Enjoy Cherokee Magazine | Vol. 12, Issue 3, May/June 2024

[advertisers index] 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

Angela Chambers, Writer

Leana Conway, Writer

Abigail Hayman, Writer

Rebecca Johnston, Writer

Ana Markosi, Writer

Amira Menkara, Writer

Carmen Slaughter, Writer

Emma Tyler, Writer

Ashley Velez, Writer

Jennifer Allen, Account Executive

Makenzie Bird, Intern

Nick Feehery, Intern

Candi Hannigan, Guest Contributor

Elisa Antrom, Guest Photographer

Naomi Hopkins, Guest Photographer

Jerry King, Guest Photographer

Atlanta’s Event Specialists / 36

Bear Claw Vineyards / 14

Camellia Place Assisted Living & Memory Care / 36

Canton Funeral Home / 45

Chattahoochee Technical College / 10

Cherokee Floor Covering / 12

Cloud Supply Co. / 30

Darby Funeral Home / 12

Downtown Canton First Fridays / 22

EA Creative Collective / 31

Explore Canton / 45

Falany Performing Arts Center / 51

Georgia Apple Blossom Festival / 49

Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds / 10

Great Sky Canton / 32

Greene’s Blueprinting / 30

History Cherokee / 41

J. King Images / 22

J. Thompson Ross Investments / 17

Jacob Watson's Guitar Lessons / 30

Kitchen Tune-Up & Bath Tune-Up / 4

Magnetize.Me / 41

Molly & Margie’s / 14

Northside Hospital / inside front cover

Northside Hospital: Ask the Doctor / 26-27

NotATypical Festival / 3

Senator Kay Kirkpatrick / 14

Sweety’s Café & Ice Cream Bar / 14

Taste of Canton / 30

The Mill on Etowah / back cover

The Sonder Studio / 32

Wellstar Health System / 5

SUCCESS for flight plan

CHEROKEE

STORY BY Candi Hannigan, Guest Contributor

COUNTY’S AIRPORT HAS GROWN SINCE ITS HUMBLE BEGINNINGS ON BALL GROUND FARMLAND

The Airport Board meets in the second-floor conference room every other month. Other local businesses also use the room for meetings.

Academy Award-nominated actor Tom Cruise took up residence in the pilot’s lounge of the Cherokee County Regional Airport in Ball Ground during the filming of American Made in 2014. He’s just one of many celebrities— actors, athletes, artists, and politicians—who have used the airport. On average 110 planes and other aircraft fly in and out daily, using the airport’s single runway and twenty-nine hangars.

Although downtown Ball Ground was the movie’s primary setting, the airport was chosen as a location for scenes involving Cruise. In fact, the airport was a key find for the movie’s production team, according to Michael Burmeister, location manager for American Made. Burmeister told Molly Mercer, film project manager for the Cherokee Office of Economic Development, that the crew was able to dress hangars to represent multiple airports that Cruise’s character, pilot Barry Seal, actually would have flown in and out of. Changing the look without changing physical location saved the production significant time and money. Burmeister was nominated for the Outstanding Locations in a Period Film award by the Location Managers Guild International for his work on the film.

Cherokee County Regional Airport

1350 Bishop Road Ball Ground, GA 30107

678-454-2090

SSAviation.us

A ramp right outside the terminal building is where airplanes are staged for passengers to board or deplane. The hangars in the distance house the aircraft kept at the airport.

Military aircraft like these H60 helicopters often stop at the airport. On this day in April 2023, six helicopters with twenty-eight people on board stopped to rest and refuel. S&S employees purchased Chick-fil-A meals for the military personnel, a common practice when any military aircraft stops to refuel or take a longer break.

Managing the Airport

Cruise stayed about three days in the lounge while filming a scene in one of the airport hangars. Although the scene didn’t make the final cut, the story is shared often as an example of the many uses of the airport, which is situated on 157 acres.

When singers Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire each visited Georgia, their planes landed at the Ball Ground airport. In November 2022, Governor Brian Kemp was in the Ball Ground area and departed in a helicopter to attend the funeral service of former University of Georgia Coach Vince Dooley.

Farmland to Runway

The property fulfills the vision of the late Fred Wilbanks, the original landowner who saw the potential for an airfield when he gave thirty acres to Cherokee County in February 1957. In the 1950s Wilbanks was a farmer who ran a construction business in Ball Ground and a pilot with a small airstrip on his land. As a businessman and pilot, he saw the value an airport would add to the county.

With the help of the late Norman Sosebee of Canton, a friend and aviation enthusiast who served as a secretary of the Cherokee County Airport Authority for more than thirty years, Wilbanks convinced the county that the property would be an ideal location for an airport to serve its growing needs. He declined the offer to have the airport named after him, insisting the name should be Cherokee County Airport.

While the airport’s twenty-nine hangars look like one building, they are separate. B-Hangar and T-Hangar house more than thirteen airplanes. D-Hangar has various-sized spaces and accommodates fifteen aircraft. The hangars are filled with an estimated 120 aircraft, including jets and helicopters.

Cherokee County Regional Airport stays busy with privately owned jets and smaller aircraft, as well as charter flights. No commercial airlines operate out of this regional facility. Area residents interested in chartering flights can arrange to depart from and return to the Cherokee airport. All arrangements must be made with independent companies.

Cherokee County owns the public-use airport. As the on-site provider of fuel and aircraft maintenance, S&S Aviation pays rent to the county for the land the hangars, maintenance building, and fuel tanks sit on. S&S also rents the hangars and tie-down spaces and sells aviation fuel. The company has provided aircraft maintenance since 1984.

The Cherokee County Airport Authority, established in 1968, oversees the daily operations and functions of the airport, ensures its expansion, and promotes growth in the county. The authority consists of seven volunteers appointed by a grand jury and Cherokee County commissioners. Members serve either two- or four-year terms, depending on the position.

The Federal Aviation Administration [FAA] and the Georgia Department of Transportation inspect the airport periodically to ensure it meets all safety and operating regulations. Federal, state, and county funding provide for runway improvements and expansion. The terminal building was built using SPLOST tax funds.

Keena Pope, the airport’s lead customer-service representative and terminal manager for S&S Aviation, says that the company reports all aircraft on the field to the county once a year for tax purposes. Airport Authority Chair Dick Hall describes the relationship between the county and S&S Aviation as a “quasigovernment entity.” The airport brings in business, and the ad valorem tax helps Cherokee County. Appointed chair in 2022, Dick attended the U.S. Air Force Academy and ran special flight operations later in his military career. No longer a practicing pilot, he still loves to fly as a passenger.

The atrium offers passengers a place to wait for their aircraft or for pilots to wait for passengers to arrive. It’s also open to anyone who wants to watch planes land and take off.

Other leading roles at the airport are held by Jimmy Garland, manager of S&S Aviation, and Phil Eberly, president of Lead Edge Design Group, the engineering company that manages updates and expansions to the airport.

Hobby Turns Into a Job

Keena’s ties to the airport started when she enrolled as a flight student in the early 2000s. Through her connection with the airport as a student, she joined the S&S Aviation team and still enjoys flying as a hobby.

Keena manages the aircraft waiting list as well as the hangar and tie-down contracts. She issues notices filed with aviation authorities to alert pilots of potential hazards along a flight route or locations that could affect a flight. If military helicopters come in, for example, she closes the taxiway so the choppers can land. When the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board came to investigate and retrieve an airplane that flipped and landed upside down, she closed off portions of the taxiway for the crane and safety equipment to work safely. Keena also manages the terminal building, including maintenance and scheduling of the conference room.

Business for S&S Aviation is consistent, and the most demanded service is aircraft maintenance. “Owning these airplanes costs a lot of money. It’s not just the cost of the airplane; it’s the maintenance of the airplane and where [the owner] is going to store it,” Keena says. “We only have one maintenance shop. The maintenance employees are certified in Airframe & Powerplant (A&P), and some carry an Inspection Authorization (IA) certificate.”

Check In and Check Out

S&S Aviation sells more than fifty thousand gallons of fuel each month, often to pilots who stop in for enough fuel to complete

Lead Edge Design Group are the project managers for updates and expansions to the airport, including planned runway extensions.

their journey. Keena adds that in addition to pilots in need of fuel, “We experience flights every day that are diverted to our airport because of weather.”

Weather, and even mechanical issues, can lead to unexpected landings. In a review, one pilot wrote, “I couldn’t have broken down at a better and [more] well-equipped airport … I was on my way in hours.”

Many pilots and clients prefer to fly into this airport because of its time-saving convenience. Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport has security lines, baggage claim, and thousands of passengers, so with no terminal checkpoints the pilot or client must go through, S&S Aviation becomes an easy choice for business people. Once an aircraft lands, there is either an arranged pickup on the ramp or immediate assistance from the main office.

The FAA does not require the airport to have a control tower. With several dozen planes and other aircraft using the runway daily, S&S Aviation has a UNICOM frequency to allow pilots to communicate with one another and the airport’s front office. The number of planes that use the facility is expected to increase, requiring infrastructure improvements to the airport.

The airport’s consulting engineer, Lead Edge Design Group, is working to widen the runway from seventy-five feet to one hundred feet. The length will increase from 5,003 to 6,000 feet southward. There also are plans to add five hangars to the property. The Airport Authority board oversees these plans. A wider runway and more hangars will allow space for more stationary and active planes.

Joe DiPietro contributed portions of this article. FAA-certified A&P mechanic Matthew Grimes reviewed this article and provided feedback on the use of industry-specific terminology.

A BOON TO THE COUNTY

Cherokee County Board of Commissioners

Chairman Harry Johnston sees tremendous benefits that the airport brings to our county. “The airport is an important economic engine for Cherokee County. With five thousand feet of runway and a beautiful general aviation terminal, it provides an excellent ‘front door’ to business executives who fly in seeking to do business in Cherokee,” Harry says.

“Over the long run, the ad valorem taxes on the increasing number and value of the airplanes based there more than cover the cost of the airport itself. For instance, a typical five-million-dollar business jet pays about fifty thousand dollars per year in tax, without adding any kids to the schools or cars to the roads. The Airport Authority is in the process now of adding more hangars to accommodate more planes.

“We already have the land necessary to extend the runway to six thousand feet, which will allow substantially any business-class aircraft to take off and land there fully loaded and in most weather conditions. The first half of that expansion can be done relatively inexpensively within the next year or two. The final half will require substantial earth moving and take a few more years. The runway expansion also will add more space for more hangars.

“The county has begun construction on a new road to connect the north end of Bluffs Parkway to the airport. It will open up new economic development opportunities through an area that’s been long planned as a job-creation corridor.”

Building a Village:

STORY BY Ana Markosi, Canton

PHOTOGRAPHY BY Katie Johnson

The old saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child,” and Ashley Jones, Woodstock local and mother of two, decided to raise her own from the ground up through Towne Lake Mama, a social media initiative with the goal to build a “local and virtual mom community.”

Becoming a mother amid the isolation of the COVID pandemic, Ashley’s introduction to motherhood was rocky, and even after quarantine restrictions lifted, she felt alone. This struggle motivated her to build a community of her own.

“Post-COVID, I had a lot of friends with babies and kids but none who lived locally. I knew I couldn’t be the only mom feeling alone. It really opened my eyes to how postpartum mental health is not talked about enough. It can be hard to make mom friends sometimes. It doesn’t always happen organically at the park or at daycare or school functions, so I decided to start Towne Lake Mama.”

Towne Lake Mama serves as a resource for mothers to learn about events for kids and moms around Woodstock and Canton as well as child-friendly crafts, activities, and products. Moms can also share experiences and ask questions about motherhood through the account.

Ashley Jones

‘‘ It’s easy to see social media and think other moms have it all together or are  not struggling. Having a community or village around you that knows what you are going through is important, whether that’s virtual or in person.”

— Ashley Jones

Mama-Owned Mondays

Ashley also supports local mother-owned businesses through a weekly series, Mama-Owned Mondays.

“I thought of the idea because I had a few friends and neighbors who owned their own businesses, and I was in awe that they could run a business and be a super mom all at the same time,” says Ashley. “I think it’s important to support each other as women and also support local businesses in this unpredictable economy. The response has been great so far, and I have enough mom-owned businesses to spotlight every Monday for the next few months.”

Two of these “super mom”-owned businesses are Closing With Madeline and Cherokee Rose Candle Company. Both women echo Ashley’s sentiment of community and share their gratitude for the connections they have made through Towne Lake Mama.

Madeline King, owner of transaction-coordination company Closing With Madeline, says, “Ashley mentioned this opportunity to me, and I was delighted to be featured. I met her via her Instagram account and actually joined one of her mama meetups last fall. I love what she is doing for moms in our community.”

Along with a sense of connection, Ashley’s Mama-Owned Mondays foster support and collaboration among local mothers’ businesses. “I love the community she is building for local moms,” says Amanda Roberts, founder and CEO of Cherokee Rose Candle Company. “I look forward to seeing what other mama-owned businesses she features so I can support and possibly collaborate with them.”

While Ashley recently welcomed her second child, a daughter, she continues to work toward goals to expand Towne Lake Mama’s online presence and further unify the local mom community. “I would love to get some in-person meetups on the calendar in the near future, whether that’s chatting over some drinks or over coffee,” says Ashley. “I am hoping to get a website or blog started while on my maternity leave so there is a more static place to share some of my content and an easier way to find something rather than just an Instagram post.”

Ashley strives to build an authentic, supportive community of mothers in a culture where individualism is the norm. “It’s easy to see social media and think other moms have it all together or are not struggling,” says Ashley. “Having a community or village around you that knows what you are going through is important, whether that’s virtual or in person.”

More information and resources from Towne Lake Mama can be found through Ashley’s Instagram account (@townelakemama).

Jones, party of four: The Jones family recently grew with the addition of a daughter. Pictured are Ashley; her husband, Dylan; and their son.

A boy from

STORY BY Ashley Velez, Woodstock

BY Jerry King

The stars on the flag won’t be the only stars featured in Canton this July Fourth weekend. Grand Ole Opry inductee, chart-topping country musician, North Georgia native, community leader: all those descriptions apply to Mark Wills.

On July 5, Canton’s much-loved First Friday Concert Series welcomes Mark to the stage. Part of Canton’s annual Independence Day celebration, the event features a parade, fireworks, and opportunities for families, friends, and neighbors to gather and listen to country favorites performed by a “boy from Blue Ridge.”

Mark says he’s thrilled to be part of the First Friday 2024 lineup. “I’m looking forward to playing in Canton, close to home. It’ll be a show where all my friends will be. Playing in an arena or other large venues where I don’t get to see friends is hard, but I love playing events where I can say, ‘Hey! This is a community show. Bring your family and friends, hit the food trucks, support the local vendors, and have fun.’” He adds that being able to play during a Fourth of July celebration is particularly special for him. “I get to watch my grandbaby enjoy the fireworks and be with my family as we celebrate America’s birthday.”

A Heart for Community Involvement

Throughout his thirty-plus-year musical career, Mark has been passionate about supporting the armed forces, veterans, and the local police and sheriff departments. He has traveled to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Korea, and Italy to entertain troops. Mark has also frequently volunteered with St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Children’s Miracle Network, and other organizations as a national ambassador.

Locally, in 2019, Mark performed at Rock for a Reason, an annual gala that benefits childhood cancer research. Cherokee County native Ollie Evans, owner of Georgia Chiropractic and Massage, cofounded the nonprofit in 2017. He notes, “It was really cool to have Mark at the event, donating his time and money. He’s a great guy.”

Over the last few years Mark has reemerged in community involvement opportunities that had been shut down because of COVID. In February he spoke to the newest cohorts enrolled in Teen Leadership Cherokee, an annual program the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce developed to educate and enrich local sophomores to prepare them for leadership roles within the community. During his presentation Mark focused on successfully aligning goals and dreams and how to set realistic goals that create better expectations for life experiences.

Newer, More Inclusive Release

One of Mark’s most recognized and well-loved songs is the 1998 release “Don’t Laugh at Me,” which received nominations from the Country Music Association for Best Single, Song, and Video of the Year. Mark says, “‘Don’t Laugh at Me’ was kind of everybody’s song because it’s one

that everybody could relate to. As kids we don’t always realize we’re making fun of someone because they have the guts to be something we want to be.” Upon the song’s release, schools and anti-bullying organizations nationwide chose the song as an anthem, communicating awareness and spreading messages of kindness and tolerance for people from all walks of life. Within the last few years, the special-needs community has connected with the song in a profound, heartfelt way.

For the rerelease of “Don’t Laugh at Me” in 2022, Mark partnered with Nashville-based a cappella group Home Free, plus a special appearance from his daughter Macey. Mark wanted a broader spectrum represented in the video, noting, “The special-needs community wasn’t represented in the original music video, and I wanted to make sure they were, the second time around.” In addition to scenes portraying in-person bullying from neighborhood kids, the video also includes depictions of cyberbullying and online harassment. The video stars ASL interpreter JennaLee Wasserman and Nate Simon of 21 Pineapples Shirt Co. and earned the collaborators three gold Telly Awards.

The ripple effect of the message behind “Don’t Laugh at Me” has also positively impacted various organizations here in Cherokee County. Organizations that have used it as an anthem to spread positive messages of inclusion and hope include Fitfully Forward, an organization dedicated to helping individuals with special needs discover the benefits of dance, and Limitless Disability Services, which provides programs that allow special-needs adults to learn independence and grow through community support and activities.

A Mentor for Local Musical Acts

In addition to his volunteerism and activism, Mark makes himself available for other local musical acts starting their careers. When local singer-songwriter and The Voice winner Bryce Leatherwood began his rise to fame, Mark offered the musician his support, explaining that the impact of transitioning from anonymity to full-fledged stardom can be challenging to wrap your brain around.

After meeting Mark at a conference, singer-songwriter Ben Kimbrell from Marietta says he’s also grateful for Mark’s mentorship. “Mark was gracious enough to come watch me play and gave me his number. Later I had the opportunity to meet up and play some songs with him. He also offered insights into songwriting and his career. It was cool to talk to a professional and get a firsthand look at what it takes to get to that next level.”

As their friendship grew, so did Mark’s mentorship of Ben. Ben says, “I explained I’d be doing an EP release show at MadLife [Stage and Studios] for my first-ever EP. Mark said, ‘If you want, I can play some songs with you.’ The show ended up being marketed as an EP release show with Mark as the special guest.” The EP show started with Ben playing his own set, followed by Mark playing a few songs. The two finished the set together, singing some of Mark’s songs.

Canton’s Downtown Development Manager Velinda Hardy got the chance to meet Mark ahead of his show in July. Velinda is responsible for booking the talent featured in the city’s First Friday concert series. She says, “We’re thrilled to welcome Mark Wills to Downtown Canton’s First Friday. Get ready for an incredible performance that will light up the night!”

‘‘ Get ready for an incredible performance that will light up the night!”

— Velinda Hardy, Downtown Development Manager, City of Canton

“That was really cool. Hearing those songs growing up and then being able to play with him was special. I appreciated him taking the time and investing in me like he did,” Ben adds.

Mark feels strongly about making himself available to younger acts as a sounding board because he remembers what it was like as a young musician trying to make the best decisions for his future. “I would have loved to have somebody in my world who had been doing it for thirty years reach out and say, ‘Hey, I’m here to support and guide you and share my own mistakes so you can learn from them.’”

From Blue Ridge Native to Opry Inductee

Mark debuted at the Grand Ole Opry on August 22, 1997; since then he’s played the venue an estimated three hundred times. On January 11, 2019, he was the 218th inductee into the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, following an on-stage invitation from Vince Gill, who told the audience, “That boy has been the greatest supporter and greatest proponent of what this Opry stands for.”

As a young performer from Blue Ridge, Mark never thought being inducted into the Opry would be something he could achieve. “When you think about career goals, when you think about family goals and personal goals, it kind of fits into all those things. Very few things transcend the family line, professional line, or even a personal goal.”

Mark acknowledges his induction into the Opry as one of the things he’s most proud of in his musical career. “The Grand Ole Opry is a country music institution and has really transitioned as a predecessor to the Country Music Hall of Fame.” He adds, “Of all the accolades and the positives that go along with the successes of a career in country music, I’m truly most proud of that accomplishment, of joining the [Opry] family, out of every other thing I could have done.”

In March, Mark performed during the Grand Ole Opry House fiftieth anniversary celebration, which honored country music legends Bill Anderson, Jeannie Seely, and Connie Smith, who performed during the venue’s opening night in 1974, when Mark was just seven months old.

And the Crowd Goes Wild

From his debut single, “Jacob’s Ladder,” and ballads like “I Do (Cherish You)” and “Places I’ve Never Been,” to up-tempo favorites like “And the Crowd Goes Wild” and “19 Somethin’” Mark’s smooth baritone is set to float through historic downtown Canton on Friday, July 5. The free show is part of Canton’s annual First Friday concert series, which draws crowds that fill Cannon Park and spill onto Main Street for a street party full of family-friendly fun. Nashville-based singer-songwriter Tyson Leamon will kick off the tunes before Mark and his band take the stage.

For more information on Canton’s First Friday Concert Series and Independence Day celebration, visit ExploreCantonGA.com. For information on Mark’s upcoming shows, visit MarkWills.com.

Mark stands inside the iconic gazebo in downtown Canton’s Cannon Park, where crowds will gather for his First Friday show on Friday, July 5.

2024 FREE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES DATES

07

MARK WILLS

Opening Act: Tyson Leamon

Friday, July 5 | 6:00 p.m.

Downtown Canton First Friday

Cannon Park | Learn more on page 18

SY CHADWICK & TYSON LEAMON

Saturday, July 13 | 5:00 p.m.

Jasper Downtown Live

North Main Street

TONIC

Opening Act: The Verve Pipe

Saturday, July 13 | 7:30 p.m.

Woodstock Summer Concert Series

Northside-Cherokee Amphitheater

05

THE RUPERT’S ORCHESTRA

Friday, May 3 | 6:00 p.m.

Downtown Canton First Friday

Cannon Park

MOUNTAIN CITY MAVERICKS & T. JAMES BAND

Saturday, May 11 | 5:00 p.m.

Jasper Downtown Live

North Main Street

NIGHT RANGER

Opening Act: All The Locals

Saturday, May 11 | 7:30 p.m.

Woodstock Summer Concert Series

Northside-Cherokee Amphitheater

08

THE TROUBADOUR PROJECT

Friday, August 2 | 6:00 p.m.

Downtown Canton First Friday

Cannon Park

WHISKEY ROSE & MATT CHASTAIN

Saturday, August 10 | 5:00 p.m.

Jasper Downtown Live

North Main Street

WHO'S BAD: ULTIMATE MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE

Opening Act: The 80ators

Saturday, August 10 | 7:30 p.m.

Woodstock Summer Concert Series

Northside-Cherokee Amphitheater

06

A1A JIMMY BUFFETT TRIBUTE

Friday, June 7 | 6:00 p.m.

Downtown Canton First Friday

Cannon Park

FLY BETTY & C.J. PRATHER

Saturday, June 8 | 5:00 p.m.

Jasper Downtown Live

North Main Street

GUARDIANS OF THE JUKEBOX

Opening Act: Black Lion Reggae

Saturday, June 8 | 7:30 p.m.

Woodstock Summer Concert Series

Northside-Cherokee Amphitheater

A JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION

Saturday, June 15 | 5:00 p.m.

Acworth's Concert on the Green Series

Logan Farm Park | Learn more on page 37

09

DEPARTURE: THE JOURNEY TRIBUTE BAND

Friday, September 6 | 6:00 p.m.

Downtown Canton First Friday

Cannon Park

EDDIE MONTGOMERY

Opening Act: Across The Wide

Saturday, September 14 | 7:30 p.m.

Woodstock Summer Concert Series

Northside-Cherokee Amphitheater

CELEBRATING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

Saturday, September 21 | 5:00 p.m.

Acworth's Concert on the Green Series

Logan Farm Park

Celebrates Mothers AND Mother Earth ANNUAL POWWOW

STORY BY Amira Menkara, Canton

A drumming circle is the heartbeat of the annual powwow. Pictured in the drum circle are Cody Boettner, David Weathers, Adam Wright, Otter Oliver, Adam Bell, Seven Oshkabewisens, Charles Mesteth, and Francisco Zamora.

Festival organizer Ruby Wolfe says the 2024 Powwow will feature more educational dance exhibitions. Pictured here is women’s traditional dancer Nadia. Photos Courtesy of Ruby Wolfe

This Mother’s Day weekend, Rolling Thunder Enterprises and nonprofit organization INDIO Trail host the thirty-third Annual Cherokee County Mother’s Day Powwow and Indian Festival in Canton’s Boling Park.

A Celebration of Mothers

The Mother’s Day Powwow and Indian Festival intertwines the universal celebration of mothers with the rich tapestry of Native American culture and community. The event serves as a vibrant tribute to the strength, nurturing, and leadership of mothers in our communities and a powerful reminder of the role women play in the preservation and transmission of traditions.

The drum beats and dances at the powwow resonate with gratitude and reverence for all mothers, deeply connecting them to their roots and to one another.

Ruby Wolfe, the woman behind the scenes of Rolling Thunder Enterprises, shares how she and her family have made an impact by sharing their rich culture and educating the community.

The Legacy Begins

When the annual event began in 1990, it was spearheaded by Ruby and her husband, Chipa Wolfe. Ruby shares that until his passing in 2016, she and Chipa were a tag team. Chipa would be out, “running around, doing the physical setup [while] I did a lot of the beforehand work, which is what it takes, so it was both of us, but as people saw it, he was the face of the event.” She says when people came to the event, Chipa “was out there, and people would look for him and see him. He really was the face of the business. I was always keeping the business running, keeping the farm up [so] he could be doing the physical part of the business, like running our school and business programs. It’s a family event and it is a family business. Now it’s my daughter [Cecilia] and me, and she is out doing what her dad used to do: it is a family business for a family event.”

When asked why the organization holds events on Mother’s Day weekend, and if it was fate, Ruby smiles and explains, “You could call it that. We are a matriarchal culture. The women are the heads of the families, and they make the decisions. However, that’s not why we picked the date. It was an open date on the calendar, and we went with that. [The date] also did tie in with the fact that mothers are very important, not just in our culture, but everywhere, really, and everybody’s family is important, so we went for Mother’s Day.”

WHERE DOES THE NAME “ROLLING THUNDER” ORIGINATE?

“It comes from where I am from, which is South Dakota. Rolling Thunder is what our people, the Lakota, would call this sound, ‘rolling thunder’ like a herd of buffalo would make as it’s running across the plains,” festival organizer Ruby Wolfe explains. She mentions that Georgia had woodland buffalo many years ago, but they did not sound like the running buffaloes in South Dakota. She continues, “that’s where our business got its name."

Indigenous singer-songwriter Ryan LittleEagle notes the importance of events like the annual powwow. “Unfortunately Georgia tends to act like native history ended with the Indian Removal Act, so having events like this powwow is important, as it shows that Indigenous people are still around in the here and now, and that there is a Native community in the greater Atlanta area.”

Ryan says attending the annual festival feels like a family reunion.

What to Expect

“This year,” Ruby says, “instead of having a dance competition, we are having a dance exhibition. Instead of just being a competition [and] watching the dancers just dance, they’re going to explain each of the dances and then do an exhibition of each of the dances. People will learn where the dances originated and what [the dances] mean. There is meaning behind each of the dances.” She adds, “There will also be a lot more audience participation this year with the dancing.”

Along with a variety of encampments, educational demonstrators will show attendees how to cook over rocks, live off the land, and make arrowheads through a process called flintknapping.

Jim Sawgrass, of Muscogee Creek (Mvskoke) descent and living historian of the southeastern tribes of Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, is the presenter of the 2024 Creek encampment that will feature a historical display on native people in Georgia. Jim explains, “My display will show how life would have been before Europeans came. I’ll demonstrate weaponry and tools and skills from that era. It’s a very educational program.” His exhibition will include hunting, fishing, farming, pottery, basketry and weaving, children’s games and toys, musical instruments, and a chikee, a Native American house originally built from palm leaves in a south Georgia swamp.

‘‘ A powwow is the most modern form of the culture.”

—Jim Sawgrass, living historian of southeastern Native American history

Cherokee County Mother’s Day

Powwow and Indian Festival

Saturday, May 11 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 12 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Boling Park

1200 Marietta Highway, Canton

Regarding Native American festivals in general, Jim says the Cherokee County powwow is “definitely one of the top. It’s a chance for people to see that where they live today, native people lived for thousands of years. They had their own cities, like Etowah and Ocmulgee and Kolomoki. Those are all cities from way back in the times when the native people were the only ones here. It’s a great experience for the public to see that native people are still here after all the atrocities that were done to them. They can see what life would have been like [then], and they can see how it is today.”

Event is rain or shine.

Admission for ages 13 and up is $15; admission for children ages 6 to 12 is $5; admission for children 5 years and younger is free.

Parking is free. General parking is at Cherokee High School. Handicapped parking is in front of Boling Park.

INNOVATIVE EVENT

KICKS OFF IN WOODSTOCK

PHOTOGRAPHY

STORY BY Rebecca Johnston, Canton

BY Elisa Antrom

For those looking for an innovative family-friendly outing and curious about embracing a lifestyle with less alcohol use, NotATypical Festival will serve up the perfect blend on Saturday, June 8, on the Woodstock Arts Event Green.

NotATypical Festival is a celebration of diversity and choice offering a wide array of music, activities, vendors, and beverages aimed at reshaping the way we engage with our community. The unique event is the brainchild of Bryttany Hyde, owner of The Little Sober Bar, a mobile bar offering a variety of non-alcoholic beverages and mocktails.

“We came up with the idea to have this festival to show that sober curiosity isn’t boring and to hone in on our core values of inclusion,” Bryttany explains. “People deserve options not only in their beverages but in life as well.”

NotATypical Festival features a diverse lineup of music with live bands and DJ-crafted options spanning various genres. Bryttany worked with T.J. King of Artist CTRL Music to bring the festival to life.

Sober Curious

The thirty-three-year-old entrepreneur came up with the idea of The Little Sober Bar in 2022. In 2023 Bryttany held her first event in the 1965 Shasta Compact camper she converted into a mobile bar. It can now be found at a number of events around the metro area.

“I had been trying to cut down on my alcohol intake because I just wasn’t able to thrive. As I started this journey, I found out a lot about myself, neurodivergence, mental health issues, and the fact that I was truly passionate about the flavors associated with drinking,” Bryttany explains. “My choice to be sober curious allows me the freedom of choice, and I am able to flow a little bit more on my journey. This bar was made for people like me. Settling is a choice, but we choose to stay curious.”

The sober-curious movement is not a fleeting trend, according to mental health experts. It has been around a few years and is a shift in the way people and generations interact with and think about alcohol use. The movement refers to individuals becoming more mindful of their alcohol consumption without necessarily committing to complete abstinence. It is more about questioning the role of alcohol and exploring a healthier relationship with drinking.

Bryttany explains, “One of the top phrases I hear a lot at The Little Sober Bar is ‘Thank you.’ It is really helping others, saving lives. I am hearing a lot more stories of sobriety. I am surprised about how many people are sober curious in this area. They always walk up and say, ‘I am curious,’ ‘What is a sober bar,’ or ‘Sober and bar don’t go together.’”

A recent Gallup Poll found 62 percent of U.S. adults under age thirty-five said they drink, which is a 10 percent drop from two decades ago. One third of adults who avoid alcohol do so for health reasons, according to a 2022 Food Institute report, and 70 percent of young adults say they just aren’t interested in alcohol.

Bryttany Hyde, founder of The Little Sober Bar

T.J. King, CEO of Artist CTRL Music

Jason Walker and Erica Walden of Acworth pick up some tasty bevvies from The Little Sober Bar.

The June 8 festival is kid-friendly and dog-friendly.

“Millennials like me are being more mindful now that we are adults and parents,” Bryttany shares. “Those younger than us are shying away from it more and more.”

Festival of Choices

NotATypical Festival will feature twenty-eight vendors in addition to The Little Sober Bar. A mixture of food trucks, dessert options, artists, chiropractors, and other health professionals will be among the vendors.

A water pong tournament will raise funds for the Georgia Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Health [NAMI]. NAMI Georgia works to ensure that an often-overlooked segment of the population receives access to mental health services. Teams of two can register online for $25.

NotATypical Festival will feature a Donation Station, where attendees can support nonprofits such as Limitless Disability Services, Circle of Friends, and the Trevor Project. Festivalgoers can also donate needed clothing for The Children’s Haven.

The Activity Village will offer a range of engaging options where attendees can enjoy the festivities while being on the move. For those preferring a quieter experience there will be card games and other introverted activities as well as the Sensory Escape for those who need to relax if they feel overstimulated.

In addition to the vendors and activities, NotATypical Festival will welcome musical headliner Paul Childers from Nashville, Tennessee, promising an electrifying performance blending pop, R&B, and soul that will captivate audiences.

“NotATypical Festival is not just another music event. We are bringing music, options, and activities together for a block party unlike anything suburbia has ever seen,” Bryttany says.

NotATypical Festival takes place Saturday, June 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Woodstock Arts Event Green at 111 Elm Street, Woodstock. For more information visit NotATypicalFestival.com.

‘‘ From toddlers to adults, NotATypical Festival is a festival for everyone and a place to discover creatives, artists, businesses, and so much more that are all in your local area.”

— T.J. King, Artist CTRL Music

STORY BY Abigail Hayman, Canton

PHOTOGRAPHY BY Naomi Hopkins

Artisans in Bloom in Woodstock

Warmer weather has arrived in Cherokee County! Residents are eager to get outside and enjoy local events, and The Bloom Exchange Co.—an initiative launched by Cherokee County creatives Kailee Feirer Bracken and Nicole Liveoak—is poised to deliver. With events, a website, and a podcast, its mission is to see small businesses bloom, including women-owned and mother-owned businesses.

Kailee is the creator of Broken Ankles, a handmade jewelry retailer, and a former member of collaborative coworking space Made Mercantile in Woodstock. Nicole is the creative mind behind Woven Oak Design, which offers handmade macrame goods. Nicole and Kailee were inspired to develop The Bloom Exchange Co. to help small business owners and provide a safe space for questions.

Nicole explains, “I’m supported by many people in my community—my friends, family, and loved ones. My mom, Jamie Basler, watches my six-year-old, who doesn’t quite have the patience yet for [market events]. Not everyone has that support, though. That’s what inspired Kailee and me to open our business together and start a podcast.” The podcasts offer business advice for smallbusiness owners plus tips and tricks for managing markets, especially in the Georgia heat.

From Pandemic Creativity to Clay Artistry

Now known for her bestselling clay and brass earrings, Kailee first decided to open her small business during the pandemic as her creativity flourished. Despite her initial excitement, Kailee soon grew discouraged when her earrings kept breaking. She recalls, “I was trying to research everything independently and realized I was using the wrong clay.” Experiences like this one are part of the reason Kailee and Nicole are driven to support and encourage new small businesses.

“So many people inspire me,” Kailee says, “but those who buy my earrings encourage me and keep me going. Small business owners need encouragement. I lean on my smallbusiness friends, who understand the hustle and what it takes to own a business.”

Artwork by Summer Connell (@summerconnell.art)

Success Woven through Encouragement

Proud mom Nicole launched her small business, Woven Oak Design, in 2019. The name combines her last name, Liveoak, and her custommade macrame designs.

Nicole was encouraged to start a business after her best friend, Tariana Sparrow, fell in love with her products. “I was scrolling through Facebook Marketplace and saw a listing for a plant hanger,” Nicole says. “I was inspired. I bought macrame cord and learned the basic knotting techniques from watching YouTube videos. I posted a picture of a wall hanging I was working on and Tariana wanted to buy it before it was even finished.”

Locally Owned Goodness

From pop-up events to festivals, Kailee and Nicole are no strangers to the vendor experiences of small business owners. Each has sold their creations at local market events, including Maker’s Mash, Plant Daddies Plant Vendor Market, Christkindl festivals, Mayberry Acres Market, Art on the Green, Bizarre Bash, and others across metro Atlanta.

Drawing on their combined experiences, the duo now organizes and hosts market events as another way to support fellow local makers, beginning with pop-up events at Alma Coffee in Canton, Gate City Brewing in nearby Roswell, and Atlanta Hard Cider & Distillery in Marietta. These events are a perfect way to soak up some fun in the sun and support local talent this spring and summer and into the cooler weather of fall.

Ashley Elayne, marketing manager of Alma Coffee, is enthusiastic about the pop-up market series. “This pop-up market is perfect for springtime. Guests can shop a ton of adorable products outside while sipping one of our new spring drinks available in the café. When you support Alma Coffee, you support our initiative of improving lives in Honduras, where our coffee farmers live,” Ashley remarks.

Nicole Liveoak

Kailee Feirer Bracken

Kailee and Nicole share advice based on their combined experiences as small business owners and creatives through The Bloom Exchange Co.’s social media presence and through The Bloom Exchange Co. Podcast, available on Spotify.

Kailee and Nicole are delighted to work with a coffee shop that is actively making a difference.

“When The Bloom Exchange Co. said that it was doing pop-ups at Alma Coffee, my husband, Lee, and I applied immediately,” says Lizzie Decker, cofounder of Jackabee Candle Company of Marietta. The couple’s hand-poured candle line includes a Parisian-themed spring collection perfect for lovers of warm floral notes.

Small Business, Big Impact

The Local Bloom Market featuring talented artisans and small business owners on Saturday, May 25, is the biggest venture of The Bloom Exchange Co. to date. Cofounders Kailee and Nicole are excited about this large-scale event that will host more than thirty-five vendors, including candlemakers, creators of handmade products, vintage clothing retailers, bakers, and more. Nicole’s popular discoball hangers will also be featured at The Local Bloom Market. “I like anything funky and fun,” Nicole says with a laugh, “and I love shiny things. I must’ve been a crow in my past life,” she jokes.

The Local Bloom Market Featured Vendors

Cherokee County native Sarah Mazzarella, the maker behind Sarahdipity Crochet, is another business owner drawn to The Bloom Exchange Co. market events and the support Kailee and Nicole provide. “As a business owner, I am hoping to grow in my local community in terms of visibility online and at market events,” Sarah says. Her company features handmade crochet products.

Emily Grimes, owner of Southern Sage Jewelry, is also delighted to be featured at The Bloom Exchange Co.’s market events. “I was inspired to open my business after facing a lot of tragedy in my life,” Emily reports. “After the loss of my grandfather, I decided to preserve his funeral flowers. It [then] gave me purpose to see how comforted my customers were after receiving memorial items created from the memory of their loved ones. Soon after, I started preserving bridal bouquets and even making breastmilk jewelry,” Emily says. Her business embraces the idea that art can come from both tragedy and the celebration of life.

Discover these makers and more at The Local Bloom Market on Saturday, May 25, at the Woodstock Arts Event Green and at upcoming pop-up events throughout the market season.

Rugged Vintage

Southern Kindred

Fayre Goods

Koozles Candle Co.

Nate Dog and Olive

Pure Grace Pottery

Swilly Bug

Crocadoodle Charms

Joyful Leigh Designed

Southern Sage Jewelry

That’s So Sashley

The Pop Up Poppy

9 Branded Creative

The Cloud Makers

Woven Oak Design

Broken Ankles

Kings of Pops Woodstock

Peachy Buckeye

February Rose Designs

Raising Hale Designs

The Little Sober Bar

Simplehood Co.

W. Amor Charcuterie

Woodstock Candle Co.

Great Grain Woodcrafts

Wooden Sugar

Butterfly Mountain Coffee

The Local Bloom Market

May 25, Woodstock Arts Event Green

Alma Coffee Pop-Up Markets

May 11, June 15

Flora & Function

Sarahdipity Crochet

Plantitas

2 Apples and a Peach Boutique

Gate City Brewing Pop-Up Markets

May 5, June 2, September 1, October 6, November 3

Atlanta Hard Cider & Distillery Pop-Up Markets

May 18, June 15, July 20, August 17, September 21, October 19

A Celebration of

Juneteenth, a national holiday, celebrates the freedom of the enslaved in the United States.

President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in January of 1863, but it didn’t immediately become effective in all parts of the country, and Texas was one of the last states to get the news.

Juneteenth is a combination of the words June and nineteenth because on June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and all enslaved people were free. Also referred to as Emancipation Day and Freedom Day, Juneteenth is the oldest national observance of its kind in the United States. It is a commemoration of Black liberation from the institution of slavery and also a time to acknowledge the resilience, solidarity, and culture of Black Americans.

In 1996 Barbara-Rose Collins, the first Black woman from Michigan to be elected to Congress, first introduced the legislation to recognize Juneteenth Independence Day. There were joint resolutions in both the House and the Senate in 1997. By 2008 Juneteenth was considered either a state holiday or ceremonial holiday in forty-seven states and the District of Columbia. In 2016 former teacher and lifelong activist Opal Lee walked 1,400 miles from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., to encourage Congress to name Juneteenth an official national holiday and create a sense of unity for all American citizens through its celebration. She walked two and a half miles a day to reflect the two and a half years that passed after the Emancipation Proclamation before enslaved people in Texas found out they were free. Through the efforts of Opal Lee, other advocates, and members of Congress, support for state and national observances grew. On June 15, 2021, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved a bill that made Juneteenth a federal holiday. President Joe Biden signed it into law on June 17, 2021; its first legal observance was Friday, June 18, 2021.

Cherokee County NAACP President Archie Doswell, Jr., says, “Juneteenth is a day of reflection and recognition that the rights and freedoms that we as Americans enjoy should not be taken for granted and that they must be protected, defended, and cherished.”

Since 2021 organizations throughout the nation have participated in Juneteenth events, and Cherokee County is no exception. This year there are several local opportunities for people of all ages to share in the celebration.

The Cherokee County NAACP hosts its third Annual Juneteenth Celebration at The Mill on Etowah in Canton on Saturday, June 15, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. The free event includes live music, food trucks, a health booth, and activities for kids. The organization is especially excited about a new addition to the annual festival: a charity car show benefiting the nonprofit PAMAH Foundation, which raises community awareness of pneumococcal meningitis and helps fund prevention

On June 15 in Woodstock, experience a Celebration of Togetherness presented by Woodstock Arts. The event takes place at the Woodstock Arts Event Green from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Admission is free.

The City of Acworth’s Concert on the Green series features a Juneteenth Celebration on June 15 at Logan Farm Park. The event kicks off at 5:00 p.m., and live music starts at 7:00 p.m. Refreshments will be available for purchase and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and folding chairs to enjoy an evening of musical celebration.

These events represent great ways to engage with community members, honor the history of Juneteenth, and exemplify the true meaning of freedom, equality, and unity.

STORY BY Carmen Slaughter, Canton

The Manual is located at 9058 Main Street, Unit D-112, in Woodstock.

Rewriting the Book on Menswear

STORY BY Angela Chambers, Canton

Shopping for the man in your life can be difficult. Socks, ties, same old gifts? Luckily Jess Winters has created a distinctive shopping experience in downtown Woodstock: The Manual, a men’s forward shop that has the perfect gift for Father’s Day or any other day.

Most boutiques are geared toward women, so when Jess opened The Manual in the summer of 2023, she took a different approach. Jess wanted the inventory to focus on menswear with curated casual looks. With a growing customer base, the store now carries women’s graphic tees, but plans to maintain its overall menswear focus.

When we think of menswear, suits, ties, and a dressy look come to mind. With the rising trend of working at home and communities like Woodstock creating work/play downtown environments, men’s fashion is transitioning to a more casual vibe.

Jess uses her artistic sensibilities to bring in clothes and accessories that are fun and unique. She does not carry a wide range of brands; she instead looks for the ones she likes and that offer high quality. She explains, “If I like it, I bring it in. I like turning the store [merchandise] over fast, so it is fresh all the time. If you see something you like, get it!”

Men’s fashion differs from women’s in that it doesn’t follow trends as much and is not as seasonal. Jess focuses on colors and patterns more than trends. The goal is to have something guys can wear to work during the day and then wear downtown for dinner or drinks.

Creativity Expanded

The Main Street suite was originally set up as an office, so Jess had to get creative with a way for the store to function from a design standpoint. Shoppers will find a bi-level shopping area with charming decorations made from found art. One piece in particular should be of interest to long-time Cherokee County residents: one table is made from the original Po’ Boys restaurant sign.

The store name is also unique. “The Manual is designed to be a guide to finding your personal style. Your clothing should reflect who you are. We love helping you find unique pieces so you can show up as your most authentic self,” says Jess.

The Manual has attention-grabbing offerings as well as tried-and-true selections such as high-quality T-shirts and hats. The store is Western- and moto-inspired; however, you will see a mixture of styles, including nontraditional golf shirts. A Las Vegas-themed golf shirt for that guy’s trip? The Manual has it!

Along with casual clothing options, The Manual carries unique accessories, many created by local artisans. You’ll find items like cigars, leather goods, barware, and solid cologne—a big seller, and as a bonus, it is TSA-approved for carry-on. Jess is supportive of local business owners, so items from featured local vendors can be found in store as well.

Rugged and Refined Leather

Lloyd Leather Company has handcrafted items sure to up your gift-giving game for Dad this year. Graphic designer Zac Nixon

Jess Winters

The

began working with leather as a hobby and was “bitten by the leather bug,” he says. Inspired by his grandfather Lloyd, an engineer in World War II and the company’s namesake, Zac loved drawing and figuring out how things worked. His hobby turned into a side business using mainly vegetable-tanned, high-quality leather. The Lloyd Leather motto is “Rugged, refined, and handcrafted in the USA.”

You will find an array of items depending on availability, but some ideas for the dad, granddad, or special guy in your life are customizable hand-stitched wallets, keychains, golf-ball caddies, and Dopp kits—travel bags for toiletries.

Zac sometimes incorporates local tattoo artists’ work in his creations and is always on the lookout for new design ideas.

Fired Up and Fun

If you are looking for something for the home, The Manual carries products from Woodstock Candle Company created by Amanda Densmore, busy mom of four.

Scent was always important to Amanda. She explains, “Fragrance can transport us back to a time of happiness—often our youth and happy memories triggered by the particular scent.” Woodstock Candle Company brings the fun to candles and scents, and each candle comes with a clever label. Amanda sees more men shopping for themselves and creates scents such as Birch Please, Afternoon Delight, and Dad Bod, all geared toward men.

Go (South), Young Man

On Main Street just south of Dupree Road, visit The Manual, a local gem for fun and functional clothes and accessories. You might even get a sample of bourbon to aid in your enjoyable shopping experience.

‘‘ The Manual is designed to be a guide to finding your personal style. Your clothing should reflect who you are. We love helping you find unique pieces so you can show up as your most authentic self.”

— Jess Winters

For more information on The Manual or to shop online, visit ShopAtTheManual.com or like and follow The Manual on Facebook and Instagram (@shopthemanual).

selection of Lloyd Leather Company’s custom handcrafted leather goods at The Manual includes wallets, keychains, and more.

Candles from Woodstock Candle Company are made with natural soy wax and fragrance oils in aromatic combinations.

ART getspersonal PUBLIC

STORY BY Leana Conway, Woodstock

Public art is a powerful means of reflecting a place’s identity and vibrancy. An uplifting example is the Vibes on the Green mural in downtown Woodstock. You’ll find it on the upper shipping container at the Woodstock Arts Events Green at the corner of Market and Elm Streets. A striking display of color and motion, artist Stacie U. Rose’s mural stretches nine by twenty feet. Its riot of colors blend grassy green, sunny yellow, indigo blue, Pop-Tart-icing pink, and other colors arranged in geometric shapes and swirls that invoke a sense of joyfulness and constant movement.

How Vibes on the Green Came to Woodstock

Nicole Lampl, director and curator of The Reeves House Visual Arts Center, first saw an exhibition of Stacie’s work at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia and thought it was marvelous. Nicole says she felt drawn to the vibrancy, dynamism, and playfulness in Stacie’s work and recalls, “I love how Stacie plays with the visual tension between graphic and organic elements in a way that allows order and chaos to exist peacefully in the same composition.”

Inspired by the exhibition, Nicole began planning to bring Stacie’s work to The Reeves House for a solo exhibition. The fruition of this dream came in 2022 when The Reeves House hosted a solo show for Stacie

called Current Conditions, which consisted of work Stacie produced during the pandemic. The pieces reflected the unstable psyche of the world as individuals navigated the global event together.

When Woodstock Arts later installed a public restroom for visitors to the Woodstock Arts Event Green and other nearby public activities, Nicole, who was involved in the project, sought Stacie’s artistic vision for the new public installation. According to Nicole, “I knew that Stacie’s work’s strong graphic elements would translate well to a larger scale. Although the unusual corrugated surface presented a challenge, I knew Stacie would turn it into an asset, and she certainly did.”

Christopher Brazelton, executive director of Woodstock Arts, expressed his excitement that Stacie was the first artist to paint the repurposed shipping container. He remarks, “We felt the upper shipping container would be a great canvas for art, and we intend to commission a new artist every few years to display their work on it. As our first artist, Stacie did a great job of catching the vibe of the community; hence the name. I appreciate her taking the time to react to both the art as she created it and what was happening on the green as she was painting.”

‘‘ I love how Stacie plays with the visual tension between graphic and organic elements in a way that allows order and chaos to exist peacefully in the same composition.”

— Nicole Lampl, director and curator of the Reeves House Visual Arts Center

About the Artist

Stacie grew up in Marblehead, Ohio, in an artistic family. At seventeen she won the Pratt Institute of New York City’s National Talent Search and then moved to the city to earn a bachelor of fine arts degree. There she felt the world open for her as many diverse types of art were available.

After graduation Stacie explored for a while, living in New Mexico, Hawaii, California, Arizona, and Puerto Rico before finally landing in Atlanta in 2008. Always up for a road trip, no matter where the wind takes her, Stacie believes that travel has influenced her work by allowing her to understand universal themes, such as sameness and vastness which come to life on her canvas.

Along her path Stacie had times when her art was not her focus, including a period when she quit making art altogether. The art world can be a bruising place to try to make a living, but she says, “I became very depressed when I wasn’t making art, so I went back to doing what I loved. Making art was a struggle, but not making art was worse.”

Stacie is a fellow at the Hambidge Center for Creative Arts, a six-hundredacre sanctuary for artists in Rabun Gap, Georgia. It was founded in 1934 by Mary Crovatt Hambidge in memory of her partner, Jay Hambidge, an artist, scholar, and author. The Hambidge Center provides artists a safe place surrounded by nature where they can stay at a heavily subsidized rate and focus on their craft. Artists have the time and space to find their authentic voices and work at the highest level of their imaginations.

Stacie’s work has been on display at Atlanta’s Poem 88 art gallery, the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia, Swan Coach House Gallery, and the Zuckerman Museum of Art in Kennesaw, as well as other prestigious galleries, museums, private collections, and corporate settings nationwide. Learn more at StacieRoseStudio.com.

than a More Chophouse

Tucked away on the edge of Lake Allatoona, AG Steakhouse is one of Acworth’s bestkept secrets. Originally Allatoona Grill, the restaurant was redesigned to offer fine dining for brunch, lunch, and dinner, reopening its doors earlier this year.

An aquarium featuring an array of tropical fish greets guests in the lobby. The original houseboatstyle entrance to Allatoona Grill rests above the entryway, a tribute to its predecessor. The farther guests walk into the restaurant, the more the decorative trees develop blooms, transitioning from spring to summer. Westward facing windows offer an expansive view of the Holiday Harbor Marina and a stunning panorama, especially during sunset hours.

Dynamite Roll

From the menu to the décor, owner Kevin Chung’s attention to detail is apparent in every facet of the restaurant, sure to be a sought-after destination for local foodies.

Menu Says: Sunomono Salad

Hayden Says: This authentic Japanese salad full of protein bursts with flavor. A mix of octopus tentacles, seaweed, cucumber, and various types of lettuce dressed in a dashi vinaigrette, the Sunomono Salad is a fresh start to an AG Steakhouse meal. The salad is not just thrown together; the carefully curated ingredients are prepared for maximum flavor and freshness. AG Steakhouse’s exceptional attention to detail is obvious from the first salad placed on the table.

Menu Says: Bluefin Tartar

Hayden Says: Layers of avocado, top-of-the-line tuna, and a sprinkling of black caviar makes the bluefin tartar a delight for the palate and the eyes. The smoothness of the avocado combined with the savory tartness of the fish delivers a taste unique to AG Steakhouse.

Menu Says: Dynamite Roll

Hayden Says: Not your average dynamite roll, a fact that the circular plating makes clear from the start, this roll is perfect for those who prefer less spice. The dynamite refers to the flavor explosion of the crab stick, yellowtail tuna, and avocado topped with smoked salmon and eel. A soy glaze and sesame dressing balance out the Dynamite Roll’s hint of sweetness.

Menu Says: AG Chilean Sea Bass

Hayden Says: Your fish dish wishes are granted with the Chilean Sea Bass. Atop a bed of spinach and paired with steaming rice, the Chilean Sea Bass breaks apart in soft, smooth flakes. The buttery crowd-favorite fish is deliciously light, and the seasoning adds the right amount of tartness to balance the dish.

Menu Says: AG Lobster Seafood Pasta

Hayden Says: Kevin explains that his Asian heritage inspires him to set his standards high for noodles. He says, “A lot of restaurants tend to overcook their pasta. Here we ensure our noodles are cooked to perfection, and the sauce is always made fresh.” Sure enough, the Lobster Seafood Pasta features linguini cooked just right, a creamy vodka red sauce, and soft bites of lobster, shrimp, mussels, and scallops. The side of crisp garlic bread is crunchy on the first bite and then soft and buttery as it melts in your mouth.

AG Lobster Seafood Pasta Sunomono Salad

AG Chilean Sea Bass Bluefin Tartar

BAR from the

Menu Says: AG Signature Bloody Mary

Hayden Says: The second you lay eyes on the signature Bloody Mary, you know it will be unlike any Bloody Mary you’ve had before. A flamboyant display of color and texture, the Tito’s vodka cocktail is adorned with a thick cut of house-made candied bacon, fresh carrots and celery, cocktail shrimp, skewered green olives, and a slice of juicy lemon. What really sets this Bloody Mary apart? It is made in the kitchen instead of the bar, ensuring that each of the over-the-top garnishes are fresh and cooked to perfection.

Menu Says: Maine Lobster Omelette

Hayden Says: A brunch necessity, the Maine Lobster Omelette presents flavorful bits of lobster with asparagus and a buttery lobster hollandaise sauce that pulls the dish together. The omelet is served with signature hashbrowns—the perfect mix of potatoes, spinach, quinoa, and red pepper—and English muffins with housemade strawberry jam. The Maine Lobster Omelette is the perfect appetizing brunch for seafood lovers.

Menu Says: Au Poivre Filet Mignon

Hayden Says: Sauteed in a French peppercorn sauce, the Au Poivre Filet Mignon is a steak that, when cut open, reveals an alluring pink center. The tender and juicy signature steak is seasoned and prepared to perfection. AG Steakhouse uses an Argentinian-style Santa Maria Grill, which allows the steaks to be lowered into a brick oven with charcoal for the perfect finish. Garlic herb whipped mashed potatoes accompany the steak and offer a light and fluffy side to each rich bite of meat. Although AG Steakhouse is “more than a chophouse,” its Au Poivre Filet Mignon is still a carnivore’s dream.

Menu Says: AG House-made Cheesecake

Hayden Says: Listen closely for an angelic choir, because the heavens open with each bite of this delectable cheesecake. Kevin recommends closing your eyes with each bite to completely concentrate on the flavor. When you do, hints of creamy cheese blended with the strawberry syrup striped on top come to life. The rich, velvety cheesecake rests on the perfect crumble crust, resulting in a dessert every foodie will crave.

AG Steakhouse deserves at least four visits: one for brunch, again for sushi, another for seafood, and a fourth for steak.

All the aspects of the restaurant’s expansive menu warrant a multicourse meal. Kevin developed the menu, and the team of certified chefs execute every dish to perfection. With its variety of sushi, omelets, and prime steak, AG Steakhouse leaves you excited to return for yet another meal.

Maine Lobster Omelette

AG House-made Cheesecake

Au Poivre Filet Mignon

AG Signature Bloody Mary

MarRay Foods

The Herb Garden

Ingredients

1 ½ oz. Bombay Sapphire gin (or similar London dry)

½ oz. MarRay Foods Lemon & Basil Shrub*

½ oz. 18.21 Lavender and French Sea Salt

Rich Simple Syrup

1 dropper 18.21 Earl Grey Bitters

Lemon wheel

Basil leaf

Begin the Fun

In a shaker with ice, add gin, shrub, syrup, and bitters. Shake and strain into a chilled Nick & Nora, coupe, or martini glass. Garnish with the lemon wheel and basil leaf.

MarRay Foods

Chermoula Ingredients

½ preserved lemon, minced

8 oz. extra virgin olive oil

1 oz. preserved lemon juice

1 tbsp. MarRay Foods

Chermoula Spice Blend*

1 cup tightly packed Italian parsley, minced

½ cup tightly packed cilantro, minced

Begin the Fun

1. Remove the flesh from the preserved lemon and discard. Rinse, dry, and mince the rind. Set aside.

2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the oil, lemon juice, and spices. Whisk to emulsify. Add the preserved lemon, parsley, and cilantro. Stir to combine. Gradually add more oil to your desired consistency. Allow to rest for at least 30 minutes. Top grilled steaks and lamb chops or use as a bread and vegetable dip. Store unused chermoula in the refrigerator for up to two days.

MarRay Foods Sicilian Fennel and Orange Salad

Ingredients

1 large fennel bulb, fronds removed and reserved, quartered and very thinly sliced

1 large navel or blood orange, peeled and cubed

½ large red onion, quartered and very thinly sliced

1 whole pimiento, drained (reserve 1 tbsp. of the juice) and finely chopped

3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

1 ½ tbsp. MarRay Foods

Spicy Citrus White Wine Vinegar*

1 tbsp. orange juice

1 tbsp. of the reserved pimiento juice

Coarse sea salt and ground black pepper to taste

Begin the Fun

In a large bowl, combine olive oil, vinegar, juices, salt, and pepper. Whisk to emulsify. Add fennel, orange, red onion, and pimiento. Toss well to thoroughly combine. Mince some of the reserved fennel fronds and add to the salad. Refrigerate uncovered for at least an hour. Remove approximately one hour before serving.

Chef Diane Curtis of MarRay Foods, a culinary and agricultural historian, holds a bachelor’s degree in Roman history and a master’s degree in Islamic studies. She specialized in ancient Mediterranean history and worked as an experimental archaeologist, recreating ancient recipes utilizing historic methods. Encouraged by her husband, Diane followed her passion and started a food history Patreon community online. Peers found her work fascinating and wanted to buy ingredients from her to create their own dishes. Diane handcrafted authentic Middle Eastern spice blends, small-batch infused vinegars and shrubs—aged blends of fruit juice and sugar—from ancient Roman roots, and a plethora of other goods inspired by the ancient Mediterranean. MarRay Foods sprang from there and is now a recognized member of the Georgia Grown initiative.

Diane hopes people approach her products with an open mind and a sense of culinary exploration and discovery. She doesn’t want people

*Available online or at the Canton Farmers Market beginning June 1.

to be intimidated by spices they have never encountered, explaining, “I want people to discover these new flavor profiles while also learning the places [from which] they originated. I am very conscious of the fact that I am a White woman creating Middle Eastern foods. I am extremely sensitive to cultural appropriation because there is a huge difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation. I do not want to erase the origin of these spice blends because they should be authentic and true.”

Because Diane does not want the significance of these spices to be diminished, she labels them as they did in ancient times. Her items include dried fig and warm spice baklava rolls, advieh berenj (Persian rice spice blends), and duqqa, an Egyptian condiment made from nuts, seeds, and warm spices. These items and more can be purchased in her online store or at the Canton Farmers Market at Brown Park in historic downtown Canton on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., June 1 through August 31.

33rd Annual Mother’s Day Powwow and Indian Festival

Boling Park, May 11–12

1 Wednesday

3 Friday

Evening of Impact & Elegance

Rotary Club of Woodstock Gala

Hall of Fame Banquet

SPORTS Cherokee Co. Sports Hall of Fame

Woodstock City Church, Woodstock 6:00 p.m. | Tickets CCSHOF.net

Baylee Littrell

MUSIC MadLife Stage & Studios

8722 Main Street, Woodstock 7:30–9:00 p.m. | Ages 15+

MadLifeStageAndStudios.com

The Rupert’s Orchestra

MUSIC Downtown Canton First Friday

Kurt Lee Wheeler

MUSIC West Milford Farm

Cannon Park, Canton 6:00–9:00 p.m. | FREE ExploreCantonGA.com

Master Gardeners Plant Sale

MARKET Cherokee Senior Center

1001 Univeter Road, Canton 9:00 a.m.–Noon CherokeeMasterGardeners.com

Duel of the Fates Improv Battle

THEATER Historic Canton Theatre

171 East Main Street, Canton 3:30–4:30 p.m. | Star Wars Themed LoleksStorytellers.com

Sutallee Car Show

Car, Truck, and Jeep Show

895 Knox Bridge Highway, White 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. | All ages SutalleeBaptist.com

Kentucky Derby Day

Presented by History Cherokee

The Mill on Etowah, Canton 4:30–7:30 p.m. | Fundraiser HistoryCherokee.org

7938 Ball Ground Road, Cumming 8:25–10:30 p.m. | Ages 21+ WestMilfordFarm.com

Cruise the Ridge

Waleska Farmers Market

MARKET Season Opening Day

City Hall, Waleska 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Find on Facebook

12 Sunday

15

4 Saturday 10 Friday 11 Saturday 17

Friday 5 Sunday

Cinco de Mom-oh! Market

MARKET Mayberry Acres

2113 Morgan Road, Canton Noon–5:00 p.m. MayberryAcres.com

Smoke on the Lake BBQ

TWO-DAY FESTIVAL May 10–11

Logan Farm Park, Acworth

Friday, 5:00 p.m.; Saturday, 11:00 a.m. SmokeOnTheLake.org

Rising Sun Extravaganza

JDM & Imports Car Show

Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta, Woodstock

9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

CarCommunityConnection.com

Spring Art on the Green

TWO-DAY MARKET

Presented by Woodstock Arts

Featuring local artists and artisans selling handcrafted, one-of-a-kind items

Woodstock Arts Event Green

111 Elm Street, Woodstock

Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Sunday, 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

All ages | Free Admission

WoodstockArts.org

Story & Swim

Craft, Storytime, and Open Swim Time

Music Bingo

The Tavern at Towne Lake

1003 Towne Lake Hills East, Woodstock 6:00–8:00 p.m. TavernAtTowneLake.com

Leading Ladies

THEATER Historic Canton Theatre

171 East Main Street, Canton 4:30–5:30 p.m. | All Ages CherokeeTheatre.org

Garden Club Plant Sale

MARKET Ball Ground Botanical Garden

215 Valley Street, Ball Ground

9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

BallGroundGardenClub.com

Wednesday

Cherokee County Aquatic Center, Canton 10:00–11:00 a.m. | Ages 2-5

PlayCherokee.org

Circle of Friends Golf

SPORTS Towne Lake Hills Golf Club

1003 Towne Lake Hills East, Woodstock 8:00 a.m. | Fundraiser

Golf2Grow.com

Veteran Block Party

Rally Point Grille

Saturday

RRHS Band Fundraiser Car Show

400 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. | All ages CruiseTheRidge.com

Boys in the Band

MUSIC The Falany at Reinhardt

7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska 7:00 p.m. | $25 Reinhardt.edu

7 Tuesday

May Flower Linocuts

WORKSHOP Menagerie on Main

351 East Main Street, Canton 5:00–8:00 p.m. | $75 MenagerieOnMain.com

The Bloom Mini Market

MARKET Alma Coffee

3448 Holly Springs Pkwy, Canton 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. TheBloomExchangeCo.com

Mother’s Day Powwow and Indian Festival

TWO-DAY FESTIVAL

Presented by Rolling Thunder and INDIO Trail

Featuring Native American dance exhibitions, educational demonstrations, and kids’ activities

Boling Park

1200 Marietta Highway, Canton

Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.

Sunday, 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

All ages | Rain or Shine

RThunder.com

16 Thursday

Business is Blooming

VISUAL ARTS Menagerie on Main

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

MenagerieOnMain.com

Optimist Club Bingo

Rootstock Restaurant & Bar, Woodstock 6:30–9:00 p.m. | Fundraiser RootstockNow.com 2 Thursday 18

Hickory Flat Gym

Storytime Live! with Darth Vader Park at City Center, Woodstock 11:00–11:45 a.m. | FREE FoxTaleBookShoppe.com

Cuatro de Mayo Pub Crawl

Downtown Woodstock

8588 Main Street, Woodstock 2:00–6:00 p.m. VisitWoodstockGA.com

Pop-Up Storytime

J.B. Owens Park

2699 Hickory Road, Holly Springs 10:00–11:00 a.m. | FREE SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

Reinhardt Bluegrass Festival

TWO-DAY FESTIVAL

Presented by The Falany at Reinhardt Featuring bluegrass performances, vendors, and historical speakers

Funk Heritage Village

7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska

Friday, Music begins at 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, Music begins at 12:00 p.m.

All ages | Tickets Reinhardt.edu

Night Ranger

MUSIC WDSTK Summer Concert Series

Northside-Cherokee Amphitheater, Woodstock 7:30–10:00 p.m. | Learn more on page 23

WoodstockConcertSeries.com

Mother’s Day at the Franch

Hens, Hares, & Hooves Franch

6607 Fincher Road, Waleska Noon–5:00 p.m. | Petting Zoo

Find on Facebook

Family Fun Night: Fairy Tale Night

FILM Themed activities and Shrek screening

Woodstock Arts Event Green, Woodstock 5:00–9:00 p.m. | All Ages

VisitWoodstockGA.com

Alex Cuba

Dixie Summerfest

9770 Main Street, Woodstock 11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.

RallyPointGrille.com

4835 Hickory Road, Canton 6:00 p.m. | Fundraiser

Optimist.org

MUSIC Lantern Series 111 Elm Street, Woodstock 7:30 p.m. | Tickets

WoodstockArts.org

Dixie Speedway

150 Dixie Drive, Woodstock 7:30 p.m. | Gates open at 5:00 p.m.

DixieSpeedway.com

Sip & Savor Wine Tasting

Presented by Goin’ Solo Events

Woodstock Arts Event Green, Woodstock 3:00–7:00 p.m. | Ages 21+ GoinSoloEvents.com

23 Thursday

25

Thirsty Thursday

Wine Tasting at Dot’s Fine Wine and Craft

280 Gilmer Ferry Road, Ball Ground 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. | Ages 21+ DotsFineWineAndCraft.com

Memorial Day Ceremony

Observance and Flag Placement

Georgia National Cemetery, Canton 9:00 a.m. GANationalCemetery.org

The Local Bloom Market

MARKET The Bloom Exchange Co.

111 Elm Street, Woodstock 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. TheBloomExchangeCo.com

Memorial Day Ceremony

Service of Remembrance Park at City Center, Woodstock 10:00 a.m. WoodstockParksAndRec.com

Stephanie Berlanga

MUSIC Brown Bag Concert Series

Park at City Center, Woodstock Noon | FREE WoodstockParksAndRec.com

Ball Ground Farmers Market

MARKET Season Opening Day

177 Old Dawsonville Road, Ball Ground 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. BallGroundFmMarket.com

All Talk Band

MUSIC The Holler

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

Wine Tasting with Lange Twins Winery

Stout’s Growlers, Canton 6:00–8:00 p.m. | Ages 21+ StoutsGrowlers.com

2000s Movie Trivia

TRIVIA The Daily Draft

8594 Main Street, Woodstock 6:00–9:00 p.m. TheDailyDraft.net

Cruising for Vets

Cherokee Cruisers Car Club

5301 Hickory Flat Hwy, Canton 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. | Fundraiser Find on Facebook

Cyrus Steele

COMEDY Rally Point Grille

9770 Main Street, Woodstock 8:00–10:00 p.m. | Ages 16+ RallyPointGrille.com

Trevor Startt

MUSIC Reformation Brewery

105 Elm Street, Woodstock 6:00–9:00 p.m. ReformationBrewery.com

Farmers Markets 2024

Wednesdays

BridgeMill Farmers Market

BridgeMill Athletic Club, Canton 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | Open now

Thursdays

Waleska Farmers Market

City Hall, Waleska

9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | Opens May 2

Fridays

Acworth Farmers Market

Logan Farm Park, Downtown Acworth 8:00 a.m.–Noon | Open now

Saturdays

Woodstock Farm Fresh Market

Market Street, Downtown Woodstock 8:30 a.m.–Noon | Open now

Ball Ground Farmers Market

City Park, Downtown Ball Ground 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | Opens May 25

Canton Farmers Market

Brown Park, Downtown Canton 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | Opens June 1

Canton Farmers Market

MARKET Season Opening Day

Brown Park, Canton 9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. CantonGA.gov

Minis at The Mill

Summer Minis Workout

The Mill on Etowah, Canton 10:00–11:00 a.m. | FREE EtowahMill.com

Experience Reinhardt

Guided Walking Tour and Lunch

Reinhardt University, Waleska 9:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m. | Register Reinhardt.edu

Ball Ground Farmers Market

MARKET Ball Ground City Park

177 Old Dawsonville Road, Ball Ground 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. BallGroundFmMarket.com

TRopical Oasis Night

Cherokee Recreation and Parks

Cherokee County Aquatic Center, Canton 4:30–7:00 p.m. | Therapeutic Recreation PlayCherokee.org

Pop-Up Storytime

Cannon Park

130 East Main Street, Canton

1:00–2:00 p.m. | FREE SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

BridgeMill Farmers Market

June

Yoga in the Park

Hosted by Horizon Healing Center

Brown Park, Canton 9:00–10:00 a.m. | FREE HorizonHealingCenter.com

Summer Discovery Kick-off

Woodstock Public Library

7735 Main Street, Woodstock 11:00 a.m.–Noon | FREE SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

Summer Discovery Kick-off

Ball Ground Public Library

435 Old Canton Road, Ball Ground 11:00 a.m.–Noon | FREE SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

Garden Series at The Buzz

Cherokee Recreation and Parks

Cherokee Veterans Park, Canton 10:00 a.m.–Noon | $5 PlayCherokee.org

WILKES

MUSIC Reformation Brewery

105 Elm Street, Woodstock 6:00 p.m. ReformationBrewery.com

Dragonfly Paint Party

Hosted by M&M Mercantile Stout's Growlers, Canton 6:00–8:30 p.m. | $40 MMMercantileCo.org

Barbie

First Saturday Game Night

WGLSC Activity Center

223 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock 4:00–10:00 p.m. | Ages 14+ WoodstockParksAndRec.com

6

Summer Soiree

Georgia Hands and Voices

4975 Main Street, Acworth 6:30 p.m. | $80 1885WineClub.com

NotATypical Festival

All the Fixins

VISUAL ARTS Exhibit Opening Reception

The Reeves House, Woodstock 6:00–9:00 p.m. | FREE WoodstockArts.org

A1A Jimmy Buffett Tribute

MUSIC Downtown Canton First Friday

Cannon Park, Canton 7:00–9:00 p.m. | FREE ExploreCantonGA.com

FESTIVAL Family-Friendly Event

Thursday 12

MARKET BridgeMill Athletic Club 1190 BridgeMill Avenue, Canton 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Find on Facebook

Recycle Truck

Waleska City Hall

8891 Fincher Road, Waleska 9:00 a.m.–Noon WaleskaGA.Sophicity.com

Juneteenth Celebration

Presented by the Cherokee County NAACP

FILM Screen on The Green Series

The Mill on Etowah, Canton 7:00–9:00 p.m. | FREE EtowahMill.com

The Bloom Mini Market

MARKET Alma Coffee

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

TheBloomExchangeCo.com

Juneteenth Celebration

Woodstock Arts Event Green

Woodstock Arts Event Green, Woodstock 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. | FREE NotATypicalFestival.com

Guardians of the Jukebox

MUSIC WDSTK Summer Concert Series

Northside-Cherokee Amphitheater, Woodstock

7:30–10:00 p.m. | Learn more on page 23

WoodstockConcertSeries.com

Bourbon Tasting Canton Cigar Company

The Mill on Etowah, Canton 6:00–9:00 p.m. | Ages 21+ CantonCigarCompany.com

Wednesday 14 Friday 18

Storytime Live! with Snow White Park at City Center, Woodstock 11:00–11:45 a.m. | FREE FoxTaleBookShoppe.com

Po’ Boys Car Show

Undiscovered Artist Showcase

MUSIC MadLife Stage & Studios

8722 Main Street, Woodstock

7:30 p.m. | All ages MadLifeStageAndStudios.com

Golfing FORE the Children

SPORTS Fairways of Canton

400 Laurel Canyon Parkway, Canton 9:00 a.m. | Fundraiser ServiceLeague.net

Cookie Party with Moana and Peppa Pig

Paula’s Zzerts, Canton 2:00–3:00 p.m. PaulasZzerts.com

Second Annual Paint-off

Check out grab-n-go catering options at BW Kitchen inside Woodstock Beer Market during the WDSTK Summer Concert Series FIND MORE JUNETEENTH EVENTS AND DETAILS ON PAGE 37

The Mill on Etowah, Canton 1:00–5:00 p.m.

CherokeeCountyGANAACP.org

Community Blood Drive

American Red Cross

Tuesday 19

Wednesday 20

Thursday

G. Cecil Pruett Community Center, Canton 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. | Register RedCross.org

Fresh Start Mornings

Networking and Presentation Reformation Brewery, Canton 9:00 a.m.

CherokeeGA.org/FreshStartMornings

Senior Education Symposium

Presented by Stand Up For Seniors

1 Mission Point, Canton 5:00–8:00 p.m.

VAC-CherokeeGA.org

111 Elm Street, Woodstock 2:00–8:00 p.m.

WoodstockArts.org

Karaoke Night

MUSIC The Holler

301 West Main Street, Canton 7:00–9:00 p.m. TheHollerCanton.com

Minis at The Mill

Tea Party with Sweety’s Café

The Mill on Etowah, Canton 10:00–11:00 a.m. | FREE EtowahMill.com

Riverstone Plaza 1447 Riverstone Pkwy, Canton 3:00 p.m. | All ages PoBoysCarClub.com

Friends Trivia

TRIVIA Reformation Brewery

105 Elm Street, Woodstock 7:00–9:00 p.m. ReformationBrewery.com

Trivia Night Canton Cigar Company

The Mill on Etowah, Canton 7:00 p.m. | Ages 21+ CantonCigarCompany.com

Family Fun Night: Beach Party

FILM Themed activities and Lilo & Stitch screening

111 Elm Street, Woodstock 5:00–9:00 p.m. | All Ages VisitWoodstockGA.com

VISUAL ARTS Live Painting & Silent Auction

Menagerie on Main, Canton 6:00–7:30 p.m. | Free admission MenagerieOnMain.com

The Melons

MUSIC MadLife Stage & Studios

8722 Main Street, Woodstock 7:30 p.m. | Ages 15+

MadLifeStageAndStudios.com

Benefit Luncheon

Presented by Stand Up For Seniors

The Oaks at Towne Lake, Woodstock 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

VAC-CherokeeGA.org

22

Saturday 23

Sunday

26

Wednesday

29

Saturday

Farm Fresh Market

MARKET Woodstock Farmers Market

Market Street, Woodstock 8:00 a.m.–Noon VisitWoodstockGA.com

Live Music Sundays

MUSIC Truck & Tap

8640 Main Street, Woodstock 1:00–8:00 p.m. TruckAndTap.com

Meet & Eat Networking

Cherokee Chamber of Commerce

Whataburger, Woodstock

11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Register CherokeeChamber.com

Discovering Kayaking

Murph’s Surf

6993 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock 10:00–11:30 a.m. | Ages 13+ WoodstockParksAndRec.com

Shayna Steele

MUSIC Lantern Series

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

Pop Art Pet Portraits

WORKSHOP with painter Lee Jordan

Local Color Studio, Canton 5:00–7:00 p.m. | $35 LocalColor.Studio

Disney/Pixar’s Cars

FILM Screen on The Green Series

The Mill on Etowah, Canton 7:00–9:00 p.m. | FREE EtowahMill.com

After Hours Dance Party

Jekyll Brewing

8634 Main Street, Woodstock 9:00–11:45 p.m.

JekyllBrewing.com

Red, White, & Brews Benefit

MUSIC featuring War Hippies & Cody Bolden

Woodstock Arts Event Green, Woodstock

7:00 p.m. | $30 MilVetCommunity.org/RWB

Trivia Night

TRIVIA Woodstock Beer Market

240 Chambers Street, Woodstock 7:00–9:00 p.m. | Free to play TheStoutBrothers.com

Concert in the Park & Fireworks Show

featuring Fly Betty Band

215 Valley Street, Ball Ground 7:00–9:30 p.m. CityOfBallGround.com

Independence Day Celebration

Dixie Speedway

150 Dixie Drive, Woodstock

7:30 p.m. | Gates open at 5:00 p.m. DixieSpeedway.com