Consistency Is Key
This month, Canton Family Life begins its 12th year of providing positive, educational, and entertaining content about interesting topics in our community, contributed by local experts and creatives. So, we want to take this opportunity to thank our loyal readers and our advertisers who make it possible for us to deliver our complimentary magazines to thousands of Cherokee County homes and businesses each month.
Though many print and electronic media outlets seem to bombard us with negative or unsettling information, Canton Family Life consistently strives to keep readers informed about the positive happenings in the area, so we can celebrate the things that bring us together rather than focusing on topics that are divisive and polarizing. We hope to be a breath of fresh air compared to other content you may consume.
Speaking of consistency, many of us have nonnegotiables in our daily lives. For example, some people wake up at the same time each morning to start their day with a workout, meditation, or prayer. Through trial and error, they’ve likely learned that their day doesn’t go as smoothly when they don’t make time for certain priorities.
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” -Will Durant.
So, as the new school year begins and families settle into their hectic routines filled with getting kids up and ready for the day, dropoffs/pickups, arriving to work on time, attending after-school sports and activities, assisting with homework, and all the other responsibilities that come with adjusting to this time of year, establishing a consistent schedule will likely be in everyone’s best interest. While there’s certainly a time and place for spontaneity, there’s comfort in routine and knowing exactly what to expect.
PUBLISHER
Family Life Magazines
Publisher@FamilyLifePublications.com
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Julie Senger
Julie@FamilyLifePublications.com
ART
Stephanie Bolton
Stephanie@FamilyLifePublications.com
Tiffany Corn
Tiffany@FamilyLifePublications.com
PHOTOGRAPHER
Jack Tuszynski
PhotoJack.Net@Gmail.com
SALES/MARKETING MANAGER
David Wright David@FamilyLifePublications.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
George Anderson, Joshua Fuder, Barbara P. Jacoby, Kay Kirkpatrick, Tim Morris, Jennifer Paire, Bryan Roach, Ellen Samsell Salas, Susan K. Treadaway
Family Life Magazines
6175 Hickory Flat Highway Suite 110-PMB 341 Canton, GA 30115 770-213-7095
Also available online at FamilyLifeMagazines.com
Happy August!
Julie Senger, Editor-in-Chief
Family Life Magazines publishes the only monthly magazines in Cherokee County that reach more than 30,000 readers in print and digital formats — each issue, every month, with more direct-mailed copies sent to Cherokee County homes than any other local magazine.
The viewpoints of the advertisers, columnists, and submissions are not necessarily those of the editor/ publisher, and the publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. The cover and its accompanying magazine content are a paid advertisement. Canton Family Life magazine is not responsible for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher.
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A Public “Thank You” to Public Works
By Bryan Roach
Canton’s First Fridays, Farmers Market, and many other summer community events are in full swing. As you drive through our wonderful city or visit our parks, be sure to pay attention to how well everything is maintained, which can be attributed to the City of Canton’s Public Works department.
The men and women of Public Works are often overlooked because they seemingly work behind the scenes, but they are an integral part of our city’s operations. Their duties include (but are not limited to) road and street maintenance, parks and recreation, public buildings and facilities, environmental services, and sanitation.
Regarding road and street maintenance, Public Works employees repair potholes, resurface roads, prepare for inclement weather, and maintain 17 miles of right-of-way every two weeks. They also maintain 4.7 miles of trails, 11 parks, and Canton’s public boat ramp. That’s 182 acres that are mowed and maintained every two weeks.
Additionally, the Public Works staff manages stormwater, waste disposal, and pollution control, which keeps environmental and sustainability practices
a top priority. Another responsibility is the collection site and brush/bulky item pick-up. Almost everyone in the city of Canton has taken advantage of brush pick-up. In April alone, 186 brush orders were recovered, 723 residents utilized the collection site, and 69 bulk items were picked up.
As I type this column, I definitely recognize that it’s much more pleasant to be in an air-conditioned office than it is to be working hard outside in the summer heat. So, if you attend any City of Canton-sponsored event, walk on the trails, or visit any local parks, you will see Public Works staff members in their “Team Canton” attire. Please take a moment to say “hello” and thank them for their dedication to our city.
Bryan Roach is the city councilman for Ward 2. 110 Academy Street, Canton. Bryan.roach@cantonga.gov. CantonGa.gov
Calendar
AUGUST
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Downtown Canton First Friday: The Troubadour Project (70s rock tribute) Bring the whole family for a fun night filled with live entertainment, extended hours for shopping, restaurants, a Kids Zone, food and beverage vendors, and a cruise-in. Please bring a chair. 6:00-9:45pm, Cannon Park, 130 East Main Street, Canton. Velinda. Hardy@cantonga.gov; ExploreCantonGa.com; CantonGa.gov
3
Bluey Back to School Bash — Kids can enjoy a fun-filled day with Bluey and Bingo, featuring a captivating story time, a lively bubble dance party, and a special screening of Bluey episodes on the big screen. Don't miss the chance to meet Bluey and Bingo! 9:00am-12:00pm, The Mill on Etowah, 225 Reformation Parkway, Canton. EtowahMill.com
August Is National Anti-Frizz, Catfish, Fishing, Inventors, Peach, Pirate, and Water Quality Month as well as Happiness and Romance Awareness Month.
6
Back-to-School Health Clinic
The required hearing, dental, vision and BMI/nutrition screenings will be available. Total cost for screenings is $60. Immunizations for school children will be provided for $21.90 each (for uninsured or underinsured). 1:006:00pm, Canton Health Department, 1219 Univeter Road, Canton and Woodstock Health Department, 7545 North Main Street, Woodstock. 770-345-7371 (Canton), 770-928-0133 (Woodstock). NGHD.org
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SchmoozaPalooza — This event brings businesses together in a fun and casual networking environment. Exhibitors will have tables set up to promote their businesses and make new contacts, while attendees enjoy previews of the exhibitors’ latest products and services, door prizes, food, and fun. FREE to attend! 4:00-7:00pm, Woodstock City Church, 150 Ridgewalk Parkway, Woodstock. 770-345-0400. CherokeeChamber.com
Canton Farmers Market — Saturdays through 8/31. 9:00am-12:30pm, Brown Park, 251 East Marietta Street, Canton. CantonGa.gov; Facebook.com/CantonGAFarmersMarket
Ball Ground Farmers Market — Saturdays through 8/31. 9:00am1:00pm, Ball Ground Community Center, 250 Civic Drive, Ball Ground. Facebook.com/BallGroundFarmersMarket
Waleska Farmers Market — Thursdays through 9/26. 9:00am-1:00pm, Waleska Farmers Market, 8891 Fincher Road, Waleska. 404-805-7468. Facebook.com/WaleskaFarmersMarket
From the Clay: The Story of Cherokee County's World-Renowned Pottery Industry — Through October. 10:00am-5:00pm WednesdaySaturday and 12:00-5:00pm Sunday, Cherokee County History Center, 221 East Marietta Street, Canton. 770-345-3288. HistoryCherokee.org
10 Fall Gardening for Kids
Children will learn how to plant cool-season crops to enjoy harvests in the late fall and winter months. The fee is $5 per person. 9:00am-12:00pm, Veterans Park, 7345 Cumming Highway, Canton. CherokeeMasterGardeners.com
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Tropical Night at the Oasis — For $5 per person, enjoy a sensory friendly night of swimming, games, pizza, and family fun at the outdoor Oasis Water Park. 4:307:00pm, Cherokee County Aquatic Center, 1200 Wellstar Way, Canton. 678-880-4760. PlayCherokee.org
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Lake Allatoona Poker Run
The Lake Allatoona Association hosts this annual fundraiser. Proceeds benefit Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to spouses and children of fallen and disabled military service personnel. Entry fee is $150. Please visit the website for times and locations. LakeAllatoonaAssoc.com
ONGOING
Community Yoga Classes — Mondays. 10:00-11:00am, The WREC, 7545 Main Street, Building 200, Woodstock. PlayCherokee.org
MilVet Meetup — First Monday of each month. 6:008:00pm, Reformation Brewery, 105 Elm Street, Woodstock. MilVetCommunity.com
Cherokee Veterans Community Monthly Meeting — First Thursday of each month. 6:30-8:00pm, First Baptist Church Woodstock (“A” Building/Chapel Building, Room A250), 11905 Highway 92, Woodstock. 678-570-5828. CherokeeVeteransCommunity.org
The G.O.D. Squad (Grandparents On Duty) — Second and fourth Thursdays of each month. 10:30am, Hickory Flat United Methodist Church, 4056 East Cherokee Drive, Canton. 770-345-5969.
14 Work Readiness
Wednesday
Presented by the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, this FREE program provides experts to help attendees create or update their resumes, prepare for job interviews, and teach job searching tips. 12:30-3:30pm, R.T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton and Woodstock Public Library, 7735 Main Street, Woodstock. 770-345-0400. CherokeeChamber.com
20 Hear, Here!
Cherokee Voices
Following their forced removal to Oklahoma, many Cherokee submitted claims detailing their losses including property, livestock, buildings, and more. Hear Dr. Andrew Jones talk about his work transcribing these claims and what it tells us about the removal from the perspective of the Cherokee. 7:00pm, Cherokee County History Center, 221 East Marietta Street, Canton. 770-345-3288. HistoryCherokee.org
17 Sink-A-Palooza — Bring four friends and enough supplies to fit into one plastic grocery bag to this cardboard boat build-and-race where the only goal is to get across the pool and not sink. Please visit the website for additional information. The event fee is $5 per person. 2:004:00pm, Cherokee County Aquatic Center, 1200 Wellstar Way, Canton. 678-880-4760. PlayCherokee.org
16 Stand Up For Seniors Volunteer Aging Council’s (VAC) Fundraising Luncheon — Support VAC programs and get a delicious lunch for $10. All proceeds support local seniors and senior veterans. 11:30am-1:00pm, Bellevue Village, 756 Neese Road, Woodstock. VAC-CherokeeGa.org
17
on challenges they are facing as new business owners. FREE! 9:00am networking and 9:15am program begins, Reformation Brewery, 225 Reformation Parkway, Suite 500, Canton. 770-345-0600. CherokeeGa.org
continued on page 8
Chick-fil-A Cherokee County 5K — This event is hosted by the six Chick-fil-A Cherokee County restaurants, benefiting the Cherokee County Educational Foundation and Cherokee County Special Olympics. Take part in the family-friendly 5K race, 1-mile calf run, or toddlers can enjoy the new Nugget Roll event. This race is an official Peachtree Road Race qualifier. 8:00am 5K, 9:00am 1-mile, and 9:20am Nugget Roll, Etowah River Park, 600 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton. CherokeeCounty5K.com
BINGO for Charity! — Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. 7:30pm Wednesdays/Fridays and 3:00pm Sundays, Canton Family Moose Center, 278 Moose Loop Road, Canton. 770-479-8300.
Car-B-Que at the Flat — Second Sunday of each month. 10:00am2:00pm, Old Country Place, 6764 Hickory Flat Highway, Canton. Facebook.com/CarBQueAtTheFlat
Minis at The Mill — Wednesdays. 10:00-11:00am, The Mill on Etowah, 225 Reformation Parkway, Canton. EtowahMill.com
Trivia Night — Thursdays. 7:00-9:00pm, The Mill on Etowah, 225 Reformation Parkway, Canton. 678-762-9950. EtowahMill.com
Friday Night Live Music at The Mill — Fridays. 6:00-8:00pm, The Mill on Etowah, 225 Reformation Parkway, Canton. EtowahMill.com
Serving Canton, Sixes/BridgeMill, Holly Springs, and Hickory Flat
Karaoke Night — First Friday of each month. 8:00-10:00pm, The Mill on Etowah/Reformation Brewery, 225 Reformation Parkway, Canton. 678-762-9950. EtowahMill.com
Music at Menagerie — Second Saturday of each month. FREE! 7:00-9:00pm, Menagerie on Main, 351 West Main Street, Canton. 404-798-4279. MenagerieOnMain.com
Adults With Aging Parents Seminar — Third Thursday of each month. FREE! 6:30pm, Covenant Presbyterian Church (Kapperman-Williams Hall), 2881 Canton Road, Marietta. CobbCherokee@acapcommunity. org, ACAPCommunity.org/events
LIBRARY EVENTS
BALL GROUND
435 Old Canton Road, Ball Ground 770-735-2025
R.T. JONES
116 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton 770-479-3090
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CANNON PARK POP-UP STORYTIME
August 6, 1:00pm, Cannon Park (130 East Main Street, Canton)
Storytime supports early literacy with books, songs, and fingerplays and is followed by a Pop-Up Library. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult.
ADULTS ONLY KNITTING CIRCLE
August 7, 2:00pm, Ball Ground
Whether you are an old pro or have never knitted before — all are welcome. Please bring your knitting needles.
FAMILY STORYTIME
August 8, 15, & 22, 11:00am, Ball Ground
This program supports early literacy with books, songs, and fingerplays and is followed by a craft activity. Craft materials are available while supplies last. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult.
BACK TO SCHOOL — DECORATE YOUR OWN PENCILS AND PENCIL POUCH
August 9, 4:00pm, R.T. Jones
Learn how to paint colorful marble designs on pencils and personalize pencil pouches to use at school (while supplies last). Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
ADULT ECLECTIC BOOK CLUB
August 12, 6:00pm, R.T. Jones
The Adult Eclectic Book Club will meet to discuss A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles.
HANDPRINT OCEAN ANIMALS
August 20, 11:00am and 5:00pm, Ball Ground
Paint unique handprint sea creatures! Materials provided while supplies last. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult.
TEEN ANIME CLUB
August 27, 6:00pm, Ball Ground
Teens are invited to enjoy anime, discussion, and snacks.
TEEN UKULELE TUTORIAL — TAYLOR SWIFT
August 28, 6:00pm, R.T. Jones
Learn some Taylor Swift songs on the ukulele. Beginners welcome! A limited number of ukuleles will be provided, so bring your own if you have one. Registration is required.
continued from page 7
3rd Annual Robidou Company CARES Scramble Golf Tournament — This prestigious event brings together golf enthusiasts, professionals, and amateurs for an unforgettable experience and a great cause. All proceeds benefit the Cherokee Family Violence Center. The fee is $125 per player. 9:00am scramble start, The Fairways of Canton, 400 Laurel Canyon Parkway, Canton. 404-376-5159. CFVC.org
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Classic Film Series: Alfred Hitchcock's To Catch a Thief On the fourth Friday of each month through October, enjoy all your favorite Alfred Hitchcock movies on the big screen for $5 per person. Tickets will be available two weeks before each show. 7:00pm, Canton Theatre, 171 East Main Street, Canton. 770-704-0755. CantonGa.gov
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The Great Southeast Pollinators Census Learn about the roles that beneficial insects play in our environment. 10:00am-12:00pm, Veteran’s Park, 7345 Cumming Highway, Canton. 770-430-7020. CherokeeMasterGardeners.com
27 Tuesdays in the Water Park — Enjoy a school night at the Oasis pool! The fee is $2 per person. 5:00-8:00pm, Cherokee County Aquatic Center, 1200 Wellstar Way, Canton. 678-880-4760. PlayCherokee.org
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What's Up Wednesday: What's Up With Simple Machines? This monthly program is designed for preschoolers and children between the ages of 3-7. Admission to the Cherokee County History Center is not included. The fee is $5 per child. 11:00am, Cherokee County History Center, 221 East Marietta Street, Canton. 770-345-3288. HistoryCherokee.org
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Oasis After Hours Party — Celebrate Labor Day weekend with swimming, waterslides, food, music, and glow sticks! The fee is $10 per person. 7:30-9:30pm, Cherokee County Aquatic Center. 1200 Wellstar Way, Canton. 678-880-4760. PlayCherokee.org
SEPTEMBER
6
Downtown Canton First Friday: Departure (Journey tribute band) — Bring the whole family for a fun night filled with live entertainment, extended hours for shopping, restaurants, a Kids Zone, food and beverage vendors, and a cruise-in. Please bring a chair. 6:00-9:00pm, Cannon Park, 130 East Main Street, Canton. Velinda.Hardy@cantonga.gov; ExploreCantonGa.com; CantonGa.gov
Cherokee County School District Announcements
Educators, Volunteers Earn Statewide Honors From PTA
The annual Georgia PTA awards program recognizes outstanding PTA volunteers and educators, with honors recently presented at the educational advocacy organization’s statewide convention.
CCSD Winners Include:
School nurse Betty Miller of Arnold Mill ES was honored as the Georgia PTA Outstanding Nurse Award winner.
Matthew May who was principal at Mill Creek MS last year and is now the principal at Creekland MS was honored as the Georgia PTA Middle School Principal of the Year.
Principal Mark Smith was honored as the Georgia PTA High School Principal of the Year. He leads ACTIVE Academies, which includes ACE Academy, Cherokee College & Career Academy, i-Grad Virtual Academy, and Transition Academy.
School PTA units were recognized with various awards, with two earning the state’s top honor, Outstanding Local Unit, which celebrates success in all areas.
Mill Creek MS was named the Georgia PTA Outstanding Local Unit Middle School. Congratulations to all members and the 2023-24 PTSA leadership team of Co-Presidents Will Egwu and Scott Steinbrenner; Vice Presidents Felicia Hayes, Gail Peel, and Samantha Bowman; Treasurer Lori Harrison, Recording Secretary Brittany Hamlin, Corresponding Secretary Michele Sanchez, and Parliamentarian Paige Todd.
ACTIVE Academies was named the Georgia PTA Outstanding Local Unit High School. Congratulations to all members and the 2023-24 PTSA leadership team of President Sara Samson; Vice Presidents Brenda Page, Christina Brown, and Mandi Fishback; Secretary Jory Cannon; and Treasurer Lynn Beilfuss.
Ten CCSD PTA units earned Georgia PTA Outstanding Local Unit Merit Awards: Arnold Mill ES, Ball Ground ES STEM Academy, Bascomb ES, Clark Creek ES STEM Academy, E.T. Booth MS, Johnston ES, Little River ES, River Ridge HS, R.M. Moore ES STEM Academy, and Teasley MS.
Three CCSD units earned state-level Hearst Family–School Partnership Awards for excellence in bringing the school and community together to support student success: Ball Ground ES STEM Academy, Liberty ES, and Teasley MS.
State-level membership and partnership awards also were presented: Oaktree (100% PTA membership among school staff); Community Partners (more than 30 community partners by the end of the first quarter); Visionary (more than 400 members by Aug. 31), Pace Setters (more than 300 members by Aug. 31) and Early Bird (more than 200 members by Sept. 30).
Oaktree winners are ACTIVE Academies, Clark Creek ES STEM Academy, Free Home ES, Little River ES, River Ridge HS, and Teasley MS.
Community Partner winners are Bascomb ES, Clark Creek ES STEM Academy, Little River ES, Mill Creek MS, and Teasley MS.
Visionary winners are Arnold Mill ES, Bascomb ES, Little River ES, Mill Creek MS, River Ridge HS, and Woodstock ES.
Pace Setters winners include Visionary winners and Clark Creek ES STEM Academy, Hasty ES Fine Arts Academy, and Johnston ES. Early Bird winners include Visionary and Pace Setters winners and Creekland MS, Indian Knoll ES, and Knox ES STEM Academy.
Betty Miller
Matthew May
Mark Smith
CCSD PTA leaders who attended the convention hold their awards.
Teachers Earn National Recognition Including Top Award
Cherokee HS Air Force JROTC instructors Senior Master Sgt. (Ret.) Jeffrey Bise and Technical Sgt. (Ret.) Jody Van Ostrand and Etowah HS AFJROTC instructors Lt. Col. (Ret.) Stephen Bergey and Technical Sgt. (Ret.) Ciarra Malto all have achieved 2024 Outstanding Instructor Awards from the U.S. Air Force, an honor earned by only 258 of the more than 1,900 Air Force and Space Force JROTC instructors worldwide.
“We know that instructors go above and beyond each day. The ones we recognize with this award represent the ‘Best of the Best,’” U.S. Air Force Director Col. Johnny R. McGonigal said. “Through this award, we honor their exemplary contributions and impact on their cadets, school, and community. I extend my deepest appreciation to all winners for their dedication, hard work, and investment they have put into our AF/SF JROTC program and into our cadets. They represent the highest example of our core values, which are crucial to the success of our mission.”
Lt. Col. Bergey advanced in the awards program to be named the regional winner, and now has been named one of only two 2024 Overall Outstanding Instructors of the Year, the highest honor for AF/SF JROTC teachers worldwide. This is the second time he has earned this top honor, as he also achieved the prestigious recognition in 2022.
These educators’ individual recognitions follow the recent announcement that their programs earned top awards from the U.S. Air Force.
Cherokee HS’s program earned the 2024 Distinguished Unit Award With Merit, one of only 147 AFJROTC programs worldwide to achieve this honor; Etowah’s program earned the Distinguished Unit Award, one of only 244 to achieve this honor. The Cherokee HS program additionally earned the Silver Star Community Service With Excellence Award, the highest unit award achievable and awarded to only 45 programs, the top 5%, worldwide.
Three CCSD Schools Earn National Awards for Character Education
Indian Knoll ES, Liberty ES, and Sixes ES have been honored with Promising Practices Awards by Character.org, a national nonprofit organization that promotes developing positive character among students. They are among only 155 schools honored nationwide and three of only five in Georgia.
Sixes ES earned two awards: one for its “Five Flights, One Mission: Reach for the STARS!” initiative, and the other for “A Community Circle of Stars.”
The “Five Flights One Mission: Reach for the Stars” initiative incorporates the school’s four STAR Matrix core values — Safety, Teamwork, Attitude, and Respect — into school operations and activities encouraging positive character. Examples of the ways student positive behavior in these four areas is recognized include “Positive Office Referrals” for students and monthly “Red Wagon” shoutouts.
“A Community Circle of Stars” encompasses Sixes Elementary’s use of “restorative circle” classroom meetings to create community and promote the STAR Matrix core values.
This practice encourages student active listening, empathy, and understanding, allowing students to articulate their feelings, resolve conflict, and build positive relationships.
Indian Knoll ES earned the honor for its “Caring Collaboration Within the Community” service-learning project. Led by the school’s instructional lead strategist, Lauren Abrams, the Positive Behavior and Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program project focused on supporting local senior citizens. Students are assigned to one of six “Birdhouse” groups for the PBIS program. For this project, each Birdhouse sponsored a holiday and provided special treats for the seniors for that holiday.
Liberty ES achieved the award for its “Liberty Elementary Thanksgiving Basket” service-learning project. Parent Kristie Duncan in partnership with Liberty’s Student Leadership team, which is led by teacher Stacy Campbell, put together this project to provide Thanksgiving meals to Liberty students in need and their families. The initiative has since grown into a collective service project between Liberty ES, Freedom MS, and Cherokee HS that has extended beyond the school communities to engage local businesses and individual community donors.
Senior Master Sgt. (Ret.)
Jeffrey Bise
Technical Sgt. (Ret.)
Jody Van Ostrand
Technical Sgt. (Ret.)
Ciarra Malto
Lt. Col. (Ret.)
Stephen Bergey
Sixes ES
Indian Knoll ES
Liberty ES
Stay Cool in Canton Summer Isn’t Over Yet
Mayor Bill Grant would like to remind you that when things get too hot, there’s no better way to cool off than by enjoying recreational activities on the Etowah River and at Lake Canton around the reservoir.
All Cherokee County cities have wonderful amenities and activities to experience, but Canton is blessed to have these two water features that provide ample opportunities to raft, kayak, canoe, fish, and hike. Many locals have accessed the Etowah River for years, and they know how special it is to experience the view from the water.
Second LaunchPad Bootcamp Series graduates (L-R): Tony Whitfield, Jill Whitfield, Colin Ake, Kathryn Cruz, Graham Gintz, Hayden Holcomb, Keren Herrera, Edgar Herrera, Nichole Landfair, Whitney Cain, Stephanie Villasenor, Cindy Thomas, Dusty Beaulieu, Mindy Johnson, Jamie Foreman, Gerald Griffith, Lee Meyer, Lee Freeman-Smith, Matt Thomas, and Gary Simmons
The City of Canton and the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority partnered to meet the long-term water supply needs of Canton and the region by constructing the Hickory Log Creek Dam and Reservoir, now known as Lake Canton. This pristine lake is open year-round to the public and can be accessed from the parking area and boat launch at Fate Conn Road and Bluffs Parkway.
Canton residents can explore the lake with canoes, kayaks, and electric-powered boats. In addition, the City has designed walking trails and other recreational features around the entire perimeter of the reservoir, and the engineering plans are underway. By purchasing the remaining 300+ acres at The Bluffs, the City’s goal is to protect this beautiful area and sustain Canton’s natural resources for years to come. For more details about accessing Lake Canton, visit CantonGa.gov/ government/departments/reservoir.
So, enjoy the rest of your summer and visit ExploreCantonGa.com to read about all the events, activities, and opportunities to chill out in the #CoolestSmallTownInAmerica.
Cherokee County Tag Renewal — You Have Options!
COED Celebrates Second LaunchPad Bootcamp Graduates
The Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED) awarded over $69,000 in grants to the 14 graduates from the second LaunchPad Bootcamp Series class.
The free four-week series is a partnership between COED and Kennesaw State University’s HatchBridge Incubator. It is designed to guide Cherokee’s emerging entrepreneurs to research, refine, and prepare their ventures for launch and help them grow in the community. Graduates leave the series with an idea deck, business model canvas, and go-to market plan.
Also, each participant can earn up to $5,000 to advance their venture, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) through the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners. All 14 graduates were eligible to apply and were awarded the mini-grant.
This program is offered as part of COED’s Fresh Start Cherokee initiative, which aims to create a culture of entrepreneurship in Cherokee County. Visit FreshStartCherokee.com to learn more and view more programs.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
CHEROKEE
8/16 vs. River Ridge
8/23 @ Sequoyah
8/30 vs. Pope
9/6 @ Lambert
9/20 @ North Paulding
9/27 vs. Etowah
10/4 @ Wheeler
10/11 vs. Walton
10/18 vs. North Cobb
10/25 @ Marietta
CREEKVIEW
8/16 vs. Calhoun
8/23 vs. North Forsyth
8/30 @ Cambridge
9/6 vs. Lassiter
9/13 @ Riverwood
9/27 vs. Woodstock
10/4 @ Sprayberry
10/11 @ Pope
10/25 vs. River Ridge
11/1 @Sequoyah
ETOWAH
8/16 @ Woodstock
8/23 vs. Sprayberry
8/30 @ Campbell
9/6 vs. Chapel Hill
9/13 vs. Marietta
9/27 @ Cherokee
10/4 vs. North Paulding
10/11 @ Wheeler
10/18 @ Walton
10/25 vs. North Cobb
RIVER RIDGE
8/16 @ Cherokee
8/23 vs. Denmark
8/30 vs. Allatoona
9/6 vs. Woodstock
9/13 vs. Pope
9/27 @ Sequoyah
10/4 vs. Riverwood 10/11 @ Sprayberry
10/25 @ Creekview
11/1 vs. Lassiter
SEQUOYAH
8/16 @ Denmark
8/23 vs. Cherokee
8/30 @ Kell
9/6 vs. Riverwood
9/13 @ Sprayberry
9/27 vs. River Ridge
10/4 @ Lassiter
10/11 vs. Woodstock
10/25 @ Pope
11/1 vs. Creekview
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
CHEROKEE CHRISTIAN
8/16 vs. Georgia Force Christian Athletics
8/23 @ Christian Heritage
8/30 @ Armuchee
9/13 @ Mount Paran Christian
9/27 vs. Creekside Christian
10/4 vs. Dominion Christian
10/18 @ Lanier Christian
10/25 @ Central Fellowship Christian 11/1 vs. Skipstone
games held at Cherokee Veterans
games held at Kell
WOODSTOCK
8/16 vs. Etowah
8/23 @ Woodland
8/30 vs. North Springs
9/6 @ River Ridge
9/13 vs. Lassiter
9/27 @ Creekview
10/4 vs. Pope 10/11 @ Sequoyah
10/25 vs. Riverwood 11/1 @ Sprayberry
*at River Ridge
THE KING’S ACADEMY
8/16 vs. Kings Ridge Christian
8/23 @ St. Francis
8/30 @ Creekside Christian
9/6 @ George Walton
9/13 vs. Bethlehem Christian
9/20 vs. Piedmont*
10/4 @ Athens Christian
10/11 vs. Lakeview
10/18 @ Loganville Christian
10/25 vs. Riverside Preparatory
By Jennifer Paire
STUNNING STYLE:
JYL CRAVEN HAIR DESIGN AWARD-WINNING CUTS, COLOR, AND
Jyl Craven Hair Design is a mainstay for women throughout the southeast who flock to the urban yet cozy salon for transformative hair services including precision cuts, natural-looking color, and more volume.
“We have guests who have been with us 20-plus years as well as new clients, and they come from four and five hours away to the salon for a variety of haircare services including finding a solution for hair loss,” says owner Jyl Craven. “We cut and color all day long from edgy, trendy haircuts to more classic and traditional styles. We are really versatile with a wide range of options in terms of experience level and price points.”
The full-service salon’s experienced and highly trained stylists specialize in gray hair coverage, balayage, hair extensions, and hair loss.
“Our ideal guests want a natural-looking color that works for them and a cut that accentuates their own unique features,” says Jyl, whose salon will celebrate 25 years in November. “We work as a team, and one of our favorite questions we often ask is, ‘If you could do anything with your hair, what would you do?’ It’s about making people look and feel their best.”
A FULLER HEAD OF HAIR
Jyl Craven Hair Design’s Bellami Hair Extension services are considered the best in north Georgia and the most popular option for transforming someone’s appearance in one application.
“Our guests choose hair extensions for many different reasons,” Jyl explains. “Let’s say someone already has long hair, but it’s really fine in texture, and they want it to be thicker. With a single-strand technique of applying hair, a stylist can blend in new hair in a way that’s natural looking and gives the additional volume and density someone so often desires.”
Beginning in the 1980s, hair extensions were used by the “very rich and mega-famous” according to HairExtensionMagazine.com. No longer out of reach due to cost, extensions instantly give any woman the opportunity to look and feel her best at an affordable price.
Hair extensions are ideal for…
• Any color of hair – Bellami has 42 different shades
• Minor “fill-ins” that frame the face
• Dramatic changes that create new confidence
• Instant length, volume, and density
With several application techniques, the salon’s certified stylists identify the best method for addressing each person’s thinning hair challenges.
Bellami Hair Extensions are created using double-drawn, 100% Remy human hair — the best quality human hair available — which is one of the reasons it is the most recognized hair extension brand in the world. To learn more, visit JylCraven.com/ hair-extensions-canton-ga.
BEATING HAIR LOSS BEAUTIFULLY
For more than a decade, Jyl Craven Hair Design has offered the Evolve Volumizer hair system, which is a semipermanent, life-changing option for women struggling with hair loss. While extensions are great for longer hair or hair that is too fine, Evolve addresses significant hair loss, as much as 50% on top of the head, where extensions would not work.
“Evolve is a system for women only that provides instant, beautiful, natural-looking hair that is integrated into your own hair and can be worn day and night for four to five weeks before returning to the salon for maintenance,” Jyl explains. “The system lays flat on the scalp and is invisible to the eye. Once the hair system is applied, it looks like a full head of hair and can be blow-dried, styled, and curled just like your own head of hair.”
Kathy, a Jyl Craven client since 2010 who had struggled to find the right solution for her hair loss, has been very satisfied with the system.
“I’ve had more compliments with the Evolve system than I’ve ever had,” says Kathy. “I forget that it’s on, and it’s easy to blow dry. I wear a ponytail — it’s easy to style.”
With hair loss, there are pills, surgeries, wigs, and various options. Hair transplants can be painful and expensive. Wigs can be hot. Evolve is a nondamaging, noninvasive solution that can give a woman the confidence she deserves.
A TRADITION OF TEACHING
Jyl Craven Hair Design has been training stylists for a decade. The increasingly popular Apprenticeship Program continues to attract attention as an alternative to cosmetology school, allowing participants to work and learn in a state-of-the-art facility while making money. Working under a trained stylist, the two-anda-half-year program provides hands-on experience, accredited hours, and culminates with the state’s Board of Cosmetology Exam.
For more information, visit JylCraven.com/hair-apprenticeships.
For inspiration and to learn more about the team, find the salon on Instagram @jylcravenhair.
“It Takes One To Know One”
By Pastor George Anderson
[InGoodFaith] We don’t like to hear about judgment. Daniel Webster said, “The greatest thought to ever occupy my mind was the thought of my own personal accountability to God.” Have you ever contemplated God’s judgment and how it will go for you?
The Bible talks about three judgments. There will be a “Judgment of Nations” (Matthew 25). Nations will be judged according to their treatment of the Jews.
The second judgment is called “The Great White Throne” (Revelation 20). This is when God will separate the sheep from the goats, the wheat from the tares, the saints from the “ain’ts,” and the lost from the saved. The lost will be thrown into the Lake of Fire.
The third judgment is called “The Bema Seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5). The works of Christians will be tested and rewarded according to their motivation and effect.
In Romans 2, the apostle Paul writes, “Therefore, any one of you who judges is without excuse. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things.”
As a child, do you remember when someone called you a disparaging name, you’d respond, “You ought to know because it takes one to know one!”
That is precisely the point the apostle makes here. “When you judge someone else,” he says, “you declare yourself guilty of the same thing.”
It really does “take one to know one.”
What if you said, “I wouldn’t go to that church because it’s full of hypocrites!” Well, you might want to check it out because, if Paul is right, you’d fit right in.
Suppose someone says, “That person is a racist!” What would the apostle say? “When you judge another, you condemn yourself of the same sin.”
“They’re so closed-minded!” Again, what makes you the expert on that?
If what Paul said is true, maybe we should be a little slower to hurl epithets — especially since we’ll hear them again one day in God’s courtroom. There, we will be “without excuse.” L
Dr. George Anderson is pastor of Rising Hills Church, 3693 Hickory Flat Highway, Canton. GoRHC.org
Organized Retail Crime What You Should Know
By District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway
Walkinto any retail establishment and you’ll notice dramatic changes in how goods are sold, for example:
• Upgraded security systems with AI technology
• Stricter return policies
• Items locked away in cabinets requiring store associate assistance for purchase
The impact of organized retail crime is all around us.
as disposable razors, over-the-counter medications, diapers, and laundry detergent.
Historically, retailers have factored in loss due to damage and theft (called “shrinkage”) as a routine cost of doing business. But over the last decade, retail shrinkage has evolved into much more, with a reported loss of over $100 billion annually. The rise in organized retail crime (ORC) is to blame.
ORC enterprises have a common mission: theft of high-demand merchandise for the purpose of resale. While luxury brands may be the first to come to mind when we hear the term “retail theft,” goods targeted are typically everyday household items such
Thieves (called “boosters”) enter stores to steal large quantities of specific items. The boosters then transport stolen goods to a prearranged location, sometimes multiple states away, where the merchandise is sold to a “fence,” who prepares the merchandise for resale by repackaging or altering its branding. The fence offers the product through an online marketplace or other secondary market such as a flea market or wholesale outlet. Consumers then purchase the merchandise at a substantial discount without questioning why it is priced so low or where the products originated.
This practice can be especially dangerous when considering that food products have strict guidelines established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ensure that the product remains safe for consumption. For example, extreme temperatures can degrade nutrients in infant formula, which should be stored at 55-75 degrees Fahrenheit. While retailers adhere to FDA guidelines to ensure the safety of their customers, ORC enterprises are only concerned with profiting through theft.
Even more alarming is that ORC incidents may threaten the safety of employees and customers. According to the National Retail Federation, violent ORC incidents continue to rise and for this reason, an increasing
number of retailers do not allow store associates to intervene. In fact, The D&D Daily’s 2023 Retail Violent Fatalities Report states that 82 associates nationwide were killed last year during robberies, burglaries, or thefts in their stores.
Countless other assaults also occur, ranging from employees and customers being pushed and verbally threatened to being terrorized with weapons such as knives and guns.
As a result, some customers avoid brick-andmortar stores and instead purchase items online, not realizing that those items may have been stolen from the very stores where they used to shop.
The next time you come across a deal that seems too good to be true, consider that this just may be the case. Ask questions about the seller. Verify the product has been stored safely. Trust your instincts.
The Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office is proud to work with retailers and law enforcement to prosecute organized retail crime to the full extent of the law.
Susan K. Treadaway is the district attorney for the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit, Cherokee County, Georgia. 770-479-1488. CherokeeGa.com/ District-Attorneys-Office
Sources: Cavale, Siddharth. Reuters. “Organized Retail Crime: a multi-billion dollar problem.” June 29, 2023. Reuters.com. D&D Daily. 2023 Organized Retail Crime Report. D-DDaily.com. D&D Daily. 2023 Retail Violent Fatalities Report. D-DDaily.com. National Retail Federation. 2023 Retail Security Survey. September 26, 2023. NRT.com. National Retail Federation. Organized Retail Crime: An Assessment of a Persistent and Growing Threat. Nov. 29, 2023. NRF.com. Tobin, Ben. Business Insider. “Why Shoplifting Gangs Prefer Cheap Goods at Stores like Walmart and CVS Instead of Luxury Merchandise.” April 14, 2023. BusinessInsider.com
Can We Depend On You?
By Tim Morris
[Lifestyle] When I became the director of Cherokee Senior Services nine years ago, I was told about one of our seniors who used the same pack of Depends (incontinence undergarments) for as long as she could by cleaning them daily. If you know anything about Depends, you know that they are supposed to be disposed of after one use, but this senior could not afford to keep buying them.
The Senior Services staff knew this was not a healthy option, so they began collecting donations of all sizes of Depends from the community, which were then distributed to clients who could not afford them each week. These donations have helped many seniors in our community.
Over the years, Senior Services has had many reliable donors of incontinence products. For example, we have a married couple that makes monthly donations, and even though they moved to California, they still ship donations to us from Walmart. Each year, we also have a wonderful church group that raises money to buy Depends and bed pads for seniors in need. Additionally, the Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program donates incontinence products, toilet paper, wipes, and bed pads to us whenever they receive large shipments.
About five years ago, Senior Services received a grant to construct a new storage building for all the incontinence products we receive. The building also contains a library for homebound clients so staff members can deliver books to them as well as other donated items our seniors may need.
In addition to incontinence products and books, Senior Services accepts donations of gently used wheelchairs, shower chairs, and walkers with wheels and seats, as long as they are in good condition. If you have items to donate, please call Cherokee Senior Services at 770-345-2675. L
Tim Morris is
World Class Athletes Head to Summer Paralympics Paris
By Ellen Samsell Salas
When he proposed that sports could aid the recovery of disabled World War II veterans, Sir Ludwig Guttman could not have foreseen that his vision would become an international venue for thousands of athletes. Starting with wheelchair competitions between disabled veterans and holding them at the same time as the 1948 London Olympics, Guttman created the Stoke Mandeville Games. In 1952, disabled athletes from the Netherlands joined the competitions. By 1960, the Stoke Mandeville Games became the first Paralympic Games. Held in Rome, Italy, they included over 400 athletes from 23 countries.
What’s in a Name?
From the Greek root “para” meaning “beside,” the Paralympics are the events running next to, or after, the Olympics.
What’s in a Symbol?
The Paralympic Agitos Logo
The “agitos,” Latin for “I move,” symbolize the athletic spirit in motion.
The Heart of Champions
The core values of the Paralympics are courage, determination, inspiration, and equality.
Who Can Compete?
Paralympians compete in six disability groups: amputee, cerebral palsy, visual impairment, spinal cord injuries, intellectual disability, and “les autres” for those athletes who do not fit into one of the other five categories.
Understanding the Letters and Numbers
To ensure fairness, athletes are classified by Sport Class and Sport Class Status, and they can only compete in the classifications for which they have been deemed eligible.
The Sport Class is designated by a letter, for example, “T” is used to denote track athletes. The Sport Class Status is designated by the number that follows the letter, and it refers to the type of impairment that impacts the athlete’s performance. For example, a track athlete whose performance is impacted by short stature is designated as T40-41. A track athlete whose performance is impacted by a lower limb deficiency is classified as T42-44. The lower the number, the more significant the impairment.
Setting the Standard How Athletes Qualify for the Games
• Placement at World Championships or Regional Games
• Rank in World, Regional, or Paralympic Rankings
• Meeting Minimal Qualification Standards Set by the International Paralympic Committee
• Invitation
Fan Favorites
1. Wheelchair Basketball
The International Wheelchair Basketball Foundation estimates that approximately 100,000 people are now playing the sport.
2. Para Athletics
3. Para Swimming
Wheelchair tennis, sitting volleyball, para table tennis, and para cycling are also fan favorites.
Wheelchair Fencing
Wheelchair Tennis
Para Swimming
Para Cycling
Scan to see the Paralympic Games logo.
Bringing Home the Gold
With a total of 385 gold medals since 1960, the USA has won more than any other country. Though the USA has won more medals than any other nation at nine games, for the past five games, China has won the most medals.
USA Athletes Favored To Win Gold
Having won gold in 2016 and 2020, the USA Men’s Wheelchair Basketball team is this year’s favorite.
Since the 1988 Paralympics, USA Women’s Wheelchair Basketball has won four of the nine golds and medaled at three other Paralympic Games, so look for them to be a major contender for the gold in Paris.
Poised for their seventh medal performance in a row, the USA Wheelchair Rugby team won silver in 2020 but hopes to garner gold this year.
Athletes Are the Heart of the Games
Most Medals Overall
Legally blind from birth, American swimmer Trischa Zorn-Hudson competed in seven Paralympic Games, from 1980 to 2004, winning 55 medals.
Most Gold Medals
Of Trischa Zorn-Hudson’s 55 total medals, 41 of them are gold, which makes her the record holder in this category, as well.
Most Medals at One Paralympic Games
At the Rome Games in 1960, Italian Maria Scutti won 11 medals — two of which were gold. Scutti’s para table tennis total remains the record.
A Close Second
American wheelchair racer Bart Dobson came close to Scutti’s record when he brought home eight golds at the 1988 Seoul Games.
Georgia Greats Past and Present
Hailing from Athens, Jarryd Wallace was set to compete on UGA’s track team when he was diagnosed with a condition that required the amputation of the lower part of his right leg. Undeterred, Wallace almost immediately began training for para track competitions. The 2019 UGA graduate competed in three Paralympic Games: London (2012), Rio (2016), and Tokyo (2020). He won a bronze medal in the 200m at the Tokyo Games. A fierce competitor, Wallace also earned three World Championship golds, set four World Records, and was named the 2013 Male Para Athlete of the Year by USA Track and Field.
Swimmer McKenzie Coan, born in Clarksville, has competed in three Paralympic Games, starting with the 2012 London Games. Her medal count stands at six — four of those gold. Trying to make a comeback from infections that saw her pull out of the 2023 Para World Championships, Coan qualified for Team USA for the Paris Games.
Three-time Paralympian from Peachtree City, goalball player Amanda Dennis lead her 2020 silver medal team with 13 goals in seven matches. She also brought home a bronze in 2016. Legally blind, Dennis credits her good spatial awareness with her success in goalball. Watch for her quickness, as Team USA heads into the competition.
2024 at a Glance
Who: Over 4,000 athletes
What: 22 sports, 164 medal events
When: August 28-September 8
Where: Paris, France
22 Sports and Counting
1. Blind Football
2. Boccia
3. Equestrian
4. Goalball
5. Para Archery
6. Para Athletics
7. Para Badminton
8. Para Canoe
9. Para Cycling
10. Para Judo
11. Para Powerlifting
12. Para Rowing
13. Para Swimming
14. Para Table Tennis
15. Para Taekwondo
16. Para Triathlon
17. Shooting Para Sport
18. Sitting Volleyball
19. Wheelchair Basketball
20. Wheelchair Fencing
21. Wheelchair Rugby
22. Wheelchair Tennis
Sources: https://bbc.com>sports>articles; https://georgiadogs.com>new>womens-tenniswallace; https://www.ittf.com/2024/04/01; www.nestle-cereals.com/uk/paralympicsgb/ amazing-paralympic-facts; https://www. paralympic.org; www.physio-pedia.com; https:// pressroom.toyota.com/athlete/jarryd-wallace/; https://sportsfoundation.org/paralympic-sportslist/; https://www.stokemandevillestadium.co.uk/ history; https://usopm.org; https://www.wdtn. com/sports/olympics/2024-olympics/paralympicgold-medalist-mckenzie-coan-uses-positivity-toinspire-others
Para Athletics
Blind Football
Para Powerlifting
Wheelchair Basketball
MORE MONEY
Back in Your Pocket
By State Senator Kay Kirkpatrick, MD
This year, the Georgia State Senate focused on cutting taxes and delivering relief for hardworking Georgians. Locally, for example, I am proud to announce that my proposal to expand the property tax exemption for Cherokee County seniors passed with 91% of the vote in the May election. This legislation will provide much-needed relief for our seniors struggling with rising property tax rates.
I also know that everyone, not just seniors, is impacted by skyrocketing property taxes. That’s why I fought to ensure the Save Our Homes Act will be on the ballot in November. If passed, it will prevent the assessed tax value on homes from increasing by more than 3% annually. Georgians have seen a 40-47% increase in assessed home values, and this bill will prevent that from happening again.
The Georgia State Senate also passed legislation to accelerate the state income tax rate reduction. This change will save Georgians roughly $1.1 billion over the next year alone. I am committed to working with my Senate colleagues to ensure we continue putting more of your hard-earned dollars back in your pocket. This is a step in the right direction for all Georgians.
During the interim, the Senate remains hard at work with several study committees that meet throughout the year to learn more about important issues facing our communities.
Study committees include:
Senate Study Committee on Improving Family Caregiver Services
Senate Study Committee on Preservation of Georgia’s Farmlands
Senate Study Committee on Access to Affordable Childcare
Senate Study Committee on Artificial Intelligence
Senate Study Committee on Veterans’ Mental Health and Housing
Senate Supporting Safety and Welfare of All Individuals in Department of Corrections Facilities Study Committee
Senate Advancing Forest Innovation in Georgia Study Committee
Additionally, the Senate Special Committee on Investigations will continue its important work of looking into the conduct of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.
I am proud to serve Cherokee County and look forward to continuing my work on your behalf. Please contact me with any questions or if I can be of service to you and your family.
Kay Kirkpatrick, MD, represents District 32, which includes Canton and Woodstock. 404-656-3932. SenatorKayKirkpatrick.com
Make Room for Muscadines
By Joshua Fuder
[Home Life] “Local” and “native” are terms we often see regarding plants and produce. One fruit that checks both of these boxes is the muscadine grape. Muscadines are as southern as sweet tea or collard greens. Because muscadines are native to the Southeast, they are resistant to many pests and diseases afflicting bunch-style grapes, making them a relatively easy fruit for the home gardener to cultivate. Like kudzu, once established, muscadines are vigorous growers.
Muscadines will perform best in a spot that receives at least six hours of sunlight. Because of their vigorous growth and long life, a well-built trellis or structure for them to “run” on is critical, as many old homestead vines have outlasted their support systems. Six-inch, pressure-treated end posts anchored 3 feet in the ground with 5 feet above are recommended. A single No. 9 wire to support the vines is easy to install and maintain.
Healthy plants should be planted in late winter to early spring and spaced at 20 feet to allow for growth. Plants have either perfect flowers (self-fertile)
or imperfect flowers (female), so be sure to choose a self-fertile variety if you are only planting one vine. For more information on how to grow muscadines in the home garden, see UGA Extension Circular 949
If you cannot grow muscadines or are waiting twoto-three years before your first harvest, August is when you can start finding them in local markets. If you haven’t grown used to eating muscadines, give them a try and forgive the thick skins and seeds. Their beautiful aroma and sweet juices more than make up for those qualities. To look like a native muscadine eater, remember the proper way to eat the fruit is to place it close to your lips with the stem end facing your mouth, then squeeze it until the skin explodes, unleashing the sweet flesh.
Joshua Fuder is an agriculture and natural resources agent at the UGA Cooperative Extension Cherokee County. 770-721-7830.
CAES.UGA.edu/extension/cherokee
Stephanie Hopersberger
Stephanie Hopersberger’s classroom is electric.
Known as “Ms. Hops,” the 13-year teacher chose her career path due to her love of learning and now sparks the same joy in her Liberty ES students.
“I genuinely want to help kids grow academically and emotionally. Seeing how education can truly impact young minds inspired me to pursue teaching,” she said. “I find joy in guiding students through their learning journeys, sparking their curiosity, and supporting them along the way. My passion lies in seeing children succeed and thrive, and that’s what drives me to continue choosing teaching as a career.”
The fifth-grade math, science, and social studies teacher starts her school year by working to build trust with her students.
“I make sure they know they’re valued and create a space where everyone feels included and supported. We also have some fun – adding humor and music to lessons lightens the mood and makes learning more enjoyable,” she said. “It is also very important that I make sure our lessons have meaning and relevance, so they understand the ‘why’ behind what they are learning. This mix of connection, fun, and purpose helps them really dive into learning with enthusiasm and curiosity.”
One of her many innovative approaches was her decision last school year to eliminate homeroom morning work. Instead, students were encouraged to socialize and ease into the day with activities like games or drawing.
“This shift prioritized student well-being and fostered a positive classroom environment,
What can parents do to help their child be as successful as possible at school?
promoting relaxation and social interaction,” she said. “It allowed students to start their day with a sense of autonomy and enjoyment, contributing to their overall academic achievement and emotional development.”
Hopersberger is also known for her dedication to leading and organizing service-learning projects. Liberty is a multi-year National School of Character, a recognition earned through its commitment to strengthening student character through service.
“These projects show students the impact they can have on their community and the world,” she said. “I strive to instill a sense of responsibility and empathy in students while fostering their leadership skills. Additionally, by volunteering at and participating in community events, I aim to contribute positively beyond the school environment.”
“Parents are the MVPs in their kid’s academic game, providing the pep talks and fist bumps to keep them going strong,” she said. “Whether it’s scoring a major win or just making a small improvement, cheering on every achievement boosts their confidence and fuels their drive. And when the going gets tough, having mom or dad as their personal coach can turn things around. Like coaches, parents help their kids tackle challenges head-on, turning setbacks into opportunities for growth. By instilling a winning attitude and teaching resilience, parents equip their kids with the skills they need to dominate both in and out of the classroom. And when everyone — parents, teachers, and students — works together like a well-oiled machine, it’s game on for their child’s success.”
Artist Profile
BY ELLEN SAMSELL SALAS
Ashley Bruce
Creating a Beautiful Confluence of Art and Science
Ashley Bruce has always been drawn to both science and art. Science led her to become a kinesiology instructor at the University of North Georgia. But it was only after taking an oil painting class four years ago that she also fully embraced art.
Bruce said that one class “hooked” her. “After that, I just kept trying to learn. I’ve never stopped since I took that class.”
Juggling a busy teaching schedule as well as studies toward a doctorate, Bruce carves out time to paint.
“It’s an outlet, something I look forward to on weekends, sometimes at night,” she said. “When I start, it becomes my world at that moment, and I don’t think about anything else.”
For inspiration, Bruce hikes in Georgia’s mountains and takes a camera with her, so she can add to her library of images. When she begins to sketch, she will refer to her shots of landscapes and animals. Currently inspired by an aunt’s bird paintings, she is focusing on portraits of birds.
Bruce’s paintings include large canvasses as well as tiny ones. Her preferred surface is birch and other woods because their rough surfaces allow an impressionistic quality. Her preferred shape for portraits is square or round. When she begins a piece, she sketches freehand, letting her photographs and her mind’s eye dictate proportions and ensure accuracy.
“I do a lot of erasing,” she said.
Her next step is to apply a wash to the entire surface, so the oils don’t seep into the wood and later cause discoloration.
Using “a lot of brushes,” angled as well as round, she attempts to convey her interpretation of the animal’s personality. Sometimes she wants the viewer to react a certain way, but her primary goal is to communicate her understanding of the animals.
Recently, Bruce has painted miniature objects and now collaborates with another local artist, Kailee Feier Bracken, to create jewelry. Bracken creates the small “canvasses” from polymer clay and then turns them over to Bruce who might paint a landscape, flowers, animals — even fairy doors or other fantasy objects. Still using oils, but working with size 0 brushes, she recreates intricate details. Bracken then fires the pieces and turns them into jewelry.
“It’s like Christmas morning when I see how Bailee finishes them,” Bruce said.
Thankful for the local arts community that has welcomed her, Bruce knows she has found another passion.
When painting her bird portraits, Bruce prefers profile views because they allow her to hone in on the details of the animal’s eye to reveal its personality.
“Every time I do a painting, I get better. It’s neat to see that growth,” she said. “I will never stop painting. I’ll always find time for it.
Photo courtesy of Abigail Peyton
Photo courtesy of Kailee Feirer Bracken
RibbonGroundCuttingsBreakings
Cherokee Association of REALTORS
130 East Main Street, Suite 300 Offices 309 & 310, Canton 770-591-0004
Nonprofit Organization
City of Holly Springs
Holly Springs Depot 164 Hickory Road, Holly Springs Government – City
Charlie Ferguson Community Center — New Food Pantry 1398 Reinhardt College Parkway, Canton 470-863-5272
Food Pantry
1353 Riverstone Parkway, Suite 105, Canton 678-509-5761
Facial Aesthetics Clinic
UPCOMING EVENTS
Meet & Eat
August 7, 11:30am
Chick-fil-A of Towne Lake 3070 Eagle Drive, Woodstock
SchmoozaPalooza
August 8, 4:00pm Woodstock City Church 150 Ridgewalk Parkway, Woodstock
Chamber Classic Golf Tournament
August 21, 7:45am
BridgeMill Athletic Club 1190 Bridge Mill Avenue, Canton
Power Hour
August 21, 10:00am Chamber Board Room 3605 Marietta Highway, Canton
Good Morning Cherokee Breakfast September 5, 6:30am
Cherokee County Conference Center 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton
