Best of Cherokee 2024

BESTOFCHEROKEE

2024WINNER

At Chuck’s Auto Repair, we are honored to have been voted the best auto repair shop by our valued customers. We strive to uphold this standard of excellence and continue providing top-notch services to our community.

What Sets Us Apart:

• 3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty: Enjoy peace of mind with our extensive warranty on all services and repairs.

• Complimentary Loaner Cars: Stay on the move with our complimentary loaner cars while we take care of your vehicle.

• Shuttle Service: We’ll get you where you need to go with our convenient shuttle service.

Exciting Announcement!

Chuck’s Auto Repair is thrilled to announce our expansion to 20 service bays! This expansion is a testament to our commitment to serving our customers better and ensuring prompt, efficient service

What Does This Mean for You?

• Faster Turnaround Times: With more service bays, we can accommodate more vehicles simultaneously, reducing wait times and getting you back on the road sooner.

• Enhanced Convenience: Our expanded facility allows us to offer a wider range of services and appointments, providing you with greater flexibility and convenience.

• Same Trusted Quality: Despite the expansion, we maintain our dedication to quality workmanship, exceptional service, and customer satisfaction.

• Whether it’s routine maintenance, repairs, or diagnostics, Chuck’s Auto Repair remains your trusted partner in automotive care.

Best

Cherokee of

14 COVER STORY

You voted. We tallied. After more than 50,000 votes, here’s a full list of the first, second and third place winners — and even a few tying winners — of our 2024 Best of Cherokee contest.

Features

10 Cotton Mill Exchange

Located in a historic cotton mill building in Canton, the Cotton Mill Exchange is a favorite shopping destination for Cherokee County residents and visitors to the area. Steve and Lori Sinatra run the business, which has over 150 vendors and a variety of antiques, home decor and other items that, as one customer put it, you “cannot find anywhere else.”

22 Dixie Speedway

Dixie Speedway has been a beloved Woodstock destination for decades, run by the Swims family. Due to challenges outside the track, the speedway was mostly closed for years - but now it’s back for a full racing season.

38 Winners Spotlight

The Best of Cherokee contest highlights the community’s favorite people, places and things, as chosen by our readers. Some businesses earned not just one, but multiple, first-place awards in the Best of Cherokee 2024 contest. Check out some of the readers’ top picks this year.

72 Upcoming Events

Cherokee County has many exciting things to look forward to in 2024. Here’s a list of just some of the events in the months ahead.

Celebrating the best of the best

Cherokee County is a special place.

Not just because it’s a thriving suburb that’s close to both the city of Atlanta and the north Georgia mountains, with natural resources like the Etowah River and a rich history.

It’s the people.

Despite having a population of over 280,000 and counting, it hasn’t lost a certain small-town charm.

I have found the people here to be friendly and welcoming since I moved to Cherokee a little over six years ago.

We have a little bit of everything. You can meet a Georgia farmer at your local market, peruse curated art at a gallery, eat at an award-winning restaurant and catch a concert, all right here in Cherokee.

best of the best.

On behalf of our team I want to thank everyone who participated in this year’s Best of Cherokee - you cast over 50,000 votes, the most in the history of this contest.

Congratulations to all the people and businesses who won Best of Cherokee awards - you can see all 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in this issue.

I also want to extend thanks to everyone who celebrated in person with us at our recent Best of Cherokee event at the Thrive Canton, and to our team members and partners who made the event possible.

BESTOFCHEROKEE

PRESENTED BY THE CHEROKEETRIBUNE CHEROKEE LEDGER-NEWS

In the Best of Cherokee 2024 contest, we’re celebrating some of the best of what makes it great to live, work and play here.

We asked you, the readers, to nominate your favorite local businesses for the contest on our website. From those nominated, readers voted to determine who is the

In this issue, check out a feature on a beloved Canton retailer, the Cotton Mill Exchange, information about some of the readers’ top picks in the contest, and the return of Dixie Speedway, which is bringing back a full season of events for the first time since 2019.

And, get a glimpse into some of the fun and exciting events coming up in Cherokee County through the rest of 2024.

I hope you enjoy reading about all of the winners in our Best of Cherokee contest.

Shannon Ballew Cherokee Life Editor

Cotton Mill Exchange

a favorite with shoppers in Cherokee County

BY JULIE THOMPSON

Situated on the banks of the Etowah River, the Canton Cotton Mill is a testament to how old things can be made new again.

When Steve and Lori Sinatra first laid eyes on the old building in June 2017, it was a dilapidated structure in sore need of repairs. But the couple saw it as the ideal space for their not-yet-opened home decor and antiques business.

He was an operations manager for a flooring company from New York; she was a hair stylist from California. They met in Georgia, married in 2007 and bought a home in Canton which they filled with unique decor and furnishings they found at antique markets and vintage stores. As they collected items for their home, they birthed the idea for their business.

Lori painted and refinished old furniture to sell in

antique markets in surrounding counties; Steve followed suit and sold his advertising signs. For 10 years, they maintained their side hustles, cultivating a network and fine-tuning their preferences and business practices. They bided their time, waiting for the right building to house their enterprise. When they found the old mill, they saw its potential and seized the opportunity. They encountered more obstacles than they could ever have imagined — personal injuries after a car accident — the unprecedented chaos of the pandemic. Still, they persevered.

Now, as winner of the most first place awards in the 2024 Best of Cherokee contest, Cotton Mill Exchange is one of the most beloved retail destinations in Cherokee County.

Steve and Lori Sinatra with their dog, Frankie.

“We’re really excited about Cherokee County voting for us in so many categories because we feel like our store is really a one-stop shop for any occasion, or to decorate any area in your home or office,” said Steve Sinatra, sitting at a rustic table in one of the furniture booths.

In the contest, Cotton Mill Exchange earned first place for women’s clothing, gifts, antiques, home decor and furniture.

Lori Sinatra sat at one of the chairs beside him. Only four years ago — just months before the store’s planned opening date — both husband and wife nearly lost their lives.

On a regular Sunday afternoon in August 2019, they were leaving their subdivision when a sleeping motorist hit them in a head-on collision. Steve was in the hospital for a week; Lori was in the ICU for months and couldn’t walk for a year and a half.

At the old mill, major renovations were taking place. The contractors sanded the floors to remove the harsh varnish, painted modern black ceiling, added new windows and lighting. They built booths for the vendors and installed heating and cooling units. During those months, Steve split his time between Lori’s hospital room and the store.

“I was…saying to myself, ‘You can either believe all the things that you’ve been saying for all these years, or you could just totally fall apart,’” Steve Sinatra said. “And I chose to carry my faith through and just believe no matter how bad it looked for my wife.”

During that time, their good friends Suzanne and Jack Skelly kept the renovation going.

“They worked in our store here seven days a week — sometimes 12 hours a day — dealing with the developer on our behalf. Our store would not have opened if it weren’t for them,” said Lori Sinatra, who

referred to her friends as “angels.”

“I mean, who does that?” she asked tearfully.

They held a soft opening for Cotton Mill Exchange in January 2020. Only six weeks later, they closed their doors following government-mandated COVID-19 lockdown regulations.

Even after the store reopened in May, the Sinatras weren’t sure if they’d have to close for another lockdown and never held their grand opening. But the store never closed again, and steadily, customers came and supported the new business.

Cotton Mill Exchange thrived.

Items you can’t find anywhere else

Four years after its opening, the store remains a destination for antique and curio collectors in Cherokee and surrounding counties. But what makes it such a beloved space?

Perhaps the building itself has something to do with

The Cotton Mill Exchange has 48,000 square feet filled with over 150 vendors.

A Chevrolet C10 sits inside the Cotton Mill Exchange.

the store’s popularity.

“There are so many stories of people — their grandparents or their parents worked here for many, many years,” Steve Sintatra said. “So it was such a big part of Canton, and to see an existing business [in an old building] that put Canton on the map was kind of a cool thing.”

On a weekday afternoon, soft light spills in from large open windows, and throwback tunes from the 60s, 70s and 80s echo in the store’s wide interior. Exposed brick walls — made of bricks from the Etowah River — offer the 48,000 square foot space a chic, industrial aesthetic with a touch of Southern charm.

Don Heins, one of the vendors at Cotton Mill Exchange, refers to the store as his “happy place.” He and his wife, Merrie, are both university administrators and run a booth called Belleau Wood where they sell vintage furniture, paint, and unique antiques like weathervanes. Don and Merrie have been at the store since the beginning and helped with painting and organizing before the doors opened. Business has ups and downs, but Don says he’s not doing it for the money as much as for the joy of repurposing old things and watching them find new homes.

With 150 vendors, Cotton Mill Exchange houses a variety of home furnishings, antiques, and gifts. Items like handmade soaps, candles and olive oil line the display shelves at distinct booths. Others offer items like jewelry, leather handbags, muffin mixes, local honey and ground coffee.

In a large booth in the middle of the store, Kimberly Posey’s London Designs features ornate lamps, candle holders, and statement furniture. Above it all hangs a custom-made chandelier. At first glance, you’d never know that it’s made from a repurposed iron bed frame and string lights. That’s just the sort of unexpected pairing Posey likes to showcase in her booth. After 30 years of working the antique business and keeping a pulse on home decor trends, Posey has developed a knack for mixing and matching styles and for displaying eclectic items — like industrial wheels and vintage spindles.

“I’d rather mix a little bit of the new with the old,” Posey said. “I think that the vintage pieces have a lot more charm, and they’re just helped to create a timeless space in your home.”

In the big room on aisle one, lies Crafty Staves, a booth that sells hand-crafted items like liquor cabinets, woodworked art, shot glasses and flight trays — all made from whiskey barrels.

Steve Brice, the creative behind the boozy designs, worked in the wholesale beer, liquor, and wine business for 43 years. Now that he has retired, Brice puts his love of woodworking to use by creating one-of-a-kind bar cabinets, dart boards and statement pieces. Through fractal burning — a process using a solution of water and baking soda fired with 12,000 volts of electricity — Steve and his wife Beverly achieve a burnt look on some of the pieces. “Welcome to the Man Cave. Eat, drink and be lazy,” reads one of Steve’s wall art pieces made of glass and wood.

“We like coming here because we find unique things that we cannot find anywhere else,” said customer Mindy Ureche who lives in Jasper. “We have bought several paintings here from local artists, and we’re always looking for unique furniture. This carpenter’s table we’re thinking could be a desk. Or we’ll stick some benches with it or something.”

Another customer, Ken Thrasher of Smyrna, was perusing and said he had been to the store a few times and liked the way it was run.

“We got some family in from Wisconsin, and we just came here to explore and see all the little gifts and things that they sell here,” Thrasher said. “It was something to do, especially on a rainy day.”

With the rise in popularity of home decor shows, customers are looking for more character and statement pieces in their homes, Steve Sinatra says. The store caters to that trend. With some imagination and perseverance, the old is made new at Cotton Mill Exchange. Artisans display their crafts, retirees restore vintage artifacts — and after everything, the Sinatras are seeing the fruits of their labor. Even the old mill has made a comeback.

Located in the Mill on Etowah development, Cotton Mill Exchange is at 2255 Reformation Parkway, Suite 100 in Canton. The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. and on Sunday from noon until 6 p.m. The phone number is 770-992-9294; for more details, visit their website at cottonmillexchange.net.

The Southern Lady sells home décor at the Cotton Mill Exchange.

Boundless Boutique sells clothes and accessories at the Cotton Mill Exchange in Canton.

Crafty Staves features several wall art pieces, including a sign that reads, “Welcome to the Man Cave. Eat, drink and be lazy.”

Arts & Entertainment BESTOFCHEROKEE

PRESENTED BY THE CHEROKEETRIBUNE CHEROKEE LEDGER-NEWS

“Specializing in custom accent walls, business windows, Instagram worthy backdrops and spirit rocks.”

Reformation Brewery - Canton

2nd Place: Reformation BreweryWoodstock 3rd Place: Rock Solid Brewing Co.

The Mill on Etowah 2nd Place: Timbers on Etowah 3rd Place: West Milford Farm

The Mill on Etowah 2nd Place: The Birdie Box 3rd Place: The Blue Ghost Arcade

2nd Place: Ball Ground Botanical Garden 3rd Place: BBQ & Brews

2nd Place: Fairways of Canton Golf Club | Stratus Kitchen & Bar

3rd Place: Lake Arrowhead Golf

2nd Place: Big Woods Goods

3rd Place: GUNSMOKE Firearmsformerly Hi-Caliber “Reformation Brewery is a values-based company that believes why you drink is as important as what you drink.”

Revamped makes full season return, eyes the future

BY JOE PARKER

Dixie Speedway first opened in 1969. It has been owned by the Swims family for nearly five decades.

Dixie Speedway has remained a staple of Woodstock since the racetrack and facility first opened its doors in 1969. However, the roar of the engines traversing the three-eighths of a mile red clay dirt speedway has been noticeably absent on Saturday nights in recent years. But as Dixie Speedway returns for its first full season of events since 2019, it does so with the designation of winning the Best Place to Take a Tourist for 2024.

Dixie has featured on-track trials and tribulations as cars vied for the checkered flag for over five decades. Though, circumstances outside of the speedway shuttered its doors almost entirely since 2020 as the family behind its operation faced some of its most challenging times.

The COVID-19 pandemic shut down operations for the entire 2020 season. After a limited schedule in 2021, Dixie

remained closed for two years. Underscoring its family operation, the 2022 season was put on hold after owner and track “matriarch” Martha Swims was diagnosed with cancer. Martha and husband and fellow co-owner of Dixie, Mickey, attended every event at the track since purchasing it in 1976.

The Swims family chose to pause its 2022 campaign to spend added time with Martha, who died in July of that year. Without its matriarch, the racing schedule remained paused throughout 2023.

“She was truly at its heart,” said Mia Green, vice president of Dixie Speedway and Martha’s daughter. “When her illness came about, we said we are going to close. It takes a whole family to do this, and we are going to spend this time with mom.”

However, the thunder of Dixie will soon rumble through Woodstock on Saturday nights again. Dixie recently announced it would be returning to a more traditional schedule this year.

Green said the business is honored to be voted as the prime place to take a tourist in the county, particularly given its effective reopening.

“There are so many wonderful places for visitors to come and go,” Green said. “To be here so long, since 1969, and right here in 2024 to be nominated and voted best place to take a tourist, that’s an awesome award.”

are reaching out to us to see if they can host events at the speedway. If we think it would be a good fit for the community, we welcome that discussion.”

Green said Dixie is now “more like a fairground” in offering various events and attractions to visit.

“We are now more like a special events venue, and that works well,” she said.

Some Dixie details may be missed by tourists, but returning fans could note several improvements made to the facility during its hiatus.

“Dixie needed a lot of repairs and upgrades,” Green said. “It is historic, but it is also an older venue. We have taken this time off, in the latter part of 2022 and 2023, and probably made over $250,000 worth of upgrades.”

Dixie’s 2024 schedule includes 17 racing nights, including notable events like Schaeffer’s Oil Super Late Models on May 4, USCS Sprint Cars on July 13 and Monster Truck Nationals Sept. 20-21.

“We are excited to come back,” she said. “It’s just not every day you get to see a demolition derby, reverse racing or other attractions. Not every city has that option. It’s almost like the fair is in town every time Dixie races.”

Racing isn’t the sole focus of the Dixie’s return, though.

Green said Dixie focused on racing in the past, but the business is now seeking to expand its horizons and become a leading multi-use venue. A recent showcase of this movement was its first Magic of Lights event during the 2023 holiday season featuring a drive-through holiday light display. Greene said the inaugural event received a “great response” from the community, and it is already scheduled to return this year with overall improvements.

“Stock car racing is the staple, but we also have concerts, the Magic of Lights, and we are looking at other events to host in the community,” she said. “Different organizations

Revamping measures include paving improvements to the parking lot and “completely refurbished” VIP suites, and all buildings sport new metal roofs, paint and LED lighting.

The speedway expects to complete additional improvements over the next three years. These include constructing new restrooms in the grandstands and tailgating area, and offering underground power in its three-year plan. The underground power will allow for RVs, which could benefit any future motocross events, which Green said can span several days.

To note, Dixie has also implemented a clear bag policy for 2024 which Green said is more in line with other large venues around the area.

What remains unchanged this year is the continued family ties of running the business. Three generations of the Swims family operate Dixie. Mickey Swims is Green’s father, and she works alongside her husband.

The third generation is represented by Green’s two daughters and nephew, though all have other jobs. For instance, Green’s daughters work in photography and social media for other companies, but each “give their talents and gifts to the family business,” she said.

“It’s a family business, but it’s almost a lifestyle,” Green said.

And it’s always been that way.

“When I was 12 years old, my parents put me in charge of souvenir sales because, honestly, they didn’t have anyone else to do it,” Green laughed. “But it goes that way. We’ve all grown up in the business. Even if it’s just a family event, we’re all talking about the business. It’s kind of strange and unique, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

From left to right: Chase Swims, Mickey Swims, Mia Green, Marla Green, Marshall Green and Macy Green.

Automotive & RecreationalVehicles BESTOFCHEROKEE

PRESENTED BY THE CHEROKEETRIBUNE CHEROKEE LEDGER-NEWS

2nd

Pete Gay - Krause Family

3rd Place: Robbie Hodgins - Chevrolet of Canton

Chuck’s

 Killian Automotive

2nd Place: Cherokee Tire Service

3rd Place: Christian Brothers AutomotiveTowne Lake

2nd Place: Cherokee Tire Service

3rd Place: Nichelson Auto Repair & Tire

“We offer a number of services that make repairing your vehicle easier such as highly sophisticated frame alignment machines and state-of-the-art paint booths. We also have a complete towing service with a secure on-site vehicle storage lot.”

MAULDIN BODY SHOP & TOWING

Mauldin Body Shop & Towing

Beauty Self&Care BESTOFCHEROKEE

PRESENTED BY THE CHEROKEETRIBUNE CHEROKEE LEDGER-NEWS

Classy Nails & Spa would like to graciously thank our wonderful customers that voted us “The Best Nail Salon” in Cherokee!

We are honored to have your trust and loyalty in our services. We could not have done it without you!

Dining Night&Life BESTOFCHEROKEE

PRESENTED BY THE CHEROKEETRIBUNE CHEROKEE LEDGER-NEWS

3rd Place: Wicked Wings

“Perrotta’s Pizza invites everyone to share in their Italian heritage and authentic food.”

BEST OF CHEROKEE BESTOFCHEROKEE

If you live in Cherokee County, you know that we enjoy great shopping, dining, entertainment, health care and all-around lifestyle choices. Our Best of Cherokee contest asks our readers to weigh in on the very best of this elite group. This year, you responded with more than 50,000 votes for your favorite enterprises. Here are some of the top winners in the 2024 Best of Cherokee contest - the best of the best. Congratulations to these winners and to all the organizations and people who serve Cherokee County so well.

THE COTTON MILL EXCHANGE cottonmillexchange.net

SECTION: Shopping

CATEGORIES:

Best Antique Store

Best Boutique

Best Furniture

Best Gift Store

Best Home Décor

Best Women’s Clothing

Cotton Mill Exchange is a thriving business community where more than 150 creative mercantile enterprises create a beautiful and exciting shopping experience in a historic environment.

The business is located within the Mill on Etowah, Canton’s cotton mill that was built in 1899 and manufactured world-famous denim and other cotton products until the 1980s. Today it’s been redeveloped into a shopping center and community hub, and the historic mill is a warm and inviting backdrop for shoppers.

Steven and Lori Sinatra opened the Cotton Mill Exchange in 2020.

“Each shop represents a small, locally owned business that is a representation of someone’s hard work and creativity,” Steve Sinatra says. “Our customers are supporting a local small business when

they purchase from Cotton Mill Exchange.”

The Cotton Mill Exchange’s greatest goal is diversity in merchandise, and it is always willing to accept applications for new enterprises. Merchants are required to maintain high quality standards. The majority of the Exchange’s shops carry vintage, antique and repurposed items, in addition to handcrafted products, new furnishings and home décor.

PERROTTA’S PIZZA

perrottaspizza.com

SECTION:

Dining & Night Life

CATEGORIES:

Best Caterer

Best Chicken Wings

Best Italian Food

Best Outdoor Dining

Best Pizza

Five years ago, Lou and Gina Perrotta fulfilled their dream of opening an Italian restaurant that specializes in the Neapolitan-style pizza that their Italian-American families had made and enjoyed for generations. Native New Yorkers who had relocated to Florida, they wanted a different kind of atmosphere for their new venture, and their research led them to Cherokee County.

Today, Perrotta’s Pizza in Canton’s Riverstone Village is the place to go for lovers of pizza and much more. Besides dozens of pizza varieties, the menu features a wide selection of Italian cuisine from sandwiches and calzones to salads and pasta dishes, plus desserts.

When you visit Perrotta’s, you will always find a family member working there, perhaps Lou or Gina, perhaps any of their children, — Anthony, Vincent and Giana — or maybe all five.

From the time they moved to Cherokee County, the Perrottas have engaged enthusiastically with the community. Their business supports numerous nonprofit organizations, schools, athletic teams and other local enterprises.

A portion of the restaurant’s Pizza of the Week sales are donated to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, the ASPCA and Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Military veterans, first responders and teachers all get a 10% discount when they eat at Perrotta’s.

Recently, Pizza Today magazine included Perrotta’s in its list of 35 American pizzerias to watch.

“We feel blessed to be here and do what we do,” Lisa Perrotta says. “Canton has been great to us, and we try to be great back to Canton.” BEDOE’S

BEST OF CHEROKEE BESTOFCHEROKEE

Gary and Terri Bedoe opened their restaurant in the Hickory Flat community in 2006. Bedoe’s is a familyfriendly neighborhood establishment that features a full-service spirits bar area, an outdoor patio and a separate family dining room. The Bedoes focus on their customers and their employees, some of whom have been with them for up to 17 years. The business also supports and sponsors local elementary, middle and high schools.

Bedoe’s has won awards for its wings and homemade half-pound burgers, featuring certified Angus beef. The restaurant offers more than bar food. Its full menu includes more than 80 items, including homemade soups and salads.

Whether you come by yourself or bring family and friends to Bedoe’s, you’ll enjoy homemade food in a friendly neighborhood bar and grill, owned and operated by local residents and friends of the community.

THE MILL ON ETOWAH etowahmill.com

SECTION:

Arts & Entertainment

CATEGORIES:

Best Concert Venue

Best Event Venue

Best Family Amusement

The Mill on Etowah is Canton’s newest historic mixed-use development, with over 200,000 square feet of creative office space, local retail, and vibrant restaurants. Located on the Etowah River, The Mill has become a popular destination for weekly trivia, river tubing, coffee hangouts, family movie

nights and more.

The green turf offers a multi-use stage and LED screen, creating an exciting atmosphere for seasonal sports games and live concerts. The Mill hosts four annual signature festivals: Etowah Wildlife Expo, Upriver Fest, Denim Fest, and Christmas at The Mill. All events offer a variety of vendors, family-friendly attractions and live shows attracting visitors from all over North Georgia. The Mill is a great place to hang out year-round for shopping, dining, events, festivals and so much more.

PINNACLE ORTHOPAEDICS

pinnacle-ortho.com

SECTION:

Health & Wellness

CATEGORIES:

Best Orthopaedic Group

Best Physical Therapy Group

Best Podiatrist

At Pinnacle Orthopaedics, they believe in results. Their physicians are constantly pursuing leading-edge technologies and investing in research and education in new and innovative techniques. Their five offices with 16 physicians have a wide range of orthopaedic specialties, including sports medicine, surgery of the spine, joint replacement, surgery of the hand and foot, fracture care, pain management, limb lengthening / deformity care and treatment of traumatic injuries. Pinnacle also provides services of MRI, rehabilitation, and an outpatient surgery center at their facilities.

Pinnacle is very involved in their communities. They sponsor many youth sports programs, community events, and work-based learning programs. Pinnacle physicians also provide medical coverage for various sports teams, including local

competitive clubs, high schools, college level and professional teams. Pinnacle provides team doctors for four area high schools and is the sports medicine provider for Kennesaw State University Athletics.

Pinnacle ASC Medical Director, Dr. Michael Kuczmanski says: “Pinnacle uses an advanced approach with their specialties and services and are able to maximize results and minimize recovery time. This allows our patients to spend time enjoying what is really important — getting back to the life they love.”

Pinnacle Orthopaedics would like to thank its patients, employees, friends and family for voting it the “Best in Cherokee” Orthopaedic Group, Physical Therapy Group and Podiatrist, including Dr. Michael Hull, Dr. Michael Kuczmanski and Dr. Karthik Ponnusamy. They are proud of their practice and humbled by the support!

Health & Wellne BESTOFCHEROKEE

PRESENTED BY THE CHEROKEETRIBUNE CHEROKEE LEDGER-NEWS

2nd

3rd

2nd Place: Cameron Hall of Canton

2nd Place: Dr. Courtney E. Sinclair

3rd Place: Dr. Terry V Kelley MD

“We are dedicated to providing personalized care that meets your unique needs and goals to achieve the healthy, beautiful smile you’ve always dreamed of.”

CHEROKEE ORTHODONTICS

2nd

3rd Place: Scott Biddulph - CVS

OUR SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT:

The Haven Academy and Canton Homeschool Resources are deeply committed to providing a safe and positive community for learning. All learners are respected, acknowledged, and encouraged. We foster connection and engagement through research-based learning approaches to enable all learners to reach their fullest potential to thrive in a dynamic global community.

We provide-

• COGNIA accreditation.

• Reduced class sizes with lower student-to-teacher ratios.

• Research based award-winning curriculum that emphasizes hands-on learning and higher level thinking skills.

• Rigorous classes such as Advanced Placement courses, Dual Enrollment, and Honors distinctions.

• The ability to accept SB-10 and the GOAL scholarship.

• NCAA and GAPPS membership benefits to our students.

Registration is open now for fall in kindergarten to 12th grade. Also, our registration for remote summer courses for high school students is now open on our website.

Kids & Education BESTOFCHEROKEE

PRESENTED BY THE CHEROKEETRIBUNE CHEROKEE LEDGER-NEWS

The Academy Street Theatre Group (ASTG) is an arts education program of the Cherokee County School District offering students onstage and offstage opportunities in theatre arts for the past 32 years. For information contact: reed.christian@cherokeek12.net.

2nd Place: Epic Martial Arts

3rd Place: Premier Martial Arts Canton

2nd Place: D V Pediatrics

BESTOFCHEROKEE

PRESENTED BY THE CHEROKEETRIBUNE CHEROKEE LEDGER-NEWS

Pets

2nd Place: Semper Fi Legacy Rescue 3rd Place: Ruff Redemption

2nd Place: Savy Paws Pet Resort 3rd Place: Paw Daddy Pet Care

2nd Place: Grooms by Kenzie

3rd Place: Pawesome Partners

2nd

3rd Place: PetSmart

They’re counting on you!

Microchipping your pet is your best bet for a reunification if they get lost. If you live in Cherokee County and your pet is not microchipped, stop by the Animal Shelter Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.5 p.m. and get your pet microchipped for FREE! No more excuses — No more strays.

Visit our website to see the pets up for adoption!

BALL GROUND HOUNDS

Real&tate Finance BESTOFCHEROKEE

PRESENTED BY THE CHEROKEETRIBUNE CHEROKEE LEDGER-NEWS

• 1 & 2 Bedrooms

• Beer, Wine & Spirits On Self-Pour Taps

• Heated Saltwater Pool

• Gated Community

• Sky Lounge w/Fireplace

• Lounge w/Double Sided Fireplace

• Putting Green/Bocce Ball

• Pet Spa

• 24-Hour Fitness Center

2nd Place: Pantana Accounting & Tax, Inc. 3rd Place: North GA CPA Services, PC

2nd Place: Linz Holly Springs Apartments

3rd Place: The Indigo Apartments - Canton

2nd Place: Lakeside at River Green by JW Collection

3rd Place: Camellia Place - Woodstock

2nd Place: Regions Bank

3rd Place: Wells Fargo Bank

Real Estate Agent

 Carl Hawthorne TeamAtlanta Communities

2nd Place: Mary TowlerAtlanta Communities

3rd Place: Evelyn Calhoun - Virtual Properties Realty - Ball Ground

Real Estate Company

 Atlanta CommunitiesCherokee

2nd Place: ERA Sunrise Realty

3rd Place: Valente Realty GroupAtlanta Communities Carl Hawthorne

Communities

TeamAtlanta

PRESENTED BY THE CHEROKEETRIBUNE CHEROKEE LEDGER-NEWS

2nd Place: Bradshaw Flowers 3rd Place: Brenda’s House Of Flowers Florist & Flower Delivery 2nd Place: SGC Groups LLC Remodeling & Renovations

3rd Place: Herndon Heating & Air Conditioning Co

Whatever the occasion, one of our talented designers will create a beautiful, eye-catching fresh or silk floral arrangement that’s customized just for you! We offer traditional and contemporary floral design styles that are appropriate for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, get well, new baby, sympathy, holidays or just because.

3rd Place: Dominic’s Mission

PRESENTED BY THE CHEROKEETRIBUNE CHEROKEE LEDGER-NEWS

opping BESTOFCHEROKEE

Cherokee County communities and organizations offer a wide variety of cultural, entertainment and educational events. Here’s a list of some of the opportunities coming up in the months ahead.

APRIL 26-28

Peaberry Film Festival

Canton Theatre

171 E. Main St., Canton

https://www.peaberryfest.org

Popular with filmmakers and audiences, the Peaberry Film Festival screens feature- and short-length films in a variety of categories. Organizers expect about 30 entries from professional, amateur and student creators. Tickets are priced at $20 for single-day attendance and $50 for the weekend.

MAY 4

History Cherokee’s 21st Annual Kentucky Derby Day

The Mill On Etowah

225 Reformation Pkwy., Canton

https://historycherokee.org/derby-day

History Cherokee’s annual fundraising event helps support the mission and operation of the Cherokee County History Center. Activities start at 4:30 p.m. and include bourbon tastings, a hat contest, a pony pull, a silent auction, gourmet food and specialty cocktails. Tickets prices start at $100 for single admission, $185 for couples.

MAY 11-12

33rd Annual Cherokee County Indian Festival & Mother’s Day

Powwow

Boling Park

1200 Marietta Pkwy., Canton

https://rthunder.com/

Produced by Rolling Thunder Enterprises, this event celebrates Native American culture and history. Activities include wildlife displays, bungee jumps, train rides, American Indian cuisine and much more. Tickets will be on sale at the gate; adults: $15, under 12: $5, under 5, free.

JUNE 15

Cherokee

County NAACP’s Third Annual Juneteenth Festival

The Mill on Etowah

225 Reformation Pkwy., Canton

https://www.cherokeecountyganaacp.org

A celebration of the liberation of the last African Americans held in slavery when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865, Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021. From 1 to 5 p.m., activities include presentations highlighting the purpose of the holiday, health screenings, musical entertainment, a disc jockey, games for children and a car show. A variety of vendors and food trucks will be on hand.

Registration for the car show is $20 for cars and $25 for trucks. For more information contact Angela at 404-692-1617.

JUNE 15

Juneteenth Celebration of Togetherness

Woodstock Arts Event Green

111 Elm St, Woodstock

https://woodstockarts.org/events/ juneteenth-2024/

Woodstock Arts’ Juneteenth Celebration of Togetherness is from 2-8 p.m. on the event green in downtown Woodstock. Admission is free. There will be a market featuring Blackowned businesses and Black artists, as well as food, music, kids’ activities and entertainment. This event is part of the Woodstock Arts Festival Series.

JUNE 29

Ball Ground Fireworks Display, Celebration and Concert in the Park

City Park

177 Old Dawsonville Road, Ball Ground https://cityofballground.com/ community-events

Ball Ground’s annual Independence Day celebration kicks off June 29 with a free concert performed by Fly Betty at 7 p.m. in City Park. The fireworks display starts at 9:45 p.m., and is visible from most locations in the city limits.

JULY 4

7

Woodstock Spectacular

Downtown Woodstock

https://woodstock.recdesk.com

Woodstock’s Independence Day Spectacular begins with a 5K race in downtown Woodstock followed by the 28th Annual July 4 Spectacular Parade, which begins at 10 a.m. at Woodstock Elementary School on Rope Mill Road, proceeds to Main Street and ends at Sam’s Club near Highway 92.

After the parade, a family-friendly festival featuring carnival games, inflatables, and a foam party takes place in the Park at City Center. The day concludes with fireworks at dusk in the area around I-575 and Highway 92.

JULY 4

Canton Independence Day Parade & Fireworks

Downtown Canton

https://www.cantonga.gov

The Canton Independence Day Parade will begin on Waleska Street at 6 p.m., proceed to East Main Street and turn left onto North Street before returning to Waleska. Fireworks at Riverstone Parkway will begin at dark.

AUGUST 17

8

Chick-fil-A Cherokee County

5K Race

Etowah River Park

600 Brown Industrial Pkwy., Canton https://cherokeecounty5k.com

This event helps support the Cherokee County Educational Foundation and Cherokee County Special Olympics. It has raised over $300,000 in the past 11 years. The 5K race starts at 8 a.m. and is followed by a 1-mile Calf Run and a Nugget Roll for younger children. Entry fee for all categories is $25.

SEPTEMBER 28-29

10 9

Riverfest Arts and Crafts Festival

Etowah River Park

600 Brown Industrial Pkwy., Canton https://serviceleague.net/fundraisers/ riverfest

The Service League of Cherokee County’s annual festival attracts arts and crafts vendors, concessionaires, entertainers and visiting tourists to Canton. More than 25,000 patrons visit Riverfest annually to shop, sample food and enjoy the entertainment. They also come for the scarecrow tradition. Businesses, schools and organizations create the agrarian critters for the visitors’ amusement.

OCTOBER 11-12

Red, White & Blue BBQ

610 McClure St., Canton

The annual Red, White & Blue BBQ, hosted by the American Legion Thomas M. Brady Post 45, is set for Oct. 11-12. Oct. 11 will feature a wing cook-off and cornhole tournament, and Oct. 12 there will be the festival’s annual barbecue competition, and visitors will be able to enjoy music and vendors throughout the day. Proceeds from the event go toward supporting local veterans.

upcoming events

NOVEMBER 20

Canton Christmas Tree Lighting

Cannon Park

130 E Main St., Canton

www.cantonga.gov

Canton’s annual Christmas tree lighting event is 6:30-8:30 Nov. 20 in downtown Canton. There will be music at the park before Santa arrives in the city to kick off the holiday season. Santa and the mayor will light the Christmas tree, and Santa will visit with kids and families.

DECEMBER 6

March of the Toys Parade

Downtown Ball Ground

www.marchofthetoysparade.com

The annual March of the Toys Parade is returning to downtown Ball Ground at 7 p.m. Dec. 6. This is one of the largest Christmas

parades in north Georgia. The parade features the Creekview High School Marching Band, dance groups, princesses, superheroes, floats, tractors, antique cars and more. And, Santa and Mrs. Claus will make a visit to town. Attendees to the parade are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots.

DECEMBER 8

Woodstock Christmas Jubilee and Parade of Lights

Downtown Woodstock

www.woodstockparksandrec.com

Woodstock’s annual Christmas parade starts at Woodstock Elementary School on Rope Mill Road, proceeds to Main Street and ends at Sam’s Club near State Road 92. After the parade, the festival in The Park at City Center will offer shopping, DJ music, free cupcake decorating and other treats, and a reading of the Polar Express. Santa will help light the 30-foot Christmas tree.