Cherokee Ledger Monthly - April 2025

LETTER

FROM THE EDITOR

In April, take time to experience Cherokee

Hello, and welcome to another issue of the Cherokee Ledger Monthly.

I hope you are enjoying spring so far. In an effort to be healthier, I’m trying to take more steps, and it’s even better if I can take those steps at a nice local park or on one of our many walking trails in the area.

Along with warmer weather, April means the return of some of our area’s farmers markets and many beloved community events.

Last month, we told you about Chance Beam joining the school board; you can get to know him better in our story on Page 6.

In Community, you can check out the arcade that recently opened at the Mill on Etowah, and some more of the fun and exciting events coming up in Cherokee in April, including the Stand Up for Seniors 25th Anniversary Gala.

Publisher lee B. g ArreTT

Managing Editor ShAnnon BAlleW

VP of Content Jk MUrphy

Writers

dr lynn BAXTer griFFin CAll AghAn lindA FreedMAn

One of these spring events is the Relay for Life, which raises funds for the American Cancer Society. In our cover story, meet Melissa Gray and “Team Grumpy” who are participating in this year’s Relay For Life in memory of Woodstock Firefighter David Gray and to fight cancer. Consider joining this event in support of a great cause.

Also in this issue, you’ll see news about proposed plans to redevelop part of downtown Canton, a Publix and a mixed-use development coming to Woodstock, a proposal to open a coffeehouse in a historic building and more.

In our Sports section, you can read about how River Ridge High School’s girls basketball team secured their second state championship — congratulations, Knights!

Thanks again for reading the Cherokee Ledger.

For even more local news, check out the Cherokee Tribune, our website www.tribuneledgernews.com, and the Cherokee Tribune-Ledger podcast.

Shannon Ballew Managing Editor

eThAn JohnSon reBeCCA JohnSTon

VP of Advertising BoB MCCrAy

Circulation Director dAVe goSSeTT

VP of Production doUg CroW

Photographers

AMBer Cloy

CeCil Copel And roBin rAyne greg Spell

AnThony STAlCUp

JACk TUSZynSki

Layout & Design JUSTin griFFin, JenniFer BroWn, philip CleMenTS

On the Cover

Jack Tuszynski’s photo of Melissa gray, the widow of Woodstock Firefighter david gray and some of his extended firefighting family.

Volume 2, Issue 4

The Cherokee Ledger Monthly 521 E. Main St., Canton, Ga 30114 • (770) 479-1441

Community News

♦ Canton unveils concepts for North Street redevelopment, 4

♦ Meet Cherokee County’s newest School Board Member Chance Beam, 6

♦ Community news briefs, 7

Cover Story

♦ “Team Grumpy” will honor the late David Gray, who was a Woodstock firefighter, at the Relay for Life, 8

Opinion

♦ Perspectives, 10

♦ Letters to the Editor, 11

♦ Soapbox, 12

Dining

♦ Peach Cobbler and more, 13

Entertainment & Community Events

♦ GAME ON: Arcade opens at The Mill on Etowah, 17

Sports

♦ River Ridge girls claw back for second title, 25

♦ Woodstock’s freshman phenom tak-

ing county by storm, 26

♦ Creekview wrestlers achieve a county first, 27

♦ Parker picked for All-America recognition, 28

♦ Furtah Prep wins back-to-back GIAA championships, 28

Education

♦ Cherokee Classical Academy opens in August, 29

Health

♦ Medical complex coming to Union Hill Road, 30

♦ Understanding the latest breast cancer screening recommendations, 31

Cherokee Social Scene

♦ West Main Arts, Etowah Wildlife Expo and Mardi Gras pub crawl, starts on page 33

Gardening

♦ Easy to grow zinnias, 36

Puzzles

♦ Crossword and Sudoku, 37

Business

♦ Service Directory, 38

Ballew

Canton unveils concepts for North Street redevelopment

By Ethan Johnson ejohnson@ledgernews.com

Canton officials and representatives of Goodwyn Mills Cawood have unveiled a concept plan for office and retail space, apartments, a hotel and a parking deck on North Street.

The Canton City Council and Canton Downtown Development Authority hosted a joint meeting Feb. 26 at Canton City Hall to hear a presentation from Goodwyn Mills Cawood on the ongoing planning of the North Street redevelopment project in downtown Canton.

Concept renderings were unveiled at the meeting that showed how the proposed mixed-use development would look on the property.

Canton Mayor Bill Grant emphasized that these are just concepts based on previous discussions and meetings, and there will be opportunities for residents to give input.

“I want to thank all of the stakeholders involved in the process from the city, county and residents for their thoughtful input along the way for this project,” Grant said, adding that he and the council would have further discussions at their spring retreat two weeks later. “We will also have ongoing discussions and meetings with the county as well regarding this project. There will also be plenty of opportunities for public input.”

The Canton DDA owns all property between the Cherokee County Justice Center and the probation office on the corner of Brown and East Main Streets, and this area is planned for redevelopment. In 2023, it purchased 2.5 acres including the Bray & Johnson Law Firm building for $1.05 million. Last summer, it purchased 2.5 acres including Cherokee North Apartments for $4.3 million.

Canton representatives have said the city will work with current apartment residents on a housing transition plan.

The concept plan for this area includes two mixed-use buildings with about 20 one to two-bedroom apartment units above office and retail space.

Behind those two buildings, a 180,000 square-foot parking deck is proposed with 600 to 800 spaces. The proposed deck would be five or more stories and serve both the proposed mixed-use development and the courthouse, according to the proposed plan.

On the east side of the development by Brown Street, the plan shows a roughly 80unit, 54,000 square-foot boutique hotel that would also have about 10,000 square feet of retail space and 3,000 square feet of event space for about 300 guests.

On the west side would be an office building. Proposals for the property show about 120,000 square feet of office space and about

16,800 square feet of retail space. The apartments would total about 47,200 square feet.

Next to the redevelopment project site to the west, Cherokee County is looking to expand the Justice Center campus to meet the court system’s current and future needs.

K. Scott Gordon, Cherokee County’s General Services Agency director, presented a proposed concept plan in January showing a new four-story building that would be added to the Justice Center campus to help meet any court needs through 2044, as recommended by the National Center for State Courts.

City Manager Billy Peppers said he believes some of the proposed 120,000 square feet of office space will be used by the county to

grow into over time, adding that this does not include the 30,000 square feet it already needs for the justice center expansion.

“We would like to build more now than the county needs with the understanding they can grow into some of that over time, but we do not want to have continuous construction going on in that area,” he said.

“Our reason for acquiring additional property there is to make sure we control the destiny and future of our downtown to make sure everyone’s needs are being met and make sure the scale of any new development is appropriate and relevant for our town, while taking care of the residents and businesses,” Grant said.

The plan and renderings are available online on the city’s website, www.cantonga.gov.

New Publix coming to Woodstock in Towne Lake Parkway center

By Ethan Johnson ejohnson@ledgernews.com

A Publix is coming to Towne Lake Parkway in Woodstock near the downtown area.

On Feb. 24, the Woodstock City Council unanimously approved architecture plans for a Publix that will be built on Towne Lake Parkway.

The Publix is part of a shopping center that was approved last fall. In October, the city council voted to allow Connolly Realty, LLC to build a 46,791 square-foot grocery store and five commercial buildings ranging from 3,500 square feet to 13,750 square feet along Towne Lake Parkway between Woodstock Parkway and the Mill Street/Lyndee Lane roundabout. At the time, a specific tenant was not identified.

The city does not currently have a construction timeline for the Publix, City Planner Cameron Dunn said.

The shopping center will be developed on a little over 10.7 acres. It’s planned to have 484 parking spaces.

There will be three points of ingress and egress to the development from Lyndee Lane, Towne Lake Parkway, and Sherwood Drive. There will be a full access driveway on Lyndee Lane, a right-in/right-out

driveway on Towne Lake Parkway, and a full access driveway on Sherwood Drive, aligned with Primrose Driveway, according to city documents.

A condition of the October approval was that the city council must approve the architecture for the grocery store.

The council approved the architecture and materials Feb. 24 with the condition that if the grocery store tenant changes between approval and construction, architecture approval will be rescinded and be re-reviewed by the city council, according to city documents.

City architecture requirements include two types of standards — storefront treatment requirements and street facade requirements.

Special — goodwyn Mills Cawood

A concept rendering shows what this proposed development could look like.

Special

A rendering shows how the new Publix building will look on Towne Lake Parkway.

Mixed-use development coming to Woodstock

By Ethan Johnson ejohnson@ledgernews.com

A mixed-use development with commercial and residential space is coming to Dobbs Road and Main Street in downtown Woodstock.

In a split vote, on Feb. 10 the Woodstock City Council voted to approve a rezoning, conditional use permits and variances to allow for the construction of a 14,300 square-foot multitenant commercial space, 24 for sale condominiums and 14 fee simple single-family attached townhomes.

The vote was 3-2, with Mayor Michael Caldwell breaking the tie.

Council Members Rob Usher and Tracy Collins voted to approve the requests. Council Members Colin Ake and Warren Johnson voted to deny. Councilman David Potts was absent from the meeting.

“Councilman (Brian) Wolfe is a division chief for the Roswell Fire Department and was called away for a structure fire in the midst of our debate. Councilman Wolfe did intend to vote for the measure before he left,” Caldwell

said. “I feel duty bound to ensure his vote is cast as well. So, I will use the mayor’s tie vote to vote in the opinion of Councilman Wolfe.”

Ake said that while he sees pros and cons for the project, his issue is “massing.”

“I think you can keep the same unit count and have smaller units,” he said.

Johnson said he likes the product but has concerns about its density.

The applicant, Dinesh Vudutha, will build this development at 8261 Main Street and 8271 Dobbs Road, on 2.36 acres on the northeast corner of Dobbs Road and Main Street.

The condominiums will be above the commercial spaces fronting Main Street. The townhomes will sit behind the mixed-use buildings, fronting both Dobbs Road and the interior of the site, according to city documents.

Access to the development will be via a driveway along Dobbs Road. Streets in the interior of the project will be two-way private alleys.

The project is planned to have

86 parking spaces: a combination of off-street uncovered parking, tandem stalls, on-street parking and one- and two-car garages.

A 10-foot sidewalk will be installed along the Main Street portion of the site, and a fivefoot sidewalk will be along the Dobbs Road portion of the development.

The council’s approval included rezoning the property from downtown residential/office to downtown central business district.

The conditional use permits are required to build the attached townhomes and to develop on less than five acres in downtown, according to city documents.

Five variances were approved to accommodate the proposed project, including streetscape requirements and the orientation and layout of the proposed townhome units.

The decision came after a public hearing in December, where seven residents spoke in opposition to the request, citing concerns about density and traffic, according to the city.

Speakers and the council recommended a right turn lane be

installed on Dobbs Road for drivers turning onto Main Street. Ake also expressed concern about the height of the mixed-use building fronting Main Street.

The applicant told city representatives that any reduction in the number of units would adversely impact the economic viability of this development, City Planner Cameron Dunn said.

The height of the mixed-use buildings would be 56 feet, with the highest parapet making por-

tions of the buildings 64 feet tall, Dunn said.

Twenty conditions were approved with the request. Some of these include: implementing dedicated right turn lane from Dobbs Road onto Main Street, limiting the height of the mixeduse buildings to be no more than 64 feet, and restricting rental units to be no more than 10%.

Though a public hearing on

Special

This rendering shows what the mixed-use development on Dobbs Road and Main Street is expected to look like.

Meet Cherokee County’s newest School Board Member Chance Beam

By Ethan Johnson ejohnson@ledgernews.com

The Cherokee County school board’s newest member, Chance Beam, has been sworn into office, and he said he is ready to get to work using his business knowledge to help move the school district forward.

Beam was sworn in Feb. 27 in a ceremony at the Dr. Frank R. Petruzielo Educational Services Facility in Canton. Cherokee County Probate Judge Keith Wood administered the oath of office.

School board members voted by paper ballot to appoint Beam Feb. 13 to fill the District 3 post that was vacant after former School Board Member John Harmon resigned due to moving outside his district.

Beam said he found out about his appointment at the same time as everyone else, adding that he is excited about the opportunity to serve the district.

He is set to serve in the post for the remainder of the term, which ends Dec. 31, 2026.

Beam is the owner and CEO of Titans Sports Academy, a baseball and softball training facility in Kennesaw. He said he is eager to get started, ask questions and use his business knowledge to contribute to the school board.

“I’m the new kid on the block, so I see my role as asking a lot of questions. Being a business owner, I think I have an interest-

ing perspective because I deal with a lot of building and employee contracts, legalities, things of that nature,” Beam said. “I’ve had conversations with members of the school board, and they’ve been very welcoming and kind. They’ve all identified the areas where I’d be the most beneficial to the board, that being the business side because that’s my wheelhouse.”

Beam added that, as a businessman, he plans to bring business practices to the district that “hopefully allows it to maybe be a little more efficient with the dollar.”

“I am a taxpayer just like everyone else in the county. I know the school district had to opt out (of HB 581) and it was a very difficult decision, but I think a right one for the schools,” he said. “I also look at that as a taxpayer with my own concerns similar to what others have voiced. ‘Are we being prudent with every dollar and are we making sure that each dollar is being spent efficiently and for the things they should be?’ It’s important to look at taxpayers and say, ‘We are doing what’s right for you.’”

He also emphasized the importance of finding ways to bridge the gap in the pay disparity for teachers in Cherokee compared to surrounding counties.

“The biggest thing that I’ve heard initially from teachers is that disparity in payroll between Cherokee and Cobb and surrounding counties, so I think I can help by looking at budgets and see if we can’t find a way to bridge that gap by staying within the budget,” he said. “We want to keep these teachers here in Cherokee.”

Beam has lived in Woodstock for about two years, and said the local school system was the main reason he and his family moved to Cherokee County.

“We were in Cobb County for 12 years and moved to Cherokee because of the schools, which was a big decision to make,” he said. “It’s been a great experience living in this county, so when this opportunity presented itself to serve and help the district, I wanted to go for it. Again, the reason I came to the county is the schools and I want to continue to make sure the school district moves forward in a positive light.”

Beam and his wife, Christine, have two daughters, Brooke and Baylor Beam, who attend River Ridge High School and play for the varsity softball team.

“I love Cherokee, and I don’t take this opportunity for granted,” Beam said. “I want to make the best decisions for all of the school district.”

PROJECT

From 5

this request was not scheduled for the Feb. 10 meeting, Caldwell and the city council heard additional public comments before the vote.

Twelve residents spoke; they were evenly split on the development.

Joe Lorenz told the council that 60 community members signed a petition in December opposing the project, citing density and height — and neither had changed substantially since the last meeting.

“We oppose the height, the density, the overall design of the project,” he said. “It’s not really in keeping with the character of the neighborhood, nor is it consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan.”

David and Lindsay Faulkner, who live near the project site, said they see no positive impact on Woodstock.

“The traffic on Dobbs Road is already out of control,” Lindsay Faulkner said.

Tony Eyl, the listing broker for the sellers of the property, said the owners would “love to see this project get approved.”

“We ask that you consider the work that the applicant has done, the architecture that’s gone into it and what a complement to the downtown district it will be,” he said.

Sean Boxer, a nearby resident, said he is in favor of the project.

“The city is continuing to evolve, and I like the direction it is heading in,” he said. In response to these comments, Usher said, “I am hearing what everyone is saying. The biggest problem I am hearing is traffic.”

“Regardless of what we do going forward, I would like for the city to look into possibly signalizing this intersection to improve traffic flow for the people on Dobbs Road,” he said.

PUBLIX

From 4

The Publix architecture was approved despite being non-compliant with five of 24 total architectural standards that apply: four “storefront treatment” standards and one “street facade” standard.

These include: no knee wall shown below windows on proposed elevations, lowerthan-minimum window coverage along front facade, no glass transom provided over the entry door, building facade areas exceeding 20 feet without intervening glass display windows or glass doors, and the use of horizontal sliding doors (standard Publix specifications use automatic sliding doors for primary entrance).

Although the building is not compliant with these five requirements, city staff recommended approval of the architectural design due to the “strict commercial client (Publix) and attempts at adhering or mimicking the Downtown design standards when possible,” according to city documents.

Cherokee County School district

School Board Member Chance Beam, with his wife Christine and their daughters, takes the oath of office, administered by Cherokee County Probate Court Judge Keith Wood.

Chance Beam

Special Beam and his wife, Christine, have two daughters, Brooke and Baylor Beam, who attend River Ridge High School and play for the varsity softball team.

NEWS AROUND CHEROKEE COUNTY NEWS

HISTORIC GENERAL STORE COULD BE HOME TO A COFFEE SHOP

The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners is set to hold a public hearing on a request to bring a coffeehouse and giftshop to a historic building on Union Hill Road in east Cherokee.

A public hearing is set for 6 p.m. April 15 at the Cherokee County Conference Center, 1130 Bluffs Parkway in Canton.

We2Friends Coffeehouse is seeking a legacy use to open a coffeehouse and gift shop at 4561 Union Hill Road near Alpharetta, the J.B. Mathis General Store.

If the board approves the legacy use, the applicant will be allowed to open the coffeehouse without needing to rezone the property.

The J.B. Mathis General Store was built and opened in 1950 and closed in the 1960s. It was one of the four original stores in the Union Hill area, and Mathis was the principal of Union Hill Community School.

The one-story building is 1,200 square feet. It received a Historic Preservation Award from History Cherokee last year.

The applicant is also requesting variances to allow nine parking spaces rather than 12 in addition to one ADA-accessible space, and to eliminate a required deceleration lane due to low traffic volume in the area and limited hours of operation, according to county documents.

“We envision the revitalized store as a place that embodies the spirit of our community, offering a warm and inviting atmosphere where residents and visitors alike can come together to enjoy expertly brewed coffee, with our beans being provided by a local roastery, Alma Coffee,” according to county documents,” a letter of intent from the applicant reads in part. “The reopening of the store in this manner allows us to preserve a piece of our history while adapting to the changing needs and preferences of our community.”

For more information about We2Friends, visit www.we2friends.com.

CHEROKEE COUNTY CONSIDERS CREATING LAND BANK

Cherokee County leaders are expressing support for a land bank, and have asked cities to join them.

The land bank would seek to redevelop blighted and delinquent properties for new purposes, including potential housing.

On Feb. 18, the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution supporting the creation of the Cherokee Regional Land Bank Authority.

The “Cherokee Regional Land Bank” would be a public entity, governed by a board of directors appointed by the member jurisdictions.

A land bank is a legal entity that retains ownership of land, often to facilitate redevelopment of blighted or abandoned properties.

“This is not the final action on this, it’s just an indication of our support for it,”

The county has provided a resolution similar to its own to the cities to consider for adoption, to determine the interest in forming the Cherokee Regional Land Bank.

If at least one of the cities moves forward with the adoption of this resolution, county staff will begin to coordinate the review and finalization of documents to constitute the land bank, according to the county.

The Holly Springs City Council was scheduled to vote on the resolution March 17, and the Canton City Council was set to vote on March 20.

In neighboring Bartow County, there is a land bank called the Bartow-Cartersville Land Bank.

GDOT AWARDS $36.5M CONTRACT TO WIDEN BELLS FERRY ROAD

The Georgia Department of Transportation has awarded a $36.5 million contract to widen Bells Ferry Road in Cherokee County, the department announced.

On Feb. 18, the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners voted to purchase a 1.93-acre property on Hunt Road adjacent to the future Woodworth Park, for $550,000.

Commissioners purchased the property, 3000 Hunt Road near Acworth, to be used for the development of the Southwest Cherokee Recreation and Senior Center.

The property will better situate the future recreation and senior center, which will be on the existing parcel for Woodworth Park, according to county documents. Closing is anticipated to be in March. “It’s part of an important plan to build that park out, which will be the county’s third indoor rec center,” Cherokee County Commission Chairman Harry Johnston said.

The funding for this purchase will come from 2024 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds that are dedicated to parks and recreation.

Chairman Harry Johnston said. “It would create the opportunity for a governmentsupported group that can accept donations of land, acquire tax parcels and otherwise assemble properties that can be used to alleviate blighted properties and create affordable housing in the county. It may do a lot. It may do a little. But it will do something, which is better than nothing.”

According to the resolution, the county and the cities of Ball Ground, Canton, Holly Springs, Nelson, Waleska and Woodstock have begun initial discussions on forming the land bank authority.

Land banks require a county and at least one municipality to agree to form the entity. All of the municipalities within a county are eligible to participate.

The project, awarded in January, will widen the highway to two lanes on each side, along with a raised median. Construction is expected to get underway in late spring or early summer with a completion date of Oct. 31, 2028.

In addition to the new lanes, the project will also include several RCUTs (Reduced Conflict U-Turns) at various intersections. The other intersections will continue to be controlled by traffic signals. Construction on the road widening will extend from Southfork Way about 2.4 miles to Victoria Road.

“Increasing capacity is important for a road that carries so much traffic volume,” said GDOT District Six Engineer Grant Waldrop.

CHEROKEE COUNTY BUYS LAND TO ADD TO FUTURE WOODWORTH PARK

Cherokee County is buying almost two acres of property to add to the future Woodworth Park development.

Woodworth Park will be on Highway 92, between Plantation Road and Hunt Road near the YANMAR Evo Center.

In addition to the rec center, the 53acre park is expected to include a playground, splash pad, sports fields, walking trails and more.

The project is in the permitting phase, according to the county.

The first phase of the park is funded by 2018 SPLOST and recreation impact fees. This phase will include a playground, open lawn and natural trails along with the necessary support facilities for parking, restrooms and park maintenance, county documents show.

Future phases of the park, which include adding athletic fields, splash pad, more trails and a recreation and senior center, are planned as part of 2024 SPLOST.

The majority of the park’s development, including the athletic fields and the recreation and senior center, is projected between 2027 and 2030.

Harry Johnston Special

We2Friends is looking to open a neighborhood coffeehouse and gift shop in the historic J.B. Mathis General Store.

Special

The J.B. Mathis General Store was built and opened in 1950 and closed in the 1960s.

COVER STORY

Relay For Life aims to ‘Drive Out Cancer’

Firefighter remembered by Team Grumpy

By Rebecca Johnston

For the Cherokee Ledger Monthly

When Melissa Gray lost her husband Woodstock Firefighter

David Q. Gray to cancer on Sept. 8, 2024, she knew his wish for her was that she would keep going despite her grief.

That is why on April 26 she is leading Team Grumpy in his memory at the Relay For Life of Cherokee County at Etowah River Park in Canton. This year’s theme for 2025 is to “Drive Out Cancer.”

“He was always saying that he wanted to save one more life, one more soul. He was bold and brave. Through his long, tough battle, he was the one constantly encouraging and lifting others up. He was everyone’s hero,” Melissa Gray re-

members. “I thought, I can sit at home and cry, or I can try to make a difference.”

Gray got his nickname from his oldest grandchild, who was trying to pronounce Grandpa, but said Grumpy instead. The name stuck, but Gray was anything but grumpy.

He left a legacy of helping others through

his 22-year career as a firefighter. Gray started his firefighting career in the city of Morrow. In 2005, he joined the city of Woodstock Fire Department where he served for 18 years. He was widely respected and loved and left a legacy of caring.

Firefighters from around Cherokee County, as well as family and friends will be walking for Team Grumpy to raise funds to fight cancer and help those battling the brutal disease.

This year is the 40th anniversary of Relay For Life, the signature American Cancer Society fundraiser. The goal for the Cherokee County event is to raise $125,000 and already more than 40 teams are hard at work to meet that amount.

The event in Cherokee County was paused during the Covid pandemic but restarted after several years in 2024 with tremendous success.

Cherokee County Event Chair Bonny Spears hopes this year will exceed that achievement. The Relay For Life for 2025 takes place from 4 to 9 p.m.

“The 2025 event will start with a welcome and our Survivors Ceremony, where all survivors will join with caregivers to walk a

lap together,” Spears said. “Then there will be a ceremonial Cherokee County School District and Northside Hospital-Cherokee Sponsor Lap. We have some CCSD employees who are ongoing in their cancer battle.”

Two special additions this year in keeping with the theme of “Drive Out Cancer” are a car show put on by the Po Boys Car Club and a Touch-a-Truck exhibit. The Touch-aTruck will feature Cherokee County Sheriff vehicles, fire trucks, S.W.A.T. vehicles, and motorcycles.

The event will also feature food trucks, local dance troupes, martial arts demonstrations, and music.

“Cancer affects people of all ages, and from all generations. With the Relay For Life, volunteers in Cherokee County hope to bring the discussion and awareness of cancer back to the forefront in our community in an effort to connect both survivors and caregivers as of way of coping together,” Spears said.

She pointed out at Relay For Life no donation is too small, and each and every dollar counts. Donations help fund

Jack Tuszynski

Back row, from left to right: Woodstock Fire Department Master Firefighter Nick Young, Woodstock Fire Sgt. David Sargenski, Cherokee County Fire Chief Eddie Robinson and Woodstock Fire Chief Shane Dobson with Melissa Gray, front, the widow of Woodstock Firefighter David Gray.

David Gray

A good and faithful servant

Dr. Jim Kilgore was a fisher of people who spent a lifetime inviting others to join him on the road to eternal life.

On Feb. 7, God called his good and faithful servant home. And while Dr. Kilgore’s death leaves a huge hole in our community, we rejoice that we were able to benefit from his many, many years shepherding his flock, which included all who read his writings weekly on this page.

Through his teachings as a pastor and church leader, his writings, and his counseling, Dr. Kilgore touched the life of everyone he came in contact with during his almost 90 years on this earth.

He clearly heard God’s call and left his nets to follow that call. As a young man he studied at California Baptist Theological where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in religious history. He then received his Doctor of Religion from Claremont School of Theology and completed a year of postdoctoral work in marriage counseling at the University of Minnesota. He also attained a PhD from Sussex University along the way.

As we celebrate Valentine’s Day it is especially relevant to think about how much Dr. Kilgore loved all of us and how he helped

us find love in this world.

As a pastor he taught us to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves, just as Jesus taught us to do.

As a marriage counselor and writer he would share with his readers that it is never too late to find love in a marriage or in a family or in a relationship.

As a writer, he composed letters to those he loved most including his wife, daughter, sister, and mother. Those led him to author the book, “Letters on Love and Life.”

Here are a few portions of the letter he wrote to his mother in 1976, just a year before she died.

“Mom, let me begin by saying “thank you” for some of the things that are very special about you. Thank you for being intellectually curious. I’m glad to be the son of a woman who did not check her brain in the hospital in exchange for her baby. One of the reasons I am an insatiably curious person, a persistent reader, and an expressive writer is because you talked to me so much as a child.”

“Thank you too for having an “open” home, not only to your friends but to mine also. It was always easy to invite my friends over for dinner or to spend the weekend. The memory bank of meals we shared with guests in our home is an immeasurable treasure.”

“Thank you for helping me to know what to choose in a wife. Maybe I should thank Dad for marrying you. You never sat down and said, “This is the kind of a girl,” but your ideas and the life you and Dad modeled guided me in that choice. I saw that a good marriage is made up of open exchanges, managing differences, and an ever-present expression of care and concern.

Above all, you have been a Christian mother. You had your frailties, but you were always there in the crises of life. From the time you met Christ when I was only twelve; there was a difference in your life.”

Dr. Kilgore constantly led by example. When I think about Dr. Kilgore, it is his kind and gentle spirit, his thirst for knowledge, and his desire to help others that I remember most. He was always a scholar and a gentleman.

One of his most important contributions to our community was founding the Lake Arrowhead Chapel along with his wife in north Cherokee County in1980, Dr. Kilgore served there as the pastor for 23 years before retiring in 2004.

I first came to know him well at the time he began to write for the Cherokee Tribune in the 1990s when I was managing editor. Back then, the Tribune had a weekly religious section of the newspaper, and Jim

shared his teachings with our readers.

His words showed me a path to be a better person. He would often give us a formula to find answers in our life.

One of those was the ACE’s, “Admit the problem, Change what you can, Expect results.”

He wrote about what it means to be a Christian, including what he called practical elements, such as first discovering that we need God and then deciding to change our lives. We need conviction, repentance, conversion, and new birth, he advised.

After retiring from active ministry, in addition to writing for the Tribune, Jim spent his time leading neighborhood Bible studies, singing in the choir and teaching the adult Sunday School class Pathfinders at Canton First Methodist Church for the last 21 years. His son Jim, remembered his father’s legacy, saying, “He was a communicator. He was a pastor. He was a preacher. He was a writer. He was a counselor. Those were his gifts that he shared.”

My letter to Dr. Kilgore would say, “Thank you for sharing your gifts of love and humanity with us. You will be greatly missed.”

Rebecca Johnston is a lifelong Cherokee County resident and former managing editor of The Cherokee Tribune.

COLUMNIST|LYNN GENDUSA

Finding solace in God’s house

The stress level in American homes today is through the roof. Uncertainty about everything from egg pricing to job losses creates a nagging unease. Measles is back, the flu is still running rampant, and even though the sky is clear today, will a tornado blow us away tomorrow?

Watching scenes flash across the television of towns destroyed by savage wars started by brutal people doesn’t help with our anxiety. Headlines of distrust, bitterness, and woe contribute to the downward spiral of hopelessness. And the political landscape we have created for more than ten years puts bitter icing on a terrible cake.

Where do we turn when folks who disagree with us turn away? Today, many friends and family associate only with those who align with their beliefs. Such distinctive division causes destructive narrow-mindedness. Mastering the art of non-confrontational conversation is a valuable skill that is often overlooked. Finding common ground can be challenging in a polarized world where opinions are often strictly divided between right and left.

Every town and village in America fea-

ture buildings with crosses prominently displayed above their doors. The cross should symbolize the serenity, peace, acceptance, and understanding that Christ exemplified.

Our meeting place must reside within God’s domain. Each of His houses has a different name and teaches various doctrines, but ultimately, harmony reigns if we put God first.

“Mom, stop cleaning my room!” my teenage daughter told me one Saturday morning. I assume, like most teens, she thought I was snooping. And like most moms, I probably was, but as usual, her room was a bona fide mess.

“My dear, this may be your messy room, but it is my house! Respect me and clean up the space where you dwell!”

Our heavenly Father owns his home outright. We can mess it up with our ways, but we must respect him enough to clean us up.

Mixing politics and religion is dangerous if people allow them to become problematic. Unfortunately, that happens quite often. Perhaps someone doesn’t like a sermon or a prayer because it sounds more left than right or vice versa. We are so polarized today that we can look at a rock or a person and swear it’s leaning too far the wrong way.

God’s houses, whether large or small, are for worship, prayer, and finding solace.

Church leaders should consistently challenge us to grow as disciples of our faith, in accordance with the Lord’s word. Since God welcomes everyone, all places of worship must do the same, promoting a sense of community and unity.

Jesus lost his cool when the synagogue began selling merchandise and collecting money. He turned over the money changers’ tables and said, “It is written in the Scriptures, “My Temple is to be a place of prayer for all nations, but you have turned it into a den of robbers.” Mark 11: 17.

We may not be selling doves today or include stalls at our churches, but we sure have prejudice, politics, and arrogance running through the aisles. While churches split because of contrasting views, God cries because His doors are closing, and pews are emptying.

We go to our places of worship to ease our stress and comfort our suffering, not add to it. God’s houses should serve as a respite from the outside world, even if just for an hour. Our Father reminds us that He will hold us when we are afraid of tomorrow. He accepts us for who we are and forgives us for our mistakes. In community worship, we can find the strength needed to endure the tornadoes of human life.

Kindness, humility, and understanding are

the doctrines of God’s house — acceptance of our differences, respect for others, and love reign in His chambers. Before we enter worship, we must leave hatred, our right and left wings, and our selfishness outside. Instead of giving up chocolate this year for Lent, give up bias. Set aside your burdensome leaning wings and rise with the angels. Instead of sacrificing something for Lent, consider giving something away to someone in greater need. Choose to replace anger with understanding and hatred with love. In other words, honor God in the home He created for us.

Folks say, “We don’t need religion to do what is right.” No, we don’t, but we need a place to build and strengthen our faith and capacity to use it. Encouraging one another in love and serving is the bedrock of all religious gatherings.

“Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11: 28

Don’t we all need the motivation to give our burdens, differences, and anger to the only one who can carry them?

Lynn Gendusa’s latest book is “Southern Comfort: Stories of Family, Friendship, Fiery Trials, and Faith.” She can be reached at www. lynngendusa.com.

COLUMNIST | REBECCA JOHNSTON

Johnston

Gendusa

A little care and consideration, please

DEAR

EDITOR:

A few days ago, my wife and I were returning to our home around dusk. Traveling a rural road on the way to our subdivision, a car was tailgating me. When I slowed to turn into our subdivision, the car followed and continued to tailgate. Then they decided to speed up and pass me on our subdivision road. I was furious and my wife was frightened.

I thought about this until the next day, then decided to post what happened on our Neighborhood app. With no intent of soliciting responses from other neighbors or neighborhoods, most of the few responses were favorable, with all expressing

Senator a disgrace to Georgia

DEAR EDITOR:

Hey Jon Ossoff. How dare you vote to allow boys/men in girls/women’s sports. You just signed your resignation. You’ve just confirmed (AGAIN) that you would rather support Liberal politicians in Washington rather than support your constituents in Georgia.

I wish we had the option to recall you like the British can if their Member of Parliament (MP) gets out of line.

You are a disgrace to the people of Georgia.

John Griffiths Canton

the same concerns. I ended my post with “Twenty years ago, I would have followed the reckless driver to their home and had a nice discussion.” This statement resulted in one neighbor from a surrounding neighborhood to respond with, “Twenty years ago, you would have followed and had a discussion, but this is 2025 where you (I) choose to use social media to shame them.” In many ways, this person is correct. Twenty years ago, I would not have been hesitant to confront the reckless driver to discuss their driving habits and the potential harm they may cause to themselves or others. Unfortunately, we live in a time where such a confrontation could result in a negative response, and likely trouble.

Of course, this respondent was taking a swipe at me, the messenger, instead of considering the intent of the message. I hope that the offending driver did see this message and they did feel ashamed. There is no justification for such aggressive driving, and especially so in a neighborhood where people are walking and navigating their driveways.

When I learned to drive over 50 years ago, I was taught to maintain a car’s length from the car ahead of you for every 10 MPH you are driving. This rule of thumb is rarely adhered to and speed limits are largely ignored. Every morning, all one has to do is turn on the radio or go out onto the roadways to hear about or see traffic accidents, mostly

caused by people driving recklessly through speed, tailgating, lane changing or distractions. Aside from the potential for physical harm, accidents drive up insurance costs for all drivers, not just those who choose to drive poorly. I hope that people will please start to show more consideration for those around them. I have two daughters and one granddaughter so far that drive our roadways everyday. I pray for their safety, and also pray that other drivers they encounter will be less selfish and more concerned with the safely and welfare of all of us who have to share our roadways.

The school board opt-out plan

DEAR EDITOR:

I’m writing in response to the school board article and I must say, I agree with Robert Stehlik who said; “this is not about teachers at all, it’s about you” (the school board).

Many people aren’t aware that the school board taxes the property values of the homeowners of this county. When property values go up, the school board gets more money, whether it needs it or not.

In the last election, the voters in Georgia voted to cap the value of properties at the rate of inflation. The Cherokee County School Board indicated it wants to opt out of what the voters voted for, and uncap the property values. If the unsuspecting citizens of Cherokee County allow the school board to opt out. It will mean that if property values jump by 20% as it has recently, they could receive an increase in funding up to that amount. However, if the school board abides by

Democracy may end sooner than you think

DEAR EDITOR:

Ever wonder why DOGE is so incompetent at aiming its cuts towards waste, fraud and abuse? That’s because their real aim is to destroy programs they don’t like. That is unconstitutional. The people through Congress vote programs in; only Congress can vote them out. But this administration has a larger aim than just destroying hated programs. They hate the constitutional checks and balances that hinder their power: the legislative and judicial branches. They have neutered the legislative branch (Congress) through intimidation tactics against their

Republican majority. They are assaulting the judicial branch with a flood of unconstitutional actions, hoping for a high percentage of wins from a Trumpfriendly Supreme Court. And they are ignoring court orders in defiance of the rule of law, hastening the day when the Supreme Court may dare to rule against Trump and Trump says, so what?

If, at that moment, perhaps just months from now, Trump’s lawlessness has no consequence, then the Constitution is dead and we have a king.

Jenny Sutton Woodstock

the wishes of the voters and is restricted to receiving increased funding at the rate of inflation, but because of their reckless spending, they need more money, they can always increase the mill rate and get as much money as they need.

The bottom line is this; (1) If the board opts out, they’ll never have to raise your taxes to cover their reckless spending, INFLATION will do that FOR them. (2) NOT opting out means whenever they need more money because of their reckless spending, they’ll unintentionally alert taxpayers of the shortfall by raising their taxes. (3) The inference that they’ll have to furlough teachers because of less revenue is nothing more than a ridiculous scare tactic. The school board can tax homeowners as much as they want, to get the money they need. So theoretically, they should NEVER have a shortfall, all they have to do is raise YOUR taxes.

Speaking of reckless spending, Open-

Payrolls has the pay scale for top CCSD administrative positions on its website. As of 2023 (the latest stats I found) Superintendent Hightower made $392,752.12. The president of the United States makes $400,000 and yet here in Cherokee County the Superintendent of Schools made $392,000!!! Worse yet, the list includes six “assistant superintendents,” ALL listed making $173,200.00…as of 2023! By contrast, a congressman only makes $174,000 and they’re responsible for roughly 700 THOUSAND PEOPLE! Yet we have six assistant superintendents responsible for 42,016 students in Cherokee County?? I understand that we have to be competitive, but let’s cut out the layers of administration (wasteful bureaucracy) and instead, give that money to the teachers who make $64,000 after 10 years.

Conrad Quagliaroli Woodstock

Proposed land bank

DEAR EDITOR:

The February 22 CT article proposing the creation of a County Land Bank to develop more affordable housing and to refurbish run-down existing housing was very “sketchy” leaving lots of questions which need to be answered before county residents can make an intelligent decision on approving another county agency.

More details are needed on the purpose and function of a Land Bank, especially one created to provide additional low-end housing. Does Cherokee County really need more high-density housing? Do the residents of Cherokee County really want to become another extension of Greater Atlanta and its problems? Do we want to give up more

of our small city/rural atmosphere?

What will a Land Bank cost the county taxpayers? Is there a budget or a plan on how much taxpayer funds to spend? How many new county employees will this agency have and what will be their specific jobs and reporting to who?

Our CCSB has already stated that the school district budget will increase due to an increase in students from population growth, do we really want to spend more money to encourage more growth?

Let’s get more details before we start a typical government program without looking and planning ahead.

Russell Armer Woodstock

Randy Wilt Canton

SOAPBOX

♦ Our HOA had to remove our irrigation system, have our entry lights and electricity removed, part of our fence removed, exposing the homes to potential accidents April 2024. Why are they just now awarding the contract for Bells Ferry widening? Why will it take 3 years to complete? Where are the up to date plans? What are the traffic plans during construction?

♦ This is a special message to the mentally challenged who don’t understand that when they top a hill and come around the curve, they blind people like me. If you reach up and get a hold of your turn signal, pull it back towards you and let it go, it’ll turn the automatic headlights off so you don’t blind people every time you top a hill and every time you come around a curve. I’m surprised you haven’t figured that out already.

♦ Red alert! Recession and depression incoming. Take cover! And all this happening in just 6 weeks of Republican control.

♦ How much wildlife will be displaced by the “Little River Park”? Was any consideration given to this?

♦ I voted for Donald Trump because I wanted a president with half a brain. Sadly, that’s what I got. I fought for decades against gun registration. Now a South African-Canadian-US billionaire has accessed all of our personal information, including banking. Did you ever buy ammo, parts, accessories or guns with a check or credit card? Now the government and any future government (and who knows who else) knows what guns you own. Nice move MAGA fools!

♦ March 6th, 2025, the Georgia General Assembly allowed SB 34 to die “in committee” preventing it from being considered for passage for the year. This bill would have required Georgia Power to allocate the cost of the energy used by datacenters on the datacenter owners themselves as opposed to allocating it across the rate base paid by all ratepayers. Georgia Power rate payers should anticipate and save for future increases in their power bills.

♦ The party currently known as Democrats are not Democrats. They’re communists and they need to be identified as such.

♦ We’re glad to see that the northbound Wade Green Speedway now routinely backs

up to the Cobb County line. It will soon be a parking lot all the way back to I75.

♦ Without question, President Musk, er, Trump, has selected the most unqualified Cabinet in our country’s history. We have agencies being run by alcohol abusers, women’s rights deniers, those who admire dictators and despots, racists, and anti-vaccination fools. With so many key positions being filled by such unqualified MAGA drones, our country will suffer greatly, both at home and on the world stage.

♦ I have come to the conclusion that our Cherokee County Board of Commissioners have never met a developer they didn’t like.

♦ Note to the new Holly Springs mayor: Congratulations. Your Holly Springs Parkway is backing up all the way to East Cherokee because you don’t have an officer down here directing traffic at the SCRA ball park, where hundreds and thousands of children have played sports for years

Tell Cherokee what you think

Letters to the editor may be submitted by email to editor@ ledgernews.com, or by mail to 521 e. Main St., Canton, g A 30114. All letters must be typed and include a phone number to verify authenticity. We reserve the right to reject publication. We reserve the right to edit for libel and brevity. The editor and publisher reserve the right to publish a sampling of letters that reflect an accurate representation of those submitted on the same subject. The content and accuracy of all information contained in a letter to the editor is the responsibility of the letter-writer. Letters must not exceed 450 words.

and years. But unfortunately, the commissioners have continued to allow building permits, and guess what? It backs up traffic coming and going.

♦ If they will restrict drivers — drivers can’t use their cell phones unless they’re wearing a seatbelt, why is it OK for your dog to run back and forth in your front seat? Shouldn’t they restrict that?

♦ Re: the definition of D.E.I. What a racist, sexist remark. I worked in Corporate America for 26 years. Virtually all of my colleagues were smart, well-educated and hardworking. The few who weren’t? Entitled white guys. If someone was going to be worthless, it was going to be a white guy. Not the women. Not the people of color. You might want to look around. This is the 21st century, not the 18th.

♦ DEI. I’m not a doctor, but I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night so I’m qualified to do your surgery.

♦ Just wondering why private citizens in Cherokee County have to get building permits for any home alterations, but county agencies do not have to. County agencies can build and add rooms with no oversight. The rules should apply to all, not just some.

♦ American Rescue Plan Act 2021 funding massive projects in Cherokee County

and the city of Canton + the major number of citizens in this area supporting Trump = extreme hypocrites.

♦ Hickory Flat Kroger: if you think keeping only one cashier all of the day is going to save you money, no, you’re going to lose money from lack of customers. Also when someone waits in line 10 minutes to fill a subscription, only to get up to the line 10 minutes before you close for lunch and be told they’ll have to come back later, is also not good customer service.

♦ The rich are paying most of the taxes now. If the Democrats raise taxes on companies, the companies will raise the price of their goods and services. If the Democrats financially hurt the rich, who do you suppose will be paying more taxes? And can a broke person or company afford to hire you?

♦ I was fortunate to be educated in the 1960s and 1970s before the English language became corrupted. The opposite of “conservative” is not “liberal”, it is “radical”, as in making reckless and radical changes. Corporate media (all media, including Fox) calls today’s Republicans “more conservative” when they are clearly much more radical.

♦ I hear that Joy Reid is gone. That is cause for everyone to reJoyce.

Editor’s note: The Soapbox is a forum for residents to sound off about topics of interest. All comments are those of the callers and do not reflect the views of the newspaper. We welcome the contributions of our readers and encourage respectful and lively debate. The Ledger-news reserves the right not to publish Soapbox items based on libel or other considerations the editor and publisher deem valid. Comments may be edited for brevity. please keep comments as brief as possible. Lengthy opinions should be addressed in a letter to the editor. To submit a Soapbox, call 770928-1055 or email editor@ledgernews.com.

Peach Cobbler Factory opening in Woodstock this spring

By Ethan Johnson ejohnson@ledgernews.com

Anew dessert shop is slated to bring cobblers and other sweets to Woodstock this spring.

The Peach Cobbler Factory, which has shops throughout the United States, is opening a Woodstock location, operated by local franchise co-owners Steve and Tonya Riddick.

The Peach Cobbler Factory will open at 1426 Towne Lake Parkway, Suite 104, in the Towne Lake Center shopping center with Sprouts. The suite was formerly the site of Philly Connection, which was there for over 20 years.

The Riddicks, who are Towne Lake residents, said they want this shop to highlight the beauty of Woodstock while providing a space for the community to enjoy a sweet treat.

“The first thing we want to accomplish is bring this brand to the community that

we live in, that our kids grew up in, that we spend our time in,” Steve Riddick said. “We want to give back to the Woodstock community that has been so great to us.”

Tonya Riddick said the decision to open a Peach Cobbler in her hometown was an easy one.

“We visited a Peach Cobbler location last year. I ordered a banana pudding, and when I tasted it, my first thought was ‘we need to franchise this and share this,’” she said. “It tasted just like my dad’s banana pudding...I wanted everyone in this community to taste this. My husband tasted his peach cobbler and loved it. That’s when we looked at each other and said, ‘Our area needs this.’ So, we called the owner and asked what we needed to do to franchise.”

She added: “I love my community. I love nostalgia. I love family gatherings. That’s what I got when I went there, and I want this kind of place in my community. Food always brings people together. I love to cook and feed people.”

Visitors of the shop will be able to choose from a variety of menu items including cookies, cheesecake, cobbler, cobbler ice cream, cobbler shakes, cobbler brownies, cobble pudding, cinnamon rolls, Belgian waffles and churros. Drink options include milk, water, coffee and tea. There will also be delivery and to-go options.

“This touches the whole gamut of types of dessert that people like. There’s something for everyone to satisfy that sweet tooth,” Steve Riddick said.

He said that when the store opens, there will also be a “savory cobbler” similar to a chicken pot pie.

Tonya Riddick said the shop will host community events and remain community driven as an ode to the past, present and future of the area.

“I want to make sure there is something still in Woodstock that reminds people of old school values and emphasizes slowing down to spend time with family over some good food,” she said.

Tonya Riddick said they plan on opening another Peach Cobbler shop in Roswell sometime next year.

The Peach Cobbler Factory will be open daily from noon to 10 p.m. For more information, visit www.peachcobblerfactory.com. For updates on the shop, visit www.facebook.com/getpeachyWoodstock.

Special — The peach Cobbler Factory

Red velvet banana pudding is one of many dessert options at The Peach Cobbler Factory.

Special — Shanicka roberts

Steve and Tonya Riddick own and operate The Peach Cobbler Factory in the Towne Lake area, expected to open this spring.

Special

Steve and Tonya Riddick with their son, Jared Riddick.

Special

The Peach Cobbler Factory is planned to open in the Sprouts shopping center on Towne Lake Parkway in Woodstock.

Bil on Business

A weekly column addressing small-business, answered by Henssler Financial’s business experts. Submit your questions to businessexperts@henssler.com or call 770-422-6180.

William G. Lako Jr., CFP®

RELAY

From 8

PRINCIPAL AND MANAGING DIRECTOR

The Personal Finance Lessons Behind America’s Sovereign Wealth Fund Debate

An age-old dilemma for many investors is, “Should I pay of my debt or save for my future?”

You want to make your money work for you in the most efcient way possible, so it’s essental to compare the interest rate you’re paying on debt to the potental returns on savings or investments. Generally, if your investments can generate returns that exceed your borrowing costs while stll allowing you to manage your debt, investng for the future may be the beter choice. However, some fnancial experts advocate for eliminatng debt frst, as it frees up future income for growth and can reduce fnancial risk.

Interestngly, the United States faces a similar conundrum—just on a much grander scale.

In February, President Trump signed an Executve Order directng the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Commerce to develop a plan for creatng a sovereign wealth fund. This plan would outline funding mechanisms, investment strategies, fund structure, and a governance model.

A sovereign wealth fund is a government-owned and managed investment vehicle, typically funded by surplus reserves, natural resource revenues, or trade surpluses. These funds invest in a mix of assets—including stocks, bonds, real estate, commodites, alternatves, and infrastructure—to generate long-term returns and support natonal economic stability. More than 50 countries operate sovereign wealth funds, such as Norway’s Government Pension Fund, which is funded by oil revenues, and China Investment Corporaton, which manages excess foreign currency reserves. The primary goal of these funds is to provide economic security, fnance public programs, or prepare for future fnancial needs.

In the United States, several states already operate sovereign wealth funds. The Alaska Permanent Fund distributes dividends to residents from oil revenues, and the Texas Permanent School Fund generates investment

returns to help fund public schools and reduce the tax burden on residents.

Developing a natonal sovereign wealth fund presents both opportunites and challenges.

The biggest obstacle is that the U.S. government currently has no surplus wealth—given the projected $1.9 trillion natonal defcit in fscal year 2025. However, some argue that the United States could invest surplus revenues from energy producton, trade surpluses, or certain taxes, using the returns to reduce the natonal debt.

A well-managed fund could also support social programs, pensions, or public infrastructure without increasing the tax burden. On the other hand, critcs warn that such a fund could be susceptble to politcal infuence, cronyism, and mismanagement, potentally undermining public trust and failing to maximize returns.

President Trump’s Executve Order requests an “evaluaton of the legal consideratons for establishing and managing such a fund, including any need for legislaton.” Think of this as the investment policy statement investors create with their advisers—similar to the investment policy statement provides a framework for the investment strategy and spells out who the investor is by defning risk tolerance and fnancial goals. It also outlines the expectatons of the adviser.

A well-structured sovereign wealth fund has the potental to preserve natonal wealth for future generatons, much like a well-managed fnancial plan can secure an individual’s long-term economic future. The key to success—whether for a naton or an individual—is strategic planning, disciplined saving, and prudent investng to build fnancial security over tme.

If you have questions on how your business can navigate these tough economic times, contact Henssler Financial at 770-422-6180, businessexperts@ henssler.com, or Henssler.com/ businessexperts.

groundbreaking cancer research, patient care programs, and can make a difference in communities like Cherokee County.

“With every donation, you are helping the American Cancer Society save lives,” said Spears, who is an ovarian cancer survivor.

For Melissa Gray, helping to fight the battle is an important part of her husband’s legacy of helping those he could during his lifetime, even while he was battling his disease in the two years after he was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer.

“Dave was a playful Grumpy who had a big heart, who loved people and always had a smile for everyone,” Melissa recalled. “Chemo days were tough, but they were Dave’s opportunity to bring smiles to others.”

Her husband went through 60 rounds of chemo, and during that time started a mission he referred to as “Socks covering Souls,” in which he collected silly socks to pass out to those who needed a smile.

“His theory was that when he put on silly socks in the morning, they made him smile, so then he made others smile when they saw him by giving socks to others,” Melissa said of her husband.

A lifelong Catholic, during his illness Gray renewed his faith in God and was baptized by immersion at Pleasant Hill Christian Church.

“For his last birthday at age 50 he told me he wanted to fill the church. He got ev-

eryone to come, and they even had to bring in extra chairs,” she said. “He made such a difference for others, and he did it with such ease.”

At sunset at the Relay For Life, the luminaria bags will be lit for the final lap, a signature element of every Relay For Life event. The luminaria, decorated with the names of loved ones, are lit in honor and in memory of a life touched by cancer.

Donations, registration, and luminaria purchase can be found at relayforlife. org/cherokeega.

relay for Life Cherokee County

Beauty From Ashes Team Captain Ashley West and Event Chair Bonny Spears, who was captain of the Triumphantly Teal Team, at the 2024 Relay for Life.

and more.

Arcade opens at The Mill on Etowah

Machines take playing cards that can be purchased with card or cash; tickets are redeemable for a variety of prizes

By Ethan Johnson ejohnson@ledgernews.com

A new arcade has opened at The Mill on Etowah in Canton, offering a variety of different games and prizes.

The arcade is owned and operated by The Mill and Brewer Amusement Company and sits inside the Shoppes at The Mill, 225 Reformation Parkway.

“The Arcade was added to our property to provide an entertainment option

for all ages,” said Dana Cox with The Mill on Etowah. “It was built inside the Shoppes at The Mill to capture visitors from the morning rush of coffee and donuts all the way into the evening with patrons of Suds & Bottles.”

The arcade, which opened Feb. 21, features multiple claw machines, “Space Invaders,” “Fast & Furious,” “Grand Piano Keys, “Injustice Arcade,” Skee-Ball, “NBA

Hoops” and more, Cox said.

The machines take a playing card, which can be bought with card or cash.

The cost is $1 to $1.50 for each game, Cox said.

The arcade is open from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily.

For more information about The Mill on Etowah, visit www.etowahmill.com.

Stand Up for Seniors hosting 25th Anniversary Gala event

Staff reports

Stand Up for Seniors, formerly known as the Volunteer Aging Council, will celebrate its 25th anniversary of serving Cherokee County’s seniors and veterans April 24 with a gala.

The event will take place from 5:30 to 10 p.m. at Fendley Farmstead, 1287 Sardis Road near Waleska.

The semi-formal evening will feature a dinner buffet, drinks, live entertainment by The Band X and a silent auction.

Proceeds from the gala will benefit Stand Up for Seniors’ programs, which support low-income seniors and senior veterans.

Individual tickets to event are $125.

Special pricing for table reservations are as follows:

Table of 10:

♦ Feb. 1 — March 1: $1,000

♦ March 2 — April 17: $1,150

♦ April 18 — April 24: $1,250

Founded in 2000, Stand Up for Seniors works to address the financial and emotional needs of

low-income seniors and senior veterans in Cherokee County. The organization collaborates with the community to ensure older adults receive the support they need.

“For 25 years, we have been dedicated to making a tangible difference in the lives of Cherokee County’s seniors and veterans,” said Stand Up for Seniors Board Chair Gina Pendley. “This gala is both a celebration of our impact and a call to action for the community to continue supporting those who need us most.”

To purchase tickets, secure sponsorships or learn more, contact De Gale at 678-230-4067 or dlgale@ cherokeecountyga.gov.

For more information about Stand Up for Seniors, visit www.vac-cherokeega.org.

Courtesy of The Mill on etowah

An arcade has opened at The Mill on Etowah, with “Space Invaders,” racing games, claw machines

COMMUNITY EVENTS

WHATS HAPPENING AROUND CHEROKEE COUNTY

APRIL 4-5

Rock the Boat Cabaret

Woodstock Arts presents Rock the Boat Cabaret at 7:30 p.m. April 4 and 5 in the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main St. in downtown Woodstock.

Three singers with different rock styles will battle it out for the grand prize — a yacht. The performers will fight for your votes with songs like “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)”, “Jessie’s Girl,” “Barracuda,” “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” and much more! Tickets are $20 — $22 online or $21 — $24 at the door.

For tickets or for more information, visit https://woodstockarts.org/events/ cabarets.

APRIL 5

BBQ & Brews Festival

The BBQ & Brews Festival returns to downtown Ball Ground from noon to 8 p.m. April 5 in City Park, 177 Old Dawsonville Road. This event is free to attend. There will be barbecue, craft beer, live music all day, retail vendors, a kids zone and more.

APRIL 11-13

Alice By Heart

Reinhardt University’s Musical Theatre department presents “Alice by Heart” April 11-13 at the Falany Performing Arts Center, 199 Fine Arts Drive in Waleska. Tickets are $12.50. Performances are 7:30 p.m. April 11, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. April 12 and 2:30 p.m. April 13.

For tickets and more information, visit https://thefalany.com.

APRIL 12

Easter Eggstravaganza

Northside Hospital Cherokee is hosting an Easter Eggstravaganza 1-3 p.m. April 12 at Etowah River Park, 600 Brown Industrial Parkway in Canton. There will be egg hunts, snacks, carnival games, a petting zoo and more. Registration is free. Donations are requested for Northside Hospital Cherokee NICU special care nursery babies. At the event, donations of diapers and baby wipes will be collected for MUST Ministries in Cherokee. To register, to donate or for more information, visit give.northside.com/easter.

APRIL 17

Best of Cherokee Celebration

The Cherokee Tribune and Ledger’s Best of Cherokee 2025 Celebration Event is 5:30 to 8 p.m. April 17 at Thrive Canton in the Jones Building, 130 E. Main St. in Canton. Join us for live music, drinks, food and vendor booths. The winner of the Best of Cherokee 2025

In this 2023 photo, Emerson Fain, 18 months old, smiles with her basket of eggs at the Northside Hospital Foundation’s Easter Eggstravaganza in Canton.

contest will be announced. Tickets will be $10 in advance & $15 at the door. Tickets will soon be available online through Eventbrite. For more information, call Mandy at 706346-0823.

APRIL 23

Ball Ground Touch-A-Truck

The city of Ball Ground is hosting a Touch-A-Truck event 5-7 p.m. April 23 in the Ball Ground Community Building Parking Lot, 230 Civic Drive.

at the

The community is invited to see city and contractor heavy equipment, police carts, excavators, mowers, fire trucks and more. For more information visit https://cityofballground. com/community-events.

APRIL 24

Stand Up for Seniors Gala

The Stand Up for Seniors 25th Anniversary Gala is from 5:30 to 10 p.m. April 24 at Fendley Farmstead, 1287 Sardis Road near Waleska.

The semi-formal evening will feature a

dinner buffet, drinks, live entertainment by The Band X and a silent auction. Proceeds from the gala will benefit Stand Up for Seniors’ programs, which support low-income seniors and senior veterans. Individual tickets for the event are $125. Reservations for a table of 10 are $1,150 through April 17 and $1,250 from April 18-24.

To buy tickets, secure sponsorships or learn more, contact De Gale at 678-2304067 or dlgale@cherokeecountyga.gov, or visit https://vac-cherokeega.org.

Special — reinhardt University

Flint Hall at The Falany Performing Arts Center.

Mariam Janad

Attendees

2024 Cherokee Tribune and Ledger-News’ Best of Cherokee showcase event pose for a photo.

Volunteers maintain, add to trails at Garland Mountain

Staff reports

Volunteers recently worked to maintain and add new trails at the Garland Mountain Horse & Hiking Trails near Waleska.

On March 1, Friends of Garland Mountain Horse and Hike Trails volunteers maintained and added to the existing 20 miles of mountain trails, which wind through 940 acres in northwest Cherokee County.

Throughout the popular park, the trails are carefully planned to be non-invasive to nature. Those riding or hiking the trails are enveloped in old hardwoods, mountain laurel and flowing mountain creeks.

The park includes a parking lot, pavilion with picnic tables, obstacle challenges, creek, picnic areas on the trails, trail benches/mounting blocks and more.

Friends of Garland Mountain Horse and Hike Trails is seeking more volunteers.

Cherokee County built and maintains the parking lot and facilities; Friends of Garland Mountain, a nonprofit organization, is responsible for building and maintaining the trails.

The group normally holds workdays the second Saturday of every month. For more information about how to help, contact Cindy Young at 770-846-6486 or cindys. young@aol.com. The organization also has a Facebook group, Friends of Garland Mountain Trails.

Retired educators invited to CREA meeting April 30

The Cherokee Retired Educators Association will hold its last meeting for this term on Wednesday, April 30. The association will honor past presidents for the Emerald celebration of CREA’s 55 years of fellowship, service, and support for retired and current educators.

Additionally, scholarships will be awarded to future educators by Jon Pope and

EVENTS

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APRIL 26

Relay for Life

The Relay For Life of Cherokee County is 4-9 p.m. April 26 at Etowah River Park, 600 Brown Industrial Parkway in Canton. Proceeds raise money for the American Cancer Society. This year’s Relay theme is to “Drive Out Cancer.”

The Relay for Life event is free and everyone is invited to attend and participate. Those who would like to

Tom Pope and presented by Dr. Mark Roberts to Reinhardt University’s Price School of Education students for the fall semester of 2025.

Doors open at 11 a.m. with the program starting at 11:30 in the Simms Room of the Gordy Dining Center on Reinhardt University’s campus, 7300 Reinhardt College Circle in Waleska.

walk in the Relay for Life are asked to register and there is no fee to register. Those who raise or donate $100

will receive a free T-shirt. To register, donate or purchase a luminaria, visit relayforlife.org/cherokeega.

Friends of garland Mountain horse and hike Trails

Friends of Garland Mountain Horse and Hike Trails volunteers gathered March 1 to maintain and add to the trails.

relay for life Cherokee County

From left: Forever Fighters team captain Sally Bradshaw, Save Them All Big And Small team captain Tammy Frazier and cancer survivor Carol Haley at the 2024 Relay for Life.

JEANINE

TONY

2024 DIAMOND RESIDENTIAL INDIVIDUAL

2024 SILVER RESIDENTIAL INDIVIDUAL

2024 DIAMOND RESIDENTIAL TEAM AWARDS

2024 PLATINUM RESIDENTIAL TEAM AWARDS

River Ridge claws back for second title

By Griffin Callaghan gcallaghan@ledgernews.com

MACON — River Ridge is back on top.

Despite trailing since the first quarter, the Knights (31-1) outscored Langston Hughes 19-2 over the final eight minutes to complete a 16-point comeback and win the Class AAAAA state championship 5247 on March 7 at the Macon Coliseum.

It gave River Ridge a second girls basketball title, and the school’s third overall.

“I’m just so proud of these girls, their effort and the resilience they showed,” Knights coach Jason Taylor said. “They just kept fighting, and they gave themselves an opportunity to win. That’s all you can ever ask for.”

As the buzzer sounded, Taylor saw shades of 2022-23, when River Ridge won the first championship in school history. After getting ousted in the quarterfinals the year prior by Lovejoy, the Knights returned the following season to beat the same team in the title game.

It completed a revenge tour, much like this time around after they fell to Marist in last year’s semifinals.

“In ’22, we felt like we had a chance at it,” Taylor said. “Then, the next year, we get revenge. Last year, we felt like we should have done it, but we didn’t. This was the revenge tour again. We felt like it was our moment, and we just needed to get it.”

River Ridge encountered a rare problem to start the championship game — it couldn’t hit a shot. The Knights were 0-for-4 from the 3-point line and just 9 of 27 overall from the floor in the first half.

Langston Hughes led 15-5 after one quarter, with River Ridge’s only points coming on two layups and a free throw. It was a stunning change for the Knights, who had made 238 3-pointers (7.7 per night) coming into this game.

“It’s disappointing when you play this game at a high level and you are used to seeing half your shots go in, but then you come in (Friday) and it’s ice cold,” Taylor said. “That can really rattle you. I am so proud these girls didn’t let it rattle them.”

River Ridge adjusted and got a massive lift from Joy Tchamabe off the bench, who finished with a game-high 13 points, all in the second quarter. Her offense kept

the Knights afloat as they went into halftime down 31-24.

Langston Hughes pulled ahead by 16 points with 3:30 left in the third quarter following a pair of free throws from Taylor Harris. However, River Ridge responded, and Sophia Pearl drilled her team’s first 3-pointer of the night.

Kyla Cantey hit another three as a 7-0 run brought the Knights back to within single digits. They trailed 45-33 heading into the fourth quarter but momentum had already begun to swing.

“My message was, as bad as that third quarter was, you only lost the quarter by one (point),” Taylor said. “We went in down seven, and now we are down eight. That’s four possessions. We needed stops. We needed to keep fighting.”

River Ridge did not allow a single point for the first 6:57 of the fourth quarter, and by then, it had already pulled ahead. The Knights’ defense changed the game, and they paired it with control on the glass.

Kayla Cleaveland led that effort with 11 rebounds.

“We just had to really understand that it was going to come from the defensive

end,” Cleaveland, the Region 6AAAAA Player of the Year, said. “...It was understanding we had to play harder than we ever have.”

Cantey made two layups, while Parker and Makayla Roberson each drilled a 3-pointer as River Ridge mounted its comeback. Cantey scored again inside to put the Knights up 47-45 with 1:59 to go. Pearl connected twice from the freethrow line with three seconds left to ice the game.

Behind Tchamabe’s game-high, Cantey finished with 12 points, followed by Pearl (9 points), Cleaveland (8).

Cornelia Ellington and Karrell Greene led Langston Hughes with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

For Taylor, who started the River Ridge program back in 2009, the championship victory marked another chapter for what has become a perennial state powerhouse.

“I think every coach dreams of winning a state title,” Taylor said. “You need to have the girls to do it, and you need to be a little bit lucky, too. We were a little bit lucky tonight, and we had the kids to do it.”

griffin Callaghan

Sophia Pearl and Kayla Cleaveland celebrate after winning the state championship.

SPORTS

Woodstock’s freshman phenom taking county by storm

By Griffin Callaghan gcallaghan@ledgernews.com

Jahmar Maurice defied the odds during his freshman season at Woodstock, battling through abrupt personnel changes and taking on the role of primary scorer for a team that made a second straight trip to the postseason.

Maurice had big shoes to fill heading into his first varsity campaign after coach Eric Blair led the program on a historic run to the Class AAAAAA quarterfinals in his inaugural year.

From the preseason scrimmage to his season-opening 25-point game against Cherokee, Maurice hit the ground running.

“I think I knew after the scrimmage that (Maurice) had a chance to be special early on,” Blair said after the Cherokee game. “He is super coachable and he is a sponge. He’s an unbelievable teammate. He is really taking the coaching and learning a lot. The sky is the limit, and he is starting to make the three now, so he’s really becoming a problem.”

After scoring a game-high in his first taste of varsity basketball action, Maurice crossed the 500-point mark before the region tournament, and he steadily improved throughout the season as Woodstock’s go-to guy.

Maurice finished the season with 588 total points, averaging 20.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 45.7% from the floor, 32% from the 3-point line and 81% from the freethrow line.

Maurice did not just come out of nowhere, though. He has been playing basketball since third grade, watching NBA greats Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, and implementing things he has seen from them into his own game.

Bryant is also the reason Maurice wears No. 24.

Growing up in the Woodstock area, Maurice instantly fell in love with basketball. It was not long before he was dominating, no matter who he played. His ability to get to the rim and play downhill was unmatched.

“I just always do my best to play up to the competition,” Maurice said. “I have been playing up my whole life, ever since I started playing basketball. It’s tougher, but I just have to come with it every game.”

However, it did not immediately translate to wins early in Woodstock’s season. The Wolverines started 0-3 with losses to Cherokee, Kell and Etowah.

Woodstock was 4-8 heading into the Lemon Street Classic at Marietta, where it beat North Cobb Christian and New Manchester, while falling to Dacula in the finale.

As the calendar flipped to 2025, midseason transfers and season-ending injuries gutted the Wolverines’ lineup. Blair deployed a new-look starting five in Maurice, Joseph Tully, Camden Smith, Joshua Schulze and Jalen Graham, Maurice’s brother. JJ Feurstein also played key minutes as a starter and off the bench.

Instead of sending the season into a

“ i just stay focused and never worry about the crowds. i’m in the zone every time i step onto the court. ”

Jahmar Maurice, Woodstock

downward spiral, it rejuvenated Woodstock and Maurice, who positioned themselves for another state playoff push.

“It was the next guy up,” Maurice said. “I just had to step up. We had Josh, who stepped up big. My brother came off the bench and became a starter. He stepped up. It was just about everyone finding a way to step up.”

It was no coincidence that Maurice and Graham worked so well together.

“We have that brother-brother connection,” Maurice said.

Maurice led Woodstock to a third straight win Jan. 17 with 31 points in a 62-55 win over county rival Creekview. Ten of his points came over the final 8 minutes as the Wolverines put it away late.

Maurice went 5-for-6 from the line in the final 37 seconds as Woodstock inched closer to a .500 record.

“He becomes the center of the scouting report,” Blair said after the win. “They face-

guarded him pretty much all night, and they knew we were playing through him a lot. He’s done a great job adjusting mid-game and still getting to the free-throw line.”

Woodstock went 3-2 heading into the Region 6AAAAA tournament, where it outlasted Creekview again in the opening round to secure a state playoff spot. Maurice poured in a game-high 25 points as Woodstock secured what Blair called the best win of his career.

After falling to Riverwood the next day,

the Wolverines beat Sprayberry in the third-place game behind a team-best 18 points from Maurice. Neither team’s margin ever reached more than six points, and in a game that went to overtime, the lights never got too bright for Maurice.

“I just stay focused and never worry about the crowds,” he said. “I’m in the zone every time I step onto the court. I’m locked in. … It’s crazy because (Blair) gave me the green light. I always knew that I could play, and now he has that confidence in me.”

griffin Callaghan

Woodstock freshman Jahmar Maurice dominated in his first year and took the Wolverines on a second consecutive state playoff run in 2025.

greg Spell

Jahmar Maurice shoots for three. He finished the season with 588 total points.

Creekview wrestlers achieve a county first

By Griffin Callaghan gcallaghan@ledgernews .com

The Creekview wrestling team became the first group in Cherokee County history to win both the duals and traditional state championships on Feb. 15, as it secured the Class AAAAA traditional title with 164 points at the Macon Centreplex.

After winning the program’s first duals championship in a come-from-behind effort, the Grizzlies had their eyes on another historic victory.

“It’s really exciting,” Creekview coach Ross Cravens said. “This group of kids has battled the entire season. Like any year, it’s been filled with ups and downs, and kids have overcome adversity left and right. To win both of them is pretty cool.”

The Grizzlies scored 164 points to win Class AAAAA, ahead of the second-place Glynn Academy (139.5 points) and third-place South Effingham (137) in a relatively close race.

Woodstock finished seventh with 66.5 points, Sequoyah came in 29th (22) and River Ridge was the 40th-place team (6.5).

In Class AAAAAA, Etowah finished 24th (17 points) and Cherokee was tied for 45th.

The Grizzlies also won their eighth consecutive region duals championship this season, on top of their two state championships, and they rolled to a traditional region title with a match-best 291 points.

Despite Creekview’s traditional state championship win on Saturday, it wasn’t necessarily smooth sailing to start the meet.

“We had a pretty tough round,” Cravens said. “In Friday’s semifinals, we only pushed one through to the finals but we had seven on the back side still alive to score points. One of the hardest things to do in this sport, especially at that tournament, is to recover and go wrestle back after your dreams of being a state champ have been crushed.”

The Grizzlies responded by putting five

of seven wrestlers into the third-fourthplace match, and they won four. Creekview earned tons of bonus points on pins, and even had a state champion in Jackson Locke in the 215-pound weight class.

Woodstock’s Tyler Herring (120 pounds) gave Cherokee County two champs.

“We met Friday night and went over what needed to happen if we wanted to be state champs as a team,” Cravens said. “Like every other time I’ve asked this team to go do something together, they do it. I

asked them to go out and score 35 points on the back side to give us a chance to win it. They went out and scored 52, which is unheard of in two rounds of wrestling, where a lot of your points have already been earned.”

Creekview also made history in the girls bracket as Ariel Macon won the 155-pound class.

Resiliency and work ethic drove the Grizzlies this year, according to Cravens, and with all the success at the state level,

the bar is set for years to come.

“One of my big things when I got there was to build a culture that was built to sustain success,” Cravens said. “We have 40-plus kids that will be in the room every day over the summer, which just doesn’t happen in most places. We’ll have kids all over the country, wrestling in some national tournaments, and some seeking out local competition and going to training centers. I definitely think we can be competitive for years to come.”

Amber Cloy

Creekview won the Class AAAAA traditional wrestling championship on Feb. 15.

Amber Cloy

The Creekview wrestling coaching staff watches at the state meet

Amber Cloy Creekview’s Ariel Macon won the girls’ state title

SPORTS Parker picked for All-America recognition

By Griffin Callaghan gcallaghan@ledgernews.com

River Ridge girls basketball sophomore Finley Parker was named to the Naismith High School All-America Team on Wednesday, March 5.

Parker, an underclassman honorable mention, led the Knights (30-1) to their second state championship game in the last three seasons, along with a semifinal appearance in her freshman campaign.

River Ridge was set to play for the title Friday night against Langston Hughes at the Macon Coliseum.

Including Parker, four girls players on the All-American team are from Georgia, with Marist’s Kate Harping (second team), Holy Innocents’ Hailee Swain (third team) and Mill Creek’s Bella Ragone (honorable mention) making up the group.

“It’s a huge honor and it feels really great to see that I’m recognized alongside these amazing players,” Parker said. “It also gives me confidence to continue working every day towards my goals, but,

ultimately, I try to keep my head down, work and not spend too much time thinking about recognition or accolades. It’s easy to get caught up in that if you don’t stay focused.”

Parker, a 6-foot-3 forward, was averaging 14.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game heading into the Class AAAAA title game, good for second on River Ridge behind senior Kayla Cleaveland (15.1 points, 7.5 rebounds).

Parker made an immediate impact as a freshman with the Knights, averaging 10.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, but she has become a focal point this year for one of Georgia’s most accomplished high school lineups.

“I think a big part of my success at River Ridge so far has been my circle of support,” Parker said. “My coaches here at (River Ridge) and teammates are great at putting me in positions to be successful. And I spend a lot of time with my trainer, coach Alexis Burke, and coach Jonathan Dwyer at Fury, who have really helped me step my game up over the last year or so.”

Furtah Prep wins back-to-back GIAA championships

By Griffin Callaghan gcallaghan@ledgernews.com

Furtah Prep further cemented itself as a Georgia Independent Athletic Association powerhouse to begin March, as its boys basketball team beat Heritage 49-43 to win back-to-back state championships.

The Falcons (25-6) completed their title defense at Columbus State, winning the Class AA championship. It marked the program’s fifth title overall, with the others coming in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2024.

Furtah Prep has won five championships over the last nine years, and it never fell short of the semifinals during that span.

“We’ve been fortunate to have had very good players,” coach David Whitley said. “It makes it much easier to coach if you have that as a baseline. We have tried to create an environment where good players want to be. We also strive to schedule challenging games which always helps us in the end.”

The Falcons’ latest championship was unlike their 2024 win, which came in a 75-53 blowout of Trinity Christian. It was the fourth meeting this season between Furtah Prep and Heritage, with the Hawks winning two of the first three.

“They had beaten us before, and we were very familiar with each other,” Whitley said. “We learned how to play them better over the course of the year. We had a good start (in the title game), and then we just held on in the second half.

After losing six of its top seven contributors from 2024, and injuries piling on, Furtah Prep had some uncertainty early this year. However, Aleks Ilic helped cushion the blow as the Falcons’ clear-cut leader.

Ilic averaged 11 points and six rebounds as a senior.

“It was the end of January when we really started becoming what we could be,” Whitley said. “We fi -

nally determined our best style of play, our best rotations, and all of those things you have to figure out.”

Despite the early success record-wise, Whitley did not think Furtah Prep had reached its full potential. The Falcons made Ander Claros the lead point guard, and the offense quickly found a new gear. Claros, a senior, averaged 11 points and five assists with a 45% clip from the 3-point line.

Alongside the offensive success, the defense improved, and Furtah Prep took more of a small-ball approach.

“We figured out we were better playing small,” Whitley said. “It helped get the best out of our players on the court, and we played our best defense. That separated us in the end. We consistently played tough man-to-man defense. It was something we strived for.”

The Falcons received contributions up and down the roster as they pushed for the second straight championship. Junior CJ Humphrey bolstered the offense with 18 points per game in the region and state playoffs, while senior Ashton Hinmon played the spark-plug role off the bench.

Sophomore King Eleazer developed into an elite wing shooter and drew the opposing team’s primary defensive assignments. He also capped an 18-point comeback in the second round on a layup with 2.5 seconds remaining.

Sophomore Yesid Caicedo was Furtah Prep’s top rebounder, while senior Spencer Grant, off the bench, was a physical presence.

Whitley also credited his assistants, Justin Zachary and Shamar Griffin, for the Falcons’ player development and success. Between the all-around contributions, development and team chemistry, it was the perfect storm for Furtah Prep’s second straight title.

“Like almost any championship team, what stood out was just how together our team was in the end,”

Special

Furtah Prep guard King Eleazer shoots in the lane with Ander Claros (15) and Aleks Ilic (11) in the background. Furtah Prep won its second consecutive GIAA Class AA state championship March 1. It’s the program’s fifth title in nine years.

Whitley said. “We had 14 players on our varsity team, and all 14 were like one. No matter who was in the game, no matter who played, everybody supported everyone else.”

Special — Cecil Copeland

River Ridge’s Finley Parker shoots a free throw against Milton during last week’s Class AAAAA semifinal.

Celebration of Education Gala raises record $210K

From the Cherokee County Educational Foundation

The Cherokee County Educational Foundation’s Celebration of Education Gala March 8 drew a crowd of more than 400 attendees and raised a record amount of funds, over $210,000.

The funds raised at this year’s black-tie gala at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Conference Center at the Bluffs in Canton were the highest in CCEF’s 13 years

of serving the children of the Cherokee County School District.

Funds raised will be used for the foundation’s Classroom Impact Grants and Special Project Grants.

“We are so excited that our community continues to turn out in record numbers for this event. Their commitment ensures the excellence of our Cherokee County School District schools,” CCEF Executive Director Lisa-Marie Haygood said. “Strong public schools are a key compo-

Cherokee Classical Academy scheduled to open in August

Staff reports

Cherokee Classical Academy, a new public charter school in the Liberty Classical Schools network, is opening in Cherokee County this fall.

The school announced that will open in August for grades K-6.

It will be located at the former Cherokee Charter Academy campus, 2126 Sixes Road near Holly Springs.

A grade is planned to be added each year until it’s a K-12 school.

Cherokee Classical Academy was originally set to open for the fall 2026-2027 school year.

The tuition-free public charter school will serve residents of Cherokee, Cobb, Bartow, Fulton, Pickens, and Paulding counties and the cities of Marietta, Cartersville, and Atlanta.

Enrollment in the school is non-selective and will be determined by a lottery system.

Enrollment applications were open through March 28, and the lottery was set for March 31. For more information, visit www.cherokeeclassicalacademy.org.

Last year, Cherokee Charter Academy closed after the State Charter Schools Commission voted not to renew its state charter.

Georgia’s State Charter School Commission approved Liberty Classical Schools’ charter contract for Cherokee Classical

Academy last August.

Liberty Classical Schools also includes Atlanta Classical Academy in Atlanta and Northwest Classical Academy in Kennesaw.

“Liberty is excited to launch Cherokee Classical Academy, which will offer families in the community a classical education option focused on forming knowledgeable, virtuous citizens,” said Matthew Stone, director of new schools at Liberty. “We are grateful for the relationships we have already established in this community and look forward to strengthening our partnerships in the months and years ahead.”

According to Cherokee Classical Academy, the school will offer “content-rich, American classical curriculum that emphasizes the principles of virtuous living, traditional learning, and civic responsibilities.”

The school will have a strict no-cell phone policy and limited technology use.

According to the school’s announcement, Cherokee Classical Academy plans to develop over time robust offerings of athletics, fine arts, and extracurricular activities.

“Liberty’s passion is to help parents raise knowledgeable, upright young adults who are prepared to flourish,” said Matthew Kirby, CEO of Liberty Classical Schools.

“We are eager to hire kind-hearted teachers who will teach and model virtuous living and the pursuit of intellectual and personal achievement.”

nent of Cherokee County, making this a desirable place for children to grow and learn, and families to make their home.”

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 2025 Alumni of the Year awards to local attorney Jonathan Pope, Cherokee High School class of 1988, honored for his significant contributions to the legal profession and his community, and Pat Tanner, Ralph Bunche class of 1964, who was honored for her accomplishments as the first elected African-

American Canton City Councilwoman in her hometown of Canton, and who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, Alabama, 60 years ago on March 9, 1965.

The evening entertainment included live music, a silent auction and other activities, such as a photo booth and a raffle. For more information about the gala and the foundation, visit the CCEF website at cherokeeecountyeducationalfoundation.org.

Jordan Chapman, Capture every Second photography

Jonathan Pope, one of CCEF’s 2025 Alumni of the Year, center, with School Board Chair Janet Read Welch and Cherokee County School District Chief of Staff Mike McGowan. The other Alumni of the Year winner, Pat Tanner, was not in attendance.

Jordan Chapman, Capture every Second photography

Attendees were greeted by dancing Oompa-Loompas from North Georgia Clogging and Dance Company, led by Owner Tori O’Bryant.

HEALTH

Medical complex coming to Union Hill Road

By Ethan Johnson ejohnson@ledgernews.com

A medical complex is coming to Union Hill Road at East Cherokee Drive.

On March 4, the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 to approve a request from Mack Development Group, LLC to rezone about 7.45 acres from AG (general agriculture) to OI (office institutional) for medical office uses at 7658 Union Hill Road, at the East Cherokee Drive intersection.

The property is to the south of Avery Elementary School.

Commission Chair Harry Johnston and Commissioner Benny Carter voted against the motion to approve the request.

Commissioner Steve West, who represents the area, said he talked with opposition, county leaders, former commissioners, other elected officials and other residents of the area and across the county familiar with the intersection before making his decision.

West said the board has “turned down” other proposed uses of this property including apartments, townhomes, car washes, a septic tank business and storage facilities in the past.

“This is a less intense use of that property than anything we’ve seen so far,” he said.

The development will have no less than two buildings and no more than five buildings, totaling up to 50,000 square feet, according to county documents.

The site plan currently shows two single-story buildings with a combined square footage of 50,000 square feet — 25,000 square feet for each building.

The applicant indicates that the maximum height of the proposed buildings will not exceed 35 feet, and that the proposed medical offices will have separate entrances.

“I have expressed my preference for a residential use on this property and at this crossroads, and I believe that, at a medium density of residential, it could achieve enough value to this property to constitute a reasonable economic use,” Johnston said.

Carter said that while he appreciates the work done on this application, he can’t support this use because it doesn’t match the current land use plan for the area. He acknowledged that the land use plan is outdated and needs to be updated.

West said that this site is connected to sewer, as well as 3,000 lots to the north.

“You follow the sewer; you follow the growth. The sewer is here on this site,” he said.

He added that years ago, there were projects denied that “triggered the growth and aggressive expansion of Holly Springs in the Hickory Flat community.”

“In my opinion, back then, if the board of commissioners would have taken the approach that I am proposing with these zoning conditions we are placing on this project, it would probably set a precedent and Hickory Flat would still be in unincorporated Cherokee,” he said. “I preferred the (neighborhood commercial) zoning with the stricter uses, but the community offered that they would rather have OI instead, which allows many more uses. The applicant agreed to OI. I met with staff and eliminated several of the uses that I thought would be harmful to the community.”

The applicant had previously requested to rezone the property to NC for office and retail uses, but changed the request after hearing feedback from commissioners and neighbors.

West added that he would like to see county staff work on an overlay for the Avery community and this intersection to set a precedent for future development.

Commissioner Richard Weatherby said, “it seems obvious to me that you guys just don’t want anything there. You’d like to keep it just like that...You were OK with OI, now the feedback that we’re getting is no, you’re not.”

“That’s what made all of this really tough,” he said. “Things cause areas to change — sewer causes things to change and traffic causes things to change. We’ve had to deal with all of that.”

The decision came after a February public hearing, where residents voiced both opposition to and support for the development.

Fourteen conditions were attached to the rezoning, including a list of prohibited uses, architectural standards for buildings, fencing and buffers, including the planting of a 10-foot vegetative landscape strip with evergreen tree plantings along all public street frontages.

Access to the development will be from Union Hill Road, with no access from East Cherokee Drive.

Another condition of approval is that all businesses on the property will be closed to the public between the hours of 8 p.m. and 7 a.m.

There is an existing residential structure and driveway on the property, which are planned to be removed.

No specific businesses have been identified for the development.

The applicant is proposing about 212 parking spaces for the site.

Mack development group

A rendering shows what the medical complex could look like.

Mack development group

Renderings show what the medical complex could look like.

Mack development group

A rendering shows what the medical complex could look like.

Understanding the latest breast cancer screening recommendations

In the past few months, there have been several updates in guidance and regulations for breast cancer screening with mammography.

Updated regulations from the Mammography Quality Standard Act went into effect in September 2024. These regulations provide standards to ensure the quality and consistency of screening mammography throughout the country. The regulations now require specific categorization of breast density in mammography reports. Specific language is now required in the results letters sent to patients informing them that if their breasts are categorized as “dense,” they may benefit from supplemental screening to find cancers that might be hidden on mammography.

Dr. Lynn Baxter

This year, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, an organization loosely affiliated with the federal government that makes recommendations on a variety of preventative health topics, finalized its updated recommendations for screening mammography. The recent guidelines change the recommendations for mammography from every other year for women ages 50 to 74 to every other year for women ages 40 to 74.

While this change has been applauded as a step in the right direction, it is still not in line with the recommendations of the major scientific organizations with breast cancer expertise, such as the American College of Radiology and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and is widely criticized for causing confusion among women that may lead them to avoid potentially life-saving screening.

The ACR and NCCN — the organizations we use to guide our practice at Northside Hospital Cancer Institute — recommend yearly mammograms for all women beginning at age 40. This is the screening schedule widely recognized as the one that will save the most lives. These organizations also advocate for an evaluation of each woman’s individualized risk and note that some women who are at higher risk of breast cancer may need to start

The ACr and nCCn — the organizations we use to guide our practice at northside hospital Cancer institute — recommend yearly mammograms for all women beginning at age 40. This is the screening schedule widely recognized as the one that will save the most lives.

screening earlier and may need to have a yearly MRI in addition to mammography.

This fall, we began offering no-cost breast cancer risk assessment for all our screening mammography patients. This individualized assessment uses information from family history of breast and other cancers, personal medical and reproductive history and breast density to determine overall lifetime risk. It can help to identify women who may not know that they are at increased risk of breast cancer and allow them to optimize their prevention and screening strategies.

At Northside, we are dedicated to providing state-of-the-art breast cancer screening, offering high-definition tomosynthesis (3D) mammography for all of our patients and supplemental screening with MRI (including FAST MRI) for patients with dense tissue or increased breast cancer risk. In addition to advanced imaging screening, NHCI offers many other resources to women at increased breast cancer risk, including the High Risk Clinic, genetic counseling and personalized screening guidance — all part of our comprehensive breast care program.

Dr. Lynn Baxter is part of the Northside Hospital Cancer Institute, practicing at Northside Hospital Cherokee. For more information about breast screening services at Northside and to schedule a screening mammogram, visit northside.com/cancer.

For a limited time, we’re offering a free neuropathy severity exam to help you start your journey to becoming pain-free. Make this the year you take back control of your life.

Where To Find

THE CHEROKEE LEDGER MONTHLY

CANTON

h Texaco, 180 Butterworth Rd, Canton 30114

h Shell, 3550 Marietta Hwy, Canton 30114

h Chevron, 4129 Marietta Hwy, Canton, 30114

h Exxon, 2619 Holly Springs Pkwy, Canton, 30114

h Union 76, 900 Waleska Rd, Canton, 30114

h Marathon,14 Mill St, Canton, 30114

h Chevron, 111 Mountain Vista Blvd, Canton, 30114

h Johnny’s New York Style Pizza, 559 Riverstone Pkwy, Canton, 30114

h Cotton Mill Exchange, 225 Reformation Pkwy, Ste 100, Canton, 30114

h Bedoe’s Bar & Grille, 6115 Hickory Flat Hwy, Ste 101, Canton, 30115

h Kroger, 4045 Marietta Hwy, Canton, 30114

h Kroger, 6766 Hickory Flat Hwy, Canton, 30115

h Publix, 15 Laurel Canyon Village, Canton, 30114

h Publix, 1451 Riverstone Pkwy, Canton, 30114

h Publix, 6175 Hickory Flat Hwy, Canton, 30115

h YMCA, 151 Waleska St, Canton, 30114

h Bojangles, 1665 Ball Ground Hwy, Canton, 30114

h Georgian Hills Restaurant, 69 Waleska St, Canton, 30114

h Cherokee Courthouse, 90 North Street, Canton 30114

h Cherokee Tribune, 521 E Main St, Canton, 30114

h RT Jones Library, 116 Brown Industrial Pkwy, Canton, 30114

h Northside Hospital Women’s Center, 450 Northside Cherokee Blvd, Canton, 30114

h Northside Hospital Main Entrance, 450 Northside Cherokee Blvd, Canton, 30114

h Post Office, 2400 Riverstone Pkwy, Canton, 30114

WOODSTOCK

h JD’s Bar-B-Que, 6426 Bells Ferry Rd, Woodstock, 30189

h Family Tradition Restaurant, 4379 Towne Lake Pkwy, Woodstock, 30189

h Family Tradition Restaurant, 7830 Hickory Flatt Hwy, Woodstock, 30188

h Circle K, 12155 Hwy 92, Woodstock, 30188

Pick up your free copy of The Cherokee Ledger Monthly at these convenient locations:

h Family Tradition Restaurant, 4379 Towne Lake Pkwy, Woodstock, 30189

h Rose Creek Library, 4476 Towne Lake Pkwy, Woodstock, 30189

h Kroger, 12050 Hwy 92, Woodstock, 30188

h Citgo, 6790 Bells Ferry Rd, Woodstock, 30189

h Kia, 630 Olde Rope Mill Park Rd, Woodstock, 30188

h Texaco, 6790 Bells Ferry, Woodstock, 30189

h Texaco, 6511 Bells Ferry, Woodstock, 30189

h Village Burger, 9550 Main St, Woodstock, 30188

h Bizarre Coffee, 440 Chambers St, Woodstock, 30188

h Woodstock Library, 7735 Main Street, Woodstock, 30188

h Woodstock Visitors Center, 8588 Main St, Woodstock, 30188

HOLLY SPRINGS

h Hop In, 2204 Holly Springs Pkwy, Holly Springs, 30115

h Kroger, 5341 Old Hwy 5, Holly Springs, 30188

ACWORTH

h Food Depot, 5530 Bells Ferry Rd, Acworth, 30102

h Mapco, 1530 Kellogg Creek Rd, Acworth, 30102

CHEROKEE SCENE

West Main Arts Festival celebrates North Georgia makers

People gathered on West Main Street in downtown Canton March 1 for a festival celebrating the local art scene with artists and makers, music, street performances and more. The second annual West Main Arts Festival, hosted by Menagerie on Main, had over 40 art vendors. In addition to shopping from area artists, festivalgoers enjoyed food, live music, street performers and dance performances from local studios.

Anthony Stalcup

Addison Moon decides which yarn toy she wants to buy at the West Main Art Festival.

Anthony Stalcup

Emily Newman, specializing in abstract mixed media painting, demonstrates her skills at the West Main Art Festival March 1.

Anthony Stalcup

Dancers from the Theodora Dance Conservatory prepare for their performance at the West Main Art Festival in Canton.

Anthony Stalcup

Josh Spink points out his favorite painting at the West Main Art Festival.

Anthony Stalcup

Four-year-old Camellia gets her face painted at the West Main Art Festival.

CHEROKEE SCENE

Etowah Wildlife Expo returns to Canton

The Etowah Wildlife Expo returned to the Mill on Etowah in Canton March 8, bringing animal exhibitions and family fun.

The Dixie DockDogs diving exhibition drew large crowds at the event, and young children met various animals at the petting zoo.

Attendees saw a variety of animal demonstrations and events, shopped from North Georgia vendors and at the end of the day, closed out the event listening to live music.

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Knox Tullis, 3, explores fossilized dinosaur teeth at the Etowah Wildlife Expo in Canton.

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Quinn McLinton, 7, is happy with her face paint results at Etowah Wildlife Expo in Canton.

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Callum Hughes, 2, makes a friend while visiting the petting zoo at the Etowah Wildlife Expo.

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Owen Patrick, 2, gingerly pets

“Rosie,” a puppet dinosaur with Mystical Parties host Julia Esposito after their performance at the Etowah Wildlife Expo

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A dog dives into a pool during the Dixie DockDogs exhibition at the Etowah Wildlife Expo in Canton.

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Jaxton Lesage, 3, meets a new friend at the petting zoo at the Etowah Wildlife Expo.

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Kathleen Payne, 3, watches a dinosaur-like performance at the Etowah Wildlife Expo Saturday.

CHEROKEE SCENE

Pub Crawlers in Woodstock celebrate Mardi Gras

Visitors to downtown Woodstock celebrated Fat Tuesday early at the city’s Mardi Gras Pub Crawl Feb. 22. The event, hosted by Visit Woodstock GA, had 17 participating businesses, each

offering Mardi Gras-themed food and drink specials for guests. Crawlgoers collected stamps at participating businesses on a card issued for the event, which they entered to win prizes.

Visit Woodstock gA

Despite cold weather, visitors gathered in downtown Woodstock to celebrate at the Mardi Gras Pub Crawl.

Visit Woodstock gA Attendees at Woodstock’s Mardi Gras Pub Crawl dressed up in bright, festive clothes and hats.

Visit Woodstock gA People celebrated Mardi Gras early at Woodstock’s pub crawl event Feb. 22.

Visit Woodstock gA Crawlgoers collected stamps at participating businesses to enter to win prizes.

GARDENING

Easy to grow zinnias

Zinnias are one of the easiest cut flowers to grow, making them the perfect flower for beginner gardeners. Also, they are considered a “cut and come again flower,” which means if you harvest them regularly they will reward you with oodles and oodles of flowers. No matter where you garden, they are prolific bloomers with long stems perfect for making beautiful bouquets. As an added bonus, pollinators love them. Beautiful butterflies,

bees and hummingbirds will visit your garden daily.

Zinnias are among the most popular bedding plants as well as an excellent choice for your cut flower garden. They have various sizes from tall, to compact, to bushy and they are available in a multitude of colors. Their colors range from solid, bicolored, speckled or even striped. Their blooms can be single, double or even semi double. A new variety called Zinderella has a pom pom appear-

ance and there is a cactus type that has a stunning bloom.

There are some things you should know about Zinnias before you plant them in your flower garden. The first being that they hate cold weather and never store them in a cooler. Because they like warm weather and warm soil, they can be directly seeded into your flower garden. You can also start seeds inside, 4-6 weeks before the last frost in your area or set out established plants purchased from your local nursery. They love the sun and need to receive at least 8 hours of full sun.

den snips or pruners. The plant will then send up multiple stems from just below where you pinched or sniped, giving you a plant longer and more stems which increases the production of the plant. Deadheading a plant removes spent blooms, which signals to the plant to use its energy to produce more blooms and not slow up its growing season.

Before planting, they like the soil prepared with some compost and general all purpose fertilizer or organic fertilizer. Plants should be spaced 9-12 inches apart and watered deeply one to two times a week. A common mistake gardeners make is they just don’t water enough to get moisture 6 inches down into the ground. Remember not only do you want to quench the plant’s thirst, we want the plant to be sturdy also. Deep watering will encourage Zinnias to stretch their roots down, causing the plant to be sturdier, and will help it withstand high winds and heavy rains.

When given enough sun-light, good soil and sufficient water, Zinnias can get huge, so you will need to stake them. Individual plants can be tied to stakes with twine. If planted in long rows they can be corralled by pounding large stakes around the perimeter of the bed and using twine to create what looks like a string-lined box to hold your plants upright.

If you want to get the best production and longest stems for cutting you need to pinch back and dead-head your plants. To pinch back plants, you start when they are young and around 8 or 10 inches high. You are probably saying to yourself right now,but Linda, I just got them to where they look like they are really growing well and you want me to do what!! But believe me, this is the secret to getting the longest stems and long stems are what you need when making bouquets. You can always cut off a stem if it is too long but you can’t add to a short stem. Pinching back is not hard to do just take your thumb and forefinger and pinch off the plant just above a set of leaves, you can also use sharp, clean gar-

When should you harvest your plants? Zinnias need to be harvested when they are fully ripe. The best way to do this is to use what is called the wiggle test. Grab the stem about 7 to 8 inches down from the flower head and wiggle the stem lightly. If the stem is droopy or bends it is not ready to pick. Because temperatures are the lowest in the morning and plants have their highest water content, this is the best time to harvest. Sometimes we just don’t have enough time in the morning, so your second option would be to harvest as late in the evening as you can. If you harvest them mid-day they will have less moisture content and not last as long in the vase. Zinnias should last 5-7 days in the vase without adding a preservative, with a preservative 7- 10 days. They are also considered a “dirty flower” because their stems are hairy which makes the water they are in get gross real fast, so remember to fill your vase with clean water every other day. You can also add a drop of bleach in the water. Happy Gardening!! Varieties to choose:

‘Benary’s Giant’ Series — blooms are 4-6 inches across

‘Queeny’ Series Red Lime and Lime Orange are outstanding in color

Double Zahara dwarf plant for garden beds and pots

Tequila Green — bright green flowers that are a stand out in bouquets

‘Profusion’ Series — Great choice for borders beds and large containers

Linda Freedman is one of many UGA Master Gardener Extension Volunteers of Cherokee County. For more information or questions contact the Cherokee County Extension Office at 770-721-7803 or for upcoming seminars follow us at www. facebook.com/cherokeemastergardeners or at cherokeemastergardeners.com.

GARDENING WITH THE MASTERS|LINDA FREEDMAN

Special photo

Freedman

CROSSWORD ANSWER

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