Canton Family Life 9-23

Season of Self-Discovery

say do you remember, ba-dee-ya, dancing in September, ba-dee-ya, never was a cloudy day!” I hope you sang those popular Earth Wind & Fire lyrics in your head (even better if you sang them out loud!). September brings the official first day of autumn (9/23), so we can look forward to cooler temps, fall holidays and festivities, and the return of college and professional football games.

Though I’m very excited about college and professional football, I especially enjoy the nostalgia of high school football season, which is already underway. Coasting along Eagle Drive in the late afternoon sun, windows down, passing Etowah High School (my alma mater) with the aroma of the field’s freshly cut grass, hearing the faint collision of shoulder pads and helmets crashing together, the chants of cheerleaders practicing their routines, and the marching band perfecting its halftime show in the distance will always make me long for days gone by.

In Cherokee County, September also brings the beloved Riverfest Arts and Crafts Festival, now in its 39th year, to raise funds for local children in need. Be sure to read page 24 for more information about this wonderful event.

And, since summer is winding down, we’ll soon begin harvesting the final spoils from our gardens. Check out this month’s feature on pages 20-21 for information about freezing or canning your fruits and veggies to savor during colder months. After all, there’s nothing quite like enjoying a jar of salsa made from homegrown tomatoes at a tailgate party or family gathering.

Whatever else September may be bringing into our lives, we can be sure that it will also usher in some sort of change or new beginning, large or small. Most of us are familiar with the saying, “Nothing is constant but change.” So, I challenge you to embrace whatever new circumstances may come your way. Make this autumn your season of self-discovery; the one where you find out more about what you’re capable of and how strong you truly are. Aristotle said it best, “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”

Julie Senger, Editor-in-Chief

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

Sarah Childers, Tony Craft, Jyl Craven, Lisa M. Grisham, Lisa-Marie Haygood, MaryBeth Hornbeck, Kevin Huff, Barbara P. Jacoby, Jennifer Paire, Nichole Parks, Brooke Schmidt

Family Life Magazines

6175 Hickory Flat Highway Suite 110-PMB 341 Canton, GA 30115 770-213-7095

Also available online at FamilyLifeMagazines.com

Family Life Magazines have the largest monthly circulation of direct-mailed community magazines in our area. Canton Family Life is a monthly community magazine that reaches more than 30,000 homes and businesses via digital subscription and direct mail in Canton including Sixes/BridgeMill, Ball Ground, Hickory Flat, Holly Springs, and Waleska.

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.

Subscriptions are available for $25 per year. Please contact us for payment options.

© 2022 All rights reserved.

“Ba-dee-ya,

[Lifestyle] Long hair is something that most women have desired at some point in their lives. If you want to allow your tresses to grow, fall is the season to go for it. Before you begin, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you gain the most benefit from your newly lengthened locks. While most anyone can grow their hair long, make sure you grow it out with style. Whether you already have long hair or are planning to experiment with a longer style this autumn, these tips will help you achieve a more graceful grow-out.

Your face shape tells a lot about whether a certain hairstyle is right for you. Round or oval face shapes are best for anyone wanting to grow longer hair. Those with

Going Long?

By Jyl Craven

more prominent or elongated chins should consider holding back the length because longer hair will give the illusion of an extended face shape. If you have a lengthier visage and still want longer hair, then cutting blunt bangs will help widen the appearance of your face.

Hair texture is another important feature to consider:

 If you have fine hair, consider adding long layers for body and movement. Face framing with carefully placed layers can add more interest to your appearance. Also, keeping your hair just below your collarbone will ensure your ends don’t appear too stringy.

 For medium-textured hair, try something fun such as an undercut. Undercuts are great for anyone who wants to punk up their lengthening locks.

 If your hair is curly, then it will look best naturally long. The weight of longer hair will result in looser curls or a more relaxed-looking wave.

Having the right balance between hair length and your height is also important when deciding how long to grow your hair. Long hair is best on anyone who is at least average height or taller. If you are shorter than average height, long hair can make you appear shorter, just as super-short hairstyles on taller women can leave an unflattering impression.

While we can’t change the shape of our face, hair texture, or height, we can definitely change our hairstyle. So, if your goal is to go long this season, why not allow your natural features to work in your favor? Remember — growing your hair out will not happen overnight, but by following these few tips, your finished look will surely turn some heads. L

Jyl Craven is owner of Jyl Craven Hair Design of Canton.  770-345-9411. JylCraven.com

SEPTEMBER

1 Downtown Canton First Friday: The Purple Madness — Enjoy live music by this Prince tribute artist and opening act The Beyonce Experience, extended hours for shopping, restaurants, a Kids Zone, a Cruise In, and food and beverage vendors. Please bring a chair. 6:00-9:00pm, Cannon Park, 130 E. Main Street, Canton. Velinda.Hardy@cantonga.gov; CantonGa.gov

1-10/8 Business is Boomin’: Historic Community Businesses

Take a walk down memory lane at this temporary exhibit, showcasing some of the historic businesses of Cherokee County. History Center hours, Cherokee County History Center, 221 E. Marietta Street, Canton. 770-345-3288. HistoryCherokee.org

1-10 The Curious Savage by John Patrick — This comedic play tells the story of Ethel P. Savage, a wealthy woman who is committed to a mental institution by her greedy stepchildren. It explores the depths of greed, sanity, and the true meaning of happiness. Tickets are $15-$20. 8:00pm Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30pm Sundays, Canton Theatre, 171 E. Main Street, Canton. 770-591-0282. CherokeeTheatre.org

2

Canton Farmers Market — Stop by downtown Canton for freshfrom-the-farm goodness and great food vendors. Horizon Healing will provide a complimentary yoga class from 9:0010:00am (bring a mat). 9:00am-12:30pm, Brown Park, 251 E. Marietta Street, Canton. CantonGa.gov; Facebook.com/ CantonGAFarmersMarket

2 & 9 Ball Ground Farmers Market — Shop for locally grown and homemade items.

9:00am-1:00pm, Ball Ground City Park, 177 Old Dawsonville Road, Ball Ground. Facebook.com/BallGroundFarmersMarket

9 Cherokee County History Center Free Admission Saturday — For one day only, learn about Cherokee County’s history for FREE. All fees are waived thanks to the Center’s sponsor, Chamberhouse Fine Gifts. 10:00am-5:00pm, Cherokee County History Center, 221 E. Marietta Street, Canton. 770-345-3288. HistoryCherokee.org

9 Cherokee Music Teachers Association Meeting — Guests are welcome, and a potluck brunch will be served. 10:00am, R.T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton. Linda@lokey.net

ONGOING

Community Yoga Classes — Mondays, 10:00-11:00am, The WREC, 7545 Main Street, Building 200, Woodstock. PlayCherokee.org

Fresh Start Mornings — First Wednesday of the month, 9:00am, The Circuit, 1 Innovation Way, Woodstock. 770-345-0660. CherokeeGa.org/FreshStartMornings

Unwind Wednesdays — Last Wednesday of the month, 8:00pm, Cherokee Veterans Park, 7345 Highway 20 E, Canton. 770-501-8002. PlayCherokee.org

MilVet Meetup — First Monday of each month, 6:00-8:00pm, Reformation Brewery, 105 Elm Street, Woodstock. MilVetCommunity.com

9 Canton Multicultural Festival — This FREE event was created to celebrate and strengthen community relationships among the different cultures that coexist in Canton. Seventeen countries will be represented, and there will be tastings of specific foods native to each culture. There will also be traditional live performances, music, and interactive demonstrations. 11:00am-3:00pm, Etowah River Park, 600 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton. CantonGa.gov/mcfest

9 Brenda Pinnick Solo Show — Pinnick is a nationally renowned and awardwinning artist whose works will be on display at this FREE event. 6:00-8:00pm, Menagerie on Main, 351 W. Main Street, Canton. 404-798-4279. MenagerieOnMain.com

9 City of Ball Ground Concert in the Park — Enjoy live music provided by the Guardians of the Jukebox. 7:00-10:00pm, Ball Ground City Park, 177 Old Dawsonville Road, Ball Ground. 678-454-5075. CityOfBallGround.com

9 Acoustic Soul — Canton’s home of modern French cuisine presents this live music event. 8:00-10:00pm, C’est La Vie, 361 E. Main Street, Canton. 770-213-4282. CestLaVieGeorgia.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.

Live Music at The Mill — Fridays, 7:00-9:00pm, The Mill on Etowah, 225 Reformation Parkway, Canton. EtowahMill.com

Market at The Mill — Tuesdays, 3:00-7:00pm, The Mill on Etowah, 225 Reformation Parkway, Canton. EtowahMill.com

September Is — National Chicken, Childhood Cancer Awareness, Honey, Mushroom, Ovarian Cancer Awareness, Library Card Sign-Up, Piano, Preparedness, Sepsis Awareness, Sewing, and Suicide Prevention Month; International Square Dancing Month; as well as Chiari Awareness, Friendship, Happy Cat, Hunger Action, Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness, Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness, Read a New Book, Shake, and Whole Grains Month; and Sourdough September.

10

Paws in the Pool — The Aquatic Center Oasis will be taken over by our furry friends! Pet owners must be able to present current vaccination reports as well as proof of being spayed or neutered. Each handler is allowed only two dogs. $10 per dog. Small dogs 12:00-12:45pm and large dogs 1:00pm, 2:15pm, and 3:30pm, Cherokee County Aquatic Center, 1200 Wellstar Way, Canton. PlayCherokee.org

11 9/11 Patriot Day Ceremony

Come together with others in the Cherokee County community to remember those we lost on 9/11. Please visit the website for additional details about this event. 8:30am, Rotary Park (at the public safety memorial between the Historic Cherokee County Courthouse and the Justice Center), downtown Canton. CherokeeGa.com

11

15 Stand Up For Seniors

Volunteer Aging Council’s (VAC) Fundraising Luncheon

Support VAC programs and get a delicious lunch for $10. All proceeds benefit local seniors and senior veterans. 11:30am-1:00pm, The Landings of Canton Hills, 1100 Reinhardt College Parkway, Canton. VAC-CherokeeGa.org

15 Verano de Cine Familiar: Lightyear Tickets $1.00. 7:00pm, Canton Theatre, 171 E. Main Street, Canton. 770-704-0756. CantonGa.gov/events

16 Cherokee County Master Gardeners 2023 Plant Sale — Shop a variety of trees, shrubs, plants, and garden accessories. 9:00am-12:00pm, Cherokee County Senior Center, 1001 Univeter Road, Canton. CherokeeMasterGardeners.com

Kid Biz Expo Golf Tournament

This fundraiser benefits children’s entrepreneurship, and a portion of the proceeds go to Cherokee County first responders to recognize their continued commitment and to honor those who lost their lives. The four-person scramble entry fee starts at $125 per golfer. 9:00am shotgun start, BridgeMill Athletic Club, 1190 Bridgemill Avenue, Canton. 770-883-8493. Golf2Grow.com/kid-biz-expo

Minis at The Mill — Wednesdays, 10:00-11:00am, The Mill on Etowah, 225 Reformation Parkway, Canton. EtowahMill.com

Canton Business Club Meeting — Wednesdays, 8:00am, Reformation Brewery, 225 Reformation Parkway, Suite 500, Canton. Facebook.com (search for “Canton Business Club”)

Waleska Farmers Market — Thursdays, 9:00am-1:00pm, Waleska Farmers Market, 8891 Fincher Road, Waleska. 404-805-7468. Facebook.com/WaleskaFarmersMarket

Car-B-Que at the Flat — Second Sunday of each month, 10:00am-2:00pm, Old Country Place, 6764 Hickory Flat Highway, Canton. Facebook.com/CarBQueAtTheFlat

16

Touch-A-Truck — Bring your little ones to explore big service trucks and equipment used throughout the county. 10:00am2:00pm, Cherokee Veterans Park, 7345 Cumming Highway, Canton. PlayCherokee.org

22 Mobilize Recovery Across Georgia

Celebrate recovery and prevention by building a healthy community through support, awareness, and connection at this FREE family friendly event. There will be food, vendors, resource tables, speakers, live music, face painting, and cornhole. 6:00-9:00pm, Woodstock City Church, 150 Ridgewalk Parkway, Woodstock. MobilizeRecoveryAcrossGeorgia.com

continued on page 8

Trivia Night — Thursdays, 7:00-9:00pm, The Mill on Etowah, 225 Reformation Parkway, Canton. 678-762-9950. EtowahMill.com

Music at Menagerie — Second Saturday of each month, 7:00-9:00pm, Menagerie on Main, 351 W. Main Street, Canton. 404-798-4279. MenagerieOnMain.com

Karaoke Night — First Friday of each month, 8:00pm-10:00pm, The Mill on Etowah/Reformation Brewery, 225 Reformation Parkway, Canton. 678-762-9950. EtowahMill.com/events

LIBRARY EVENTS

SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

BALL GROUND

435 Old Canton Road, Ball Ground 770-735-2025

R.T. JONES

116 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton 770-479-3090

R.T. JONES MEMORIAL LIBRARY’S

100TH YEAR BIRTHDAY BASH

September 9, 10:30pm & 7:30pm, R.T. Jones

Celebrate R.T. Jones Memorial Library’s 100th birthday with games and fun. Eat, play, and get ready to sing “Happy Birthday!” Children must be accompanied by an adult.

STORY AND STROLL

September 12, 10:00am, J.B. Owens Park (2749 Hickory Road, Holly Springs)

Bring the family to this storytime about trucks, trains, and transportation. There will also be a scavenger hunt and a Pop-Up Library to get a new card, return your books, or borrow new ones. All children must be accompanied by a participating adult.

EDIBLE ENGINEERING

September 12, 5:00pm, Ball Ground

Pair science with snack time by building edible structures! Children will use toothpicks, marshmallows, and other items to create shapes and structures at their skill level. This program is for children of all ages. Materials provided while supplies last. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

PASSPORT TO EMPLOYMENT

September 13, 12:30pm, R.T. Jones

This program was created to aid with resume development and review, interview skill improvement, and job search coaching. It’s free and open to anyone looking to enter the workforce or find a new career pathway. Registration is required.

STAR WARS FAMILY FUN NIGHT

September 21, 5:00pm, Ball Ground

Enjoy a fun-filled night of Star Wars-themed activities during Sequoyah Space Explorers Week! There will be a costume contest, trivia, crafts, snacks, and more. This program is for all ages.

ADULT PAINT NIGHT

September 28, 6:00pm, Ball Ground Paint ceramic dishes. Materials will be provided. Registration is required.

continued from page 7

23 & 24 Riverfest Arts and Crafts Festival

As the Service League’s largest fundraising event of the year, Riverfest is a juried show, featuring original, creative, handmade work by artisans from all over the region. Entry fee is a $7.00 requested donation. 10:00am-6:00pm Saturday and 10:00am-5:00pm Sunday, Etowah River Park, 600 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton. Facebook.com/serviceleague.net; ServiceLeague.net

24 Reinhardt University Wind Ensemble — This ensemble is comprised of advanced and versatile musicians who perform the finest large ensemble and chamber music literature including world premiere performances from today’s most innovative and exceptional composers. FREE! 3:00pm, Falany Performing Arts Center, 7300 Reinhardt Circle, Waleska. 770-720-9167. Ci.OvationTix.com/35154

27

What’s Up Wednesday: What’s Up With Those Rocks? — What is marble and why is it important? Visit Gallery 3 to learn about this important natural resource. Then, paint your very own pet rock to take home. This program is designed for children between the ages of 3-7. $5 per child (free for supervising adults). 11:00am, Cherokee County History Center, 221 E. Marietta Street, Canton. 770-345-3288. HistoryCherokee.org

9th Annual Cherokee Career Expo — This premier hiring event in Cherokee County is designed to reduce out-commute and help residents find careers close to home. Cherokee’s top employers, representing a wide range of industries, will be at this FREE event. 2:00-6:00pm, Northside Cherokee Conference Center, 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton. 770-345-0600. CherokeeGa.org

27

Great Lake Allatoona Cleanup — Presented by the Lake Allatoona Association, GLAC will lead the Allatoona community in environmental stewardship of the watershed through education, preservation, conservation, and volunteerism. For additional details or to register, please visit LakeAllatoonaAssoc.com

30

BRAVe Motorcycle Ride — Enjoy a fundraising motorcycle ride through beautiful Cherokee County. Hosted by the Hathaway Agency, proceeds will benefit Cherokee Family Violence Center. Registration is $30 for riders and $20 for passengers. 9:00am, Reformation Brewery, 225 Reformation Parkway, Canton. 470-632-5305. Fb.me/e/4BJlXGoz3

30

OCTOBER

6

Downtown Canton First Friday: On the Border — Enjoy live music by this Eagles tribute band and opening act Wilkes, extended hours for shopping, restaurants, a Kids Zone, a Cruise In, and food and beverage vendors. Please bring a chair. 6:00-9:00pm, Cannon Park, 130 E. Main Street, Canton. Velinda.Hardy@cantonga.gov; CantonGa.gov

6-15

Spooky Shorts: A Collection of Scary Stories — Join the Cherokee Theatre Company for an evening of spooky adventures, as they present “The Tell Tale Heart” by Edgar Allen Poe, “Sorry Wrong Number” by Lucille Fletcher, and “Cheating Death” by Kamron Klitgaard. Tickets are $15-$20. 8:00pm Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30pm Sundays, Canton Theatre, 171 E. Main Street, Canton. CherokeeTheatre.org

The Artsy Side of Canton Made Official

By Brooke Schmidt

Canton is excited to be the first city in the county to adopt a Public Art Master Plan! In April 2022, the Canton Cultural Arts Commission (CCAC) issued a request for proposals to create the plan for the city. Ohiobased firm Designing Local was selected, and through the process, they spent countless hours interviewing elected officials, City staff, commission members, local artists, and other stakeholders by publishing online surveys and holding a public input session. After compiling all the feedback, the firm worked with City staff to draft a Public Art Master Plan that will be unique to Canton. That plan was officially approved and adopted at the City Council meeting on July 20.

“The coming public art investments will be a tool to communicate that Canton cares seriously about creativity while providing one-of-a-kind experiences to its residents, further cementing their connection to the place they love most,” said Amanda Golden, Designing Local.

The Public Art Master Plan is a result of many hours of conversation with stakeholders and members of the public. The team worked diligently to engage a variety of community members from November 2022 until May 2023. The results of the surveys illustrate the community’s opinion and pulse on public art and inform future plans.

“After over a year of collaboration between the CCAC, elected officials, City staff, and the community, I am thrilled to have a tangible plan for the Cultural Arts Commission’s vision to make Canton a more beautiful place by celebrating the creativity, diversity, and history of the city,” said Kristin Norton Green, Theatre Events & Facilities director.

Residents stated they’d like to see more public art in downtown Canton, at gateways, and in parks and natural spaces. Desired art themes are those that incorporate history and nature as well as works that are interactive. Survey results also indicated that many see Canton as inclusive, friendly, growing, and small-town, and what makes the city unique is the river, its downtown, and its natural spaces.

Public art will play a crucial role in Canton, ensuring high-quality experiences for residents, supporting the broader economy, and reinforcing the identity of a place. The following core values for the Public Art Master Plan will be used when implementing public art projects:

• Celebrate Canton — Tell stories that are unique to the history, natural setting, and/or culture of Canton.

• Support Artists — Present a wide variety of meaningful public art from artists with varied experience levels, inclusive of all people and backgrounds.

• Build Community — Build awareness and enthusiasm for the city by connecting residents to one another through investment in public art.

Artwork types may include but are not limited to sculpture, murals or portable paintings, functional art, lighting installations, site-specific, pop-up and temporary, and community participatory.

Canton Cultural Arts Commission

In the summer of 2021, the mayor and City Council created the CCAC and appointed citizens Rob Walker-Bunda, Elaine Federico, Jamie Foreman, Amy Kesler, Theresa Shampine, Haley Whyte, and staff liaison Norton Green to lead the charge.

“The vision of the CCAC is for the streets, parks, events, sites, and lives of Canton’s citizens to be made more beautiful and meaningful through a collective and sustained effort to incorporate, celebrate and promote the Arts in Canton,” explained Green.

Since its inception, the Commission has completed three mural projects: Canton GA Wildflower Mural by Madison Beaulieu; It’s a Vibe! by Lauren Palotta Stumberg; and Unite! — a collaborative project between Cherokee HS student Emily Hamilton, nonprofit Art in the Paint, and Walker-Bunda.

During these two years, there have also been numerous opportunities for education and collaboration with groups such as the Fox Theatre Institute, Georgia Council for the Arts, Atlanta Regional Commission, and the Georgia Municipal Association.

Brooke Schmidt is the city councilwoman for Ward 3. 110 Academy Street, Canton. Brooke.Schmidt@cantonga.gov. CantonGa.gov

Cherokee County Earns Four NACIO Awards

The National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO), part of the National Association of Counties (NACo), announced the 2023 Awards of Excellence during the NACo annual conference.

Cherokee was one of three Georgia counties represented in the awards recognitions. Forsyth and Rockdale counties’ communications teams were also acknowledged for their work. This was the first year Cherokee entered the competition.

“It’s an honor to be recognized on a national level for our work here in Cherokee. As a small two-person department, we serve as both an internal and external communications team,” said Communications Director Erika Neldner. “We work to assist county departments, staff, and elected officials with a variety of projects from news releases, coordination with media, graphic design and branding to training, social media, and newsletters. All of this is done with the ultimate goal of keeping residents informed and telling Cherokee County’s story.”

A news release issued in November 2022 highlighting a training visit from probation officers from Turks and Caicos earned Best in Category for the Featured Article/Editorial category, which was written by Assistant Communications Director Andrea Barker.

The Quick Facts document, a one-sheet informational piece created by Neldner, earned the Superior Designation in the Short One-Page/Trifold category. The document is available for elected officials and staff to use at community speaking engagements to keep residents informed. It features updated statistics like population, median income, public safety and law enforcement accomplishments, a list of the elected Board of Commissioners, and more.

A short video geared at promoting public engagement for the Comprehensive Plan earned Cherokee County a Meritorious Designation from NACIO in the short video (under 60 seconds) category. The video featured drone footage from across Cherokee County and incorporated project-specific branding.

The 2022 Annual Report earned the Meritorious Designation in the Printed Publications – Annual Report category. The Annual Report is created in only two months and during the holidays to incorporate complete data from the previous year and be ready for distribution at the State of the County Address held in late January each year. The Communications Division works with directors across all county departments, the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office, the clerk of courts, the solicitor-general, district attorney, and judicial administration to gather and compose the 40-page book. The Annual Report is designed by local graphic designer Jodi Drinkard.

Reminder — RedSpeed School Zone Cameras Are Active

The City of Canton Police Department utilizes speed detection devices to enforce the speed limit at Cherokee HS, Teasley MS, and Hasty ES. The enforcement is conducted using RedSpeed automated cameras that were installed in those respective school zones, so please be extra cautious of your speed now that school is back in session.

The program was instituted after a nationwide spike in pedestrian fatalities over the past decade in which Georgia became one of the five deadliest states for pedestrians — with the seventh-highest fatality rate. Also, The Canton Police Department conducted speed studies within all its school zones, which produced over 3,000 speeding violations in a single day. Automated Enforcement is endorsed as a safety tool by the Governor’s Highway Safety Association, AAA, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and the National Safety Council.

BOC Lowers Millage Rate

The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners (BOC) unanimously lowered the overall BOC-controlled millage rate from the 2022 rates.

At its August 1 meeting, the Board approved (5-0) setting the Maintenance and Operations (M&O) rate at 4.954 mills, the Fire District rate at 2.764 mills, and the Parks Bond at 0.319 mills for a total BOC-controlled rate of 8.037 mills. District 1 Commissioner Steve West made the motion, which was seconded by District 3 Commissioner Benny Carter.

The approval also included ratifying the rates set by the Board of Education, which were 16.45 mills for the School Board M&O rate and 1.5 mills for the School Board Bond rate.

More than 60% of residential property owners in Cherokee County will see lower tax bills this fall due to lower BOCcontrolled rates and a one-time state rebate. In addition to the $5,000 standard homestead exemptions, homestead property values are frozen for the county M&O tax when homestead applications are filed. The State of Georgia is using excess funds in state coffers to provide property tax relief to homestead qualifying property owners, equaling a reduction of $18,000 on the property’s assessed value.

Assistant Communications Director

Andrea Barker

Communications Director

Erika Neldner

Community

Rotary Club of Canton Begins New Community Service Campaign

The Rotary Club of Canton is spreading hope in the community through its new “Heart for Service” campaign. Through this campaign, the club will be completing a hands-on service project once a month as part of one of its weekly lunch meetings. These projects will be in addition to the community service completed outside of weekly meetings by the club.

For its first project, the Rotary Club of Canton traveled to the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office headquarters. There, they heard a brief presentation by Sheriff Frank Reynolds while eating lunch. The second half of the hour-long meeting was spent creating care baskets for all the sheriff’s office precincts. Each basket was filled with packaged snacks for deputies to enjoy and was accompanied by handwritten thank you notes from club members. The club also made a small donation of $250 to the Sheriff’s Office Foundation during the meeting.

President Francisco Lozano envisioned the campaign as a way to both help the community and engage club members in more service activities.

“Community service fills our hearts with joy and spreads hope in the community,” he said. “Our club for many years has spent one meeting each summer packing lunches for the MUST Ministries summer meals program for children. It is one of our most popular meetings and the service project that engages the most club members. Through Heart for Service, we will have the opportunity to similarly help another dozen organizations that serve our community.”

The Canton Rotary Club meets at noon on Tuesdays for a luncheon program, and residents interested in joining the club are invited to visit. Meetings are held at the Cherokee Conference Center at The Bluffs or at offsite locations for community service projects. For more information, including a meeting schedule, visit TheRotaryClubOfCantonGa.org.

CCFES Recognizes 11 Firefighters

Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services (CCFES) recently recognized 11 firefighters at the Cherokee County Fire Training Complex in Holly Springs.

Fire Chief Eddie Robinson swore in EMS Instructor Sandra Johnson as a firefighter with the agency. Instructor Johnson has served in the Training Division as an educator for several years, training members to the level of advanced emergency medical technicians. To better understand and relate to the job that firefighters do, she took it upon herself to complete the rigorous training needed to become a certified firefighter.

Ten fire officers were promoted. Lieutenant Tony Simmons was promoted to the rank of captain and Captain Matthew Richter was promoted to battalion chief.

Battalion Chiefs Chad Arp, Cheri Collett, Marc Liscio, Jamie McCord, Darrell Mitchell, and Nate Sullivan were promoted to the rank of division chief. Chief Arp serves as the county’s fire marshal, Chief Collett as the Business Intelligence chief, Chief Liscio as the Logistics chief, Chief McCord as the B-shift commander, Chief Mitchell as the Special Operations chief, and Chief Sullivan as the EMS chief.

Division Chief Dean Floyd, who serves as the Community Risk Reduction chief and Mark Orr who serves as the chief of Personnel Services were promoted to the rank of deputy chief.

The newly promoted members have already begun serving in their new roles.

(L-R): Deputy Chief Mark Orr, Captain Tony Simmons, Division Chief Marc Liscio, Battalion Chief Matt Richter, Division Chief Jamie McCord, Division Chief Darrell Mitchell, Division Chief Cheri Collett, Division Chief Chad Arp, Division Chief Nate Sullivan, Deputy Chief Dean Floyd

Cherokee County School District Announcements

Sequoyah Student Wins National Video Production Scholarship

Junior Noah Popp earned a $5,000 Student Scoreboard Scholarship from Formetco Sports in recognition of his success using the company’s video LED scoreboard technology to make school football games and other events more engaging. He also was tapped to advise the company this school year as its high school student engagement manager. Popp is a third-year student in Sequoyah’s Career Pathway program for AV, Technology, and Film led by teacher Brad Mann.

Grant Award Funds Rowing Addition for PE Programs

The Concept2, Inc. Erg Ed grant, valued at $45,000, was awarded to CCSD by the George Pocock Rowing Foundation through a competitive application process. Only two school districts nationwide were selected for the award, which includes a set of 20 Concept2 rowing machines and adaptive equipment, curriculum, and teacher training.

As a result of the grant, all CCSD middle schools and ACE Academy will add a two-week rowing unit to their PE classes this school year. Erg Ed is a classroom-based indoor rowing education program that teaches students rowing fundamentals on Concept2 RowErg machines. The curriculum emphasizes not only rowing but also goal setting and teamwork. This past summer, teachers began participating in Learn to Row training, offered locally by the Allatoona Rowing Association, which is partnering with CCSD on the new initiative.

Stay In-the-Know on All Things City of Canton

Career Pathway Program for Teaching Profession Expanded CCSD has earned a competitive Cultivating Teachers grant from the Georgia Department of Education. It is one of 38 school districts selected statewide, and it earned the highest level of award at $10,000.

The funding will help the district with its plan to add a Career Pathway program in Teaching as a Profession at Etowah HS for the 2024-25 school year. CCSD offers 38 Career Pathway programs districtwide to prepare students for a wide variety of vocations including offering industry certifications (more information is available at CherokeeK12.net/career-technicalagriculture-education).

The Teaching as a Profession program is offered at Creekview, River Ridge, and Sequoyah High Schools, and the related Early Childhood Education program is offered at Cherokee and Woodstock High Schools. The new program will fill the gap at Etowah HS to ensure its students interested in careers in teaching and education also have a Career Pathway option.

Upon successful completion of one of the two teaching Pathways, passage of the End of Pathway exam, and submission of an appropriate portfolio of work, students are awarded three college credit hours by the University System of Georgia and guaranteed an interview with CCSD upon graduating from college and earning professional certification.

Though the city continues to achieve great things, it is often challenging to communicate every development or opportunity taking place daily. So, here are a few options for engagement and places to follow the facts, figures, and ongoing updates in Canton:

• Canton City Council meetings are held on the first and third Thursdays of every month at 6:00pm in the City Hall Auditorium. Meetings are open to the public and are also live-streamed. Agendas for each meeting are published in advance and can be found at Canton.Legistar.com/Calendar.aspx. The link to live stream meetings can also be found at this link. Each meeting includes a 10-minute public input segment for city residents to share any feedback.

• Visit CantonGa.gov to sign up to receive the City’s monthly and weekly e-newsletters, plus all updates, straight to your email inbox. Or if you would like to receive text notifications with City updates, be sure to register for the SMS system.

• Get social by following the City of Canton and Explore Canton on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn

• Attend all the great events and activities going on in Canton. Visit the online calendar and listing of all of the City-sponsored activities at CantonGa.gov/events

Ensure that you’re getting the most accurate and up-to-date information about Canton from these City-related resources and not random social media postings, rumors, or hearsay. City staff and Canton’s elected officials are always happy to answer your questions or provide the information you need.

While thousands of churches close their doors every year, Canton’s Rising Hills Church is thriving and preparing for the first service in its new building on Hickory Flat Highway.

“Right now, our goal is that our grand opening service will be October 22, 2023, which is our seven year anniversary,” said Pastor George Anderson, a local church leader for 25 years. “It has been amazing — God has provided all we need. I can honestly say, we’ve not had one service in seven years that we’ve not had visitors come.”

As a Bible-centered church associated with Noonday Baptist Association, Rising Hills operates as a family with a heart for the gospel and the Hickory Flat community. The church has grown its congregation to 200 members while meeting at Indian Knoll Elementary School at 10:30am on Sundays.

“When you look at the tens of thousands of people moving into this area every year, it’s

VISION · PRAYER Rising Hills Church Celebrates Seven Years by Opening a New Worship Facility

By Jennifer Paire

underserved for the gospel,” Pastor Anderson noted. “How many churches have added space, and how many have shut their doors? God chose this. It’s good to know God hasn’t given up on us.”

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Rising Hills Church will introduce the 8,000-squarefoot facility to the community on its anniversary. The building includes space for worship, children, and bathrooms.

STARTING FROM SCRATCH

Rising Hills Church was born of the vision and commitment of 23 local believers who loved Canton and wanted to create community and disciples among the growing population.

The group approached Pastor Anderson in 2016 at a time when he was considering leading a church in Florida — a move that was not giving him a sense of peace. He had never started a church, but he stepped out in faith, and “it was like I was standing out in the water, and waves of peace were just flowing over me,” he said.

“In two weeks, we had a place to meet, we had a person who offered to buy chairs, and another person offered to buy a sound system,” he said. “It was just incredible.”

As membership grew, Rising Hills’ family began to look for a permanent location in Hickory Flat with the odds stacked against them. A series of blessings helped the church secure a loan for its property in 2019, and the church has options on adjacent land for expansion, too.

“Everywhere we turn, it’s like we come to a spot where we hit a wall, and God just knocks the wall down in ways I just can’t imagine,” Pastor Anderson testified.

TEARING DOWN WALLS

Examples of God’s faithfulness to Rising Hills are impossible to deny.

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, the church had just initiated a capital campaign to raise $250,000 over a twoyear period. Like other churches, Rising Hills was forced to stop meeting but began streaming services and developed a national following online.

“We raised $330,000 in six months during COVID-19 when we couldn’t even meet,” Pastor Anderson said. “These people were not only giving to support our ministry, but they were also giving above and beyond to build this building.”

Pastor George Anderson and wife Deborah

DEVOTION

The 8,000-square-foot structure will have everything a church needs: a place to worship, a place for children, and bathrooms. Room to expand is also included in the plans.

As the facility took shape this past summer, the congregation was faced with another challenge: there was no budget for furniture, fixtures, or equipment. A parishioner suggested creating an Amazon wish list.

“We made a list with everything right down to mops and trash cans. All but four things on the list were purchased in two days, and we have gift cards for those items. These people are phenomenal. They’ve bought into this beyond my wildest dreams,” Pastor Anderson said.

CREATING COMMUNITY

Today, Rising Hills Church continues to make its presence known — thanks to Community Connections Pastor Greg King. The church has partnerships with Holly Springs and Indian Knoll Elementary Schools. Pastor King and other congregants are connected

GOAL: GRAND OPENING SERVICE ON OCTOBER 22, 2023

Rising Hills Church's Seven Year Anniversary

to local chambers of commerce and fire departments, and they canvas new subdivisions with fliers and welcome gifts.

“When we started, I thought we were doing what God wanted us to do. But now, we can look back and see that God has proven that,” said King. “God has blessed our congregation.”

The church’s outreach program is matched by an expanding discipleship program.

“One of the core ministries is small groups, and we feel it is the backbone of any church,” said Jerry Candito, a Rising Hills member with experience building new churches and training others to build disciples for Christ. “We put such a high value on it. We realize we need to be very strategic in forming small groups because

that is where people connect. People are starving for connection today.”

He has often said that true ministry takes place in smaller groups.

“When people start connecting in those small groups, they start trusting each other and developing relationships. And when people need ministering, they feel comfortable expressing what their needs are. Then, within that group, usually, those needs get met,” said Candito.

RISING HILLS CHURCH

Current location: Indian Knoll ES

3635 Univeter Road Canton, GA 30114

Permanent location beginning October 22, 2023

(barring unforeseen circumstances): 3693 Hickory Flat Highway Canton, GA 30114

Info@GoRHC.org GoRHC.org

Service Time: Sundays at 10:30am

SAFETY TOWN Makes a Successful Comeback

By Lisa M. Grisham, CPSTI

Afterthree years of waiting, Safety Town Camp returned this June. Hosted by Safe Kids Cherokee County, this camp is a cooperation of many agencies and businesses. For one week, from 9:00am-12:00pm each day, campers experience safety lessons in a fun interactive environment. Lessons include information about bike, bus, fire, pedestrian, stranger, and water safety. Each day, the kids ride carts in a miniature “town” and learn about road rules. This is the highlight of their day. Safety Town is usually for entering kindergarteners, but it was also open to first graders this year.

Community partners are what make this camp so awesome. Camp counselors are teen volunteers who earn community hours for school. Each day, special guests volunteer their time to teach.

The campers learn about the following subjects:

• The Army Corps of Engineers teaches water safety.

• Georgia Safe Route to School and Georgia Bikes teach bike and pedestrian safety and ensure the children’s helmets fit properly for riding.

• The Cherokee County Marshal’s Office and Animal Shelter teach dog bite prevention.

• The Farm Bureau and AgPro teach tractor safety.

• E-911 teaches what to do in an emergency.

• Cherokee County School District transportation employees teach bus safety.

• Cherokee County Emergency Management Agency teaches weather safety.

• A Safe Kids certified staff member teaches poison safety.

• Tiger Rock Martial Arts teaches self-defense.

Thursday is spent teaching kids about the dangers of strangers and who is considered a stranger. Afterward, the campers

are put to the test on the playground to see if they leave with a “stranger” (set up by Safety Town). This is a tough lesson. Much gratitude goes to the Cherokee County School Police staff who assist with this scary yet important lesson as well as help with other lessons all week.

Friday is devoted to fire safety. A fun show with Freddie the Firetruck, a tour through the Fire Safety House, and, of course, a fire truck tour and instruction from local fire crews on what firefighters in full gear look like, so the kids know not to run from them during a fire.

Additionally, each day includes craft time, story time, and snacks. Parents also receive updates with safety tips that reinforce the lessons. At the end of the week, the kids graduate from Safety Town with a medal of honor and celebrate with their families and friends.

We look forward to teaching more families how to be safe at home, at play, and on the road at next year’s Safety Town. For additional safety information, visit SafeKids.org or call 678-493-4343.

Special thanks to Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services, lead agency for Safe Kids Cherokee County, and also Cherokee County School District, which provides the facility where this important camp is held.

Lisa M. Grisham is the senior fire safety educator for Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services and the coordinator for Safe Kids Cherokee County. 1130 Bluffs Parkway, Canton. 678-493-6296. CherokeeCountyFire.org

CCEF Awards Classroom Impact Grants

By Lisa-Marie Haygood

[Academic Life] Cherokee County Educational Foundation (CCEF) is pleased to announce that 29 Cherokee County School District (CCSD) teachers were awarded Classroom Impact Grants for programs and ideas that will be implemented this fall.

Grant applications opened last November for funding of up to $2,500 per classroom. A committee of five judges reviewed the applications. Teacher and school names are redacted; judges score applications based on the strength of the grant request. This year’s judges were Brian Albrecht, president of the Credit Union of Georgia; Whitney Spears of Reinhardt University; Lori Burton, Cherokee County Council past president of the PTA; Jenny Spain, retired CCSD school teacher; and Jason Dickerson of the Jason T. Dickerson Family Foundation.

Each year, the number of grants awarded depends on fundraising efforts at the annual Celebration of Education Gala. This year, more than $66,000 in Classroom Impact Grants were awarded for ideas like Lego Robotics, hydroponic gardens, erosion soil studies, and new instruments for many of CCSD’s band and orchestra programs.

This year’s grant recipients include Lori Sewell, Active Academies; Heather Dalton and Ginger Morgan, Avery ES; Julie Miles, Ball Ground ES STEM Academy; Jennifer Jones, Brenna Lloyd, and Hannah Roge, Boston ES; Samantha Harrington, Carmel ES; Kailey Webb, Cherokee HS; Alyssa Martin, Clark Creek ES STEM Academy; Sandy McPherson, Clayton ES; Marsha Loversky, Creekview HS; Logan Hostetter, Creekland MS; Ty Casteel

and Deanna Sareen, Etowah HS; Lisa Lougheed, Hasty ES Fine Arts Academy; Mollie Guy, Holly Springs ES STEM Academy; Leslie McKean, Knox ES STEM Academy; Sarah Munroe, Macedonia ES; Lindsey Hilligloss and Dana Studer, Oak Grove ES STEAM Academy; John Woszczynski, River Ridge HS; David Cornn and Donna Lownes, RM Moore ES STEM Academy; Stuart Brady, Sequoyah HS; Kim Barger and Jordan Hofmeister, L.R. Tippens Education Center; Cheryl Hunter, Teasley MS; and Kristy Mertins, Woodstock MS.

In addition to funding district-wide initiatives like REACH Georgia Scholars; Academic Bowl; Reading Bowl; and Teacher, Support Staff, and Partner of the Year events, CCEF also awarded more than $20,000 in Rapid Grants to 50 CCSD teachers.

For more information about CCEF, please visit CherokeeCountyEducationalFoundation.org.

Lisa-Marie Haygood is the executive director for the Cherokee County Educational Foundation. 770-704-4213. CherokeeCountyEducationalFoundation.org

Family Life recently enjoyed these local events. We hope to see you at future happenings, supporting your community, too! Check out this month’s Events Calendar on pages 6-8 for fun activities close to home.

Photos courtesy of Jacky Cheng and Mike Loizou

Photos courtesy of PhotoJack.net

BY SARAH CHILDERS

Book Review THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH

Join the Sequoyah Regional Library System, as we celebrate National Library Card SignUp Month. With all-ages programming, park passes, books, and much more, your library card is your ticket to discovery. Then, visit one of our seven library locations from September 18-22 for Sequoyah Space Explorers Week for fun spacethemed programming.

Gaze at the stars and dream about Mars during Sequoyah Space Explorers Week. Our libraries have multiple spacethemed programs for all ages to enjoy. For a full calendar of events, please visit SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org.

If you’re looking for a fun read that will enhance your desire for discovery, check out The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. This classic 1961 fantasy adventure novel celebrates the joy of curiosity for everyday life. Filled with puns, excitement, and even a talking dog, follow young Milo, as he is whisked away to a magical kingdom that teaches the importance of curiosity and learning.

If you’re looking to start your own adventure, look no further than your local public library. This National Library Card Sign-Up Month, begin your next journey of discovery by signing up for a library card, which is always free for those who live in Cherokee, Pickens, and Gilmer counties.

Sarah Childers is the marketing manager for the Sequoyah Regional Library System. ChildersS@seqlib.org. SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org

Preserving Summer’s Bounty

By MaryBeth Hornbeck, MS

September

in Georgia is the perfect time to preserve the last tastes of summer for enjoyment during the winter months or gifts for friends and family. Canning and freezing projects are gratifying, especially when the flavors bring you back to summer in the middle of winter. The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension (UGA Extension) can help you preserve with confidence, as it houses the National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP) as well as a host of Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agents who provide education regarding this important topic.

Safety First

• Be sure to start with clean hands.

• Wash all produce with cool running water, using a veggie brush on firm-skinned items.

• Ensure that all equipment and countertops are clean, as any bacteria could contaminate your final product.

Produce Quality Matters

The first consideration for any food preservation project is that quality in equals quality out. Your canned or frozen item will only be as good as the produce you start with, especially if you plan to consume the food several months to a year from now. Use the freshest produce you can find and aim to preserve within a day of harvest or purchase.

Freezing

Freezing is one of the easiest ways to preserve foods because it can be done in less time than canning or drying, processes are simple, and batches can be scaled to fit your needs. If stored at a temperature of 0°F, fruits and vegetables will last for 8-12 months. If you’re planning to freeze a lot of food, reduce your freezer’s temperature to -10°F the day before.

Find instructions for your specific food. Berries, other fruits, and vegetables each require different preparation techniques. For example, blueberries can be “dry-packed” and frozen on a cookie sheet in a single layer, then packaged in a freezer bag. Peaches are better with a sugar

Water Bath Canning

Foods with high amounts of acid including fruits, jellied products, tomatoes, and pickles, can be preserved in a water bath canner. To preserve lowacid foods such as vegetables, meats, and beans, you must use a pressure canner to reduce the risk of botulism.

The canning process involves heating food in jars, so microorganisms are destroyed, enzymes that affect produce quality are deactivated, and vacuum seals are created to protect the food. Properly canned items can be stored at room temperature with optimal quality for up to a year.

To get started, you’ll need Mason-type jars with a two-piece lid and a water bath canner with a metal rack. Alternatively, you may purchase a metal rack to go in a large stock pot you already have. While lids are single use only, the jars and ring bands can be reused if in good condition. Inexpensive kits with jar or syrup pack. Corn and other vegetables require blanching to stop enzymes and prevent browning during freezer storage.

Air is the enemy when it comes to high quality frozen food. Prevent freezer burn and flavor contamination by using your choice of moisture/vapor-resistant packaging such as freezer-safe containers or freezer bags.

Don’t forget labeling, as everything is harder to identify once it’s frozen. Include key information such as the amount, contents, and packaging date.

lifters, headspace gauges, and jar funnels can also make the process easier.

The next thing you’ll need is a tested recipe from a safe source, such as UGA Extension or the NCHFP. Cook times and other details in a safe canning recipe are based on science; unlike cooking, these instructions are not suggestions and cannot be tweaked. Everything from the amount of liquid, ripeness of the produce, size of the food pieces, and size of the jar matters. Safe recipes will include instructions for how to prepare the food, what size jar to use, how much acid to add, and the processing time based on your elevation. Always use store-bought vinegar or lemon juice when canning.

Safe canning requires a defined processing time. Any jar that is warm and cools down may seal, but that doesn’t mean that all potentially dangerous microorganisms have been destroyed. Processing time begins when all jars of prepared food are submerged in the canner, and the water comes to a rolling boil. During the processing time, the boiling cannot stop — if it does, you must begin the time over again.

Ready

Teacher Feature

BY BARBARA P. JACOBY

CHARM COCHRAN

Asa teenager, Charm Cochran heard her calling to become a teacher while working with children at her church. She heard a second call while a college student studying education: she should become a special education teacher.

“In college, I completed a field placement in special education, working in a small group setting with students with disabilities,” she said. “During this placement, I knew my heart and passion was to teach within the special education setting.”

It is her true calling, according to colleagues and students’ parents, who praise Cochran for the expertise and care she brings every day to her special education classes at Oak Grove ES STEAM Academy.

“I have never seen such a beautifully run classroom,” Principal Penny Valle said. “She builds wonderful, trusting relationships with her students who hang on every word she speaks.”

Cochran’s dedication led her colleagues to name her as the school’s Teacher of the Year last school year. A panel of community judges, including retired educators, then selected her as one of the four finalists for the Cherokee County School District Teacher of the Year honor.

“Creating excitement within the classroom begins with building positive relationships with students,” Cochran, who is starting her sixth year as a teacher, said of her teaching style. “When building positive relationships with students, you can learn students’

interests and help incorporate their interests into lessons. Through building positive relationships, students can also feel valued and safe within their learning environment, which also corresponds to being excited about learning. Lastly, building lessons that are rigorous and relevant to students helps create excitement within the classroom.”

One of her favorite teaching tactics is magic stones. A magic stone is a decorative flower stone that students earn by demonstrating positive behaviors and then trade for desired rewards.

“Magic stones help create intrinsic motivation, and help students take ownership of their choices while teaching students the basic principles of saving and purchasing,” she said.

Beyond her classroom, Cochran supports her school by teaching after-school extended learning sessions for students who need more support, and she leads the special education professional learning community (PLC) workalike teacher group for her school. A PLC is a small group

What can parents do to help their child be as successful as possible at school?

“Parents can simply love and support their children,” Cochran said. “Children need opportunities to play and explore their world. There is strong value in allotting time for children to play cooperatively and constructively. Reading aloud to children in their home language is also a wonderful way to support success at school.”

of teachers who teach the same grade, subject, and/or learning need level and meet regularly for collaboration and professional development. She also has served as a member of CCSD’s Teacher Ambassador recruiting team that attends job fairs to help lead more outstanding teachers to join the school district. Outside of school, Cochran volunteers with her church including as leader of the little children’s choir.

Barbara P. Jacoby is the chief communications officer for the Cherokee County School District. 770-704-4228. CherokeeK12.net

Repair Your Vehicle or Buy a New One?

[Home Life] The decision to purchase a new car or fix an old one depends on several factors. Firstly, let’s knock out the obvious ones — consider the age and condition of your current car. If the vehicle is relatively new, has low mileage, and requires only minor repairs, fixing it could be cost effective. However, if the car is older, has significant mechanical issues, and requires frequent repairs, it may be wiser to invest in a new one to avoid accumulating repair costs.

Now, for some not-so-obvious considerations — your financial situation and budget. Purchasing a new car typically involves higher upfront costs such as a down payment, new taxes, and higher insurance premiums. In contrast, repairing an old car may offer a more manageable short-term financial burden. When a dealer is trying to convince you that financing additional costs will be mitigated in the payment, remember that a cost is still there even if its effects are mitigated with a stream of payments

By Tony Craft

over the term of your loan. Turning over your vehicle less frequently can lead to substantial cost savings over time.

Additionally, assess your future needs and preferences. If your current car no longer meets your requirements in terms of space, safety features, fuel efficiency, or technology, upgrading to a new model may be worthwhile.

To sum up, the best time to purchase a new car instead of fixing an old one depends on the car’s age, condition, repair costs, financial situation, future needs, and honesty with yourself. Weighing these factors will help you make an informed decision that aligns with your priorities and resources.

Tony Craft is a franchise owner at Christian Brothers Automotive. 3745 Marietta Highway, Canton. 678-919-8122. ChristianBrothersAuto.com

39th Annual Riverfest Arts & Crafts Festival Preview

By Nichole Parks

The Service League of Cherokee County (SLCC) is excited to announce that the 39th annual Riverfest Arts & Crafts Festival will be held September 23-24 at Etowah River Park in Canton. In 1984, Riverfest started as a small arts and crafts show. It has since become the Service League’s largest fundraising event, earning a notable reputation for its familyoriented approach and warm relationships with vendors and patrons alike.

The festival is a cornerstone event with fun family activities and a juried show, featuring original, creative, handmade work by artisans from all over the region. The event also showcases extraordinary entertainment throughout the weekend such as dancers and live musicians as well as a fun-filled children’s area where kids of all ages can enjoy rides and activities.

For many families, Riverfest has become a not-to-be-missed event to kick off the fun of the season, as the cool, crisp days of autumn arrive. This year’s festival features more than 175 arts and crafts exhibitors, concessionaires, and entertainers. There will be many returning favorites as well as several new, unique exhibitors.

SLCC is one of the oldest service organizations in Cherokee County. It has a membership of 100 women who work year-round, collectively volunteering more than 10,000 hours per year to raise funds for children throughout Cherokee County. Funds raised during Riverfest, and other fundraising events sponsored by the League, provide families in need with day-to-day necessities such as food, clothing, medical and dental care, eyeglasses, rent, utility assistance, scholarships, and much more. SLCC also provides Christmas gifts for children in need throughout all the Cherokee County School District schools.

Admission to Riverfest for adults and children ages 11 and older is a $7 donation. The event will take place rain or shine. Free parking and shuttle service are available.

To learn more about the work and legacy of SLCC, visit ServiceLeague.net.

has been a proud sponsor of Riverfest for the past 10 CONSECUTIVE YEARS!

Riverfest is excited about the return of Sherapy Sugar Therapy and its handmade self-care items.

Cool down with a yummy treat from Rio’s Italian Ice.

The children’s area is full of fun activities for your little one, including face painting.

RibbonGroundCuttingsBreakings

The Right Choice Academy Acworth 6845 Highway 92, Suite 140A, Woodstock 770-575-1934

Daycare

Pegasus Support Services, LLC 265 Parkway 575, Woodstock 678-494-0332

Facilities Operations and Maintenance and Logistics Support

Sacred Journey Hospice

125 Oakside Court, Suite 102, Canton 678-583-0717

Hospice

BeeHive Homes of Woodstock 7819 Hickory Flat Highway, Woodstock 678-321-8200

Assisted Living Facility

1398 Reinhardt College Parkway, Canton 770-704-5608

Community Center

132 Woodstock Square Avenue, Suite 420, Studio 405, Woodstock 770-639-7363

Health and Wellness

Bella Vita Aesthetics and Wellness

Charlie Ferguson Community Center

Do You Truly Know Him?

By Pastor Kevin Huff

[InGoodFaith] September means we are leaving the summer months and entering the fall season. Many people do not like change, but just like the shifting of the seasons, there are times when we must face change in our lives. The greatest change that ever happened in my life occurred on June 21, 1991, when I came to know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. He radically transformed my life, which became as is described in II Corinthians, 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Everything about that passage of scripture details the change that takes place when a person comes to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. If a person claims to be a Christian but there has never been a change in their life, I’d have to question whether they truly came to know him.

In Luke 8:26-39, you’ll find the testimony of a man who was possessed by many demons. The Bible tells us that this man, “…ware no

clothes, neither abode in any house, but in tombs.” Now, you talk about a miserable life — this man experienced it. But if you read on, you’ll find that Jesus cast these demons out of this man, and the result was that the people found him “…sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.” There was a radical change in this man’s life. He went from a life of misery to a life of peace and joy, all because of Jesus.

I challenge you to examine your heart to see if there has ever been a change in your life. Examine your heart and make sure that you do not just know about Jesus, but that you truly know him. L

770-213-1690. HopewellBaptist.com

Kevin Huff is the pastor of Hopewell Baptist Church, 78 Ridge Road, Canton.