurMarket.com

Savannah Jo Band

MUSIC with special guest Connor Lawley

MadLife Stage & Studios, Woodstock 7:30–9:00 p.m. | Ages 15+ MadLifeStageAndStudios.com