Cherokee Ledger Monthly - February 2025

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

As unique as a Georgia snowfall

Welcome to our latest issue of the Cherokee Ledger Monthly.

January was especially cold this year, but it also brought snow, which is rare for Cherokee County. If you had the day off Jan. 10, I hope you enjoyed the snow with your family. I want to thank all the public safety staff, public works crews, utility workers and more who worked hard to make this winter weather event go relatively smoothly.

We have a few scenes from the Jan. 10 snow day in this issue. As community events start picking up again, we’ll have the Social Scene back in the March issue.

Our cover story highlights History Cherokee, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and its work preserving Cherokee County history. To celebrate, the nonprofit’s museum, the Cherokee County History Center, is offering reduced admission, so it’s a good time to visit and learn more about local history. Also in this issue, you’ll read about Cherokee County’s new school board chair and other changes to the board,

new judges sworn into office, public hearings coming up on a school board decision that will affect property taxes, contracts approved to improve intersections, a Little River Park update and more.

In our Dining section, years after the RM Hoagie shop in Canton closed, the space has a new restaurant operating: Three Roses Tavern.

In Sports, check out the All-Cherokee County Football Team, Coach of the Year and Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, and meet the Creekview basketball player who recently became the program’s alltime leading scorer.

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

Publisher Lee b garreTT

Managing Editor Shannon baLLeW

VP of Content Jk MurPhy

Writers eThan JohnSon rebeCCa JohnSTon grIFFIn CaLL aghan dr aPurVa Shah

VP of Advertising bob MCCray

Circulation Director

daVe goSSeTT

VP of Production doug CroW

Photographers

JaCk TuSZynSkI robIn rayne

anThony STaLCuP greg SPeLL bILL MCguIre

Layout & Design

JennIFer broWn, PhILIP CLeMenTS, JuSTIn grIFFIn

On the Cover anthony Stalcup took this photo of Stefanie Joyner, director of history Cherokee, in the historic rock barn in Canton.

Volume 2, Issue 2

THE CHEROKEE LEDGER MONTHLY

Community News

♦ Welch is new School Board Chair, 5

♦ New judges sworn in, 6

♦ The news in brief, 7

Cover Story

♦ History Cherokee celebrates a golden anniversary, 8

Opinion

♦ Perspectives, 11

♦ Letters to the Editor, 12

♦ Soapbox, 13

Dining

♦ Three Roses opens in old R&M Sandwich space downtown, 15

Entertainment & Community Events

♦ Ninja obstacle course focused for ages 4 to 17 opens in Woodstock, 17

♦ Upcoming events, 18

Sports

♦ Teter leads Sequoyah’s milestone run, 21

♦ Sequoyah’s Rajecki breaks out, 22

♦ Ogundele leads Sequoyah defense, 23

♦ Jack secures Grizzlies’ all-time scoring record, 24

Health

♦ Northside Hospital Cherokee introduces new hysterectomy option, 26

♦ A key tool for early heart disease detection, 27

Education

♦ CCSD sets a record AP pass rate, 29

♦ Robotics teams make super regionals, 30

Around Cherokee

♦ Cherokee’s first snow in years, 31

Gardening

♦ All About seed tapes, 32

Puzzles

♦ Crossword and Sudoku, 33

Ballew

Janet Read Welch sworn in as school board chair

Harmon resigns

By Shannon Ballew sballew@ledgernews.com

Janet Read Welch was sworn in as the Cherokee County school board’s new chair Jan. 7, and two re-elected board members were sworn in to serve new terms.

Read Welch, who previously served on the board for 11 years including one term as the first countywide elected chair before stepping down in June 2015, was elected school board chair without opposition in November.

School board members serve four-year terms.

Read Welch thanked her family, friends and the voters for their support.

“I’m excited and humbled to be the Cherokee County School Board chair again,” Read Welch said. “I’m excited for the opportunity to be a small part of such a great organization that bases every decision on what we can do

today to make our students, teachers, nurses and staff successful tomorrow. Thank you to the voters for the belief that I was the right person for the right job at the right time. I promise to do my best to make all of you proud.”

In preparation for her return to the board, Read Welch attended a series of induction

meetings in the fall with Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis and senior staff and attended whole board training.

Board members Kelly Poole, who represents District 1 and has served for nine years, and Patsy Jordan, who represents District 2 and has served for 12 years, both were re-elected without opposition in November.

Poole thanked voters for re-electing her. While she is elected by one post, she views her role as serving the whole district.

“I want what is best for students and teachers in Cherokee County,” she said. “Let’s get to work and make Cherokee County the best school district it can be.”

ADDITIONAL COVERAGE

For more education news, see Pages 7, 29.

Jordan, a retired CCSD teacher, thanked her family, friends and community for their support during her service.

“Education has always been my passion, and serving our children, teachers and community is an honor and a responsibility that I do not take lightly,” she said. “Together we have made incredible strides, and I remain committed to planting seeds that will help future generations grow and thrive.”

Cherokee County Probate Court Judge Keith Wood administered the oath of office for all three at the swearing in ceremony.

HARMON RESIGNS FROM SCHOOL BOARD

John Harmon has resigned from the Cherokee County school board due to moving outside his post’s boundaries. Harmon announced his intention to resign in Decem-

ber, and the school board accepted his resignation Jan. 16.

“While I will no longer be a Board member, I will always be an advocate and supporter of the School District,” he said in his resignation letter.

“I am invested in our students in Cherokee County receiving the best education on our watch, and I wish the Cherokee County School District continued success in elevating the excellence.”

Post 3 includes River Ridge High School, Sequoyah High School and southeast Cherokee County.

The school board is expected to appoint a member for the remainder of Harmon’s term. Applications have been posted on the district’s website at https://www.cherokeek12. net/board-of-education and accepted until Jan. 31. The board is scheduled to vote on an appointment Feb. 13.

Jack Tuszynski

From left to right: Cherokee County School District Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis, School Board Members Kelly Poole and Patsy Jordan, School Board Chair Janet Read Welch, and School Board Members Rick Steiner, Erin Ragsdale and Susan Padget-Harrison.

Cherokee welcomes new Superior Court and Juvenile Court judges

By Shannon Ballew sballew@ledgernews.com

Cherokee County’s newest Superior Court judge and Juvenile Court judge have been sworn in to serve on the bench.

Chief Superior Court Judge Ellen McElyea, who is retiring at the end of the year, conducted the oaths of office for new Superior Court Judge Jennifer Davis and Juvenile Court Judge Amanda Speights Dec. 18. Davis and Speights officially took office starting Jan. 1.

Davis, who was formerly a Juvenile Court judge, ran unopposed and won this year’s election for the Superior Court seat that opened with McElyea’s retirement.

Speights was appointed by Cherokee County’s Superior Court judges to fill the Juvenile Court judge post.

Daran Burns, founder and partner of Burns Smith Law in Canton, introduced Davis. He said that when a Juvenile Court judge position opened several years ago, he knew it was the job for Davis. And when Davis decided to run for Superior Court judge, the community had her back.

“Compassion, intelligence, integrity, character — all these things say Jennifer Davis,” Burns said. “And you brought them to the bench. You didn’t leave that behind.”

He said he knows Davis will make McElyea proud, as well as everyone in attendance. He added that with Davis and Spei-

ghts being sworn in, the county’s judiciary “just got a whole lot better.”

Davis thanked her family for their support, her fellow judges, the Juvenile Court and her staff, and the Blue Ridge Circuit Bar Association. She also welcomed Speights to the Juvenile Court bench.

“I want to thank you all for giving me the opportunity and the support to do what I love and to continue to serve,” Davis said.

Speights is a Cherokee County native who has practiced law in Cherokee since being admitted to the Georgia bar in 2009. She has been a partner at Speights Law

in Canton for 10 years.

Woodstock attorney Greg Hicks recalled Speights’ time working at his firm. Even as a law student, she was very knowledgeable about the law, he said.

“Amanda is the smartest woman I have ever known,” Hicks said.

Hicks trusted her to write some appellate briefs for the firm — including one for the Georgia Supreme Court. Shortly after she became a licensed attorney, Speights appeared before the justices and gave their arguments professionally, and even though they ultimately lost the appeal, it was a 4-3 decision.

Hicks had a message for any lawyers who will be in Speights’ courtroom: be prepared.

“This judge is going to know everything there is to know, and she is going to know the law, and you’re not going to outsmart her,” he said. “So you’d better come to court prepared.”

Speights thanked her family and her husband, Archie Speights, and Hicks for his support during her early career, Davis for being a mentor and friend, the Superior Court judges for the appointment and the Juvenile Court judges for welcoming her to the bench.

“I’m incredibly grateful, and I promise to honor you guys on the bench as I serve the children in this community. I’m very honored to do it,” she said.

Shannon ballew

Superior Court Judge Jennifer Davis, with her son Max holding her Bible, recites the oath of office with retiring Superior Court Judge Ellen McElyea.

Shannon ballew

Juvenile Court Judge Amanda Speights, with her husband Archie Speights, recites the oath of office with retiring Superior Court Judge Ellen McElyea.

SCHOOL BOARD SETS PUBLIC HEARINGS TO OPT OUT OF HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION

The Cherokee County Board of Education is holding a series of public hearings in February on whether it should opt out of Georgia’s new homestead exemption.

In November, Georgia voters passed a constitutional amendment establishing a floating statewide property tax exemption, capping the amount property taxes can increase annually at the rate of inflation.

Local government bodies including school boards can opt out of the exemption, but to do so they have to announce their intent to do so and hold at least three public hearings.

The public hearing dates and times are:

♦ 11:30 a.m. Feb. 5

♦ 11:30 a.m. Feb. 13

♦ 6:30 p.m. Feb. 13

The public hearings will be held at the Dr. Frank R. Petruzielo Educational Services Facility, 1205 Bluffs Parkway in Canton.

After the three hearings, the school board’s February meeting is set to start at 7 p.m. Feb. 13, where board members will consider a resolution to opt out of the exemption.

If the school board does not opt out of the floating exemption property tax cap, the Cherokee County School District projects a revenue loss of another $7.8 million for next school year and almost $50 million over the next three years.

This is in addition to expected revenue losses from a local senior tax exemption expansion that Cherokee County voters passed in May, going into effect this year. CCSD has estimated this will result in $14 million less in tax revenue next school year.

IMPROVEMENTS COMING TO 2 CHEROKEE COUNTY INTERSECTIONS

The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners recently approved contracts to improve two separate intersections.

On Jan. 7, the board unanimously voted to award a $1 million construction services agreement to Backbone Infrastructure,

COMMUNITY NEWS

LLC to transform the intersection of Batesville Road and Sugar Pike Road in east Cherokee into a roundabout.

The current intersection is controlled by a 4-way stop and lacks capacity, and has sight distance issues. The roundabout will help to address the capacity and sight distance issues at this intersection, according to the county.

“This one has been a long time coming,” Commission Chair Harry Johnston said.

As of January, the project was expected to start in two or three months and take about a year to complete.

Commissioners also unanimously voted to award a $1 million construction services agreement to Colditz Trucking, Inc. for improvements to the intersection of Damascus Road and Upper Bethany Road in north Cherokee.

This intersection lacks adequate sight distance and presents a potential safety issue, according to the county.

This project includes intersection reconstruction to address those issues. Work will include a combination of cutting and filling the existing vertical hill to improve intersection sight distance.

Construction is expected to begin in March and take about four months from when the notice to proceed is given to complete.

COED PRESIDENT DEPARTS FOR STATEWIDE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ROLE

The longtime president and CEO of the Cherokee Office of Economic Development is departing and starts a new position in February, the organization announced.

President and CEO Misti Martin served COED for over two decades, starting in early 2004 as the only full-time employee.

Martin will begin a new role as deputy commissioner of global

commerce for the Georgia Department of Economic Development in February.

According to COED, the organization has yielded over $1.4 billion in new capital investment and over 10,000 new jobs over the last 20 years.

“Misti’s leadership has been transformational for Cherokee County, and her passion for the community is contagious,” said Marshall Day, COED board chair. “Her dedication and innovative spirit have elevated COED’s role as a leader in economic development. We are deeply grateful for her service and are confident that her legacy will continue to inspire the next generation.”

“Serving as President & CEO of the Cherokee Office of Economic Development, in my home community, has been the honor of a lifetime. I have been lucky to have so many great mentors over the years, especially Marshall Day. He has taught me so much about business and leadership. I am proud of what we have accomplished together.”

COUNTY LEADERS ASK LAWMAKERS TO CONSIDER SALES TAX REFERENDUM

Cherokee County commissioners are asking the county’s leg-

islative delegation again to consider introducing legislation for a Homestead Option Sales Tax referendum.

On Dec. 17, the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution requesting Cherokee’s Legislative Delegation to allow voters to decide whether to enact a 1% HOST.

According to the county, this would eliminate county maintenance and operation property taxes for homeowners, and could speed up the start of local road improvement projects.

Earlier in December, county leaders met with the Cherokee Legislative Delegation, where Cherokee County Commission Chair Harry Johnston asked lawmakers to put the HOST on the ballot for November 2025, and that if voters approve it, that it can be rolled into the tax bill starting Jan. 1, 2026.

Delegation members asked if the county would consider placing a “sunset” on the sales tax, allowing voters to decide on a regular basis whether or not to continue it. A sunset provision is in the commissioners’ resolution.

After the delegation meting, Johnston and county commissioners came up with a list of requests pertaining to the po -

tential HOST.

The county is requesting that, if the HOST is approved by voters, 75% of the proceeds be used to roll back property taxes on homesteaded property, and the remaining 25% be used for capital projects such as road improvements.

The capital portion would be distributed between the county and cities. Johnston has proposed that the county’s portion of capital funds be limited to road improvements, while the cities could use it for roads and also tax relief or other capital projects.

Last year, commissioners asked lawmakers representing Cherokee to put a HOST on the November ballot, but the delegation did not put forth local legislation to call for a referendum.

State Rep. Brad Thomas, R-Holly Springs, told commissioners Dec. 11 that one of the main reasons the delegation did not move forward with legislation is because it was late in the session.

Cherokee County has a sales tax rate of 6%, one of the lowest in the state.

File/Shannon ballew

Cherokee County School District’s Dr. Frank Petruzielo Educational Services Facility.

Misti Martin

Harry Johnston

Brad Thomas

COVER STORY

History Cherokee is golden

Local nonprofit celebrates milestone 50th anniversary

By Rebecca Johnston

For the Cherokee Ledger Monthly

History Cherokee is making history of its own in 2025 as the nonprofit organization celebrates 50 years since it was founded by a group of local volunteers.

The Cherokee County Historical Society held its first organizational meeting on April 17, 1975, at the Cherokee County School Superintendent’s office. The first president was William G. Hasty, who later served as a state legislator.

The Cherokee County Historical Society, now known as History Cherokee, has for the last five decades since then led the way to preserve, celebrate, and honor the county’s past.

“The purpose of this society shall be to bring together those people interested in history, and especially in the history of Cherokee County,” the charter states.

“My father was fascinated and curious about history, whether it was world, national, or state, but he was especially interested in Cherokee County history. I recall when the entity of a historical society was just a concept and he talked to me about that happening,” Billy Hasty said of his father, Bill Hasty Sr., being the first president of the organization.

Billy Hasty said his dad asked him to be a charter member and that as an attorney he prepared the charter for the organization.

“Dad would say that this would be a perpetual and viable organization that would promote and recognize historical events in Cherokee County with an opportunity for anyone who was interested to join,” Billy Hasty recalled. “He was very proud of to serve as the first president of the Historical Society, and he was a member for the rest of his life.”

History Cherokee has saved endangered historic buildings including the Cherokee County Courthouse built in the late 1920s, Executive Director Stefanie Joyner said.

“In 1991, plans were made to build a new courthouse, and our historic marble courthouse was threatened to be demolished. Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Buffington and the Historical Society led the charge to preserve this important Cherokee County landmark,” Joyner said. “In 1997, after the restoration, the society learned the jail on the

HISTORY CHEROKEE FOUNDING MEMBERS

Mrs. newt adams, Mrs. W.b anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Miller barnes, Mary bell, Jackie bruce, Sarah and herbert buffington, Mary McClain Cadle, evelyn Carmichael, Mr. and Mrs. Trammell Carmichael, C.k. Cobb Sr., bob Conner, Mrs. Carlisle Cox, ann Cullens, george doss, Mr. and Mrs. W.b drinkard, Mrs. Tommy dunn, Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy dunn, Mr. and Mrs. ronald early, Mrs. Thurman eubanks, Mrs. n e. Fackler, kathyrn and Jack Fincher Sr., Wally Fowler, Mrs. Thomas e. Cox, Mary and Coy Free, Thomas Freeman, Martha galt, bill and hazel hasty, billy hasty, Mrs. Woody hogan, Marjorie and glenn hubbard, John Jackson, elizabeth Johnston, Marjorie Johnston, Mrs. Smith Johnston, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Land, Mrs. T.J. Land, Catherine J. Malone, Mr. and Mrs. annis Morgan, Linda and dan owen, Mr. and Mrs. ralph owen, Mr. and Mrs. rudolph Phillips, kevin Price, Mr. and Mrs. Parks rusk, ann Scott, Mrs. Lee Spears, Vickie Teague, John Teasley, Marie archer Teasley, bill and Sylvia Teasley, Mrs. doyle W. Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Tippens, Lee r. Tippens, Mr. and Mrs. John L. Trask, Charlotte Wade, June hart Wester, Mr. and Mrs. V.d. Westfall, helen Perry Williams, and b.C. yates.

A celebration for Cherokee County’s sesquicentennial was held in 1981.

fourth floor, as well as an office, had been set aside for the society to use and in 1998 we moved in.”

Other prominent buildings saved with help from History Cherokee’s efforts include Canton High School built in 1914, the Canton Textile Mill Offices built in the late 1920s, and the historic Rock Barn, among many others.

Joyner said she is most proud of the work done by History Cherokee to establish the Canton and Ball Ground National Register Historic Districts.

“Covering over 400 buildings, these districts recognize the importance of our architecture, provide incentives for property owners, and place no restrictions on the property,” Joyner said. “I thank the city governments for their support of this initiative.”

Joyner, who became the first paid staff person for History Cherokee in 2005, said much of the nonprofit’s success has come from the many volunteers who have given their time and resources through the 50 years to the organization’s efforts.

“I wholeheartedly believe that volunteers are the reason for our longevity. For the first 30 years we were an all-volunteer organization, and they did some incredible advocacy work to save the white marble courthouse and Canton High School from demolition,” Joyner said. “Since staff was hired in 2005, volunteers have continued to lead the organization through the Board of Directors, as they support our events and keep us motivated to save Cherokee County’s history.”

Founding Historical Society member and current member Dan Owen of Canton remembers when his mother, Frances Owen, told her family following a meeting of the

county’s Bicentennial Committee in the early 1970s which she was chairing that the group had agreed unanimously to recommend a historical society be established.

“She came home and said that everyone was excited about the idea of a historical society, and they wanted it up and going by the bicentennial with officers and everything,” Owen said. “Our son, Cliff, was a baby at the time, and I remember how excited my mother was that we were going to have a historical society.”

Cliff Owen is continuing the tradition and is now a board member of History Cherokee for 2025.

The Cherokee County Historical Society’s first annual dinner was held in April 1976 featuring Cherokee County native and former United States Secretary of State Dean Rusk as the keynote speaker.

Held at the Pine Crest Restaurant in Holly Springs, more than 200 people were in attendance to hear Rusk speak about his work and the United States Constitution. Rusk told the crowd to use the country’s 200th birthday to pause and remember what made the United States great.

Founding Historical Society member Martha Galt presented Rusk with a framed copy of the Cherokee County 1895 map and founding member Miller Barnes presented him with red clay taken from the Lickskillet District in southeast Cherokee where Rusk was raised.

In 1981 the Historical Society celebrated Cherokee County’s sesquicentennial and published its first book, “Glimpses of Cherokee County.” Since that time, History

anthony Stalcup

The historic Rock Barn in Canton.

history Cherokee

history Cherokee Judson Roberts Coy Free and John Hildreth with the National Trust for Historic Preservation outside the Rock Barn in Canton.

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®

GOLDEN

From 8

partnerships, drive growth in memberships and museum traffic, and enhance engagement and awareness across our community.”

PRINCIPAL AND MANAGING DIRECTOR

Your Spending Dictates Your Retrement, not a Magic Number

A new investor recently walked into our meetng, clutching a printed artcle with the headline, “Retrement Magic Number: $1.8 Million.” They were excited, thinking this meant they were on the fast track to early retrement. They had done the quick math and believed they were well on their way to reaching this so-called magic number. But as we dug deeper, it became clear that their excitement was based on a misunderstanding. Their lifestyle, spending habits, and unique fnancial situaton didn’t align with the simplistc formula suggested by the headline.

In my opinion, headlines like these do not do anyone any good. Call them whatever you want—retrement numbers, magic numbers, or retrement rules of thumb—the reality is that there is no single number that works for everyone. A magic-number approach to calculatng how much you need to sustain your lifestyle in retrement for 20 to 30 years ofen fails to paint an accurate picture of your future.

Without sounding like a broken record, your retrement is dictated by how much you spend. No one goes from living a $120,000 lifestyle flled with fancy cars, country clubs, and vacatons to spending $50,000 in retrement. Your spending is the foundaton for determining how much you’ll need to save for retrement. Unfortunately, many people don’t know how much they spend annually.

I’m not talking about a detailed budget breaking down how much you allocate to dining out. You need to know the net number—the total amount you spend. Before you invest in a ledger to track every cent fowing in and out of your household, let’s start with some “back of the napkin” math.

First, start with your gross income for the year. Next, subtract how much you saved both pretax and afer tax during the year, for example

saving to pre-tax retrement plans or if you contributed to an afer-tax brokerage account or a Roth retrement account. Then, subtract how much you paid in taxes. The number you’re lef with is a close approximaton of your annual spending. If you didn’t save it and you didn’t pay it to the government, you most likely spent it.

Another way to calculate this is by reviewing your credit card statements from the past year. Add in any bills you pay by check, and again, this total will likely approximate your spending.

While some expenses in retrement will decrease—commutng, business lunches, and dry cleaning—others will increase, such as health care, travel, and entertainment. Keep in mind that those frst few years of retrement are ofen flled with actvites you didn’t have tme for while working. That’s why I say you’re not going to go from a $120,000 lifestyle to a $50,000 lifestyle the moment you retre.

So, why do these “magic retrement numbers” exist if they’re wildly inaccurate? Likely, they’re designed to get people thinking about their own fnancial situaton. Saving toward a goal number is easier than saving simply because you’re told you should. As investors approach that “magic number,” they’re more likely to seek the help of a fnancial planner to fnetune the details: how long their savings will last, how it aligns with other retrement income sources like Social Security, pensions, or passive income, and how it should be invested to contnue growing and sustain their retrement lifestyle.

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.

Cherokee has published almost a dozen books about the county’s history.

The Historical Society in 1989 successfully undertook the preservation and renovation of the historic Rock Barn in Canton, which was donated to the nonprofit by the Cherokee County Board of Education and remains an events facility owned by History Cherokee.

The organization under the leadership of the late Judson Roberts raised $500,000 for the preservation and renovation of the Rock Barn. That same year, the Rock Barn and Edgewater Hall across the street from it were added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The Historical Society rebranded as History Cherokee and in 2020 launched a capital campaign for the Cherokee County History Center and museum, an 11,000-square-foot interactive facility in downtown Canton.

Through the generosity of the community, History Cherokee successfully raised $4.7 million to fund the construction of the Cherokee County History Center. Since its opening in November 2022, History Cherokee has welcomed almost 10,000 visitors, hosted 37 educational workshops, and launched seven temporary exhibits.

“We are actively executing our strategic plan to solidify our role as a cornerstone of cultural and historical enrichment in Cherokee County,” Joyner said. “Through this focused plan, we continue to forge strategic

The museum welcomes visitors Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The organization plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary throughout 2025 with reduced admission of $5 for adults, while admission is free for children 18 and under.

New programming including Science Saturdays, Scout Saturdays, monthly SensoryFriendly Days and Winter Break Camp will be introduced as well.

In honor of the many individuals who have supported the organization over the last five decades, History Cherokee’s staff members are each pledging 50 hours of volunteer service with other organizations across Cherokee and surrounding counties as part of the “History’s Helping Hands” initiative. The community is invited to join this effort and contribute their own volunteer hours.

Throughout the year, History Cherokee will share highlights from its 50-year journey. Follow along on social media and visit the museum to explore the history that has shaped Cherokee County.

For more information, visit History Cherokee’s website, email info@historycherokee.org or call 770-345-3288. The Cherokee County History Center is located at 221 E. Marietta Street in Canton.

EDITOR’S NOTE

rebecca Johnston is the president of the history Cherokee board of directors.

COLUMNIST|JUANITA HUGHES

Iwas ten years old when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt died. The adults in my family were very sad. I have a strong memory of being outside in our front yard, alone, pensive, thinking about all that was happening. I didn’t yet understand about our government. My life revolved around school and church and family. My newest memories outside of those things were of war times but I didn’t realize what that meant worldwide. Roosevelt was the only president I had ever known, and I had few memories that did not include some aspect of war. The future wasn’t in my thoughts except for school and growing up. I probably thought the president would be around forever. We had heard his voice on the radio a lot during those years of war. My Papa kept up with all the news and I was aware of happenings but not of their significance. I recall on that somber day thinking about the train that was carrying FDR’s body from the Little White House at Warm Springs, right here in Georgia, to Washington. My thoughts were guided by radio and newspaper reports, and I could only imagine how it might feel to watch the train go through town and the crowds that might gather along the tracks. There was no TV to give us minute-by-minute images. Many years later I would visit

A new level of participation

Warm Springs, and those memories would embrace my visit and those feelings of sadness would take me back to those times.

Not too many years later, when another president died suddenly, I watched with my family … three daughters and their father … as we had front row seats with all of America and the world. JFK died of gunshot wounds and the nation mourned. While the circumstances of the deaths of Roosevelt and Kennedy were different, the nation’s loss was much the same. Beloved by many, but endured by others, life continued. I don’t recall ever hearing of post-presidency activities, except for presidential libraries and, in the case of Roosevelt, the March of Dimes fund-raisers for polio research which came about in light of Roosevelt’s disabilities. In looking back, the phrase “riding off into the sunset” seems to describe the non-political legacy of some of our leaders.

With the life and death of Jimmy Carter the phrase “post-presidency” has taken on very special meaning. I won’t try to give it a new definition. I’m not here to compare legacies. But I’ll share a memory or two.

My husband, the Man of The House, worked for Georgia Power, and we be -

came friends with other employees, including Robert and Margaret Logan. They were natives of Plains, Georgia. We came to know and love them and their extended families. Robert’s parents, Howard and Thelma, lived in Plains, and we visited them a few times over the years. As Howard’s 80th birthday approached one year, Robert asked me to compose a poem about his dad to be read at the celebration. We went to the party, and Robert attempted to read the poem. He became emotional but bravely continued to read. Enough said. Bless his heart! A few years later, Howard died and a different family member read the poem at the funeral service. Jimmy Carter (post-presidency) was in attendance, and afterwards, in the churchyard, Robert introduced me to Jimmy, telling him that I wrote the poem. That was the only time I shook hands with a president.

He graciously walked with other mourners across the road from the church to the cemetery. Thelma had asked him to say a few words there at the graveside service, which he did. He told of his own very personal relationship with Howard Logan, and stressed his influence, comparing it with the influence of his own father. As I recall, Mr. Logan had urged

him to run for a school board position, his first foray into the politics of elective office.

I would realize later that Jimmy Carter was, himself, a true poet. In his 1995 book of poetry, “Always a Reckoning,” there is a one-sentence, non-rhyming poem, using spacing in spots instead of punctuation. So use your imagination here. The poem is entitled, “A Committee of Scholars Describe the Future Without Me.” It is worth repeating here, in these special days of mourning. “Some shy professors, forced to write about a time that’s bound to come when my earthly life is done described my ultimate demise in lovely euphemistic words invoking pleasant visions of burial rites, with undertakers, friends, kinfolks, and pious pastors gathered round my flowery casket eyes uplifted breaking new semantic ground by not just saying I have passed on joined my maker or gone to the Promised Land but stating the lamented fact in the best and gentlest terms that I, now dead, have recently reduced my level of participation.” But what would a committee of scholars know! Only time will tell. In the meantime, we have been blessed. Columnist Juanita Hughes is retired head of the Woodstock public library and a local historian.

COLUMNIST|LYNN GENDUSA

What is better for our souls, country, and humankind: spreading criticism or compassion? Which of these would God choose? We know the correct answer, as any first grader would, so why do some tend to cast blame on suffering? Do we need to go back to first grade?

I am beginning to hear accusations and mockery thrown at the remnants of communities destroyed by the California fires. Yes, our insurance rates may increase, and perhaps more could have been done to insure the water supply, but in all catastrophes, something could have always been done better before they happened. Unfortunately, hindsight doesn’t douse raging fires nor provide needed comfort.

Now is the time for us to stand united and show support in times of crisis. Let’s put an end to ridicule and complaint. As American citizens and human beings, let’s not throw blame and our self-righteousness on those who have lost everything. The only thing that needs to burn is often our attitudes.

My grandmother, aka Grandpa, taught me a valuable lesson many years ago. It was a Saturday morning in Crossville, Tennessee. Men gathered around the

The winds of change

courthouse as if it were a weekend morning ritual to whittle, talk, and smoke pipes.

From the time I was a toddler, I loved watching them sit on the benches and ledges and blow light gray circles of smoke into the air. Most were farmers dressed in overalls and dusty boots. Yet, I just couldn’t understand why some seemed wobbly and disheveled.

“Grandpa, why is that man alone and dirty?” I asked as I pointed to the fellow across from me.

“Honey, don’t point because it is rude,“ she immediately said, pushing my hand to my side. Unfortunately, I often point today, so perhaps she didn’t try hard enough to lower my hand. Should I blame her instead of myself?

She continued,

“Lynn, Jesus came to be a friend not only to us but also to those suffering and the forgotten. He lived as a poor man, but his spirit was so rich that he could heal the sorrow and wipe away tears. We are called to be like him — rich in spirit so that we can offer friendship to the needy, the lonely, and those who are in pain. Now, please go over to the wobbly man

and give him this dollar.”

I took the dollar and walked over to the grateful man. I must have been around five years old, but to this day, because of Grandpa’s abundant kindness and compassion, I comprehend that God’s goodness thrives when we understand others.

Those who make jokes, politicize pain, and ignore those who require our aid have lost more than their homes to fires, floods, or winds. They have lost the ability to care.

When we lose our kindness because caring could cost us money, we will ultimately have nothing.

The California fires result from a prolonged drought, the Santa Ana winds, and climate change conditions. The impact is pure tragedy. We have seen it before and will again, but the winds of change should rise in all of us. We must quit pointing fingers and instead use our hands to help. Isn’t that what the carpenter from Galilee would do?

For too long, much of America’s work hasn’t been accomplished in the political arena because our leaders are too busy with accusatory actions, retribu -

tion, and blaming others. We should all be rather tired of such behavior in our lives. However, if we are so aligned with conservative or progressive thinking that we lose sight of our fellow citizens, we can’t expect our country to thrive or even survive. Let’s remember that our unity is more important than any political divide.

As I watch the flames roar, spread, and consume all in their path, I am reminded of how fragile our surroundings are. Rains can wash away all we have, and winds can toss what we own into the air. But if we are rich in spirit and have charitable hearts, we will see the grass grow green again above a scorched earth. This compassion and understanding will help us overcome even the most devastating of challenges.

“But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?”

1 John 3:17

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

Hughes

Gendusa

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Lessons from President Carter

DEAR EDITOR:

50 years ago, Jimmy Carter decided to run for president. Nixon had lied to cover up the Watergate break-in. He was not a crook — he wasn’t a party to the break-in, but he did lie about it. America in 1976 wanted to clean the slate, and Carter was the answer for many to politics as usual. Carter defeated multiple Washington insiders in the 1976 primary, driving home the point that America was tired of politics as usual.

Jimmy told us he would never lie to us. He didn’t. That didn’t turn out to make him a good president. We learned that President Carter deeply cared, was very moral, but was not always capable — but never due to lack of effort. His most notable accomplishment, the Camp David Accords; the greatest failure, the Iranian hostage crisis. For us Georgians, Jimmy Carter provided legacy gifts for which we should always be grateful — the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, and a free-flowing Flint River at Sprewell Bluff (Carter opposed a dam that was proposed there). That is the kind of environmental stewardship that both Democrats and Republicans can appreciate. Thank you, President Carter.

America has never had a past President die as inauguration to change presidents was eminent. The comparison of the 3 presidents, the past, current, and future is the proverbial elephant in the room — a metaphor particularly fitting, with Trump the Republican poised to begin America’s restoration. The decent (never lied), the despicable (nearly always lied), the dynamic (the legacy media says he lied — for what that is now worth). Looking back 50 years, America learned that more is needed than moral leadership. The 2020 election turned out to be a faux replay of 1976 — Biden was presented as a good guy, this time with a wealth of experience. We were all lied to, with catastrophic results. America will be suffering for years after Biden is gone, consider the open border alone.

Democrat operatives are doing due diligence on the 2024 election. They see an aged Biden, and a Harris that was so obviously unqualified. They didn’t and still aren’t listening to Joe Manchin as he left the Democrat Party. But what they are really failing to do is compare Biden and the current Democrat Party to Jimmy Carter. A leader is needed that can be trusted. Someone that convinces America that they have the ability, and the common sense to govern. Looking around they may have their candidate — Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania, but then the Democrats would have to make the choice of whether to risk alienating their antisemitic supporters. Perhaps that is truly the root cause of their problem — embracing identify politics instead of meritocracy.

Bruce Purvis Hickory Flat

Read this letter again in two years

DEAR

EDITOR:

Mark Twain is credited with saying; ‘It’s easier to fool people than convince them they were fooled.” In my opinion, for the purpose of scaring Americans into voting for Democrats, Democrat candidates, the Democrat Party and the media has been lying to the country for quite some time. And to all those people who fell prey to the lies and the fear mongering, those who were sure electing Trump would; suspend the Constitution, create a fascist, dystopian government, imprison women for a miscarriage, imprison doctors for saving the life of a mother, ban contraceptives, enforce a nationwide abortion ban, encourage violence against minorities and LGBT, call for violence against anyone who criticizes Trump, create tariffs that will significantly increase inflation, prevent disaster relief funds being sent to blue states, enable Trump to commit any crime without accountability, crush basic American values, turn the country back to a time when we had fewer

rights and freedoms, create division and hate with his policies, weaken the middle class, stop employers from paying overtime, cut social security for current seniors, and last but not least, build concentration camps for political opponents and their supporters. I am not even going to try to convince them they were fooled.

All I’m going to say is wait two years and whether you’ll admit it to yourself or not, I think you will realize that you were in fact lied to, that none of the above came close to happening and your life will be a lot better. You will feel free to speak your mind, and not worry about being cancelled or fired from your job because of your political beliefs. At that point, if you aren’t hopelessly lost to the insane world of the Left, I believe you will think twice before you ever believe another Democrat candidate, the Democrat Party and the media again. Suggestion; re-read this in two years.

What Carter and Trump have in common

DEAR EDITOR:

Carter and Trump have a lot in common!

You might find it odd that Jimmy Carter and Donald Trump are my favorite Presidents. Since his passing, I’ve given some thought as to what these two have in common. See if this sounds familiar.

Jimmy Carter was elected as an outsider. The American public had become disillusioned by politics as usual. He came to Washington as a change agent.

Jimmy Carter entered the White House concerned for the common citizen. He built a coalition, not of big money (like the Harris campaign), but from a grassroots campaign.

When Carter announced his candidacy, people scoffed and ridiculed him.

When he took office, he inherited an economy in the throes of high inflation.

Remember Ford’s WIN (Whip Inflation Now) buttons?

OPEC had just formed and was crippling our economy, and Carter recognized the importance of being energy self-sufficient to our self-defense.

Carter, even though a high-ranking veteran, was anti-war. He brought a peace agreement to the Middle East. He has all these things in common with Trump, along with being a strong Christian and a patriot.

However, there is one aspect that they do differ. Carter was a gentle gentleman. The Washington machinery (swamp) crushed him and stopped him from accomplishing much. I still remember celebrating my first mortgage of 13% because the going rate had just hit 19% points to one example of his ineffectiveness.

As far as energy policy, he tried to

get us self-sufficient by reducing consumption. Remember the sweaters, dialing down the thermostats during the winter, and the 55 mph national speed limit?

You might dislike the fact that Trump acts like a bully much of the time, but I believe it enabled him to get things done during his first term. He didn’t let the Washington machinery crush him. He stood up to them and fought them every day he was in office.

I loved Carter because he tried to do the right thing the right way. I love Trump because he does the right thing, period. May God bless the Carter family. May God bless the Trumps. May God bless America and the world.

Duke Yaguchi Canton

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, ga 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.

Conrad Quagliaroli Woodstock

♦ “Contemptible fools.” So, our MAGA faithful are subject to this kind of verbal abuse by Elon Musk. And why? Because he wants to give many more work visas to immigrants from India, China, and other developing countries. Not to take low paying jobs that Americans “don’t want to work”, but to take our very best jobs that require a high degree of education, but for cheap. So Musk can get richer by hurting American graduates who he claims do not have a work ethic or the intelligence for top IT and engineering jobs. President Trump, we are watching closely. America (Americans) First!

♦ We need some semi-unmarked, plain looking vehicles working traffic on Sixes Road. Those people do 60 in a 40, cut in and out regularly, they must be the worst drivers in Cherokee County!

♦ In response to the Op Ed written by Raleigh Morgan about the fox watching the hen house. I personally have no problem with the DOGE Committee. Bravo to individuals who take the time to unearth all the wasteful spending that has caused our country such incredible debt. What are you so afraid of? Possible exposure of government corruption? What about the millions of people getting assistance that don’t deserve it like people from other countries? What about these worthless grants for idiotic projects that do nothing to benefit the American people? Think about it!

♦ Like his DOGE brothers, Trump has taken credit for things he simply inherited, starting with their own personal fortunes. Our incoming President avoids accountability for the bad stuff he’s done, such as his attempted coup against the United States, but congratulates himself for the good stuff others have done.

♦ New Year’s: Every city has a “drop” tradition. New York’s Ball Drop, Atlanta’s Peach Drop, there’s even a Moon Pie Drop. Actually nothing is dropped, the objects are let down slowly, so the truth is every year begins with a ”big letdown.” It figures. And once again, the media tells you that what you see is actually something else.

♦ Pickup election signs the day after the election should not be considered a crime . It’s helping you and the Marshal pickup trash.

♦ If Trump plans to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America, is the USA planning to pay to change ev -

eryone’s maps, books and world globes worldwide? What about New Mexico? Doesn’t our government have more important matters to address?

♦ TM Security, East Cherokee Drive westbound, running overhead orange strobe lights while driving. Why do we allow this trash on our roads? People are going to get so insensitive to flashing yellow, red, blue, white lights, that they’re not going to pay attention to true emergency vehicles. Is this Californica, or is this Cherokee County?

♦ Somebody please tell Elon Musk that the mess he made of Twitter, “X”, is not the voice of “We the People”. Many have left that wrecked platform. Many remaining are not Americans. In any case, using X posts as a reading of the will of the people is not how a republic works. Our elected representatives will not be marginalized by the new power behind the throne.

♦ Judges, prosecutors, police, and deputies: you take an oath to uphold and follow the law. So, please quit interjecting your personal beliefs and opinions when enforcing our written laws.

♦ Don’t know what real conservatives were seeking when they elected this poser to a second term but, again, it’s mostly flash at the top and a few corporatists in the most extractive but overlooked positions, it’s likely to be few campaign promises turned to action, a lot of noise at the top, and a lot of tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans and corporate America. Just not what the insurrectionists fought and went to jail for.

♦ I’m in my 70s, lived in Georgia all my life. I’m a big supporter of Trump, but I can’t understand why he pulled Kelly Loeffler out of the closet for politics again. She has never won an election. Everyone in Georgia knows she

SOAPBOX

bought her way in politics with her husband’s money. We all know she’s not smart enough to run the SBA. Hope Trump realizes this before he sticks her in there. Just more bad politics. There’s too many good people who have earned that position.

♦ President Musk bought his shadow presidency by spending a quarter of a billion dollars to back President-elect Donald Trump and his cohorts. There is profound belief that the vengeance tour Trump has already started and stated he intends to bring about against his political opponents is a clear indication of his destroying the hallowed office of our presidency and harming our democracy. MAGA, you actually believe your cost of living will improve, that gas will be cheaper, grocery prices will be lower? Very doubtful, with all those Trump tariffs in line to be implemented.

Editor’s note: The Soapbox is a forum for residents to sound off about topics of interest. a ll 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- n ews 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 770- 928-1055 or email editor@ledgernews.com.

Medical complex could be coming to Union Hill Road

By Ethan Johnson ejohnson@ledgernews.com

A public hearing is set for Feb. 18 to hear from Cherokee County residents on a developer’s request to bring two medical office buildings to Union Hill Road.

On Jan. 7, the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 to set the public hearing date to hear a request from Mack Development Group, LLC to rezone about 7.45 acres from AG (general agriculture) to NC (neighborhood commercial) for office and retail uses at 7658 Union Hill Road.

Cherokee County Commission Chair Harry Johnston voted against the motion.

The applicant is looking to build a medical office complex on the property, south of Avery Elementary School, with two single-story buildings.

The combined square footage would be 50,000 square feet — 25,000 square feet would be for office use, with the remaining 25,000 square feet designated for commercial use, according to county documents.

Commissioner Steve West, who represents the area, described the property as unique with its placement between a school and a mobile home park.

“I just don’t see that being a residential piece of property on that corner right there,” he said. “Over the last year, we’ve had a multitude of people asking about this piece of property — anywhere from car washes to septic tank businesses to storage lots. Is this the perfect plan? Probably not. But it’s probably the least intense use that you are going to find for a commercial piece of property in that area.”

Johnston said that “retail, to me, is a hard no here.”

“I’m not sure the site couldn’t be used as residential, though I understand the issues there,” he said. “I do think OI (office/ institutional) would be (suitable). I don’t think we should have any retail there. I could live with the office use. So, I suggest holding the public hearing to consider only OI for this property. I want to discuss at that time smaller scale uses. I can’t support re-hearing the case for NC.”

“If we set the hearing to rezoning from AG to NC, but then settle on OI, we can settle on a less intense use. But if we set the public hearing from AG to OI, we can’t go the other way,” Commissioner Corey

ABOVE AND BELOW: Renderings show what the medical complex could look like.

Ragsdale said.

Johnston said he still plans to advocate for OI or lower.

“All the same, I’d rather not even open that door,” Johnston said.

The proposed medical complex would have one point of access to the site from Union Hill Road. The applicant is not proposing to use the school’s interior access road or East Cherokee Drive.

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

The applicant is proposing about 212

parking spaces for the site.

No specific uses or businesses have been proposed for the development, however, the applicant indicates that the commercial uses will be medical related, and the remainder would be medical offices and services. Any pharmacy or drug store operated on the property may not be a freestanding national chain, according to the county.

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

County staff recommend adding the stipulation that any commercial business on the property be medical in nature, and may include businesses such as health and personal care retailers and stores, optical goods stores, pharmacies and drug stores, food (health) supplement stores, medical/ dental/hospital equipment and supplies merchant, ophthalmic goods merchant and other professional equipment and supplies merchant.

On Dec. 3, the Cherokee County Planning Commission voted 5-4 to recommend denial of the request.

The property is in the county’s Country Estates character area which supports primary land uses such as residential and agricultural and secondary land uses such as institutional or semi-public uses.

The public hearing is set for 6 p.m. Feb. 18 at Cherokee Hall in the Northside Hospital Cherokee Conference Center, 1130 Bluffs Parkway in Canton. The meeting can also be viewed online at tinyurl. com/3vjc674k.

MORE STORIES

Additional medical and wellness news can be found on Page 26.

Three Roses Tavern opens in Canton

Main Street location was formerly home to R&M Sandwich Shoppe

By Ethan Johnson ejohnson@ledgernews.com

Three Roses Tavern has opened in downtown Canton, offering a “new American” menu to the community.

Salem Makhlouf and his wife, Georganne Rose, who also own Local on North in Canton, opened Three Roses Tavern Dec. 6 after over a year of renovations.

Rose describes the restaurant as a “gastropub, sports and entertainment place.” Makhlouf says the menu is “new American,” representing the different cultures in the United States.

The menu features an array of options including steak, burgers, sandwiches and wraps, ribs, fried chicken, pasta, seafood, salads and desserts. A brunch menu is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

“Once we are open a little while longer, I think we may do a sandwich of the month that uses one of the recipes that R&M carried and just rotate it and use the same product that they used,” Rose said. “Right now, we carry the prime rib French dip sandwich, which I think was R&M’s most popular sandwich.”

The restaurant also features a bar on both levels, with a total of 12 beers on tap, Rose said.

Three Roses Tavern is at 117 W. Main St., which for a long time was known to residents as R&M Sandwich Shoppe or R&M Hoagie Shoppe.

The first iteration of R&M Hoagie opened in 1972.

Makhlouf and Rose bought the restaurant in August 2019, after the DeLuca family retired. It continued to operate as R&M until it closed in July 2021, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Rose said.

“The pandemic closed the courthouse for about two and a half years and at that time the hoagie shop relied on court traffic from jurors and court-related people during lunch time, so the pandemic really affected us,” she said. “That’s really what led us to the decision to pivot to something different because it was only a lunch business. We knew we wanted to offer more.”

After the restaurant’s closing, the couple began renovating the space to serve as the second Three Roses Tavern location. They also own Three Roses Tavern in Marietta, which opened on the Square in November 2023.

“Local on North has such a diverse menu — you can take five different people there and everyone can find something they want to eat, or you can go there multiple times a week, so we wanted

to bring a similarly diverse menu to this location,” Rose said. “That’s kind of what we are going for, but the price point is a little bit less than what Local on North is. In the Marietta Square and downtown Canton there’s nothing like it.”

The Canton location is 4,000 square feet and features two floors. The main floor features a bar, TVs for sports fans, including a 180-inch TV, as well as restored photographs and pictures of historic downtown Canton buildings, such as the Jones Building. The bot -

tom floor, which also features TVs and a bar, is open Friday and Saturday for regular service. It is also open for private events.

Outdoor seating will become available in the summer, Rose said.

Makhlouf said Canton has become their home and that they look forward to welcoming more customers to the restaurant.

“Our mission is to take the culinary scene to the next level in the city of Canton and show our talent — Chef Richard T. Wilt is extremely talented,”

Makhlouf said. “This is a city that we love and has treated us right with our ventures. We opened Local on North in 2017 and have succeeded there, so we just want to do the same thing here. So far, people are loving the food, which makes us happy.”

Three Roses Tavern, 117 W. Main St. in downtown Canton, is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, visit www. threerosestavern.com.

Special — Three roses Tavern

Three Roses Tavern’s bacon, pimento cheese and jalapeno burger.

Special — Three roses Tavern Fish and chips at Three Roses Tavern.

ethan Johnson

Chef Richard T. Wilt and Co-Owner Salem Makhlouf stand outside of downtown Canton’s newest restaurant.

USA Ninja Challenge gym opens in Woodstock

By Ethan Johnson ejohnson@ledgernews.com

A ninja obstacle course focused on fun and exercise for ages 4 to 17 is now open in Woodstock.

Cobb County residents Kristy and Matt Tyler have brought USA Ninja Challenge, a franchise with locations across the U.S., to Cherokee County.

The gym started classes in January, and has a grand opening scheduled for March 4.

The studio, 185 Stockwood Dr. Suite 100 near Stars and Strikes off Highway 92, features obstacle course training aimed at providing a place where kids and teens can be active, as well as grow their self-esteem, self-confidence and leave with a sense of accomplishment.

“Our kids (Sarabelle, 8, and Collins, 6) are of the age where they become interested in different activities, so we’ve tried all kinds of stuff like swimming, soccer and martial arts. All of these things are great, but when I saw ninja, I really appreciated the idea that the kids are constantly moving around and exercising,” Kristy Tyler said. “It helps their confidence and challenges themselves. Everything about ninja really appealed to me. This is the perfect thing for them, so I know there are other kids out there like that.”

Matt Tyler added that in the sport of ninja, kids are spending more time being active and less time on screens.

“It also serves as an alternative to team sports and lets individuals work on themselves and learn to overcome obstacles,” he said.

The equipment seen in the studio is influenced by the original Japanese “Ninja Warrior” (also known as “Sasuke”) and

“American Ninja Warrior” competitions. Kids and teens will jump, climb, swing, traverse and balance as they make their way through the courses.

Available equipment includes traversing rings, the warped wall, rope swinging, cargo nets, pegboards and more, said Brandon Cox, an instructor at Woodstock’s USA Ninja Challenge.

“Most of our obstacles are centered on building strength, agility or some sort of coordination,” Cox said. “We focus on 21

different skills, so every week we will have a completely new class plan, so that way it stays fresh for them. That also gives me enough time to teach and train because I can’t effectively teach all of those 21 skills in an hour. The goal is to focus on four or five of those skills each day.”

USA Ninja Challenge will offer classes, programs and camps, and will also be available to host parties. Class sizes will range from eight to 10. No more than two classes will be in the building

at a time, Matt Tyler said.

“We adjust the classes, so the little ones use cutesier and smaller obstacles and as the ages go up the obstacles become bigger and more advanced,” Kristy Tyler. “There’s a level system too so we know where they are physically and developmentally as far as using the equipment. We have a 21-step process, so we know where they are. For instance, one kid may be advanced on the rings but struggles on the balance beam. We will know that as instructors.”

There will be one class per week. For kids/teens 6-17, the price is $95. The price for ages 4 and 5 is $85 per month.

“The first class is risk free, so if you take the first class and decide you want to keep coming, we will charge you for the month. If you don’t love it after the first class is over and don’t want to come again, we won’t charge you at all,” Kristy Tyler said.

Though the Tyler family lives in east Cobb, Kristy Tyler said they are frequent visitors to downtown Woodstock and love spending time in Cherokee County.

“We live 10 minutes from here, so when we started looking for spaces, we thought this area would be perfect — this space and surrounding area is beautiful,” she said. “Cherokee is our home away from home and I think it will be a lot of fun for the kids in this community and the surrounding area. The goal is to let kids have fun, stay active and build confidence.”

Kristy Tyler said she hopes to open another location in the metro Atlanta area in the near future.

USA Ninja Challenge is open Tuesday through Thursday, as well as Saturday. For more information, visit www. ninjawoodstock.com.

ethan Johnson

Sarabelle Tyler, 8, swings on one of the obstacles at USA Ninja Challenge.

ethan Johnson

Collins Tyler, 6, swings from ring to ring at USA Ninja Challenge.

ethan Johnson

Kristy and Matt Tyler, with their daughters, Collins, 6, (left) and Sarabelle, 8, (right).

COMMUNITY EVENTS

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN CHEROKEE

FEB 1

Don’t Be Cruel! The Elvis Experience

Enjoy all the hits that made Elvis an icon at “Don’t Be Cruel! The Elvis Experience,” 8-10 p.m. Feb. 1 at the Canton Theatre, 171 E. Main St. in Canton. This tribute performance will take audiences on a musical journey through the life and career of the King of Rock and Roll. Tickets start at $35; VIP experience tickets are $55. For tickets or more information, visit https://www. cantonga.gov or call 678-701-6114.

FEB 7-23

Pride and Prejudice

Woodstock Arts is presenting “Pride and Prejudice” on stage Feb. 7-23. Directed by Caty Bergmark, this stage adaptation written by Kate Hamill promises a fresh look at Jane Austen’s characters that will have audiences laughing and crying. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays Feb. 7-23 at the Woodstock Arts Theatre, 8534 Main St. in Woodstock. Tickets are $20-22 online and $23-25 at the door. For tickets and more information visit https://woodstockarts.org/ events/pride/.

There is an an additional performance Feb. 13 for field trips; for tickets contact Business Manager Lindsay Lutes — at lindsay@woodstockarts.org.

FEB 8

Guns & Hoses 5K

The annual Guns & Hoses 5K Run/ Walk returns at 8 a.m. Feb. 8 at Hob -

Woodstock Arts is presenting ‘Pride and Prejudice’ Feb. 7-23.

good Park, 6688 Bells Ferry Road near Woodstock. In this 5K, Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services and the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office compete to raise

money for charity.

The fire department (Hoses) will represent The Goshen Valley Boys Ranch. The sheriff’s office (Guns) will represent The Charlie Ferguson

Community Center. When registering, participants will pick the team they want to represent, with a por -

Woodstock arts

Cherokee County

Runners make their way on the course of the Guns & Hoses 5K in Hobgood Park.

EVENTS

tion of the fee benefitting that agency’s charity.

Registration fees are $30 per runner and increase to $35 on Jan. 20. Day of registration is $40 for the 5K race/ walk. Participants will also have the option to add a virtual team for $25.

To register, or for additional event information visit playcherokee.org/193/ Guns-Hoses-5K.

Roaring 20s Adult Prom

The Children’s Haven is hosting the Roaring 20s Adult Prom from 7 to 10 p.m. Feb. 8 at Timbers at the Mill, 225 Reformation Parkway Suite 202 in Canton.

The fundraiser invites guests to dress in 1920’s attire while enjoying heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, dancing, the crowning of a prom king and queen, a silent auction, a live auction, wine pull and more.

Tickets are $100 per person or $190 per couple. There will also be a speakeasy experience from 6 to 7 p.m. for $25 that includes specialty drink and appetizer, unique photo area and more. Must be 21 or older.

All of the funds raised will benefit

The Children’s Haven to promote the health and happiness of children impacted by abuse and neglect.

To buy tickets, visit tinyurl.com/ sxz5j5k4.

FEB 14

Valentine’s Day with The Purple Madness

Prince tribute artist The Purple Madness is performing on Valentine’s Day at MadLife Stage and Studios, 8722 Main St. in downtown Woodstock. There will be two concerts: 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Bobby Miller recreates Prince’s sounds in a high energy performance.

Tickets start at $44.41 for the 7 p.m. concert and $38.44 for the 9:30 p.m. concert, for standing room only, including taxes and fees.

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

FEB 15

Downtown Canton Chocolate Walk

The Downtown Canton Chocolate Walk returns 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 15. Enjoy sweet treats at participating businesses in downtown Canton. Ticket holders will check in at the Jones Building, 130 E. Main St., where they will receive a goodie bag and a map of participating locations. Tickets are $21.58, including a processing fee. For tickets or for

COMMUNITY EVENTS

more information, go to the Downtown Canton Facebook page at https://www. facebook.com/DowntownCantonGA.

FEB 16

I Am Black History

The Charlie Ferguson Community Center is hosting “I Am Black History,” a Black history celebration with short speeches, gospel hymns and poetry, at 3 p.m. Feb. 16 at 1398 Reinhardt College Parkway in Canton. This event will also showcase local Black artists, authors and entrepreneurs.

FEB

22

Mardi Gras Pub Crawl

Visit Woodstock GA is hosting its Mardi Gras Pub Crawl 2-6 p.m. Feb. 22 in downtown Woodstock. Visitors can enjoy Mardi Gras food and drink specials at participating businesses. Collect stamps at participating locations to enter a raffle for prizes.

THROUGH FEB

28

A Century of Toys: 100 Years of Play

History Cherokee’s temporary exhibit, “A Century of Toys: 100 Years of Play,” is open through February in the Byron L. Dobbs Exhibit Gallery at the Cherokee County History Center, 221 E. Marietta St. in downtown Canton.

The exhibit is curated by Chuck Douglas and spans three generations of his family’s toys, alongside contributions from other families and History Cherokee’s archives. There are a variety of toys, electronics and

board games from different decades leading to the present.

History Center hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free for History Cherokee members. For nonmembers, admission is $9 for adults, $7 for adults ages 65 and up and children ages 5-14, and free for children under 5. For more information, visit historycherokee.org/toys.

CHEROKEE SENIOR SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION HOLDING NEW PLAYER EVALUATIONS

The Cherokee Senior Softball Association, a nonprofit organization, is holding new player evaluations for men 49 and older and women 40 and older (players must be this age by Dec. 31, 2025) Feb. 15-16 and Feb. 22 and 23. Evaluations will take place from 2-4 p.m. at Hobgood Park, Field 4, 6688 Bells Ferry Road near Woodstock. The association has nine leagues to fit all skill and comfort levels, and players ranging in age from 40 to 92. Please arrive 30 minutes early for registration. To pre-register, visit https://cssasoftball.us.

For more information, contact the association at cssasoftball1995@ gmail.com or 770-400-6121.

From 18

The Purple Madness

The Purple Madness features Bobby Miller as Prince.

The contract must be written by 3/15/25. Our lenders are Wells Fargo, New American Funding, Southeast Mortgage and Fifth 3rd Bank.

Marble Tree offers a distnctve collecton of new home designs and some of Eastwood's most popular home plans, all with thoughtully designed interiors, invitng exteriors, optonal side-entry garages, third-floor bonus rooms, and covered rear porches with incredible interior detail.

For more details on this charming new community, explore online at Eastwoodhomes.com or call us locally at 678.263.2757. NEW HOMES STARTING IN THE $400S

Teter leads Sequoyah’s milestone run

By Griffin Callaghan gcallaghan@ledgernews.com

James Teter led the most prolific offense in Sequoyah football history this past fall.

The Chiefs scored 481 points — 65 points more than their previous best in 2018 — while moving Teter to 137th career wins. With 96 wins at Sequoyah, Teter is one shy of Sid Maxwell for the program’s alltime record.

Following another successful season full of winning and accolades, Teter is the 2024 Cherokee County Football Coach of the Year.

“It was awesome,” said Teter, who was quick to credit his staff for preparing the team each week. “It’s great for the kids and it’s great for the program and the community. Our kids worked hard all year long and they deserved to get to where we got to. We would have liked to advance a little further, but all in all, we are just proud of our kids and what they have done over the last three years.”

Teter has led Sequoyah’s rapid ascension over the last three years. The Chiefs made the first round in 2022, then the second in 2023 before reaching the Class AAAAA quarterfinals this season.

This year’s playoff run helped separate Sequoyah from its Cherokee County competitors as it became the first program to appear in three state quarterfinal games (2004, 2018, 2024). Cherokee has two (2003, 2004), with Creekview (2018), Etowah (2014), River Ridge (2020) and Woodstock (2008) each at one.

Sequoyah was expected to make the playoffs this season with starting quarterback Kolby Martin, running back Will Rajecki and plenty of other playmakers returning.

“Looking back on it, we probably thought we could get that far,” Teter said. “We thought we would be really good, especially when we got past some of those non-region games. We thought we had a chance to make the playoffs and do really well.”

Traditionally a run-based Wing-T offense, Sequoyah adapted and catered its attack to its roster this season. It took a more hybrid approach and improved the passing numbers from 1,908 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2023 to 2,482 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2024.

Martin was a key part of that success. The three-year starting quarterback completed 64% of his passes and threw only three interceptions as the Chiefs averaged 37 points per game and set offensive records.

“The best thing that’s happened to us the last few years is being able to adapt to what we’ve got in our kids and the types of kids we have,” Teter said. “For years, I was dead set on playing straight Wing-T, but now, we have adapted our offense to fit the kids we have, and it’s really paid off.”

Sequoyah learned plenty about itself early on. The Chiefs won a 38-35 thriller over Denmark as they battled a twoplus-hour lightning delay before kicker Caleb McClure delivered a game-winning field goal.

Sequoyah fought off Cherokee 38-30 in Week 2 and then squeaked out a 2421 win against Kell, putting 0-3 and 0-2 starts from the last two years behind it.

It led to arguably the best season in team history.

“The kids just really came through,” Teter said. “There were some things stacked against us in those first games, so to do what we did was awesome.”

2024 ALL-CHEROKEE COUNTY FOOTBALL TEAM

oL — brody Craig, Sequoyah

aTh — Malone Pesqueira, etowah

Offensive Player of the Year

Will rajecki, Sequoyah

Defensive Player of the Year

Taiwo ogundele, Sequoyah

Coach of the Year

James Teter, Sequoyah

First Team Offense

Qb — Tanner Savasir, Cherokee

rb — Will rajecki, Sequoyah

rb — Isaiah Payton, Woodstock

Wr — brooks darling, Sequoyah

Wr — Jackson Stanley, Creekview

Wr — Chase Colina, Woodstock

Te — grant hollier, river ridge

oL — alex brewer, Sequoyah

oL — andrew Mcnair, etowah

oL — Spencer kelley, Cherokee

oL — Carter Ligetti, Sequoyah

k — Caleb McClure, Sequoyah

First Team Defense

dL — ean Marria, Sequoyah

dL — grant griffith, etowah

dL — nate Washington, Woodstock

dL/Lb — Charley dahlen, Cherokee

dL/Lb — Taiwo ogundele, Sequoyah

Lb — Wyatt McCarty, river ridge

Lb — brant Freeman, Creekview

Lb — andrew burmeister, Woodstock

db — Jayce Jones, Cherokee

db — Spencer geist, Sequoyah

db — Sam Vincent, river ridge

db — ethan Weidner, etowah

db — benji Smith, Sequoyah

P — ezra dirrim, Creekview

Second Team Offense

Qb — ethan Spector, river ridge

rb — Camden Cox, river ridge

rb — Mason Munn, Creekview

Wr — Israel Conway, Cherokee

Wr — Malakiah echols, Cherokee

Wr — Thomas Thompsen, river ridge

Te — Wyatt Tash, Cherokee

oL — r yan Sullivan, Creekview

oL — Fernando Zurita, Creekview

oL — Preston Schug, etowah

oL — Charlie Counts, Creekview

oL — Tomas Perez, river ridge

aTh — gracen Sexton, Cherokee

k — Liam kinsella, etowah

Second Team Defense

dL — harrison deriso, river ridge

dL — kevin Meade, Creekview

dL — Matthew Matz, Sequoyah

dL — Mason McLendon, river ridge

dL/Lb — Trace Washington, Woodstock

dL/Lb — Cayden Tatum, etowah

Lb — Jaysen Pertz-Moye, etowah

Lb — Jake bertils, Sequoyah

Lb — Mikey Statham, Cherokee Christian

db — evan Wayland, Creekview

db — austin Penrod, Creekview

db — andrew rowe, river ridge

db — Jordan brown-Westbrook, Cherokee

db — Cain Moss, etowah

P — gracen Vangilder, river ridge

Honorable Mention

Cherokee: Christian Irwin, Jared Jones, Jayce Carson, brayden nuckolls, brooks adams, Carson Patten

Cherokee Christian: Jayben Meder

Creekview: andrew hammond, austin guest, r yan brooks, nick Vaccaro, aiden Caraballo, r yan brooks

Etowah: Carter deWitt, ashton Martin, Carter deWitt, Jacob Cassell, Zeke douglass

River Ridge: Micah Pugh

Sequoyah: kolby Martin, riley o’neil, Maddox Waller, Michael Fountain, drew Williams

Woodstock: Jamir richardson, Mikey dirks, eli Myers, Cooper Price, danny Palmese, Tyler barbera

bill Mcguire

Sequoyah High School Head Coach James Teter in action during a game against Kell High School.

(Teams selected by Cherokee County coaches)

SPORTS

Sequoyah’s Rajecki breaks out with milestone season

By Griffin Callaghan gcallaghan@cherokeetribune.com

Will Rajecki was a good running back in 2023, but he became the best in 2024.

Rajecki led Sequoyah to one of its best seasons ever, tying the longest run in postseason history and equaling the program’s single-season wins record.

In terms of both wins and statistics, Rajecki was Cherokee County’s most productive rusher, and it resulted in him being the Cherokee County Football Offensive Player of the Year, as selected by the county’s coaches.

“It was pretty crazy to me,” Rajecki said. “I never thought (the season) would go that well for me. I knew it was going to be an important year for me with recruiting and everything. I just came in ready to do my best and see how it goes, and it went pretty well.”

Statistically, Rajecki took a massive leap forward, going from 561 rushing yards and four touchdowns last year to 1,541 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2024. His total yardage numbers went from 679 to 2,164.

Rajecki accounted for 28 total touchdowns, catching five and even throwing two, with one coming in the playoffs to his own quarterback, Kolby Martin.

Sequoyah coach James Teter knew his junior running back would need to have a productive year, so he challenged Rajecki, and it paid off.

“Will just played awesome all year long,” Teter said. “We challenged him from last year to this year to get better at things, and he accomplished all of those. He is an awesome, physical runner and everything you want in a player. Everything we asked him to do, he got better at. He is just a great kid and a hard worker.”

Following the departure of current Jackson Hancock for Missouri, the Chiefs’ offense was centered around Rajecki and the rushing attack. He took the 265 carries and ran with them, averaging 5.8 yards per carry and better than 100 yards a game.

“Looking back to last year when we had Jackson, we knew he was going to be used a lot and we would try and get him the ball,” Rajecki said. “Then, of course, everyone focused in on him, and I knew I would get a couple of touches. But now, this year, I knew I would be one of the main dudes with him gone. I had to take care of business and do my thing.”

Rajecki had a signature performance in the first round of this season’s Class AAAAA state playoffs as Sequoyah outdueled Gainesville 38-28 in a game many viewed the Chiefs as underdogs in. He registered 209 yards and four touchdowns on 32 attempts, with a fifth score coming on the trick-play touchdown pass to Martin.

Then, on the road at Woodward Academy, Sequoyah won 35-20 behind a

Sequoyah’s William Rajecki celebrates after scoring a touchdown in a

182-yard, two-touchdown rushing game from Rajecki.

“It was pretty crazy,” Rajecki said. “I go into every game thinking I’m just gonna do my thing. Before the game, I always visualize the plays I think I am going to make and how I think it’s going to go. To me, that was just like a regular-season game. I didn’t really think anything of it. I just went out and did my thing, and it went really well.”

Rajecki has seen some big-time college offers come his way since the end of the season, including both Kansas State and Memphis on Thursday. He will return to Sequoyah next season, hoping to build on the postseason success from the last three years.

“Just keep doing what I’ve been doing and impact the younger guys below me,” Rajecki said. “I want to help them do some of the things I’ve been doing and help our team keep that winning legacy going.”

Special — greg Spell

Sequoyah running back Will Rajecki carries the ball during a game this past season.

anthony Stalcup

game against Lassiter.

Ogundele does it all for Sequoyah defensive unit

By Griffin Callaghan gcallaghan@ledgernews.com

Senior Taiwo Ogundele used his leadership and experience to propel Sequoyah to its peak this season.

It was no secret Ogundele would be the heartbeat of the Chiefs’ defense, a unit that held three teams under eight points and played a vital role during the program’s postseason run.

Ogundele finished his high school career by equaling the program’s best playoff run, and it earned him the 2024 Cherokee County Football Defensive Player of the Year award.

“It’s pretty rewarding,” Ogundele said. “We got further than last year, and I got to play a lot more games than I did last year with all my friends. It was a fun year. We put in the work all summer and all spring, and it showed throughout the season. We had a great staff and a great team to go with it, too. It was expected.”

Ogundele finished the season with 101 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and five sacks, up from respective totals of 67, 12 and five a year ago. It correlated in the win column, too, with Sequoyah improving to a team-record 11 wins.

“I think I improved a lot, and this season meant a lot because this was the last time playing with these guys, who I grew

up with,” Ogundele said. “I meant a lot to have my best season this year.”

After consecutive playoff seasons and a first-round win in 2023, Ogundele expected the Chiefs to continue that ascension. His No. 1 goal was to help Sequoyah rack up wins, and it even included his foray to the offensive side of the ball.

Ogundele played the short-yardage specialist role and took 19 carries for 145 yards and five touchdowns. He also caught one pass for 16 yards.

“I started practicing offense a little bit last year,” Ogundele said. “I got an opportunity to play offense this year, and I made the most of it. I played offense a little in middle school and my freshman year, so it was always something (the coaches) had in the back of their minds.”

Ogundele was one of Sequoyah’s key holdovers from last year’s playoff win, along with fellow senior two-way standout Ean Marria. Ogundele led the Chiefs with 10 tackles in this year’s first-round win over Gainesville, and he followed with five tackles, one tackle for loss and one sack against Woodward Academy.

He took pride in leading a defense brimming with younger difference-makers and all-county honorees such as Brooks Darling, Drew Williams and Matthew Matz.

“His leadership was big because we lost so many guys on the defensive side

after last year,” Sequoyah coach James Teter said. “He set great examples for our younger players both on and off the field. Without him, we wouldn’t have had the success that we did on defense.”

Ogundele looks to continue his football career into college, but has yet to decide on a destination. He said the future is bright at Sequoyah and to “watch out” for next year’s squad.

Taiwo Ogundele’s primary task was on defense for Sequoyah, but he also emerged as a two-way player.

SPORTS

Jack secures Grizzlies’ all-time scoring record

By Griffin Callaghan gcallaghan@ledgernews.com

It seemed inevitable, but Luke Jack etched his name in Creekview basketball lore as he became the program’s all-time leading scorer Dec. 13.

Jack eclipsed former Grizzly standout KJ Jenkins’ record, pouring in his 1,284th point against Riverwood.

For Jack, it was no surprise after he passed the 1,000-point threshold late last season.

“It feels great,” Jack said. “I just worked so hard, and I am glad to see it has paid off here for my school. That was awesome. I didn’t know that was coming. To see that he noticed, it was really cool. I watched him growing up, so that was cool.”

Jenkins took notice, too, and in a video that played before Creekview’s Dec. 17 game against archrival Sequoyah, he called Jack’s feat “a much deserved accomplishment for a talented player.” Jenkins is a former Division I player now playing professionally in Austria.

Jack, an all-county honoree each of the last two seasons, has improved each year at Creekview, going from 12 points per game as a sophomore to 18 as a junior, and he is even better in 2024-25.

“I’ve definitely gained confidence and with just the feel and the speed of the game, too,” Jack said. “I have grown as a leader, being more vocal and getting my teammates where they need to be. I’ve been there before, and I know what to do.”

In his second year under Creekview’s current coach, Tyler Whitlock, Jack has clearly made an impression.

“Luke is a terrific young man who has worked very hard to become a great player, and more importantly, a great person,” Whitlock said. “This awesome achievement is just a small reflection of that hard work. I’m very happy for him and proud of him for

reaching this milestone.”

Jack’s game elevated rapidly throughout his childhood, with his brother, Seth, helping facilitate that growth. Luke said he remembers playing with his brother at the YMCA and getting tips on how to improve.

Luke and Seth Jack played together at Creekview for two years under then-coach Casey Gramling, a time Luke cherished.

“It was really helpful, because seeing how he started high school, I got some tips and tricks that have helped me,” Jack said. “Playing with him was awesome, and we’ve played together since we were 4 or 5 years old. I kind of miss playing with him.”

Jack’s accomplishment was a culmination of his work and journey through the ranks of basketball, something his father, Randy, is even more proud of.

“It’s always easy to celebrate the accomplishment, but honestly, I would rather celebrate the journey,” Randy Jack said in a post on X. “The journey that felt more like a roller coaster, full of ups and downs, twists and turns. The journey that helped make him a stronger person. It’s the journey that led to countless memories and friendships…”

Looking ahead, Jack has received college offers from Alabama-Hunstville, North Georgia and Louisiana, among others. AlabamaHuntsville has a steady recruiting hand in Cherokee County, with Sequoyah’s Preston Parker already there and Etowah’s Aiden Weaver a recent signee.

As his high school career reaches its end, and with a goal to reach the Class AAAAAA playoffs, Jack is grateful to both Creekview and his family for helping reach program immortality.

“I just want to thank all the trainers and all my teammates, especially my parents for always getting me to a gym,” Jack said. “They have helped me all the way through my high school career.”

griffin Callaghan Creekview’s Luke Jack surpassed KJ Jenkins in December to become the Grizzlies’ all-time leading scorer.

Special

Creekview’s Luke Jack, left center, poses after being honored for becoming the program’s all-time leading scorer.

Little River Park construction to start this spring

By Ethan Johnson ejohnson@ledgernews.com

Construction on Woodstock’s Little River Park is expected to start in the spring, according to the city.

Woodstock Parks and Recreation Director Brian Borden said in an email to the Ledger-News that city staff is working on getting the Little River Park project ready to bid in mid-to-late February, with construction beginning in late spring.

The project will be completed in three phases, with each phase expected to take about six months to complete, with possible delays due to weather, Borden said.

When it’s complete, Little River Park will be Woodstock’s largest city-owned park. The park is planned to have a scenic trail along the entire length of Little River from Trickum Road to the Woodlands subdivision, a lake for fishing and kayaking, a water trail that goes to Olde Rope Mill Park, new playgrounds and outdoor recreation programming.

An existing house on the property was originally planned to be converted to park offices, but the Woodstock City Council voted 5-0 Jan. 13 to surplus and dispose of the building at 3193 Trickum Road. Council member Colin Ake was absent from the meeting.

The building will be demolished due to asbestos and infrastructure damage.

“Originally, this structure was going to be renovated and made into a park office/visitor center. The plan called for the building to be renovated as part of Little River Park Phase 1,” Borden said. “Due to the age of the building, before any work could be done the city contracted with Geo-Hydro to test for hazardous materials. The results came back positive for asbestos and lead paint.”

Borden said the city has hired an environmental contractor to remove the asbestos and lead paint before demolition.

When the building is demolished, it will make way for the contractor for the Little River Park project to place a construction trailer on site during the 18-month construction timeframe, Borden said.

Upon completion of Little River Park, this area is now planned to be natural green space.

This year, reimagine what’s possible. We ofer a fresh take on wealth management. With 35+ years of expertise & personalized strategies, Henssler Financial helps you tackle today’s challenges & seize tomorrow’s opportunities.

Discover how our services can help you live with confidence.

File/Mariam Janad Woodstock’s Little River Park is among projects to be funded in a $24 million parks bond.

acres.

Northside Hospital Cherokee introduces new hysterectomy option

Staff reports

Surgeons at Northside Hospital Cherokee are now performing vNOTES, a minimally invasive option for hysterectomy procedures, the hospital system announced.

Dr. Michael Litrel performed the first procedure on Dec. 11.

vNOTES (vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery) is a minimally invasive technique for hysterectomies, Northside reports. According to the hospital system, compared to other techniques the vNOTES procedure results in reduced surgical times, shorter hospital stays, reduced postoperative pain, no visible scars and faster recovery.

A hysterectomy, the removal of the uterus, is often necessary to treat conditions like fibroids, endometriosis, heavy bleeding, uterine or cervical cancer and severe prolapse. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), hysterectomies are among the most common surgeries performed in the United States.

Unlike traditional minimally invasive procedures that require multiple small abdominal incisions, vNOTES uses the vagina as the access point, so the surgeon can reach the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries without external cuts. Carbon dioxide is used to inflate the abdomen, creating space for the surgeon to work, using a camera and specialized instruments.

“vNOTES surgery is great for patients because with both laparoscopic surgery and vaginal surgery the surgeon gets great visualization with less invasive incisions,” Litrel said. “This means a faster recovery with less pain.”

ACOG and the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists recommend vaginal hysterectomy as the preferred approach when possible.

Northside Hospital offers a range of minimally invasive hysterectomy options, including laparoscopic, robotic and single-incision techniques. In 2010, Northside was the first hospital in Georgia to perform a radical hysterectomy using robotic technology.

Northside also offers vNOTES technology at Northside Atlanta.

vnoTeS surgery is great for patients because ... the surgeon gets great visualization with less invasive incisions. This means a faster recovery with less pain.”

northside hospital Cherokee

Northside Hospital Cherokee

Dr. Michael Litrel

Dr. Michael Litrel, Northside Hospital Cherokee

Echocardiography: Key tool for early heart disease detection

In an age where heart disease continues to be a leading health concern, early detection and proactive prevention are essential. One of the most effective tools in combating cardiac issues is echocardiography — a non-invasive imaging technique that provides critical insights into heart health.

Echocardiography, often referred to simply as “echo” is an ultrasound test that uses sound waves to produce images of the heart. Unlike other imaging methods such as X-rays or CT scans, echocardiography is safe, painless and involves no radiation. This makes it an ideal option for patients of all ages.

One of the most significant advantages of echocardiography is its ability to detect heart disease at an early stage. Conditions like heart valve disorders, congenital heart defects and cardiomyopathies can often be identified before symptoms become severe. Early diagnosis allows for timely intervention, which can significantly improve outcomes and enhance the quality of life.

Echocardiography also plays a crucial role in assessing risk factors for heart disease. By evaluating the size and function of the heart’s chambers and measuring wall thickness, doctors can identify conditions like high blood pressure and left ventricular hypertrophy (thickening of the heart muscle).

Understanding these risk factors enables health care providers to develop tailored prevention strategies, such as lifestyle modifications and medical treatments.

For individuals already diagnosed with heart disease, echocardiography is invaluable for ongoing monitoring. Regular echocardiograms can track changes in heart function, allowing health care providers to adjust treatment plans as needed. This is particularly important for managing chronic conditions like heart failure and valvular heart disease, where timely adjustments can prevent complications and hospitalizations.

Echocardiography not only aids in diagnosis but also guides treatment decisions. For example, if a patient has a significant heart valve issue, an echocardiogram can determine the severity and whether surgical intervention is necessary. By providing a clear picture of heart function, echocardiograms

unlike other imaging methods such as X-rays or CT scans, echocardiography is safe, painless and involves no radiation. This makes it an ideal option for patients of all ages. one of the most significant advantages of echocardiography is its ability to detect heart disease at an early stage.

ensure that patients receive the most appropriate and effective treatments, minimizing risks associated with inadequate care.

Understanding heart health is crucial for effective disease prevention. Echocardiography enhances patient education by providing visual evidence of heart conditions. When patients can see images of their heart and learn about specific issues, they often feel more empowered and motivated to adhere to treatment plans and make lifestyle changes, such as adopting a heart-healthy diet or increasing physical activity.

The preventive aspect of echocardiography cannot be overstated. By identifying potential issues before they escalate, patients can engage in proactive care. This might include regular monitoring, medication adherence and lifestyle modifications tailored to individual risk factors. The goal is not just to treat existing conditions but also to prevent them from developing in the first place.

Echocardiography is a cornerstone in the evaluation and prevention of cardiac disease. Its ability to detect conditions early, monitor existing diseases, guide treatment and empower patients makes it an indispensable tool in modern medicine. By embracing the benefits of echocardiography, individuals can take proactive steps toward a healthier heart and a longer, more vibrant life.

Dr. Apurva D. Shah is a cardiologist with the Northside Hospital Heart Institute. He sees patients at Northside Heart — Towne Lake in Woodstock. Visit northside.com/ heart for more information.

Don’t let another year slip away while living with debilitating symptoms. 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.

holding you back.

Dr. Apurva Shah

GUEST COLUMNIST|DR. APURVA SHAH

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

CCSD increases AP pass rate to record high

Staff reports

Cherokee County School District high school students have increased their overall average score for Advanced Placement exams and passed their exams at a recordhigh rate, the district announced.

CCSD students raised their overall AP exam average score to 3.6, up from 3.4, this past spring, according to a new report from the College Board.

Participation also increased, with 6,955 exams completed, up from 6,091.

The number of CCSD students taking AP courses and exams has increased by 400 over the past three years, while the passage rate has increased.

Students who earn a 3 or higher (on a scale of 1 to 5) on an AP exam can qualify for college credit at most state colleges and universities — avoiding college tuition payments for those classes.

Eighty-two percent of CCSD’s exam scores were a 3 or higher — the highest pass rate ever for the school district, up from 78%.

Assuming each exam equals one college course, CCSD estimates that students will save $6.1 million in college tuition, up from $4.6 million.

The school district’s AP program annually earns state recognition for its comprehensive course catalog and high passage rate; CCSD high schools offer 33 different AP courses.

awards to schools in recognition of student success and participation.

To earn the honor, 40% of a school’s graduating class must take at least one AP course (College Culture), 25% of test-takers must earn a 3 or higher on each exam (College Credit) and 2% of students must take five or more AP courses during their high school career, with at least one in ninth or 10th grade (College Optimization).

Etowah, Sequoyah and Woodstock High Schools all earned the award at the overall Silver level. Creekview and River Ridge High Schools earned the award at the overall Bronze level.

In individual areas, four high schools — Creekview, Etowah, Sequoyah and Woodstock — earned Platinum, the highest honor, for College Optimization and Gold for College Credit, with Cherokee HS and River Ridge HS earning Gold for Optimization.

“Passage of AP exams demonstrates our students are well prepared for rigorous courses at college and saves them and their families money on college tuition. We’re so proud of our students’ success and the professional expertise and dedication of our teachers,” Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis said. “Thank you to our School Board for investing in our AP program to provide our students with challenging advanced academics, world languages and fine arts learning opportunities.”

The College Board, which administers the international AP program, presents AP School Honor Roll

Schools on the AP School Honor Roll also may earn the AP Access Award, which honors their commitment to providing all students access to advanced coursework, and Creekview and Etowah High Schools achieved this honor. To earn the award, the percentage of AP exam takers from underrepresented minority and/or low-income households must mirror the school’s overall student demographics.

The school board received a report Dec. 12 on AP results, as well as SAT and ACT results. The full report is in the Dec. 12 work session agenda, available online at https://www.cherokeek12.net/board-of-education/ board-meetings.

Etowah teacher earns national agriculture education award

Staff reports

An Etowah High School teacher has won a national award for outstanding agriculture education, the Cherokee County School District announced.

Ashley Rivers, who leads the school’s Career Pathway agriculture program, is one of only six teachers nationwide to win the 2024 National Association of Agricultural Educators’ Outstanding Agricultural Education Teacher Award.

The honor recognizes teachers at the “pinnacle of their careers, conducting the highest quality agricultural education programs and rewards them for their excellence, leadership, and service in the agricultural education profession,” according to the association.

An 18-year educator, Rivers leads Etowah’s Career Pathway agriculture programs, which she has grown to include both Plant and Floral Design Systems and Companion Animal Systems.

The award judges praised Rivers for her teaching philosophy of fostering student personal growth to prepare them for various careers through initiatives like the student-led

Cherokee County School district

In this 2024 photo, Etowah High School graduates Elizabeth Lin, Luke Lindberg and Nolin Linenkugel watch their classmates filing into the graduation ceremony.

Mary Elizabeth Davis

Cherokee County School district

From left: National Association of Agricultural Educators Region V Vice President Nelson McCracken, Jen Danley of Tractor Supply Company, Outstanding Agricultural Education Teacher Award winner Ashley Rivers of Etowah High School, Vanessa Moczygemba of Tractor Supply Company and National Association of Agricultural Educators President Eric Tilleman. See RIVERS, 30

EDUCATION

CCSD robotics teams advance to super regionals

Staff reports

Three Cherokee County School District teams earned honors at regional First LEGO League robotics competitions to advance to super regionals, the district announced.

Mill Creek Middle School’s LEGO Cats — Pink and Gold teams and Dean Rusk Middle School’s Brick Army II team all earned high enough overall scores at regionals to move on to the super regionals event this weekend. Mill Creek’s teams also both earned the Core Values award for their respective competition groups.

The Mill Creek Pink team is made up of: Samantha Catledge, Vanessa Dimitrova, Chloe Hagin, Aditi Patel, Radhika Patro, Tulsi Patel, Ana Pena, Abby Sargenski, and Seeya Uppal. The Gold team is made up of: Bala Dhodda, Isaac Freeman, Tucker Hsu, Carey McCullough, Ben Padberg, Grant Peppers, Kingston Te and Tanush Vallamsetty. Their coaches are teachers Ryan Brumbelow and Mark Markley.

The Dean Rusk team is made up of: Luke Buchanan, Mason Edwards, Agilan Poovendran Kumaresan, Aiden Lanier, Ava Murray, Anderson Smith, Liam Snider, Callie Tisdale, and Mohamed Zafran. Their coaches are teachers Teresa Hutto and Lauren Snider.

For First LEGO League competitions, elementary and middle school teams design and build a robot using the LEGO Mindstorms system. The robot must solve specific missions on a tabletop playing field with models made from LEGO bricks. Each team also completes a research project to analyze and solve a problem; this year’s theme was focused on ocean exploration and ecosystem conservation.

Trophies are given for four categories of competition: Robot Design, Core Values, Robot Performance and Project, with an overall Grand Champion

Patro, Tulsi Patel, Ana Pena, Abby Sargenski, and Seeya

Hsu, Carey McCullough, Ben Padberg, Grant Peppers, Kingston Te and Tanush Vallamsetty. Their

are teachers Ryan Brumbelow and Mark Markley.

trophy for the event’s highest score. Teams advance to super regionals based on their score and can further advance to a state championship.

The super regional competition, which will feature top teams from the region’s public and private elementary and middle schools, will be hosted by Mill Creek Middle. It is coordinated by Markley and Brumbelow, who also coordinated the regional event at their school.

For First L ego League competitions, elementary and middle school teams design and build a robot using the L ego Mindstorms system. The robot must solve specific missions on a tabletop playing field with models made from L ego bricks. e ach team also completes a research project to analyze and solve a problem; this year’s theme was focused on ocean exploration and ecosystem conservation.

RIVERS

From 29

greenhouse and career-focused industry certifications.

Rivers has earned numerous honors for her excellence as an educator.

Agilan

Lauren

and

She is a 2024 FFA National Teacher Ambassador, a title earned by only 64 teachers nationwide; and past winner of the Georgia Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association’s Outstanding Educator Award and two-time recipient of the Georgia Farm Bureau’s First District Young Farmer Excellence in Agriculture Award.

2023 3 Star Chapter award, the highest rating awarded.

She also serves as Etowah’s FFA chapter advisor, which also has earned numerous accolades including the national

The national Outstanding Agricultural Education Teacher Award, sponsored by Tractor Supply Co., was presented to Rivers during the association’s national convention in December in San Antonio.

Cherokee County School district

The Mill Creek Middle School Pink team is made up of: Samantha Catledge, Vanessa Dimitrova, Chloe Hagin, Aditi Patel, Radhika

Uppal. The Gold team is made up of: Bala Dhodda, Isaac Freeman, Tucker

coaches

Cherokee County School district

The Dean Rusk Middle School team is made up of: Luke Buchanan, Mason Edwards,

Poovendran Kumaresan, Aiden Lanier, Ava Murray, Anderson Smith, Liam Snider, Callie Tisdale,

Mohamed Zafran. Their coaches are teachers Teresa Hutto and

Snider.

Cherokee County sees its first snow in years

Staff reports

Cherokee County and other parts of north Georgia had a light blanket of snow Jan. 10.

According to Cherokee County, the county on average saw less than an inch of snow accumulations.

The snow and ice prompted the closure of Cherokee County School District schools, government offices and some businesses.

County and city crews treated roads throughout the county, and public safety workers responded to accidents. Some roads were closed for most of the day due to hazardous conditions.

According to the county, over two dozen accidents were reported on Jan. 10, most due to motorists sliding off the roadway. About three dozen vehicles were reported stranded. Some trees fell and brought down power lines, causing power outages.

But with schools and some businesses closed, many residents enjoyed the snow day sledding and building snowmen.

In January 2022, Cherokee had a “dusting” of snow, and about an inch of snow was reported in Woodstock, the National Weather Service said at the time. The last “notable snowfall” was in February 2020, a forecaster said, when about 1.5 inches was reported at the Cherokee County Regional Airport near Ball Ground.

Courtesy Vos Costa family Olivia and Lindsay Vos Costa from Woodstock, with Jeff the snowman.

ABOVE: City of Canton employees clear Laurel Canyon Parkway of ice and snow Jan. 10. LEFT: Fatima Sow braves the cold and icy roads for supplies at the Laurel Canyon Publix Jan. 10. ♦ robin rayne

GARDENING WITH THE MASTERS|

LINDA FREEDMAN

Making seed tapes for small seeded vegetables

Seed tapes are long strips of biodegradable paper in which pre-spaced seeds are embedded. In garden centers they are more expensive than just a packet of seeds, but you can make them yourself for a fraction of the cost. Why use seed tapes? Well, one of the biggest problems for gardeners, especially beginners, is the correct spacing of seeds, especially small seeds like carrots, lettuce, herbs and some flowers. Gardeners tend to sow too many seeds. Seed tapes eliminate seed waste and time spent in thinning seedlings. Using seed tape will help with correct spacing. In other words, it is a tool to help the gardener to be more successful plus a fun and simple do-it-yourself project. You can make them in the winter and store them until Spring for planting or give them as a gift to other gardeners.

SUPPLIES YOU WILL NEED TO MAKE A SEED TAPE

♦ Paper towels or one ply toilet paper. It will be easier for seeds to sprout through one ply toilet paper.

♦ Scissors

♦ Ball point pen or marker

♦ Elmers’s glue-nontoxic or make your own glue using 2 TBSP of white flour and 1 TBSP of water. Make sure glue is not too watery.

♦ Ruler

♦ Seeds

MAKING HOMEMADE SEED TAPES

♦ Cut one and a half to two inch wide strips of paper towels. Make them as long as you want.

♦ If you are using toilet paper and you only have two ply you must split the two layers.

♦ Place ruler on your strips and mark spaces for seeds based on the directions

on the seed packet.

♦ Place moderate size drop of glue on each mark and then place one or two seeds on the glue drop.

♦ Using a toothpick sometimes helps to pick up seed.

♦ Fold top half of paper towel or toilet paper over bottom half and press lightly.

♦ Using pen, label one end of the strip with the name of the seed.

♦ Leave the strip out to dry. This usually takes a couple of hours.

♦ Roll up seed tape and store in airtight container in a cool dry location.

When it is time to plant, read the back of the seed packet to learn how deep your seeds need to be planted. A common

mistake for first timers is planting too deep. Remember some seeds like carrots, barely need to be covered. Make a small trench in the garden or raised bed at the correct depth. Place the tape in the trench and sprinkle with loose soil and water as you would in ground seeds. Happy Gardening!!!

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.

Freedman

Seed tapes are shown in the ground.

CROSSWORD ANSWER