No Water,No Life
LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS founded the Blue Ridge Business Association more than twenty years ago to promote Blue Ridge through events and activities. The success has been overwhelming! Month after month, people from far and wide visit this small town to make new memories at festivals and events— not to mention unique shopping and world-class dining opportunities.
The Blue Ridge Business Association proudly sponsors four of the town’s most popular events— Fire & Ice Chili Cook-Off & Craft Beer Festival, Old Timers’ Parade, Safe Zone, and Light Up Blue Ridge.
Fire & Ice
Chili Cook-Off & Craft Beer Festival
• Live music
• Ice sculptures
• Ice carving demonstrations
• Face painting
• Fire dancers
• Amazing chili and great craft beer!
February 15, 2025
Downtown Blue Ridge
This event is held annually on the third weekend in February— Presidents Day Weekend.
BestOfBlueRidge.net/ Fire-and-Ice-Chili-Cook-Off
Old Timers’ Parade
Established in the 1940s, the Old Timers’ Parade provides a reason for the friendly Blue Ridge community to gather and celebrate Independence Day.
July 4, 2024
10:00 a.m.
Downtown Blue Ridge
This event is held annually on the Fourth of July. If the holiday lands on a Sunday, the parade will be held July 3.
BestOfBlueRidge.net/ Old-Timers-Parade
Safe Zone
The Blue Ridge Business Association created the Safe Zone as a place for children to safely trick-or-treat. Shop owners along East and West Main Streets close their businesses and set up candy distribution areas in front of their stores. Children enjoy a Halloween costume contest while filling their Jack O’ Lanterns with candy.
October 31, 2024
5:00–6:00 p.m.
Downtown Blue Ridge
This event is held annually on October 31. If Halloween lands on a Sunday, the parade will be held October 30.
BestOfBlueRidge.net /Safe-Zone
Light Up Blue Ridge
Kick off the Christmas season in Downtown Blue Ridge!
• Shopping
• Food vendors
• Live entertainment
• Pictures with Santa
• Gingerbread Village*
• Parade (Saturday at 5:30 p.m.)
• Lighting of the Great Tree (Saturday at 7:00 p.m.)
November 29-30, 2024
Downtown Blue Ridge
This event is held annually on the Friday and Saturday following Thanksgiving.
*The Gingerbread Village is on display from Friday at noon until mid-December. LightUpBlueRidge.info
Enjoy Cherokee Team
Randy Gravley, CEO/President
Jodi Drinkard, COO/Publisher
Jaye Grimes, Editor-in-Chief
Bobbie Christmas, Senior Editor
Laurie Parente, Designer
Bruce Baker, Writer
Makenzie Bird, Writer
Leana Conway, Writer
Nick Feehery, Writer
Charlotte Johnson, Writer
Rebecca Johnston, Writer
Ana Markosi, Writer
Emma Tyler, Writer
Ashley Velez, Writer
Bill West, Vice President of Sales
Jennifer Allen, Account Executive
Raymond Werner, Digital Media Specialist
Caitlin Brown, Marketing Intern
Taylor Haymore, Editorial Intern
Mariama Njie, Editorial Intern
Hudson Sabiston, Graphic Design Intern
Joshua Cole, Guest Contributor
Natalie Burkhalter, Guest Photographer
Naomi Hopkins, Guest Photographer
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Atlanta’s Event Specialists / 24
Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival / 3
Blue Ridge Business Association / 4-5
Canton Funeral Home / 22
Chattahoochee Technical College / 16
Cherokee County Government / 36
Cherokee Floor Covering / 22
Chick-fil-A Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta / 36
City of Ball Ground / 41
City of Canton / 42
City of Holly Springs / 36
Darby Funeral Home / 30
Downtown Canton First Fridays / 49
Evolve Chiropractic / 25
Explore Canton / 10
Georgia Apple Festival / 7
Great Sky Canton / 25
History Cherokee / 13
J. Thompson Ross Investments, CPC Advisors / 6
Kitchen Tune-Up & Bath Tune-Up / back cover Magnetize.Me / 45
Natalie Burkhalter Photography / 16
Northside Hospital / inside front cover, 38
Northside Hospital: Ask the Doctor / 26-27
Senator Brandon Beach / 42
The Mill on Etowah / 51
The Sonder Studio / 10
Tri-State Communications / 13, 45
Wellstar Health System / 34
PHOTOGRAPHY
American oceanographer Sylvia Earle once succinctly stated, “No water, no life. No blue, no green.” Local entrepreneur Michael Murphy might agree. Mike is the namesake behind Murph’s Surf, Cherokee County’s premier provider of memories made on the water. From humble beginnings—renting a single kayak out of a two-car garage—to opening multiple locations across the north metro area, Mike Murphy is turning blue into green.
Allison Gerdes describes her longtime boyfriend as a “beach baby,” but Mike’s route to Cherokee County waters was arid at times. After spending fifteen years as a firefighter and serving time in Afghanistan, he set up shop in that two-car garage. Once business picked up, Mike hit the streets to get people on the water.
“Kind of like you’d order a pizza, you’d order a kayak from us,” Mike explains. “Then we’d go deliver it and go pick it up.” That ingenuity caught the attention of a marina at Lake Allatoona, where Mike was then invited to set up a tent by the lake. Popularity and demand led to more inventory, which led to Murph’s Surf’s first lakeside location on Bells Ferry Road in Woodstock.
STORY BY Charlotte Johnson, Canton
BY
Naomi Hopkins
In 2023 Murph’s Surf set up shop at The Mill on Etowah in Canton, combining rentals with an inviting retail space. With coveted outdoor lifestyle brands such as Olukai, lululemon, and Kavu offered at the store, shoppers don’t have to get their feet wet to support Murph’s.
Its newest location, Murph’s Surf Paddle Shack - Morgan Falls Park in Sandy Springs, is a return to Murph’s Surf’s waterfront-rental roots.
All Murph’s Surf locations offer premium kayaks and paddleboards with rentals starting at $25 an hour. The Mill location on the Etowah River has tube rentals for $25 as well, including a bus ride to the access point. Mike refers to Murph’s Surf’s other services as “park and paddle,” with direct access to the water.
Murph’s Surf even helps romantics pop the question. Following a client’s successful proposal on a picturesque sandbar in 2023, Mike says: “You buy the ring; we’ll help you with the kayaks.”
Mike’s kindness isn’t exclusive to paying customers. His philosophy of local economic impact is turning our waterways into green for fellow entrepreneurs at The Mill and around
Cherokee County. Tubers and kayakers who head north of Atlanta to do business at Murph’s Surf add to the county tax base, as Mayor Bill Grant explains it: “We want people to come and spend their money with our local businesses.”
He mentions tourism efforts such as ExploreCantonGA.com, an initiative Mike partners with.
“We sent a proposal to [ExploreCantonGA.com], and then we’ve come up with custom tubes that have our logo and Explore Canton GA and a QR code on the tube that will go to their website,” Mike notes, adding that a quick link to Canton’s tourism website will directly benefit other local businesses.
But what about the blue and green Sylvia Earle was referring to—in Cherokee County’s case, a stretch of the Etowah River and its ecosystem? Murph’s Surf is concerned as much with the community’s waterways as it is with our local economy. Mike predicts the Etowah River will one day give the Chattahoochee a run for its money where tubing is concerned, so keeping it safe and clean is in the best interest of his business as well as that of our county. Mike and Allison work closely with the Upper Etowah River Alliance to keep Canton green so residents and visitors can continue to enjoy the water.
Murph’s Surf’s annual donations and philanthropy go toward the alliance mission, “to protect, conserve, enhance, and sustain the natural beauty, environmental and economic resources, and recreational opportunities of the Upper Etowah Watershed for present and future generations.” From river cleanups to workshops and canoe trips, the Upper Etowah River Alliance seeks community engagement to perpetuate its vision.
Just around the bend, The Mill on Etowah is partnering with Murph’s Surf and Reformation Brewery to launch the Float on the Fourth event on July 4. Amy Taylor, marketing manager for The Mill, hopes the celebration will become an annual tradition for Canton.
“We are encouraging people all around Cherokee County to come float the river with us, making a patriotic parade down the Etowah.” Drink tickets and Americana swag bags are included in the ticket price. Following the event, attendees will have drink tickets “to enjoy a cold drink from Reformation on its patio or to take out onto the green at The Mill,” Amy shares.
Further upstream, exciting things await Murph’s Surf as well as Cherokee County.
Mayor Grant confirms that the city received a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission for “a new pedestrian bridge across the Etowah that will connect our trail extension to The Mill on Etowah.”
Murph’s Surf is also working toward offering bike rentals next year for customers who prefer solid ground over winding rivers, or a little bit of both.
All Murph’s Surf locations offer rentals to get locals and tourists alike on the water and making memories this summer. Murph’s Surf is as much a passion project as it is a business; Mike wants to share the love and respect he has for the water with as many people as possible. After all, “No water, no life.”
theSAVEDATE
MadLife Stage & Studios in the heart of downtown Woodstock burst onto the music scene in 2016. With deep roots in Woodstock’s musical landscape, the venue—owned by Mike and Kerrie Levi— quickly became a hot spot for music lovers looking for a one-of-a-kind experience. MadLife offers patrons a variety of experiences, depending on what they’re looking for: food and drinks, a patio stage featuring live music, a concert-quality indoor music venue that accommodates up to 220 guests, professional recording studios with two large tracking rooms, and a state-ofthe-art post-production and mixing room.
For concertgoers, a night at MadLife is more than just a chance to hear great music; it’s a journey filled with connections and community. The cozy yet lively vibe and diverse lineup spanning many genres mean there’s something there for everyone. From rock and folk to blues and jazz, MadLife brings people together through a shared love of music.
Artists Supporting Artists
Artists can’t get enough of MadLife’s intimate setting that lets them connect with fans. With a dedication to supporting up-and-coming talent and seasoned pros, the venue is a go-to for musicians wanting to showcase their skills in a laid-back yet professional setting. The on-site recording studio also gives artists a chance to capture their live shows with crystal-clear quality, adding to MadLife’s appeal in the music industry.
ABOVE On May 1 country singer-songwriter and Georgia native Baylee Littrell returned to the MadLife stage for an intimate acoustic set.
LEFT In addition to the 220-capacity concert space, MadLife Stage & Studios features a restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating where local musicians perform regularly on the outdoor patio stage.
Tammy Flanagan, one of the lead vocalists of the Whiskey Rose Band, shares, “As a patron, it’s a place you can go enjoy drinks, dinner, and live music on the patio, or, if you want to see an established, touring band in an indoor, intimate setting, you can do that, too. I have always been a huge fan as a visitor. When we put the Whiskey Rose Band back together two years ago, we played the Woodstock Summer Concert Series as an opener for Scotty McCreery and immediately got a call from Kerrie at MadLife to come play there. I was all for it because I loved the venue already, and it was a real treat to experience it as a performer.”
Booking Made Easy
Country singer-songwriter Baylee Littrell of Alpharetta prefers MadLife over many other north Metro Atlanta venues. Baylee began playing shows at MadLife as early as 2019 when he was just sixteen years old. “I’ve played MadLife at least five times, and the quality of this place— the sound, the stage, everything—is fantastic. It’s great to be close to family; they’re all able to come.”
Baylee’s mother, Leighanne Littrell, manages and books all his shows and says, “Kerrie is amazing. She’s always reaching out to book Baylee whenever she can. I feel like we can get quality recordings here; we’ve even used one for YouTube.”
Other artists had similar responses about the easy booking process at MadLife. Singer-songwriter Will Burke of Canton shares that he started playing gigs when he was around fifteen. “I honestly can’t remember who booked me the first time, but Greg [Shaddix] and Kerrie have been consistent about reaching out.” Will continues, “Even when I went off to college, Greg and Kerrie were great about booking me when I had time and came home.”
MadLife’s local artist development and relations liaison Greg Shaddix shares that, as far as bookings go, communication goes both ways: “Sometimes we reach out to inquire about shows, and sometimes they reach out to us.” Some artists remain on a once-a-year rotation, and Greg adds, “Sometimes my inbox looks like the wild, wild West of artists and bands wanting to play here.” Greg started as a musician playing MadLife roughly seven years ago, then transitioned from open mic host to hosting the venue’s Undiscovered Artist events and open mic nights before finally taking over booking artists for the patio.
Location, Convenience, and Caring
According to Greg, artists love and appreciate MadLife’s central location to neighboring Canton, Alpharetta, Kennesaw, and Acworth areas.
Many musicians also appreciate the supportive staff at MadLife. The staff’s ability to remember unique details about artists makes playing there a more comfortable and easy experience. When artists play, MadLife’s green room offers a comfortable area to relax pre-show, a full bathroom and shower, plus dinner and drinks. Tammy Flanagan adds, “They feed us, give us [soft] drinks; the green room is groovy, and we love it. They take such good care of their bands.”
The interviewed artists agree: in many places, venue owners act as though they’re doing the artists a favor. In contrast, at MadLife the entire staff is on the same page about creating the best possible experience for the artists.
Proud dad: During Baylee Littrell’s May 1 performance, his dad— Brian Littrell of the iconic Backstreet Boys—supported Baylee backstage before joining the audience to enjoy the show.
From the Broadway stage to opening for Backstreet Boys in venues around the world to the MadLife stage in Woodstock, country singersongwriter Baylee Littrell continues to hone his craft.
Will Burke shares a laugh with friends backstage ahead of MadLife’s June Undiscovered Artist Showcase, a monthly spotlight on rising local musicians.
Photo Source: Will Burke Music/Facebook
What’s more, Greg shares that few venues offer the same capabilities for artists as MadLife. For smaller local artists, showing up without lugging extra gear is a huge benefit. “Plus, there is a built-in crowd of people coming to enjoy live music.”
Equipped for Success
One of the biggest things from a facility standpoint is that MadLife has everything needed for its artists’ high-quality video and sound coverage. The team has equipped a multicam live-switch video setup, making it the perfect location for professional artists to book video shoots they can use for marketing purposes. The multi-cam video capture includes live-switched high-definition video of the artists’ performances with an embedded stereo mix and remote camera feeds with a total of five high-definition cameras.
Musicians can choose between two separate mixes—a house mix or a studio mix—depending on their needs. As part of the Breaking Bands series, the band that sells the most tickets for their Breaking Bands showcase is awarded their performance video and can use it for promo kits to get future gigs. Greg adds, “If we record the show while you’re here, you can use it—there’s not another venue where you can do that.” The other participating bands are able to purchase their performance videos from the production team.
Another reason musicians prefer MadLife is its professionally installed and operated fully functional recording studio.
Stepping Stones to the Stage Kerrie, Mike, and Greg present a variety of opportunities for musicians depending on their goals.
Many artists start at MadLife by playing open mic nights, much like Greg did. Open mic nights often lead to Undiscovered Showcase opportunities, which is particularly popular for solo artists with an acoustic guitar. A successful open mic night is often the first step toward an artist getting their own show on the bigger stage.
MadLife’s Breaking Bands series, a monthly local and regional band showcase, is a similar introduction for bands who hope to appear on the MadLife main stage. Breaking Bands events have a four-band lineup, and a successful set can lead to opportunities for a full show.
Booking the bands is a team effort for Greg and Kerrie. Greg oversees the patio shows, the Undiscovered Showcase artists, and the Breaking Bands series. Beyond those, director of booking Kerrie predominantly focuses her efforts on booking national touring artists and bands. Greg aids this process and primarily concentrates on booking mid-week shows, often making full use of his relationships and connections with local artists to book local acts.
In March local folk duo Jonathan and Abigail Peyton held their sold-out album release show at MadLife. Of that performance, Greg shares, “That Jonathan and Abby show might be my favorite night of music I’ve ever witnessed here; it was amazing. They are special. There’re songwriters, and then there’s Jonathan Peyton.” As a musician Greg also loves playing with local artists. Also in March, his band, The Back Row Baptists, played a show with Canton-based band Cody Bolden and the Roadhands.
Woodstock: A Musician-Friendly Community
One thing is for sure: Woodstock is a tight-knit community for musicians. Greg adds, “I think this community has realized that for MadLife, we do one thing really well, and that’s live music. You can also catch local musicians at Reformation Brewery, Rootstock, Stout Brothers, and more. The town just digs live music; you can walk around and hear it everywhere.”
Greg remembers his start as a musician in Atlanta, where he observed a feast-or-famine mentality among local musicians and venues. In contrast, the music scene in Woodstock is the exact opposite. “Our local artist community is very supportive, recommending each other if someone else is a good fit for an event. We’re not out here fighting each other; there’s plenty to go around.”
MadLife’s high-definition multi-cam video setup is a major draw for performers hoping to book video shoots or record their live performances during concerts.
STORY BY Joshua Cole, Guest Contributor
For more than a century the Boy Scouts of America organization [BSA] has been shaping and building leaders, yet only an estimated 0.5 percent of young people in the United States become an Eagle Scout, its highest honor. The first recorded Eagle Scout in Cherokee County was John McCanless in 1929. Since then around one thousand scouts have earned their Eagle Scout ranks in Cherokee County; it is estimated that two thousand Eagle Scouts currently live in Cherokee County.
Eagle Scouts in Cherokee County represent a notable group of individuals who have achieved the highest honor in Scouting, distinguished by their leadership and character. Many of these Eagle Scouts have become leaders in their professions, in government, and in civic organizations using the skills and values they learned to make a positive difference in the world.
Alongside leadership and learning, Scouting is fun. Many scouts get to participate in once-in-a-lifetime opportunities such as hiking at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimmaron, New Mexico. Geoff Parks of Waleska, an Eagle Scout and now project manager for N. J. Wilbanks Contractor, says, “My best memories as a kid are going to Philmont. My scoutmaster put in so much effort to ensure we were prepared. Over the months we progressed to longer hikes and learned different tips and tricks. When we got there it was easy, and we got to enjoy the trip of a lifetime; we didn’t have sore feet and we weren’t exhausted after each day of hiking.”
For Charles Earhart of Woodstock, a highlight was participating in the opening flag ceremony at the 1950 National Scout Jamboree held at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, where he stood next to President Harry S. Truman and General Dwight Eisenhower. Charles, now ninety-one years old, is estimated to be the oldest Eagle Scout in Cherokee County.
‘‘ Scouting brings a value that other activities cannot…and makes you realize that anything is possible when you set a goal.”
— John Drawdy
1 President Harry S. Truman addressed 75,000 attendees, including Charles Earhart of Woodstock, during the opening flag ceremony at the 1950 National Scout Jamboree. 2 A handpainted memorial tablet recognizes some of Cherokee County’s earliest Eagle Scouts. 3 Eagle Scout Daniel Balboa and dad Davey Balboa participated in placing memorial wreaths at Georgia National Cemetery for the annual Wreaths Across America ceremony (Photo Source: Appalachian Trail District, Boy Scouts of America/Facebook). 4 Charles Earhart, estimated to be the oldest Eagle Scout in Cherokee County, proudly displays his Eagle Scout badge. 5 Rosemary Bragg and fellow members of Troop 8088 gather around Rosemary’s completed Eagle Scout project at Wildlife Action Nature Trail in Acworth. 6 Before his days as associate magistrate judge of Cherokee County, young William Carlan was a member of Troop 241 in Canton. 7 For his Eagle project, Ian Zieg constructed a kiosk for the new Silver Star Trail at Cherokee Veterans Park. 8 Troop 125, led by Geoff Parks, attends Camp Raven Knob for summer camp. 9 Eagle Scout John Drawdy now guides his daughter through Scouting on her way to achieving the Eagle Scout rank as well.
Eagle Scout Projects: Giving Back to the Community
Becoming an Eagle Scout is no easy feat. It requires dedication, perseverance, and commitment. As scouts embark on their journey, they advance through various ranks, accumulate merit badges, assume leadership roles, and showcase their proficiency in essential outdoor skills such as camping, cooking outdoors, and administering first aid. For the final step, scouts must apply these skills to plan and execute a service project that benefits the community.
Woodstock resident John Drawdy’s Eagle Project consisted of constructing a pavilion-like structure to protect an air conditioning unit from the elements at the church affiliated with his troop in Charleston, South Carolina. “I wanted to build something that would last,” says John. “It is standing forty years later; it even survived Hurricane Hugo.” He is now the committee chair for an all-girl Scouts BSA Troop in Woodstock, where his daughter is a Star Scout. John is the owner of Paragon Accounting and Tax Solutions and also acts as the Appalachian Trail District fundraising chair serving Cherokee and Pickens counties. John shares, “My goal is to walk the scouting path with my daughter and for her to earn Eagle Scout.”
“I loved Scouting from the beginning,” says Geoff Parks. “I joined Cub Scouts in elementary school. I was motivated to earn my Eagle Scout [rank] and wanted to keep going.”
Geoff’s Eagle Project was building new stairs at his home church in North Carolina. “I built something that is still there over twenty-five years later. My project taught me the responsibility to organize, plan, and lead. This helped set up success for life. Looking back, it has paid off.”
Canton resident William Carlan, now associate magistrate judge of Cherokee County, says that when he worked toward becoming an Eagle Scout, he was inspired by his appreciation for the outdoors. In 2002 he revitalized the outdoor classroom between Cherokee High School and what was then Canton Elementary School. “I learned how to encourage people to help,” says William. “This was my first experience with project management. I was pushed to organize and lead a group of people.” He still uses the skills he learned in Scouting in his professional and personal life and is using those skills to teach his ten-year-old son, a current Cub Scout. Cub Scouts advance through six ranks throughout elementary school, with the transition to Scouts BSA occurring around fifth grade.
Today’s Scouts continue to make a difference in the community. Rosemary Bragg of Canton says, “I chose my project over a year ago. As a member of Wildlife
Action, I had used the [Acworth] nature trail before. It wasn’t in the best condition, but I knew it could be improved, so I decided to restore it. A lot of homeschool groups use the trail, and as a homeschooler myself, I saw it as a great resource. I replaced signs and cleaned up sections of the trails. Also I mapped the trails and added a kiosk at the trailhead with the new map and more information.” Wildlife Action is a nonprofit volunteer organization. Rosemary says that through this project she learned valuable lessons in time management and how to set and achieve long-term goals.
Many projects consist of building or repairing something physical, but some gather resources or perform cleanup duties. Canton resident Ansley Daniel shares information about her project: “We had two workdays that consisted of clearing a trail behind the cemetery at our church and cleaning up headstones. I learned a lot about communication and how to coordinate over sixty volunteers to make sure all the work was complete.”
Ian Zieg, a recent graduate of Creekview High School, constructed a kiosk for the new Silver Star Trail at Cherokee Veterans Park. “For a huge project you need a scheduled timeframe of when things need to get done. I stuck to the schedule but learned a lot while planning,” shares Ian. “I hope my project will bring people back to Veterans Park, because there is so much to do, from pickleball to fishing. I want people to form a community and build more connections with their family.” Ian was inspired by his father, three uncles, and grandfather who were all Scouts, and his older brother, who is an Eagle Scout. Now he mentors his two younger brothers on their Scouting journey.
Family of Eagle Scouts
In many families becoming an Eagle Scout creates a unique bond, often among siblings or even spanning generations. Scouting unites these families in a shared journey of adventure and personal growth. It also provides a program that parents and children can participate in together. This tradition strengthens familial ties, fostering a legacy of shared values, experiences, and achievements.
Rosemary Bragg comes from a strong Scouting family and was inspired by her father and uncle, both Eagle Scouts. Rosemary participated with her siblings in the pack where her father, Ira, serves as cubmaster before she could officially join as a Scout, then eagerly joined when the opportunity arose. As the oldest of six, Rosemary set a powerful example of leadership and commitment for her siblings.
“I’ve been around Scouting my whole life, following in the footsteps of my older brother,” adds Ansley Daniel. “When they announced that girls could join Scouting, my brother, Trent, sat me down and told me about the youth leadership, the opportunities for high adventure, and the friends he had made along the way. I was sold on the idea.”
Ansley is one of the pioneering female Eagle Scouts in Cherokee County. “I was a den chief [mentor] to a group of female Cub Scouts from their Wolf rank [second grade] until they crossed over into Scouts BSA,” she shares. “The first campout after they joined our troop was really cool, seeing them use the skills they learned and their excitement to be in Scouting. There weren’t many older girls to mentor me when I joined, so being able to provide that opportunity was really important to me.”
The Future of Scouting
In today’s fast-paced and digitally driven world, Scouting stands as a beacon of timeless values and real-world skills. It offers young people a blend of adventure, education, and community service, equipping them with the tools to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and integrity. When asked about how Scouting fits into today’s world, John Drawdy says, “Scouting brings a value
that other activities cannot…and makes you realize that anything is possible when you set a goal.” He continues, “Scouting made me well-rounded, covering different aspects of life skills from personal management to fishing. It gives exposure to different careers, teaches you to do the right thing, and gives you a sense of accomplishment.”
Geoff Parks reflects, “Scouting turned me into the man I am today. I want to be a positive influence on others and give back to young people today.” He emphasizes, “Scouting’s critical mission is to teach problem-solving skills and the importance of getting outside.” Now serving as scoutmaster for a troop in Waleska, Geoff is dedicated to imparting those valuable lessons to the next generation of Scouts.
BSA recently announced it is changing its name to “Scouting America,” reflecting a commitment to inclusivity and diversity. The change emphasizes the organization’s dedication to serving all youth, irrespective of gender. As society evolves, the core principles of Scouting—character development, citizenship, and fitness—remain as relevant and essential as ever, guiding the next generation toward becoming well-rounded, capable, and conscientious individuals.
CHEROKEE COUNTY EAGLE SCOUTS, TROOP NUMBER
Among the estimated 2,000 Eagle Scouts residing in Cherokee County are:
Zachary Adams
89, Marietta, Georgia
Caiden Anello 125, Waleska, Georgia
Ron Arkin
Eliana Baardson
8088, Holly Springs, Georgia
Lukas Baardson 8880, Holly Springs, Georgia
Daniel P. Balboa
3752, Canton, Georgia
Michael Biehl 125, Woodstock, Georgia
Hamlin Boswell 451, Mesa, Arizona
Will Boswell 994, Woodstock, Georgia
Ira Bragg 75, Swainsboro, Georgia
Rosemary Bragg 8088, Holly Springs, Georgia
Drew Brannam 241, Canton, Georgia
Alex Bryant 241, Canton, Georgia
Brandon Buckley 316, Canton, Georgia
Jordan Buckley 316, Canton, Georgia
Bronco Burgess
125, Waleska, Georgia
Seth Burgess
125, Waleska, Georgia
John Cadenhead
298, Atlanta, Georgia
Michael Cain 3752, Canton, Georgia
Connor Campbell 641, Woodstock, Georgia
William Carlan 241, Canton, Georgia
Logan Carr 469, Canton, Georgia
Elijah Chamberlain 469, Canton, Georgia
Benson Chambers 417, Canton, Georgia
Drew Champion 241, Canton, Georgia
Daniel Cirincione 909, Jonesboro, Georgia
Joseph Cirincione 909, Jonesboro, Georgia
Felicia Ciulla 1639, Woodstock, Georgia
Noah Clary 469, Canton, Georgia
Owen Clary 469, Canton, Georgia
Joshua Cole 293, Corinth, Mississippi
Jack Conter 629, Vandalia, Ohio
AND LOCATION
Kaleb Cook 125, Waleska, Georgia
Randy Couey 26, Macon, Georgia
Russ Cudmore 7, Natick, Massachusetts
Ansley Daniel 8088, Holly Springs, Georgia
Jason Daniel 125, Holly Springs, Georgia
Trent Daniel 8880, Holly Springs, Georgia
Maddy Davis 4901, Woodstock, Georgia
Peyton Davis
4901, Woodstock, Georgia
Anthony DelGais 1134, Roswell, Georgia
Justin Dexter 479, Marietta, Georgia
Damon Dodd 8880, Holly Springs, Georgia
John T. Drawdy, Jr. 39, Charleston, South Carolina
John Drury
3752, Canton, Georgia
David Dunlap 302, Columbus, Georgia
Charles Earhart 10, Clarksford, West Virginia
Lukas Elher 469, Canton, Georgia
Keith Ewing 161, Jackson, Georgia
Jacob Fincher 241, Canton, Georgia
Richard Fowler 25, Abilene, Texas
Peyton Franco 125, Waleska, Georgia
Jack Fulenwider, III 638, Acworth, Georgia
Joey Gangi 287, Marietta, Georgia
Chris Garbow 689, Falls Church, Virginia
Austin Garlinghouse 994, Woodstock, Georgia
Ullman Garrett 8, Anniston, Alabama
Paloma Gavin 4901, Woodstock, Georgia
Sloan Gavin 8880, Holly Springs, Georgia
Justin Gilliam 3, Albany, Georgia
John Gollner
Matthew Grimes 416, Warner Robins, Georgia
Jolly Guy 4056, Canton, Georgia
William Hall
Patrick Hansen 66, Marietta, Georgia
David Harlacher
William Harris 298, Atlanta, Georgia
Collin Hembree 3752, Canton, Georgia
Bruce Hoiseth
Kris Hopkins 144, Marietta, Georgia
Rick Huebner
Patrick Jarrett
Bob Johnson 464, Fort Pierce, Florida
Patrick David Johnson 752, Canton, Georgia
Rand Johnson 8880, Holly Springs, Georgia
Gene Kachele
8880, Holly Springs, Georgia
William Kachele 8880, Holly Springs, Georgia
Doug Kirk 132, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Michael Kubicki 105, Pembroke, Massachusetts
Chuck Lampman 8, Waterloo, Iowa
Barrett Laughlin 3752, Canton, Georgia
Bradley Laughlin 3752, Canton, Georgia
Dylan Lesak 3752, Canton, Georgia
Michael Lesak 42, Newnan, Georgia
Jeffrey Cash Limbaugh 109, Dawsonville, Georgia
ABOVE Ansley Daniel with older brother, Trent, and younger brother, Will. Now that Trent and Ansley have both achieved Eagle Scout, the siblings are mentoring Will on his journey to Eagle.
Sepeda Logan 226, Roswell, Georgia
Lawson Looper 4056, Canton, Georgia
Brad Losner 75, Marietta, Georgia
Clay Love 4900, Woodstock, Georgia
Dylan Mahoney 241, Canton, Georgia
Jacob Martin 625, Woodstock, Georgia
Scott Martin 170, Macon, Georgia
Matt McCollum 125, Waleska, Georgia
Ryan McDuffie 638, Acworth, Georgia
Scott McElroy 125, Canton, Georgia
Scott Merrell 241, Canton, Georgia
Kieran Milea 469, Canton, Georgia
Wyatt Miller 8880, Holly Springs, Georgia
Allen Mitchell 641, Woodstock, Georgia
John Mitchell 109, Lake Charles, Louisiana
Ronald Montgomery 625, Woodstock, Georgia
Noah Morrissey 641, Woodstock, Georgia
Patrick John Morrissey 49, Chalmette, Louisiana
Katie Nicholas 8088, Holly Springs, Georgia
Samantha Nicholas 8088, Holly Springs, Georgia
Seth Ogram 415, Charlotte, North Carolina
Brady Paire
469, Canton, Georgia
Geoff Parks 712, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Alexander Payne 3752, Canton, Georgia
Christian Payne 3752, Canton, Georgia
Josh Perry
Bill Pfaeffle 59, Dobbs Ferry, New York
Ian Pfitzenmayer 8880, Holly Springs, Georgia
Charles C. Pineo 37, Belfast, Maine
Charles R. Pineo 994, Woodstock, Georgia
Randy Plant 38, Tallassee, Alabama
Wesley Popham 130, Ball Ground, Georgia
Thomas Prior 50, Eugene, Oregon
Luke Pulliam 73, Chatsworth, Georgia
Jeff Radke 461, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Ray Rauba
Scott Reece
125, Holly Springs, Georgia
Hunter Reeves 125, Waleska, Georgia
Izaak Reeves
125, Waleska, Georgia
Bob Rhome 61, Las Cruces, New Mexico
Robb Rice
312, Hudson, Ohio
Kirk Richards
465, Alvin, Texas
Bill Ricks
82, Queen Creek, Arizona
Wyatt Robida 469, Canton, Georgia
Steven Rogers 622, Fletcher, North Carolina
Colten Rollbuhler 994, Woodstock, Georgia
Rajpal Sagoo 8880, Holly Springs, Georgia
Ben Schmidt 241, Canton, Georgia
Norm Schmidt 300, Fairview Village, Ohio
Tyler Schmidt 125, Waleska, Georgia
Walt Schmidt 131, Clarkston, Washington
Robbie Seguin 469, Canton, Georgia
Rebecca Seltzer 4901, Woodstock, Georgia
London Sessions 8088, Holly Springs, Georgia
Todd Shinall
David Shostak
Dave Smith 43, Houghton, New York
Scott Spears 125, Canton, Georgia
Trey Stannard 8880, Holly Springs, Georgia
Craig Stichtenoth 136, Cincinnati, Ohio
Jeff Stone 62, Latham, New York
Lennon Stover 440, Ellijay, Georgia
Ty Swanson 125, Waleska, Georgia
Grayson Swims 8880, Holly Springs, Georgia
Jason Sykes 400, Warner Robins, Georgia
Jeremy Sykes
400, Warner Robins, Georgia
Warren Teachworth, Jr. 469, Canton, Georgia
Emmett Terwilliger, Jr. 99, Lancaster, Wisconsin
Thomas E. Trawick 175, Peachtree City, Georgia
Pete Turcotte
Aaron Visger 994, Woodstock, Georgia
Caden Walker 994, Woodstock, Georgia
Matthew Warren 8880, Holly Springs, Georgia
Gage Weaver 125, Waleska, Georgia
Dan Weigle
285, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
Michael Wells
Buckley Wheeler 465, Canton, Georgia
Allen Wigginton 131, Saugerties, New York
Zack Wigginton 75, Marietta, Georgia
Giovanni Williams 8880, Holly Springs, Georgia
John-Merrill Williams 469, Canton, Georgia
Alex Wilson 29, Miami, Arizona
Ian Zieg 465, Canton, Georgia
Adam Ziemecki 641, Woodstock, Georgia
Ben Ziemecki 641, Woodstock, Georgia
Xandy Ziemecki 641, Woodstock, Georgia
Congratulations, Eagle Scouts!
Leadership Lessons in
STORY BY Rebecca Johnston, Canton
From the time she was a little girl, Dr. Mary Elizabeth Davis wanted to be a teacher. As a young child she played school with her dolls every day when she arrived home. Each Christmas she asked for gifts for her “classroom,” such as grade books, chalkboards, and bulletin boards.
Mary Elizabeth, who began her service with the Cherokee County School District as the new superintendent in March, says teachers have always been and remain her heroes. The daughter of two teachers, she learned lessons from her parents and teachers that continue to influence her life today.
“The reason I wanted to be a teacher was because of my teachers. Of course my parents were my first teachers, and they often said that it is a great life when you can serve your community as a teacher. That was how we were raised; we were raised in schools with my parents,” she explains. “We loved school, but I also played school every day after school, and I would do exactly what my teachers did that day. I would put my dolls in the same seating arrangements. I would teach the same lessons. Honestly, my teachers were my heroes, and I wanted to be like them. I still feel that way today.”
Mary Elizabeth’s father was a U.S. history teacher, and she grew up with a love of country and history from family talks around the dinner table. After graduating from high school in her hometown in New Jersey,
Mary Elizabeth attended Messiah College in Pennsylvania, where she received a degree in chemistry and played field hockey and softball.
Mary Elizabeth’s professional journey began in the classroom, giving her a solid foundation in educational principles and leadership. Her first teaching job straight out of college was in Fairfax, Virginia. “My dad drove me to my first interview. I have prominent memories of driving up to that school, going in, and meeting the administrative team, and really having no sense of the magnitude of the adventure that awaited.” A week before the school year started she accepted a job teaching chemistry. “I taught and loved it, and I coached and loved it,” she says.
Part of Mary Elizabeth’s interest in Fairfax County was her desire to be near Washington, D.C. “I did end up spending my summers volunteering in congressional offices [and] volunteering in the [George W.] Bush White House, which turned into a full-time job,” she recalls. “I was interested in the democratic process and policy and how representative bodies come together for the good of a country.”
Those experiences ultimately led her to the role she has with the Cherokee County School District.
“What I was attracted by was the connection between the policymaking process and the practical reality of
Photo Courtesy of Cherokee County School District
‘‘ The reason I wanted to be a teacher was because of my teachers. Of course my parents were my first teachers, and they often said that it is a great life when you can serve your community as a teacher.”
— Dr. Mary Elizabeth Davis
every child in America having a quality education every day. I saw in my mind a bridge between those two environments, and I aspired to stand on that bridge and bring them closer together. That is why I love this work as superintendent,” she offers. “I really think right now the nation is craving the exemplar that demonstrates what public education can do to ensure thriving communities and successful young people.”
Mary Elizabeth says she found herself in several organizations doing various bodies of work during different seasons of her life. Along the way she earned advanced degrees in public administration, educational leadership, and educational policy from Georgia State University.
“Now is the season to join a community that has all the ingredients to be the best performing district, not just in the state of Georgia, but across the country. I want to be a part of proving what public education does not only to retain the strength of a community but to elevate it even further.”
Mary Elizabeth says she is impressed with the quality and caliber of the teaching profession and teachers in the Cherokee County School District. “The professional skill and talent in our classrooms are absolutely inspiring. I am also seeing this very impressive culture of going the extra mile. Our teachers are very dedicated to doing what is good for kids and also being great in their content and course areas.”
Cherokee County school board member Dr. Susan Padgett-Harrison points out that the new superintendent is already making an impact on the Cherokee County School District in her first months in the role. “Dr. Davis was extremely impressive in her first and second interviews for superintendent with her knowledge of Cherokee County. Then in her first months, the amount of work [she did] in contacting individuals, meeting and observing with literally more than a thousand individuals from seven in the morning until late at night is even more impressive. She is overwhelmed with the talent and commitment from every sector of the community and has come up with a theme of ‘Elevating Excellence,’” the school board member points out. “The organization, routine examination of work products, and accountability at all levels will be monitored and enhanced. You cannot help but listen to her and absorb the enthusiasm.”
Family Life
Mary Elizabeth met her husband, P. J. Davis, in college, where he played basketball. He then coached college basketball after graduating, before beginning a career in finance that ultimately led the family to Georgia. The couple has two elementary-aged children, Attlie Hope and Trey. “Our kids love school and love to play sports. They are excited to come to Cherokee,” Mary Elizabeth points out.
“We really love to be together as a family. I love doing homework at the kitchen table. I love when we can have a rainy Saturday together and be still. Our kids are such a blessing and such a gift.
We love our time reading books and being outside. We love to cook together, and we love our holidays together.”
Nationwide 26 percent of school superintendents are women, and of those, only 2 percent have school-age children.
Mary Elizabeth says she sees her role as an opportunity to show her children how to serve the community. “I work hard to create a proper balance, so my kids have my full attention when I’m with them, and then I am all in during my work time. This profession offers a lot of ways to include your kids. When you see me at a football game on Friday night, I will have my kids with me,” she says. She also acknowledges the importance of her husband’s support.
Mary Elizabeth is grateful to be able to serve in schools and cares deeply about the 43,000 children in the school system, knowing how much families are counting on her and all who work for the Cherokee County School District. “I love what we get to do. I love kids; I love the profession of teaching. I love and have constant admiration for the work it takes, from a bus driver and a school-nutrition employee and a custodian, and how all of those pieces work together to bring access to a quality education,” Mary Elizabeth says. “This is not just a personal task; this is a professional conviction about the role public education plays in America, the importance of public education to strong and thriving communities and that every child deserves to be believed in and given access to a successful future.”
Red White, and Rust ,
STORY BY Bruce Baker, Canton
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Courtney Gattis
Remember your mother talking about her first car, perhaps a purple 1976 Gremlin? Would you like to see it? Not just in a vintage Polaroid or a picture on the internet, but actually stand in front of an old rusty one? Then you need to visit Old Car City USA in nearby White, Georgia.
Old Car City USA is a classic car junkyard with more than 4,400 automobiles nestled in the middle of North Georgia’s pines, poplars, and sweet gums. A great many of the cars have been there so long that trees grow right through them.
What the Lewis family started during the Great Depression as a small junkyard behind a general store evolved into a spare-parts business. Dean Lewis grew up playing in the cars his dad collected and continued the spare-parts business.
According to Mike Poppalardo, who’s worked there for nearly fifteen years, it was around 2010 that Dean had an epiphany. “Dean was tired of it; he wanted to focus on his art. But one fellow kept coming back to take pictures, and even brought his girlfriend to see it, which sowed the seed in Dean’s mind that maybe this could be a tourist destination.”
And has it ever been!
Treasure Hunt
On a Wednesday afternoon in April, a quick look at the sign-in sheet told me that earlier in the week visitors from as far away as Germany, Belgium, and China had come to see rust buckets that ranged from the 1930s to the 1970s. They’re almost all American-made cars, but you’ll see the occasional Triumph Spitfire or Volkswagen Karmann Ghia also.
With some method to the madness of the arrangement, roughly by carmaker, an old Mercury Comet sits right beside an equally old Mercury Meteor.
Christine Poore and her son, Sean, were visiting that day. He’d made the trip from his home in Quincy, Massachusetts. “I love touring places of industrial decay: abandoned towns, old mills, things like that. This place is right up my alley,” he said.
When asked, Christine revealed her first car. “A 1973 Chevy Monte Carlo,” she said moments before I spotted one.
My wife, Cheryl, born in Detroit—The Motor City—visited with me in search of a Ford Falcon. Her mother owned a red one prior to starting a family and had loved it. We found several, including a red one just like her mother’s.
I looked for a Ford Carryall like the one I’d used on the farm as a kid. They were the precursors of today’s sport utility vehicles. Imagine a low-slung panel van with windows, a rear bench seat you could pull out, and an engine geared low to pull heavy loads. I hadn’t seen one since 1971 and doubted I ever would again, but there I spotted the same baby-blue Carryall we had. Plus, I spotted a GMC Carryall, and the even rarer and larger International Travelall.
Old Car City USA is located at 3098 Highway 411 East in White, Georgia. The quirky car museum is open for visitors on Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Old Car City USA offers a halfprice discount for all active military personnel.
From models such as Studebakers, Mustangs, and Camaros to the last vehicle purchased by Elvis Presley, Old Car City USA is home to over 4,400 American classic cars.
In addition I laid eyes for the first time on a Chevy Corvair, the car made infamous by Ralph Nader’s 1965 book, Unsafe at Any Speed. Its publication resulted in the creation of the U.S. Department of Transportation the following year.
Oddball vehicles showed up here and there as well: a funeral hearse, a paddy wagon, an American Red Cross van, an old fire engine, a police car, and even a single-engine plane.
Everything is exposed to the elements and covered in moss, lichen, pine needles, and rust, as the vehicles hearken back to the days when car exteriors were metal from bumper to bumper.
Along the Rusty Trail
Old Car City USA has become a popular destination for photographers and even a venue for weddings, birthday parties, and car shows. Part history, part folk art, and part junkyard, it covers thirty-five acres with six miles of walking paths. The outdoor museum invites visitors to spend a few hours strolling along memory lane in comfortable footwear.
Whether you’re interested in the oldies—Studebakers, luxury Cords, and Nashes—or you’re more into muscle cars such as Mustangs, Camaros, and GTOs, or even if you bought your own first car back in the 1970s—a Pinto, Vega, or Maverick—you’ll likely find one here. I’m already making a list to look for on my next visit, including AMC products such as the Matador and Pacer.
You will need to know what you’re viewing, though. No signs explain what’s what. It’s a junkyard. In a forest. But history and adventure await out here along the rusty trail.
AMERICANS’ AUTOMOBILE ARDOR
Americans love their vehicles. Some attribute their affection to Detroit “Big Three Automakers” nostalgia. In that era it was considered so American that General Motors proudly advertised, “Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and Chevrolet.” The reality, though, is that North America is a large place with limited public transportation, and to function, owning a vehicle is almost required here. Unless you live in a major city and don’t travel far, you need a personal vehicle of some description.
According to a recent Forbes report, nearly 92 percent of U.S. households reported owning at least one vehicle in 2022, with a total of 278 million registered private and commercial vehicles traveling American roads. That year the state of Georgia alone accounted for 7.3 million drivers, with the United States totaling 235 million registered drivers, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. A Bloomberg article reported Americans drove for 85 percent of their daily trips in 2010, compared to 50 to 65 percent in Europe.
A 1997 study found that U.S. drivers drove 36 percent more miles annually than the combined populations of France, Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Japan. On a per capita basis, the average person in those five countries drives one mile for every 1.7 miles an American does. Each of those five countries have similar per capita car ownership. The same cannot be said for that quintessential vehicle of North America: the pickup truck. Despite representing less than 5 percent of the global population, more than half of all pickup truck owners live in North America.
If you travel internationally, you can’t help noticing that the gasoline that keeps those vehicles moving costs far less in the U.S. than almost anywhere else on the planet. That fact dampens Americans’ enthusiasm for the more fuel-efficient scooter or motorcycle. The U.S. ranks a distant fourteenth in global motorcycle ownership.
Our cars provide transportation, yes, but we also use them for dining, entertainment, and more. The days of drive-in restaurants have mostly passed, but drive-through restaurants are thriving in the United States, partially driven by lingering COVID concerns. The days of drive-in movies may be long gone, but tailgating in the parking lots at sporting events has never been more popular, so much so that some prefer to sit in the parking lot and barbecue while watching the event on television. Now, who’s ready for a hot dog?
It is with great enthusiasm that Enjoy Cherokee Magazine and the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce present the 2024 selection of Cherokee County’s
As assistant principal at Cherokee High School, Casey Belli prides himself in his engagement with students’ needs. He shares, “By working closely with students, I foster a future-focused, growth-oriented mindset to prepare them for life beyond Cherokee High School.” In this role Casey oversees the largest special education program in Cherokee County, serving more than five hundred students with learning disabilities. After the COVID-19 lockdown ended, he created the school’s Academic Extension afterschool program that provides individualized academic support. He also works closely with at-risk students, mentoring them through social and emotional challenges through the Cherokee C.A.R.E.S.—Cultivating Achievement, Resiliency, and the Empowerment of Students—initiative.
Prior to his role as assistant principal, Casey was a classroom teacher for eight years at River Ridge High School where he served as the Math Department chair.
Students have noticed his efforts as well. In 2021 he was named STAR Teacher of the Year by River Ridge class of 2021 valedictorian Nicholas Audinet, who also selected Casey as
As a high school counselor for the Cherokee County School District, Hillary Nichols collaborates with educators and connects with students’ families to promote students’ success academically, emotionally, and socially. Hillary has served as the counselor at i-Grad Virtual Academy from the day it opened in August 2021 and will transfer to Cherokee High School in August 2024. Hillary explains, “i-Grad Virtual Academy is a nontraditional route for high school students to pursue a high school diploma. However, the majority of our students have special circumstances as to why they have chosen the nontraditional route. Working at i-Grad taught me how to meet students where they are, and that is often through the use of technology. I am excited to continue using that skill set to serve my students and their families at Cherokee High School.”
Hillary serves on the county’s Crisis Response team comprising school counselors, social workers, and other student-service professionals who aid Cherokee County School District schools that may be experiencing a crisis because of a death or other tragedy.
Using her creative skills, Hillary often photographs school events throughout the district, including its recent Special Olympics Awareness Day.
Hillary was selected for the 2024 Superintendent’s Leadership Academy professional development initiative. She was also a Cherokee County Educational Foundation grant winner in 2022; the grant provided funding for technology and gear for a recording room at i-Grad Virtual Academy. Currently pursuing a doctor of education degree in professional school counseling and supervision at the University of West Georgia, over the next five years Hillary plans to complete her research, defend her dissertation, and learn skills needed to lead other school counselors. She shares, “I am excited to see the Cherokee County School District pour into student services, and I hope to be a part of that movement.”
FUN FACT: “I am also a full-time photographer on the weekends outside of my school-counselor job. I have been shooting weddings and portraits for fourteen years. I have shot more than two hundred weddings and countless portraits for families.”
that year’s Outstanding Teacher. In 2022 Casey was again selected as Outstanding Teacher, this time by valedictorian Carson Portis and salutatorian Lexie Montfort, a rare double honor that Casey says is the pinnacle of his teaching journey.
Leadership is at the core of Casey’s career. He was accepted into the Cherokee County School District Teacher Leader Academy in 2019 and was invited to join the Superintendent’s Leadership Academy in 2022 and 2023. Looking forward, he hopes to continue fostering leadership and learning for students as a principal.
He says, “By building strong relationships and leveraging resources effectively, I aim to establish a school environment that prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of the future, contributing to the overall success and reputation of Cherokee County as a premier place for education and community development.”
FUN FACT: “My wife, a math teacher at River Ridge High School, and I, a former math teacher, were married on Pi Day (3.14.15), the most accurate Pi Day of the century.”
Assistant Principal, Cherokee County School District
Canton Resident
Counselor, Cherokee County School District Canton Resident
The path to being an entrepreneur began long ago in Laura Chambers’s roots. Born in Ball Ground and raised in a line of successful women, she was inspired by her mother, broker Amie Chambers, and her aunt, Jamie Quinn, owner of North GA CPA Services. Laura continues the chain of success as the youngest executive board member for Chick-fil-A Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta, as well as founder of Studio 22 Marketing.
Laura explains that after graduating Reinhardt University, “I found my way to a brand that would challenge me to be the best version of myself professionally and personally.”
She assumed the role of executive director of marketing for Chick-fil-A Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta in 2021, and the Woodstock location keeps Laura close to home.
Laura cultivates brand awareness, coordinates events, and assists with outreach programs. She serves as a board member and marketing chair for the Cherokee County Chick-fil-A 5K, benefiting the Cherokee County Educational Foundation and Cherokee County Special Olympics. The 2023 Chick-fil-A 5K raised more than $100,000 for the Cherokee County
Educational Foundation alone. Laura is currently organizing the next Chick-fil-A 5K set for Saturday, August 17, 2024.
Instrumental in organizing IMPACT Woodstock, a program connecting Chick-fil-A team members and nonprofit organizations for volunteer opportunities, Laura also leads Chick-fil-A’s food support programs for Cherokee County, working with Never Alone food pantry, the company’s Shared Table partner. Shared Table is a program designed to donate surplus food to prevent food waste.
Laura’s dreams remain local. She plans to continue growing the Chick-fil-A brand and her business, Studio 22 Marketing. Learning from a family of entrepreneurs has taught her all the hats a business owner needs to wear. “Our community needs small businesses,” Laura says, “and small business owners deserve accessible and effective digital marketing.”
FUN FACT: “I am learning Spanish, and I am a first-generation college graduate—magna cum laude—and former cheerleader for Reinhardt University in Waleska.”
Executive Director of Marketing, Chick-fil-A Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta Ball Ground Resident
Police Lieutenant, City of Canton Police Department
As a project manager for the Cherokee Office of Economic Development [COED], Vanna Hernandez consistently makes an impact on workforce initiatives and fosters growth and development. A champion of community and inclusion, she spearheaded COED’s Latino Business Roundtable and Black Business Roundtable, enabling participants to network, collaborate, and feel supported within the minority-owned business community. The roundtable discussions promote synergy and solidarity while covering valuable information on market trends and business opportunities. “As a member of the Latino community, I understand the importance of representation and role models in inspiring the next generation,” Vanna shares. “I aim to amplify marginalized voices, break down barriers, and create opportunities for those who come after me.”
Through innovative economic development strategies with a special focus on the technology industry, Vanna fosters sustainable growth across target sectors in Cherokee County. She explains, “I aspire to cultivate a thriving ecosystem where innovation thrives,
Jesse Hamilton has served the city of Canton through law enforcement for more than eleven years. Currently the department’s Support Bureau Commander, Jesse holds public service closely to his heart. Jesse shares, “I grew up in a family of public servants with my mom being a nurse and my dad being a schoolteacher, and my brother is a firefighter. Public service was always in my heart.”
Jesse’s commitment to public service overflows into volunteer hours. He coaches both of his sons’ baseball teams, using that time to relate the players’ struggles and accomplishments to life lessons. His family also volunteers in their church, often donating back-to-school supplies and Christmas presents for children in need. He and his wife, Megan, have registered to sponsor a child in Kenya.
Throughout Jesse’s career his work has been recognized with awards and honors, including Rookie of the Year, Reinhardt University Outstanding Alumni Award, two-time Supervisor of the Year, the department’s Chief’s Award (2019), Criminal Investigations
Supervisor of the Year by the Moose Lodge (2022), and Outstanding Employee of the Year by the Rotary Club of Canton (2023). Jesse humbly explains, “I entered this profession to help people. A great example was when a local law enforcement officer approached me and asked if I remembered them. They told me that the compassion I showed when they were younger on a call— even with arresting one of their parents—was a huge reason they got into law enforcement. I am proud of the awards I’ve had the honor to receive, but the lives changed are my proudest accomplishments.”
Next, Jesse plans to pursue a master’s degree. Another goal is to expand the agency’s services by developing a Crime Scene Unit to advance the department’s investigative capabilities and provide more opportunities for newer officers.
FUN FACT: “When I was younger I could name where almost any NFL player played college.”
businesses flourish, and professionals find ample opportunities, all without the necessity of commuting to major cities.”
Vanna, a bilingual volunteer for the Cherokee County School District, bridges language barriers for parents and participates in the Reading Buddies program at Hasty Elementary School Fine Arts Academy in Canton. She has a passion for running and is a member of several community running groups, which hold a special place in her heart, she says, as opportunities to forge new friendships, rally together, and make meaningful connections.
Vanna holds an associate of science degree in criminal justice from Chattahoochee Technical College and a bachelor of science degree in political science from Kennesaw State University. She is also a certified project management professional, Leadership Cherokee class of 2016 alumni, and graduate of Cherokee High School.
FUN FACT: “I have completed six marathons and [am] currently training for my first 50K ultra.”
Canton Resident
Project Manager, Cherokee Office of Economic Development Ball Ground Resident
Since beginning his law enforcement career as a Woodstock Police Department patrol officer in 2005, Captain Casey Barton of the Holly Springs Police Department [HSPD] has consistently risen through the ranks. Prior to working in law enforcement, Casey served in the United States Marine Corps. He holds a bachelor of science in criminal justice from Kennesaw State University and is working toward a master of science degree from Columbus State University with a focus on public safety administration. His other accomplishments include Leadership Cherokee (2023), HSPD Bob Fuller Leadership Award (2022), Rotary Club of Canton Colonel George Bailey Leadership Award (2016), HSPD Officer of the Year (2011), and the United States Marine Corps Meritorious Mast for service in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (2004-2005).
Casey serves as captain of the uniform patrol, managing all uniformed police officers and focusing on community outreach, recruiting efforts, public information, and the department’s social media presence.
As Canton’s community development director, Kevin Turner manages the department that oversees all planning, zoning, housing, code enforcement, business licenses, and permitting within the city. Certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners, Kevin earned a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from Florida State University after completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Georgia. He previously served as Cherokee County’s planning and zoning department deputy director and was among the team awarded the Georgia Planning Association 2023 Innovation in Planning Award. He served as project manager for the recent Waleska Comprehensive Plan that won the Georgia Planning Association’s 2023 Outstanding Planning Document (Small Community) award. Kevin has been a guest speaker for the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Regional Issues Forum and the Council for Quality Growth’s Cherokee Advisory Roundtable.
In terms of plans for the next five years, Kevin explains, “The two biggest projects to take on
He shares, “I am particularly proud of the connections made during our Faith and Blue Food Drive, Shop with a Hero Christmas event, Coffee with a Cop, and Popsicles in the Park [events].” He is also credited with establishing HSPD’s first Bicycle Patrol Unit and Honor Guard Unit.
Another initiative Casey helmed is the department’s Officer Wellness Program. It works to improve the emotional, physical, and financial health of Holly Springs police officers, a cause Casey is passionate about. He hopes to partner with surrounding agencies to implement the program to better support police officers and other first responders.
To further his leadership abilities, Casey aspires to enroll in the Federal Bureau of Investigation Law Enforcement Executive Development Association. His ultimate professional goal is become chief of police with a focus on professional and ethical leadership.
FUN FACT: “I am an avid mountain biker, but I am most proud of being a ‘Girl Dad.’”
in the next five years will be to update the impact fee methodology to ensure we are adequately funding for future infrastructure based on current growth and to complete a new comprehensive plan, from the ground up.”
Kevin is a community group leader for Sojourn Woodstock and is part of its Main Street Development committee, which focuses on developing current church property and scouting for a future church site. He previously volunteered with World Relief, a group focusing on refugee resettlement, and She is Safe, a nonprofit organization based in nearby Roswell providing education and training to prevent sex trafficking. Kevin is a member of Trout Unlimited, an organization advocating for conservation and preservation of cold-water fisheries. He is also a member of the Little River Elementary PTA.
FUN FACT: “I wrote the first ordinance to allow a brewery in a downtown space.”
Community Development Director, City of Canton Woodstock Resident
Captain,
City of Holly Springs Police Department Canton Resident
Clinical Pharmacist, Northside Hospital Cherokee Waleska Resident
Dr. Neely Bursmith, an ambulatory care pharmacist specializing in diabetes management services, enjoys more than just helping her patients. Every day at Medical Associates of North Georgia, a division of Northside Hospital Cherokee, Neely does everything she can to help her patients, coworkers, and mentees feel comfortable and cared for throughout their journey. Through her dedication to aiding those around her, Neely has taken the lead in the Anticoagulation Management Clinic. Even before graduating from Mercer University with her doctor of pharmacy degree, Neely had her sights set on gaining a leadership role to simultaneously make a change in pharmacy and community, and now she has multiple.
Neely oversees and guides young pharmacy students and says she enjoys the opportunity to “pour into the next generation of pharmacists” and do her part to guarantee a solid future for the field.
Neely also donates her time to many other aspects of the community. As a member of Revolution Church she volunteers in the nursery. She also serves as school council vice chair at R.M. Moore Elementary School. Neely is also an honorary member of the Service League of Cherokee County, where she served as co-chair of the cookbook committee, chair of the exhibitor booth awards for the league’s annual Riverfest, and publicity chair for both Riverfest and the Reindeer Run 5K.
Neely desires to “become a mentor to a pharmacist early in their career to encourage and support their development.” Neely has already made an impact in her field, and she strives to leave a legacy with the people whom she impacts.
FUN FACT: “I have been skydiving!”
Passionate about serving families and the community, Daylan Greene is a partner and owner of Goodwin Moss & Greene with a focus on estate law, advocating for juveniles in Cherokee County, and probate cases. She holds a juris doctor degree from Georgia State University College of Law and completed undergraduate studies at Berry College, majoring in political science with a minor in legal studies. In law school Daylan served as the research assistant to Professor Mary Radford and was involved in researching and writing books on estate planning, trusts, and guardianship law. She then brought her expertise home to Cherokee County, where she served as assistant district attorney for the county. Daylan was a prosecutor for the juvenile court team.
Judges frequently appoint Daylan to represent parties in juvenile and superior court matters, especially as guardian ad litem, advocating for the best interest of children in need. Her experience with juvenile cases working at a district level has led her to focus on helping
In his role as director since 2021, Christopher Luly manages all aspects of planning and zoning for Ball Ground, including annexation requests, rezoning applications, variance requests, technical plan review, sign permits, plat review, long-term planning efforts, zoning code oversight, boards and commission staffing, and development inspections. Chris also oversees the city’s building permits and inspections, mapping and geographic information system, and parks and recreation. He supports City Manager Eric Wilmarth with specific projects, such as event planning, code enforcement, utilities, transportation, and information technology.
This year Chris will assume responsibility for alcohol licensing, business licensing, and impact fees. He intends to amalgamate all of this into a Department of Community Development with a public service counter, which he envisions as a “one-stop shop” for residents to access necessary resources. Chris also says the city must “initiate and adopt a major overhaul of the city’s development code, including a complete revamping of the city’s zoning code.”
His professional goals include continuing to build upon his knowledge and experience in planning, zoning, and local government through training and completing professional certification programs.
Chris is a volunteer board member for The Children’s Haven, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving children impacted by abuse and neglect. He is also a Leadership Cherokee class of 2022 alumni, an experience he calls life-changing, and intends to “build upon that by gaining acceptance to and completing the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Leadership Institute, a natural next step.”
While previously living in Atlanta, Chris volunteered with Hands On Atlanta, the Wylde Center, Chastain Park Conservancy, and food security efforts. Chris also partnered with the Green Heart Project & Beach Sweep in Charleston, South Carolina, and the material reuse program in Athens, Georgia, while pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Georgia.
FUN FACT: “My wife, Sara, and I recently moved to Cherokee County, where I grew up, and welcomed our first child, a daughter named Nora.”
families and children, which resulted in Daylan making probate and juvenile cases a priority at her firm.
Daylan anticipates the growth of Goodwin Moss & Greene, particularly in probate law, focusing on assisting families after a loved one has passed. Daylan also wants to ensure she and partner Courtney Goodwin Moss are able to continue practicing juvenile law and assisting with adoptions. “This is an area of law that I want to still practice as our probate and estate planning increases, because I think it is a way to give back to future generations,” Daylan says.
She also volunteers at Macedonia Baptist Church, where she leads the teens, and Hightower Baptist food and clothing bank, which serves on average seven hundred families a month. She is also secretary for the Blue Ridge Bar Association.
FUN FACT: “I taught my husband, Michael, how to fly-fish.”
Director of Planning and Zoning, City of Ball Ground
Holly Springs Resident
Attorney, Goodwin Moss & Greene
Waleska Resident
ART getspersonal PUBLIC
STORY BY Leana Conway, Woodstock
Along downtown Woodstock’s Noonday Trail, just outside The Reeves House Visual Arts Center, sits an effervescent work of art by world-renowned metal sculptor Jim Gallucci of Greensboro, North Carolina. Ear Worm, a bench seat with whimsical curlicues in a deep maroon color like pomegranate seeds, looks like a bus-stop bench that collided with Dr. Seuss trumpets. A playful and whimsical whisper tube has an earpiece and mouthpiece fixed at each end, irresistible to much of the trail’s foot traffic. Passersby feel compelled to stop, sit a spell, and have fun talking to the person sitting beside them.
How Ear Worm Inched Its Way to Woodstock
Ear Worm was installed in summer 2022 as a temporary exhibit, part of The Reeves House public art two-year-loan program. The artwork will be returned to Jim this summer unless the city of Woodstock or another interested party purchases it. The piece is one of a series of benches Jim has created that are installed throughout the country, including in our nation’s capital and cities in California, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania.
Benches have been a major focus for Jim, which he believes serve as a science lesson, counseling tool, and
work of art, all in one. Even a short conversation with Jim reveals how the joie de vivre in his art comes straight from his soul. His whimsical benches vary from a vibrant yellow sunflower bench to a beautiful memorial bench with giant red poppy whisper-tube features. While each is an individual piece, the predominant theme is reminiscent of a simpler, happier world.
Nicole Lampl, director and curator at The Reeves House, chose Ear Worm for the city of Woodstock because of its interactive element that invites visitors to engage with the artwork and fosters playful interaction. The artistic bench is a peaceful place to take a seat under the shade of a tree and watch the world go by on the Noonday Trail.
Woodstock resident Delanie Tondera passionately advocates for Ear Worm and public art. She says public art installations provide the community with a unique opportunity to interact with art and potentially broaden their understanding of what art can be.
A group of children crawling all over the Ear Worm bench on a beautiful Thursday afternoon this spring had the best endorsement for Jim’s work when asked what they thought of the art: “It’s not art; it’s fun!”
Photo Credit: Madison
Beaulieu/City of Woodstock
‘‘ A group of children crawling all over the Ear Worm bench on a beautiful Thursday afternoon this spring had the best endorsement for Jim’s work when asked what they thought of the art: “It’s not art; it’s fun!”
About the Artist
Jim Gallucci found his passion and lifelong vocation in sculpture in October 1969. In addition to a bachelor of arts degree from Le Moyne College, he holds a bachelor of fine arts degree and master of fine arts degree in sculpture from Syracuse University. He has won an impressive list of national and international public art commissions and prizes for his often-interactive sculptures. In addition to his original works, Jim also offers restoration and repair services. Jim’s recent creative focus has been on the symbolism of doors and gateways. He sees these elements as more than just functional objects; to him they represent the paradox of access and exclusion.
One of his most emotionally impactful works is The Gates, a memorial to the victims of the September 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Jim and his team traveled to New Jersey to obtain sixteen tons of steel from the fallen World Trade Center and then created a sculpture from the recovered metal that depicts two gates. Jim says the piece “symbolizes passage—emotional, physical, spiritual—from one space of consciousness to another.”
Other pieces among Jim’s vast portfolio honor veterans, historical figures such as Rosa Parks, and even America’s favorite pastime: baseball.
Leaning Ladder Premium Olive Oils and Vinegars
Lemongrass-Mint
1 MAKES SERV INGS
Ingredients
4-6 fresh mint leaves plus a sprig for garnish
1 ½ tbsp. simple syrup*
1 tbsp. lime juice
2 oz. light rum club soda
Begin the Fun
1. Place mint, simple syrup, lime juice, and Lemongrass-Mint White Balsamic Vinegar in a highball glass. Using a wooden muddler or back of a wooden spoon, muddle mint, syrup, juice, and vinegar together to form a good syrup. Fill glass with ice cubes. Pour in rum and stir. Top off with club soda and mix one more time. Garnish with a sprig of mint.
MAKE SIMPLE SYRUP USING EIGHT OUNCES OF WATER PLUS ONE CUP OF GRANULATED SUGAR. Bring the water to a simmer in a saucepan set over medium-high heat. Add the sugar and stir until it completely dissolves. Remove the pan from the heat. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
Rustic Greek Panzanella Salad
Ingredients
4 tbsp. Leaning Ladder Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 tbsp. Leaning Ladder Garlic Olive Oil
2 tbsp. Leaning Ladder Champagne Wine Vinegar ¼ cup sliced shallot or red onion
2 tbsp. finely chopped fresh herbs, flat-leaf parsley and/or basil
1 clove garlic, minced
2 cups Tribeca Ovens French Baguette (sold at Leaning Ladder), cut into ½-inch cubes
3 to 4 oz. feta cheese, cubed
2 medium tomatoes, cut into small wedges
1 small cucumber, cut into chunks
½ large red or yellow bell pepper, seeded and cut into chunks
½ cup black or kalamata olives, pitted Salt and pepper to taste
Begin the Fun
1. To make the dressing, combine Leaning Ladder Champagne Wine Vinegar, shallot (or onion), salt and pepper, clove of garlic, Leaning Ladder Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and fresh herbs in a small bowl. Whisk thoroughly until combined. Set aside.
2. Then, heat Leaning Ladder Garlic Olive Oil in a frying pan. Add the Tribeca Ovens French Baguette cubes and cook until golden on all sides. Combine the cooked bread cubes and all the remaining salad ingredients in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly. Serve at room temperature.
Leaning Ladder Premium
Neapolitan Herb Chicken
Ingredients
¼ cup Leaning Ladder Neapolitan Herb Balsamic Vinegar
1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 MAKES SERV INGS
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
3 to 4 tbsp. Leaning Ladder Garlic Olive Oil
1 tsp. Charmaine’s Bread Dip (sold at Leaning Ladder) or ½ teaspoon dried oregano and ½ teaspoon dried basil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Begin the Fun
1. In a bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, oregano, and basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. In a gallon-size ZipLoc bag combine balsamic vinegar mixture and chicken. Marinate for an hour, turning the bag occasionally. Drain the chicken from the marinade before baking.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly oil an ovenproof baking pan/dish and add the marinated chicken pieces; discard the extra marinade. Place baking pan into oven and roast chicken until completely cooked through, about 20 to 30 minutes. Serve hot over rice or vegetables garnished with additional drizzle of balsamic vinegar, parsley, or green onion, if desired.
THIS RECIPE WORKS WELL ON THE GRILL, TOO! Make sure the grill is hot and chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Ambition and a natural talent in the corporate world led Susan Hasslinger to her success at Leaning Ladder Premium Olive Oils and Vinegars.
Her grandmother, Bessie Lee, ran her own restaurant, which influenced Susan’s instinctive capacity for running a business. Susan pursued the aspiration to launch her own business, allowing her to create healthy meals, serve wine, and embrace her community.
Bessie sold milkshakes in her roadside restaurant. Her vintage milkshake machine has since found its new home in the downtown Woodstock Leaning Ladder location. Although it is rarely used at Leaning Ladder, its legacy, like Bessie’s, lives on.
In 2013 the Leaning Ladder tasting boutique first opened its doors in downtown Woodstock, and then in 2020, introduced a cooking studio offering even more products and services. It features wines, extra virgin olive oils, infused and fused olive oils, gourmet foods, and balsamic vinegars. Fused olive oils are a fusion of flavors created when olive oil is crushed along with the whole fruit of lemons, oranges, herbs, or peppers. Infused olive oil has its flavor infused after the oil is
extracted from the olives. Also in 2020 Leaning Ladder opened a booth inside the Cotton Mill Exchange at The Mill on Etowah.
An abundance of classes—hands-on and demonstrations—at Leaning Ladder allow patrons to explore new dishes. In a hands-on class, groups cook together with assistance and guidance from a professional chef instructor with step-by-step instructions on a menu of choice. Knife skills are taught as well. In demonstration classes, a chef instructor stands at the front of the class and demonstrates how to cook the dishes. With little to no hands-on experience, the classes are still interactive, and questions are recommended. Once each course is prepared, students can eat it and receive the recipes before they leave.
Susan explains, “Since we opened our doors it’s always been about giving superior customer service and connecting our customers to highquality gourmet olive oil and balsamic vinegar products from around the globe. Many people feel we are the perfect place to find a scrumptious gift. Others stock their pantries with our products to help make ordinary meals memorable. We are a little best-kept secret in Cherokee County.”
Mark Wills Cannon Park Friday, July 5
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
FILM Historic Canton Theatre
171 East Main Street, Canton
2:00–5:00 p.m. | Movie Screening CantonGA.gov
3 Wednesday
Red Cross Blood Drive
Presented by American Red Cross R.T. Jones Memorial Library 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org
Tonic Woodstock Summer Concert Series
5 Friday 8 Monday Tuesday 2
July Fourth Spectacular
FESTIVAL Downtown Woodstock
The Park at City Center
10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. | Parade WoodstockParksAndRec.com
First Friday Cruise-In
Presented by City of Canton
Downtown Canton
4:30 p.m. | $10 to park CantonGA.gov
6 Saturday
10
Tuesday
12 Friday
13
Saturday
18
Thursday
4 Thursday 20 Saturday
Yoga in the Park
Woodstock Arts Green
111 Elm Street, Woodstock
10:00–11:00 a.m. | FREE EmberYoga.com
Coffee with CASA
Barrel House Coffee Company
275 Gilmer Ferry Road, Ball Ground 9:00–11:00 a.m. CherokeeChildrensHaven.org
Aesop’s Fables
THEATER Woodstock Arts
8534 Main Street, Woodstock 10:00–11:00 a.m. | All Ages WoodstockArts.org
Acworth Farmers Market
MARKET Logan Farm Park
4405 Cherokee Street, Acworth
8:00 a.m.–Noon Acworth-GA.gov
Summer Kid Biz Expo
MARKET Woodstock Arts Green
111 Elm Street, Woodstock
9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | Ages 8-18 KidBizExpo.com
USCS Sprint Car Series Dixie Speedway 150 Dixie Street, Woodstock 7:00 p.m. | Race DixieSpeedway.com
The Lego Movie
FILM Historic Canton Theatre 171 East Main Street, Canton 10:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. | $1 CantonGA.gov
District Pinewood Derby
Bass Pro Shops
152 Northpoint Parkway, Canton 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. AtlantaBSA.org
Superhero Cookie Party
Paula’s Zzerts 140 Keith Drive, Canton 2:00–3:00 p.m. | Meet & Greet PaulasZzerts.com
Float on the Fourth Murph’s Surf
The Mill on Etowah, Canton 10:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. | Kayaking ExploreCantonGA.com
Mark Wills
MUSIC Downtown Canton First Friday Cannon Park, Canton
6:00–9:30 p.m. | FREE ExploreCantonGA.com
Dylan Kight
MUSIC Reformation Brewery
105 Elm Street, Woodstock 10:00 a.m.–Noon VisitWoodstockGA.com
History Makers Camp
Cherokee County History Center
221 East Marietta Street, Canton
9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | Ages 8-11 HistoryCherokee.org
Yarn Painting
WORKSHOP Adult Art Class
R. T. Jones Memorial Library
5:00–7:30 p.m. | Register SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org
Meet the Marching Eagles
Rose Creek Public Library
4476 Towne Lake Parkway
10:30–11:30 a.m. SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org
TRopical Oasis Night
Cherokee County Aquatic Center 1200 Wellstar Way, Canton 4:30.–7:00 p.m. | Special needs PlayCherokee.org
Tonic
MUSIC WDSTK Summer Concert Series 101 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock
7:30–10:00 p.m. | FREE WoodstockConcertSeries.com
Dementia Support Group
The Arbor at BridgeMill 700 Freedom Boulevard, Canton 2:00–3:00 p.m. | Seniors ArborCompany.com
Storytime Live!
with Princess Jasmine Park at City Center, Woodstock 11:00–11:45 a.m. | FREE FoxTaleBookShoppe.com
Jonathan & Abigail Peyton
MUSIC The Grande Event The Bird Room, Ball Ground 8:00 p.m. | Ages 18+ TheGrandeEvent.com
Concert and Fireworks
MUSIC Cauble Park
4425 Beach Street, Acworth 5:30–10:00 p.m. | All ages Acworth-GA.gov
9 to 5: The Musical THEATER Woodstock Arts
8534 Main Street, Woodstock 7:30 –9:45 p.m. | All ages WoodstockArts.org
Star Spangled Pub Crawl
Downtown Woodstock
8588 Main Street, Woodstock
2:00–6:00 p.m. VisitWoodstockGA.com
9
Tuesday
Whiskey Rose Band
MUSIC MadLife Stage & Studios
8722 Main Street, Woodstock 7:30–9:00 p.m. | Ages 15+ MadLifeStageAndStudios.com
Jute Vase Workshop WORKSHOP By M&M Mercantile
The Mill on Etowah 1:00–3:00 p.m. | $40 MMMercantileCo.org
Splatter Butterfly Painting
WORKSHOP Local Color Studio
85 North Street, Canton 5:00–6:30 p.m. | 12+ LocalColor.Studio
Independence Day Celebration FESTIVAL Downtown Canton Parade and fireworks 6:00–11:00 p.m. | All ages ExploreCantonGA.com
Guardians of the Jukebox
MUSIC The Mill on Etowah
225 Reformation Parkway, Canton 6:00–9:30 p.m. | FREE ExploreCantonGA.com
Fairytale Tea Party
Ball Ground Public Library
435 Old Canton Road, Ball Ground 11:00 a.m.–Noon | Costume Party SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org
Southern Tradition Show
THREE-DAY FESTIVAL Presented by Auto Extremes
Car and truck show showcasing minitrucks, classic cars, and hot rods Etowah River Park
600 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton Noon–4:00 p.m. | July 12-14
$40 registration SouthernTraditionShow.com
Family Fun Night: Minion Mayhem
FILM Themed activities and Despicable Me screening Woodstock Arts Event Green, Woodstock 5:00–9:00 p.m. | All ages VisitWoodstockGA.com
Endless SummerFest FESTIVAL presented by Goin’ Solo The Mill on Etowah, Canton Noon–8:00 p.m. | All ages GoinSoloEvents.com
Bassel & The Supernaturals
MUSIC Lantern Series 111 Elm Street, Woodstock 6:00 p.m. | Tickets WoodstockArts.org
Wonka FILM The Mill on Etowah
225 Reformation Parkway, Canton
Wednesday
7:00–9:00 p.m. | FREE EtowahMill.com
Clayton Hackle Band
MUSIC MadLife Stage & Studios
8722 Main Street, Woodstock
7:30 p.m. | Ages 15+ MadLifeStageAndStudios.com
Wine Dinner with Chef Jenn
Leaning Ladder Olive Oil
105 East Main Street, Woodstock
6:30–9:00 p.m. | Tasting LeaningLadderOliveOil.com
River Rock Music Festival
TWO-DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Featuring Bryce Leatherwood, Ty Herndon, Whiskey Rose Band, Cody Bolden, Tyson Leamon, Ashley Brooks, Sam Carter, & more! Etowah River Park, Canton
Friday, 6:00–10:00 p.m.
Saturday, Noon–10:00 p.m. FREE | All ages CantonGA.gov
Home of the Champions
Dixie Speedway
150 Dixie Drive, Woodstock
7:30 p.m. | Race DixieSpeedway.com
Vertigo
FILM Classic Film Series
Historic Canton Theatre
7:00–9:00 p.m. | $5 CantonGA.gov
Korean War Observance
Georgia National Cemetery
1080 Scott Hudgens Drive, Canton 11:00 a.m. | Veterans GANationalCemetery.org
Dock Rock Radio
MUSIC West Milford Farm
7938 Ball Ground Road, Cumming
8:45 p.m. | Ages 21+ WestMilfordFarm.com
Spirited Away
FILM Screen on the Green Series
Woodstock Arts Event Green
3:00–4:30 p.m. | All ages WoodstockArts.org
Maker Open House Made Mercantile
8636 Main Street, Woodstock
2:00–5:00 p.m. | Giveaway MadeMercantile.com
Bryce Leatherwood River Rock Music Festival Friday Night Headliner
First Friday Artist Market
MARKET Local Color Studio
The Troubadour Project
Brian Moote
COMEDY MadLife Stage & Studios
11th Annual Cherokee Chick-fil-A 5K Saturday, August 17 3 Saturday 16 Friday 9 Friday
85 North Street, Canton
6:00–9:00 p.m. | Visual Arts LocalColor.Studio
BEATS Gallop and Go 5K
Presented by BEATS, Inc.
Etowah River Park
8:00 a.m. | Fundraiser BeatsGallopAndGo5K.org
4 Sunday 15 Thursday 10 Saturday
8 Thursday 7 Wednesday 17 Saturday
Author Rhonda McKnight
FoxTale Book Shoppe
105 East Main Street, Woodstock
2:00–3:30 p.m. FoxTaleBookShoppe.com
Fresh Start Mornings
The Circuit Woodstock
1 Innovation Way, Woodstock 9:00 a.m. | Networking CherokeeGA.org
MUSIC Canton First Friday Cannon Park, Canton
6:00–9:00 p.m. | FREE CantonGA.gov
Whiteboard Workshop WORKSHOP Home Depot
4520 Holly Springs Pkwy, Holly Springs
9:00 a.m.–Noon | Ages 4-12 HomeDepot.com
Surrender Hill
MUSIC Feathers Edge Vineyards
10061 Ball Ground Highway, Ball Ground
2:00 p.m. | Ages 16+ FeathersEdgeVineyards.com
Knitting Circle
Ball Ground Public Library
435 Old Canton Road, Ball Ground
2:00 p.m. | Adults SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org
TRopical Oasis Night
Cherokee County Aquatic Center
1200 Wellstar Way, Canton
5:00–7:00 p.m. | Special needs PlayCherokee.org
Fall Gardening for Kids
Cherokee Veterans Park
7345 Cumming Highway, Canton
9:00 a.m.–Noon | $5 CherokeeMasterGardeners.com
Decorate Your Own Pencils
WORKSHOP Back to School
R. T. Jones Memorial Library
4:00 p.m. | All ages SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org
Purple on The Green
Walk to End Alzheimer’s Fundraiser
The Mill on Etowah, Canton
1:00–5:00 p.m. Contact: sseitz@cedarhurstliving.com
Family Fun Night: Superhero Night
FILM Themed activities and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Woodstock Arts Event Green, Woodstock
5:00–9:00 p.m. | All ages VisitWoodstockGA.com
Cabinet of Curiosities
VISUAL ARTS The Reeves House 734 Reeves Street, Woodstock 6:00–8:00 p.m. | Opening WoodstockArts.org
Red Cross Blood Drive
Presented by American Red Cross R.T. Jones Memorial Library 11:00 a.m. | Register RedCross.org
Chick-fil-A 5K
Annual Fundraiser
Etowah River Park
8:00 a.m. | Peachtree Qualifier CherokeeCounty5K.com
PoBoys Monthly Cruise-in
Riverstone Shopping Center
1447 Riverstone Parkway, Canton
3:00–7:00 p.m. | $5 Per Car PoBoysCarClub.com
Wine Bottle Paint & Sip
WORKSHOP The Mill on Etowah 225 Reformation Parkway, Canton
6:30–8:30 p.m. | $50 MMMercantileCo.org
Dial M for Murder
THEATER Woodstock Arts 8534 Main Street, Woodstock 7:30–9:45 p.m. | All Ages WoodstockArts.org
Makers Market
MARKET The Mill on Etowah 225 Reformation Parkway, Canton 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. | Arts & Crafts MMMercantileCo.org
The Art of Community
Menagerie on Main 351 West Main Street, Canton 6:00–8:00 p.m. MenagerieOnMain.com
8722 Main Street, Woodstock 7:00 p.m. | Ages 18+ MadLifeStageAndStudios.com
Stout Brothers Anniversary
Woodstock Beer Market
240 Chambers Street, Woodstock
Noon–10:30 p.m. TheStoutBrothers.com
Sounds of Georgia
MUSIC Lantern Series
111 Elm Street, Woodstock 7:30 p.m. | Tickets WoodstockArts.org
Perfect Animal Band
MUSIC MadLife Stage & Studios
8722 Main Street, Woodstock
7:30 p.m. | Ages 15+
MadLifeStageAndStudios.com
Schmooza Palooza Networking Event
Presented by Cherokee Chamber of Commerce
Woodstock City Church 4:00–7:00 p.m. CherokeeChamber.com
Dog Days of Summer
WORKSHOP Menagerie on Main
351 West Main Street, Canton
5:00–8:00 p.m. | $75 MenagerieOnMain.com
Karaoke Night
Reformation Brewery 105 Elm Street, Woodstock 8:00–10:00 p.m. ReformationBrewery.com
Who’s Bad: Michael Jackson Tribute
MUSIC WDSTK Summer Concert Series Northside-Cherokee Amphitheater, Woodstock 7:30–10:00 p.m. | FREE WoodstockConcertSeries.com
Storytime Live! with the Minions Park at City Center, Woodstock 11:00–11:45 a.m. | FREE FoxTaleBookShoppe.com
Royal Wood MUSIC Lantern Series 111 Elm Street, Woodstock 7:30 p.m. | Tickets WoodstockArts.org
Rumi Poetry Workshop
WORKSHOP Made Mercantile 8636 Main Street, Woodstock 1:30–3:30 p.m. | Poetry MadeMercantile.com
Back to School
Thursday, August 1
18 Sunday
Cornhole Tournament
Presented by Circle of Friends
111 Elm Street, Woodstock 3:00 p.m. | Fundraiser CircleOfFriendsInc.org/Cornhole
120 East
MUSIC West Milford Farm
7938 Ball Ground Road, Cumming 8:15 p.m. | Ages 21+ WestMilfordFarm.com
Summer Day at The Mill
MARKET Plant Sale & Artist Market
The Mill on Etowah, Canton
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. EtowahMill.com/Events
Tuesday in the Water Park
Cherokee County Aquatic Center
Tuesday
1200 Wellstar Way, Canton 5:00–8:00 p.m. | $2 Admission PlayCherokee.org
Murder Mystery Dinner
Falany Performing Arts Center
7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska
6:00–8:00 p.m. | Tickets Reinhardt.edu
Book Launch with Karin Slaughter
Woodstock Arts Theater
8534 Main Street, Woodstock
6:30 p.m. | Tickets FoxTaleBookShoppe.com
To Catch a Thief
FILM Canton Theatre
171 East Main Street, Canton
7:00–9:00 p.m. | $5 CantonGA.gov
Harry Potter Cookie Party
Paula's Zzerts
140 Keith Drive, Canton
2:00–3:00 p.m. | Magic Show PaulasZzerts.com
Wednesday
Karaoke Night
The Blue Ghost Arcade
164 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock 8:00 p.m.–Midnight | $15 Admission TheBlueGhostArcade.com
Kid Biz Expo
MARKET River Church
2335 Sixes Road, Canton
3:00–6:00 p.m. | Ages 8-18 KidBizExpo.com
July Turner
MUSIC MadLife Stage & Studios
8722 Main Street, Woodstock 7:30 p.m. | Ages 15+ MadLifeStageAndStudios.com
Back to the 80s Trivia TRIVIA Reformation Brewery
105 Elm Street, Woodstock 7:00–9:00 p.m. ReformationBrewery.com
